Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: DracoOmega on April 17, 2011, 05:19:16 AM
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>You are Nazrin, a mouse youkai and newest member of the Seeker's Guild.
>You live in the port city of Braston, on the isle of Estval in Eastern Gensokyo. Braston is the largest city in the Outer Freelands and a regional trade hub and thriving mining community; the single largest supplier of hihiirokane and orichalum to the Central nations, as well as a major exporter of iron, copper, and other mundane metals. It is also home to the headquarters of the Seeker's Guild.
>The Seekers are an alternately cooperative and competitive gathering of professional explorers, treasure hunters, and odd-jobbers, specializing in retrieval of items and information. Respected for their skills and their gumption, they held out the promise of a richer life for one cunning enough to find it. It was the guild which drew you to Braston, and it is through the guild that you intend to leave this place.
>Braston is a big fish in a small pond, a metropolis only among the parochial towns which surround it. The real seats of affluence and opportunity lie across the Great Expanse to the West: Val Razua, the jewel of Gensokyo, and the other great nations. The places where real things happen.
>Yesterday was a long time coming, the culmination of a demanding and sometimes menial apprenticeship. But you mastered every challenge that was set for you, passed every test, and yesterday were officially inducted as a full member. Drinks soon followed, all but foisted upon you by your fellows. With more than a little consternation, you realize you're not entirely sure when they ended. Perhaps they started as a social obligation, or perhaps you were too swept up in your success to protest, but with some chagrin, you feel forced to admit you enjoyed yourself, perhaps despite yourself. If anything were worth celebrating, this would qualify.
>Today is your first day as a true Seeker; no longer an apprentice or a student, no longer an adjunct to another member. Today, you can choose your own contracts, you can earn your own money, real money. And with money comes opportunities. You will find something important, something which no one else has found, and you're not about to let anything stop you. Not even a hangover...
>You are currently in your living quarters. It is a small rectangular room with plain hardwood floors and unadorned walls. There is a modest but comfortable bed against one wall, an oil lamp on top of a nightstand to one side of it, and a small dresser to the other. A simple desk and chair rest against the opposite wall, doubling as an eating table. Various comestibles and a few other miscellaneous items are scattered across it.
>The best that can be said of the accommodations is that they are... functional. To be fair, they're also clean. But they are certainly nothing one aspires to. The room is Guild-provided for a nominal fee, paid in the form of basic administrative and janitorial duties for the Guild. In fact, a great many things are paid for that way, with only a small stipend in actual currency provided for the various tasks apprentices are expected to perform. You'd stifle a grumble if you weren't already numb to it. Still, that changes today.
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>Inventory
>Skills
>Consider how one obtains contracts.
>What sort of friends have we in the guild?
>What time is it? Are we expected to keep any kind of schedule?
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>Look around our room to see if we have any coffee handy.
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>Strangle Sourfang. He knows why.
>Have we any rodent friends about?
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>Check tail for unusual growths.
>Molest Shou
>Who were we drinking with?
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>Inventory
>Prism Pendant (around neck)
>An octagonal prism hung from a thin black cord. It was a present from Ichirin, when you left Easthaven to become a Seeker. You believe it once held an enchantment, but no magical energy remains in it, and you're uncertain what its original function was.
>Seeker's Badge (pinned to chest)
>A small circular pin, golden in color, etched with a stylized compass across a horizon. It marks you as a full member of the Seekers, with the competencies that implies. It is with no small amount of pride that you can now wear this.
>Having not set out for the day yet, much of your gear is still elsewhere in the room.
>Skills
>Mouse's agility: You are agile and quick on your feet.
>Youkai constitution: As a youkai, you're tougher than you look, and possess moderate regenerative abilities. While injuries can slow you down, it would take significant damage to keep you off your feet for more than a short while.
>Throwing knife proficiency: You are a competent, though not exceptional, shot with most common types of throwing knives
>Lockpicking: You are able to pick most mundane locks, given proper tools
>Mouse communication: You are capable of understanding mice, and communicating basic instructions to them. They're under no obligation to listen to you, of course.
>Magic item use: You have an uncanny knack to utilize most magical devices to good effect, and can generally figure out the proper method of activation for all but the most esoteric items. You, however, have no magical aptitude of your own, and are unable to use any devices which serve as amplifiers, or otherwise require true magic to function
>Treasure sense: You have the ability to sense treasures and artifacts. Without the aid of external tools, such as dowsing rods, this is often little more than a vague sense of the presence of such things, but with the proper devices, you are often capable of tracking specific things from a good distance.
>Consider how one obtains contracts.
>For a fee, any member of the public can register a contract with the guild, often for retrieval of lost or stolen goods, or private investigation, although you've seen rather odder requests from time to time.
Once registered, these contracts are posted on a public bulletin board in the local chapter of the guild, and Seekers are free to independently accept whatever contracts they choose. This tends to result in fairly fierce competition among for the lucrative ones, while the less adept Seekers make due with whatever is left over.
>There is no obligation to accept contracts, nor any required level of activity to remember a member. Indeed some Seekers work casually, only accepting a task when it piques their interest. The certification process is rigorous, but once an officially certified member, you remain so for life, barring rare and serious disciplinary action.
>What sort of friends have we in the guild?
>While there's quite a few people around the guild you know to speak to, there are few you consider friends, as such. You tend to be something of a loner, and don't form close bonds easily, although the atmosphere is friendly enough. The Seeker you're probably closest to, for better or worse, would be Marisa Kirisame. Marisa is easily among the most (in)famous of active Seekers: ambitious, apparently fearless, and remarkably successful despite (or perhaps because?) of her complete lack of subtlety. She's also taken it upon herself to be something of the big sister you were never quite sure you wanted. You were paired with her for parts of your apprenticeship which, more often than not, involved getting the heck out of her way. Still, she's always been decent to you, you suppose.
>The person you're most apt to call a friend is a girl named Orange, who was almost in the guild. Well, not really, if you're to be perfectly honest, although she did try. You grew up together in Easthaven, and left for Braston together. She made a brief attempt to join the Seekers herself with... rather dismal results. While she shared your desire to leave your home behind and see the wider world, albeit for different reasons, she never really had the aptitude for the kind of work you do. Eventually forced to give up on that plan, she instead managed to get work as a junior member of the town watch, where her... naivety and occasional fumbling was less of a hindrance. You know she's trying to save up for her own ticket out of here, though.
>What time is it? Are we expected to keep any kind of schedule?
>Judging by the light from the window, it's some time before noon.
>Now that you're no longer an apprentice, you're free to follow whatever schedule you care to. The guild has little formal structure, and places few official obligations on its members; rather, it serves as a gathering point for like-minded individuals, a means to pool and disseminate information, and an official channel for the public to seek certified assistance. It was founded essentially to formalize and centralize resources for the mutual benefit of those who would be members.
>Look around our room to see if we have any coffee handy.
>It doesn't require any scanning to be aware of the fact that you don't have any coffee. Unless you went on a coffee buying spree last night that you don't remember. It is kinda hazy...
>You could find a cafe around, if you were particularly in the mood for some, however.
>Strangle Sourfang. He knows why.
>Have we any rodent friends about?
>Sorry, overruled. Executive privilege
>You don't have any particular rodents that you consider friends, although there's a few you know live in the nearby buildings, somewhat to the chagrin of their owners, and plenty more about some parts of town. The guild quarters themselves are usually kept scrupulously clean of what they consider pests, not that it much bothers the local rodent population; there was always better food elsewhere, at any rate.
>Check tail for unusual growths.
>Molest Shou
>Who were we drinking with?
>When you think of it, a tail is a pretty usual growth for a mouse, is it not?
>Molest who now?
>Orange, a few of the other apprentices, some of whom you didn't actually know all that well - you guess they were just in it for the alcohol - and a couple of the other regular faces around the guild. Orange was the one who dragged you out in the first place; evidently she'd done a little organizing behind your back. The Prismrivers were passing through town, and dropped in for a bit; Lunasa slipped away after offering her congratulations, although you seem to recall Merlin being properly sloshed by the end of it. You'd sort of expected Marisa would be there, but there was no sign of her. Probably off chasing after some new something-or-other.
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>Have a look around the room, take stock of our stuff.
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>Have a look around the room, take stock of our stuff.
>You take a look around the room, and survey your stuff.
>You see your pack on the floor by your desk. It's lightweight and waterproof, and capable of storing quite a bit of stuff. At the moment, it contains a compass, and some packed traveling rations for the road: mostly hard cheese and some beef jerky.
>On the top of your desk are a couple plates and mugs, a partially eaten round of gouda cheese, some rather-too-dry crackers, and part of a head of cauliflower. The other side of the desk has a few sheets of paper and a pencil.
>Opening the desk drawer you find the key to your room, a set of basic lockpicks, 3 small kunai, and some scattered coins. Counting them, you reach the rather embarrassing sum of 26 Val Razuan guilders. You're pretty sure that's all the money you have to your name at the moment.
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>Collect up our pack, the knives, the money, and the lockpicks.
>If we have something to drink, consider using up the rest of that cauliflower before it goes bad.
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>Collect up our pack, the knives, the money, and the lockpicks.
>You gather up your items, stashing the knives in a side pocket of your clothes for quick access.
>You obtain: traveling pack, traveling rations, compass, lockpicks, 3 kunai, lockpicks, 26 Val Razuan guilders.
>If we have something to drink, consider using up the rest of that cauliflower before it goes bad.
>There is a plain earthenware vessel in the corner of the room you use to store water. You scoop up a mug, and munch on some cauliflower in the hopes of getting the blaugh out of your mouth. You're not sure it helps much, but you do feel less peckish afterwards.
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>Relationship status: Byakuren Hijiri, Shou Toramaru, Ichirin Kumoi, Murasa Minamitsu.
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>Relationship status: Byakuren Hijiri, Shou Toramaru, Ichirin Kumoi, Murasa Minamitsu.
>Ichirin is probably the closest thing you have to a mother figure, although part of you almost can't help frowning a little when you think in those terms. She runs an orphanage and home for new youkai in Easthaven, where you spent most of your first years as a youkai. She found you not long after you ascended beyond the simple animal existence you'd known up to that point. The world was a strange and different place then; she gave you a home, helped you to adjust, and to uncertain the social structures around you, beyond what the instincts you were born with told you. She is a gentle and caring person, and you still have many good memories of that place, as rustic and rural as it was. Although her 'mothering' had a tendency to make you more than a little uncomfortable at times.
>You are not familiar with any of those other names.
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>Uncomfortable how?
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>Time to head out and deal with the day.
>Exit the room. Lock it up properly.
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>Uncomfortable how?
>It's nothing really that she did, you just... maybe you're just not good with public displays of affection. You really do owe her a lot, and she was never anything but kind to you. You feel vaguely irritated with yourself, thinking on it.
>Time to head out and deal with the day.
>Exit the room. Lock it up properly.
>You stretch and head outside, locking the door behind you. You squint a little at the sunlight. Seems awfully bright this morning. ...or maybe that's just you.
>You are on a narrow street in South Braston, other guild quarters extending to your left and to your right, where the road meets a larger one. Much of the construction in the city consists of low lying stonework buildings built in long rows, with red or grey tiled roofs, their heights often staggered in such a way that makes it evident they were built without a grand design. It's not a particularly attractive city, especially given the concentration of industry, and it tends to feel a little cramped in places. Still, it's not all bad, and there's a lot of open land further to the south and east.
>You are in a residential district, although in close proximity to the guildhall, itself on the edge of the commercial district to the northeast. The port is to the northwest, and the mining and smithing districts are on the north end, towards the mines themselves. The oni mostly live on the north side, close to the industries most dominated by them, and it's common to see taverns squeezed in amongst the warehouses and workshops.
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>Start toward the Guildhouse. Need to claim those jobs before those other jerks.
>Along the way, keep an eye on the bipeds and the rodents about. And for interesting things in general.
>Do we get along with rats?
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>See if we can find a discarded cap, or a pair of sunglasses on the side of the road as we go. Sunlight and hangovers don't mix.
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>Start toward the Guildhouse. Need to claim those jobs before those other jerks.
>Along the way, keep an eye on the bipeds and the rodents about. And for interesting things in general.
>You head out to to the main road and turn left, following it as it slowly curves past rows of blocky houses and the occasional shop. You pass a few people along the road, most of them human, although you spot a pair of fairies arguing about something or other; one of them is making some rather impressive gestures with her arms. There's generally not a lot of traffic on this end of town, particularly at this time of day. You seem to have slept past the morning bustle, and it isn't quite lunch time yet. You don't catch sight of any rodents out on the street itself, although this isn't really the best place to find them.
>After a short walk, you reach the guildhall. It is a fairly long, two-story detached building, itself fairly unusual in Braston, the guild insignia emblazoned on a large freshly-painted sign by the front door. It borders on a cobblestone square, ringed by shops and other commercial buildings, with several roads dividing them and leading to other areas. There's quite a bit more activity here, as customers and workers move to and fro.
>Do we get along with rats?
>Quite decidedly not. Rats kill mice in the wild. Even after you got far too large for them to kill you, you've never had much affection for them.
>See if we can find a discarded cap, or a pair of sunglasses on the side of the road as we go. Sunlight and hangovers don't mix.
>You don't notice either of these objects in evidence along the side of the road, although your head gives you no argument on the latter point.
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>Head into the guild; and hope it's not too brightly lit this time of day.
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>Head into the guild; and hope it's not too brightly lit this time of day.
>You open the door and step into the guild. It is mercifully less bright than being outside, at the very least. You enter into the public area, which is little more than an waiting room with a couple tables and chairs and the reception desk. The common room, containing the job board, and the other guild facilities are past the counter, to the left.
>A short brown-haired girl manning the counter - Sashiko, you think - nods in your direction as you enter.
>"Mornin'" she says, then you see a trace of a smirk creep into her face. "Something looks different about you today."
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>"Calling me a pyahnitsa, cheena?"
>"It's called a hangover. It's trying to make me regret my life choices..."
>Head toward the posting board, if she doesn't seem like she's going to make real conversation.
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>"Calling me a pyahnitsa, cheena?"
>"It's called a hangover. It's trying to make me regret my life choices..."
>Head toward the posting board, if she doesn't seem like she's going to make real conversation.
>Sashiko raises an eyebrow. "You sure you're not still drunk?"
>Sashiko laughs. "That bad, eh? Sorry I missed it. But nah, I was talking about that," she says, gesturing idly towards your badge. "Looks good on you."
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>"Hey, thanks. So, anything good come in today?"
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>"Hey, thanks. So, anything good come in today?"
>Sashiko shrugs. "Slim pickings, I'm afraid, and most of them are already spoken for. No epic adventures to start your career off with today." She pauses for a moment. "Although we did get one kinda odd request. Girl insisted on using her own stationary, all fancy and pink like. Never said what she wanted either, though she left an address. Suppose you could check it out if you're bored. Beats poking around the hills, looking for the next orihalcon vein, I guess."
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>"What a weirdo. I'll look into it, thanks."
>Head for the board.
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>"What a weirdo. I'll look into it, thanks."
>Head for the board.
>Sashiko nods and goes back to sifting through some papers behind the desk.
>You walk past the desk and into the common members area of the guildhall. It is a fairly long room, with tables and seating for lounging. You note a pair playing shogi on a table in the corner, and another scrutinizing some document or another. It's pretty empty at the moment though. The board itself is along the left wall, immediately as you enter. Lunasa is standing in front of it, reading the postings impassively.
>"Oh, good morning," she says, looking towards you as you approach. "Glad to see you have more temperance than some people." You note the faintest hint of a disapproving frown. "Or at least a better constitution."
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>"I'll throw up on you and see if I don't..."
>Is Lunasa a guildie, or just hanging around.
>If so, ask, "Anything interesting? Or at least not involving something dropped into an outhouse?"
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>"I'll throw up on you and see if I don't..."
>Is Lunasa a guildie, or just hanging around.
>If so, ask, "Anything interesting? Or at least not involving something dropped into an outhouse?"
>Lunasa frowns dubiously. "Well, you're still on both feet, which is better than that sister of mine. Lyrica's back at the inn, listening to her swear that she's dying. Or swatting her until she remembers that we have a performance tonight; I'm not sure which."
>Lunasa is indeed a certified Seeker, although she's effectively a casual member. Her and her sisters do a lot of traveling in their primary line of work and at some point Lunasa evidently decided they might be able to make some extra money along the way. You think they largely do courier work - something they can work around their existing itinerary. She's the only one of the sisters who's registered, and from what you know of them, probably the only one who'd make the cut anyway. Still, there's nothing in the rules that says you can't do work with partners from outside the guild. Outside of egregious offenses, the execution of contracts is left as a matter between Seeker and client. For the most part, you don't see much of them - the Outer Freelands isn't exactly the first stop on most concert circuits - but they do play in the region on occasion and Lunasa usually stop by the guild when they're around.
>"Mostly the usual," Lunasa says, gesturing towards several postings there are nearly permanently there: ongoing offers from the miner's guild paying for information on new mineral veins, for example. The pay is good in theory, but finding a vein worth the cost of digging it up is almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. Though you might actually have a shot at that one, if you applied yourself and had the right gear. Not exactly exciting work, though.
>"Not quite sure what to make of this, though," she says, pointing at a florid pink notice amongst the regulation white. There is a single sentence written on it: "Lost something precious." signed with a few idly drawn hearts. An address is scribbled on the bottom of the paper, almost as an afterthought. "You'd think if one were willing to pay the registration fee, they'd put a little more care into describing what they were actually looking for."
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>"Might as well look into it."
>Take the paper.
>Are there any other of interest, something easy to give us some money to eat on?
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> Examine the other people in the room. Do we recognize them at all?
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>Grin a bit at Lunasa's description of Merlin's current state.
>"Hope Lyrica knows to stay upwind of her whenever possible."
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>"Might as well look into it."
>Take the paper.
>Are there any other of interest, something easy to give us some money to eat on?
>Lunasa nods. "Who knows? Maybe it'll be more interesting than it sounds."
>You're not supposed to remove notices yourself. Aside from contracts which clearly cannot be simultaneously attempted by more than one person (such as deliveries), jobs can remain open even after one Seeker undertakes them. Many of the more interesting contracts can take a fair bit of time and luck, and could have multiple Seekers competing to be the first to complete them. If notices could be removed freely, certain... enterprising Seekers would be liable to strip the job board bare, so that no one else would have a chance of getting to anything before them.
>As poor as you are, you still have more than enough money to cover food for a little bit, and you could always duck into the communal kitchen; apprentice's duties cover basic meals, and you're sure no one would object merely a day after graduation.
>Still, scanning the other notices, you note a couple more beyond the usual:
>A restaurant complaining about a delayed shipment. Likely only involves pestering someone, but their supplier is probably out towards Easthaven and the pay isn't very good for the legwork. Still, it would probably only be time-consuming, not actually difficult.
>An herbalist is looking for an additional supply of fresh bloodmoss and arlan, picked in their natural habitat. Apparently the ones found in the wild are more potent and effective than cultivated varieties, although you cynically suspect that's probably because it's cheaper to hire a desperate Seeker to traipse around the woods than to pay someone who actually makes a living growing it.
>Another notice from a bar towards the harbor district brings a slight frown to your face. Although they beat around the bush, what they really seem to be asking is for someone to go collect tabs from severely overdrawn customers. Normally the oni take care of such things on your own, which makes you curious what the deal is.
> Examine the other people in the room. Do we recognize them at all?
>You recognize one of the two people playing shogi in the corner. One of the younger apprentices - Mika, you think. You don't recognize her partner at all; might be a friend from out of guild. You're allowed to bring outsiders into the common area, as long as they're supervised. You think you may have seen the document-scrutinizing man once or twice before, but he doesn't stand out in your mind. Might be a casual member.
>Grin a bit at Lunasa's description of Merlin's current state.
>"Hope Lyrica knows to stay upwind of her whenever possible."
>Lunasa scrunches her face up a little. "It's not the first time this has happened," she says. "I've started to give up hope that she'll ever remember what the morning after is like until it is the morning after again." She sighs and shakes her head.
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> Might as well go for the pink stationary job.
> "I could see how that would be a problem, especially considering how it was the night before a concert."
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> Might as well go for the pink stationary job.
> "I could see how that would be a problem, especially considering how it was the night before a concert."
>You decide to investigate the pink stationary job. It does pique your curiosity, and there's always the chance it'll be more interesting than the rest of the jobs on the board. Not that this would be too hard at the moment.
>"She probably figured she'd worry about that tomorrow." Lunasa shakes her head. "We'll manage. She's played through worse before."
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>Take note of those other jobs, too. Never know when we might be in Easthaven or out in the woods.
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>Take note of those other jobs, too. Never know when we might be in Easthaven or out in the woods.
>You make a mental note of the specifics of the other job postings. You have a pretty good memory for such details, so you don't think you'll have a problem recalling the addresses when you need them.
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> Bid Lunasa adieu and good luck with the concert.
> If we have no other business to attend to, head outside.
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> Bid Lunasa adieu and good luck with the concert.
> If we have no other business to attend to, head outside.
>You say goodbye to Lunasa and wish her luck with the concert. "Thank you," she replies, nodding, "and happy hunting to you as well."
>Deciding there's nothing else here that you need to attend to at the moment, you head back towards the entrance.
>As you near the front doors, they suddenly fly wide and a blond-haired fairy in a white dress all but barrels through them, her arms wide
>"Delivery!" she announces brightly, beaming at you.
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> "Wait wha-"
> Side step if she looks like she's gonna run into us.
> Do we know this faerie?
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>Once we've recovered: "Um, who for?"
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> "Wait wha-"
> Side step if she looks like she's gonna run into us.
> Do we know this faerie?
>You sputter a little in surprise.
>She appears to have pulled back her momentum before colliding with you, and now looks up at you expectantly.
>This would be Lily White. The enthusiasm would be unmistakable even if you were in the other room. She does courier work around town, and sometimes the rest of the island. You swear you can sometimes hear her route a block away.
>Once we've recovered: "Um, who for?"
>"The guild!" she replies, producing a brown envelope from her pocket, and holding it out towards you with both hands.
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>Accept it.
>"Okay, I'll pass it on for you."
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>Accept it.
>"Okay, I'll pass it on for you."
>You accept the envelope from Lily.
>"Okay!" she beams, then turns and flutters back out the way she came, humming to herself.
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>Who are letters to the guild supposed to go to? Is there a particular address on it? Or is this the way that new job postings are usually put up?
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>Shake our head in bemusement, then examine the envelope for an indication as to who sent it.
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>Who are letters to the guild supposed to go to? Is there a particular address on it? Or is this the way that new job postings are usually put up?
>Correspondence to the guild generally goes through whoever's on administrative duty at the moment; that would be Sashiko, currently. Senior apprentices tend to get cycled through it - you've done your share of it, too - although some people take to the work better than others. Given how often Sashiko seems to be on duty, you think she must have a knack for juggling the paperwork.
>Many job requests are made in person, although some are also made via mail.
>Shake our head in bemusement, then examine the envelope for an indication as to who sent it.
>It is a plain brown envelop, addressed to the guild. You can see no return address written on it.
>"Can't help but smile every time she does that," Sashiko says, with a slight chuckle. "So what've we got?"
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>Open it up and have a look at the contents with Sashiko.
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>"Made me forget my headache for a sec, too. That girl's somethin' else."
>Show the envelop to Sashiko.
>"Not sure yet. Let's have a look, shall we?"
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>"Made me forget my headache for a sec, too. That girl's somethin' else."
>Show the envelop to Sashiko.
>"Not sure yet. Let's have a look, shall we?"
>Sashiko chuckles a little. "If only the rest of us could find that kind of job satisfaction, eh?"
>You show the envelop to Sashiko, who leans over and takes a look at it.
>Open it up and have a look at the contents with Sashiko.
>You open the envelope and put the contents where both you and Sashiko can see them. There seems to be several separate pieces of correspondence: a bill for some food supplies recently shipped in, a confirmation of completion from a client - evidently something to do with fairy-proofing a watermelon patch, and a few other logistical documents.
>"All from Easthaven, then," Sashiko says, glancing over them. She takes a couple aside, and you see her pencil something in on a ledger next to her.
>The last letter catches your eye, however. It is a contract request dealing with disappearing livestock; not especially noteworthy in and of itself, but you're pretty sure you recognize the handwriting.
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>Look for an address on that last one, and see if it matches our suspicions.
>Where is Easthaven in relation to this place?
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>Look for an address on that last one, and see if it matches our suspicions.
>Where is Easthaven in relation to this place?
>The letter is simply addressed on behalf of the community of Easthaven as a whole, although the contact information provided is for Ichirin's orphanage. It is indeed her handwriting that you thought it looked like. She isn't usually involved in agricultural matters; you wonder why she was the one who made the petition.
>Easthaven is, fittingly enough, on the eastern edge of the island, the best part of a day's journey from Braston. It is primarily a farming community, although an exceptionally bountiful one. Apparently the soil in the region is especially fertile and the climate temperate, with a long growing season. Of course, you imagine that the presence of a harvest deity in the town is more than incidental to that, as unassuming as she may be.
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>Ichirin knows we came here, right?
>"That job... I think I know the one who sent it."
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>Ichirin knows we came here, right?
>"That job... I think I know the one who sent it."
>Of course. She was quite supportive of your desire to join the Seekers.
>"Oh, huh." Sashiko takes a glance over the letter. "Yeah, you're from out that way yourself, aren't you? Who's it from?"
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>"Ichirin Kumoi. She runs an orphanage. I used to live there."
>If Ichirin wanted us specifically, would she just have sent this? Wouldn't she include at least a letter to us, even if the job itself was for general posting?"
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>"Ichirin Kumoi. She runs an orphanage. I used to live there."
>If Ichirin wanted us specifically, would she just have sent this? Wouldn't she include at least a letter to us, even if the job itself was for general posting?"
>"Oh yeah, yeah," Sashiko says, nodding. "Think I heard Orange mention her." She pauses for a moment, then grins conspiratorially. "Want dibs?"
>You're not sure she was looking for you specifically, although you're quite certainly she'd be pleased to see you be the one to look into it. To be perfectly honest, you hadn't actually told her that you were up for official induction this season... though it wouldn't surprise you if she heard it from Orange; she keeps in touch with her much more often than you do.
-
>"I think I will take it, actually. She'll be happy to see me, and I think I'd like to see her, too. I don't see any reason not to put the job on the board, though."
-
>Keep our voice a bit low.
>"Yeah, I think I do. Gotta start somewhere, seems like a good place. Just gimme a couple days before you stick it up for the rest of the guild, okay?"
-
>Keep our voice a bit low.
>"Yeah, I think I do. Gotta start somewhere, seems like a good place. Just gimme a couple days before you stick it up for the rest of the guild, okay?"
>"Sure thing," Sashiko says, smirking. She scribbles another few notes on a ledger, then takes the receipt and the job request and slips them together into the folder for financial records. "It's really disgraceful how careless the new recruits are this year are, don't you think? Forever filing things in the wrong places."
