Author note: Sorry for not updating sooner. In between a family death, school, and a computer malfunction- it just wasn't possible. But here are the next couple chapters. Please read and review. Hope you enjoy.

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The Star Burns

LaughingStar stood bundled up in heavy linen robes waiting for him to return. Nervously she played with a ring on her finger. They had been traveling for many days. She shivered, yawned, and jumped as a cold skinless hand touched her shoulder.

"We have rooms."

"Thank the Gods!" She turned to face him as she spoke. He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into the inn.

"Here's the key to your room," he said. "It's just down the hall, room 105."

"Thanks Hyne." She smiled softly, took the key and walked towards her room down the hall. Unlocking the door, she stumbled inside. The door swung shut as she fell face down upon the bed.

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She felt the light before she actually saw it. LaughingStar opened her eyes, rolled over, and sat up. The light poured in from the window near her bed. A stray hand wandered to her belly as she basked in the sun.

LaughingStar lived in this new world for just under a month. In the time that she had known Hyne, she realized that he was nothing more than a fraud. Then spent time moving from town to town- selling junk. Most of the time, they snuck out in the middle of the night. More than a few times they had even been chased out by angry people.

Her stomach loudly rumbled, snapping LaughingStar from her reverie.

After eating a good meal, LaughingStar decided to take a walk. It started as an exploration. She looked on in fascination at the buildings and the people around her. Where she had come from, things were so much different. On her world, the different races that inhabited the land segregated themselves from the others. It was rare to see Acharites in Avar or Icarii towns. It was unheard of to see an Icarii in either town. But again, in this world- things were just not the same. No one in the least seemed awkward or even afraid to see a skeleton walking around their town- not to mention a winged woman.

As LaughingStar reached the center of town, loud voices talking all at once filled the air. She looked towards the noise to find a mass of people in the town square. Elevated slightly above the ground and in midst of the people was Hyne. He held an object in his hand. Around him people were calling out. "500 gil." One voice said while another shouted out, "No 600 gil."

Shaking her head, LaughingStar crossed the square to a fountain on the other side. Hyne was up to his tricks, she thought as she sat down on the stone. She dipped her hand in the water as she enjoyed watching the people around her. Children ran around tagging one another. Men and women entered shops buy needed items. While lost in thought, she heard a thump and then a groan. LaughingStar turned and found that on older villager woman fell nearby. A basket of produce was strewn all around. The elderly woman started to struggle to get to her knees. LaughingStar stood and hurried to help the fallen woman. She helped the woman to the nearby fountain and sat her down. Then, LaughingStar turned, knelt, and picked the fruit and vegetables that lay around.

"Here's your basket," said LaughingStar handing the older woman the wicker basket she had been carrying.

"Thank you," said the village woman as LaughingStar sat next to her.

"It was nothing." LaughingStar leaned over and asked, "Are you hurt in any way."

"No…no…just a little shaken." She started to stand but didn't make it to her feet and sat back down.

"Rest a bit." LaughingStar suggested.

"I have a lot of work to do."

"Then, let me help you." LaughingStar helped the lady to her feet. Holding her by an arm, LaughingStar asked, "Where do you need to go?"

The village woman answered by pointing at a nearby shop and saying, "Over there."

For the rest of afternoon, LaughingStar helped the older woman- named Riza- on the rest of her errands. After which, she escorted Riza back to her home

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