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Does not incldue side stories.", "count": "65", "submission_left_submission_id": "1500464", "submission_left_file_name": "2124763_TerraMGP_by_necessity_priorities_part_3.doc", "submission_right_submission_id": "1511692", "submission_right_file_name": "2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.doc", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/2141/2141644_TerraMGP_by_right_awakening.jpg", "submission_right_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_right_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_right_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_right_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_right_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_right_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Part 2 of this, because I was inspired and it helped me get down more of what 'By necessity' should be about. I know I know there is a distinct lack of kinky sex or theoretically sexy nightmare fuel. Sometimes a gal has to focus on story, you know?", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Part 2 of this, because I was inspired and it helped me get down more of what 'By necessity' should be about. I know I know there is a distinct lack of kinky sex or theoretically sexy nightmare fuel. Sometimes a gal has to focus on story, you know?", "writing": "By Necessity: Priorities part 2\nBy TerraMGP\n\n\tIf there was one good thing about class 3 residency blocks, it was how they tended to escape the chaos of major holidays. Sure, the occasional spam ad crawled in. Usually for the few cheap luxuries these people could afford. Founders day memorabilia, seasonal food and drink items, little things the unwashed masses could afford on their meager incomes while only hovering a tiny bit closer to oblivion. Yet at the same time there were no decorations on the decaying dirt-brown walls. No windows to frost with fake snow spray or houses blaring grating pop music dedicated to the gods and change of seasons. Theoretically a few people might bother to put up cheap plastic wreaths or other such decorations, but considering how easy it was to steal such things it was a sure bet that anyone who tried was likely to lose whatever they paid for it.\n\n\tKanina found it almost soothing after a day of running around appeasing Sebastian. Hauling a backpack full of trip crystals out to some punk kid in a Class 2 high rise butted up right near the spires. Little brat was probably going to make ten times what he gave them off the stuff too. Though at least with her coding she could be confident the spoiled brat kids wouldn’t burn their dendrites on some half-assed hack job. It was almost enough to make up for the sweat and sore muscles she felt getting though the ducts and over the rooftops to deliver the package. Almost. What did end up making it worthwhile was the trip back. Specifically the nice, print-wrapped box she held under her arm. A nice little divot out of her cut that filled the tired bun with tingles of excitement.\n\n\tIt was enough to put a little spring in her step even as she made her way up to the old familiar door and waved her hand over the small panel to its side. A small ringing chirp could be heard from within. A few moments later the door slid open, letting the bunny skip-stride her way in, pulling the meter and a half long package behind her back as if it would hide it and loosing a loud, playful growl “Hey squeaks. Guess who… oh.”\n\n\t“Oh, well hay there.”\n\n\tKanina stopped dead, looking at the source of the booming baritone in aggravation. A large bear sat dead center on the couch. His arms splayed over the back of it. He wore a flannel shirt with the sleeves torn off and a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, along with an obnoxiously chipper smirk that curled her toes. Kanina glanced off to the side a moment where she saw Brinna standing. The Dormouse struggling to keep her sea of thick black hair free of her face as she worked away at the touch pad eagerly.\n\n\t“Kanina” Brinna giggled “I wasn’t expecting you.”\n\n\t“Clearly not.” Kanina half-muttered as she rolled her shoulders and walked over to her friend, titling her head “So, that him?” she asked with a small glance. The bear seeming to regard her with simply a chuckle.\n\n\t“Yuh huh! Oh, wait. I forgot I didn’t get to introduce you guys yet did I?” Brinna walked beside the couch and knelt slowly and awkwardly. Having to grab the arm of it at one point to keep herself from toppling over as she gave her head an over-exaggerated bow. “Sir. This one would like to present her best friend in the galaxy. Kanina Kunitdottir.”\n\n\tBefore she could continue the bear simply gripped the mouse by the muzzle and pulled her close, looking her in the eyes a long moment before kissing her softly and loosing a long, bellowing laugh. He then slipped her back into the seat beside him and put his arm around her. “She really goes all out sometimes doesn’t she?” he sighed as he turned his ice-bleu eyes to Kanina and offered a free paw. “Sean. Nice to finally meet you. Brinna has been ranting about you since back when we were just talking on the network.”\n\n\t“Kanina.” the bunny muttered in the most polite tone the situation allowed her. She took the paw hesitantly in a small shake and then titled her head. “You don’t expect the same kind of introduction from me, do you?” the snide words slipped before she could stop herself. The young lapin simply offering a sardonic smirk and doubling down on them even as Brinna looked up at her in shock at the dig.\n\n\tSean, for his part, grew semi stone faced for a moment. A playful smirk touching the corner of his muzzle, one that Brinna would, as always, be totally oblivious to. He ran his eyes quickly up and down Kanina a moment and scratched his chin, hmming loudly. “Well, I don’t know. I mean you certainly are pretty. But the last thing I want to do is make my little sister jealous. She’s spent so long with a monopoly on cute bunny girls after all.” he laughed. The mask of seriousness lasted just long enough to draw a shocked gasp from Brinna, which broke it into a heavy laugh almost instantly. Sean then kissed her forehead and sighed loudly. “Oh relax. She knows I’m joking. Poor Brinna keeps trying to overcompensate. I told her, Even if I’m her owner she is free to introduce me the same way she would a boyfriend. Unless I tell her otherwise. Stupid social obligations.” he muttered to himself as he leaned back and rolled his neck a moment. Free paw returning to the back of the couch which he gripped hard enough for the plastic supports to creak slightly.\n\n\t“Yeah. Not gonna lie, Squeaks. That was kinda awkward for everyone.” Kanina muttered as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. It was hard to tell which part pissed her off more. Seeing her best friend bow and scrape, the admittedly joking way the bear looked at her, or just the hard hit to her overall momentum. Of course that brought her mind back to the package. She smirked nice and wide, quickly pulling it out and holding the wrapped box in front of her as her tail thrashed and waggled happily “Oh, by the way. I got you a lil something. You know, seeing as how you went out of your way on my gift.” She chuckled.\n\n\t“Wait, what?” Brinna blinked and blushed hard as she looked at the package. The mouse reached across the bear and snagged one end with both hands, nearly dropping the item. Shocked by the weight of it. “Oh come on Kanina you shouldn’t have!”\n\n\t“What?” Kanina chuckled as she rubbed the back of her finger on her nose and did her best to look coy “It’s not like it’s out of nowhere is it? You got me something after all. If I can open my gift early, then so can you.”\n\n\tSean smirked and looked down at Brinna “Oh, does that mean I get to open mine early too?” he chuckled.\n\n\t“Nuh uh, Sir.” Brinna said as she hugged the box close “Kanina got hers as a birthday gif too. She’s allowed to open it early.”\n\n\t“Plus you wanted to get to spoil someone else for a change, I bet.” he laughed. Brinna blushing and nodding her affirmation as she looked down at the box. “So, you sure it’s ok if I open it early, Kanina?”\n\n\tKanina shrugged and glanced away a moment, doing her best to hide her eager smirk “I mean, it’s really up to you if you wanna. I don’t want to overshadow some special night you two are having or something.”\n\n\t“Oh it’s nothing big.” Sean laughed “We were just gonna hang out and watch some holos. Since her therapist insists that we need to put limits on that kind of thing it’s the best we can do.”\n\n\tKanina pushed though her best smirk and shook her head “Wait, you got a Class 1 guy hooked around your lil finger and you’re not milking him for all he’s worth?” the bunny pouted teasingly “and here I figured I was a worse influence on you than that squeaks.” She narrowed her eyes and shook her head softly in playful mock disappointment.\n\n\t“You’re welcomed to join us if you want.” Sean noted “I admit I’ve wanted to get to know you for a while now.”\n\n\tThat playful fake pout grew a tiny bit more serious. Kanina thankfully still in control of herself. Another benefit of her line of work. She scooted the tip of her shoe on the carpet, looking at the two sitting there, shifting her weight a bit. She shook her head, then nodded “Well, I don’t’ know. I really don’t want to impose” she said as she shook her head “I really just wanted to give Brinna her gift.”\n\n\t“But we’ll have cheesecake!” the dormouse teased.\n\n\t“That temptation only works so much” the purple bunny said as she narrowed her eyes.