-
>Offer a grin.
>"Yeah.... Kids these days."
>Adjust our assessment of Sashiko from 'efficient' to 'efficient and ever-so slightly shifty.'
>Consider what means we have of traveling to Easthaven, assuming we have any other than our two feet.
-
>Offer a grin.
>"Yeah.... Kids these days."
>Adjust our assessment of Sashiko from 'efficient' to 'efficient and ever-so slightly shifty.'
>Consider what means we have of traveling to Easthaven, assuming we have any other than our two feet.
>You grin at Sashiko
>"Shameful, isn't it?" she says.
>The latter assessment would definitely put her in good company at this place.
>Walking is the most obvious way. You could possibly hitch a ride in a wagon if you tried to - goods do move between the two locations often enough - but that's not likely to be much faster, and stamina shouldn't really be an issue for you. You could also, in theory, catch one of the smaller ships that skim the island's edge from time to time, often between other points in the Outer Freelands, but that would cost more than you could afford at the moment.
-
>Do we know of any dedicated transit services, or would they be out of our typical price range?
>Would looking into the fancy job take us the wrong way from Easthaven?
-
>Do we know of any dedicated transit services, or would they be out of our typical price range?
>Would looking into the fancy job take us the wrong way from Easthaven?
>Aside from the aforementioned ships, you're not sure there are any. At least nothing formal. Easthaven is not a very populous community, and when people want to travel into town, they usually just hitch a ride with a farmer or trader who's heading that way.
>If by fancy job, you mean the one on the pink stationary, the listed address is in Braston itself.
-
>Well yes, but would we have to go to the opposite end of town to get there, or what?
>"Anyways, thanks Sashiko."
-
>Well yes, but would we have to go to the opposite end of town to get there, or what?
>"Anyways, thanks Sashiko."
>The listed address is in the residential area, to the southeast. The main road out of town is closer to directly east of here.
>"Sure thing," Sashiko nods, then turns her attention to processing the other papers.
-
>Oh well, no time to sleep off the rest of this hangover...
>Make a leisurely pace toward the address on the mystery job. If there's a public well we can stop at to get more to drink, do that on the way.
-
>Oh well, no time to sleep off the rest of this hangover...
>Make a leisurely pace toward the address on the mystery job. If there's a public well we can stop at to get more to drink, do that on the way.
>Hangover or no, you'd hate to sleep in too much on your first day.
>You exit the guildhall and head towards the mystery address, idly noting people going about their business. You decide you're still a bit thirsty, and take a small detour towards a well that's mostly along your route. The water is cold enough that it almost hurts to drink, a little, but it does help a little.
>As you approach the address, you enter into a rather more picturesque part of town than the one you live; this is in relative terms, of course, but the streets are wider, and the houses more regular. A few even have very small gardens in front of them; barely more than a foot or two deep in some cases, but a little strip of tended greenery nonetheless.
>Soon enough you arrive at your destination; one of a group of row houses, although it looks better tended than its neighbors. Brightly painted shutters flank the windows, with flower boxes beneath them. A star-shaped window is carved into the front door, itself painted bright red.
-
>Approach it, while taking stock of the neighborhood.
>Give the door a good knocking.
-
>Approach it, while taking stock of the neighborhood.
>Give the door a good knocking.
>You walk up to the door, taking a moment to glance around you. The way the road curves here doesn't let you see very far away, but there doesn't appear to be anyone about at the moment. All in all, it's a pretty decent neighborhood as Braston goes, but the dwellings themselves are still modest.
>You knock firmly on the door. A couple moments later, it is opened by a short blond-haired woman in a red and white dress. She is wearing a rather enormous red bow in her hair, tilted to one side of her head. She looks at you with some puzzlement for a moment, then puts a finger to her chin.
>"Who are you?" she asks.
-
>Nod politely.
>"Name's Nazrin, member of the Seekers guild. Are you the one who asked the seekers for help with a 'Lost precious' something?"
-
>Nod politely.
>"Name's Nazrin, member of the Seekers guild. Are you the one who asked the seekers for help with a 'Lost precious' something?"
>You explain who you are, and why you're here. The girl nods along, although she still seems a little perplexed. 'Lost precious' draws an immediate reaction from her, however.
>"Oooh!" she exclaims with sudden apparent realization, then catches herself and frowns a little. "Wait, how did you know about that?"
-
>oO(Not the reaction I was expecting...)
>"Uh, there was a... flowery pink note submitted to our guild headquarters."
-
>oO(Not the reaction I was expecting...)
>"Uh, there was a... flowery pink note submitted to our guild headquarters."
>Perhaps insisting on custom stationary is the least of the screws she has loose?
>"Hmmm... was there?" She frowns thoughtfully. "Can I see it?"
-
>Shuffle a bit.
>"It's still there, I'm not allowed to take it with me. But it said you lost something precious and left this address. Written on pink paper. Sound familiar at all?"
-
>Shuffle a bit.
>"It's still there, I'm not allowed to take it with me. But it said you lost something precious and left this address. Written on pink paper. Sound familiar at all?"
>"Hmmm... maybe? I'm not sure..." Her brow furrows in concentration for a moment. You find yourself wondering if this entire excursion was some sort of bad joke. Even fairies do better than this! ...most of the time.
>"Wait," she says, her frown relaxing into a smile. "Why are we worrying about this? You're here to find Sokrates, right?"
-
>"Maybe? What's a Sokrates?"
-
>"Maybe? What's a Sokrates?"
>The girl beams. "He's warm and fluffy and faithful and-" She pauses, frowning. "Didn't I say on the note?"
>Before you have a chance to respond, she turns and dashes back into the house, leaving the door wide open. "One moment!" she calls back to you.
-
>Scratch our head for a second, but don't step inside. And hope she doesn't forget we're out here.
-
>Scratch our head for a second, but don't step inside. And hope she doesn't forget we're out here.
>You scratch your head and wait patiently while she does... whatever it is that she's doing. Fortunately, she doesn't appear to have forgotten about you and reappears shortly, holding something in her hands.
>"See?" she says, holding out a small picture of a white cat. "Isn't he precious?"
-
>How do we do with cats?
>"So, you're missing this guy, huh? What can you tell me about him? Do he run off much?"
-
>How do we do with cats?
>"So, you're missing this guy, huh? What can you tell me about him? Do he run off much?"
>You can tolerate them.
>"Like I said, he's warm and fluffy and faithful and precious and he never, ever runs away. Nope." She nods vigorously. "Someone must have stolen him," she says. "It's the only way. Poor Sokrates... I know how much he wants to come back home where it's warm and nice and I make him all his favorite treats."
-
>"Huh. Do you have any of those favorite treats onhand? Might help me get him back to you if i can find him. And, hmm. Is he a house cat, or do you let him run around?"
>Better not let him run around...
-
>"Huh. Do you have any of those favorite treats onhand? Might help me get him back to you if i can find him. And, hmm. Is he a house cat, or do you let him run around?"
>Better not let him run around...
>"Good idea!" she nods. "I always have some, yes. And Sokrates follows me wherever I go, inside and out. He's a very dutiful cat."
>Well, at least it sounds like she keeps an eye on him. Maybe.
-
>Nod. "Okay, that's something. Does he have any places he likes to go?"
-
> "When was the last time you saw him?"
-
>Nod. "Okay, that's something. Does he have any places he likes to go?"
>"Hmmm...." She puts a finger to her chin again. "He doesn't really go places without me." She shakes her head. "Nope. He likes it here. There's love and catnip and his cozy little pillow - I made it myself!" She beams.
> "When was the last time you saw him?"
>"First thing this morning," she says. "We went out for a walk and then he disappeared! It's so terrible..."
-
> "Were you outside when he disappeared? Around where?"
> How do we feel about cats?
-
> "Were you outside when he disappeared? Around where?"
> How do we feel about cats?
>"We were walking past the bakery. They'd just finished a batch of lemon pies and they smelled so yummy and-" She pauses, looking a little uncertain. "Or were we down by the meadows? Was that yesterday?" Her consternation lasts only a moment before she smiles and nods. "Yup, we were outside!" She seems satisfied with this answer.
>You can tolerate them, if you have to.
-
> Sigh a bit.
> "I guess the best thing to do would be to scour the area and ask around. Are there any places you usually never go to though?"
-
> Sigh a bit.
> "I guess the best thing to do would be to scour the area and ask around. Are there any places you usually never go to though?"
>You spare a sigh. Not exactly the most copious information to go on.
>"Hmmm... We stay away from the north side. It's all sooty and smelly up there, and the Oni are mean."
-
Now imagining Oni as Londoner street thugs...
-
> "I see... Are there any places in particular you frequent? It would be best to start with those and fan outwards into the normal areas after."
-
> "I see... Are there any places in particular you frequent? It would be best to start with those and fan outwards into the normal areas after."
>"Well... we sometimes go for walks around the neighborhood, or down around Artisan's Loop or Mercer's Row. I love window shopping. There's always so many wonderful things to see. Welwyn's is having this wonderful sale on Val Razuan brocades right now, did you know that?"
-
> Do we have any particular penchant for Val Razuan brocades?
> "I didn't know that. But back to the topic at hand, did anything odd or suspicious happen at all before or after Sokrates disappeared?"
-
> Do we have any particular penchant for Val Razuan brocades?
> "I didn't know that. But back to the topic at hand, did anything odd or suspicious happen at all before or after Sokrates disappeared?"
>You doubt you could even identify them as such, at a glance. Fabric isn't really your area.
>"Nope," she replies. "He was there, and then he was gone. I looked around, but I couldn't see him anywhere at all."
-
> "Hmmm... Well I suppose it would be best to get on this right away then."
> "Ah! I don't believe I caught your name Miss...?"
-
> "Hmmm... Well I suppose it would be best to get on this right away then."
> "Ah! I don't believe I caught your name Miss...?"
>The girl nods enthusiastically. "That's so kind of you. I'm sure Sokrates is scared and misses his home."
>"Ellen," she says, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
-
> Smile.
> "A pleasure to meet you too Ellen."
> Unless any voices object to ending it here, bid Ellen adieu and head for a look around the neighborhood to see if we can find some more info.
-
>"One more question, have you noticed any places he seems to especially like going to when you are out and about? Oh, and does he get along well with other cats?"
>Pause for a moment.
>"Do you have a picture I could borrow?"
-
> Smile.
> "A pleasure to meet you too Ellen."
> Unless any voices object to ending it here, bid Ellen adieu and head for a look around the neighborhood to see if we can find some more info.
>You return the pleasantry. Ellen smiles back at you.
>"One more question, have you noticed any places he seems to especially like going to when you are out and about? Oh, and does he get along well with other cats?"
>Pause for a moment.
>"Do you have a picture I could borrow?"
>"No, I don't think so..." she says. "And he's a little shy around other cats, I think, but I take good care of him so it's all okay~"
>"You want a picture? That's so sweet. He really is an adorable cat, isn't he? Here," she says, handing you the picture she showed you earlier. "If you can find him, I don't mind you having it. I'm sure Sokrates would be happy, too. Even a mouse cares about him, isn't that sweet?"
-
> Mouth twitches. "Yeah, sure, it's sweet."
-
>Is what we have enough to go on for sensing Sokrates' location?
-
> Mouth twitches. "Yeah, sure, it's sweet."
>You try to reply as graciously as you can manage, though a twitch escapes just the same. Ellen smiles; you don't think she catches the subtext.
>Is what we have enough to go on for sensing Sokrates' location?
>A cat is a fairly mundane being, certainly nothing that would trip your treasure sense. If you had something strongly associated with him and those dowsing rods you've been trying to save up for, you might be able to get a direction, but as it stands there isn't much you can do in that regard. However, there may be more mundane means of tracking him.
-
> How is our sight, smell, and hearing compared to that of an average person? Especially smell, is it proficient enough to track something with it?
-
> How is our sight, smell, and hearing compared to that of an average person? Especially smell, is it proficient enough to track something with it?
>Compared to a human, your sight is only average, but your hearing is very keen. Your sense of smell is also a fair bit better than a human's, but you're not sure it's up to the task of tracking a specific cat unless you were already pretty close to it.
-
>If we showed the picture around to various mice, could we expect them to recognize it? Or do they not really note differences in cats?
-
>If we showed the picture around to various mice, could we expect them to recognize it? Or do they not really note differences in cats?
>You think most of them would be able to note obvious differences. They mightn't be able to tell two white cats apart, but they wouldn't confuse a white cat for, say, a calico. And given many cats' typical reaction to mice, you don't imagine it's something they would overlook, if they'd been near it.
-
>"Your Sokrates, ...he's not a mouser, is he?"
-
>"Your Sokrates, ...he's not a mouser, is he?"
>"A... what?" She frowns. "Oh no, he wouldn't hurt a soul, not Sokrates. Nope." She shakes her head.
-
>"Well, good."
>Not in the least reassured.
>"Where was that bakery you mentioned, by the way?"
-
>"Well, good."
>Not in the least reassured.
>"Where was that bakery you mentioned, by the way?"
>"Yup!"
>If there was anyone who could fail to inspire confidence in her awareness, it would be this person.
>"Oh, you know that little place on the corner of the square and, uh..." she pauses. "...that other street? You know, the one that goes kinda like this?" She makes a sort of curving gesture with her hands. "With the sign shaped like a giant pie?"
>Imprecise directions notwithstanding, you do think you know where she's talking about.
-
"Alright, that's a good place to start. Thanks. And...what's the pay for this job, anyways?"
-
"Alright, that's a good place to start. Thanks. And...what's the pay for this job, anyways?"
>"Wouldn't it be more fun if that was a surprise?" she says, with a little wink. "I promise you'll like it!"
-
>Is there a legal precedent we could use to press charges in this kind of situation where the pay turns out to be a not worth the services rendered? Or a law requiring payments to be stated upfront?
>"Is that a contractual guarantee?"
-
>Is there a legal precedent we could use to press charges in this kind of situation where the pay turns out to be a not worth the services rendered? Or a law requiring payments to be stated upfront?
>"Is that a contractual guarantee?"
>This is atypical, certainly. You don't think there's an explicit requirement that terms of payment be stated upfront, but most clients do so, if only for the fact that few Seekers would be willing to accept a job without knowing what to expect in return. Contracts which are unusually dangerous, or have a high stated reward require a deposit with the guild, reimbursed only upon confirmation of accepted payment to the Seeker in question. Lesser jobs typically have no such guarantees, but non-payment is rare. The guild maintains a register of all clients, and an attempt to exploit a Seeker could lead to refusal of any further contracts. It's an honor system, essentially.
>"It's a promise!" she says. "Sokrates is the most important person in the world to me. I couldn't be mean to someone who'd helped him. That would just be awful."
-
>"Alright, that's good enough."
>That should be enough to declare a violation of obligations if she tries to stiff us.
>"Hopefully I'll have something soon. Until then."
>If Ellen doesn't try to stop us, head for that bakery.
-
>"Alright, that's good enough."
>That should be enough to declare a violation of obligations if she tries to stiff us.
>"Hopefully I'll have something soon. Until then."
>If Ellen doesn't try to stop us, head for that bakery.
>Ellen nods.
>You think you'd have grounds to register a complaint, if she tries to be a cheapskate.
>"Good luck!" she says, waving at you as you depart.
>You leave and head in the direction of the bakery she indicated. Judging by the sun, you think it's getting pretty close to noon by the time you arrive. The bakery itself is tucked away in a somewhat sheltered corner of the market square, by a side street that leads down past a couple other shops and towards another residential area. There is indeed a large pie-shaped sign next to the entrance on which the special of the day it written with brightly colored chalk: lemon pies, in this case. They may not be quite as fresh out of the oven as they were when Ellen was by this morning, but they certainly still smell appetizing.
-
>Look around the area. Any sign of cats around?
>If not, approach the owner.
>Can we see what pies cost?
-
>Look around the area. Any sign of cats around?
>If not, approach the owner.
>Can we see what pies cost?
>You take a little look around the immediate environment. You see no sign of any cat.
>You open the front door and step into the bakery, a little bell jingling as you do so. It's a small but very tidy space; pies, breads, and other baked goods are neatly arranged in wooden display boxes along the walls and you can see a hint of the kitchen in the back, behind the counter. A green-haired fairy manning the front looks up as you enter and smiles.
>"What'll it be?" she asks.
>The lemon pies are on sale for 2 guilders each. Most of the rest seem to be between 3 and 4.
-
>"I'll have a lemon pie, please. Also, have you seen this cat around here?"
>Show the faerie the picture of Sokrates.
-
>"I'll have a lemon pie, please. Also, have you seen this cat around here?"
>Show the faerie the picture of Sokrates.
>The fairy nods as you place your order, then you inquire about Sokrates.
>You show his picture to the fairy; she raises an eyebrow as she looks at it. "That's the one that belongs to that witch, isn't it? I think she was by here this morning. Why?"
-
>"It ran away or got lost or something. And she's too scatterbrained to tell me more than she had it with her while she was here."
>Pause.
>"She did have it with her while she was here, didn't she?"
-
>"She's a witch? Are you sure? She doesn't seem quite.... together enough."
-
>"It ran away or got lost or something. And she's too scatterbrained to tell me more than she had it with her while she was here."
>Pause.
>"She did have it with her while she was here, didn't she?"
>"We ask her to leave it outside," she replies. "Boss doesn't like animals in around the food, you know?"
>"She's a witch? Are you sure? She doesn't seem quite.... together enough."
>The fairy chuckles. "Witches are supposed to be strange, aren't they?"
-
>"Does she often leave the cat outside?"
>Even if so, this could mark the time Sokrates dissapeared.
-
>"Strange is one thing, but I think this one's in a tower of her own."
-
>"Does she often leave the cat outside?"
>Even if so, this could mark the time Sokrates dissapeared.
>"Well, she does if we tell her. Don't think she goes anywhere without it, though. They're practically glued to each other."
>It does seem a plausible time of disappearance. Funny Ellen herself didn't seem to think of that. ...actually, maybe that's not so hard to believe.
>"Strange is one thing, but I think this one's in a tower of her own."
>The fairy shrugs. "She's always friendly. That's good enough, isn't it?"
-
>"I don't suppose she mentioned where she was going next?"
-
>"I don't suppose she mentioned where she was going next?"
>She shakes her head. "Nope, sorry."
-
>"Ah well. I'm going to have a look around outside."
>Do so! Walk around the building, keeping an eye out for cat-like things, signs of rodents about, or other people who might have seen events this morning.
-
>"Ah well. I'm going to have a look around outside."
>Do so! Walk around the building, keeping an eye out for cat-like things, signs of rodents about, or other people who might have seen events this morning.
>"What about that pie?" the fairy calls out, as you turn to leave.
-
>"I'll be back in in a minute!"
>Exit!
-
>"I'll be back in in a minute!"
>Exit!
>"Oh, uh, sure," she replies.
>You exit the bakery and have a walk around the area surrounding it, down the row of buildings on the side street it corners on, and around the square itself. You see no sign of a cat, but there are plenty of people walking to and fro. Still, none of them jump out as obviously likely to have been around in the morning; the majority seem to be shoppers, or people simply passing through. There are a few open air stalls in the square; their owners might have been there in the morning, though the bakery's sheltered location would probably make it hard to see from there. As you loop back around the square, you think you catch a flash of a rodent of some kind down a narrow alley behind a few of the shops. Looks like they've been using it to store trash.
-
>Approach the rodent's general area.
>How do we communicate with them?
>If it's just speech, say, "Hey, come out here? I'm a friend."
-
> Bribe it with cheese if necessary.
-
>Approach the rodent's general area.
>How do we communicate with them?
>If it's just speech, say, "Hey, come out here? I'm a friend."
>You step into the alleyway, and approach the place where you saw the movement. You can hear subtle rustling behind a small pile of boxes.
>You're still capable of producing vocalizations like an ordinary mouse, and this is how you talk to them. It's largely impossible to convey complex concepts this way, but you're fairly good at getting across the essential idea of something, at least as far as a mouse's ability to comprehend.
>You chitter a friendly greeting in the direction of the boxes. A moment later, a small gray mouse pokes its head out from between two of them and squeaks back at you. The sentiment could be roughly translated as: "Holy crap, you're huge!" This is... not an uncommon reaction.
> Bribe it with cheese if necessary.
>At the moment, it seems content to speak with you, and more than a little in awe of you, but you keep this in mind for any future reluctances.
-
>Kneel down by the mouse and smile.
>"I am. You could be too, if you stay healthy and think a lot. Can you help me find someone? I'm looking for a cat. One of the bigjobs will give me a lot of food for it."
>If it seems interested in helping out, show him the picture. "This one."
>_
-
>Kneel down by the mouse and smile.
>"I am. You could be too, if you stay healthy and think a lot. Can you help me find someone? I'm looking for a cat. One of the bigjobs will give me a lot of food for it."
>If it seems interested in helping out, show him the picture. "This one."
>You kneel down and smile at the mouse. It sniffs at you curiously.
>You give the mouse a little encouragement, and ask for its help. It seems interested in you, but a bit confused by the question. Cats aren't things to go finding. Cats are things to hide from. That much is absolutely clear in its mind. But food is something good. You listen to it chatter animatedly: Is the food worth finding a cat for? Is it really, really yummy food? If you're that big, do you not have to be afraid of cats anymore? That would be nice...
-
>"Cats run from me. And I want to put this cat back in it's house. Then you won't have to worry about it anymore."
>Pet the mouse, if they like that kind of thing.
-
>"Cats run from me. And I want to put this cat back in it's house. Then you won't have to worry about it anymore."
>Pet the mouse, if they like that kind of thing.
>The mouse chitters a little in awe, as you express your dominance over cats. It is obviously enthusiastic about the idea of there being less cats, but doesn't know how it could possibly help a mouse as big as you.
>Some do. You reach out your hand towards it and give it a little pet. It sniffs your hand and squeaks cheerfully.
-
>Show it the picture.
>"I'm looking for this guy. He was around not long after sunrise. Have you seen him?"
-
>Show it the picture.
>"I'm looking for this guy. He was around not long after sunrise. Have you seen him?"
>You show him the picture. The mouse withdraws into the boxes a little as Sokrates' likeness comes into view, but seems to satisfy himself after a few sniffs that it is not a real cat, just something like looks like a cat.
>No cats today, it replies.
-
>"Have you seen this one, ever? A bigjob with yellow hair carries him around. They go over there."
>Point to the bakery.
-
>"Have you seen this one, ever? A bigjob with yellow hair carries him around. They go over there."
>Point to the bakery.
>It isn't entirely sure - cats sort of blend together - but it thinks it may have seen that before.
>You can't actually see the bakery from where you are at the moment, making it hard to point at. The bakery is tucked in the corner of the square; you're in an alleyway somewhat further around the square.
-
>Add in, "Up this way, and to the <left/right>."
-
>Add in, "Up this way, and to the <left/right>."
>You give directions to the bakery, and get a squeak of recognition from the mouse, although it thinks of it as something closer to 'the yummy place, with the tall scary people who try to chase all the mice away.'
-
>"It was there this morning. Do you know anyone else that lives closer to it?"
-
>"It was there this morning. Do you know anyone else that lives closer to it?"
>You get the mouse equivalent of a nod. There are a couple mice who try to hang as close as they can to the yummy place. Some of them even manage to filch crumbs from the tall scary people!
-
>"Can you show me where to find them? I won't tell anyone about them."
-
>"Can you show me where to find them? I won't tell anyone about them."
>The mouse squeaks affirmatively, and scrabbles its way out of the boxes, indicating for you to follow him.
-
>Follow him!
-
>Follow him!
>You follow the mouse as it scampers its way out of the alley and around the square, staying close to the shadow of the buildings. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice a couple people giving you odd looks as you chase along after it, with at least one person hastily sidesteping the scurrying rodent to avoid it weaving between their feet.
>The mouse leads you past the bakery, and towards a small nondescript building a few doors down the road behind it, on the opposite side of the street. You notice a small gap in the building's mortar, near the point where the wall meets the street. The mouse squeaks at the gap, and a few moments later, a larger brown mouse pokes its head out of it. The first mouse chitters something about the yummy place, but is cut off by the brown mouse declaring it his territory, and that he'd better leave if he knows what's good for him. Then he catches himself as he seems to notice you, or rather realize that the giant creature next to the first mouse smells kinda like a mouse, too. It takes a step or two backwards, then does an admirable, if not entirely convincing, job of telling you that he's not giving up the yummy place to you, either.
-
>"Don't want the yummy place. Looking for a cat; going to catch it and trade it to a bigjob for a lot of food."
>Kneel down.
>"I'm looking for this cat. Have you seen it?"
>Show him the picture.
-
>"Don't want the yummy place. Looking for a cat; going to catch it and trade it to a bigjob for a lot of food."
>Kneel down.
>"I'm looking for this cat. Have you seen it?"
>Show him the picture.
>You attempt to explain yourself to the mouse. He seems uncertain, both that you don't want the yummy place - who wouldn't want the yummy place? - and also that you're looking for a cat. But he's also clearly intimidated by you, regardless of the front he tried to put forward, so he listens attentively.
>You kneel down and show him the picture. The mouse squeaks affirmatively. He knows that cat; one of the big people brings him and puts him down in front of the yummy place often. Saw him this morning, even.
-
>"Did the bigjob with the yellow hair take it away again? Or something else?"
-
>"Did the bigjob with the yellow hair take it away again? Or something else?"
>The mouse gives a proverbial shake of its head. A bunch of the not-quite-so-big people took it away.
-
>"Aha! What did they look like?"
-
>"Aha! What did they look like?"
>Like not-so-big people, it replies. The ones that move around in the air.
-
>Hmm. Either faeries or children...
>"Did they have wings? Which way did they go?"
-
>Hmm. Either faeries or children...
>"Did they have wings? Which way did they go?"
>Seems so. They'd have to be some particularly unusual children to go moving about in the air much, though.
>The mouse is unclear about the wings; you don't think it observed too much about them aside from lumping them in the category of big, but not-so-big. However, it says it saw them move off down the road to the right of the bakery. Then the cat was away from the yummy place, and things were okay. Beyond that, it seems to have considered most of what they were doing irrelevant.
-
>"Hmmm. Both of you, wait here. I'll be back soon, and I'll give you something to eat."
>Once they agree, head back into the bakery.
-
>"Hmmm. Both of you, wait here. I'll be back soon, and I'll give you something to eat."
>Once they agree, head back into the bakery.
>While both are clearly enthusiastic about the prospect of being given food, the brown mouse is none too pleased about the idea of gray one staying inside his turf. They bicker for a moment - he's a much safer target than you are - and the gray mouse comes off the worse for it. He takes cover behind your foot. The brown mouse is clearly not interested in going through you to get to him, but you get the feeling he'd probably drive him off if you walked away and left them together.
-
>Give the brown mouse a look of displeasure.
>"Okay, fine, you don't get any."
-
>Give the brown mouse a look of displeasure.
>"Okay, fine, you don't get any."
