The Wandering Whale

The Wanderer smiled kindly. "You will always be welcome here, my friend. Here in this inn between the worlds."

"And fear not!" chuckled the fay lad. "Thou art not alone in thine feelings of isolation. I, too have known its sting. For dost thou not know? I am the son of a 'she-elf', an 'eldritch lad', 'half-blood' by birth. Mine unnatural long life drove many away from me, especially when there came a time of great hatred and fear which some call the 'Dark Ages'. But in time, they learned to accept, to see those of different looks not as enemies or dangerous strangers, but potential friends and fellow creatures living in this place we call Creation."

Rocky took another swig of the spectacular drink the bartender had given him, then nearly choked on it as his helmet lit up with garbled radio chatter. He hastily put it on to receive the message, holding a hand up to the side of his head for a few moments before removing the helmet again. "Hey, sounds like my garrison's prepping for another conquest on the Bespin Platforms, I'd better get prepped. Thank you all for the chat, more inspiring than my old drill sergeant's pep talks!" he said to the Wanderer and Alfonso with a wink. "Great to meet you, too, little one," he said to the changeling. "Here's hoping we all get to meet again sometime."
The tavern doors swung open to reveal the sound of two stuttering engines of some kind just outside. Another soldier in white armor with yellow highlights--and no streamlined point sticking off the back of his helmet like Rocky had--entered the tavern. "Come on, we're deploying in ten minutes! We gotta get moving, Rocky!" the pilot said, beckoning the jet trooper outside. Rocky gave the party in the tavern a parting salute and jogged through the door with the pilot. Mere seconds later, the stuttering engines were joined by a loud whine, increased in pitch, and faded into the distance.

Wanderer sighed, looking after the soldier. "Another world, full of endless war. They tell them that it is for the good of the Republic, and they are truthful - from a certain point of view. But they do not see the greater whole, how they are destroying themselves from within, and how they bring themselves ever closer to tyranny day by day. But what can a soldier do, but follow orders, and do his best to protect the innocent?

The Wanderer smiled slightly. "It has its downsides. But that only makes the good acts stand out all the more. When a starving family can find it in their hearts to give generously to those even worse off than themselves, when a victim of persecution and all manner of tragedies can still stand and find joy in life, when someone who has been imprisoned on false charges finds it in her heart to forgive her accusers... do these little beacons of hope and light shine all the brighter for the darkness that surrounds them? It is true that the world itself may be harsh, and oftentimes the sad choices of silly leaders can cause much suffering, but that suffering is an opportunity to bring out the best in one's heart. That, at least, is one way to view things."

I'm not entirely sure that view can be...applied to everything. Can you forgive something that tried to eat you?

The pink eyed changeling turns towards Laserbolt with a bit of a frown on his face.
Oh, okay. I guess we'll see you later? he asks.

The pink eyed changeling went silent, slowly turning to stare at the counter top. He looked unsure of his own views and troubled. He hardly moved or even came to thought as he began to gaze at nothing, like he had entered a day dream like that of a disturbing nightmare.