>>5195910> "Get a reputation as an early riser and you can sleep till noon."Karl nods.
<span class="mu-s">"Well said. I couldn't slack off, cheat or overcharge even if I wanted to. Which I don't, really."</span>
>"I did get kidnapped by a goblin once for potion ingredients, but it's all water under the bridge, you know?"Karl gestures with his lollipop. His tone is even.
<span class="mu-s">"Now now. She scouted you and assisted in your capture. She wasn't the one who actually bagged you. The mutterbottle game distortion of facts isn't good for anyone."</span>
Karl averts his gaze, sheepish about his low key admonishment
<span class="mu-s">"I get what you're saying though. And yeah, she seems pretty swell."</span>
>“Sounds like you had a rough start.”Karl licks his teeth and does a small nod.
<span class="mu-s">"I guess. But that's dusting out. Your den has your back so long as you toe the line, do good business and know your place. They will mess up anyone who messes with you. You walk away from that - at best they'll forget about you and anyone you care about forever. At worst they hunt you down for your betrayal."</span>
Karl sucks on the lollipop thoughtfully as he looks up
<span class="mu-s">"Hunted or not, you then gotta make it in a ternion world. You can stray. Work the cafes. Set up a sign. but you're always against public perception. You could be straight shooter. Pay your taxes. Leave a good tip. Pick up your trash. Don't matter when every other member of your species on the block is mugging people, grifting and going through the garbage."</span>
Karl crunches his lollipop and once again makes eye contact.
<span class="mu-s">"but its worth it, you know? There's safety and numbers and then there's doing what you believe in. There's freedom. It's worth the graft, Mr Donuts."</span>
He discards his stick into a nearby trashcan and walks for the exit. He pauses
<span class="mu-s">"Just let her know she belongs, yeah?"</span>
Mike seems to be doing well. Him and Highball share a drunken cackle as he pots a stupidly lucky shot.