>You shoot the brown mouse a disapproving look, and it falters a little.
>It seems a little unsure of itself. The gray mouse takes the chance to squeak something akin to "Meanie!" at it.
-
>"Don't you both have enough problems to worry about without making more for yourself? You know full well he isn't going to be here long enough to take any of the crumbs that might fall here. I'm ashamed of you."
-
>"Don't you both have enough problems to worry about without making more for yourself? You know full well he isn't going to be here long enough to take any of the crumbs that might fall here. I'm ashamed of you."
>The brown mouse withdraws a little, sheepishly. You don't think he intends to press the issue any further. The grey mouse squeaks something approaching a cheer at you.
-
> "I'll be back in a bit okay? Stay out of trouble you two."
> Head down the road to the right of the bakery.
> Keep our eyes and ears peeled for faeries.
-
> "I'll be back in a bit okay? Stay out of trouble you two."
> Head down the road to the right of the bakery.
> Keep our eyes and ears peeled for faeries.
>You get a somewhat subdued acknowledgment from the brown rat, and a more cheerful one from the gray.
>You head back around the bakery and continue down the road past it, keeping your senses peeled for fairies. Fairies themselves are not an especially unusual sight in Braston, of course. Many live in and around the city - there was a pair chasing each other around the square just a few minutes ago - and quite a few do little jobs for the various businesses: cooking, sewing, delivery work, or one of the other tasks that fairies tend to be competent in. With proper oversight, they can actually be surprisingly industrious workers, if a little flakey. Perhaps it's because those attracted to populated areas tend to be inclined that way themselves? Still, there doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic on this particular street at the moment. You note a bored looking dockworker on his way to the square, and a young couple walking in the opposite direction, but no fairies.
-
> Head over to the dock worker.
> "Pardon the sudden question, but have you seen any faeries or cats today? Maybe even a mixture of the two?"
-
> Head over to the dock worker.
> "Pardon the sudden question, but have you seen any faeries or cats today? Maybe even a mixture of the two?"
>You walk over to the dock worker, and ask him a question.
>"'course I've seen fairies today," he says, giving you something of an odd look. "S'pose I've seen a cat or two, too. You looking for one in particular?"
-
> "Yeah."
> Show him the picture.
> "Have you seen this cat at all?"
-
> "Yeah."
> Show him the picture.
> "Have you seen this cat at all?"
>You show the man the picture. He stares at it for a moment, then shakes his head.
>"Sorry, can't say I have." He takes a glance at your badge, then chuckles. "Someone got you out looking for it, or something?"
-
> "Heh yeah. Nice lady but she's pretty scatterbrained. Apparently her cat was last seen in the company of some faeries though so that's what I'm goin' on right now. If you see anything could you give me a heads up? I'd really appreciate it."
-
> "Heh yeah. Nice lady but she's pretty scatterbrained. Apparently her cat was last seen in the company of some faeries though so that's what I'm goin' on right now. If you see anything could you give me a heads up? I'd really appreciate it."
>"Huh. Well, haven't seen anything like that, sorry."
-
Why did we leave the place and not get our pie or ask them about gangs of hooligans running around, and also lie to meeses what helped up so? =[
>"See any gangs of kids running around with one this morning?"
-
>"See any gangs of kids running around with one this morning?"
>"Didn't I just say no?" The man shakes his head. "Look, I've been at the docks all morning. If there was anything going on down here, I wouldn't have seen it. Now, there gonna be anything else, or can I get on with my lunch break?"
-
>"No, you didn't say a thing about kids. Geez, sorry."
>Leave and head back to the bakery, heading inside this time. Hopefully our pie is ready.
-
>"No, you didn't say a thing about kids. Geez, sorry."
>Leave and head back to the bakery, heading inside this time. Hopefully our pie is ready.
>The man shrugs, and goes back to his business.
>You turn around and head back to the bakery. Although strictly speaking, there were lemon pies already prepared when you were there the last time.
>"Hey again," the fairy says to you as you enter. "Find anything?"
-
>"A little bit. Hey, was there a group of kids or faeries hanging around here there this morning while that witch was here?"
-
>"A little bit. Hey, was there a group of kids or faeries hanging around here there this morning while that witch was here?"
>"Nah, there was just..." The fairy tilts her head to one side and frowns thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, I saw Mint Blossom and Cloudy Meadow fly by here this morning with a bunch of others. I wanted to go see what was up, but, uh, you know..." She tosses her head back in the direction of the kitchen.
>"I wonder what everyone was so excited about..." she adds wistfully.
-
>"Oh, where are they usually at?"
>Claim pie.
-
>"Oh, where are they usually at?"
>Claim pie.
>"I think Cloudy Meadow lives down by the apple trees waaay to the south." She gestures for added effect. "I don't know about Mint Blossom. But they hang out by the old bridge, or sometimes around the fountain over by the clock maker's. Oh, and they've got this super neat hideout they're building by that abandoned warehouse, you know the one that used to be-" She stops, then frowns. "Wait, I wasn't suppose to tell anyone about that place. You better forget I said anything, ok?"
>You go and select a satisfyingly delicious looking lemon pie.
-
>"Well, you better tell me everything so I can be sure to forget all of it."
>Examine pie.
-
>"Well, you better tell me everything so I can be sure to forget all of it."
>Examine pie.
>"Well, first you go waaay over that way, up past the harbor and the place they keep all the food before shipping it out, and then you turn right and there's these three big buildings in a row, right? It's-" She gives you a suspicious look. "Wait, does it really work that way?
>It is a well-stuffed lemon pie with a lattice crust. It was baked only a couple hours ago, you believe, and smells rather mouth-watering.
-
>"Sure it does. It'd be like baking a pie without using flour otherwise."
>Do we think we can find this secret hide-out with what she's told us?
>How large is this pie?
-
>"Sure it does. It'd be like baking a pie without using flour otherwise."
>Do we think we can find this secret hide-out with what she's told us?
>How large is this pie?
>"Well, you can't do that!" she says. "Everyone knows that."
>You know the general area she's referring to, roughly between the port and the Oni district, where a lot of the warehouses for goods entering or leaving Braston are located. You don't know of a specific abandoned warehouse, but you could probably find it if you poked your nose about.
>You think it's about 9 or 10 inches in diameter and about 2 and half inches high.
-
>"Well, I suppose I'll leave it at that, then. Do you have a knife and fork I could borrow?"
-
>"Well, I suppose I'll leave it at that, then. Do you have a knife and fork I could borrow?"
>"Uh, why?" she says, giving you something of an odd look. "You're not gonna try to eat it here, are you?"
-
>"Well, maybe jut to try a little bit. But I promised some to a couple friends outside, and I don't want to leave them out in the cold."
-
>"Well, maybe jut to try a little bit. But I promised some to a couple friends outside, and I don't want to leave them out in the cold."
>"Well, uh, I suppose I could get you one, since you promised to forget all about the secret hideout and all."
>She turns and ducks into the kitchen, glancing around her a little furtively. A few moments later, she creeps out with a knife and fork in her hands.
>"Now, uh, you still have to pay for that first, you know," she says.
-
>Give her her two bits. Then cut out a small piece of pie, and shave off two large-for-a-mouse-sized bits. Then sample what's left of that piece.
-
>Give her her two bits. Then cut out a small piece of pie, and shave off two large-for-a-mouse-sized bits. Then sample what's left of that piece.
>You pay the fairy 2 guilders for the pie, and she hands you the knife and fork. You cut out a small piece of pie and shave off two appropriately sized pieces for the mice. With a satisfying sniff of the aroma, you jab the fork into the remaining section and take a bite. Oh, wow... It tastes every bit as good as it smells. You may need to remember this place.
-
>"Oh, that is special! I'll definitely have to come back here."
>Return the tableware. "Thank you!"
>Head outside, and assuming the mice aren't squabbling, give them their pie pieces.
-
>"Oh, that is special! I'll definitely have to come back here."
>Return the tableware. "Thank you!"
>Head outside, and assuming the mice aren't squabbling, give them their pie pieces.
>"Hehe," the fairy says with a satisfied grin on its face. "You're always welcome."
>You return the knife and fork and thank the fairy, who nods at you. "Have a nice day!" she calls out as you leave.
>You head outside and return to where you left the mice. They aren't squabbling as such, but the brown one seems to be getting a little testy, and the grey one kind of agitated; he's backed a fair bit further away than when you left him, and seems to be twitching a little nervously. As you approach, he runs over and squeaks at you, roughly translated as "Yay, you're back!"
>You put down the two pie pieces, one for each mouse. The grey one digs in with gusto, muttering about how amazing you are to be able to get all these yummies from the yummy place. The brown one is a little more reserved, but still quietly nibbles away at the piece you offer him.
-
>"Sorry I left you waiting so long. I had a hunch. You've both been a big helps, thanks!"
-
>"Sorry I left you waiting so long. I had a hunch. You've both been a big helps, thanks!"
>The grey mouse gives another "Yay!", somewhat muffled by the pie it's scarfing down. You get a sort of reluctant acknowledgment from the brown mouse.
-
>Chuckle at the brown mouse.
>"You should be nicer. No one's going to want to be friends with you when you're like that."
>Let them finish, then escort the gray mouse home.
-
>Chuckle at the brown mouse.
>"You should be nicer. No one's going to want to be friends with you when you're like that."
>Let them finish, then escort the gray mouse home.
>You chuckle a little at the brown mouse, and then encourage him to be friendlier. He mumbles something about doing just fine on his own.
>You let the mice finish, and then walk the gray mouse back to the alleyway where you found him first. He scampers around your feet as you walk, squeaking enthusiastically about how yummy the yummies were and how awesome you are and how he wants to grow up to be a mouse like you someday and how that would just be amazing! When you reach the pile of trash and boxes, he seems almost reluctant to squirm back into them again. He chitters out an open welcome; any time you want to come back, his boxes are your boxes.
-
>Would keeping rodents violate whatever terms we happen to be living under at home?
-
>Would keeping rodents violate whatever terms we happen to be living under at home?
>You very much suspect so; certainly the guild goes to some lengths to ensure that the area stays free of wild rodents. That doesn't mean you mightn't be able to sneak one in under the radar, though.
-
>Oh well. No need to get evicted over the little guy.
>"I might drop back in, if I ever need help. Just remember, stay healthy, and keep thinking about things."
>Depart, and head toward that warehouse area.
-
>Oh well. No need to get evicted over the little guy.
>"I might drop back in, if I ever need help. Just remember, stay healthy, and keep thinking about things."
>Depart, and head toward that warehouse area.
>You decide that even if you wouldn't mind having the mouse around, it's not worth risking trouble over him.
>The mouse squeaks an enthusiastic affirmative. It will!
>You leave and head off to the northwest, past the road beside the bakery and through another couple blocks of houses before you start to approach the warehouse area, just beyond the port. Activity here is mixed; some sections are bustling with humans and more than a few oni, lugging crates and other containers of goods, while other blocks are almost entirely bare. You imagine it has something to do with what goods have come in recently, or which are scheduled to ship out. Retracing the directions the fairy gave you, you soon find a series of three medium sized nondescript warehouses in a row, all of the same design. You can see a few people about, but not many.
-
>Do any of the warehouses seem like they're not in use?
>Does a cause glance reveal any signs of rodents?
-
>Do any of the warehouses seem like they're not in use?
>Does a cause glance reveal any signs of rodents?
>While none of them have any traffic at the moment, none of them seem obviously in disuse, either; at least, they're all still in good condition.
>You don't catch sight of any rodents in your immediate vicinity.
-
>Circle around them. Keep an eye out for faeries, cats, or dockhands that don't look too busy or surly.
-
>Circle around them. Keep an eye out for faeries, cats, or dockhands that don't look too busy or surly.
>You circle around the warehouses, keeping an eye out for workers, cats, and fairies. While the warehouses themselves aren't obviously labeled, you notice a few crates bearing a logo of one of the major shipping groups stacked up by against a side entrance of the leftmost warehouse. The warehouses back onto the rear of a strip of low-lying row buildings and another larger warehouse, forming something of a narrow and angular alleyway.
>As you circle around to the other side of the buildings, a large box suddenly flies out from around a blind corner and collides with you before you have a chance to sidestep. You hear a high pitched squawk.
-
>Try not to die.
-
>Try not to die.
>You make a valiant effort not to die. This turns out to be rather easy, as the impact is much less than anticipated. The box seems to have only been made of cardboard, and empty; you're more startled than hurt. You hear a groaning sound, and notice a tiny fairy, smaller than the box itself, awkwardly holding onto the other side of it. She seems dazed.
-
> "Uh... Hello."
> Smooth out any ruffled clothing.
-
> "Uh... Hello."
> Smooth out any ruffled clothing.
>You give your capelet a little brush, and say hello to the fairy. She blinks a couple times and shakes her head. "Who moved that wall...?" she says woozily.
-
>"I'm normally not a wall, but I apologize for acting as one."
>"Are you alright?"
-
>"I'm normally not a wall, but I apologize for acting as one."
>"Are you alright?"
>"I... I think I'm ok." The fairy taps herself on the side of the head a few times, as if to confirm it's still in the right place. Then she frowns at you. "Wait, why were you pretending to be a wall?" There's a pause, then her eyes suddenly widen in panic.
>"Ack!" she cries, getting to her feet again. "Spy! Intruder!" She barrels on down the alleyway ahead of you, still awkwardly clutching the box in front of her face.
-
>"I have pie."
-
>"I have pie."
>"Y- you do?" the fairy says, pulling up her momentum a bit. "...what kind?"
-
> "Lemon. You want some? I'm willing to share."
> Present the pie.
-
> "Lemon. You want some? I'm willing to share."
> Present the pie.
>You present the pie to the fairy and offer her some. She slowly, almost hesitantly, turns her head to look. The expression on her face is pained, like one wrestling with a major internal conflict.
>"That looks delicious..." she says, gliding a few inches backwards, almost unconsciously. "And you'd really just let me have some? I wanted to get a lemon pie this morning, but Mint Blossom said we were-"
>"No!" she suddenly declares, putting on a resolute face. "I'm on an important mission! If I let myself be defeated by pie, the plan will be ruined. The others are counting on me!" With that, she resumes flying off down the alley, but you note her stealing glances back over her shoulder at the pie. From the look on her face, you almost wonder if she's about to break into tears.
-
> Sigh.
> After she goes out of sight head down after her.
-
> Sigh.
> After she goes out of sight head down after her.
>You sigh and let the fairy go, watching her duck around another corner and nearly smack into a real wall this time.
>Once she's out of sight, you follow her trail down the alleyway, and turn left into another narrow pathway between the row buildings you'd previously been walking behind, and a new one, mostly concealed from your previous vantage. It is a two-story warehouse, smaller than the previous three, and certainly not in the best repair. A row of windows ring the upper floor, most of them boarded up, a couple broken, and one or two missing entirely, you think. Generic graffiti is scrawled along parts of the wall, as well as a few rather more playful doodles in brightly colored chalk, extending all the way to the second story. Further along the wall you see a door, also boarded tight. You think you can sounds of animated conversation issuing from the building's interior.
-
> Check around for a potential entryway into the warehouse.
> Check for mice as well.
-
> Check around for a potential entryway into the warehouse.
> Check for mice as well.
>You circle around the building, looking for a way in. Aside from the small side door, there is a larger entrance at the front, but this too is boarded over. You don't see any other entrances.
>You don't see any mice on your circuit, but you do note several gaps in the building's stonework that a mouse could use to slip in and out. It's possible there could be some living in it.
-
>Are the missing windows on the upper level wide enough for us to fit through?
>Look for a way to climb up there assuming they are.
-
>Are the missing windows on the upper level wide enough for us to fit through?
>Look for a way to climb up there assuming they are.
>They're not especially large, but you think you could fit through them without a problem.
>You scan around for a way to climb up. While the quality of the stoneworking is not particularly good, the warehouse walls are still essentially flat. There is the occasional split in the mortar, but not much that could serve as a decent handhold.
-
>Approach the small door, and see if we can better hear what's going on in there. Don't actually walk in front of it, though.
-
>Approach the small door, and see if we can better hear what's going on in there. Don't actually walk in front of it, though.
>You return to the small door, standing somewhat off to the side of it, and try to see if you can make out what's being said inside. There are definitely multiple voices - at least 4, you think - chatting animatedly and often over each other. It's hard to tell exactly what they're saying - you think they're some distance away from the door - but you make out snatches of what seems to be an argument over... boxes?
-
What do you think, gang? I'm thinking...we just knock on the door and play innocent.
Alternately, we could look for mice to help out, but if there's a cat around I imagine they won't be cooperative.
-
I would suggest trying to open the door a smidge, to better hear first. Either that, or take a page out of Jack Burton's book and grab a telephone.
-
Think I'm with Sect on this one. Crack the door a little and have a listen. If nothing else, be amusing to hear a fairy argument over boxes. And if that yields nothing beyond a chuckle, we go with purvis' idea.
Just one thing, though. That door's boarded shut. What good would knocking do us?
-
Huh. Swore I read there were two of them. Dagnabbit.
>Make a quick trip around the warehouse, to see if there are any other ways in.
-
>Make a quick trip around the warehouse, to see if there are any other ways in.
>You make another trip around the warehouse, but do not note any additional doors that you missed the first time. There is a larger one at the front, and a smaller one along the side, but both are boarded over. The only obvious open ways in are the windows, but they're out of reach.
-
>Oh, we already made a trip around? Huh.
>Try to nudge that smaller door open enough to listen through it.
-
>Oh, we already made a trip around? Huh.
>Try to nudge that smaller door open enough to listen through it.
>Indeed you did.
>Being boarded up, there isn't really much you can do to open this door without at least attempting to remove the boards.
-
>Look around for something solid we can stand on to access the windows above us.
-
>Do our kunai seem sturdy enough to pry at the boards a bit, in case we can't find a good thing to stand on.
-
>Look around for something solid we can stand on to access the windows above us.
>The alleyway itself is fairly bare, aside from a couple loose pieces of wood and scattered bits of trash. You did note some crates back by the earlier three warehouses; they may or may not be empty at the moment, and they're certainly someone else's property, but you'd only have to borrow them briefly. There's certainly bound to be more than a few things outside in the district that could serve as a step-up, if you're willing to go further afield.
>Do our kunai seem sturdy enough to pry at the boards a bit, in case we can't find a good thing to stand on.
>Although they're not an ideal tool for this, it may be possible. Due to how they taper, you think the risk of damaging them would depend on how far you could wedge the kunai in behind the boards. The middle section is certainly sturdy enough, but if you apply too much force to the narrow tip, it might snap off.
-
>Assuming no one objects, go back and have a look at those crates, see if one of them will serve as a stool.
-
>Assuming no one objects, go back and have a look at those crates, see if one of them will serve as a stool.
>You walk back towards the first warehouse and have a closer look at the crates you saw earlier. Many of them are large shipping containers, too big for you to move even if they were empty. Walking around the buildings, you note a couple barrels in the alley between the first and second warehouses. An experimental pull suggests they're at least partially full of... something; although too heavy to really lift, you could probably roll them without too much trouble. Completing a circuit, you also see a couple smaller crates strewn between the row buildings along the back. They're open-topped, like milk crates, and you suspect they're actually trash, rather than inventory; they're strewn about carelessly, and you note damage to a couple of them. You'd be a touch nervous about bearing your weight on some of them, but they're probably usable
-
>Are the smaller crates empty?
-
>Are the smaller crates empty?
>They are.
-
>Look around to see if anybody's nearby.
-
>Look around to see if anybody's nearby.
>You don't see anyone walking around the alleyway at the moment, although you think at least some of the buildings in the strip next to you are occupied, and it's hard to tell if there's anyone inside the warehouses or not.
-
>Will one of them provide enough of a boost to reach the upper window, or will we need two?
-
>Grab some sturdy-looking crates.
-
>Will one of them provide enough of a boost to reach the upper window, or will we need two?
>The open-topped crates are only a little over a foot deep. You aren't even sure if you'd get enough height if you stacked all four usable ones on top of each other.
>Grab some sturdy-looking crates.
>Scanning over the crates, you see four that seem study enough to try standing on; well, one of them is a little iffy, but should probably be ok. You grab two in each hand.
-
>Return to the fairy fortress with the goods.
-
>Look for a good low window, or a hole in the wall, and stack the crates.
-
>Return to the fairy fortress with the goods.
>You carry the crates back to the abandoned warehouse.
>Look for a good low window, or a hole in the wall, and stack the crates.
>All of the windows seem to be at a single height, high in the wall. You select one that's missing its glass, and set to stacking the crates below it. The four crates stack on top of each other easily enough, and with the wall for support don't seem altogether unstable, although they look like they'd still be a tad precarious to stand on.
-
>Very carefully ascend the crate-tower.
-
>Very carefully ascend the crate-tower.
>You cautiously step onto the top of the crate-tower. This is a little awkward, given that the pile is nearly neck-high, and the construction of the crates leaves no way for you to stagger them - at least if you hope for them to bear your weight without immediately collapsing - but you manage to hoist yourself up. The crates sway just a little and you can feel the boards beneath your feet sag. You frown a little. Still, you should be able to remain upright as long as you aren't required to do any sudden acrobatics.
-
>Can wee see through the window, or reach up to it?
-
>Can wee see through the window, or reach up to it?
>You reach out your arms... and still come up a couple feet short of the window. It's times like these when your height is not an asset.
-
>Is the wall here any more climbable than the stuff below?
-
>Is the wall here any more climbable than the stuff below?
>Not especially so. You might be able to reach the ledge if you jumped, but you have a strong suspicion that would topple over the crate-tower, whether you successfully manage to grab the ledge or not.
-
>Can we at least hear any better?
-
>Can we at least hear any better?
>Five or six extra feet of height doesn't do a great deal to improve your vantage for eavesdropping, but you do manage to pick out a few things, when you stop and pay attention for a moment.
>"...told you... doesn't work that way," someone says.
>"...stupid plan..." you hear someone else mumble.
>"That's because you're doing it wrong!" another voice interjects, quite a bit louder than the others.
>"...already tried... what do..."
>"...more boxes..."
>"What if... wrong cat?"
>"And whose fault is that!?" the loud voice asks accusingly.
-
>Do those sound like faeries?
-
... Oh no, they're doing the Schroedinger's Cat thing, aren't they?
> Is there a way to stack another box on this tower?
-
>Alternately, did we see any ladders on the way here?
-
>Do those sound like faeries?
>They certainly sound like it to you.
> Is there a way to stack another box on this tower?
>You grabbed all of the small crates that you felt were intact enough to try standing on at all. There's one or two more that are half-broken, which you could theoretically stack on top of it, but you certainly wouldn't look forward to standing on them.
>Alternately, did we see any ladders on the way here?
>You did not, but you're sure there's more than a couple in the general area. They may not be outside at the moment, however.
-
So, idea: take one of those broken crates and stack it on top of the other crates. It won't hold our weight at all, but it won't need to: basically use it as a boost for a half second, at most, to jump up the remaining few feet, and hope we don't die.
-
Well, as it stands, we can jump for it, cause a clatter, and hope they don't notice the noise, us coming through the window, and hope we don't slice up our hands. Or we can try to find another way up and hope they don't leave in the meantime. Perhaps we can pay a dockhand to give us a boost? Or we can pry the door open and hope they don't hear.
-
Well, my first impulse is always go the more reckless and interesting way...
-
If not for the fact that we stand a good chance of slicing up our hands on the windowsill, and we kind of need those, I'd be down with barging in.
-
I thought this was the window without any glass whatsoever...
> Does this window have any glass at all, or are there still broken remnants remaining?
-
> Does this window have any glass at all, or are there still broken remnants remaining?
>While a few of the windows are simply broken, one or two (including this one) seems to have had the window taken out entirely, even tidied up a little.
-
> Carefully climb down the tower of crates, and take one of the less stable crates, one that looks like it can at least hold us long enough to get a boost.
-
> Carefully climb down the tower of crates, and take one of the less stable crates, one that looks like it can at least hold us long enough to get a boost.
>You dismount the tower and return to where you obtained the crates. Scanning over the couple that are left, none of them really inspire confidence. One of them is missing a board and a half in the bottom, and has a pronounced crack along one of the others, another is more rhombic than square; the sides splay wonkily when you push on them. And sadly, those two are the best of the lot. None of the rest are good for much more than scrap wood, and perhaps not even that.
-
> Take the one with missing boards, and put it at the top of the tower.
> How high up is the window from the top of the tower, now?
-
> Take the one with missing boards, and put it at the top of the tower.
> How high up is the window from the top of the tower, now?
>You take the crate with the missing boards and return to your crate tower, placing it on top. Going to be even more tricky to mount the thing now, though; it's basically as tall as you are.
>The latest crate adds about another foot and a half to the tower. Judging from how far off you were the last time, this won't close the gap entirely, but you're now quite sure that a jump will easily close the remaining distance you need to grab onto the ledge... provided that the newest crate doesn't give out in under you the moment you try that.
-
> Carefully clamber up the tower to the crate before the rickety one.
> This is going to suck...
> Quickly step lightly on the crate, and use it as a boost to jump up to the window! Grab hold and pray we don't die!
-
> Carefully clamber up the tower to the crate before the rickety one.
> This is going to suck...
> Quickly step lightly on the crate, and use it as a boost to jump up to the window! Grab hold and pray we don't die!
>You carefully pull yourself up the tower, using what little purchase there is between the boards along the side.
>You frown at the top crate again. Yeah, this isn't going to be fun at all.
>You attempt to carefully hoist yourself onto the top, the wood making a rather disconcerting sound as you bear your weight on it. And then you jump! Unfortunately, stepping lightly is rather incompatible with jumping from something, and you feel the wood bend jarringly under your left foot the moment you start to spring. It gives way with a snap, throwing off your balance and sending your jump both short and wide. Your foot swings out and nicks the side of the crate, sending the top several boxes clattering to the ground. Desperately, you thrust out with your right arm and just barely catch the corner of the window ledge with a few fingers, while your momentum sends the rest of your body swinging off to the left of it. Ah, hell...
-
> Reach up with our other hand and try to gain purchase!
-
> Reach up with our other hand and try to gain purchase!
>You grasp out with your other hand, but as your momentum is still swinging you to the left, your fingers grasp only air. Even as you start to swing back a little, you find you can't quite reach. You feel what little grip your fingers have start to give. As light as you are, even you can't support your whole body weight by a few fingers. You're going to have to come up with something quick.
-
> Try to scrabble up the wall with our feet, using the momentum of our swinging. If we can get any purchase, try to move our right hand further up on the window sill.
> If we can manage to get at least a few more moments of purchase, reach again with our other hand and try to grab hold.
-
> Try to scrabble up the wall with our feet, using the momentum of our swinging. If we can get any purchase, try to move our right hand further up on the window sill.
> If we can manage to get at least a few more moments of purchase, reach again with our other hand and try to grab hold.
>You scrabble against the wall with your feet, trying to find even the tiniest purchase. Your toe manages to catches a tiny protrusion in the stonework, and you use that moment to gain a precious inch on the window ledge before you foot slips off the wall again.
>The force from your foot propels you a little further to the right, and you reach out for the window ledge again... and catch it! Never has the sensation of rough stone beneath your fingers felt so sweet. As soon as the pads of your fingers make contact you work them further in and let yourself get a solid grip at last. You're now dangling from the window ledge with both hands, your arms awkwardly crossed over each other and your legs still swinging a little, below you. You let yourself exhale...
-
> Is there any way we can uncross our arms without failing horribly?
-
> Is there any way we can uncross our arms without failing horribly?
>If you worked your hands closer together, you think you could let go of one and make contact on the other side quickly enough not to risk losing your hold on the ledge.
-
> Work our hands together, until we can get them uncrossed, and slowly wriggle our way up the wall using our feet to push us up, and our hands to hold us steady and keep us from losing ground. Try to hook our arm over the window ledge.
> Carefully pull ourself up until we can get up to the window: at this point, safety is more important than stealth.
-
> Work our hands together, until we can get them uncrossed, and slowly wriggle our way up the wall using our feet to push us up, and our hands to hold us steady and keep us from losing ground. Try to hook our arm over the window ledge.
> Carefully pull ourself up until we can get up to the window: at this point, safety is more important than stealth.
>You work your hands together, take a breath, then let go of one long enough to uncross them. Feeling a little less awkward, you start to work your hands further over the ledge, using what little grip your feet can occasionally find as a boost. Soon enough, you manage to hook your arm over the ledge and use that leverage to pull the rest of yourself up. With a little more maneuvering, your feet finally make contact with the window ledge and you crouch in the space the window formerly occupied. The ledge is less than a foot wide, and the space only half as tall as you are, but you don't think balance will be an issue unless someone tries to push you. Still, maneuvering quickly would be tricky, unless you wanted to fall out one side or the other.
-
> Catch our breath. Whew...
> ... Um... we made a lot of noise... look inside the building.
-
> Catch our breath. Whew...
> ... Um... we made a lot of noise... look inside the building.
>You give yourself a moment to catch your breath. You suppose this is one way to add some excitement to a mundane contract. You wonder dryly whether Ellen is giving you hazard pay for this.
>Concerned that the noise may have alerted the building's occupants, you take a look inside.
>It is a large, open space, well-light at the moment by sunlight streaming in from the ring of windows. Heavy wooden rafters run across the ceiling, not very far above you. ...is that a tiny hammock strung up between two of them? For its state on the outside, the inside of the warehouse is surprisingly tidy; it doesn't even look dusty. There is a pile of old wood and assorted junk, likely left over from the previous occupants, but it is neatly pushed into one corner. Most of the floor is bare stone, dotted with a few clusters of objects. You see a small table on a large corded rug, with a small pile of throw pillows next to it. Towards the other end of the warehouse is some sort of fort, made from bright fabric thrown over large crates, and propped up at several points by wooden poles. A few other random objects are scattered about; you spot a beach ball, a couple kazoos, a broom and dustpan, a glass jar containing some sort of colored glass or crystal fragments, positioned such that the light scatters it into an array of colors on the floor, and a few other things that are hard to identify from this distance.
>You spot 4 fairies towards the center of the room, somewhat to your right. Fortunately, they seem too engaged in their own arguing to have noticed the noise of your entry at all. Among them you recognize the tiny fairy who bumped into you earlier. She is hovering and watching the other three bicker, and occasionally trying, without much success, to get a remark in edgewise. The loud voice from earlier belongs to a short green-haired fairy. If she's not the one nominally in charge, she certainly acts like it, giving directions (usually immediately disputed) and assigning blame (unilaterally deflected to someone else).
>Somewhat off to the side of the debate is a fifth fairy, standing near a large cardboard box - suspiciously similar to the one that collided with you earlier - and repeatedly opening and closing the top, each time staring into it with a somewhat disappointed frown on her face. Near her is a untidy heap of boxes of all sizes and shapes, from brightly colored paper gift boxes to wooden shipping crates and everything inbetween; you see a wicker picnic basket, fruit crates, a shoebox, and who knows what else under the mess.
-
>Do we feel we can lower ourself to the floor without hurting ourself?
-
>Do we feel we can lower ourself to the floor without hurting ourself?
>Provided you descend carefully, you should be able to take the impact without injury. However, the noise will probably attract the fairies' attention.
-
>From this vantage point, can we detect any means of exit other than this one once our business is concluded?
-
>What is directly below us?
-
>From this vantage point, can we detect any means of exit other than this one once our business is concluded?
>There's another window similar to this one, further down the wall. You don't notice any exits on ground level that weren't obvious from the outside.
>What is directly below us?
>Empty stone floor.
-
>Oh well.
>Try to dangle off of the windowsill. Once this is done, test for footholds. If any are found, use them then look for handholds, then lower ourselves. Once we reach maximum lowness, drop and try to land in a wide stance. Hopefully it won't be too noisy.
-
>Oh well.
>Try to dangle off of the windowsill. Once this is done, test for footholds. If any are found, use them then look for handholds, then lower ourselves. Once we reach maximum lowness, drop and try to land in a wide stance. Hopefully it won't be too noisy.
>You shift yourself, and lower your legs over the window ledge. Feeling quietly around with your feet, you have difficulty finding any foothold secure enough to trust; the gaps between stones are both narrow and shallow. You take the best you can find, try to wedge your foot against it, then shift one arm down while keeping the other on the ledge. You find the tiniest bit of a crack in the wall and try to hold onto it while you pivot yourself downward. It's very straining with such terrible handholds, but you manage to slowly lower yourself a couple feet. However, as you feel around for the next foothold, you hear a voice cry out accusingly.
>"Hey! What are you doing!?"
-
>"Climbing down the wall."
-
>Don't speak yet.
>Look over.
>Do they seem to be looking at us? If so, just drop down, give a smile, and speak.
>If not, continue onward.
-
>"Climbing down the wall."
>Don't speak yet.
>Look over.
>Do they seem to be looking at us? If so, just drop down, give a smile, and speak.
>If not, continue onward.
>You turn your head around, to make sure the fairies are looking at you. A medium-sized black haired one is pointing a finger accusingly at you, and the others are turning around to look.
>You drop down to the floor, put on a smile, and nonchalantly inform the fairies that you were climbing down the wall. The first fairy continues to point at you, but looks somewhat uncertain about what else she's supposed to do. The others' reactions vary from confusion to obvious outrage. The green-haired fairy takes on a defiant scowl, while the tiny fairy from earlier looks at you uncertainly.
>"This is our hideout!" the green-haired fairy yells, taking a step forward. "You're not allowed in-"
>The tiny fairy's eyes suddenly widen. "It's the pie lady!" she exclaims, dashing through the air towards you.
>"Pie?" another fairy asks, looking hopefully in your direction.
>The leader throws her a dirty look. "This is no time for pie! There's an intruder!"
-
>"Of course there is time for pie! See?"
>Produce the pie.
>"You're really not very nice to delivery people, you know..."
-
>"Of course there is time for pie! See?"
>Produce the pie.
>"You're really not very nice to delivery people, you know..."
>You cheerfully produce the pie. The tiny fairy breaks out into an absolutely beaming smile as she flies towards it. The other fairy who inquired takes a step or two forward, then freezes under the leader's glare. You can practically see the stormclouds forming around her head.
>"Did we order a pie?" the tall fairy by the box asks, frowning as she walks towards you.
>"I didn't," the fourth fairy says.
>"How could you give away our location!" the leader cries to no one in particular, stomping her foot. "This place is top-secret! Fairies only!"
>"But she has pie..." the second fairy says.
>The tiny fairy hovers a few inches away from the pie, alternately staring wide-eyed at you and it.
-
>"Oh, don't worry about details like locations and secrets. Someone get me a knife and some plates!"
>Approach the group like we belong here.
-
>"Oh, don't worry about details like locations and secrets. Someone get me a knife and some plates!"
>Approach the group like we belong here.
>"They're over here," the tall fairy says, moving off towards the box fort.
>You nonchalantly approach the fairies, and the other two gather around you, or perhaps around the pie might be more accurate. The green-haired fairy glowers silently at you, her face almost comically indignant.
>"Hey, it's missing a piece," the fourth fairy says with a frown.
-
>"That was the tip for the baker. It's how you managed to get it so cheap."
>Set it down, get to work slicing it and serving it up.
-
>"That was the tip for the baker. It's how you managed to get it so cheap."
>Set it down, get to work slicing it and serving it up.
>The fairy nods tentatively as you explain.
>"Wait, who paid for this?" the fairy next to her asks. The other fairy shrugs.
>You follow the group over to the table, and in a few moments the tall fairy reemerges from the box fort with plates and utensils. You set the pie down on the table and serve it up to the crowd. There are smiles from most of the fairies. The tiny fairy accepts her piece with a look of unending gratitude and immediately digs in. The green-haired fairy makes a frustrated 'hmpff' and continues scowling at you.
-
>Give green-hair a big piece.
>"You guys sounded like you were having fun earlier."
-
>Give green-hair a big piece.
>"You guys sounded like you were having fun earlier."
>You attempt to give the green-haired fairy an extra large piece. She just keeps scowling, and makes no attempt to take it, although you catch her stealing furtive glances at it.
>"Not really..." one of them says, between mouthfuls. "The magic trick doesn't work."
>"It's a great magic trick!" the green-haired fairy said. "You guys are just doing it wrong!"
-
>"I love magic tricks! What're you trying to do?"
-
>"I love magic tricks! What're you trying to do?"
>"Make a cat disappear," the fairy says.
>"And reappear," another chimes in.
>"Hey, don't tell her!" the green-haired fairy says.
>"Cloudy Meadow overheard this neat trick the other day," the first fairy continues. "Apparently if you stick a Schrodinger Cat in a box, sometimes it'll be there when you open it, and sometimes it won't be."
>"But we've tried dozens of boxes," the second fairy says, "And none of them work."
>"I still say it's not the right kind of cat," the first adds between bites.
>"Nuh-uh," the green-haired fairy counters, crossing her arms.
>The tall fairy frowns. "I'm sorry. I must have gotten the details wrong."
-
>Have we ever heard of anything like this?
>"How's the cat been taking to it?"
-
>Have we ever heard of anything like this?
>"How's the cat been taking to it?"
>Doesn't ring a bell to you.
>"Oh, the cat's great," the first fairy says. "He's real calm about it all."
>"It wouldn't hurt him," the tall fairy says. "Don't worry."
>The fairy fairy nods. "It's just, sometimes he'd be in the box. And sometimes he wouldn't be."
>"If we could get it to work," the second fairy chimes in.
>The first fairy skewers another chunk of pie on her fork, then looks towards the tall fairy. "Hey, Meadow, where's the cat supposed to go, anyway? When it's not in the box?"
>"Ah, um..." She fidgets, then frowns. "I'm, uh... I'm a little uncertain."
>"...but nowhere bad!" she hastily adds.
-
>"Hmmm, maybe you could ask a witch?"
-
>"Hmmm, maybe you could ask a witch?"
>"Think they'd know?" the first fairy says.
>Her neighbor shrugs. "Witches know all kinds of weird stuff."
>"No way!" the green-haired fairy says. "This is way different from their kind of magic. Isn't it, Meadow?"
>Meadow jumps a little. "Ah, er- I think so."
-
>"Well, there's only one way to find out. And it just so happens that cat belongs to a witch!"
-
>"Well, there's only one way to find out. And it just so happens that cat belongs to a witch!"
>"Hey, how'd you know!?" the green-haired fairy cries. "You're a spy! An insurgent!"
-
>"Well it's obvious, isn't it? You're not going to use any old cat for for a magic trick. Trust me, I'm a mouse youkai, no one knows cats better than us."
-
>"Well it's obvious, isn't it? You're not going to use any old cat for for a magic trick. Trust me, I'm a mouse youkai, no one knows cats better than us."
>The green-haired fairy gives you a long hard look. "Maybe."
>"Is that really true?" Meadow asks. "About knowing cats better than anyone, I mean. Would you be able to tell for sure whether this cat really is a Schrodinger Cat?"
>"I told you it was!" the green-haired fairy cries. She actually looks a little hurt.
-
>Glance to the green-haired faerie: "How did you identify it?"
-
>Glance to the green-haired faerie: "How did you identify it?"
>"I heard the witch say it herself," she replies. "She said her cat was named after this old smart person. And Schrodinger's an old smart person, right?" She looks rather smug. "I even went and asked a kappa about it, and they know all about smart people, so there!"
-
> "Actually... That cat's name is Sokrates."
-
>"Here, let me get a look at him."
-
> "Actually... That cat's name is Sokrates."
>"Really?" one of the fairies says.
>"Wait just a minute!" the green-haired fairy cries, putting her hands on her hips. "How could you know that if you hadn't seen him as you claim," she adds pointedly, looking rather satisfied with herself. You get a few uncertain looks from some of the other fairies.
>"Here, let me get a look at him."
>"He's resting over here," Cloudy Meadow says, moving towards the large cardboard box.
>"Hold it!" the green-haired fairy snaps. Cloudy Meadow freezes mid-stride. "Let's see you weasel your way out of this one, spy!"
-
> "What are you talking about? I never said anything 'bout never seeing him. You're the one who claimed that I've never seen him, and we've just met. Now how could you know that I don't know if you don't know what I know about knowing anything about that cat that we both know I don't know?"
> Oh man, that last bit was so butchered that it gives us a headache.
-
> "What are you talking about? I never said anything 'bout never seeing him. You're the one who claimed that I've never seen him, and we've just met. Now how could you know that I don't know if you don't know what I know about knowing anything about that cat that we both know I don't know?"
> Oh man, that last bit was so butchered that it gives us a headache.
>The green-haired fairy glares at you. "Oh yeah? Well that's... that's..." There's an awkward pause. "Yeah!" she cries, declaring victory.
>Yeah, even you're not quite certain what you just said.
>One of the other fairies finishes off her pie, stands up, and walks towards the box. "C'mon," she says, waving you over.
-
>Let's go have a look at this guy.
-
>Let's go have a look at this guy.
>You follow the fairy over to the box. She lifts the top and peeks into it almost like she were hoping that maybe this time, he wouldn't be there. Then she shrugs and sighs.
>Looking into the box yourself, you see a small white cat curled up in the corner, and possibly napping. As best you can tell, it looks just like the picture you were shown earlier.
-
> "Hm, yeah, that definitely is a Sokrates, not a Schrodinger. Sorry."
-
> "Hm, yeah, that definitely is a Sokrates, not a Schrodinger. Sorry."
>"Aww, man..." the fairy says. "And after we went and got all these boxes, too."
>"I told Mint it was the wrong kind of cat..." her neighbor grumbles.
-
> "Yeah, sorry. Those Schrodinger cats are really hard to find. Hey, tell you what: I'll trade you the rest of that pie for this Sokrates cat."
-
>Belay giving up our precious pie just yet..
>Instead: "Oh well. I suppose, since I feel bad for you guys, I could take it back for you."
-
> "Yeah, sorry. Those Schrodinger cats are really hard to find. Hey, tell you what: I'll trade you the rest of that pie for this Sokrates cat."
>Belay giving up our precious pie just yet..
>Instead: "Oh well. I suppose, since I feel bad for you guys, I could take it back for you."
>You tell the fairies how hard it is to find Schrodinger cats, and then offer to take Sokrates back home for them.
>The second fairy shrugs. "May as well. It's not like the trick's gonna work now."
>"I kinda liked having a cat around the hideout," the other says plaintively. "Even if it wasn't a Schrodinger Cat..."
>"Mint's just grumpy because her great idea didn't work.
-
>"Oh, well, there's all kinds of cats out in the alleys and stuff looking for a home. You could get one with stripes. Or two!"
-
>"Oh, well, there's all kinds of cats out in the alleys and stuff looking for a home. You could get one with stripes. Or two!"
>"Ooo, stripes are cute!" one chirps.
>"Two cats? Really?"
>"Do you think you could find one for us? Y'know, being a cat expert and all?"
-
>"Maybe. It'd take me some time. And I'd have to charge you."
-
>"Maybe. It'd take me some time. And I'd have to charge you."
>They frown. "How much?" one of them asks.
-
>"Make me a good offer, I'm flexible."
-
>"Make me a good offer, I'm flexible."
>One of the fairies rummages around in her pocket, then pulls out a few coins. "Um, I only have 6 guilders at the moment. Is that enough?"
>"We'll even toss in this swell umbrella," the other fairy adds.
>Her companion frowns. "Hey, I thought that was mine."
>"It's tie-dyed!"
-
Does the umbrella have a tongue?
>"We'll call if four guilders. I'm a fair mouse."
-
Does the umbrella have a tongue?
>"We'll call if four guilders. I'm a fair mouse."
>"Deal!" one of them says.
>"Uh, does that include the umbrella?" asks the other.
-
>"Sure, why not. I'm between umbrellas at the moment."
>"Come to think of it, there's something I gotta ask before I can even get started with this."
-
>"Sure, why not. I'm between umbrellas at the moment."
>One of the fairies nods. "It's a great umbrella. You'll love it."
>"It is a great umbrella," the other fairy says, with just a hint of a frown.
>"Come to think of it, there's something I gotta ask before I can even get started with this."
>"Sure," the first fairy says. "What is it?"
-
>Jerk our thumb towards the windows on the upper level.
>"Those the only way in or out of this place?"
-
>Jerk our thumb towards the windows on the upper level.
>"Those the only way in or out of this place?"
>You point towards the windows, and ask if they're the only way in and out.
>A fairy nods. "Yup," she says, grinning. "Neat, huh? Mint found this place; only fairies can come and go. That's what makes it such a great secret hideout. " There's a pause. "...wait, how'd you get in here, anyway?"
-
>"The hard way, I can assure you. Mint picked a fine place for your hideout."
-
>"The hard way, I can assure you. Mint picked a fine place for your hideout."
>The fairy nods. "Yup. She's good at stuff like that."
>"...most of the time," the other adds.
-
>Look around for some suitable things to make a way out.
-
>Look around for some suitable things to make a way out.
>You look around the warehouse for something you could use to make your exit. There's certainly no shortage of boxes, although most of the ones in the pile next to Sokrates couldn't bear much weight - shoeboxes, picnic baskets, and such. There are some large shipping crates in the corner among the old warehouse contents. They're certainly sturdy enough, although they're likely beyond your ability to lift, even if you had help. You could possibly shove one over to serve as a base, though. There's some more suitable crates making up the fairies' box fort, but you can't imagine they'd let you have those lightly. Aside from that, you see a few long wooden planks by the crates in the corner; most of the rest of the items around don't seem obviously useful for making an exit. There may be other useful items in the corner pile if you went and sifted through it, and it's possible the fairies have more stuff inside the box fort. You note the broom dryly - too bad you can't duplicate Marisa's trick.
-
>Figures getting out wouldn't be easy, either. Wonder if Marissa ever had days like this.
>"You wouldn't happen to have a ladder or something I can use, would you?"
-
>Figures getting out wouldn't be easy, either. Wonder if Marissa ever had days like this.
>"You wouldn't happen to have a ladder or something I can use, would you?"
>As long as you've known her, Marisa always seemed unflappable. If she's ever had days like this, you've never been around to witness them. That irks you a little, now that you stop to think about it.
>"What would we need with a ladder?" one of the fairies asks you quizzically.
-
>"Well, maybe to help get in things you couldn't just fly inside. Hmm. Could you give me a little help getting out?"
-
>"Well, maybe to help get in things you couldn't just fly inside. Hmm. Could you give me a little help getting out?"
>"Well, you got in on your own, didn't you?" one says.
>"Can't you just climb back up again?" the other asks.
-
>"Not without something to stand on, in any event."
-
>"Not without something to stand on, in any event."
>"Well, what did you want us to do?"
>The dark-haired fairy frowns. "You didn't want to stand on us, did you?"
-
>"Of course not. But...could you help me move one of those big crates to the window?"
-
>"Of course not. But...could you help me move one of those big crates to the window?"
>The brown-haired one leans towards you. "You promise to come back with a kitty?"
-
>"We made a deal, didn't we?"
-
>"We made a deal, didn't we?"
>"Right," she says, nodding firmly. "C'mon, Juniper; we've got a box to push." With that, she marches off towards the crates. The black-haired fairy falls in behind her.
-
>Follow them.
-
>Follow them.
>You follow the fairies over to the pile of crates and other assorted junk in the corner, passing by Cloudy Meadow speaking quietly with green-haired fairy, who you assume now is Mint. The latter is pointedly not looking in your direction. The tiny fairy is still at the table, polishing off the last of her pie; the piece was really too large for someone that size, although contented smile on her face suggests she's not at all put out by that.
>A brief glance over the old warehouse junk suggests that they were bits of scrap metal, some tools, and old mechanical parts; many of them are rusted now. The fairies set to clearing the top of one of the crates, moving the bits and pieces over to another. As they sift through them, your start to become aware of your treasure sense niggling you, very subtly.
-
>Follow that sense!
-
>Follow that sense!
>As best you can tell, it's coming from something in the pile of metal bits the fairies are moving.
-
> Head over and get a closer look.
-
> Head over and get a closer look.
>You're already about as close as you can get without physically shoving past the fairies. It's subtle, and you don't think you can tell specifically what it's coming from unless you picked up some of it yourself and examined it more closely; most of it just looks like rusty junk to you.
-
>Sift through the junk, if we can do so without pushing the faeries aside.
-
>Sift through the junk, if we can do so without pushing the faeries aside.
>You start picking up some of the bits of junk and taking a look at them, ostensibly as you help the fairies clear the top of the crate. You can't really tell what most of the bits are, to be honest, and even whether many of them are actually broken, or simply forgotten here when someone boarded the place up. There's an off chance they might be of value to someone, but you have no idea how to appraise them, and they're not what's setting off your treasure sense in the first place.
>As the three of you get to the bottom of the pile, you feel your sense subtly shift a little. You think it's coming from a small cylindrical item that Juniper just moved aside.
-
> Cock our head, then pick up said cylindrical item and examine it.
-
> Cock our head, then pick up said cylindrical item and examine it.
>You cock your head, then pick up the object and take a closer look at it. It's roughly cylindrical, about three inches long and two in diameter, and partially hollow, with a gridded metal screen shielding the inner parts of it. The screen is so caked with rust and grim that it's hard to see further inside. It looks a little like a coupling of some sort, although you have no idea what for. It doesn't look in very good condition to be honest, but you're certain the something about it is more valuable than it appears.
-
> "Hey, where'd you get this?"
-
> "Hey, where'd you get this?"
>"Oh, all this stuff was here when we found the place," Juniper says.
>The brown-haired fairy nods. "Scattered all over, yup. In corners, or under old junk."
>"Do you know what it is?" Juniper asks.
-
> "Oh, just a watchamacallit. Useless, really." Stick it in our pocket.
> "Okay, now let's just get this crate, and I can get you your cat."
-
> "Oh, just a watchamacallit. Useless, really." Stick it in our pocket.
> "Okay, now let's just get this crate, and I can get you your cat."
>You casually remark on the object's value, then pocket it.
>"Hey!" the brown-haired fairy frowns at you. "That's still ours, y'know!"
>"Finders keepers," Juniper nods sagely.
-
> "Well, didn't I find it, though?"
> If they continue, then sigh. "Okay, I'll trade you the umbrella for it, then."
-
> "Well, didn't I find it, though?"
> If they continue, then sigh. "Okay, I'll trade you the umbrella for it, then."
>"Nuh-uh," Juniper says. "We found it first."
>You sigh and offer to swap the cylinder for the umbrella.
>"Done!" Juniper responds immediately.
>The brown-haired fairy raises an eyebrow. "Why would you wanna give up such a neat umbrella for this junk?"
>"Don't encourage her," Juniper whispers rather loudly to her companion.
-
>"Meh, I have a thing for knick-knacks. You know the useless stuff that could look a bit more fancy if you clean it?"
-
>"Meh, I have a thing for knick-knacks. You know the useless stuff that could look a bit more fancy if you clean it?"
>The brown-haired fairy shrugs. "Your loss."
>Juniper put her hands against the back of the crate and braces her feet on the ground. "Ok, let's get this moving."
-
You peoples. That was a perfectly good umbrella.
>Let's get this thing moving.
-
It aint good if it aint Kogasa.
>"No reason to wait much longer I suppose. Let's do this."
-
>"No reason to wait much longer I suppose. Let's do this."
>Let's get this thing moving.
>You acknowledge the fairy, then position yourself next to her. The brown-haired fairy falls in beside you. On the count of three, you throw your weight into it and the fairies do likewise - Juniper almost comically so. The crate proves to indeed be pretty heavy, although you slowly close the distance with the window. After a foot or two, Cloudy Meadow and the tiny fairy come over and chip in as well, the latter throwing her shoulder into the upper end of the box with an somewhat adorable cry of effort, her wings beating furiously. You can't imagine she's contributing anything. Nonetheless, you soon get the crate below the window. A few of the fairies flop to the ground with a sigh.
>"This this isn't high enough for you to get out, is it?" Cloudy Meadow asks, frowning a little as she looks at the window.
-
>Estimate! Is it high enough for us to jump?
>If not, "No, but there are some smaller crates outside. If you could bring them inside and pile them up on top?"
-
>Estimate! Is it high enough for us to jump?
>If not, "No, but there are some smaller crates outside. If you could bring them inside and pile them up on top?"
>The crate covers a fair chunk of the way, but you think a jump would still come up a couple feet short.
>Cloudy Meadow nods, and flies off out the window. She returns in a moment with several of the crates from outside, stacks them neatly on top of the large crate, then pauses and looks the tower.
>"Will that do?" she asks.
-
>"That should do. Would one of you be kind enough to bring me Sokrates once I get out?"
-
>"That should do. Would one of you be kind enough to bring me Sokrates once I get out?"
>Cloudy Meadow nods. "Of course."
>"So about that other cat," Juniper says. "I want one with white and black patches. And a big fluffy tail!"
>"Hey!" the brown-haired fairy says. "Stripes are way cooler."
>"Nuh-uh!" Juniper counters.
>"Wait, there's another cat?" the tiny fairy asks.
>"Hey," the brown-haired fairy says, turning to you. "You said we could have two, right?"
-
>"I'll see what I can do for you. Color requests and fur styles can get tricky, though, and I'd need to charge more."
-
>"I'll see what I can do for you. Color requests and fur styles can get tricky, though, and I'd need to charge more."
>"Awww..." the brown-haired fairy frowns, then her eyes perk up. "Wait, if we threw the umbrella back in, would that cover it?"
>"Stop offering her the umbrella!" Juniper pouts.
-
>"How about this, we'll discuss the fee once I get back with one of them. It's hard to assess without taking a proper look around first."
>Make a mental note of their preferences.
>"Oh, are you guys going to be here all the time? If not, where else should I go to find you?"
-
>"How about this, we'll discuss the fee once I get back with one of them. It's hard to assess without taking a proper look around first."
