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Jason could hear Silvia protesting, "Put me down. I can walk." One of the doctors was carrying her like a baby. "Um, no, you can't." "Can so." The second was walking alongside with the IV. "Can not. I saw you staggering around like a drunken sailor." "Was not." "Stop arguing. You're going back to bed, and you're going to stay there even if we have to strap you down. Again." She was quiet for a moment. "Put me down, NOW." "Why?" "Because I'm going to throw up if you don't." He put her down. She walked past Jason, swaying between the two doctors who helped steady her. She was an unnatural shade of green. "Sailor." she mumbled. "Interesting choice of words. Feels like I'm on the ocean." "You're crazy." Jason declared as she moved past. "Maybe. Maybe not. You've only seen me angry, or in a hospital." A hunter tried, and failed, to stifle a laugh. "Still well enough to argue." he said. "Not really." she whispered, and lurched towards the bathroom.

The nurse came back with an eyedropper in her hand and addressed the room at large. "Which one of you is named Matthew?" The hunter in question raised his hand. She nodded in acknowledgement. "Justin would like to speak with you." "Why can't he just call me Matt, like everyone else?" He complained as he left. "Jason, here are your drops. Would you prefer to apply them yourself, or..." "I'll do it. Thanks." "That's what I'm here for." "So, Dylan... is that all?" Avery asked. "Uh, no. She sold almost everything she owned- well, actually she threw a lot of it away -except for a digital camera, and the stuff she was carrying out there in the woods. Then she kind of wandered around for a day or two, taking pictures all over the city, like she was never coming back and wanted to remember it all. While she was doing that, everyone quickly realized that as snide as she had seemed before, she had been behaving herself. Now she was downright rude, and was completely shameless about it. For example, people she had ignored before, she openly mocked. People she had made an effort to be civil to were the ones she ignored. People who considered themselves her friends were given a cold shoulder. The only ones she was kinder to were those who were down on their luck, and children. And heaven help anyone who had the guts to stand up to her. She'd tear into them the same way she did to Micheal, but worse. She grew up around these people, so she had much more material to work with, and to criticize. Then one day she just disappeared, and we never saw her again. But, we did hear lots of stories about her...and her impressions on other cities, from the travelers who came through. She's become something of a legend, because it's hard to forget someone like her, but nobody knows her name. Apparently, she's lied about her name for years. For every city she goes into, she makes up a new one. But everyone knows who they're talking about, no matter what the name. And that's pretty much all I know."

Silvia was vomiting in the bathroom. The walls weren't exactly soundproof. Another hunter made a face. Avery broke the distasteful silence. "That's it?" "Yeah. What else is there to say?" Avery sighed. "Oh, bad form, Dylan." "What?" "How many friends did she have, did she have family, what cities and what names? Details, Dylan, details!" Dylan shrugged. "The only ones I can remember are... Lila, in the Dwarfs' Caverns, um, Jennifer, in Sky High, Rani, in Neptune's Domain, and... Tiana, in the Architect Dimension, Jasmine, in the Exotic Eastern Realm, and here, Silvia, in the Decimated Forest. Uh, no family exists that I know of, and I don't know how many friends she had. Is that all, Avery?" "I suppose." Running water was heard. Silvia emerged, still pale. "Any questions? Before you say anything, you should know that I never dish out what I can't take. Fire away." Everyone looked at each other, not wanting to go first. Matt's brother, by the name of Timothy, who went by Tim, spoke first. "Well, since no one else is talking, How many names have you had?" "39." She replied. "Anything else?" A little bolder, he questioned her again. "And why did you so suddenly shun humanity?" "It wasn't sudden. I watched the pleasantries around me, and I slowly came to the realization that it was all an act. There were no relationships. A boyfriend or girlfriend was a social accessory, not someone you considered spending the rest of your life with. So-called 'friends' were simply connections, and allies against your 'enemies'. Adults' 'relationships' consisted mostly of..." She trailed off, then decided to continue, "Sleeping around. There was no sibling honor code that I could see, though I did see one brother watching, motionless, as the other was harassed by peers. Everything was so fake, it made me sick. However, I stayed because this appeared to be normal behavior. Perhaps I was the freakish one. Then one day hit hit me. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was wrong. I was not the unusual one. The environment I was in was bizarre. I tried to ignore it and become part of it, but I couldn't. The women filled their social calenders, and spent the rest of their time on their wardrobes and gossip, and 'adult relationships'. The men went to work, and hung out with their friends at bars until they went home. Kids went to school and tried to get adult privileges before it was time. Everyone smiled to the face of their worst enemy, and pretended to be thier 'best friend', and destroyed their enemy's social life sneakily. In this manner life went by, and nobody gave a **** as to anything they didn't like. My best friends were books. Ancient times fascinated me because they were so refreshingly direct. The ruler didn't like you, BAM, you lost your head, or got banished. None of this 'diplomacy', where everyone stabs you in the back and leaves you with nothing but the clothes on your back-" Loud cheering from the suicide patients interrupted her. "And when they did, at least they used real daggers. Fall, Caesar!" More applause. "So when they mocked me, I dropped the act and said "Screw you, I'm out!" "You said it!" "All right!" "Finally, someone else knows without needing to experience it!" "Yeah!!" As the patients cheered with loud exclamations, Silvia sagged against the door frame. Apparently, reliving the past was too much for her weakened body. The doctor caught her just as she passed out. "Back to bed with you, young lady."

