The little (equally tall as you) fox stopped next to you, forcing you to swallow the unexplainably strong urge to pet her fluffy tail or ears. ''She's been a bad leader for a long while.'' The wiggling Usha on your head attracted Hanabi's red gaze more than your eyes. ''Greedy and prideful, but I think last week finally beat some sense into her.''

''That's...'' Isn't she supposed to be supporting her friend?

''I'm on her side, don't you worry. I happen to have a crush on truth.'' You heard her take in a big breath, then groan in displeasure from the smell. ''Truth is, she needed humility beaten into her and, in all honesty, your coming couldn't have had a better timing.''

''We've been preppin' for the worst scenario.'' Hanabi casually continued. ''Branka was going to start a riot, and I'd take as many of the moms who can move with their kids outta here.''

''That is not at all planning for success.'' You tore your eyes away from watching your moth friend talk with the rat she caught to look at the fox beside you. Her expression bore no empathy, no hesitation; calm resolution.

''I expected to make it out with only six out of the twenty-five people I planned to escape with. Power and strength.'' She looked at her extended hand. ''Doesn't mean shit when you gotta help anybody but yourself.'' And formed a claw with her fingers. Goodness, quite the difference between honest and public faces.

''You'd consider yourself strong, Lady Hanabi?''

''Yup.'' No arrogance in her voice or attitude, those rather beautiful red eyes of hers looked at you with the certainty of someone announcing the sky being blue. ''You've given the people the time they need to survive, all I need now is to find a way for them to live... and I can't do it alone.'' Bloody hells. Hypersensitive Leylines, two sprouts of the Elemental Tree of Earth growing in close proximity, pearls of Earth being formed in bigger quantities, and some of them are missing. A strange epidemic made 100 people comatose. Mamonos are showing similar symptoms after being abused by the mercenaries; now the Mamonos won't live past the winter because of their collective corruption. A completely unknown Outsider hypnotised my family for a week. My soul was put inside my mother's pregnant body by my dear goddess, my dreams are tied to Usha, and...and...

Too. Damn. Much.

Usha's scared whining stopped you from completely rubbing your face with your hands; poor girl was about to lose her balance. ''Eichenwald sure is a strange city.'' Hanabi continued after looking at you for a moment. ''That strange event that put people asleep should have had a squad of spirit healers coming here yet, zip.''