>Make a mental note of their preferences.
>"Oh, are you guys going to be here all the time? If not, where else should I go to find you?"
>The brown-haired fairy nods. "Alright."
>You note their preferences.
>"Well..." Juniper frowns. "I'm supposed be at the workshop at 3."
>"Yeah, that goes for both of us," the brown-haired fairy says.
>"I'll be here!" the tiny fairy pipes up. "Uh, I think. Maybe."
>"If you think you'll be back before sunset," Cloudy Meadow says. "I can stay and make sure someone's here to meet you."
-
>"I'll try to pop in and give you an update, at least."
>Ascend! Then drop down from the windowsill like we did before.
-
>"I'll try to pop in and give you an update, at least."
>Ascend! Then drop down from the windowsill like we did before.
>Cloudy Meadow nods.
>You climb up the stack of boxes and make your way out the window, then hoist yourself over the edge and descend. If only the entrance had been half this smooth.
>A few moments later, Cloudy Meadow flies out the window and lands next to you, a drowsy-looking Sokrates cradled in her arms.
>"You're a Seeker, aren't you?" she says quietly. "I don't think the others noticed, but... you were looking for him, weren't you?"
-
>Frown.
>"Um, yeah, actually."
-
>Frown.
>"Um, yeah, actually."
>She smiles a little sadly. "Please tell the witch that I'm sorry we made her worry."
>She holds Sokrates out towards you. He looks at you impassively.
-
>Accept the cat. Try not to shudder or make a scene.
>"I'll do that. And I hoped you enjoyed the pie!"
-
>Accept the cat. Try not to shudder or make a scene.
>"I'll do that. And I hoped you enjoyed the pie!"
>You accept that cat, and try not to let whatever distaste you feel show. Sokrates continues to regard you with a look of vague disinterest. For a cat he's, well... well, at least he isn't squirming.
>"I did," she nods. "And thank you."
-
>"You're welcome. I'll try to be back with a good replacement in a bit. Worse comes to worst, I'll toss a rock with a note on it through the window you guys can find tomorrow."
>Depart toward Ellen's house! Try to keep Sokrates at least mildly comfortable.
-
>"You're welcome. I'll try to be back with a good replacement in a bit. Worse comes to worst, I'll toss a rock with a note on it through the window you guys can find tomorrow."
>Depart toward Ellen's house! Try to keep Sokrates at least mildly comfortable.
>"Thank you," she says. "And have a nice day."
>You leave and head back towards Ellen's house, taking a more direct route than the one which led you here, moving south past the warehouses, and angling slightly eastward through a somewhat lower-end commercial district. With a touch of irritation, you note the occasional curious or even charmed look from passersby at the sight of a mouse youkai carrying a cat in her arms. Oh well, you'll live.
>As you walk past a lane of market stalls, you start to hear shouting coming from a street or two over. It gets just heated enough for you to wonder what's going on when you hear a crash from the same direction. You notice more than a few heads turning.
-
>Look as well. Who are we to turn down free rubbernecking?
-
>Look as well. Who are we to turn down free rubbernecking?
>You look in the direction of the noise. Sadly, you can't see anything of note, but a side street intersects the road you're walking on at about that point; you're relatively certain the noise came from down there. You hear a few more raised voices in that direction.
-
> Walk over to the side street and carefully look around the corner.
-
> Walk over to the side street and carefully look around the corner.
>You walk towards the side street, slipping past a few other curious people, and take a careful look around the corner. It's a fairly narrow road with a few poorly marked semi-industrial buildings and a shop or two. You see a small crowd of onlookers watching... something further down the street, ,while a few others seem to be walking briskly in the opposite direction. They're rather blocking your line of sight at the moment, although whatever it is seems to be near a restaurant of some sort, judging by the signage.
>You hear another heavy impact, followed by a sharp and authoritative cry. "Hey, hey, hey!" ...you recognize that voice.
-
>
Is it Fat Albert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDT7GP9l1-I&feature=related)?
> Poke through the onlookers to get our gawk on.
-
> Is it Fat Albert (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDT7GP9l1-I&feature=related)?
> Poke through the onlookers to get our gawk on.
>Not unless something really strange happened last night. Those last hours ]are still awfully fuzzy, though...
>You work your way past enough people to get a look at what's going on. It doesn't take long to pick out what it is, once there's no one in the way. The street widens as it nears the restaurant, and there's a small area with tables and chairs, giving the place something of a cafe vibe. At least on a good day, you imagine. At the moment, one of the tables is upturned and in several more pieces than it's supposed to, chairs are strewn about, and anyone who might have been in them has beaten a hasty retreat. You can't say you'd blame them. An oni stands near the wreckage, holding a short-haired man against the opposite wall by his neck. A somewhat taller oni with dark hair looms a few feet away, apparently watching. Facing the two of them, baton in hand and doing her very best to look intimidating, is Orange.
"Put him down... now," she says. For some reason, the oni don't seem particularly intimated.
-
>"Hey! What're you choking that guy for!"
-
>"Hey! What're you choking that guy for!"
>You call out the oni. Almost immediately, you see some of the people near you draw away.
>"None 'a your business," she barks back, without looking at you. You can see the man trying to pry her hands off him, but they're simply not budging.
>The other oni looks back over her shoulder. "Stay out of this," she says coolly.
>"Naz?" Orange says, letting her stance slacken a little. "What're you doing here?"
-
>"Has he come some kind of weird neck condition? Are you two doctors or something? Because that doesn't look like any kind of treatment I've ever seen. What's the problem, huh?"
-
>"Has he come some kind of weird neck condition? Are you two doctors or something? Because that doesn't look like any kind of treatment I've ever seen. What's the problem, huh?"
>"Betcha' think you're funny," she snaps back. "Why don't you try saying that where I can reach ya?"
>"Just walk away," the other oni says.
-
>"Why don't you try saying something when you don't have your hands around the neck of someone who's way weaker than you? What'd he do, to have you making a scene in the middle of the daylight like this?"
>What do we know about non-Orange law enforcement, and keeping oni and the like in line?
-
>"Why don't you try saying something when you don't have your hands around the neck of someone who's way weaker than you? What'd he do, to have you making a scene in the middle of the daylight like this?"
>The shorter oni laughs. "See? Even she says so. Think you're so hot now?" She slugs him in the side, and the man grimaces, his gasp stifled by the hand around his neck.
>"Hey!" Orange cries. "I meant it the first time! Let him go, or I will be forced to intervene."
>The oni cackles. "Just try it, I dare ya."
>The other oni lets out a frustrated sigh.
>What do we know about non-Orange law enforcement, and keeping oni and the like in line?
>There is a small city watch, predominantly human, who police most the city and deal with the usual problems: bylaw violations, petty theft, the occasional act of violence. For the most part, Braston is not an unusually rough place. Although the oni have a reputation for getting into fist fights and otherwise causing disturbances, in practice they do so almost exclusively among themselves. There's something of an informal leadership among them, and you think they keep a fairly tight rein on oni causing problems outside their own quarter. While the city still ultimately has jurisdiction over them, in practice the oni police themselves. The public generally accepts that the north end of town has more than its fair share of brawling, and are content that it stays there. An incident like this is quite unusual, and your first instinct is to think that the man pinned against the wall did something very unwise.
-
>"Yeah, you're sure going to look like a big girl around all the other oni, beating up on a human.'Oh look at her,' they'll says. 'maybe she'll wrestle a moderate-sized dog into submission next. Why, maybe she'll even aim high and try her luck against a healthy colt!'"
-
>"Yeah, you're sure going to look like a big girl around all the other oni, beating up on a human.'Oh look at her,' they'll says. 'maybe she'll wrestle a moderate-sized dog into submission next. Why, maybe she'll even aim high and try her luck against a healthy colt!'"
>"You're just askin' for me to pound your face into a wall, ain't ya?" She gives the man a sharp knee in in the gut, then hurls him back towards the restaurant, bowling over a chair and knocking down another table. He groans feebly. Orange rushes over to him. Then the oni starts moving towards you.
>"Gonna run, mousy?" She is wearing a distinctly unpleasant cross between a scowl and a grin on her face.
-
>"Oh look, now you're going to pick on a mouse with her hands full of half-asleep cat for pointing out the facts. Is that really going to do much for your reputation? Nice job beating on a guy who wasn't even swing at you, by the way."
>Be ready to leap back and to the side.
-
>"Oh look, now you're going to pick on a mouse with her hands full of half-asleep cat for pointing out the facts. Is that really going to do much for your reputation? Nice job beating on a guy who wasn't even swing at you, by the way."
>Be ready to leap back and to the side.
>"He would if he could; that's the point, see?" She keeps closing. "And if you don't wanna swing back either, well... they're your bruises."
>She takes a sharp swing at you, and you quickly leap back and to the side. Almost immediately the oni shifts her weight and follows through for another swing.
>"Yuzu..." the other oni breathes.
>"Don't gimme that!" she retorts.
-
>Back away.
>"Nice job humiliating your friend! I can just hear all the rumors you're causing right now, making all the oni look bad! Why don't you think about that!"
>Is she swinging high or low?
-
>Back away.
>"Nice job humiliating your friend! I can just hear all the rumors you're causing right now, making all the oni look bad! Why don't you think about that!"
>Is she swinging high or low?
>You back away, evading another blow. Holding Sokrates as you are is impinging your mobility somewhat, though. And you think he's starting to get a bit fidgety...
>"They can fend for themselves," she says. "The one you gotta worry about right now is me." She cracks her knuckles.
>First swing was high; the second was a little lower, as she shifted towards you.
-
>Leap back. And hope to whatever god chooses to listen that Orange is making good use of this distraction.
>"You really are desperate, aren't you? I didn't even challenge you to anything, I just pointed out what an embarrassment you're being to oni everywhere! Are you that afraid of the truth you can't answer it with words or deeds like a someone with an ounce of self respect? You just start swinging like an idiot!"
-
>Leap back. And hope to whatever god chooses to listen that Orange is making good use of this distraction.
>"You really are desperate, aren't you? I didn't even challenge you to anything, I just pointed out what an embarrassment you're being to oni everywhere! Are you that afraid of the truth you can't answer it with words or deeds like a someone with an ounce of self respect? You just start swinging like an idiot!"
>You leap back to open some distance and Yuzu rushes you. Beyond her, you see Orange stand up from examining the fallen man, the run towards some nearby bystanders, vigorously gesturing something or other to them.
>"I don't have to take shit from you," she yells, taking another swing followed immediately by a sharp left jab. That last one was close... "If you can't fight back, you ain't worth respect. That's how it's supposed to be." You narrowly leap away from another blow. You can hear the crowd moving away, behind you. Sokrates meows discontentedly and squirms in your arms. You think he's trying to get free.
-
>Keep moving back. And, if we can, try to pet Sokrates a bit and hopefully calm him down. Or at least grip him better.
>"Keep swinging! Do it again! Do it again! Maybe if you give up all your dignity, it'll all magically come back! Hit someone telling the facts to your face, that'll sure won't make the reputation for sincerity look fake! What do you even do, anyways? Beat up children and resell their candy?"
>Is she at least getting sloppier?
-
>Keep moving back. And, if we can, try to pet Sokrates a bit and hopefully calm him down. Or at least grip him better.
>"Keep swinging! Do it again! Do it again! Maybe if you give up all your dignity, it'll all magically come back! Hit someone telling the facts to your face, that'll sure won't make the reputation for sincerity look fake! What do you even do, anyways? Beat up children and resell their candy?"
>Is she at least getting sloppier?
>You keep moving backwards, gripping Sokrates more firmly. He protests vocally, and keeps trying to shift awkwardly in your arms.
>Yuzu doesn't bother to respond with words, instead simply charging you. You can't match her speed while moving backwards, and certainly not with a squirming bundle of cat in your arms.
>She certainly seem to be getting more pissed at you; most any traces of that smile are gone from her face now. Unfortunately, you think that may only be making her faster.
-
Well. I see two options here. The first is that we step dodging and dare her to hit someone who's not going to fight back and see if it changes anything at all. The other is we take advantage of that charge and try to headbutt her right in the nose. Which, given velocity, should splatter the thing nicely. Whachu think, Sect? Kasu?
-
Not so keen on the headbutt idea, but trying to trip her up by charging into her legs is all right by me. The other option is get out of dodge.
-
I'm not liking the trip idea, just because it's got a way higher chance of us being kicked in leg and possibly have it broken. Skulls, on the other hand, and made to take abuse. As well, one recovers from a trip pretty easily. A splattered nose takes some time. Also, it's a whole lot more shocking.
-
And a more lasting personal embarrassment for her among the oni.
That said I was never certain about provoking her in the first place but :V
-
Fair enough. Have fun headbutting the angry oni.
-
Mus: No other way to get her off the guy, really. If you're angry enough to heft someone by the neck, you're not going to be reasonable about anything.
-
Hmm... I'd prefer a craftier approach, but I can't really think of one.
-
Yeah. Time and hands full of cat didn't really allow for anything crafty. AS SUCH!
>Let her charge right into a headbutt. Get up on our tiptoes if we have to, draw out head back, and snap it forward so the upper bits snap right into her nose.
-
>Let her charge right into a headbutt. Get up on our tiptoes if we have to, draw out head back, and snap it forward so the upper bits snap right into her nose.
>You hold your ground against the charging oni, draw your head back and get ready to deliver the hardest headbutt you can muster as soon as she's in range. She's taller than you, but not by so much that you can't reach. Yuzu closes the gap quickly, reaching out an arm. You strike! You catch a flicker of surprise in Yuzu's eyes before your collide solidly with her nose. She makes an incoherent grunt. The impact resonates through your own head, leaving you feeling a little dazed. Are oni skulls made of rock or something? Before you have time for any more thoughts, you feel a hand clamp down vice-like around your upper arm. Yuzu glares at you, a thin trickle of blood running from her nose. Her breathing seethes with something almost animalistic. Sokrates meows plaintively.
-
>Eye poke attack! Hold Sokrates in one arm while doing so.
Should we run, or try to fight?
-
>Eye poke attack! Hold Sokrates in one arm while doing so.
>You extricate your other arm from Sokrates, and move to jab Yuzu in the eyes. Unfortunately, the cumbersomeness of shifting Sokrates rather telegraphs the maneuver, and Yuzu thrusts her own arm out and grabs yours firmly by the wrist before you reach her face. And twists. You wince.
>Yuzu grins darkly. "At least you've got more fight than he did."
>Over Yuzu's shoulder, you see Orange running towards you. Yuzu draws her own head back...
-
> Kick at her in between her legs!
-
>How useful is our tail, anyways?
-
> Kick at her in between her legs!
>You launch a kick between Yuzu's legs, and are rewarded with a sharp grunt of pain as you feel your foot meet flesh. However, this does little to stop her head from snapping forward into yours with a stupefying crack. Your vision swims, and for a moment you lose track of where you are. Your awareness is subsumed by the explosion of pain in your skull. Dimly, you feel motion along your left arm, and hear... yelling? Then you hear another sharp crack, though oddly no more pain accompanies it.
>How useful is our tail, anyways?
>It is prehensile, with a wide range of motion. While neither its grip strength nor its subtle dexterity are as good as your hands, you're fully capable of manipulating objects with it or holding onto things.
-
>Kick her again! Maybe it'll do something about the pain. Or at least give us a way to distract from it.
-
>Kick her again! Maybe it'll do something about the pain. Or at least give us a way to distract from it.
>You lash out and kick her again! You don't think you mustered as much force this time, but it was still a satisfying impact. You feel Yuzu's grip on you tighten, then she turns and and hurls you behind her. You collide with something soft.
>"Ack-" you hear Orange cry, as the two of you tumble into a heap on the ground.
-
>Lie there for a moment and try to clear the cobwebs from our head, thankful we hit something relatively soft.
-
> Do we still have Sokrates?
> Roll off of Orange and try to stand up.
So, yeah. For our trouble it seems like we got a concussion and a broken arm. ... Kind of worth it, to be honest.
-
That'll just be more hazard pay from Ellen.
>What's Yuzu doing?
-
>Lie there for a moment and try to clear the cobwebs from our head, thankful we hit something relatively soft.
>You lie still for a moment, and try to center your focus a little. You still feel pretty dizzy... Orange shifts discontentedly beneath you.
> Do we still have Sokrates?
> Roll off of Orange and try to stand up.
>Wait, the cat! He's definitely not in your arms, anymore. With a start, you glance around for him and spot scampering some distance down the street.
>You roll off of Orange and bring yourself a little unsteadily to your feet. Orange pulls herself off the ground a little more quickly and resumes a fighting stance.
>"You ok, Naz?" she says, keeping her eyes locked on Yuzu.
>What's Yuzu doing?
>Yuzu is standing a few feet away from you in a low stance, glaring primarily at Orange now. You note her breathing seems a little pained. She reaches up and wipes some blood away from her face with the back of her hand.
-
>Test arm. How is it doing?
-
>"I.... I think I miss the hangover."
>Stifle a curse at the thought of having to track Sokrates down again, after all this.
>"What are you doin' here, anyway? What the heck started all this?"
-
>Test arm. How is it doing?
>You try moving your arm a little. It's sore, but doesn't seem to be otherwise damaged.
>"I.... I think I miss the hangover."
>Stifle a curse at the thought of having to track Sokrates down again, after all this.
>"What are you doin' here, anyway? What the heck started all this?"
>"Good," Orange says. "Uh, I mean it's good that you're ok. Er, mostly."
>You stifle a curse. That would be just a wonderful way to cap off this expedition, wouldn't it?
>"Your guess is as good as mine," she says. "Someone said there was a fight breaking out at the Iron Rooster. I only got here a few moments before you did."
-
>"'Scues me, gotta catch a cat."
>After that cat!
-
Now hold on a minute here. I may not have been around when yall picked this fight, but running out in the middle of it doesn't seem right to me. Plus, I'm not about to leave Orange alone with a pissed oni and her buddy. I saw we stay and finish what we started.
-
Quite so. We didn't come here just to leave Orange high and dry.
>Belay that last bit.
>What's the terrain here like, particularly in ways of escape, obstacles, and improvised things to smash over an oni's soft bits.
-
>"'Scues me, gotta catch a cat."
>After that cat!
>Belay that last bit.
>What's the terrain here like, particularly in ways of escape, obstacles, and improvised things to smash over an oni's soft bits.
>As vexing as it is to see Sokrates running off, you decide you've got other priorities at the moment.
>The group of you are along a fairly narrow road, framed by row buildings on either side. The intersection with the larger market street you were on when you heard the commotion is ahead of you; Yuzu is between you and it. The moderately irregular contour of the buildings makes the road somewhat angular, but not so much so that you can't see the main street from here. The restaurant is a little ways behind you, with its chairs, tables, and broken pieces thereof, and the road continues a short distance past it, before curving up and out of sight; you think it heads back in the direction of the warehouse district. Many of the other buildings along the road are nondescript, although you note a small pawnshop and a paint and plaster merchant, with a brightly striped awning over the entrance. A couple of the unmarked doors along the right wall look to be rear entrances to buildings that front on a neighboring street. You spy a narrow alleyway next to one of them, about halfway between you and the restaurant. You can't tell if it's a dead-end from here.
>The road itself is fairly clear of obstacles, aside from the onlookers clustered a safe distance in either direction of you and Yuzu, although you rather suspect they'd move themselves out of the way, if you need to duck past them quickly. There's a wrought iron trash can against the other side of the street from Yuzu's position and a small easel-style signboard by the pawnshop.
-
Now hold on a minute here. I may not have been around when yall picked this fight, but running out in the middle of it doesn't seem right to me. Plus, I'm not about to leave Orange alone with a pissed oni and her buddy. I saw we stay and finish what we started.
I wasn't around when people picked the fight either, and I'd have avoided it (or found some clever way to go about it; Nazrin vs. an oni in direct combat isn't likely to end well).
-
>Where is the pawn shop in relation to us?
-
>Where is the pawn shop in relation to us?
>On the left side of the street (which you are nearest to), and just a little behind you.
-
I wasn't around when people picked the fight either, and I'd have avoided it (or found some clever way to go about it; Nazrin vs. an oni in direct combat isn't likely to end well).
I agree. Going blow against blow with any oni is hardly a good idea. Gotta think like a cruiserweight here.
>Where is the trash can in relation to our location?
-
>Where is the trash can in relation to our location?
>On the opposite side of the street, and a few feet forward, nearly parallel with Yuzu; perhaps 15 to 20 feet away.
-
>And for finallys, what is Yuzu doing?
-
>And for finallys, what is Yuzu doing?
>She is in a low combat stance. Having finished wiping aside the blood, she seems to be either deciding her next move, or waiting to receive your own. She subtly shifts her stance forward, closing another few inches. There's very little distance between you, and she's poised such that she could be on top of either one of you as soon as you try anything.
-
>Move back quickly
>When she tries to strike, put the pawn shop's sign between us and use that to mess up her action.
-
>Move back quickly
>When she tries to strike, put the pawn shop's sign between us and use that to mess up her action.
>You quickly dash backwards, moving to put the pawn shop's sign between you and Yuzu. You see Orange glance in your direction as you retreat, and then Yuzu rushes her, sweeping out with a wide overhead, almost as if to swat her. Orange catches sight of the attack almost at the last moment, hastily raising her baton to block Yuzu's arm crosswise. Orange seems almost as surprised as Yuzu at the successful parry, but wastes no time using the point of contact to follow up, shifting the baton and herself under Yuzu's arm and thrusting it into her abdomen. Yuzu grimaces.
-
>Is the sign small enough we can pick it up and swing it around?
-
>Is the sign small enough we can pick it up and swing it around?
>It's a little large to swing with much finesse, but you can certainly pick it up and hit someone with it.
-
>Pick it up while she's hassling Orange, take it in both hands, and try to smack her in the head with whatever we declare to be the business end of it. Try not to do so in a manner that would endanger Orange, if possible try to move so we're not in Orange's way at all and Yuzu has to watch the both of us.
-
>Pick it up while she's hassling Orange, take it in both hands, and try to smack her in the head with whatever we declare to be the business end of it. Try not to do so in a manner that would endanger Orange, if possible try to move so we're not in Orange's way at all and Yuzu has to watch the both of us.
>You pick up the sign and get a firm grip on it with both hands, then dash towards Yuzu.
>Orange shifts the rear of her baton up and smacks Yuzu in the face, then pivots to strike at the side of her head with the other end. Yuzu clamps a hand firmly around the baton before it makes contact and pulls on it sharply. Orange manages to keep her grip on her weapon, but the pull makes her tumble face-first to the ground with an awkward yelp. Yuzu turns and kicks her sharply in the ribs, a look of grim satisfaction on her face as Orange cries out.
>Seizing the moment, you swing the signboard against the side of Yuzu's head while she's facing away from you. It connects with a splintering crack and the oni staggers. She rounds on you, lashing out with a backhand, but the swing is clumsy and you easily duck away from it.
>"Are either of you people gonna try that when I'm lookin' at you for once?" she breathes, looking rather less composed than when this started.
-
>"Want me to take another swing at that nose of yours, suits me just fine. If I was in your boots, though, I'd start to wonder if all this was worth it."
>Spare a glance at Orange. "You okay?"
>Keep our ears tuned for the sound of a charging oni and be ready to dodge-roll away.
-
>"Want me to take another swing at that nose of yours, suits me just fine. If I was in your boots, though, I'd start to wonder if all this was worth it."
>Spare a glance at Orange. "You okay?"
>Keep our ears tuned for the sound of a charging oni and be ready to dodge-roll away.
>Yuzu sneers. "Heh, think I care about this?" She wipes aside another thin trickle of blood from her nose. "I've had worse on a good night out. 'sides," she grins darkly, "I'm startin' to enjoy myself."
>"Yeah..." she groans, holding a hand against her side as she pushes herself off the ground. Yuzu rounds on her, launching another boot to the ribs. Orange shifts away from the blow, but not quickly enough to avoid it entirely and gets knocked over onto her back.
-
>Take a swing at the back of her leg, try to take her in the knee.
-
>Take a swing at the back of her leg, try to take her in the knee.
>You take a swing at the back of Yuzu's legs while she's partially turned from you, however she seems to see the blow coming and turns to swat you as you strike. The sign misses its target, but still impacts solidly against the side of her leg. Yuzu staggers a little but follows through with her blow, nailing you in the side of your jaw. She immediately thrusts her other fist at your face, but Orange rolls to the side and sweeps out with her baton, catching Yuzu in the back of both knees. She topples forward towards you.
-
>Roll to the side with the impact to our jaw, then kick out at her knee again. She won't be half as bad if we can cut her legs out from under her.
-
>Roll to the side with the impact to our jaw, then kick out at her knee again. She won't be half as bad if we can cut her legs out from under her.
>You roll to the side of the stumbling oni, or at least as much of a roll as you can manage while holding onto a large sign, and swing a kick at the back of her knee. You feel the joint buckle under your foot and Yuzu topples onto the ground, cursing as she falls.
-
>Kip up to a standing position and hold our sign up like we're about to bring it down across Yuzu's head again.
>"Still having fun, or you wanna call it a day? Doubt it'd look good, you getting stretchered outta here, would it?"
-
>Kip up to a standing position and hold our sign up like we're about to bring it down across Yuzu's head again.
>"Still having fun, or you wanna call it a day? Doubt it'd look good, you getting stretchered outta here, would you?"
>You spring to your feet, and ready the sign to strike at Yuzu's head. Orange pulls herself to her feet as well.
>"What don't you just try it?" Yuzu barks, raising her front off the ground and taking a clumsy swipe at you, which you sidestep without difficulty. Orange jabs her baton between Yuzu's shoulder blades and shoves her down again.
>"You're under arrest," she says, "for assault, assault of a... city watchman-" Orange's words are labored as she struggles to keep the oni pinned. "...destruction of-" Yuzu pushes herself another few inches off the ground, then reaches a hand behind her and grips onto the baton, forcing it off her back as she tries to rise.
-
>Sign to the back of Yuzu's head, not like she's in a position to dodge.
-
>Sign to the back of Yuzu's head, not like she's in a position to dodge.
>You bring the sign down hard against the back of Yuzu's head, drawing another curse from her as she loses her grip on the baton and slumps back to the ground. Orange jabs her again for good measure.
>"Just stay still," Orange says, "You're only making it worse. Either way, you're leaving here in custody. I mean it." Yuzu growls.
>You hear footsteps approaching you from the rear.
-
>Look back, in case that other oni wants in on this action.
-
>Look back, in case that other oni wants in on this action.
>You look back. It is indeed the other oni approaching, but although she is somewhat dour-faced, she doesn't seem to acting aggressively, merely walking wordlessly towards the group of you.
-
>Back off for now, but be ready to whack either of them, just in case.
>"Sorry about all this. I was kinda hoping she'd realize what a pain she was being and back down for your sake."
-
>Back off for now, but be ready to whack either of them, just in case.
>"Sorry about all this. I was kinda hoping she'd realize what a pain she was being and back down for your sake."
