[Filter: Terrance]

Hey, kid. You got a sec to talk?

Hey, it was Terrance, weren't it? I'm having another game this weekend, one for some of the regulars. Thought it might do you some good to watch how the big fish play cards, huh? Don't have to come if you ain't interested, of course, but I'll be paying for drinks. Always do, on card nights.

Welcome to bring a few friends, too, long as you keep the number down. Crowd tends to get a bit shifty when there's too many new faces, start to think there might be something wrong, and that they better start playing all respectable. And while I can sure appreciate me a respectable game or too, it tends to make people bet less, and I think you can see why that might make the night a bit less interesting.

Hell, who knows, maybe if you feel confident enough by the end of the night, you can get in on a hand or two.

Oy, kid. Hope you know I'm talking to you, don't think we ever exchanged names. You find enough players for this game of yours, or am I gonna need to pull together some friends to fill out the table? I don't mind either way, mind, I got a few favors I can pull and a few of em are likely bored enough to be up for a card game, stakes or no.

Just let me know, would you? Makes it a bit easier to plan. Next time you read or whatever, gimme a yell.

Well, if nothing else, my friend here's nice enough to let me put me newest purchases on my tab instead of paying right off. Think it's payback for not tellin' anybody when he cheated at cards last night.

I like to run games a little bit cleaner, but I ain't about to upset a man what is expecting cash from me. Last time I did that, I got a broken nose outta the deal. Sure, last guy I weren't on such good terms with to start off with, but hey. Ain't about to take chances.

My pal from the old farm's decided to stick around. Told him I'd try to find him a job, but I ain't about to volunteer your place for work, Miss Mianne. He ain't the sort you really want hanging around all the time, if you know what I mean. He'd scare of business. Besides, I think I can handle my job just fine on my own, wouldn't want him taking work away from me. He ain't a sort you'd like much, either.

Brought up the fact I owe him money, too. Ain't that just like him, really.

I'll tell you what, it seems like my Festival list never gets any bigger any year. Never gets much smaller, either, but it's always pretty slim, I'll grant you that.

Got something for you and your gramps, Miss Mianne, hoping it ain't too forward. Thanks for keeping me on the job so long, I guess, even though I been calling in sick a lot lately.

Got an appointment tonight with an old friend from around the old farmstead, actually. Says he might have a few goods I'd be interested in seeing, hoping he ain't just jerking my chain.

Well, things are settling down where I make my rounds, at least. More people showing up again for card games. Dunno why they quit coming in the first place, especially if they weren't involved in what happened, but maybe they knew some people working the decks. It's possible, here. Get all sorts around the table at night. Probably a few of them knew folks one way or another.

At any rate, nobody's brought up the topic, and they've even quit talking about the Prince now. Glad for it, too, who wants to talk like nasty business like that over cards? Better off talking about the weather. Hell, better off talking about anything. I don't play cards to make myself all uptight.

Hell. Found a bit of side work open on the docks, the other day, and went to report in today and the place is still a mess. I don't like thinking what it musta been like out on the water with nowhere else to go. I've seen plenty bad enough just helping get things back in order down here, and I ain't even working on the Titania itself.

Don't think I'll be keeping this work up so long. That ain't the only reason, but I'd sure be lying if I said it wasn't part of it at all.

Well, whatever laid me low, I seen it making a bit of rounds in the circles I hang around, now. I sure hope I weren't the one what started it, but I guess I had to've caught it from someone myself.

I don't think it'll show up round your parts, Miss Mianne, but be careful anyways. Wouldn't want to see a pretty girl like you under the weather that way. It seems to be sticking to the outskirts of town for now, which is good enough for me since I think I can't get it again, but you never know. Little caution never hurt no one.

Ugh, Miss Mianne. Think I'll be a tad late today, if that's all right. Was up a bit late last night and now my stomach's being right awful to me.

I'll try to make it in anyways, though. Wouldn't wanna leave you high and dry.

Well, I know I ain't anybody at all to begin with, but I got one of these books same as anyone else, and I know I ain't gonna be the only one watching for news about the prince. Imagine we ain't gonna hear much, since it's all probably on the down low, but don't hurt to look.

On another note, got me a job working for Miss Mianne and her grandpa. Still owe you one for that, miss, it's a right good thing you done for me.

Well, there ain't a single sign of rain in Floran, so far. Guess it's still early for us to get that big nasty storm that's making the rounds, but I know I'm kinda glad it ain't come around yet. I'm kinda fond of the heat, me. Keeps my head clear.

Need a new job again, though. Slept in too late a few too many times, and where does it get me? Outta work, like usual. I guess this is the cue for anybody round the capital who needs workers to send out a call. Willing and able and right out of work, here and ready to hire.

Fucking hell!

You'd think a guy doesn't like how I play'd get up and leave the table and never come back, wouldn't you? This one I was bitching about before, he's making a point to come to my games, every single one, since he first stormed out!

I know he's just watching to see if I cheat, but what's he gonna do even if I did, huh? These men what usually play with me, they like doing so, and it ain't like he can run me out of town. So I'm making some cash off this, it's all I've got for now, what the hell's it matter to him, anyway?

Plenty of other games he could join if he's so pissed at me. Wouldn't even have to be in the same bar!

Always happens! Win a few games here and there, make a bit of coin, and some angry fuck insists you're a cheat. And it don't even matter how many people I got here vouching for me! Still gonna cry and bitch and moan until he gets his money back.

It's almost enough to make me wanna quit running games around this joint. They'd be begging me to start again in no time, it ain't like they got anybody else runs things half as well as I do.

Man, it's about that time of year again. Who wants to do anything this time of year? It's just easier to lay around all day doing nothing, maybe play some cards at night. Keep busy with real important stuff, you know, having a good time and all that sort of thing.

I need another new job, but damn if the thought ain't about the least appealing thing in the world. It's nearly summer, now. Who wants to work through the summer?

Hey, Jack, was it? You up for another game sometime soon? And our other friends, too, whatever their names were. I got an empty table and a big stack of cash to bet. Won't find a better dealer in Floran, neither.

Why is it always nights when I got a game that I feel like absolute shit. Dragons fucking damn, this ain't funny at all. I think I'm going to puke up my insides until there's nothing left.

Seen a few of y'all roaming the streets here and there. Just thought I'd say, if you're ever looking for a good night of cards, let me know, I got the best deck in town. Hoping you're enjoying it here besides that, but seems from these books you are.

Right, look me up. Won't be disappointed!

Damn, now I'm reminded. Where am I gonna get roses this year, huh? Ain't got my favorite flower shop anymore.

Hey, flower girls. See you're still at sea, huh? Let me know how Dentoria goes.