Continued from here http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... sc&start=0
Drake walked calmly through the dusty street that led into the shanty town from the rest of the residential district. In this place it was sometimes hard to tell the vagabonds from the citizens. Most of the people from both groups wore stained and tattered clothes. Drake pitied them. It was not their fault alone that they had to live this way. Many of them had probably been swindled out of their money and the government had done nothing. In many cases it was because the judges or guard had a hand in the pocket of the con-artist, and in others it was because there were more important matters as far as the government was concerned or the person was not of a high enough rank.
Part of Drake despised the city of Marn, but another part loved it. The air of corruption surrounding he place made it easier to get away with small infringements and kept most of the people's minds off of him. Drake came to a stop as a dirty little boy, no more than ten years old, jumped out in front of him.
"Mr. do you have any money you could spare?" he said putting on his most pathetic face. "I'm awful hungry and my ma's sick. I really need some money." He held out his hand as if he expected Drake to plop a small fortune into his crusty palm.
"No, I have none to spare," Drake said as he edged around the small boy. Catching Cody's eye he subtly led it to an alley on the other side of the street. In the shadows one could just make out the disappointed faces of a small band of children. "If I had handed him any money, they would have surrounded us begging for more. If that were the only risk I would have given him some, but it is very likely that one of those children would have cut the strings from my coin purse and been far away before I ever noticed." He continued to walk down the street. The small street vendor style booths all about the grouping of make-shift shelters were now coming into sight.
Forgotten Faces
Forgotten Faces
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody followed after him, a step or two behind and off to his left side. He seemed relaxed as he watched the people as they passed by. What Cody noticed more than their clothes or condition was who was alone and who had family or friends. The money really did mean next to nothing to him, of course again he didn't worry about finding food, still he'd be willing to give up money at the cost of friends or family. Nor was Cody bothering to understand why they were in the shape they saw them, it was simply how it was. Cody wasn't bothering to deeply consider it, why should he? Cody knew he wasn't capable of making much of a difference.
Cody had been reaching towards his small bag planning to offer his coins when he say Drake's signal to look at the ally. All those kid's...poor kids. Why was it ok for everyone to be poor and hungry one moment then not the next? Cody imagined he disliked it more now because they were having to turn them down for something one of the children had pointed out they wanted, and needed.
Cody accepted Drake probably new best. Looking to the children again he imagined it was quite possibly one of them would steal Drake's money. Not all humans are thieves obviously, but if you get enough desperate people together, someone is likely to want to improve their future, to survive, anyway possible.
Cody turned his attention to the street ahead, to where the vendors would be. Some part of his mind quickly thought of buying things as excitedly as a child. Of course he didn't really have the money to casually buy things, nor did he honestly need anything. He enjoyed buying candy and well...as a kid he had loved collecting whatever was the newest cheap little toys that people were offering out. "Hey Drake..." He paused, wondered what Drake would think of Cody's mind going right back to food after breakfast...surely this didn't count, "if we see one selling candy we should stop there for a moment." Well...Rollik nor the man with the stick had wanted his money...so he could spend in on candy if he wanted to.
What type did he want? Chocolate? His owner had chastised that it wasn't very healthy...of course no candy was. Peppermints! Cody wanted peppermints. Yes...he could taste them now. "I want to get a few peppermints...you should get some also." Yup, now he could taste them.
Cody had been reaching towards his small bag planning to offer his coins when he say Drake's signal to look at the ally. All those kid's...poor kids. Why was it ok for everyone to be poor and hungry one moment then not the next? Cody imagined he disliked it more now because they were having to turn them down for something one of the children had pointed out they wanted, and needed.
Cody accepted Drake probably new best. Looking to the children again he imagined it was quite possibly one of them would steal Drake's money. Not all humans are thieves obviously, but if you get enough desperate people together, someone is likely to want to improve their future, to survive, anyway possible.
Cody turned his attention to the street ahead, to where the vendors would be. Some part of his mind quickly thought of buying things as excitedly as a child. Of course he didn't really have the money to casually buy things, nor did he honestly need anything. He enjoyed buying candy and well...as a kid he had loved collecting whatever was the newest cheap little toys that people were offering out. "Hey Drake..." He paused, wondered what Drake would think of Cody's mind going right back to food after breakfast...surely this didn't count, "if we see one selling candy we should stop there for a moment." Well...Rollik nor the man with the stick had wanted his money...so he could spend in on candy if he wanted to.
What type did he want? Chocolate? His owner had chastised that it wasn't very healthy...of course no candy was. Peppermints! Cody wanted peppermints. Yes...he could taste them now. "I want to get a few peppermints...you should get some also." Yup, now he could taste them.
Drake perked up at the thought of candy, his eyebrows raising a bit. It had been a while since the last time he had had candy. He thought about the marvelous chewy concoction called taffy he had had somewhere in Caelteth Eyrop. The man he had bought the stuff from had said that the best taffy came from Marn. "Yes, after we find the man I am looking for and ask him, we will search out someone selling candy specifically. I too want some now. " He sighed happily at the idea of the soft, elastic sweets.
They were now encircled by small booths selling everything from exotic birds to weapons. Drake smiled politely and waved off the excited pitches of the salesmen. He had no intent of buying anything but candy today, but like the ladies of the Ale Star Brothel, they seemed to smell the Bishani that shifted around in the hidden pocket of his pants and in his small coin purse.
Now Drake was warily watching the people that shuffled about around him and Cody. His hands clinched somewhat nervously; the left constantly ready to latch on to his purse and the other drifting neared he hilt of he rapier on his hip. "The man's shop is just up here," he said pointing, "we should hurry about our business so we can get out of here sooner."
They were now encircled by small booths selling everything from exotic birds to weapons. Drake smiled politely and waved off the excited pitches of the salesmen. He had no intent of buying anything but candy today, but like the ladies of the Ale Star Brothel, they seemed to smell the Bishani that shifted around in the hidden pocket of his pants and in his small coin purse.
Now Drake was warily watching the people that shuffled about around him and Cody. His hands clinched somewhat nervously; the left constantly ready to latch on to his purse and the other drifting neared he hilt of he rapier on his hip. "The man's shop is just up here," he said pointing, "we should hurry about our business so we can get out of here sooner."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody was not acting the savvy buyer. His eyes were flicking in all directions at things. There were so many different things one could get entertained with. He got a quick glance at the booth with the birds to see some brightly colored green bird of medium size that was sqwaking quite loudly. The orange beak looked capable of breaking a finger, but otherwise it looked like something you could enjoy looking at for a long time. Shame it was in a cage.
Of course every now and then Cody was back to changing what side of Drake he felt like walking on. He tried to make sure it looked like he was more aiming for the sights and not that he had just seen a woman coming his way that apeared to have noticed him. Sheesh...women...why were they so scary?
Hurry up? Well yes Cody imagined he didn't need to look around much. He didn't really have money to spend anyway, and the sooner they were done the fewer women he'd have to keep an eye on. He nodded in agreeance to the comment. "If he doesn't know...any idea where we will go from there?"
Of course every now and then Cody was back to changing what side of Drake he felt like walking on. He tried to make sure it looked like he was more aiming for the sights and not that he had just seen a woman coming his way that apeared to have noticed him. Sheesh...women...why were they so scary?
Hurry up? Well yes Cody imagined he didn't need to look around much. He didn't really have money to spend anyway, and the sooner they were done the fewer women he'd have to keep an eye on. He nodded in agreeance to the comment. "If he doesn't know...any idea where we will go from there?"
Drake thought about Cody's question. He thoroughly hoped that the man would have an answer for them; he really didn't feel like searching out anyone else. "Well, I suppose I could ask the cook back a he inn. I just didn't want to ask her first because she doesn't seem like the type that's spent much time outside of the city." He really did hope that the man would have some answers for them. Cody's question had unsettled him. What if he didn't know where to look for gnomes and a giant wheel.
He shook off the misgivings and started to pay more attention to their surroundings. As he did so he began o notice that Cody was acting strange. After a few moments of watching he realized that Cody was swapping which side of Drake he walked on whenever a woman came near on his current side. That was certainly odd. Had Cody been doing it last night? They had certainly passed women on their way out of the tavern and back to the inn. "Cody, I have a question. Never mind, it can wait." The man's booth and home had come into sight.
He shook off the misgivings and started to pay more attention to their surroundings. As he did so he began o notice that Cody was acting strange. After a few moments of watching he realized that Cody was swapping which side of Drake he walked on whenever a woman came near on his current side. That was certainly odd. Had Cody been doing it last night? They had certainly passed women on their way out of the tavern and back to the inn. "Cody, I have a question. Never mind, it can wait." The man's booth and home had come into sight.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Well, Cody imagined if they had to go back and ask the cook, Cody could remind Drake to ask about more sugar cubes. Considering they had just had breakfast, and were already talking about peppermints he decided he didn't need to mention the sugar cubes yet.