>You take a step back, but keep the sign at the ready for any sign of trouble.
>Yuzu snarls at you. The other oni gives you a long cold stare. "I said you should have stayed out of this," she says at length.
-
>Don't say anything, but meet that stare. Try not to be challenging, but don't flinch from it. She can explain if she likes.
-
>Don't say anything, but meet that stare. Try not to be challenging, but don't flinch from it. She can explain if she likes.
>You meet the oni's stare, maintaining a firm but composed gaze and wait to see if she elaborates. In the corner of your eye, you see Orange looking uncertainly between the two of you.
>After a pronounced silence, the oni turns towards Orange. "Let her go," she says. "And we'll leave."
>Yuzu tries to throw Orange off her again. "Hey, what the hell do you think-"
>"Yuzu!" the other oni hisses sharply. "Let it go. Yuugi's going to have your hide over this as it is, and I'm not jumping in after you."
-
>Is that name familiar?
-
>Is that name familiar?
>Assuming she means Yuugi Hoshiguma, yes. She's the head of the Miner's Guild, and manages some smithing interests on the north side of town. The Seeker's Guild has had dealings with her on occasion. You also have the impression she's the de facto leader of the oni in Braston, as much as they have any. You don't think they have any formal power structures, but she wields a great deal of influence; you wouldn't be at all surprised if she's a large part of the reason these sorts of altercations don't happen often. Outside the oni quarter, she's got a reputation as a pretty blunt but fair sort, and generally pretty easy to deal with. You'd know her to see her, but you haven't really had any interactions.
-
>Try to keep or tone more inquisitive than challenging. "Why should we let her go? She's gone around attacking city watch and bystanders. If I did that, I'd be in a cell before you you could blink. What makes it any different for her?"
-
>Try to keep or tone more inquisitive than challenging. "Why should we let her go? She's gone around attacking city watch and bystanders. If I did that, I'd be in a cell before you you could blink. What makes it any different for her?"
>"The oni can handle their own," she replies simply.
>"She's right, though," Orange says. "We still have jurisdiction; you know that. If you want to file a complaint, that's your right, but I'm taking her into custody."
>"Like hell you are!" Yuzu cries, lashing behind her at the baton. This time she manages to knock it aside, quickly pushing herself off the ground.
>"If you hit her again," the other oni says. "You're on your own." Yuzu glares at her.
-
>"I might agree with that if she were just causing problems for other oni. But she's made it into a city-wide problem at this point, and it's better to let the city handle it."
>Be ready to whack Yuzu with the sign again. "It's like I said, you're only getting yourself deeper in. Just give it up."
-
>"I might agree with that if she were just causing problems for other oni. But she's made it into a city-wide problem at this point, and it's better to let the city handle it."
>"It would have stayed between two people if you hadn't gotten involved," she replies. "Don't think you didn't bring your own bruises on yourself."
>"Hey!" Orange cries. "She was assisting a member of the watch. And if she hadn't hit her first, I would have."
>Be ready to whack Yuzu with the sign again. "It's like I said, you're only getting yourself deeper in. Just give it up."
>Yuzu just rumbles at you, but she doesn't make any more moves to attack.
-
>"And she attacked an person who hadn't done anything but speak some harsh truths. I was even holding a cat at the time, if you recall, so it's not like I could come in swinging. Don't even act like I was starting some fights, I was just pointing that she was making an ass of herself and everyone. She just couldn't handle that and thought maybe punching me would change the facts. The facts, we see, have remained the same. Now maybe if she said some mean things about my heritage, I might have brought it on myself."
-
>"And she attacked an person who hadn't done anything but speak some harsh truths. I was even holding a cat at the time, if you recall, so it's not like I could come in swinging. Don't even act like I was starting some fights, I was just pointing that she was making an ass of herself and everyone. She just couldn't handle that and thought maybe punching me would change the facts. The facts, we see, have remained the same. Now maybe if she said some mean things about my heritage, I might have brought it on myself."
>"You just don't get it, do you?" the oni says.
>"What did you expect?" Yuzu says to her. "You know how it is."
-
>"No, apparently I don't. Why don't you explain it to me?"
>Keep 'em talking, there's no way other watch wouldn't be alerted by lots of people fleeing in panic.
-
>"No, apparently I don't. Why don't you explain it to me?"
>Keep 'em talking, there's no way other watch wouldn't be alerted by lots of people fleeing in panic.
>"Why bother?" Yuzu says. "Just be wasting our breath."
>Her companion gives you a penetrating stare, then turns. "Let's go," she says simply, and starts to walk away.
>Yuzu sneers at you. "If you want to finish this, I'm sure you can find me, Seeker," The last word practically drips with mockery. Then she turns to follow the other oni.
>"Hey, hold it!" Orange cries. "I didn't say you could leave!"
-
>Does Yuzu look like she's stopping?
>If not, say, "Not surprising you're the sort to run away after a loss, rather than owning up."
-
>Does Yuzu look like she's stopping?
>If not, say, "Not surprising you're the sort to run away after a loss, rather than owning up."
>No.
>The oni stop, and Yuzu rounds on you, seething. "You want me to break you in half right now then?" The other oni lets out a long deep breath.
-
>"So you have even more charges to deal with, or so you can see that no matter how much you punch facts they don't change. Just stay here and face the music, Yuzu. It'll be easier for everyone, yourself included. Do you really need escaping arrest added to your list?"
-
>"So you have even more charges to deal with, or so you can see that no matter how much you punch facts they don't change. Just stay here and face the music, Yuzu. It'll be easier for everyone, yourself included. Do you really need escaping arrest added to your list?"
>"She may be off-limits," Yuzu says, pointing at Orange. "But you ain't. And if you keep that up much longer, not even Yuugi will say a word if I punch your lights out."
>Orange takes a step towards her. "If I'm off-limits then she is too, because if you lay into her, I'm swinging back."
-
>"Listen. You've made a problem for people in town. You came after me because I was saying things you didn't like, and kept doing it when I still didn't fight back. You busted up that guy's place. You damn near choked a man to death. All running off is going to do is force the watch to come after you. And that's going to make it Yuugi's problem, I'm willing to gamble, because she's not going to want the watch in her face if she tries to defend you. The best thing you can do is go with Orange, sit in a cell for a bit, and get hit with some fines and an obligation to clean up this mess. I won't even press charges on you for coming after me. Just think about it logically, Yuzu. Run off, and you make everyone's position worse, including your own."
-
>"Listen. You've made a problem for people in town. You came after me because I was saying things you didn't like, and kept doing it when I still didn't fight back. You busted up that guy's place. You damn near choked a man to death. All running off is going to do is force the watch to come after you. And that's going to make it Yuugi's problem, I'm willing to gamble, because she's not going to want the watch in her face if she tries to defend you. The best thing you can do is go with Orange, sit in a cell for a bit, and get hit with some fines and an obligation to clean up this mess. I won't even press charges on you for coming after me. Just think about it logically, Yuzu. Run off, and you make everyone's position worse, including your own."
>"If Yuugi wants a piece of me, I'll deal with that then. The rest of you? I don't care." Yuzu turns and starts to walk away again.
>"Hey, I said hold it!" Orange cries.
>The other oni grabs Yuzu by the arm and says something to her under her breath. Yuzu scowls and pulls her arm out of her grip, but stops moving.
-
>Let them work their business out.
-
>Let them work their business out.
>The taller oni says nothing further, but Yuzu continues to silently brood. Whatever her companion said clearly doesn't make her happy at all.
>As you wait, you hear several people making their way through the crowd in the back. Looking over, you see a small squad of city watch running towards you. They fan out next to Orange, weapons at the ready.
>"The situation's under control," Orange calls back to them while keeping her eyes on Yuzu. "Uh, I think."
>The taller oni withdraws a few steps, and you think you hear Yuzu curse at her under her breath.
-
>To Orange: "So, do I want to know how my nose looks right now?"
-
>To Orange: "So, do I want to know how my nose looks right now?"
>Orange glances at you. "About the same as always. A lot better than hers, anyway." Yuzu snarls.
>Due to the the height difference, Yuzu's headbutt mostly impacted your forehead and missed your nose entirely. Which you're fairly certain is an extremely fortunate thing given the force she hit with; you're not sure there'd be much left of your nose at all. You've still got a terrible headache as it is.
>"So which of them is it?" one of the watchmen asks.
>"The brown-haired one," Orange replies. "The other's a... bystander."
>One of the other watchmen jerks a thumb at you. "And her?"
>"She's a friend."
>The watchman nods, and the group of them slowly move to encircle Yuzu; you notice one of them is carrying a set of heavily reinforced manacles. Yuzu shudders with barely suppressed rage and contempt, but doesn't attempt to fight them off as they close in and shackle her hands behind her back.
-
>"She gave up in the end, so don't give her too much grief."
>Replace the sign where it was. And hope it's not too busted up. Check arm.
>"How're you doing, Orange? Wanna help me find a cat?"
-
>"She gave up in the end, so don't give her too much grief."
>Replace the sign where it was. And hope it's not too busted up. Check arm.
>"How're you doing, Orange? Wanna help me find a cat?"
>"Yeah, what she said," Orange repeats. Yuzu gives you a strange look as the watch leads her past you - something between smoldering anger and confusion.
>You put the sign back in front of the pawn shop. With a frown, you realize that parts of its surface are obviously splintered, with visible cracks running along them. Yeah, there's no way anyone's missing that if they look at it. Your arm is a little bruised and will probably be sore for a while, but doesn't seem to have any serious damage.
>"A cat?" Orange says, cradling her ribs. "Oh, you were holding one in your arms when you got here, weren't you?" She looks around, frowning. "Where'd it go? And, uh, is there a story to that? You didn't suddenly become a cat person while I wasn't looking, did you?"
-
>"Some faeries ran off with this absent-minded witch's cat. I was talking it home when I head the ruckus."
>Did we see which way Sokrates ran off to?
-
>"Some faeries ran off with this absent-minded witch's cat. I was talking it home when I head the ruckus."
>Did we see which way Sokrates ran off to?
>"Oh, ok." She grins wryly. "First good deed of your new career?"
>You saw him running down in the direction of the restaurant. You didn't really have a chance to keep an eye on him after that.
-
> Scowl. "Something like that. Anyways, gotta go chase that cat. See ya later!"
> Trot towards the restaurant, waving at Orange over our shoulder.
-
> Scowl. "Something like that. Anyways, gotta go chase that cat. See ya later!"
> Trot towards the restaurant, waving at Orange over our shoulder.
>You say a quick goodbye to Orange and dash off towards the restaurant, waving to her over your shoulder as you go.
>"Hey, hold up Naz," Orange calls out, catching up you. "You only lost hold of him because you were trying to help out. Let me help you find him again."
-
> "Eh, you sure? Don't you have to, dunno, book that oni or something?"
-
> "Eh, you sure? Don't you have to, dunno, book that oni or something?"
>"I'm actually supposed to be on lunch break, believe it or not," she says. "I was just in the neighborhood when someone ran and found me. Don't worry," she waves dismissively. "The paperwork can keep for another hour or two. Although I wonder what started all this," she frowns.
-
>"I was hoping you could tell me, honestly. Was just passing by myself. How's your ribs, by the way? She gave ya a couple of good shots, didn't she."
-
>"I was hoping you could tell me, honestly. Was just passing by myself. How's your ribs, by the way? She gave ya a couple of good shots, didn't she."
>"They're..." she grimaces a little. "Uh, not so great, honestly. But I'll be ok. Not going to let something like that slow me down." She gives a determined little grin.
-
>Keep a chuckle to ourselves.
>"Yeah, that's about what I was expecting. You'd say that if your leg was falling off."
>Check for missing teeth from that last shot Yuzu gave us, while we're at it.
-
>Keep a chuckle to ourselves.
>"Yeah, that's about what I was expecting. You'd say that if your leg was falling off."
>Check for missing teeth from that last shot Yuzu gave us, while we're at it.
>You restrain a chuckle.
>"Well, uh..." she frowns. "That might be a little much..."
>You're pretty sure your teeth are all where they're supposed to be, although the right side of your jaw feels mighty tender.
-
>"Ah, I'm just messin with ya. I know you're made of solid stuff. You're much better built for brawling with oni than me."
>Sigh at a thought.
>"Brawling with oni in a city street. On my first job, no less. Marissa's never gonna let me hear the end of this."
-
>"Ah, I'm just messin with ya. I know you're made of solid stuff. You're much better built for brawling with oni than me."
>Sigh at a thought.
>"Brawling with oni in a city street. On my first job, no less. Marissa's never gonna let me hear the end of this."
>"Hey now..." She frowns a little dubiously.
>You let out a sigh.
>Orange chuckles. "Knowing her, she'd probably be proud of you." She glances around the street. "Although, maybe you didn't cause enough collateral damage?"
-
>"Ha. I'll make sure to use a bigger sign next time, just to make sure."
>Glance around for that cat as we go.
>"Still... I wonder..."
-
>"Ha. I'll make sure to use a bigger sign next time, just to make sure."
>Glance around for that cat as we go.
>"Still... I wonder..."
>"Someone's going to have to pay to get that fixed, aren't they?" Orange says with a frown.
>The two of you continue down the road, looking around for signs of Sokrates as you go. The crowd that was watching the altercation have mostly dispersed, although you do get a few inscrutable looks in your direction from people you pass.
>"Wonder what?" she asks.
>You reach the Iron Rooster again. There's no sign of the man Yuzu was attacking, but a worker from the restaurant is outside, sweeping up broken pieces of table and ceramic dishes. You note one of the far tables is occupied now, by an either oblivious or unflappable middle-aged man, eating a bowl of soup.
-
>"Well, I wonder what it was Yuzu's friend said to her to get her to back down the way she did. I haven't dealt with oni much myself, but even I know how much they hate to give up on a fight, especially when they're mad. And that one was as mad as I think I've ever seen anyone. So what could her friend have said to make her give herself up?"
-
>"Well, I wonder what it was Yuzu's friend said to her to get her to back down the way she did. I haven't dealt with oni much myself, but even I know how much they hate to give up on a fight, especially when they're mad. And that one was as mad as I think I've ever seen anyone. So what could her friend have said to make her give herself up?"
>Orange shrugs. "Maybe she thought you had a point? We wouldn't have let this go." She frowns. "Or, well, I wouldn't. It just isn't right that she could do that and walk off like nothing happened. I don't care if she's an oni or not."
-
>"No, I'm with you there. Oni or no, you don't go around throttling people consequence free."
>Not in broad daylight and in a public place, certainly.
>Approach the sweeping man.
-
>"No, I'm with you there. Oni or no, you don't go around throttling people consequence free."
>Not in broad daylight and in a public place, certainly.
>Approach the sweeping man.
>Orange nods decisively. "Right."
>You decide not to be entirely frank with her about the logistics of consequence-free throttling.
>The person doing the sweeping is actually a young dark-haired woman, but you decide not to let such details get in the way of a good idea. She looks up as you approach.
-
>Nod as a greeting.
>"Don't worry, show's over. We're just looking for that cat I had before the fracas broke out. Didn't happen to notice which way he went, did you?"
-
>Nod as a greeting.
>"Don't worry, show's over. We're just looking for that cat I had before the fracas broke out. Didn't happen to notice which way he went, did you?"
>You nod, and inquire about Sokrates.
>"A cat?" She frowns. "Huh... Don't suppose he was white, by any chance?"
-
>"Yeah, that's the little guy. Bolted on me after that oni tried to cave my head in."
-
>"Yeah, that's the little guy. Bolted on me after that oni tried to cave my head in."
>"Well, there was a white cat here a few moments ago," she says, "nibbling on some of the food that was knocked onto the ground. I, uh, kinda shooed him away so I could sweep it up. Sorry," she says, wincing a little. "Oh, uh, a medic came and took the guy off in a stretcher, by the way," she adds to Orange. "In case you were wondering what happened to him."
>"Good," Orange replies. "Um, did they say what kind of shape he was in?"
>"Just a broken bone or two, I think. Seemed to think he'd be fine."
>"That's good," Orange says, a measure of relief on her face. "Was anyone else hurt? I didn't see how it started."
>The girl shakes her head. "Just a bit shaken. I don't know what happened, either. The two of them just walked over, the short one started arguing with him, and the next thing I know she's knocking tables over." She shrugs. "The guy's a regular. Always seemed a half-decent sort; don't know his name, though."
-
>"Did you see where he got shooed off to?"
-
>"Did you see where he got shooed off to?"
>"Uh..." She frowns, then points further down the road, past the restaurant. "I think he might have scampered off down that way. Sorry again."
-
>Head that way. "Yeah, it happens. Sorry your place got busted up."
-
>Head that way. "Yeah, it happens. Sorry your place got busted up."
>"Not your fault. Just glad you two took care of it when you did," she says.
>"We'll make sure the damage is paid for, don't worry," Orange says, moving to follow after you. "Have a nice afternoon!"
>You continue along the road, angling past the Iron Rooster and back towards the warehouse district, and scanning about for Sokrates as you go. To your relief, it doesn't take long to spot him, poking his head in amongst some boxes in a short alleyway.
-
>Allow ourselves a small grin.
>"Well, alright, there's a bit of luck."
-
>Allow ourselves a small grin.
>"Well, alright, there's a bit of luck."
>You grin. At least something was simple today.
>"What is?" Orange asks uncertainly, then follows the direction of your gaze over towards the alleyway. "Oh! Is that him over there?"
-
>Approach him, and hope he doesn't run off, pause if he draws back, dash after him if he bolts.
>In a soothing pet-calling voice: "C'mere, Sokrates. Let's get you home and into some real food, alright?"
-
>Approach him, and hope he doesn't run off, pause if he draws back, dash after him if he bolts.
>In a soothing pet-calling voice: "C'mere, Sokrates. Let's get you home and into some real food, alright?"
>You walk towards Sokrates. He pauses as he sees you approach, but makes no attempt to withdraw.
>You speak reassuringly to him as you approach. Sokrates continues to regard you passively. He seems calm enough, though.
>"Aww, he's cute," Orange says.
-
>Gesture back to Orange with our head.
>"Sokrates, this is Orange; defender of the peace, arrester of oni, and guardian of mice and cats both. And people, too, keeps your owner safe."
-
>Gesture back to Orange with our head.
>"Sokrates, this is Orange; defender of the peace, arrester of oni, and guardian of mice and cats both. And people, too, keeps your owner safe."
>"Naz!" Orange says, a little bashfully. "Come on, now..." Sokrates seems unmoved by the accolades.
-
>Pick him up.
-
>Laugh a little at our friends reaction.
>"Ah, come on, Orange. End of the day, we took down a pissed off Oni, saved a guy from considerable bodily harm, came away in fairly good shape to boot, and brought a cat home to his owner. I'd say that's worth a bit of praise, wouldn't you, Sokrates?"
-
>Pick him up.
>You pick Sokrates up without any sign of protest from the cat. Orange leans in and gives him a little pet on the head; Sokrates purrs.
>Laugh a little at our friends reaction.
>"Ah, come on, Orange. End of the day, we took down a pissed off Oni, saved a guy from considerable bodily harm, came away in fairly good shape to boot, and brought a cat home to his owner. I'd say that's worth a bit of praise, wouldn't you, Sokrates?"
>You chuckle a little at Orange's consternation.
>"Well... I suppose," she says, looking a little unconvinced. "Actually, I meant to thank you for that. I know it's my job and all, but... well... I don't know that I could have done it without your help." She seems a touch dispirited.
-
>"Sure you could. You would've just gotten a worse beating."
>...Okay, despite ourselves, pet Sokrates just a bit.
>"You really are the calmest cat I've ever seen."
-
"Ah, c'mon, no need for thanks. You'dve done the same for me, job or no. 'sides, now you know to go for the legs first next time, eh."
-
>"Sure you could. You would've just gotten a worse beating."
>...Okay, despite ourselves, pet Sokrates just a bit.
>"You really are the calmest cat I've ever seen."
>Orange screws up her face a little. "That's, uh... I suppose that's, uh... thanks?"
>After a few moment's hesitation, you give Sokrates a somewhat reluctant pet yourself. He rubs his head back up against your hand as you do so, purring.
>"I was thinking the same thing," Orange says. "Doesn't seem spooked at all after being in the middle of a fist fight."
"Ah, c'mon, no need for thanks. You'dve done the same for me, job or no. 'sides, now you know to go for the legs first next time, eh."
>"Hey, I was trying..." she protests. "But yeah, of course I would. You know that."
-
>Resume the path toward Ellen's place.
>If Orange doesn't follow, say, "See you later!"
>if she does: "Speaking of cats...some faeries hired me on to find a few for them."
>speaking of cats, keep watch on the local strays for any that fit the criteria that the faeries gave.
-
>Resume the path toward Ellen's place.
>If Orange doesn't follow, say, "See you later!"
>if she does: "Speaking of cats...some faeries hired me on to find a few for them."
>speaking of cats, keep watch on the local strays for any that fit the criteria that the faeries gave.
>Sokrates safely in hand once more, you resume heading back to Ellen's.
>Orange does indeed follow along, and you mention the fairies' request.
>Orange giggles. "You know, if you keep this up, you're going to convince me you really are a cat person, after all."
>You keep an eye out for any strays matching the criteria the fairies asked for. For the moment you don't actually see any cats at all, however.
-
>Keep looking while we walk, take note of any we see.
>"I'm thinking of it as a net positive. I get this one out of the streets and where he belongs, and get paid for it. Then I get two more off the streets and into the clutches of some faeries. And overall, the local mice have slightly less to worry about."
-
>Keep looking while we walk, take note of any we see.
>"I'm thinking of it as a net positive. I get this one out of the streets and where he belongs, and get paid for it. Then I get two more off the streets and into the clutches of some faeries. And overall, the local mice have slightly less to worry about."
>You continue to keep an eye out for cats as you proceed.
>"Sure, sure," Orange says, smirking.
>A few streets south of the Iron Rooster, you see a black long-haired cat scamper past, following the side of the buildings. On further inspection however, you catch a flash of something bright below his neck; he's probably collared. Beyond that, you see no further sight of cats for a while.
>As you pass into an open commercial square, Orange pauses. "Anyway," she says, "I should probably grab something to eat before I'm supposed to go back on duty, or I'll spend the whole afternoon starving."
-
> "Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and take this cat back, then."
> Start heading off, then pause. "Oh, Orange, I got another job lined up, taking me back home. You want me to pass anything along while I'm there?"
-
> "Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and take this cat back, then."
> Start heading off, then pause. "Oh, Orange, I got another job lined up, taking me back home. You want me to pass anything along while I'm there?"
>"Sure," Orange says, moving off. "I'll see you around!"
>The two of you part ways, but then you pause and call out to Orange, mentioning the job in Easthaven. "Really?" she says, stepping back towards you. "When are you leaving?"
-
>"Not sure yet."
-
>"Not sure yet."
>"Well, like, today? Or just sometime in the near future?"
-
>"Depends on how things go; maybe today but more likely tomorrow at this rate."
-
>"Depends on how things go; maybe today but more likely tomorrow at this rate."
>"Oh, ok. I wish I could go with you myself, but, you know, work and all..." She pauses. "If you're not going until tomorrow, I might drop a letter off for you to give to Ichirin. Otherwise, well... just let her let know that I'm doing fine, and that I still miss the place and wish I could tag along; you know how things are."
-
>"I'll be sure to at least tell her that much."
-
>"I'll be sure to at least tell her that much."
>Orange nods. "Well, if I don't see you before then, have a pleasant trip and all!"
-
> "All right. You know where to find me for that letter."
> Wave, and head off to the client's place.
-
> "All right. You know where to find me for that letter."
> Wave, and head off to the client's place.
>Orange nods. "Yup. See you later, Naz!"
>You wave goodbye to Orange and continue onward, keeping an eye out for cats as you go. For the most part, there isn't really a great many of them to be seen around the streets in general, and most of the trip passes without spotting a single one. However, as reach the edge of the residential areas, you catch sight of a small tabby cat darting behind an isolated cluster of buildings. You think they're workshops of some sort.
-
>Take note of this one and it's general location. Continue onward to Ellenhearth.
-
>Take note of this one and it's general location. Continue onward to Ellenhearth.
>You note the location then continue on your way, passing into the narrow lanes of houses, and the wider ones beyond. Soon enough you arrive at Ellen's door again. Sokrates seems to get a little more active as you draw near.
-
> Knock knock knockin' on Ellen's door~
-
> Knock knock knockin' on Ellen's door~
>You knock on the door, and a few moments later Ellen opens it. Her reaction is immediate; you're not sure she so much as noticed you.
>"Sokrates!" she cries, her eyes aglow. "You're home!" Sokrates starts to roust himself in your arms.
-
>Hand him over before she does something silly.
-
>Hand him over before she does something silly.
>You move to hand over Sokrates, but as you do, the cat leaps free of your arms of his own accord and lands on Ellen's shoulder.
>"Oh, I'm so glad to see you again," she says, rubbing him behind the ears. "Were you scared, all lost and alone and far away? Well, don't worry because now you're home and everything's okay again!" Her smile is practically beaming.
-
>"He's probably the most well-behaved cat I've ever met. He was just fine, though. Some faeries borrowed him to try and do a magic trick."
-
>"He's probably the most well-behaved cat I've ever met. He was just fine, though. Some faeries borrowed him to try and do a magic trick."
>Ellen frowns thoughtfully. "A magic trick? But Sokrates isn't magical at all!" Her eyes widen with alarm. "Oh, you know I didn't mean it that way," she says consolingly, turning to Sokrates. "You know you're the most precious cat ever, and I love you forever and ever. Yup." She tickles him behind the ears again.
-
>"The faeries thought he was. But he didn't give anyone a bit of trouble."
-
>"The faeries thought he was. But he didn't give anyone a bit of trouble."
>"Of course he didn't!" Ellen says, smiling proudly.
-
>"Wish there were more cats like that. Anyways, that's the job done, I think?"
-
>"Wish there were more cats like that. Anyways, that's the job done, I think?"
>Ellen looks a little puzzled. "The job? ...oh!" She dashes back into the house. "One moment!" she calls out.
>True to her word, she returns a moment later with a small red fabric sachet tied with a festive ribbon. "Here!" she says, handing it to you.
-
>Take it and open it. Try not to look underwhelmed despite a sinking sensation.
-
>Take it and open it. Try not to look underwhelmed despite a sinking sensation.
>You take the sachet and open it, trying to disguise your concerns about its contents. Ellen watches with an eager smile as you undo the ribbon and empty the sachet onto your palm. A small red sphere rolls out, emblazoned with a heart circumscribed by a star. ...followed by coins. It would take a moment to count them, but at first glance it looks like an extremely generous fee for finding a lost cat.
>Before you have a chance to say anything, Ellen throws her arms around you in a fierce hug. "Thank you so much, uh... um... what was your name again?"
-
>"I'm Nazrin, and you're welcome!"
>Glance at the sphere.
>"What's this thing?"
-
>"I'm Nazrin, and you're welcome!"