\n\n\t“I did bring some Whiskey…” Sean noted with a small note of mock-reluctance “I probably won’t drink much of it. I just like an Aether and Whiskey now and then. Especially with ‘Stars Above’.”\n\n\tKanina narrowed her eyes and glared at them leaned down a bit, one ear folding down hard as she all but glared at the two “You mean that shlocky, cheesy campfest? The one with Arthur Fitz?”\n\n\tSean actually looked a tiny bit sheepish as Brinna grinned wide and nodded her head frantically to the question.\n\n\tThe room fell silent a long moment as Kanina kept up her judgmental glair before finally cocking her hips and shaking her head “Well I hope you know the theme song then, and you guys better have some creampuffs set up in the printer.”\n\n\t“Of course! You think we’re gonna go though the dinner scene without creampuffs?” Brinna chirped in offense.\n\n\tWithout another word Kanina flopped herself down on the couch. She leaned back a moment, then paused as her neck hit the firm yet slightly doughy arm of the bear. She then leaned forwards, scooting away from him, more towards the arm f the couch,. Glancing over at Brinna and the box before eyeing the recliner nearby. She’d never sat in it before. She’d never dared. Especially not when they were kids. But now…\n\n\tEven as the thought slipped though her head Sean’s arm slipped back to hang behind the couch, leaving her at least partially free of the uncomfortable contact. The bunny watched Brinna shift herself up a bit and pick around for the small fold left when the paper was printed around the object. She watched the dormouse fumble, prod, and tug at the paper with that annoying little thwapping pinch. Seeking to get her well-trimmed claws into the laminated plasticky paper before finally tearing open a small gash. That done, Brinna shifted the box on her lap and slowly worked to tear as precisely as she could along the seam. Seeking tog et it all off in one nice, big, long chunk.\n\n\t“Oh for Woz’s sake will you just open it squeaks?” The rabbit sighed finally as she reached over and gave the other end of the paper a small hug. Just enough to make an irregular gash and render the OCD tugging moot.\n\n\tWith her foible snatched from her, Brinna set about simply tugging and tearing the paper away bit by bit. The box soon showing the bright blue lettering over a star field. Thick, high quality cardboard showing a girl in absurdly revealing power armor carrying a massive, elaborate single-handed sword surrounded by holographic projections of arcane circles. “You didn’t. Seriously, you didn’t!” Brinna gasped. Every shred of apprehension over making a mess dissolved as she quickly revealed the box.\n\n\t“Great Odin’s Raven.” Sean muttered under his breath “You actually managed to nab one?”\n\n\t‘Sword of the Techmagi, Star Soldier Brigid’. Kanina grinned wide and licked her lips as she saw it. A tiny wellspring of bliss shooting though her. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”\n\n\t“Gavin’s brother.” Brinna noted.\n\n\t“Don’t go ruining my street cred, Bri.” The bunny mmphed in frustration.\n\n\t“What? Just because he works in a toy store doesn’t mean he’s not a connection, right?” She said as she slowly pulled the lid up, revealing the lovingly packaged replica sword inside. The weapon already broadcasting a request to display its AR functionality. A small acceptance nod causing the trademark circles to spring to life around it.\n\n\t“That’s still a damn impressive find.” Sean noted “I thought they only did a limited run last year when they remade the show to keep it more faithful to the comics.”\n\n\t“They did. My guy found one in the back.” Kanina giggled “You’d be shocked what kind of slag for collectors will show up in the dark corners of a toy store back room.” The bunny perked a bit. Ever so slightly less ashamed of her ‘contact’ than she had been.\n\n\t“Looks like you’ll need another new shelf, my gem.” Sean chuckled “No way you can just cram that in a corner.”\n\n\tBrinna carefully set the lid back on and leaned up to kiss her owner on the cheek. She then moved over and wrapped her arms around her best friends neck giving her a hard hug and squealing happily. “Oh this is just the best. Thank you thank you thank you” She giggled happily as she ran off to her bedroom with the box.\n\n\tKanina sighed and shook her head softly. “Well that was about what I expected.” The bunny laughed “So worth the detour.”\n\n\t“That the reason for the getup?” the bear laughed. Kanina looked up at Sean a moment, her smile fading as she shook her head and leaned back into her seat. “Nah. It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” she said with a shrug “I just don’t like to wait around for public transit when I don’t have to.”\n\n\tHe nodded and shrugged his shoulders, either oblivious to or uncaring for her coldness. “I donno what she made you, but Gods damned you really went all out. Something tells me you’re gonna get something else from her.”\n\n\t“Probably. It’s how she always is.” Kanina said rather bluntly. She fell quiet a long moment before glancing sidelong up at the bear. Her foot tapping on the floor with the growing nervous energy. “I do gotta ask though, why are you so impressed?”\n\n\t“What do you mean?” Sean asked as he tilted his head\n\n\t“Come on. You’re a Class 1. Brinna may not give me details but I have to imagine a toy for woman-children like that? You could track one down and nab it honest in an hour.”\n\n\tSean laughed a bit at that. A nice jolly bellow that seemed to deflect the negativity in those words. “Oh I could make something like that. With the tools in my lab it’d probably take an afternoon at most. Probably be more accurate too. But.” he said as he smirked back at her “That’s not the point. You know that as well as I do” he said firmly.\n\n\tThe bunny nodded, much as she hated to admit it. She let her eyes slip shut a moment and sighed softly. Taking a small but longing glance at the food printer as it chugged away on the far wall.\n\n\t“You know whatever I did, I’m sorry.” Sean said softly.\n\n\t“It’s nothing.” She muttered softly\n\n\t“Look” The bear sighed “I wasn’t trying to…”\n\n\t“Yes, you were.” Kanina snapped in a whisper “And I told you it’s nothing. I’m fine.” The passive-aggressive tone tasted all sorts of wrong in her mouth. She shook her head a moment to clear it and tried to shift her focus. Slowly counting off code fractals under her breath.\n\n\t“Just a minute, you two. This printer in here is kinda slow.” Brinna called out from her bedroom. A happy sing-song lilting in her voice.\n\n\t“Look.” The bunny growled “I think we both know what my problem is. You don’t seem like the kind of Class 1 Slaghead who gets by on family money, so I’ll just be nice and presume you aren’t stupid. Especially since Brinna wouldn’t put up with a dumb guy anyways.” She turned to look up at him. While she may have been athletic, This man probably should have been intimidating. He had a few centimeters on her, and it only took quick augment-aided glance to tell that the soft body fat was covering a surprising amount of muscle. Thankfully, as usual, she gave absolutely no fucks. “I love that girl, and the last thing I ever want to see is her getting hurt. She’s family. So if you play nice, I’ll play nice. But you ever hurt her again.” She growled. The words slipping out just loud enough that she was forced to stifle herself and slump back into the corner of the couch between the arm and he seat. Getting as much distance from the man as she could.\n\n\tThe bear simply nodded and let his arm dangle behind the couch as he nodded. Brinna soon coming out with a big bowl of printed corn puffs and bottle of Aether. Sean reached down under the cheap coffee table for a nice cut glass bottle sitting there under the faux wood. He was cut off by a gloved hand which snatched it up quickly, bucked front teeth pulling the cork free in one smooth practiced motion as Kanina took a belt.\n\n\t“Dibs” she squeaked playfully. Even as she shot a bit of a glair at Sean.\n\n\t“Hey.” the bear grumbled “I was gonna share”\n\n\t“And now I’ll share.” She said coyly. “But I still call dibs. You wanna run with us you gotta learn the rules, big boy.”\n\n\tSean grumbled and sighed as he slumped back in his seat, pulling the puffs into his lap even as Brinna shot her hand into it and pulled out a handful of the sweetened, glazed treats. “Dibs, Sir.” she said happily. Munching away. Leaving the bear to just sigh and wave his hand to start the first Holo.\n\n--------------------\n\n\tConsidering how long she’d spent imagining how she’d tell the bastard off if she ever met him, Kanina felt a bit disappointed in herself. Over half a year of planning should she ever get her hands on him. The dozens of grand speeches and proclamations. Attacks on his character that would surely show Brinna not to trust him again. Picking apart the whole snobbish oppressive hierarchy of the Class 1 society. Or, much more likely, just doing what came naturally and socking him square in the jaw. But she couldn’t do that. Not now. Not when he seemed to be playing nice with Brinna, when she was with him again.\n\n\tWaking up half way though her favorite holo to find herself collapsed on his shoulder? Her drool running down an admittedly nice ‘Frostmoore’ tour shirt? It sure as hell wasn’t how she imagined her day going.\n\n\tFortunately she had apparently passed out before getting too buzzed, meaning it was easy enough to slip back to the clubhouse and tuck in her room with a nice big bag of min chocolate candies and jug of generic off-brand sports drink from the corner store. The dinner of champions after a 10K Tunnel run.