A Crossing Of Different Worlds

[Carmen Quintana]

Flow. Carmen had found a flow like that of a jump hole. The rush of light and particle. Here, there was a smooth and unfettered trickle of time. A kind of way she never could properly describe. Listening to music had a way of framing her mind in a quasi-trance like state. Giving her a state of being only matched in the heat of combat. A lock-in. Mind and body on a plane of existence that felt almost meta-physical.

She rarely ever thought remotely in that nonsensical direction, yet music undeniably did something wonderful to her. Something, perhaps almost, mind altering. If it could be classified like that, it was something she could accept.

Then, that flow came to an abrupt halt when the clack of metal on metal caught her attention. Instead of glancing at the gun placed down, as if in challenge to her knife, her eyes were on the man. Instantly studying him. Discerning if he was a threat, a flirtatious peacock, or just one of those odd gregarious types that always felt like they never quite belonged. Especially in a place of debauchery and rough, hungry, minds. The way he spoke, however, surprised her a little; though none showed on her expression. He was not a common thug. That much was clear. She was curious now.

"Lonely hombre?" she teased. "Come to share the booth with this chica?"

Her eyes offered a glint of easy, harmless, amusement. Then she opened her hand, palm up. Fingers pointed at the opposite seat. "Join me. You caught me in a good mood, senor. Who might I have the pleasure of being joined by?"

---

"My kin! We are Corsair! We are the 'Horned Ones'! By Crete we have been made strong! There is no foe we cannot defeat! No enemy shall be spared our horns! No friend or ally shall find us wanting! For we are Corsair! By the might of the Imperio we spread out our hands! All we see will be ours one day! I have had a dream. A dream of a green Crete. A paradise! And in that dream, our enemies are not there! Crushed and mangled beneath our horns! Uplift your voices! Shout with me! Corsair! Corsair! Corsair!"

-Carmen Elena 'Silver' Quintana of Clan Quintana of the Corsair Imperio