>Glance at the sphere.
>"What's this thing?"
>"Thanks, Nazrin!" Ellen says.
>You take another look at the sphere. It's about the size of a walnut and smooth all around. You get the definite vibe that it's magical.
>"It's a Fuwafuwa Heart Droplet," she says cheerfully. "Sometime when you're feeling down, just hold it in your hand and say 'Fuwafuwa!' and it'll help you feel happier. It's like someone gave you a big hug. But make sure you hold it tight, or the magic will just poof into the air and you'll waste it."
-
>"Huh. How many times does it work before it runs out of oomph?"
-
>"Huh. How many times does it work before it runs out of oomph?"
>"Just once," she says. "It's solidified magic. It dissolves when you use it. Oh! But I could make you another if you use that one up. I sell little trinkets and things like that."
-
>"Huh. I'll keep that in mind."
>"Hey, do you pay much attention to cats? Like, other cats just running around?"
-
>"Huh. I'll keep that in mind."
>"Hey, do you pay much attention to cats? Like, other cats just running around?"
>"Well..." Ellen puts a finger to her chin, and muses thoughtfully. "Sokrates is a little shy, but he sometimes likes to say hi to other cats when we're out for walks. He can get along with anyone!" she adds. "Yup."
-
>How close does this payment get us to those dowsing rods?
-
>"There's a couple I'm looking for, in particular."
>Describe the two that the faeries are looking for.
-
>How close does this payment get us to those dowsing rods?
>You'd have to count to be sure, but you suspect this will make a solid dent in it. Dowsing rods come in more than one price range, of course, but the ones you had your eyes on were over 100 guilders.
>"There's a couple I'm looking for, in particular."
>Describe the two that the faeries are looking for.
>You describe the cats the fairies were looking for, at least as well as they described them to you.
>"Hmmm.... lots of cats have stripes," Ellen says. "But a cat with black and white patches and a big fluffy tail? Um..." She taps a finger against her cheek. "Did the one we saw yesterday have a fluffy tail or not, I wonder? ...or was that the day before yesterday?"
-
>"Where did you see it?"
-
>"Where did you see it?"
>"You know down south, where the river bends in like this?" She makes an undulating gesture with her hands. "And there's a little cart that sells candied apples in the summer - they're so yummy - and-" She frowns. "...or was it by the cobbler's?"
-
>Do we at least know where the river is?
>If so, what is around there?
-
>Do we at least know where the river is?
>If so, what is around there?
>You do. There's a relatively narrow river which runs along a fair portion of the eastern edge of Braston. Nearly all of the town is on the western side of it, although it does extend across to the other bank at a couple points; there's a old stone bridge to the northeast of here which used to be on the outskirts of town, but is now nearly in the middle of a marketplace after development spilled across the river.
>To the south of here, the river bends around part of the residential areas before doubling back to the east and disappearing into the hills. You're not sure which specific bend Ellen is talking about; a fair number of houses back onto the river in that area, but the density of construction rapidly thins out as you go further south, and there are segments where there's not much at all along the banks but grass and rock.
-
>Anything of significance to the south of here?
-
>Anything of significance to the south of here?
>Nothing comes to mind. More houses, mostly. Perhaps the very occasional shop or work building, and what passes for a 'park' in Braston, but which could more accurately be called 'a place we haven't put buildings yet'. A little further past that, and you've essentially left Braston behind entirely; it's just increasingly hilly wilderness.
-
>"I'll keep it in mind, thanks!"
>What sort of post-job procedures do we need to do back at the guild?
-
>"I'll keep it in mind, thanks!"
>What sort of post-job procedures do we need to do back at the guild?
>"Okay!" Ellen nods.
>It's standard procedure for both the Seeker and their client to sign a form as confirmation of completion and accepted payment. This safeguards the client against a unscrupulous Seeker later claiming non-payment for services, as well as allowing the guild to take the job notice off the board and save any other interested Seekers a wasted trip. In this case, it occurs to you that even if you got a signature from Ellen, she didn't actually leave a name with the original request. And in any event you, uh, didn't think to take the appropriate forms with you, now that you might finally have a use for them on your own.
-
>Worst hangover ever =[
>"I'll be by later to get the job closed out, unless you feel like following me back to the guild. Or someone will."
-
>Worst hangover ever =[
>"I'll be by later to get the job closed out, unless you feel like following me back to the guild. Or someone will."
>On the plus side, the headache you woke up with this morning is no longer in evidence. ...although this is probably because Yuzu managed to give you a rather more obvious one.
>"Oh, don't worry about that," Ellen says, waving dismissively. "Sokrates and I can drop by the guild on our afternoon walk. You were so wonderfully helpful to the both of us."
-
>"Okay. Leave yourself a note or something."
>What were those other jobs we took?
-
>"Okay. Leave yourself a note or something."
>What were those other jobs we took?
>"Don't worry," she says. "I won't forget!"
>You have noted four other jobs:
>from Ichirin, asking for investigation of missing livestock in Easthaven.
>from a restaurant in Braston, asking for investigation (and ideally retrieval) of a delayed shipment.
>from an herbalist, looking for bloodmoss and arlan, picked fresh from their natural habitat.
>from a bar north of the harbor district, looking for someone to collect tabs from severely overdrawn customers. Or at least that's what they appeared to be asking, if you read between the lines.
-
How about we do the restaurant job since we seem to have the time?
> What's the current time anyway?
-
> What's the current time anyway?
>You think it's around 1PM. Perhaps a little later.
-
>Which was is that restaurant, and were is it in relation to the guild, and that place that Ellen indicated?
-
>Which was is that restaurant, and were is it in relation to the guild, and that place that Ellen indicated?
>The restaurant is northwest of here. The guild is somewhat southwest of that (but still quite a bit north of Ellen's house). The place Ellen indicated is either south, or southwest of your current location.
-
>Rough travel times?
-
>Rough travel times?
>You could probably reach the guild in 15-20 minutes, the restaurant in slightly more than that, if you went directly from here - there's probably only 10 or so minutes distance between them. The place Ellen mentioned could be anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes from her house, depending on where exactly along the river she meant. This is essentially in the opposite direction of the other two locations.
-
>Let's hit up that restaurant then.
>Bid Ellen farewell, and head that way. Figure out how much cash we have along the way.
-
>Let's hit up that restaurant then.
>Bid Ellen farewell, and head that way. Figure out how much cash we have along the way.
>You decide to head for the restaurant next.
>You say goodbye to Ellen, and start walking in that direction. Counting your payment along the way, it seems the sachet Ellen gave you contains 50 guilders. However, one of the coins near the bottom of the pile gives you pause. While it does claim to be a 1 Val Razuan guilder coin, the design is different than the rest, and indeed from any you've personally handled; assuming it's authentic, you have the distinct feeling it's considerably older. You wonder if its inclusion was an oversight.
-
>Would an old coin perhaps have greater value, at least to collectors?
>Do we know anyone who might be interested un such a coin?
>Do we know anyone who might be able to tell us what value the coin might have? Or is there a reference we can check?
>And do we know any way to determine its authenticity or know anyone who might know a way to do so?
-
>Keep an eye out for strays along the way.
-
>Would an old coin perhaps have greater value, at least to collectors?
>Do we know anyone who might be interested un such a coin?
>Do we know anyone who might be able to tell us what value the coin might have? Or is there a reference we can check?
>And do we know any way to determine its authenticity or know anyone who might know a way to do so?
>Old coins certainly can, although you're not very informed about the marketplace for such things; you couldn't guess how much, if anything, this particular one might be worth.
>There's an antique dealer or two in town, although Braston itself doesn't have a large market for such things; you don't know how good their prices would be. There's always an off-chance Rinnosuke himself might be interested. He does have a rather eclectic collection of seemingly unrelated goods, although he probably wouldn't be interested in it unless it was special in some way, and not merely a run-of-the-mill antique coin. There's probably a few coin collectors about; someone at the Seeker's guild might know where you could find one.
>If Rinnosuke himself couldn't appraise it, you're almost certain he would know who someone who could. The antique dealers probably also could, although you're not confident they'd give a fair appraisal if they were interested in acquiring it themselves.
>You'd probably trust Rinnosuke more than anyone else, on that front.
>Keep an eye out for strays along the way.
>You continue northward, keeping an eye out for strays as you go. You have a glance about for the tabby as you pass the place you saw him on the way down, but if he's still nearby, he's out of sight. In fact, in proves to be a disappointingly cat-free trip, and soon enough you find yourself in front of The Melon Bowl.
>It's a relatively small place, but rather less drab than a lot of buildings in Braston; you think it's fairly new. The front is festooned with brightly colored wooden wooden cut-outs of fresh fruit and large windows help give the place a light and open look.
>Stepping inside, you note that there are few customers, even for its size: a human couple at a table by the window, and a kappa with short teal hair and goggles on top of her head, sitting at a stool by the front counter, and digging enthusiastically into a pineapple parfait. Huh. Don't see many kappa out this way. A young woman with auburn hair stands behind the counter, idling mopping it with a wet rag.
>A glance at the menuboard suggests the place specializes in fresh fruit: smoothies, fruit salads, parfaits, waffles, and the like. However, a somewhat depressing number of items have 'out of stock' marked across them. Perhaps that might explain the empty room.
-
> Greet the woman behind the counter.
> "I'm from the local Seeker's guild. I heard you were looking for someone to track a delayed shipment?"
-
>Is there a Seeker's guild outside of Branston? Is it affiliated with us?
-
> Greet the woman behind the counter.
> "I'm from the local Seeker's guild. I heard you were looking for someone to track a delayed shipment?"
>You walk up and greet the woman behind the counter.
>"Oh, hey," she says, looking a little more engaged than a moment ago. "And yeah, we're out of, well-" she gestures towards the menuboard. "I guess you can see for yourself. And I just served up the last of the pineapple just then."
>"And it's great," the kappa pipes up, between mouthfuls.
>Is there a Seeker's guild outside of Branston? Is it affiliated with us?
>There are chapters in several other major cities, but Braston is where it's headquartered. Perhaps not the most central location, but it's historical; the guild was founded and formalized here, back when the Outer Freelands had been a new frontier and there was the promise of discovery and riches over each new horizon. Of course, a lot of it's settled, now, and while the area still has most of the 'distant' that comes with a frontier, it has a lot less of the 'untold riches'. You get the impression that several of the other chapters aren't much more than a meeting place and a job board - you don't think many of them offer actual training.
-
>"What happened?"
>Have a look at them menu whilst enjoying a chuckle at the kappa's enthusiasm.
-
>"What happened?"
>Have a look at them menu whilst enjoying a chuckle at the kappa's enthusiasm.
>"Beats me," she says. "That's sort of what I'm hoping you can find out. Well, that and actually get it here. You see, we don't keep a lot of surplus on hand - the fresher, the better, right? We have a contract with a farm in Easthaven for regular delivery, but our last shipment was supposed to come in almost a week ago now, and it hasn't showed up. I don't don't know why, and if I can't get it soon, I'm going to run out of stuff to sell entirely."
>You have a little chuckle at the kappa, and take another look at the menu. For a place where 90% of the menu seems to involve fruit in some way, there's a remarkable variety. Or, rather, there would be if over half the menu wasn't crossed off. Anything strawberry is plain out - most berries, in fact. They seem to still have bananas and actual melons - a stylized sketch of melon trio with granola and honey occupies a prominent position on one of the boards. Also, items without significant fruit content are all still ok; pancakes and waffles are fine, as long as you don't want them in 'berry blast' varieties.
-
> Frown. Disappearing livestock and missing shipments? Something's definitely afoot. On the plus side, going to Easthaven'll definitely be a two for one deal!
-
> Frown. Disappearing livestock and missing shipments? Something's definitely afoot. On the plus side, going to Easthaven'll definitely be a two for one deal!
>You frown. While this makes your trip to Easthaven doubly productive, you really hope nothing bad's going on out there.
>"I'll pay you something even if you just find out why they're late, but if you can also get the shipment here by tomorrow, I'll throw in a big bonus on top of it." She shakes her head. "If I don't get it in the next couple days, it won't be much different than if it didn't come in at all. Customers go away, and they don't all come back."
>"Their loss, I'm tellin' ya." The kappa adds. The owner throws her a sardonic expression.
-
>Bonus. That's a nice word to hear, especially when it has the modifier 'big' in front of it. Suppose we'd best to get moving, then, hadn't we?
>"What's this farm called?"
>If we set off now, or nearly enough, about when would we arrive in Easthaven?
-
>Bonus. That's a nice word to hear, especially when it has the modifier 'big' in front of it. Suppose we'd best to get moving, then, hadn't we?
>"What's this farm called?"
>If we set off now, or nearly enough, about when would we arrive in Easthaven?
>Bonuses are always good. Although you've learned that 'big' is often a relative term.
>"Isato Matsutaka is the person to speak to," she says. "It shouldn't be too hard to find the place."
>If you left now, you'd probably arrive a couple hours after nightfall.
-
>Do we think Ichirin would appreciate us showing up in the middle of the night demanding a place to sleep?
-
>Do we think Ichirin would appreciate us showing up in the middle of the night demanding a place to sleep?
>To be honest, you think she'd probably be happy to see you. And if the orphanage doesn't actually have any unoccupied rooms at the moment, you're sure they have a spare futon you could toss on the floor somewhere.
-
>Well, it's something!
>Would the route to Easthaven take us through that place where the herbalist wanted the herbs found?
>"I'll do my best to get right on that."
We done here? If so, a trip to the guild house is probably in order, to close out that one job.
-
>Well, it's something!
>Would the route to Easthaven take us through that place where the herbalist wanted the herbs found?
>"I'll do my best to get right on that."
>That it is. Any money's good money, especially at this point.
>You honestly have no idea specifically where a good place to look for those would be, or for that matter, what arlan actually looks like; herbalism is far from a specialty of yours.
>"Excellent," the woman says, smiling. "Here's hoping for some good news."
>"You're doing a public service," the kappa says to you with a smirk. The woman behind the counter shakes her head and chuckles.
-
>"We aim to please."
>Toss a smirk and a nod at the kappa with the pineapple, then depart.
I think we could probably get away with just moving on to easthaven. No pressing need to turn in Ellen's job to hq right away, especially with the prospect of a bonus for quick shipment delivery.
-
It'd probably be better for us to close out one job before starting another, given the guild shouldn't be too far off. We need to tell the faeries we're going to be abandoning them for a bit, anyways, so a little more isn't going to hurt.
-
Well, I suppose. Besides, ynever know, we might find a stray cat (or two) to take to the fairys on our way to HQ. Stranger things have happened. And there might be someone at the guildhall we can ask about that odd coin of ours.
>Make our way back towards the guildhall. Keeping our eyes open for kitty cats, of course.
-
Well, the alternate plan is that we mug the kappa and steal her motorcycle.
-
>"We aim to please."
>Toss a smirk and a nod at the kappa with the pineapple, then depart.
>The kappa chuckles.
>"Well, if you can get that here tomorrow," the woman behind the counter says, "I'll be more than pleased, let me tell you."
>You toss a smirk and nod at the kappa. She lifts her glass to you, then sets back to finishing off the last of it. You turn and exit the Melon Bowl.
>Make our way back towards the guildhall. Keeping our eyes open for kitty cats, of course.
>You make your way back towards the guild, continuing to keep your eyes out for cats. Given that it's a fairly short trip, you don't have a lot of opportunity to see one, but as you pass by a butcher on your approach to the square, you notice someone in front of it tossing a scrap to an orange tabby who devours it greedily.
>Soon enough, you arrive back at the guildhall. Stepping inside, you see Sashiko still manning the counter, however a second taller figure is standing beside her now; they seem to be scrutinizing some piece of paperwork.
>"Ah, good afternoon, Nazrin," Rinnosuke says, looking up at you as you enter. Is it just you, or does Sashiko seem ever so slightly uncomfortable?
-
>Gotta bad feeling about this.
>"Hi, Rinnosuke. How's it going?"
>Apart from his potential knowledge of old coins, what else do we know about Rinnosuke?
-
>Gotta bad feeling about this.
>"Hi, Rinnosuke. How's it going?"
>Apart from his potential knowledge of old coins, what else do we know about Rinnosuke?
>You feel a few misgivings about that expression...
>Rinnosuke raises an eyebrow ever so slightly. "Things are fine. It's been an uneventful day, all things considered."
>Rinnosuke Morichika is the guildmaster of the Seeker's Guild. Given the fairly casual nature of the guild hierarchy, you've interacted with him quite a few times; he's a courteous, unassuming fellow, although he has a somewhat enigmatic reputation. You get the impression he used to be an adventurer of no small skill, years ago, although you've seen very little evidence of it from your own interactions. He's essentially retired from active duty these days, and mostly manages the running of the guild and other administrative tasks.
>He's somewhat infamous for his collection of esoteric and sometimes extremely rare and valuable objects. He often displays a few of them in his office, although he rotates the pieces frequently, and no one is exactly clear on how large the collection really is. And of course there are rumors of even more valuable finds that no one ever sees. You rather suspect the rumors have grown larger than the collection itself, by this point. The puzzling bit, of course, is where he manages to find all of these things, especially given that he rarely seems to leave Braston these days. Rinnosuke himself is usually silent on the matter, and there are more than a few wild theories about that, too. Of course, one of the more plausible is that he simply keeps unearthing pieces from deep storage, which he actually acquired years ago. But who knows? Still, he has excellent appraisal skills, and has the single most comprehensive knowledge of unusual items of anyone you've ever met.
-
>Mouse-senses tingling. Something's not quite right here...
>"Not for me, boss, I've had a heck of a day so far. More coming, I'd wager, too, but I wanted to stop off to report the completion of a job first.... Well, kind of. Bit of a story to it, if you'll bear with me."
-
>Mouse-senses tingling. Something's not quite right here...
>"Not for me, boss, I've had a heck of a day so far. More coming, I'd wager, too, but I wanted to stop off to report the completion of a job first.... Well, kind of. Bit of a story to it, if you'll bear with me."
>The eyebrow raises further. "Go ahead," he says.
-
>"Not sure if you saw or not, but a request came in earlier today with no name attached to it, just an address. Turns out it was a witch named Ellen, and her cat had gone missing. Long story short, I found him and brought him home, but because she never left a name with the original request, I figured that would lead to a bit of a problem with the paperwork. But she said she'd swing by here sometime later today to straighten things out. Just wanted to give you a heads-up before she arrives."
>IF she arrives.
-
>"Not sure if you saw or not, but a request came in earlier today with no name attached to it, just an address. Turns out it was a witch named Ellen, and her cat had gone missing. Long story short, I found him and brought him home, but because she never left a name with the original request, I figured that would lead to a bit of a problem with the paperwork. But she said she'd swing by here sometime later today to straighten things out. Just wanted to give you a heads-up before she arrives."
>IF she arrives.
>"Oh, is that what that was about?" Sashiko says. "A cat?" She snickers.
>"You were here when the request came in, then?" Rinnosuke asks, looking at Sashiko.
>She nods. "Yeah. You know that pink one, with the hearts doodled on it? Never even really said what she wanted, but I figured I might as well post it. Who knows, right? Somebody might think it was worth looking into. It's been a slow day anyway."
>"And she delivered it in person?"
>Sashiko nods again. "Yup. Seemed a little spacey, actually." She twirls a figure beside her head.
>"Hmmm...." Rinnosuke frowns thoughtfully. "Well, if the she comes back to confirm completion, ask her if she'll sign something anyway, just for bookkeeping purposes. If not, well... as long as you can recognize that it's the same person, you may as well take down the notice."
-
>If Sashiko thinks she was only 'a little' spacy, Ellen obviously wasn't here very long, then. Nice girl, good heart, hardly the sharpest kunai in the pouch, though.
>"Actually, boss, while you're here, would you mind having a look at something for me? Ellen's payment included an odd kind of coin; says it's a guilder, but it seems much older than the current standard."
-
>If Sashiko thinks she was only 'a little' spacy, Ellen obviously wasn't here very long, then. Nice girl, good heart, hardly the sharpest kunai in the pouch, though.
>"Actually, boss, while you're here, would you mind having a look at something for me? Ellen's payment included an odd kind of coin; says it's a guilder, but it seems much older than the current standard."
>Maybe she was trying to be polite?
"Oh?" He looks intrigued. "Hmmm.... let me see it."
-
>Show the odd guilder out to the boss-man.
-
>Show the odd guilder out to the boss-man.
>You hand Rinnosuke the old-looking guilder. He scrutinizes it, examining both sides carefully, and holding it out to catch the light such that fine surface details are made clearer.
>"It's precolonial, I think," he says, after a few moments. "At least a couple hundred years old. It might take some research to determine more precisely than that. I'm quite confident it's genuine, however."
-
>Do we know what he means by 'precolonial'?
-
>Do we know what he means by 'precolonial'?
>You assume it would be before the Outer Freelands were settled. Even if most of the communities in the region are essentially self-governing, many started out as colonies of Val Razua; Braston still has close ties with the city, and Val Razua exerts some measure of political control over exports and trade, even if it's not involved in the day-to-day running of the place.
-
>Whistle quickly.
>"So we're talking something right out of history here, the kind of thing collectors spend years tracking down?"
-
>Whistle quickly.
>"So we're talking something right out of history here, the kind of thing collectors spend years tracking down?"
>You whistle. That was one profitable cat retrieval.
>Rinnosuke frowns and looks at you uncertainly. "I... think you may be getting ahead of yourself. It's worth quite a bit more than its face value, certainly, but it was a highly circulated coin in its day, and this particular one is not of any especial significance as far as I can tell."
-
>"Are there any especially significant coins from back then?"
-
>"Are there any especially significant coins from back then?"
>"Of course," he says. "Perhaps a commemorative design from an important date, or a minting that was somehow unusual - a distinctive error, perhaps, or a denomination which was minted in far smaller quantity. There are many attributes interested collectors might value. This one would have been quite mundane in its day, I suspect."
>He hands the coin back to you.
-
>Wonder how Ellen ended up with that.
>"Still, call that a happy little surprise from the job. Nice touch for a first day. And even if it isn't that special, like you said, worth more than face value."
>Pocket the coin.
>"You wouldn't happen to know anyone around town interesting in this kind of thing? Or someone in easthaven, for that matter?"
-
>Wonder how Ellen ended up with that.
>"Still, call that a happy little surprise from the job. Nice touch for a first day. And even if it isn't that special, like you said, worth more than face value."
>Pocket the coin.
>"You wouldn't happen to know anyone around town interesting in this kind of thing? Or someone in easthaven, for that matter?"
>That's a good question, actually.
>"Strange choice in payment," Sashiko mutters. "But hey, that's probably pretty good money for the time. You only left, what, a couple hours ago, tops?"
>"Whitfield's does deal in coins," Rinnosuke says, "though I'm not certain they'd offer you more than a small portion of its value. And I would think you'd be more familiar with Easthaven than I. Hmmm..." He pauses. "I may be able to get you in touch with a collector directly if you give me some time. I can't make any promises, but I imagine you could get a more favorable price."
-
>"Hey, could you tell if there was anything unusual about the coin? Like, if it had a spell on it, or filled with the lingering regrets of a previous owner, or something weird like that?"
-
>"Hey, could you tell if there was anything unusual about the coin? Like, if it had a spell on it, or filled with the lingering regrets of a previous owner, or something weird like that?"
>Rinnosuke looks a little taken aback. "Um, I might, depending on what it was. I certainly don't sense anything unusual about it beyond what I already told you. ...is there some reason you ask?"
-
>"Well, I did get it from a witch, so I figured maybe there might have been more to it than meets the eye, you know?"
-
>"Well, I did get it from a witch, so I figured maybe there might have been more to it than meets the eye, you know?"
>"Ah, yes, well..." Rinnosuke adjusts his glasses. "In this case, I feel fairly confident it's just an old coin. Although I suppose you could ask Marisa, if you felt the need for a second opinion."
>"You sure the coin would survive that?" Sashiko adds dryly.
-
>"Mmm, I see no reason to doubt. I just had to check and be sure."
-
>"Mmm, I see no reason to doubt. I just had to check and be sure."
>Rinnosuke nods. "Is there anything else, then?"
-
>"Some fairies asked me about an informal job to get some cats for them. I think they just want specific breeds, so strays would be best, if either of you know good places to look."
>Also point out the fairies' preferences.
Any objections, Purv?
-
None here.
>"Not that I expect either of you to chase strays, but if you saw anything?"
-
>"Some fairies asked me about an informal job to get some cats for them. I think they just want specific breeds, so strays would be best, if either of you know good places to look."
>Also point out the fairies' preferences.
>"Not that I expect either of you to chase strays, but if you saw anything?"
>You mention the fairies' request, and ask they have any ideas of places to look.
>Sashiko laughs. "Again with the cats?"
>"Stripes is rather nonspecific..." Rinnosuke remarks. "Also, cats are rather outside my expertise."
>"Actually..." Sashiko says, "Now that you mention it, there's a bunch of strays near my aunt's place. She started leaving food out for one of them and it turned into a crowd real quick. Don't think they all get along, but..." She shrugs. "Anyhow, it might be worth looking around out that way."
-
>"Alright, where does your aunt live?"
-
>"Alright, where does your aunt live?"
>"On the north end of the ever-ironically named Elmview," she says. "You know, out by Eastmarket? Fifth house on the left, before the street ends. Although I wouldn't be surprised if you could figure that much out on your own."
-
>Presumably that's on the way to Easthaven?
>Where is it in relation to the secret hideout?
-
>Presumably that's on the way to Easthaven?
>Where is it in relation to the secret hideout?
>It is, more or less. Slightly north of the road out of town, but not far out of the way. While the majority of the houses in Braston are in the south end of town, there are a few patches of them in and around the markets. They would have been on the outskirts at the time they were built, but the commercial district basically grew to encompass them. You're inclined to suspect Elmview did in fact have a view of Elms at one point, before more buildings got in the way on all sides.
>The fairy hideout is a fair distance north of your current location, and slightly east. Elmview is mostly east, and a little north.
-
So, youse mugs wanna try to catch a cat?
-
Give it a shot, so long as Nazrin gets some sleep or something.
-
I don't see why not, shouldn't take too long. We did make a deal with the fairys after all. Besides, catching a stray cat. How had can it be?
-
I don't see why not, shouldn't take too long. We did make a deal with the fairys after all. Besides, catching a stray cat. How had can it be?
The fact that this city seems nearly devoid of cats only makes me think it'd be extremely hard.
Should we just search for a cat until we've extremely tired?
-
The fact that this city seems nearly devoid of cats only makes me think it'd be extremely hard.
Should we just search for a cat until we've extremely tired?
Whaddya mean, 'devoid of cats'? We've seen at least three, maybe four, just walking around town. That's not bad for a couple hour's (or thereabouts) walking.
And besides, we've got a decent place to look first as well, with Sashiko's aunt's place. That seems a good place to start.
-
>"I'll give it a look. Thanks, Sashiko!"
-
>"I'll give it a look. Thanks, Sashiko!"