Cody turned his head to face Drake on hearing he had a question, offering him full attention for a few seconds instead of the scenes around them. At the sudden decision to not ask Cody got even more curious...what had it been? He turned his head to give an annoyed look at their destination, then shrugged off the question wondering what this person they were going to meet would be like.
He matched pace with Drake to walk right next to him, currently on his right side. Cody felt energized, not sure why doubting anything interesting would happen. Maybe he was just hopeful Drake would get the answers he was looking for here.
Cody turned his head to face Drake on hearing he had a question, offering him full attention for a few seconds instead of the scenes around them. At the sudden decision to not ask Cody got even more curious...what had it been? He turned his head to give an annoyed look at their destination, then shrugged off the question wondering what this person they were going to meet would be like.
He matched pace with Drake to walk right next to him, currently on his right side. Cody felt energized, not sure why doubting anything interesting would happen. Maybe he was just hopeful Drake would get the answers he was looking for here.
>>>>NPC POST
Miguel bustled about in the room of his home that he used for storage. He was taking inventory as a means of escaping the necessary dealings with the peasant folk that occupied the shanty town. He had a long list of items laid over the sleeve of his thin purple and gold robe, and was making marks beside each of the items to indicate which he had and how many.
He had just gotten to the section containing the things he had bought off an odd elf in a one sleeved jacket and hood when his son, who was supposed to be watching the sales counter, walked in. "What is it Hatheed? You were told to watch the booth."
"I'm sorry," the thick armed young man said shamefaced, "There is someone here that wishes to speak with you."
"Who is it?" Miguel asked. If it was an angry customer that had realized that they had been cheated, he would firmly deny them a meeting.
"It is the elf with the one sleeve and a young man I haven't seen before."
"Alright, tell them I will be out shortly." He didn't mind meeting with the odd elf. The man had sold him many decent items at a significantly low price, and had known about the insufficient price. Miguel didn't question the man's motives in agreeing to the price, he simply thanked his good fortune.
He fished about his mind for the elf's name. "Ah, Master Istalii," he said heartily, the name coming to him as soon as he saw the man. "Come in, come in, let us talk out of this wreched sun."
Miguel bustled about in the room of his home that he used for storage. He was taking inventory as a means of escaping the necessary dealings with the peasant folk that occupied the shanty town. He had a long list of items laid over the sleeve of his thin purple and gold robe, and was making marks beside each of the items to indicate which he had and how many.
He had just gotten to the section containing the things he had bought off an odd elf in a one sleeved jacket and hood when his son, who was supposed to be watching the sales counter, walked in. "What is it Hatheed? You were told to watch the booth."
"I'm sorry," the thick armed young man said shamefaced, "There is someone here that wishes to speak with you."
"Who is it?" Miguel asked. If it was an angry customer that had realized that they had been cheated, he would firmly deny them a meeting.
"It is the elf with the one sleeve and a young man I haven't seen before."
"Alright, tell them I will be out shortly." He didn't mind meeting with the odd elf. The man had sold him many decent items at a significantly low price, and had known about the insufficient price. Miguel didn't question the man's motives in agreeing to the price, he simply thanked his good fortune.
He fished about his mind for the elf's name. "Ah, Master Istalii," he said heartily, the name coming to him as soon as he saw the man. "Come in, come in, let us talk out of this wreched sun."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
"Thank you Miguel," Drake said as he stepped into the significantly cooler air of the house that was very large for the area of the city. When he had first come into the city he had sold his loot to Miguel for a very low price, but as it was still a large amount and he needed all the positive interactions he could get, he hadn't felt cheated.
He sat on the stool that was proffered and watched as the merchant in his brightly colored robe lit a long tobacco pipe. "What can I do for you my friend?" the man asked, smoke trailing out of his mouth as he spoke. Drake found he man's odd accent funny, but he controlled himself. It would not do to upset Miguel before he had the answers he was seeking.
"Well Miguel, I overheard some of he locals talking about something odd, and I thought that you might could help me find it. You see, they talked of a place that was occupied by many gnomes. Apparently, this place also has a giant wheel that is turned by the might of the Ofriyu. I thought that it would be something awe inspiring to behold."
Drake knotted up his brow at the odd look that the merchant was giving him. "What is it Miguel? Do you know of the place I speak of or not?"
"My friend, he place you seek is within this very city." Drake had to fight to keep his jaw from sagging open stupidly. "Yes, you are looking for the Power Plant in the Industrial District. It is the northernmost part of the city." Drake's eyes grew to twice their normal size. He had been within walking distance of the thing he sought all this time and not even known it.