Tim whistled. "Wow. I think she was just warming up." "Why do you say that?" "She didn't even mention the fact that some girl circles, to be accepted, girls will win a guy's heart, then break it." He received skeptical looks. "And yes, I speak from experience. My sister told me, after the fact. Maybe it's not common now, but it's a new thing they're trying to get started." Dylan's mouth hung open. "A lot of broken hearts in my city just got explained." "Told you so."


Four months later, every hunter was finished healing and checked out. The only ones left from that expedition were Justin and Silvia. The brothers Tim and Matt volunteered to stick around until Justin could leave. The hunters returned every third or fourth day. They walked in to see the brothers in conversation, and Justin and Silvia were staring at each other. Matt waved. "Hi. Guess what's going on here." "Um, Justin and Silvia are in a staring contest, or they just finished arguing." Avery guessed. "Almost," Tim said. "They started off pretty well, but then Silvia mentioned that she planned to go beat that dragon within an inch of it's life, and that we could come with her. Then Justin said that was totally unacceptable because it was defending it's territory, and that if HE decided to allow US to half-kill it, SHE could not come along. Then she said that she could do whatever she wanted, because SHE was in charge of her own life. And he said, NO, she was a girl, and she nearly got herself and everyone else killed in under 20 minutes. Then SHE said-" "We get the picture, Tim." "Well, anyway, it deteriorated into insults, then flat-out name-calling. Now they're waiting for each other to apologize."

Dylan raised his eyebrows. "And what are the odds of that, Silvia? Or whatever your name is." "We'll be here 'till doomsday." Justin didn't blink. "Only as long as you continue to act as a child and refuse to apologize." "Like I said, we're gonna grow old here." "If you would at least LOOK as though you were ashamed or regretful, we would be having a nice conversation right now. Yet you choose to flaunt your sadistic amusement at the thought of wounding that creature." "Like you weren't having the exact same thought." "That is beside the point." "Point being that you prefer to keep you dark side to yourself." "It is customary to think before you speak." "I did. I thought you would be man enough to accept my idea without nitpicking." "Stop changing the subject, girl." "Why don't you just come out and call me a little hussy like you want to, wuss." "That is not what we're talking about." "It is now. Try to keep up." "Your insolence will crush you one day." "When did you become a seer? I thought you were above all that mumbo-jumbo. Guess I was wrong." Justin's knuckles turned white as he gripped the arm of his chair. Silvia looked almost amused. "You take everything too seriously. It's so easy to goad you into fights. You should work on it." He gritted his teeth. "You are piece of work, you know that?" "So I hear." She put her earbuds in and turned on her music. Clearly, she considered the discussion to be over.
It wasn't.

