Chapter 489: The Scary Malkin
Consider, for a moment, how I had generally been treated by religious figures up until that point. And of what I knew of the Cult of Fire and Pain.
Mind you, I had built up both resistance and tolerance of fear. I could stand before a charging bear, or hold a snarling badger, both with the stress level one associated with picking vegetables out of a garden. <1>
And a Stress Meter of 40 points is slightly above average. Those mechanics didn't seem to help much.
Add to that the muted silence of the group around us and the equally silent Not-Tigrin.
I think I was right to feel creeped out by Malkin's sudden transition of smiles. It was slightly wider, slightly more level in the middle, slightly more upturned at the edges.
Crap.
I gave him their version of a salute and bow. "I was unaware that Tigrin had such a patron."
"He didn't." Malkin admitted, "But when I saw him cut low... I just had to take pity on him, you see."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Mike_Kochis
Mike_Kochis A productive day at work, and my spit is now clear, rather than pink with blood. I'm actually starting to think that I'm recovering quickly.
That said, I ran out of words before running out of chapter. If I had the time, I'd probably have added more conversation, and had them reach the scribble at the end of the chapter.
It was important, though, to spell out how poorly the design works together.
No new messages, so no new stone counts. But... thank you for your support, it means more to me than money does.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone