700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93qJX1YJ86
700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTDTQtcW1o
"Mummy, look!" 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE1g4yEgRl
Tap, tap. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGAniTn0Sm
"Mummy I will make you proud!" 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOctVKTvUC
Tap, tap.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2WTQhm7ZG
"Mummy, save me."700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAOs1XKdsT
Tap, tap.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphErDTPJVh
"Alright you better shut700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6O4TzpdWh
it with the falling tapping!" David shouted as he opened his eyes and 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkNb72sHZb
got up. Waking from his dream, for what else could it have been? 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSE1jBglH0
David was about to 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq02tqHoOe
complain more but then he remembered what happened, how he fell from the700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqmVMx9LLy
ship, to his apparent death. But right now he was in the middle a city 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqekcEUqJZM
or at least a shallow imitation of one. With the buildings and the 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDrWNgZvLN
people just being shadowy reflections of the real world, but still 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6mb74mKQA
eerily lifelike.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ODNBScOU
Then it clicked, the 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxOZFEOdkI
ramshackle buildings, the crooked streets, dark alleyways guarded only 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyjgVfKfxv
by footpads and thieves. Shadowy humans begging and fighting. Stumbling 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu56vHNv6P
around drunk. David was back in the Havenport slums, his home. A home he700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUiNHd5XMg
left around 20 years ago when he boarded his first ship. Why was he 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPTEO4WO6n
back? Was he dead after all? 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqxODQ7qwu
All of those thoughts, 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0vJaHKjh5
and more, were racing through Davids mind. As he was trying to gather 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiUev6fW5k
his wits, he heard laughter from...not behind exactly but everywhere.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGqqs5qK0X
"Ah! Perfect you finally awoke!" David tried turning towards the voice but couldn't quite pinpoint where it was coming from.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bjT6Ql1fO
"Ah, apologies. The ether world makes everything quite fuzzy." 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoyYUq8yTI
David fell backwards out of fear as a figure appeared out of thin air in front of him. "Spirit! G..ghost! Demon!"700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdAwVLn7cR
"There, there. Get it 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptTwzssDLH
all out." The being said in an amused voice. Was it even amused? David, 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuvJ19WZvJ
again, could not pinpoint the exact tone of voice. It sounded as if it 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig3vWv0peB
was echoing both in his mind and in this city. Hitting the walls making 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmRimp2PMx
the voice both louder and yet quieter. The voice had both male and 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaiitXqIZT
female aspects to it as some parts sounded quite high pitched while 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrccjaNrja
others sounded low pitched. Both happy and sad, amused and disappointed.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYk4qfQLBX
It was quite disconcerting. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIWnm7N5MA
"All done now?" The 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDV3yapGRZ
apparition asked, smiling. Or was it smiling? As David got back up he 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6lPHRBkze
got a better look at his new friend. Or at least at the parts that he 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwxE4N7H1d
could see. Its face was covered in... something that looked like mist. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6swDfkuD1
David was unable to properly distinguish the features. Whether it was 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dmlb4GCx1
smiling or crying David would never be able to tell.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEimLrWACqp
Its clothes were quite 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagorFAATwf
weird as well. Wearing a top hat which seemed both as tall as the person700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipMNDOUh1k
wearing it and as short as Davids own pinky. Its body was covered in a 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnZ9q6xAm4
dark shroud going from the shoulders to feet and every time it moved it 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUL1vHaiUQ
changed both color and shape.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubb3HokCal
The figure tilted its 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83NibhCuwz
head and moved his hands as the tapping noise continued. Concentrating 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4swT7JWACQ
on the lower part of the body David could see a thin shape of an object 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr5slUNfqR
that looked like a stick. A cane? A walking stick? Who knew?700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSVyoL7RnZ
"The tapping, was that you?" David said as the tapping noise surrounded them again echoing as if they were in a cave.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QLU3jtBTm
"Indeed" 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKEWVBXnJI
Tap, tap, tap.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplDEJoCJae
David flinched at the 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vcH8Gi9w
sound. He wanted to shout at the ghost to stop the tapping. To answer 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHnQkZFuYm
where he was and what was happening. But there was a power dynamic here,700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z737oJOqT
as in everything else in life. During the years he learned that there 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwuqGcsq14
are three types of people: Leaders, followers and parasites (a handy 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMFOuz4R33