Justin stared at her. "Just who do you think you are?" "Hmm?" She removed the tiny speakers. "Say again?" "Who - do - you - think - you - are?" She sighed through her nose and switched the music off. "I'm a frustrated philosopher. Who are you?" Avery laughed, trying to relive the tension that had built up. "A philosopher? You?" "Do you hunting types always answer a question with a question?" she asked. "Really?" asked Matt. "Do we do that?" quipped Tim. Challenge accepted. Silvia thought. "You think you're funny, don't you?" he smiled, happy to clash wits. "Maybe. What do you think?" His brother provided commentary. "Oh, I like how you did that. False modesty and a question at the end. Very nice." "Please, grace us with a better comeback." Silvia said. "You think that was well done? Really?" "Hey, you were the one using my question as a springboard, weren't you?" Tim shot back.
"You'd think so, wouldn't you?"
"It makes sense, doesn't it?"
"Why would I tell if it did?"
"Because you're some kind of a philosopher, right?"
"So?"
"Aren't you supposed to find the answers to everything?"
"Is that what everyone thinks?"
"I've never talked to everyone, have you?"
"I try, don't you?"
"Why should I?"
"Don't you like to find new ideas?"
"I don't need them in the hunt, do I?"
"I wouldn't know. Does it look like I hunt?"
"Do you?"
Dylan shook his head. "With these two, we could be here for hours." "Do you really think so?" "Stop it, Tim, and let her answer the original question." "What was the question again?" "Cut it out, will you?" She grinned. "Did you just ask me something- with a question mark?" Tim shrugged. "Methinks he did. Who started the game, anyway?" "Do you remember?" "Would I ask if I did?" "Hey!" Dylan snapped. "Knock it off. She started, you finished, you both tied. Silvia, define 'frustrated philosopher', please." "Why?" If looks could kill, Dylan killed her. She struggled to keep her smile under control. "Sorry. Okay, the definition of a frustrated philosopher is as follows..."

"My favorite definition of 'philosopher' is ; A set of views and theories of a particular philosopher concerning such study or an aspect of it. In ancient times, such philosophers could debate with their teachers or peers of philosophy while standing in the street. I find no one even the slightest bit interested in defending their views and theories intelligently. They just say, "What's the big deal? You do your thing, and I'll do mine." And even fewer are interested in new ideas, especially if they contrast their previous ideas. And most people I talk to are trying to convince me to agree with them, but then they find that I know more about their ideas than they do. It usually goes downhill from there. Ergo, frustrated philosopher. And you know what else? Nobody seems to know who they are." "That's ridiculous." "Is it? I am a frustrated philosopher, yes, but I know who I am. Take the black person, for example. I'm not a racist, I LOVE black people. But the niggers have got to go. The nigger will say the dumbest things. "Hey, man, I ain't never been to jail." You're not supposed to go to jail! "I take care of my kids." Why are they so proud of that? You're supposed to take care of your kids! What the heck are they talking about? I'm not saying everyone's perfect. You've got the white trash in trailer parks, and-" They were staring at her. She must've reverted to old slang. Oops. "Well, anyway, that means that I have high standards for the people I associate with. I am a lover of music, I am quick, result-focused, and I work with what I have. I love challenges and direct answers. I'm very independent, and I have risk-taking tendencies, depending on whether or not it feels right. I observe a lot of details that most people overlook. My father was half-dwarf, my mother was a dryad. From my father, I learned the benefits of a high pain threshold. Dwarfs are very resilient. And I have a unique and beautiful perception of the physical dark. I don't fear it. From my mother, I have a thin and flexible figure, perfect for running. And I love the woods. Alive and moving, always changing, yet somehow quiet and still. I also seem to have a talent for attracting small animals, though I could live quite happily without them. And you have seen me at my worst, on a normal day, when you first met me.
I leave you to pick out the faults I haven't already told you. The point I am making is that nobody really knows who they are beyond name, address, and occupation." She replaced her music and closed her eyes. She had said enough for a while. In fact, she had said more to these people than she usually said to anyone in a month.

