Multiverse Snippet 2

 Sitrep:

So, scheduling snag in the editing, but we're getting it back on track. My bad. :) 

  The story Pantheon has grown to the point I've turned it into a novella. (15,000 words so far) It may turn into a short novel in it's own right. I went from poking at it as a treatment to breaking it down and actually finishing sections.

  I already have a couple of finished chapters with it and it's 50+ pages. Not bad since I started it Sunday as a lark and I've been writing 3-5 pages a day initially.

  In other news, I am looking at using Inkarnate to make maps of PRI, Bootstrap, and other locations in my books. I am running it past the Betas now.

On to the snippet!

Still in The Collection:

~~~=^=~~~

At dawn he dragged himself into his bedroom and half fell, half threw himself on the bed. He knew he smelled of soot and smoke, he couldn't help it. He turned his head to the bathroom he shared with 7 other mates, it was in use. He grimaced.

The bucket chain to put the fires out had been a disaster. Oh, they'd gotten the fires under control, but only after proper dwarven built pumps had been set up off the pier to pump salt water onto the raging fires.

Some of the people had stayed to watch the smoldering ruins be put out but he'd gotten out as quickly as he could. He had class in a few hours.

His encrusted eyes closed and he fell into a doze.

~~~=^=~~~

When he woke it was midday and he cursed his thoughtlessness for sleeping through class. Professor Trem was not the forgiving type.

He got cleaned up, ate a stale bagel he'd saved and then went out. He had his books clutched to his chest. He went to the class and almost wilted in relief when he saw that classes had been canceled for the day. It meant he had another day to stay as a student. Another chance to finish his work and to find a new job and avoid the draft.

He checked the other classes to be sure, and then snagged a snack off a tray that was headed to the professor's lounge. That fended off his hunger pangs as he rushed back to his dorm.

“Rent's due at the end of the month,” the matron reminded him at the base of the stairs. He nodded and headed up at a brisk pace.

“And don't thunder up the stairs like an ogre!” the woman called up, clearly incensed about something or other. He shook his head.

He used the key to unlock the door and then put his stuff on his bed. He knew better than to leave it out for long. One of the other larger mates might try to steal it to pawn for coins that they too needed.

He checked the work list he'd scribbled down. There were 2 requests for tutors but in subjects he knew little about. He grimaced and set the idea of trying out for them aside.

History was not a popular subject in wartime. The same for language arts and art itself. Those who chose those majors seemed to be doomed to be drafted first. It wasn't fair, but it was their lot in life.

There was a note about a possible job in the city. He grimaced and checked the address carefully. When he was sure he had it down he went and got cleaned up and into his best outfit.

He hid his belongings and then took off to hopefully find work.

~~~=^=~~~