word he learned from a scholar, turned pirate, in his earlier forays 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKLgH0cz0y
into piracy)700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PeFOqyL7X
Leaders and followers 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTGU5DB0Xs
were self-explanatory. David, meanwhile, considered himself a parasite. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozLPP6YEtc
Parasites attached themselves to either a leader or a follower. Making 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquDHONIqbT
them believe you were on their side, that you were one of them. And then700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDyPzUUibj
when that person gives you everything you need you leave and attach 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwZ66i9as7
yourself to someone else.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r51mYrUUi
This was not so 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VPm2DVHP6
different, David was the parasite and the person in front of him was the700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowyuotNrBu
leader. He was in charge of the situation so David had to attach 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY0gdsAUs4
himself to him or her. Had to make them believe he was on their side or 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriMTKh2YJG
harmless or whatever the situation called for. After all no one is 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGFIA5lLKe
immune to flattery, be it gods or ghosts.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEam4q9ezsg
"I'm sure I'd have the pleasure of your acquaintance, if I knew your name?" He ventured slightly bobbing his head.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToR5cJ7xhZ
The figure gave a 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANnxhhjVQ0
chuckle, which sounded as if glass shattering. "Ah yes, you will suck up700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3wi27LP3L
to me trying to win me over and then hopefully gain an advantage. I've 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYtf0PBp5w
been watching you, David Oxtorne, lying and never revealing your true 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNrZiZXINn
self. Being a friend to some, an arrogant bastard to others whatever 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtAOTWqHgb
would get them to like or accept you." A pause and the figure looked to 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLi7bqtphK
the side. "I've no time for your games; otherwise I would've loved for 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyZUJgPsX8
you to grovel and try to win favor. For now call me...Jester." Jester 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDYyzayK28
laughed, as if saying a grand joke that David wasn't part of.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb64rGUcYz
David looked at him 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4SUJsJL2U
puzzled adding his own awkward laugh to Jesters. This...Jester certainly700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtvoB2f6QI
liked to laugh a lot, although David was failing to find any funny 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrQhnId5y2
jokes. "Nice to meet you Jester." David was about to say more but he was700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8wCCd1bRy
interrupted by a raised hand.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOZKkQUsfq
"Yes, yes you're a slow 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSNNzuDYih
learner aren't you? We will need to change that. You want to ask where 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZkpiNaeTo
you are and whatnot. So let me answer that for you. You're in the ether 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtqgb6ICrj
world. You're not dead because I saved you. Your body is laying asleep 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLQWtyXThx
so you're here only in your consciousness. Not a lot of giftless can do 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qT1z3PxHy
that, you should feel dead honored"700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlWeTCCLZB
David was having trouble700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxi5MLmKed
following jester. But one thing he understood was that you didn't save 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QBLMRca4E
someone's life unless you got something out of it."wha..."700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt1B1VTcVv
But David didn't get to 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLr6wT8liV
finish as jester continued." Not done yet was I? Your next question is, 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MC2kDbnKG
probably: 'what do you want in return for saving my life?' Which 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiX9mQDNOt
honestly David hurts, just hurts. Don't you think I'm a generous soul?"700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbNBUAxJk9
A pause, David was 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaqSnWnJxz
unsure what to do and begun to answer but the figure kept on talking." 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaI4ieqyDq
Of course I'm not. Suffice to say I will need you to find something. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqz22ICX7y
Can't tell you what yet but others will be hunting for it too" 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd0UunvExp
Jester made a clock 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBS0PQPYBow
appear in front and nodded...probably." Well that's all from me. We'll 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq79hxAJMEu
meet again once you've met the other chosen ones. I'll explain more 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioAKrTnwgH
then, hopefully you'll be better company by then. Or else I've chosen 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8mzjwH20M
quite wrong, quite wrong indeed."700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vlP4CHqXb
David was about to ask 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIvIm0ZyjR
more questions but then he heard a whisper. He looked at jester first 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrCualCbQA
but as far as David could tell it wasn't his doing, which didn't 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnOJK6WM2v
convince David at all.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhpvkmNbnF
"Hey I...body..." a voice echoed. Sounding human. 700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFyWtbqbv9
And then his world shook, all the shadows dissipating, as if swept away by the wind.700Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WtSjOLPES
"I am watching, my chosen. Make it interesting for me." Jesters voice resounded within Davids head as darkness fell again.
ns216.73.216.8da2