\n\n\t“Hey, Fortune. You in there?” A voice called up from the small alcove opening leading to her makeshift room.\n\n\t“No.” Kanina muttered softly. “I died of exhaustion. Leave a message and I’ll get back o you once someone hits me up with a res spell.”\n\n\t“You know you’re getting a bit old for the gamer lingo, Fortune.” the frustrated voice muttered.\n\n\tKanina heard a rumble as another body pulled itself up into the ductwork. A slightly heavyset Rhino girl in tight fitting jeans and a one-sleeved jacket squeezing herself in as best she could. “Come on, This will only take a minute. I promise I’ll let you sleep afterwards.”\n\n\t“You could let me sleep now, Lacey.” She sighed “Especially since you aren’t gonna have a choice in like, ten minutes. Seriously Slag today.”\n\n\tThe rhino sighed and shook her sandy-blonde hair out of her face as she tried o get as comfortable as reasonably possible in the enclosed area. “Look I’d love to jus let you rest, but Emperor was asking me how things went today. Nobody saw you come in. We didn’t even want to touch our deposits because we worried you might have gotten snagged on the way back.”\n\n\t“Oh gods.” The bunny sighed “I did the job and took some time out for myself. It’s not like that’s the first time either. If they were so worried about me they could have always just sent a message.”\n\n\t“Bad idea if you were caught.” Lacy said “It would have just linked you to whoever sent it. You know, assuming you were caught. It sounds like Emperor wants to impose a new ruling soon to make sure we all check in before going off to do our own thing.”\n\n\t“Fack.” Kanina grumbled “So what, we’re all a bunch of kids now? He’s gotta know where we are? I don’t remember letting him sign any adoption papers, Lacy.”\n\n\t“Temperance.” The Rhino corrected “It’s Temperance in the clubhouse, and I was really worried, Fortune. After what happened to Strength, well I guess…”\n\n\tKanina sighed and shifted around a bit, putting a hand on her friends cheek. “Look, I know you and Sven were getting close. It’s not your fault what happened. You tried to get him off the Woad. We both know that crap is horrible for you. Hell when the Drassi military bans something for field troops you know it’s something bad.”\n\n\tLacy bit her lip and nodded, doing her best to suppress a small sob. “Sorry. I know, I know I should do better to keep my priorities in order. Sven wasn’t a bad man. He wasn’t.”\n\n\t“Isn’t.” Kanina corrected “We’ll find a way to get him free and clear. It’s not like he did anything bad enough to get slaved or anything, right?” Part of her hated how easy it was to let such a lie slip with a straight face. True, she doubted Sebastian would let his baby brother get carted off and processed without at least staging some kind of rescue. Hell they were still putting his share away from any job done, meaning he might be planning to just buy the kids freedom. But it wasn’t a foregone win, and that wasn’t what Lacy needed to hear. Not now. Not like this. Instead she just kissed the bigger girl on the forehead and patted her shoulder softly. “Look if it makes you feel better, I’ll check in more often. But for you, not Seb. I didn’t put up with the mess on the rim jus to end up some mindless flunky to a would be crime boss. If that’s what he wants to be I’m sure there are bitches and bastards all over Drassi space who would take the chance to work for him if the scraps were big enough.”\n\n\t“He really isn’t that bad.” Lacy sighed passively “I really do think he’s just upset with Strength getting picked up. Thanks, though. I appreciate it” she gave her a hug and sighed softly. “Listen, I know things have been kinda hard with your friend hanging out with her new owner so much. If you ever wanna try and teach me one of those AR games to pass the time or something.”\n\n\tKanina sighed and shook her head softly. “You don’t gotta do that, Lacy. Besides if we’re gonna be doing more runs then I need to get a lot more sleep. Far as I know I’m the only gang courier on the whole damn station with nothing but pure wetware. If I wanna keep it that way I gotta take care of myself.”\n\n\t“Yeah, well. If you change your mind, let me know.” The rhino nodded “I’m going to let the boss know I told you and that you’re resting up. He’ll understand.”\n\n\t“and if he doesn’t then feel free to have him come yell now, I’m kinda curious to see if I can pass out hard enough to sleep though it.” Kanina smirked and shook her head as she waved the girl off, hearing the clumsy young woman land with a hard thud. It was nice to know that some of the tarot, or what were left of them at this point, still knew what things were about. Once she was sure Lacy hadn’t taken her ‘suggestion’ too literally the bunny was quick to pull all three of her blankets up from the foot of her mat and bask her sore sweaty body in the warmth they provided. That warmth sheltered her as she fidgeted around to pull off the sweat-stained tank top and fraying binder wrap to let her slightly-less than athletic C cups free. \n\n\tThe boob sweat was probably the worst part after a job. Admittedly nothing about her smelled like a bed of roses after a run, but thanks to the binder it always made her just itchy enough to delay sleep a few moments more. If she wasn’t so tired she might have even bothered with a shower. But then she was probably the only one who could smell it, and she didn’t mind. Brinna and her ‘sir’ hadn’t said anything, and if any of the other Tarot had an issue… well Van still insisted on using that cheap printed plant like chewing gum. Anyone who could smell her though the eternal stench that left on near everything was damn well free to wake her up and bitch her out all they wished.\n\n\tAs the twilight of an exhausted sleep started to creep over her, Kanina found herself wondering if this was what it was like when the original leader was in charge. When ‘Magician’ and ‘High Priestess’ were the ones calling the shots. True, things were never really that bad under Seb. Hell she could write most of his behavior off to simple paranoia after a bad break. It didn’t change the fact that she was chafing, though.\n\n\tIt was probably nothing. A bit of frustration. Perhaps even a bit of jealousy at her best friend having other ways to spend her time than hanging out. In a way, Kanina hoped that was it. It made things simple, made it all about her. Yet at the same time it was impossible to ignore the small gnawing worry resting in the back of her mind. That inescapable fear that she was missing something. Some fundamental change she should be worried about.\n\n--------------------\n\n\t“Did you tell her?” Sebastian asked gruffly as he looked at Lacy, the rhino girl sitting in her corner on a pile of cushions and pillows she’d collected over the years.\n\n\t“I did. She promised to check in from now on.” she nodded. “I think Fortune is just kind of on edge. We all are. I mean, Sven…. Strength” she winced “Sorry, boss. I didn’t mean to.”\n\n\t“No, It’s ok.” Sebastian sighed “a slip now and then is fine, at least from you. I get it.”\n\n\t“Fortune said not to worry as much. That you were probably working on a plan right now. That you would figure things out. You… she wasn’t just saying that, was she, Emperor?”\n\n\t“The girl needs to reign herself in, but she’s not stupid.” he smirked “She has been around long enough to know how this works. I already have Empress keeping an eye on what they are doing with him. Fortunately the NovaWoad means they can’t risk any sort of sentencing or even assessment until he finishes detox and they get though the major withdrawal symptoms. It’s gonna be a bitch, but frankly it buys us at least a few more weeks.”\n\n\tLacy smiled at that and nodded as she slumped back into her seat “I’m glad. I mean, I knew you’d do what you could. But it’s still a bad situation.”\n\n\t“It’s rough all around.” He nodded “but we gotta keep on. That’s why I’m looking in to replacements.”\n\n\t“Replacements? She gasped. “But.”\n\n\t“Lacy, we need to be pragmatic. There are plenty of suits we can do without. Strength isn’t one of them. No way we can get anywhere just hustling trips. Especially with our courier passed out half the time and doing the coding for them on top of it.”\n\n\t“I could take over that if it helps.” The girl whimpered softly “I mean, if it would make it easier for her to do more runs. It’s my fault, anyways. If I’d been stronger. If I’d told him no. Put my foot down.”\n\n“Don’t.” Seb growled as he leaned up against the wall beside her. “Don’t do that to yourself, Lacy. It’s Sven’s fault, and it’s mine. I’m his big brother. If anyone should have tried harder to wean him off that slag it was me.” He sighed and shook his head softly. The weight of his words seeming to hit Lacy right between the eyes. A few choked sobs held in the back of his throat. \n\n\t“But dwelling on it won’t fix anything. What we need is cash. Maybe a new Justice, too. Your job is to keep our money clean. I want you to keep focused on that. Nobody but Lenin will pay for a ‘junkie’. Means all we have to do is outbid the cheapest slave corp in the tree should Sven come to auction. Granted, I plan to try and get him out before then. But…” he shrugged and pushed himself off of the all “You want to help him, Just keep calm and listen to me. Nothing more. I promise that we have ways to get though this. Just trust me. Ok?” he tussed her hair and smiled, nodding before turning back towards his room. A small smile growing on the black bears muzzle\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "By Necessity: Priorities part 2
By TerraMGP

