Welcome to the Work

The tavern in my head looks like a party, with a dragon pouring drinks and a cynic cracking jokes. It's really a war council for all my broken parts. Consider it a warning label for the IFS diagnostic work ahead.

Yeah, the dragon's pouring drinks, the cynic's cracking wise
The hero's telling stories with a fire in his eyes
Got a song about the juice, got a song about the cake
For goodness sake, for goodness sake, another one to make
It looks like just a party, a good time with the crew
And if you're just here for the fun, well, I can't say I blame you.

But look a little closer, past the laughter and the light
See the old and tired soldiers, getting ready for a fight

So welcome to the party, yeah, welcome to the war
This is a council meeting for the broken to the core
Every drink's a potion, every word is like a blade
This isn't just a fun night, it's a goddamn, desperate raid
On a fortress of the soul, a prison of the mind
So if you think this is a simple song, you're 'bout to be left behind
Welcome to the work!

The king is on his throne, but there's a panic in his eyes
The shield is at the table, and he's listening to the lies
The angel's in the corner, trying not to be afraid
While the spymaster is watching this ridiculous parade
It looks like just a good time, a drink with a few friends
But we're all just running diagnostics 'til this broken story ends

And the bill is getting heavy, and the night is getting long
And we're trying to find the melody in a sad and broken song

I am the patient and the doctor, the warden and the con
The lonely, broken architect who's trying to turn the light back on
And this ain't just a tavern, it's a hospital for ghosts
And I am the most broken, and the most gracious of the hosts

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