"Thank you very much Miguel," he said standing up in a hurry. He started for the door and stopped. "Miguel, you wouldn't happen to know where we could find someone selling candies would you?"
He sat on the stool that was proffered and watched as the merchant in his brightly colored robe lit a long tobacco pipe. "What can I do for you my friend?" the man asked, smoke trailing out of his mouth as he spoke. Drake found he man's odd accent funny, but he controlled himself. It would not do to upset Miguel before he had the answers he was seeking.
"Well Miguel, I overheard some of he locals talking about something odd, and I thought that you might could help me find it. You see, they talked of a place that was occupied by many gnomes. Apparently, this place also has a giant wheel that is turned by the might of the Ofriyu. I thought that it would be something awe inspiring to behold."
Drake knotted up his brow at the odd look that the merchant was giving him. "What is it Miguel? Do you know of the place I speak of or not?"
"My friend, he place you seek is within this very city." Drake had to fight to keep his jaw from sagging open stupidly. "Yes, you are looking for the Power Plant in the Industrial District. It is the northernmost part of the city." Drake's eyes grew to twice their normal size. He had been within walking distance of the thing he sought all this time and not even known it.
"Thank you very much Miguel," he said standing up in a hurry. He started for the door and stopped. "Miguel, you wouldn't happen to know where we could find someone selling candies would you?"
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody had followed Drake into cooler house, and then looked at Miguel. The man didn't appear dangerous, or at least not at the moment. After looking at Miguel long enough to decide he wasn't a threat his attention turned to roaming about the room, seeing if anything looked worthy of focusing his attention on.
He stayed back a ways, and tried not to do anything to draw extra attention to himself. Staying in the background seemed a proper thing to do, he couldn't really say why just...this was time for Drake to get what he wanted, and Cody to wait.
It was interesting listening to Drake explain why he wanted to see the wheel. Knowing the reason now made his fake reason seem...fake. Still he had accepted it before knowing what Drake wanted, he imagined this man would also.
Cody jerked his head over to Miguel then to Drake on hearing that Drake's hidden wheel was so close. That brought a new question to Cody's mind, what would happen once they found the wheel or gnome...or whichever Drake actually needed.
Cody had stepped back to the door as Drake neared it. Of course on hearing him request about the candy Cody's face came to life, looking quite hopeful. Peppermints...so good..the sweet sweet test, the way they melt so slowly, unless you just chew them up. That was fun also...to hear them crunch and spread out the flavor quickly instead of over a slow period of time.
He stayed back a ways, and tried not to do anything to draw extra attention to himself. Staying in the background seemed a proper thing to do, he couldn't really say why just...this was time for Drake to get what he wanted, and Cody to wait.
It was interesting listening to Drake explain why he wanted to see the wheel. Knowing the reason now made his fake reason seem...fake. Still he had accepted it before knowing what Drake wanted, he imagined this man would also.
Cody jerked his head over to Miguel then to Drake on hearing that Drake's hidden wheel was so close. That brought a new question to Cody's mind, what would happen once they found the wheel or gnome...or whichever Drake actually needed.
Cody had stepped back to the door as Drake neared it. Of course on hearing him request about the candy Cody's face came to life, looking quite hopeful. Peppermints...so good..the sweet sweet test, the way they melt so slowly, unless you just chew them up. That was fun also...to hear them crunch and spread out the flavor quickly instead of over a slow period of time.
Drake walked along, chewing slowly on the sweet candy he had bought from the vendor that Miguel had suggested. He had also paid for Cody's double fist full of peppermints. He could hear his friend munching away at them behind him and a little to the side. He was still straying away from women. Drake didn't understand it. Cody was a good looking guy and must have gotten plenty of desirous looks from women much like he himself had gotten before he chose to dawn his hood to insure that nobody saw his scars. He didn't think it healthy that a male of Cody's age feared women instead of desiring them as most other males over the age of ten did.
"Maybe the magic that created him is to blame," the voice of his other half commented. He would find out what it was soon enough.
"Cody, if you don't mind I would like to stop at the tavern to get something to drink before we go off to the power plant."
"Maybe the magic that created him is to blame," the voice of his other half commented. He would find out what it was soon enough.
"Cody, if you don't mind I would like to stop at the tavern to get something to drink before we go off to the power plant."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Peppermints! Mmm...still so early and it was quickly becoming a great day. They had already found out where it was Drake needed to go, and cody had these wonderful peppermints. Cody's cheerful attitude was only offset by the women having to wander about. Still, Cody was happy enough that he was more avoiding the women just to be extra safe and by habit. This wasn't to say he was by any means over his fear, just that he was preocupied by his food as well. Drake made a great shield which was also helpful.
"Sure." Cody was a bit surprised expecting Drake would be in a hurry to rush over to the power plant, but it was fine by him. "I might as well get some water when we get there." Peppermints were great, but they could make you a little thirsty. Ick...it would also mean going inside with a bunch of other people all around you, and limited access to leave if the need arose. Oh well, it wasn't like he didn't go in there on his own. If he hadn't gone into the tavern...he would have never met Drake. Today was too nice anyway, as long as he was careful nothing should go wrong.
"Sure." Cody was a bit surprised expecting Drake would be in a hurry to rush over to the power plant, but it was fine by him. "I might as well get some water when we get there." Peppermints were great, but they could make you a little thirsty. Ick...it would also mean going inside with a bunch of other people all around you, and limited access to leave if the need arose. Oh well, it wasn't like he didn't go in there on his own. If he hadn't gone into the tavern...he would have never met Drake. Today was too nice anyway, as long as he was careful nothing should go wrong.
Now leaving http://www.tharshaddin.com/rp/viewtopic ... 0939#10939
Drake squatted between two barrels in an alley. He jumped up into the air and used his legs to wedge himself between the two walls. Slowly, using his hands, he worked his way up to a high window.
He clung to the ledge with his long fingers and peeked inside. It had obviously been months since the place had had tenants as the hardwood floors were caked with dust and every corner bore multiple cobwebs.
He looked down at Cody. "I'm going to climb in and go unlock the alley door. I need you to stay here. Can you do that for me?" He slid the window open enough for
himself to fit through, but didn't go in. He was still waiting on Cody to answer him.
Some part of him was telling him to leave Cody. Someone is after you and you don't need the dead weight. It wasn't his "friend" saying this, it was his survival instincts. This, however, was not a battle with himself that he would lose. He would continue to watch Cody's back just as much as his own.[/i]
Drake squatted between two barrels in an alley. He jumped up into the air and used his legs to wedge himself between the two walls. Slowly, using his hands, he worked his way up to a high window.
He clung to the ledge with his long fingers and peeked inside. It had obviously been months since the place had had tenants as the hardwood floors were caked with dust and every corner bore multiple cobwebs.
He looked down at Cody. "I'm going to climb in and go unlock the alley door. I need you to stay here. Can you do that for me?" He slid the window open enough for
himself to fit through, but didn't go in. He was still waiting on Cody to answer him.
Some part of him was telling him to leave Cody. Someone is after you and you don't need the dead weight. It wasn't his "friend" saying this, it was his survival instincts. This, however, was not a battle with himself that he would lose. He would continue to watch Cody's back just as much as his own.[/i]
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
It was obvious the last thing Cody wanted to do was stay still. He was constantly shifting his weight from one side of his body to the other. The shivering seemed to have mostly stopped except for his hands, which had curled into knotted fists as if this would somehow cease the consistent motion.
Hurry! He didn't say it...just..he didn't want to be still. Of course the next thing that connected to him was that he didn't particularly want to be locked into a building at the moment. He'd debate it with Drake once they were inside...he could go in at least, maybe it would only be for a few moments.
Drake...he was waiting for an answer. He turned his head in the direction they'd come from then back up to Drake, bobbing his head once in agreement, even though that body posture made it look questionable.
Hurry! He didn't say it...just..he didn't want to be still. Of course the next thing that connected to him was that he didn't particularly want to be locked into a building at the moment. He'd debate it with Drake once they were inside...he could go in at least, maybe it would only be for a few moments.
Drake...he was waiting for an answer. He turned his head in the direction they'd come from then back up to Drake, bobbing his head once in agreement, even though that body posture made it look questionable.
Drake scrambled through the window and landed on the floor inside with a thud. He hurried to the side door. He tried to unlock it, but the mechanism had seized up tight with age. He stepped off to the side and gave the doorknob a heavy kick. The handle fell to the floor and rolled, leaving scrolling patterns in the dust.
He pushed the door open and beckoned Cody inside. "Sorry that it has to be such a small space," he said, felling the anxiety that practically coated his friend. "We just need somewhere to hide out until we can depend on nightfalls aid in our temporary escape from the city."
He eased the door to behind Cody, after checking the alley for signs of enemies, of course.
He pushed the door open and beckoned Cody inside. "Sorry that it has to be such a small space," he said, felling the anxiety that practically coated his friend. "We just need somewhere to hide out until we can depend on nightfalls aid in our temporary escape from the city."
He eased the door to behind Cody, after checking the alley for signs of enemies, of course.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours