By the time she reached the city’s eastern district Fena was still struggling to regain a semblance of composure. But the issue still boiled at the back of her mind, gnawing at her. Part of her simply couldn't accept what the Guildmaster had said. Part of her didn’t want to. 

Damn. Damn damn damn. I- I need to calm down. Please, please calm down.

The Crow fluttered behind, watching her closely with narrowed eyes. It swooped closer, close enough to whisper into her ear.

“Get out of sight. Down that alley, now.”

Sick of the prying eyes and suddenly claustrophobic bodies that surrounded her, Fena ducked down the alley Crow mentioned. Her body began to hyperventilate as memories came rushing out of a box once thought tightly sealed. Voices, faces, expectations and demands. 

No. No. You don’t matter anymore. Leave me alone.

A charming smile, glittering eyes flashed into view. 

You-you don’t control me. Go away.

An angry moustache, full of fury and disappointment.

Leave me alone. Please, please... 

Fena’s body suddenly lost its balance, sending her stumbling to her knees. 

“Fuck,” muttered Fena as her whole body shivered and trembled. “Th-The bear should have lasted me much, much longer…”

The Crow quickly landed next to her, an urgent expression on its beak. 

“Quick! Do it quickly! It’ll be easier once it’s done with!” it urged. 

Barely able to control her muscles, Fena slowly reached for one of her swords. Her hand twitched and spasmed as she raised the sword, but Fena couldn’t tell if it was in fear or in hungry desperation. 

“Please-please forgive me…”

Twenty minutes later a slightly dazed but stable Fena walked out of the alley. Blood soaked her clothes and she awkwardly held her left wrist close to her chest, but the old unshakable expression on her face was back. She rearranged her clothing slightly so that the worst of the bloodstains were less visible, then made her back to the attic room she called home. 

The streets in the Eastern District were far narrower and dirtier; panhandlers called out to her as people dumped their waste in the streets. Every city had a poor district and it was here that the poor, the criminals and the trodden-down of Anquitania gathered. It was also the most dangerous district but Fena liked it here; lodging was cheap, and it didn't remind her of her old home. Most importantly, it was a good place to hide. People didn't ask questions and it was easy to disappear in the many nooks and crannies of the twisting houses and maze-like structures. Being the oldest district, there was no building system here;  houses were haphazardly intertwined, built on top of and into each other. Some of the oldest houses had even gradually sunk below the earth, becoming basements for the new ones built above. Fena had heard that it was possible to traverse the entire district underground by tunneling between these long forgotten structures, though she had never investigated that herself. 

I really ought to do that sometime… just in case.

So entangled was the district that newcomers often hired guides to help them traverse the area, though bodyguards were likely far more helpful. It had taken Fena more than a few wrong turns and many fights before she got the hang of navigating safely. 

Fena stopped in front of a large two story house, which unusually sat completely independent of the other buildings surrounding it. Two scantily dressed women stood in front of it, flirting and calling out to anyone who came near under a sign labelled The Black Kitten. As Fena approached, their expressions immediately brightened when they saw her.

"Fena, darling! Working hard or hardly working?" called out one.

"I should ask you the same thing Mona." Fena answered.

The redheaded girl gave her a glare. 

"My name's Crystal when I'm working. I should've never told you my real name."

"Alright-alright, sorry 'Crystal'. It's just such a cute name."

'Crystal' pretended to be miffed and looked away. The dark haired girl smiled apologetically at Fena, then gave her a concerned glance as she noticed the rapidly browning stains on Fena’s shirt.

“Are you alright Fena? What happened?”

Fena followed her gaze, then gave a convincing laugh.

“Oh these? Don’t worry, it’s not mine. The other guy looked way worse, trust me.” The Crow on her shoulder added a slight snigger. 

Only slightly reassured, the girl nodded slowly then continued. 

"Your job seems kind of rough huh. Well, it hasn't been great here either honestly. Seems like some of our regulars were arrested last night."

"Did they cause trouble here?"

"No but the Madam might ask you to guard the door in the coming days. Seems like the whole district is on edge."

Fena frowned.

"Did something happen while I was gone?"

"Nothing specific," chimed in 'Crystal'. "But, well… some adventurers have been going around asking questions. They're looking for someone, and you know the locals don't like those kinds of questions. Also there's a rumor running round that the city guard might start cracking down around here. It makes people jumpy."

Fena couldn't stop her face from paling slightly. 

"Looking for someone? Who?"

"Some woman. The usual story. A nobleman chasing after his lost love," answered 'Crystal' nonchalantly.

The dark haired girl caught Fena's strained expression. "Don't worry about it too much, Fena dear. There are plenty of people hiding out here; I'm sure it's not you they're after."

Fena flashed a brief smile. 

"Thanks Aziza. But it's not like I'm in hiding or anything."

'Crystal' rolled her eyes.

"Sure you're not. Mysterious past, jumpy expression, living in this district; you're perfectly normal. Don't worry about it so much, Fena. You're like family here. Besides, it's not like we're eager to get rid of our best bouncer."

Fena couldn’t stop a barely perceptible flinch from escaping. She dropped her gaze and muttered, "Right right. I had better go find the madam and stop keeping you from your work. Hope you catch someone rich tonight."

"Thanks, dear! Go get some rest as well, you look like you need it."

Nodding to the girls, Fena made her way inside the brothel. She entered into a large wooden two story room filled with tables and booths. Stairs led up to a long balcony on the far wall, while a bar sat shadowed underneath. Red and yellow drapes decorated the room, though they looked like they should have been replaced a few years ago. But the centerpiece of the room, a large stage in the left-hand corner still gleamed thanks to attentive and caring hands. At this time of day the room was still quiet, but once evening fell it would be filled with a rowdy crowd of men and women.

Fena pushed her way past the bar, towards the employees only door tucked behind. She gave Edna the barmaid a brief wave while asking her where the Madam was.

"She's out back givin' lil Rosie 'er readin lesson. Ye can go nag 'er if ya want, she’ll be glad o’ the excuse to git away."

"Thanks, Edna."

The Crow hopped down from Fena’s shoulder and stuck its head in a jar of olives. Fena gave it a look, but it only gave a cheeky wave back. 

“Go on ahead, I got important business here.”

Fena went through the door and followed a long corridor that led to an outdoor garden. Fena quite liked it here; it was a neatly tended little place that allowed the employees at the Black Kitten to relax and destress. The place may have been a brothel, but it took care of its workers. It even looked after any children that were accidentally born, such as Rosie. As Fena neared the garden she could hear her young voice burst into laughter as Madam Isabelle groaned in frustration.