The local bar in Talon had seen many faces pass through. Before it had been the usual patrons, each drinking to unwind, forget their troubles, or just to get rip-roaring drunk. Now that the Druun were fully dealt with, many more faces passed through from all the different tribes. The only type of sapient creature that hadn't come through was a dragon. It made them wonder if dragons even drank? Much of current Kumandra hadn't known about dragon culture before the 506 years of being divided. Now that they were back, it made one wonder, (or at least the local bartender), what kind of alcohol they had? Until then, he only served human patrons. One in particular set down his finished drink.

"And she jus cut me out!" Jarek proclaimed.

"Uh huh," The bartender replied, knowing full well how to deal with a drunk customer.

Jarek certainly fit the bill of being drunk. After visiting his sister, he headed straight to the bar, one of his favorite hangouts. And one he frequented whenever he had money. Not that he was an alcoholic, but he certainly loved his drink.

"I mean I named her kid! Yep, that was me!" Jarek gave a tiny hiccup at that point, "And she jus cuts me about becaush I'm not a good influence or shomting."

The bartender chuckled a bit before taking away the bottle.

"Hey! I'm not, urp, done!" Jarek protested.

"Trust me Jarek, you've had enough," The bartender said as he put away the bottle.

"I'll shay! My shisister is on mah lasht nerve! Thatsh family for ya, HIC, yessir!" Jarek said.

"Right, just head on home Jarek," The bartender said, his voice half concern, half he didn't want to deal with this.

"Aight I'm...I'm going," Jarek said lazily he staggered to his feet and headed out. Turning around, Jarek gave a little bow, "I bid you all farewell!" He announced giving off a final hiccup as he exited.

Going back out onto the Talon streets, Jarek staggered about, yet at the same time, he maneuvered well for a man as inebriated as he. He had done this many times in the past, so much the way home was interwoven into him. Eventually, he made it to a little shack, his home. Fumbling he managed to open the door and practically crashed inside. But he wasn't there quite yet. As soon as he saw his bedding he crashed and was soon fast asleep as snores escaped his body. All around his home lay things that benefited only him. Several tools lay in a corner, disorganized and strewn about. Bags containing recreational drugs, and next to them lay books containing subjects that were best saved for adult eyes.

All in all, this was the home and life of Jarek, the self-proclaimed luckiest man in Kumandra.

XXX

"Mama? Why do you hate Uncle Jarek?" Little Padi asked as she held her Sisu doll tightly.

Rapi hadn't expected her daughter to ask such a question. One minute she was tucking her daughter into bed, and the next she was asking her this.

"Sweetheart, why would you ask something like that?" Rapi asked, slightly alarmed.

Padi shifted a tad uncomfortably underneath her blanket, "I heard you and Uncle Jarek arguing."

Rapi shot her daughter a disapproving look, "Were you eavesdropping?" She asked.

The young girl didn't look away from her mother, "Yes," She meekly admitted.

"Padi, what have I said about eavesdropping?" Rapi rhetorically asked.

"Not to do it," Padi answered.

"That's right because it's rude," Rapi chastised.

"I'm sorry," Padi apologized, "Mama, Uncle Jarek isn't a bad person is he?"

Rapi let out a sigh, "No sweetheart, your uncle...your uncle is just complicated."

"Then why did you tell him not to come back?" Padi innocently asked.

Rapi gave a disapproving look towards her daughter because this indeed showed she was eavesdropping.

"I was just angry. I know it may not seem like it, but I worry about your uncle, and I just don't want anything bad to happen to him," Rapi explained.

Padi sank deeper into her bed, "Maybe you should tell him that?"

Realization hit Rapi's face, but she tucked her daughter in, kissed her on the forehead, and said, "Just get some sleep."

Padi didn't argue with her mother, just gave a simple yawn, "Okay Mama, goodnight."

"Goodnight precious," Rapi said.

The woman left her daughter's room, leaving herself alone with her thoughts. Why didn't she just tell Jarek that? Sometimes her daughter was wiser than her age would imply. She did worry about Jarek, but his ways and personality just irked her. Looking at her missing finger, only brought back memories of that one failed job. Things were so simple and fun back then. Being a thief brought a sort of thrill and excitement to one's life, a thrill she knew too well. Back then it had been just she and her brother, but now, all of that had changed. The minute she lost her finger, she knew she had to change her life. Then the Druun came and that enough told her traveling freely around Kumandra was no longer plausible.

She knew that and hoped one day Jarek would see that. But with the Druun gone now, that again did not seem plausible.

XXX

Jarek awoke to a sharp pain coursing through his head. Typical hangover. Nothing he wasn't used to. As usual, he had the perfect cure. It was a cure his late father taught him, for his father was no stranger to drinking. The correct tea leaves could do wonders, and several sips just made his hangover slip away little by little. With a little rest, Jarek knew it was time to go. Gathering up his things, he headed outside, the air of nature providing a fresh pace to his otherwise musty domicile. He made his way to the docks, ready to set out and do what he needed to do.

"Uncle Jarek!"

Jarek stopped before he could board the boat, and looked to see his niece Padi running up to him.

"Padi?"

But she wasn't alone, for there next to her was her mother, his sister.

"Rapi?" Jarek was double confused at why his family was here.

"We came to say goodbye!" Padi announced, sensing her uncle's question.

Jarek grinned at his niece, then it fell as he addressed his sister.

"Surprised you showed up," Jarek said.

"Before you say anything else, I just want you to know, those things I said, I was angry," Rapi admitted.

Jarek blinked, not expecting that from his sister.

"I don't agree with what you're doing, but I still want you to be safe," Rapi continued, and before Jarek could utter anything, she locked him deep in a hug.

Jarek was at a loss for words, save for one, "Sis."

"Just, promise me you'll come back in one piece," Rapi said, almost pleading.

Jarek could only give a small chuckle as he broke away, "Hey, if the Druun couldn't get me, I doubt anyone can," He boasted. Rapi looked at him unconvincingly, "What's the worst that can happen? I die?"

Rapi didn't want to consider that possibility, but she humored her brother by granting him a smile.

Leaning down to Padi's level, Jarek placed a hand upon her shoulder, "You going to look after your mother while I'm gone?"

"Yep!" Padi responded.

The young girl grabbed her uncle in a hug, and leaned in close to his her, "I don't care what anyone says, I like your beard, Uncle Jarek."

Jarek hugged his niece tightly before breaking away, "Well, I'm off," He announced as he headed onto the boat.

"Bye Uncle Jarek! I love you!" Padi called out.

Rapi said nothing and instead gave her brother a knowing nod. Boarding the boat Jarek was off with a clear destination in mind: He was heading to Heart for the opportunity of a lifetime.