Since Eric had jurisdiction in both realms, and had a starpass, he was allowed to come back and forth through the gate and visit Random. He'd been shocked to see that Kessie had ordered that Random's pass be removed. What puzzled him was the way it was removed. There was no need to remove it in such a brutal way. This type of surgery had been long since obsolete and very unnecessary. The starpass could have been removed with magic. Now, instead, Random will have a scar, he at least hoped it would heal and with time, fade away... but this act of spite and brutality toward a sibling..he just could not comprehend. Oh Randi, Eric said, had I known of this I would have stopped it some how. Randi looked at Eric..a single tear gliding down her cheek.. oh.. Eric, why did she do this? Why hasn't she come to see me? Mother and father said she was beloved and kind. Over the years the news they'd gathered of her had been nothing but the best. She has always made them proud..and I worked hard to make them proud too..to be like her. Eric, she's made certain I cannot return to New York. I can't go beyond the nexus! My business.. Oh Eric! Is Uncle Mercer and Aunty Silvi all right? Are they making certain things run smoothly? We must regrow the forests... she trailed off..she'd known for a long time now that her business was a supreme success. She'd managed to regrow with remarkable speed, many of the lost forests of the human world..allowing that one day human and elven kind can live side-by-side as it was in the beginning. It was the elven kind which paid the coin in the marketplace for these forests..and mankind soon after joined in. Elven kind knew that Iron was the bane that placed boundaries on the world..dividing that which had been one into two worlds existing together, yet apart, and the nexus was more as a dream than what was once shared as beautiful and corporeal. Randi, I don't know, how they're doing, but I brought you someone I'd like for you to meet dear lady, someone your Uncle meant to introduce you to a few weeks ago...you lawyer m'lady. Randi looked.. she saw no one standing near Eric..and she furrowed her brows..Eric? Is this a joke? Eric stepped aside to reveal a diminutive rather feminine looking fairy male. He spoke in a smallish voice..hello Ma'am the name's Stridex...and No.. I don't cure pimples he said in a disgruntled manner. I am your lawyer. I realize I'm not as good looking as your last lawyer, but I hear these days he's rather wormy.. Randi glared, but kept her tongue. And, I'm not a corporate lawyer, I'm a criminal defense attorney..damn good actually, the very best! Randi interrupted.. Ahh I've heard of you! You are supposed to be the best....but the best here. Not in New York! You can't even cross the Nexus with out a starpass.. ummm well, ma'am...I have one.. he pointed to his brand new starpass..newly embedded into his forehead just beneath a curly lock of bangs. Apparently, it used to be yours. Random looked away quickly! She put her hands over her eyes..and heaved her shoulders. Then she turned back to Eric and Stridex.. Well, gentlemen..it seems like I'm in a world of shit here. Apparently, I'm in a place where everything seems like a dream..no..strike that.. a nightmare more like..and I'm accused of a crime I did not commit. Eric, you say, there is evidence that puts me in danger.. Well, I have to tell you, I feel more in danger every moment. I've a sister here who apparently cares diddlysquat about me, or my feelings. She probably wishes I'd never been born. The man I'm supposed to have murdered was the love of my life, whether he thought so or not, I'm lonely, I'm frightened, and very tired..and you know what else.... I'm damn hungry! I'M VERY DAMN HUNGRY!!