2 weeks later, a doctor interrupted one of their visits. He cleared his throat. Conversations quieted. "Ahem. I am pleased to announce that, despite fights from both patients, Justin and Silvia are good to go." "YES!!" Silvia leaped up from her chair. "Finally!" Justin revealed no expression besides a faint smile. His fellow hunters did the celebrating for him. The doctor somehow made his voice heard. "Now, if you're all quite finished driving us up the walls and taking up bed space, would you please get out." He complained, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "Your wish is my command. Farewell!" Silvia left. She heard someone asking the doctor how he managed to keep her in the building. She shook her head. Justin had argued with her until she said that she always kept her promises. Then he had weaseled a promise out of her. She had realized what she had said too late. She didn't talk to him for a week. She let Justin explain, then came back. "Hey!" She got their attention, then continued, "I'm going to the Year-Round Celebration city for a few days, anyone else coming?" "I thought you wanted to have revenge." "I do, but later. Besides, I need to get some fighting gear before that, and Celebration city is the nearest. You need some upgraded weapons, too. I hear that dwarf blacksmiths taught 6 humans to make enchanted weapons that will always be stronger, sharper, and better than your opponent's. One of them should be coming to Celebration city as we speak. I intend to get one. You know where I'm going." "Aren't you supposed to say, 'you know where to find me'?"
"You won't find me. I'll find you."

Jason was cruising through what was nicknamed 'The Party City'. Half of it was well-lit and family-friendly, but the other half was the grown-ups' playground. Parents spent the day with their kids, but once the kids went to bed... The adult's half was separated by a wall that was well-lit, to prevent minors from sneaking over to the major party at night. Lights flashed in sync with the throbbing beat of the music mix the local DJ served up. ( Taio Cruz - Dynamite Dawn of the Dead Lyrics ATC - It Goes Around the World )People wore costumes, or just dressed up. Glittery outfits were popular with the girls. If you could name an activity only adults and teenagers 16+ were interested in, it was there. Glow sticks, bright disco lights, and throngs of dancers, dark and light and color flashing on the huge dance floor. And the irreplaceable bar, of course. Jason moved through the crowd, to the beat of the music. It was nice to just have fun once in a while. Then he saw that girl. Silvia. What was she doing here? He thought she'd probably hate a place like this. He wasn't sure why, but he was sure that she'd have some sort of reason to despise it. She locked eyes with him, then turned away, as if he were just another random guy. But she didn't bolt for the door. She just...ignored him. Weird.

He moved towards her, and she moved away to maintain the same distance. She noticed that he kept moving closer. So he wanted to talk. She thought she had annoyed him enough that he'd never want to speak to her again, unless he saw her see him and felt obligated to say hello. Apparently not. She turned and waved, then pretended to ignore him, dancing in place as he drew nearer. She wondered what he wanted. He tried to speak, but she couldn't hear him over the music. She put a finger to his lips and motioned to him to follow her. She stood just outside the door, enough to muffle the sound waves so they could hear each other. "Hi, Jason." "Uh, hi. What are you doing here...dressed like that?" She looked down at herself. High heeled, knee-length boots, a short skirt, and a spaghetti-strap top, all in vivid colors. Nothing flashy or revealing, but a comfortable and acceptable outfit for a night out. Excepting the two hunting knives hidden in each boot, of course. "What? Did I spill something on myself?" He slowly shook his head. "No. I'm just...surprised to see you here, that's all. Why are you here?" She smirked. "Why is anyone here? To have fun, of course! I also happen to be celebrating my release from the hospidal. Why are you here?" His response was somewhat delayed. "Um, I'm looking for the human blacksmith Kyle. Do you know where he is?" Ah, so that's why he was drifting around. He was looking for information, not having fun. She put her hands on her hips. "I can do better than that." Her smile turned impish. "I know where he is." His posture snapped to attention. His voice was eager, as though he had been looking for Kyle for more than just a few hours. His second wind had rendered him oblivious to her mischievous expression. "Where?" "I'll tell you...tomorrow." His face would've frozen water in July. "What?" She twirled on her toes and slipped back inside. Music washed over her, shielding her from all sound, protecting her from his questions. (Pretty Rave Girl)
Maybe now he could loosen up, and have fun just for the heck of it without having to worry about catching Kyle. She knew exactly where Kyle was. He gave her the twin enchanted knives.