\tIf there was one good thing about class 3 residency blocks, it was how they tended to escape the chaos of major holidays. Sure, the occasional spam ad crawled in. Usually for the few cheap luxuries these people could afford. Founders day memorabilia, seasonal food and drink items, little things the unwashed masses could afford on their meager incomes while only hovering a tiny bit closer to oblivion. Yet at the same time there were no decorations on the decaying dirt-brown walls. No windows to frost with fake snow spray or houses blaring grating pop music dedicated to the gods and change of seasons. Theoretically a few people might bother to put up cheap plastic wreaths or other such decorations, but considering how easy it was to steal such things it was a sure bet that anyone who tried was likely to lose whatever they paid for it.

\tKanina found it almost soothing after a day of running around appeasing Sebastian. Hauling a backpack full of trip crystals out to some punk kid in a Class 2 high rise butted up right near the spires. Little brat was probably going to make ten times what he gave them off the stuff too. Though at least with her coding she could be confident the spoiled brat kids wouldn’t burn their dendrites on some half-assed hack job. It was almost enough to make up for the sweat and sore muscles she felt getting though the ducts and over the rooftops to deliver the package. Almost. What did end up making it worthwhile was the trip back. Specifically the nice, print-wrapped box she held under her arm. A nice little divot out of her cut that filled the tired bun with tingles of excitement.

\tIt was enough to put a little spring in her step even as she made her way up to the old familiar door and waved her hand over the small panel to its side. A small ringing chirp could be heard from within. A few moments later the door slid open, letting the bunny skip-stride her way in, pulling the meter and a half long package behind her back as if it would hide it and loosing a loud, playful growl “Hey squeaks. Guess who… oh.”

\t“Oh, well hay there.”

\tKanina stopped dead, looking at the source of the booming baritone in aggravation. A large bear sat dead center on the couch. His arms splayed over the back of it. He wore a flannel shirt with the sleeves torn off and a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, along with an obnoxiously chipper smirk that curled her toes. Kanina glanced off to the side a moment where she saw Brinna standing. The Dormouse struggling to keep her sea of thick black hair free of her face as she worked away at the touch pad eagerly.

\t“Kanina” Brinna giggled “I wasn’t expecting you.”

\t“Clearly not.” Kanina half-muttered as she rolled her shoulders and walked over to her friend, titling her head “So, that him?” she asked with a small glance. The bear seeming to regard her with simply a chuckle.

\t“Yuh huh! Oh, wait. I forgot I didn’t get to introduce you guys yet did I?” Brinna walked beside the couch and knelt slowly and awkwardly. Having to grab the arm of it at one point to keep herself from toppling over as she gave her head an over-exaggerated bow. “Sir. This one would like to present her best friend in the galaxy. Kanina Kunitdottir.”

\tBefore she could continue the bear simply gripped the mouse by the muzzle and pulled her close, looking her in the eyes a long moment before kissing her softly and loosing a long, bellowing laugh. He then slipped her back into the seat beside him and put his arm around her. “She really goes all out sometimes doesn’t she?” he sighed as he turned his ice-bleu eyes to Kanina and offered a free paw. “Sean. Nice to finally meet you. Brinna has been ranting about you since back when we were just talking on the network.”

\t“Kanina.” the bunny muttered in the most polite tone the situation allowed her. She took the paw hesitantly in a small shake and then titled her head. “You don’t expect the same kind of introduction from me, do you?” the snide words slipped before she could stop herself. The young lapin simply offering a sardonic smirk and doubling down on them even as Brinna looked up at her in shock at the dig.

\tSean, for his part, grew semi stone faced for a moment. A playful smirk touching the corner of his muzzle, one that Brinna would, as always, be totally oblivious to. He ran his eyes quickly up and down Kanina a moment and scratched his chin, hmming loudly. “Well, I don’t know. I mean you certainly are pretty. But the last thing I want to do is make my little sister jealous. She’s spent so long with a monopoly on cute bunny girls after all.” he laughed. The mask of seriousness lasted just long enough to draw a shocked gasp from Brinna, which broke it into a heavy laugh almost instantly. Sean then kissed her forehead and sighed loudly. “Oh relax. She knows I’m joking. Poor Brinna keeps trying to overcompensate. I told her, Even if I’m her owner she is free to introduce me the same way she would a boyfriend. Unless I tell her otherwise. Stupid social obligations.” he muttered to himself as he leaned back and rolled his neck a moment. Free paw returning to the back of the couch which he gripped hard enough for the plastic supports to creak slightly.

\t“Yeah. Not gonna lie, Squeaks. That was kinda awkward for everyone.” Kanina muttered as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. It was hard to tell which part pissed her off more. Seeing her best friend bow and scrape, the admittedly joking way the bear looked at her, or just the hard hit to her overall momentum. Of course that brought her mind back to the package. She smirked nice and wide, quickly pulling it out and holding the wrapped box in front of her as her tail thrashed and waggled happily “Oh, by the way. I got you a lil something. You know, seeing as how you went out of your way on my gift.” She chuckled.

\t“Wait, what?” Brinna blinked and blushed hard as she looked at the package. The mouse reached across the bear and snagged one end with both hands, nearly dropping the item. Shocked by the weight of it. “Oh come on Kanina you shouldn’t have!”

\t“What?” Kanina chuckled as she rubbed the back of her finger on her nose and did her best to look coy “It’s not like it’s out of nowhere is it? You got me something after all. If I can open my gift early, then so can you.”

\tSean smirked and looked down at Brinna “Oh, does that mean I get to open mine early too?” he chuckled.

\t“Nuh uh, Sir.” Brinna said as she hugged the box close “Kanina got hers as a birthday gif too. She’s allowed to open it early.”

\t“Plus you wanted to get to spoil someone else for a change, I bet.” he laughed. Brinna blushing and nodding her affirmation as she looked down at the box. “So, you sure it’s ok if I open it early, Kanina?”

\tKanina shrugged and glanced away a moment, doing her best to hide her eager smirk “I mean, it’s really up to you if you wanna. I don’t want to overshadow some special night you two are having or something.”

\t“Oh it’s nothing big.” Sean laughed “We were just gonna hang out and watch some holos. Since her therapist insists that we need to put limits on that kind of thing it’s the best we can do.”

\tKanina pushed though her best smirk and shook her head “Wait, you got a Class 1 guy hooked around your lil finger and you’re not milking him for all he’s worth?” the bunny pouted teasingly “and here I figured I was a worse influence on you than that squeaks.” She narrowed her eyes and shook her head softly in playful mock disappointment.

\t“You’re welcomed to join us if you want.” Sean noted “I admit I’ve wanted to get to know you for a while now.”

\tThat playful fake pout grew a tiny bit more serious. Kanina thankfully still in control of herself. Another benefit of her line of work. She scooted the tip of her shoe on the carpet, looking at the two sitting there, shifting her weight a bit. She shook her head, then nodded “Well, I don’t’ know. I really don’t want to impose” she said as she shook her head “I really just wanted to give Brinna her gift.”

\t“But we’ll have cheesecake!” the dormouse teased.

\t“That temptation only works so much” the purple bunny said as she narrowed her eyes.

\t“I did bring some Whiskey…” Sean noted with a small note of mock-reluctance “I probably won’t drink much of it. I just like an Aether and Whiskey now and then. Especially with ‘Stars Above’.”

\tKanina narrowed her eyes and glared at them leaned down a bit, one ear folding down hard as she all but glared at the two “You mean that shlocky, cheesy campfest? The one with Arthur Fitz?”

\tSean actually looked a tiny bit sheepish as Brinna grinned wide and nodded her head frantically to the question.

\tThe room fell silent a long moment as Kanina kept up her judgmental glair before finally cocking her hips and shaking her head “Well I hope you know the theme song then, and you guys better have some creampuffs set up in the printer.”

\t“Of course! You think we’re gonna go though the dinner scene without creampuffs?” Brinna chirped in offense.

\tWithout another word Kanina flopped herself down on the couch. She leaned back a moment, then paused as her neck hit the firm yet slightly doughy arm of the bear. She then leaned forwards, scooting away from him, more towards the arm f the couch,. Glancing over at Brinna and the box before eyeing the recliner nearby. She’d never sat in it before. She’d never dared. Especially not when they were kids. But now…

\tEven as the thought slipped though her head Sean’s arm slipped back to hang behind the couch, leaving her at least partially free of the uncomfortable contact. The bunny watched Brinna shift herself up a bit and pick around for the small fold left when the paper was printed around the object. She watched the dormouse fumble, prod, and tug at the paper with that annoying little thwapping pinch. Seeking to get her well-trimmed claws into the laminated plasticky paper before finally tearing open a small gash. That done, Brinna shifted the box on her lap and slowly worked to tear as precisely as she could along the seam. Seeking tog et it all off in one nice, big, long chunk.

\t“Oh for Woz’s sake will you just open it squeaks?” The rabbit sighed finally as she reached over and gave the other end of the paper a small hug. Just enough to make an irregular gash and render the OCD tugging moot.

\tWith her foible snatched from her, Brinna set about simply tugging and tearing the paper away bit by bit. The box soon showing the bright blue lettering over a star field. Thick, high quality cardboard showing a girl in absurdly revealing power armor carrying a massive, elaborate single-handed sword surrounded by holographic projections of arcane circles. “You didn’t. Seriously, you didn’t!” Brinna gasped. Every shred of apprehension over making a mess dissolved as she quickly revealed the box.

\t“Great Odin’s Raven.” Sean muttered under his breath “You actually managed to nab one?”

\t‘Sword of the Techmagi, Star Soldier Brigid’. Kanina grinned wide and licked her lips as she saw it. A tiny wellspring of bliss shooting though her. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”

\t“Gavin’s brother.” Brinna noted.

\t“Don’t go ruining my street cred, Bri.” The bunny mmphed in frustration.

\t“What? Just because he works in a toy store doesn’t mean he’s not a connection, right?” She said as she slowly pulled the lid up, revealing the lovingly packaged replica sword inside. The weapon already broadcasting a request to display its AR functionality. A small acceptance nod causing the trademark circles to spring to life around it.

\t“That’s still a damn impressive find.” Sean noted “I thought they only did a limited run last year when they remade the show to keep it more faithful to the comics.”

\t“They did. My guy found one in the back.” Kanina giggled “You’d be shocked what kind of slag for collectors will show up in the dark corners of a toy store back room.” The bunny perked a bit. Ever so slightly less ashamed of her ‘contact’ than she had been.

\t“Looks like you’ll need another new shelf, my gem.” Sean chuckled “No way you can just cram that in a corner.”

\tBrinna carefully set the lid back on and leaned up to kiss her owner on the cheek. She then moved over and wrapped her arms around her best friends neck giving her a hard hug and squealing happily. “Oh this is just the best. Thank you thank you thank you” She giggled happily as she ran off to her bedroom with the box.

\tKanina sighed and shook her head softly. “Well that was about what I expected.” The bunny laughed “So worth the detour.”

\t“That the reason for the getup?” the bear laughed. Kanina looked up at Sean a moment, her smile fading as she shook her head and leaned back into her seat. “Nah. It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” she said with a shrug “I just don’t like to wait around for public transit when I don’t have to.”

\tHe nodded and shrugged his shoulders, either oblivious to or uncaring for her coldness. “I donno what she made you, but Gods damned you really went all out. Something tells me you’re gonna get something else from her.”

\t“Probably. It’s how she always is.” Kanina said rather bluntly. She fell quiet a long moment before glancing sidelong up at the bear. Her foot tapping on the floor with the growing nervous energy. “I do gotta ask though, why are you so impressed?”

\t“What do you mean?” Sean asked as he tilted his head

\t“Come on. You’re a Class 1. Brinna may not give me details but I have to imagine a toy for woman-children like that? You could track one down and nab it honest in an hour.”

\tSean laughed a bit at that. A nice jolly bellow that seemed to deflect the negativity in those words. “Oh I could make something like that. With the tools in my lab it’d probably take an afternoon at most. Probably be more accurate too. But.” he said as he smirked back at her “That’s not the point. You know that as well as I do” he said firmly.

\tThe bunny nodded, much as she hated to admit it. She let her eyes slip shut a moment and sighed softly. Taking a small but longing glance at the food printer as it chugged away on the far wall.

\t“You know whatever I did, I’m sorry.” Sean said softly.

\t“It’s nothing.” She muttered softly

\t“Look” The bear sighed “I wasn’t trying to…”

\t“Yes, you were.” Kanina snapped in a whisper “And I told you it’s nothing. I’m fine.” The passive-aggressive tone tasted all sorts of wrong in her mouth. She shook her head a moment to clear it and tried to shift her focus. Slowly counting off code fractals under her breath.

\t“Just a minute, you two. This printer in here is kinda slow.” Brinna called out from her bedroom. A happy sing-song lilting in her voice.

\t“Look.” The bunny growled “I think we both know what my problem is. You don’t seem like the kind of Class 1 Slaghead who gets by on family money, so I’ll just be nice and presume you aren’t stupid. Especially since Brinna wouldn’t put up with a dumb guy anyways.” She turned to look up at him. While she may have been athletic, This man probably should have been intimidating. He had a few centimeters on her, and it only took  quick augment-aided glance to tell that the soft body fat was covering a surprising amount of muscle. Thankfully, as usual, she gave absolutely no fucks. “I love that girl, and the last thing I ever want to see is her getting hurt. She’s family. So if you play nice, I’ll play nice. But you ever hurt her again.” She growled. The words slipping out just loud enough that she was forced to stifle herself and slump back into the corner of the couch between the arm and he seat. Getting as much distance from the man as she could.

\tThe bear simply nodded and let his arm dangle behind the couch as he nodded. Brinna soon coming out with a big bowl of printed corn puffs and bottle of Aether. Sean reached down under the cheap coffee table for a nice cut glass bottle sitting there under the faux wood. He was cut off by a gloved hand which snatched it up quickly, bucked front teeth pulling the cork free in one smooth practiced motion as Kanina took a belt.

\t“Dibs” she squeaked playfully. Even as she shot a bit of a glair at Sean.

\t“Hey.” the bear grumbled “I was gonna share”

\t“And now I’ll share.” She said coyly. “But I still call dibs. You wanna run with us you gotta learn the rules, big boy.”

\tSean grumbled and sighed as he slumped back in his seat, pulling the puffs into his lap even as Brinna shot her hand into it and pulled out a handful of the sweetened, glazed treats. “Dibs, Sir.” she said happily. Munching away. Leaving the bear to just sigh and wave his hand to start the first Holo.

--------------------

\tConsidering how long she’d spent imagining how she’d tell the bastard off if she ever met him, Kanina felt a bit disappointed in herself. Over half a year of planning  should she ever get her hands on him. The dozens of grand speeches and proclamations. Attacks on his character that would surely show Brinna not to trust him again. Picking apart the whole snobbish oppressive hierarchy of the Class 1 society. Or, much more likely, just doing what came naturally and socking him square in the jaw. But she couldn’t do that. Not now. Not when he seemed to be playing nice with Brinna, when she was with him again.

\tWaking up half way though her favorite holo to find herself collapsed on his shoulder? Her drool running down an admittedly nice ‘Frostmoore’ tour shirt? It sure as hell wasn’t how she imagined her day going.

\tFortunately she had apparently passed out before getting too buzzed, meaning it was easy enough to slip back to the clubhouse and tuck in her room with a nice big bag of min chocolate candies and jug of generic off-brand sports drink from the corner store. The dinner of champions after a 10K Tunnel run.

\t“Hey, Fortune. You in there?” A voice called up from the small alcove opening leading to her makeshift room.

\t“No.” Kanina muttered softly. “I died of exhaustion. Leave a message and I’ll get back o you once someone hits me up with a res spell.”

\t“You know you’re getting a bit old for the gamer lingo, Fortune.” the frustrated voice muttered.

\tKanina heard a rumble as another body pulled itself up into the ductwork. A slightly heavyset Rhino girl in tight fitting jeans and a one-sleeved jacket squeezing herself in as best she could. “Come on, This will only take a minute. I promise I’ll let you sleep afterwards.”

\t“You could let me sleep now, Lacey.” She sighed “Especially since you aren’t gonna have a choice in like, ten minutes. Seriously Slag today.”

\tThe rhino sighed and shook her sandy-blonde hair out of her face as she tried o get as comfortable as reasonably possible in the enclosed area. “Look I’d love to jus let you rest, but Emperor was asking me how things went today. Nobody saw you come in. We didn’t even want to touch our deposits because we worried you might have gotten snagged on the way back.”

\t“Oh gods.” The bunny sighed “I did the job and took some time out for myself. It’s not like that’s the first time either. If they were so worried about me they could have always just sent a message.”

\t“Bad idea if you were caught.” Lacy said “It would have just linked you to whoever sent it. You know, assuming you were caught. It sounds like Emperor wants to impose a new ruling soon to make sure we all check in before going off to do our own thing.”

\t“Fack.” Kanina grumbled “So what, we’re all a bunch of kids now? He’s gotta know where we are? I don’t remember letting him sign any adoption papers, Lacy.”

\t“Temperance.” The Rhino corrected “It’s Temperance in the clubhouse, and I was really worried, Fortune. After what happened to Strength, well I guess…”

\tKanina sighed and shifted around a bit, putting a hand on her friends cheek. “Look, I know you and Sven were getting close. It’s not your fault what happened. You tried to get him off the Woad. We both know that crap is horrible for you. Hell when the Drassi military bans something for field troops you know it’s something bad.”

\tLacy bit her lip and nodded, doing her best to suppress a small sob. “Sorry. I know, I know I should do better to keep my priorities in order. Sven wasn’t a bad man. He wasn’t.”

