Her body burned, and her heart thudded from her rigorous exercise routine. Mesastina stood on Drakkara Bridge, watching the torrential waters with hypnotic ease.

She propped her elbows against the rail, and supported her chin as she thought of her future. She had never worried about the future before, but now she had a child, and she must. She leaned back off the rail and stretched her shoulders and arms out and left the bridge. Thinking was easier when she walked. The world about her disappeared as she strolled through southern Verminasia, her mind flooded with so many things she wanted to think about. How she hated this city, what things would be like with her beautiful angel, the love she had for someone that could not, or would not return it. She was trying to sort through it all and make it into a somewhat clear plan for the future when she was interupted...

'Oi... where ya goin' thar, missy?'

She was going to continue walking, hopefully the slurred speech was meant for someone else when a massive form stepped out in front of her. She was snapped back into the present world, seeing the slums of Thieves Row about her, the Skull and Crossbones Pub to her left, and the disgusting form that loomed over her in the shape of a burly man. He was at least eight inches taller, and bulked with pounds of table muscle, and alcohol retention. His facial hair quirked with a smile as he moved a bit closer to her, the alcohol reaking off his breath and clothes.

Mesastina moved her bright, lavender eyes to his and held them confidently before moving to step around him, but he moved to block her path again.

'Ah said where yer goin? I gots me mates in thar ready fer a good elfie toime!'

She stood still and silent, knowing that she was not going to get anywhere with a refusal. She about-faced, and began walking back northward. A deep, gurgling growl emitted when she showed her back to him, and she was spun about by a pair of heavy, caloused hands. His soft beer gut bumped against her when he tried to pull her into him, and he shouted loudly:

''Ey! Lattle twiggies like yer should learn manners! C'mere!'