\t“Isn’t.” Kanina corrected “We’ll find a way to get him free and clear. It’s not like he did anything bad enough to get slaved or anything, right?” Part of her hated how easy it was to let such a lie slip with a straight face. True, she doubted Sebastian would let his baby brother get carted off and processed without at least staging some kind of rescue. Hell they were still putting his share away from any job done, meaning he might be planning to just buy the kids freedom. But it wasn’t a foregone win, and that wasn’t what Lacy needed to hear. Not now. Not like this. Instead she just kissed the bigger girl on the forehead and patted her shoulder softly. “Look if it makes you feel better, I’ll check in more often. But for you, not Seb. I didn’t put up with the mess on the rim jus to end up some mindless flunky to a would be crime boss. If that’s what he wants to be I’m sure there are bitches and bastards all over Drassi space who would take the chance to work for him if the scraps were big enough.”

\t“He really isn’t that bad.” Lacy sighed passively “I really do think he’s just upset with Strength getting picked up. Thanks, though. I appreciate it” she gave her a hug and sighed softly. “Listen, I know things have been kinda hard with your friend hanging out with her new owner so much. If you ever wanna try and teach me one of those AR games to pass the time or something.”

\tKanina sighed and shook her head softly. “You don’t gotta do that, Lacy. Besides if we’re gonna be doing more runs then I need to get a lot more sleep. Far as I know I’m the only gang courier on the whole damn station with nothing but pure wetware. If I wanna keep it that way I gotta take care of myself.”

\t“Yeah, well. If you change your mind, let me know.” The rhino nodded “I’m going to let the boss know I told you and that you’re resting up. He’ll understand.”

\t“and if he doesn’t then feel free to have him come yell now, I’m kinda curious to see if I can pass out hard enough to sleep though it.” Kanina smirked and shook her head as she waved the girl off, hearing the clumsy young woman land with a hard thud. It was nice to know that some of the tarot, or what were left of them at this point, still knew what things were about. Once she was sure Lacy hadn’t taken her ‘suggestion’ too literally the bunny was quick to pull all three of her blankets up from the foot of her mat and bask her sore sweaty body in the warmth they provided. That warmth sheltered her as she fidgeted around to pull off the sweat-stained tank top and fraying binder wrap to let her slightly-less than athletic C cups free.

\tThe boob sweat was probably the worst part after a job. Admittedly nothing about her smelled like a bed of roses after a run, but thanks to the binder it always made her just itchy enough to delay sleep a few moments more. If she wasn’t so tired she might have even bothered with a shower. But then she was probably the only one who could smell it, and she didn’t mind. Brinna and her ‘sir’ hadn’t said anything, and if any of the other Tarot had an issue… well Van still insisted on using that cheap printed plant like chewing gum. Anyone who could smell her though the eternal stench that left on near everything was damn well free to wake her up and bitch her out all they wished.

\tAs the twilight of an exhausted sleep started to creep over her, Kanina found herself wondering if this was what it was like when the original leader was in charge. When ‘Magician’ and ‘High Priestess’ were the ones calling the shots. True, things were never really that bad under Seb. Hell she could write most of his behavior off to simple paranoia after a bad break. It didn’t change the fact that she was chafing, though.

\tIt was probably nothing. A bit of frustration. Perhaps even a bit of jealousy at her best friend having other ways to spend her time than hanging out. In a way, Kanina hoped that was it. It made things simple, made it all about her. Yet at the same time it was impossible to ignore the small gnawing worry resting in the back of her mind. That inescapable fear that she was missing something. Some fundamental change she should be worried about.

--------------------

\t“Did you tell her?” Sebastian asked gruffly as he looked at Lacy, the rhino girl sitting in her corner on a pile of cushions and pillows she’d collected over the years.

\t“I did. She promised to check in from now on.” she nodded. “I think Fortune is just kind of on edge. We all are. I mean, Sven…. Strength” she winced “Sorry, boss. I didn’t mean to.”

\t“No, It’s ok.” Sebastian sighed “a slip now and then is fine, at least from you. I get it.”

\t“Fortune said not to worry as much. That you were probably working on a plan right now. That you would figure things out. You… she wasn’t just saying that, was she, Emperor?”

\t“The girl needs to reign herself in, but she’s not stupid.” he smirked “She has been around long enough to know how this works. I already have Empress keeping an eye on what they are doing with him. Fortunately the NovaWoad means they can’t risk any sort of sentencing or even assessment until he finishes detox and they get though the major withdrawal symptoms. It’s gonna be a bitch, but frankly it buys us at least a few more weeks.”

\tLacy smiled at that and nodded as she slumped back into her seat “I’m glad. I mean, I knew you’d do what you could. But it’s still a bad situation.”

\t“It’s rough all around.” He nodded “but  we gotta keep on. That’s why I’m looking in to replacements.”

\t“Replacements? She gasped. “But.”

\t“Lacy, we need to be pragmatic. There are plenty of suits we can do without. Strength isn’t one of them. No way we can get anywhere just hustling trips. Especially with our courier passed out half the time and doing the coding for them on top of it.”

\t“I could take over that if it helps.” The girl whimpered softly “I mean, if it would make it easier for her to do more runs. It’s my fault, anyways. If I’d been stronger. If I’d told him no. Put my foot down.”

“Don’t.” Seb growled as he leaned up against the wall beside her. “Don’t do that to yourself, Lacy. It’s Sven’s fault, and it’s mine. I’m his big brother. If anyone should have tried harder to wean him off that slag it was me.” He sighed and shook his head softly. The weight of his words seeming to hit Lacy right between the eyes. A few choked sobs held in the back of his throat.

\t“But dwelling on it won’t fix anything. What we need is cash. Maybe a new Justice, too. Your job is to keep our money clean. I want you to keep focused on that. Nobody but Lenin will pay for a ‘junkie’. Means all we have to do is outbid the cheapest slave corp in the tree should Sven come to auction. Granted, I plan to try and get him out before then. But…” he shrugged and pushed himself off of the all “You want to help him, Just keep calm and listen to me. Nothing more. I promise that we have ways to get though this. Just trust me. Ok?” he tussed her hair and smiled, nodding before turning back towards his room. A small smile growing on the black bears muzzle

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