>"No problem," she says. "Heck, some of the neighbours might be glad if you can take a couple off her hands."
-
>"And thanks for the appraisal, Boss, even if it didn't live up to my secret hopes it was some dread artifact."
>With that, excuse ourself and make way toward Sashiko's Aunt's Place, which we shall codename Catslevania.
-
>"And thanks for the appraisal, Boss, even if it didn't live up to my secret hopes it was some dread artifact."
>With that, excuse ourself and make way toward Sashiko's Aunt's Place, which we shall codename Catslevania.
>Rinnosuke smiles slightly. "Perhaps you should be careful what you wish for."
>You exchange farewells, then excuse yourself and head towards Sashiko's Aunt's house. It is an uneventful trip, and soon enough you find yourself among a fairly claustrophobic lane of houses, surrounded by market almost on all sides. Sashiko's directions were quite specific, but you may have been able to guess the correct location without them. It is an unremarkable dwelling, much like many of its neighbours, but there is currently a small grey cat eating food off a plate that's been placed on the ground some distance from the front door. You can see another with tawny fur, curled up and napping on the low rooftop.
-
>It's the rodent equivalent of a haunted house ;_;
>Look around the area a bit, see what other kinds of cats turn up.
-
>It's the rodent equivalent of a haunted house ;_;
>Look around the area a bit, see what other kinds of cats turn up.
>You frown a little. This would be a pretty scary area for an ordinary mouse. You take some small comfort in the fact that there is non-rodent food on offer. That ought to help keep some of them safe, at least.
>You poke along the rest of the street, and then loop around the area the houses back onto. As you round a corner, you see a large tabby chewing on a scrap of something or other. It stops and glowers at you as you pass by, then resumes eating once you're an nonthreatening distance away. A little further down the back, you spot a small cat with tufts of white along its tail and legs poking its head into a small cardboard box. This is followed soon after by it falling unceremoniously inside with a little meep.
-
>Observe this small cat. It seems like faerie material.
-
>Observe this small cat. It seems like faerie material.
>You move over and have a closer look at the cat as it attempts, with some difficulty, to climb back out of the box. It looks young - not quite a kitten, but not fully grown yet, either. Its tail isn't especially fluffy, and its fur is predominantly black, although it does technically fulfill the 'black and white patches' criteria. It draws back into the corner of the box as it sees you approach, regarding you uncertainly. It mews.
-
>Yes, this one will do.
>Kneel down and gesture toward it it.
>"C'mere."
-
>Yes, this one will do.
>Kneel down and gesture toward it it.
>"C'mere."
>You decide this cat sufficiently matches what Juniper was asking for.
>You kneel down and gesture towards the cat, calling out to it. It compresses itself a little more into the corner as you kneel down, and you can see it glancing past you, perhaps for a route away. Still, while it seems nervous, it doesn't look quite ready to bolt just yet.
>It mews again as you speak to it, but doesn't actually move.
-
>Nothing's simple today...
>Do we have anything on hand that we could use for bait? Snack, or something?
-
>Nothing's simple today...
>Do we have anything on hand that we could use for bait? Snack, or something?
>Well, the Seekers would hardly have made a name for themselves if every task was a simple as 'walk from point A to point B; collect pay'
>You have some traveling rations in your pack. Mostly hard cheese, beef jerky, and quite dry crackers. You also have a partially-eaten lemon pie.
-
>Bleh. Why does it have to be such a cat?
>In a soft voice. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to pick you up and take you to meet some new friends."
>Waggle fingers a bit. Cats love that, don't they?
-
>Bleh. Why does it have to be such a cat?
>In a soft voice. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to pick you up and take you to meet some new friends."
>Waggle fingers a bit. Cats love that, don't they?
>You gripe a little. Still, probably beats having to chase after it. ...hopefully, it won't make you chase after it...
>You speak softly to the cat, and then waggle your fingers at it. Its head seem to follow the motion around, with a bit of curiosity on its still-uncertain face.
-
>Break off a couple fragments of pie, and drop them into the box.
-
>Break off a couple fragments of pie, and drop them into the box.
>While keeping an eye on the cat, you take out the pie, break off a couple bits of it, and drop them into the box. The cat follows them with obvious curiosity, then inches just a tiny bit forward from its corner and has a sniff, and pokes at them. However, it doesn't seem especially interested in eating them.
-
>Frown. They sure are getting picky these days.
>What kind of box is it? Might there be a lid we could put over it, and might it be small enough to carry?
-
>Frown. They sure are getting picky these days.
>What kind of box is it? Might there be a lid we could put over it, and might it be small enough to carry?
>You frown. That was perfectly good pie; great pie, even.
>It is a smallish cardboard box, with flaps you could fold over to close it. It is easily small enough to carry.
-
We could try to box 'im up.
-
My thoughts exactly. I was gonna use pie to keep him occupied while we picked the box up, but that didn't work so good. Maybe a shard of beef jerky might work better, because I somehow think just closing up the box might provoke him to make a leap for it.
-
I used to feed my cat crackers all the time, she liked it. Why not just give this cute wittle kitten some crackers?
-
Because cats are primarily carnivores. Jerky would work better than pie or crackers. :V
-
Cats are primarily pigs. They'll eat pretty much anything that's food. Hell, my cat eats olives if you give him one. Jerky would distract better at first, but crackers would definitely be more edible due to not being super tough.
-
Lucky b'yes, wish I wasn't allergic to cats. But that's neither here nor there. All we need is something to occupy him/her for a couple seconds while we close up the box, so I'm going with jerky.
>Tear off a small piece of jerky and drop it in the box.
-
>Tear off a small piece of jerky and drop it in the box.
>You take some beef jerky out of your pouch, tear off a small piece, then drop it into the box. The cat takes a step towards it, sniffs, then snaps it up and starts gnawing on it.
-
>Place one hand on the closed part of the box so that the cat can't back out of it, and shut the lid with our other hand.
-
>Place one hand on the closed part of the box so that the cat can't back out of it, and shut the lid with our other hand.
>While the cat is distracted with the jerky, you place one hand over the box then quickly fold it closed with the other. The cat looks up as the top starts to block off the light, then tries to bolt through the rapidly narrowing gap, but doesn't make it very far before you shut the box on top of it. It meows pitiably at you from inside.
-
>"Don't worry, kitty, I'll have you out in no time."
>Hurry toward the Super Secret Hideout X!
-
>"Don't worry, kitty, I'll have you out in no time."
>Hurry toward the Super Secret Hideout X!
>You speak comfortingly to the cat. It meows again, sounding not at all reassured by your voice. You hear it scratching at the walls of the box.
>You quickly head towards the fairies' hideout, cat in tow. You do your best not to jostle it too much as you go, although you fear you may be traumatizing it a little anyway. It continues to mewl at you intermittently and prod at the inside of the box. Cat or no, you can't help but feel a little sympathy for it in there.
>The cat's unsettled presence makes the trip seem protracted, but in truth probably no more than 10 minutes pass before you reach the abandoned warehouse again.
-
>Give a loud whistle.
>"Special delivery!"
-
>Give a loud whistle.
>"Special delivery!"
>You give a loud whistle and call out to the fairies. A few moments later, Cloudy Meadow flies out the window towards you.
>"Is that-" she starts, looking at the box. Then the box meows, as if in answers to her unfinished question. She frowns. "He sounds sad."
-
>"I kinda had to trick him. But I'm sure you'll be able to cheer him up nicely!"
>Does she seem large enough to hold the box? If so, offer it to her. "Be sure to hold both ends so he can't try to pull a runner while you're in midair."
-
>"I kinda had to trick him. But I'm sure you'll be able to cheer him up nicely!"
>Does she seem large enough to hold the box? If so, offer it to her. "Be sure to hold both ends so he can't try to pull a runner while you're in midair."
>She smiles slightly. "We'll do our best."
>Cloudy Meadow was the largest of the group, and is fairly large for a fairy on the whole. She should be able to manage the box without difficulty. You offer it to her, with a cautionary note. She nods, and accepts the box.
>"Don't worry," she speaks calmingly to it. "You'll be out soon."
-
>"Once you do let him out, he'll probably bolt. Just be ready to lure him out with some food or something. And maybe move those boxes from the window, she he can't climb out too too easily."
>"Anyways, your other one will have to wait. I kinda got important business in Easthaven, and I need to go immediately. I'll try to check in when I get back."
-
>"He didn't seem too interested in pie, but he took to meat well enough, just so you know."
-
>"Once you do let him out, he'll probably bolt. Just be ready to lure him out with some food or something. And maybe move those boxes from the window, she he can't climb out too too easily."
>"Anyways, your other one will have to wait. I kinda got important business in Easthaven, and I need to go immediately. I'll try to check in when I get back."
>Cloudy Meadow nods attentively as you caution her.
>"I understand," she says. "And thanks. I'm sure the others will be very happy to meet him."
>"He didn't seem too interested in pie, but he took to meat well enough, just so you know."
>She frowns slightly. "He doesn't like pie? Hmmm.... well, I'm sure we can find something he'll like."
-
>"Maybe a butcher shop will let you have some scraps?"
-
>"Maybe a butcher shop will let you have some scraps?"
>"Maybe..." she says, nodding slowly. "Surely they wouldn't want to see a cat go hungry." She leans towards the box, trying to take a peak inside through the very tiny gap in the top. Judging by her expression, you're pretty sure it's too dark for her to see much.
-
>"Surely not. Anyways, I must be off. Hopefully I'll have another one for you next time you see me."
>If she doesn't object, make our way to the town exit we need.
-
>Before we leave, do we feel confident in our provisions? Or are there establishments along the way that would provide at prices we could afford?
-
>"Surely not. Anyways, I must be off. Hopefully I'll have another one for you next time you see me."
>If she doesn't object, make our way to the town exit we need.
>Cloudy Meadow nods, still peering into the box. "Have a safe trip!"
>You leave and head southeast towards the road out of town. As you pass Eastmarket and start to enter the outskirts, you hear a minor commotion among the crowd behind you.
>Before we leave, do we feel confident in our provisions? Or are there establishments along the way that would provide at prices we could afford?
>There isn't much settlement to speak of along the way; you think there are a couple small fairy communities a little off the beaten path, and you might be able to find a mining camp if you were desperate, but there's no dedicated inn or restaurant along the main road. In either case, you are well-provisioned, enough for at least a couple day's journey without stringent rationing.
-
> Check out the commotion against our better judgement.
-
> Check out the commotion against our better judgement.
>You turn around to see what the issue is this time... One punch-up with an oni is quite enough for an afternoon. Looking back at the crowd in the market, you see a bunch of people hastily scrambling out of the way of... wait, is that what you think it is? Another moment confirms your suspicion, as the crowd thins enough to clearly make out a familiar black hatted figure barreling through the bustle at a frankly unsafe speed.
>"Hey, Naz!" Marisa calls out, waving to you as she flies towards you. "Hold up."
-
>Brace self.
>"Oh, hey there."
-
>Brace self.
>"Oh, hey there."
>Bracing yourself, you say hi back. Frankly, her asking you to wait up was totally superfluous. It's not like you could outrun her even if you tried. In another couple seconds, she closes the gap and dismounts with a little flourish of her broom. She seems to be carrying something long wrapped in cloth under her other arm.
>Marisa grins at you, then pokes the Seeker's badge on your chest. "So, how's it feel?"
-
>"Like a bad hangover."
>Is she a full member yet?
-
>"Like a bad hangover."
>Is she a full member yet?
>Marisa laughs. "I heard last night was pretty good. Sorry I missed it. Your graduation, too. I only got into Braston early this morning or you know I'd have been there for it."
>Marisa is quite a bit your senior in the Seekers, and one of the most (in)famous members at large at the moment. You were partnered with her a few times during your apprenticeship as her subordinate. In theory, the senior is suppose to teach the junior the ropes, but you think the most valuable lesson you may have learned in your time together is that 'in front of Marisa' is a very bad place to stand when she's set her mind on something.
-
>"Oh, where were you at?"
-
>"Oh, where were you at?"
>"A job," she says. "Small cargo ship got wrecked on a little islet way off to the northwest. Seems it wasn't the first time that happened, either. The place was apparently haunted." You see a little gleam in her eye. "Was."
-
>"Does that mean there also was an islet? Was?"
-
>"Does that mean there also was an islet? Was?"
>"Naz!" she says, sounding just a little wounded. Then she laughs again. "Not much point in blowing up the rock your pay is sitting on, now is there? It's just less inhabited than it was a couple days ago."
-
>"Oh you walked right into that one. So, what'd it pay, and what've you got lined up next?"
-
>"Oh you walked right into that one. So, what'd it pay, and what've you got lined up next?"
>"What'd it pay?" She chuckles. "How about we just say 'lots'. Had to track down where the ship crashed in the first place and then exterminate a whole crew of old ghosts who'd moved in on it. There were some pretty expensive goods on that ship, and the owners paid a hefty price to get them all back again." She grins impishly. "And I even found a couple things in the old wreck worth keeping for myself. As for now, well... I'm thinking I may take a little time off, actually. Not like there's anything else good posted with the guild at the moment, and this'll last me a nice while. Might work on a few... other things."
-
>What do we know of Marisa's personal life?
-
>"Well lucky you. I found a cat. Mind you, it paid extremely well for finding a cat, but still."
-
>What do we know of Marisa's personal life?
>She has something of a reputation as a ladykiller, although you're not sure how much is truth and how much is rumor; you wouldn't be at all surprised if Marisa herself had helped embellish this reputation a little. You know nothing about her family, although you get the impression she doesn't stay in touch with them; she's originally from somewhere near Val Razua, and moved to Braston a few years back when she decided to join the Seekers. To the best of your knowledge, she doesn't travel back there much. You also don't know of any close friends, although she's presumptively friendly with nearly everyone. She does tend to be on the go almost constantly, always chasing after some new goal or other; it's possible she hasn't really had much chance to put down roots, and maybe wouldn't even want to.
>"Well lucky you. I found a cat. Mind you, it paid extremely well for finding a cat, but still."
>"A cat?" Somewhat aggravatingly, Marisa seems to find this hilarious. "Oh, Naz..." she says between snickers. "Just the right youkai for the job, eh?"
-
> Roll eyes.
> "Yeah yeah. Its not like you're the first person today to give me crap for it."
-
>"Yeah, well, we all gotta start somewhere. What was YOUR first job, anyway? Finding a lost dog, or something?"
-
> Roll eyes.
> "Yeah yeah. Its not like you're the first person today to give me crap for it."
>"Hey, you know I'm only ribbing ya," she says, chuckling a little more quietly. "And you said the pay was good, right? I've done sillier, I promise you. Don't worry about it."
>"Yeah, well, we all gotta start somewhere. What was YOUR first job, anyway? Finding a lost dog, or something?"
>"Beating up some thieves over a stolen package," she replies. "But like I said, don't worry about it. You'll hit pay dirt some day, no doubt in my mind. You've got talent, Naz."
-
>Did we assist in that embellishment while under her apprenticeship?
>How frequently does Marisa dole out complements of that degree?
-
"And you've got a nice broom. Why don't you let me borrow it so I won't spend all night walking toward Easthaven, eh?"
-
Wow, praise from Caesar
>"Thanks. Matter of fact, I might have something good lined up now, out Easthaven way."
-
>Did we assist in that embellishment while under her apprenticeship?
>How frequently does Marisa dole out complements of that degree?
>If even half those stories are true, you've seriously been missing out...
>She's generally a pretty decent-hearted person towards most people, but you've often gotten the impression that she likes you more than most. At least, she seems to have taken it upon herself to be a sort of 'big sister' figure. For better or worse.
"And you've got a nice broom. Why don't you let me borrow it so I won't spend all night walking toward Easthaven, eh?"
>"Sorry, got dibs on this one," she says, looking not at all put out by you asking.
>"Thanks. Matter of fact, I might have something good lined up now, out Easthaven way."
>Marisa nods. "Yeah, I heard. It's why I was trying to catch you before you left town."
-
>"How about a ride, then?"
-
>"Oh, you were? Why, wanted to tag along?"
>That phrase oughta get a rise out of her.
-
>"How about a ride, then?"
>She shakes her head. "Sorry, Naz. Got plans for the evening already."
>"Oh, you were? Why, wanted to tag along?"
>That phrase oughta get a rise out of her.
>Marisa snickers. "Oh, like you'd want me stealing the spotlight, now that you're your own boss. But nah, I just wanted to get this to you." She hands you the cloth-wrapped object she was carrying under her arm. "Maybe it'll make up for having to hoof it, eh?"
-
> Take the object and unwrap it.
-
>Your own boss. Got a nice ring to it, that.
>"Oh, yeah? Whacha got there, new shoes for the trip?"
-
>Your own boss. Got a nice ring to it, that.
>"Oh, yeah? Whacha got there, new shoes for the trip?"
>It really does, doesn't it?
>"Not unless you've already lost them somewhere," Marisa says.
> Take the object and unwrap it.
>You take the object from Marisa, and immediately feel something hard and thin running the length of the bundle as you grasp it, like a metal... rod? You unwrap the rest of the cloth, Marisa grinning at you intently the whole time. It's a pair of dowsing rods, long and l-shaped, with stylized markers of the cardinal directions formed from the metal at each end. The good ones.
>"Surprise!" Marisa says. "I know you had your eye on those. Consider it a graduation present."
-
>"I... I dont know what to say. Um, thanks?"
>we got the dowsing rods YESSSSSSS
-
>"And they're the wrong size."
>Grin.
>"No, seriously, thanks. This'll help a ton!"
-
>"I... I dont know what to say. Um, thanks?"
>we got the dowsing rods YESSSSSSS
>You tentatively thank Marisa, while inwardly cheering. This is one of the best presents anyone's, well, ever given you. The cool metal feels so satisfying just to hold, knowing they're actually yours now.
>"And they're the wrong size."
>Grin.
>"No, seriously, thanks. This'll help a ton!"
>Marisa's grin wavers just a moment before you grin yourself and thank her in earnest.
>"Glad you like them," she says, then gives your hair a little muss with her hand. "Welcome to the Seekers, kid."
-
>"Thanks, Marisa. Hey, walk with me. I've got a time to make, and not like it'll take you long to get back."
>Presuming she follows, pull out the whatsit we got from the warehouse and say, "You've seen a lot of valuable things. Know what this is?"
-
>"Thanks, Marisa. Hey, walk with me. I've got a time to make, and not like it'll take you long to get back."
>Presuming she follows, pull out the whatsit we got from the warehouse and say, "You've seen a lot of valuable things. Know what this is?"
>"Sure, I can spare a few minutes," she says, following along with you. "What's up?"
>You pull out the mystery object from the warehouse and show it to her. Marisa's brow furrows as she looks at it.
>"That's a... that's a..." She scratches her head. "I don't know what that is. Looks pretty rusty, though. What makes you think it's worth something?"
-
>Put it away.
>"I got a hunch."
>"So, what've you heard about Easthaven recently?"
-
>Put it away.
>"I got a hunch."
>"So, what've you heard about Easthaven recently?"
>You put the object away.
>Marisa shrugs. "Well, you never know, I guess. You could always ask Kourin. I'm sure he'd know what it's for."
>"Does that place ever have news coming from it?" She scrunches up her face. "Can't say I've heard anything recently. Well, the Prismrivers are giving a concert out there sometime this week. Day after tomorrow, maybe? Eh, Not sure." She waves her hand dismissively. "They wanted to be thorough, I guess. Probably the most excitement that end of the island's likely to see for another year or so."
-
>"Well, that and the missing cattle. Which is why I'm going."
-
>"Well, that and the missing cattle. Which is why I'm going."
>"Probably just wandered off somewhere," Marisa says. "Wouldn't surprise me, to be honest."
-
>"Then I shall be well equipped to find them."
-
>"Then I shall be well equipped to find them."
>She grins. "Better believe it."
-
>"Who gave you that job, anyways? And...how do you stop ghosts?"
-
>"Who gave you that job, anyways? And...how do you stop ghosts?"
>"Tanizawa's," she says. "You've heard of them, right? And really Naz, if you still have to ask that..." She gestures casually with her hand, and a few wispy sparks of magic fly from her fingertips. Marisa grins.
-
>"I was hoping it was something clever I might benefit from. But another expectation perishes."
-
>HAVE we heard of Tanizawa's before?
-
>"I was hoping it was something clever I might benefit from. But another expectation perishes."
>"Oh, don't be like that," she says. "I'm sure there's lot of ways you can get rid of ghosts without magic. There's uh... um..." She pauses. "Well, I suppose you could always get a priestess to make you some exorcism talismans. Wait, can youkai even use those?"
>HAVE we heard of Tanizawa's before?
>You have. They're one of the shipping companies that move goods in and out of Braston. They're not one of the largest ones, but you think they ferry a lot of high-end goods: precious metals, silks, that sort of thing.
-
>Can Youkai do that?
>"Guess I'll just have to lob you at them if I find any. Rather like a bottle in a barfight."
-
>Can Youkai do that?
>"Guess I'll just have to lob you at them if I find any. Rather like a bottle in a barfight."
>You're honestly not sure. Youkai are vulnerable to spiritual-based attacks in a way that humans aren't, but you aren't sure if this would prevent you from merely holding such a talisman, particularly if it was constructed with ghosts, rather than youkai, in mind.
>Marisa laughs. "You sure know how to make someone feel wanted, Naz."
-
>"I do my best with what I'm given, eh?"
>"Hey, have you followed this route much?"
-
>Molotov cocktail might be a more apt analogy.
>"Lookit this way, you'd be about the best bottle I can think of to do damage with."
-
>"I do my best with what I'm given, eh?"
>"Hey, have you followed this route much?"
>Marisa gives you a playful elbow in the ribs.
>"A few times, of course. I've been all over the island at some point or another. Can't say I have much reason to go too far out this way very often, though. I know you grew up in the place and all, but there's never much going on in Easthaven. I mean, that was why you left, wasn't it?"
>Molotov cocktail might be a more apt analogy.
>"Lookit this way, you'd be about the best bottle I can think of to do damage with."
>Perhaps a Molotov cocktail attached to a small nuclear explosive?
>Marisa scratches her head. "Uh, thanks... I think?"
-
>"Shame. I was hoping you knew some little secrets about it."
>Is it a straight route to Easthaven, or might there be a potential for shortcuts?
-
>"Shame. I was hoping you knew some little secrets about it."
>Is it a straight route to Easthaven, or might there be a potential for shortcuts?
>"Nah, not really," she says.
>The road isn't entirely straight, but you're not sure if there's a quicker path. The land off the beaten track is fairly hilly to the south and forested to the north - sometimes both. Plus there's river crossing which might get rather wet without a bridge. At least for those without the benefit of air travel, you note with a wry glance at Marisa's broom.
-
>"You wouldn't happen to know any shortcuts?"
-
>"You wouldn't happen to know any shortcuts?"
>"Hey, you've gone this way more than I have. And, uh, none you could follow, I'm afraid." She gives her broom a little shake. "Sorry, Naz."
-
>"I figured it was too much to hope for. Ah well, guess I just don't get to sleep tonight."
-
>"Handy little trick, isn't that. Can all you witch's do that, or just the ones with the right broom?"
-
>"I figured it was too much to hope for. Ah well, guess I just don't get to sleep tonight."
>"Shouldn't take that long, should it?" she says with a frown. "Can probably still get there before midnight, anyway."
>"Handy little trick, isn't that. Can all you witch's do that, or just the ones with the right broom?"
>"This broom's only special because it's mine," she says. "And really, what kind of witch are you if you can't look the part?"
-
>"I guess so. The one I did the job for apparently takes her cat everywhere."
-
>"I guess so. The one I did the job for apparently takes her cat everywhere."
>"Suppose that works, too. I'd feel a bit sorry for the thing if I ever tried carting one around with me, though."
-
>"Me too. It was the most docile and passive cat I had ever seen. I don't even think it ate meat."
-
>"Me too. It was the most docile and passive cat I had ever seen. I don't even think it ate meat."
>She raises an eyebrow. "Really? You try feeding it some and it wouldn't go for it, or something?"
-
>"No, it was just...perpetually calm. Closest I've ever come to actually liking a cat."
-
>"No, it was just...perpetually calm. Closest I've ever come to actually liking a cat."
>Marisa grins impishly and leans in towards you. "How close? Be honest, now."
-
>Poke her in the ribs with an elbow. Lightly, of coruse.
>"Not THAT close, Mari. Just be nice if every cat I met was that nice."
-
>Poke her in the ribs with an elbow. Lightly, of coruse.
>"Not THAT close, Mari. Just be nice if every cat I met was that nice."
>You give Marisa a poke in the ribs with your elbow. She just snickers.
>"Sure, sure. Whatever you say," she says, leaning back. You notice her grin doesn't waver.
>The two of you are now essentially outside the city, the buildings of Braston falling further into the distance behind you.
-
>Wouldn't surprise me if that grin of hers never wavers more than once or twice a day.
>"Second cat I got that close to never tried to take a bit out of me, either, now that you mention. Wonder if I don't taste as good now, or something."
-
>Wouldn't surprise me if that grin of hers never wavers more than once or twice a day.
>"Second cat I got that close to never tried to take a bit out of me, either, now that you mention. Wonder if I don't taste as good now, or something."
>Certainly seems that way when she's pleased with herself about something.
>"Naz," she says, shaking her head, "even if you still smell like a mouse to them, I think you're just a little bit out of their league now."
-
>"Ehhh, maybe. Still think like a mouse, too, sometimes. Not about to let my guard down around cats just yet, thank you very much. ... 'cept maybe Sokrates, that one wasn't too bad."
>"That reminds me, you ever taken a job from fairys before?"
-
>"Ehhh, maybe. Still think like a mouse, too, sometimes. Not about to let my guard down around cats just yet, thank you very much. ... 'cept maybe Sokrates, that one wasn't too bad."
>"That reminds me, you ever taken a job from fairys before?"
>Marisa shrugs. "Suppose I don't know what it's like. Never been a mouse before."
>"Fairies?" She pauses. "Hmmm... I might have, once or twice. They don't usually pay much, though. Why?"
-
>Shurg slightly.
>"Just curious. Picked up another job from a group of fairys while I was retriving that witches' cat. Wanted a cat of their own. Well, two, actually, but I only found one for 'em before I figured it was time to hit the road. Have to finish that once I get back."
-
>Shurg slightly.
>"Just curious. Picked up another job from a group of fairys while I was retriving that witches' cat. Wanted a cat of their own. Well, two, actually, but I only found one for 'em before I figured it was time to hit the road. Have to finish that once I get back."
>Marisa just chuckles and shakes her head. "Interesting first day you've been having."
-
>Laugh lightly.
>"No kiddin'. And don't get me started on the oni."
-
>Laugh lightly.
>"No kiddin'. And don't get me started on the oni."
>"Oni?" She raises an eyebrow. "Sounds like you've been pretty busy already. What'd they want, anyway?"
-
>"A fight. So me and Orange gave her one til she stopped being a problem. Think her name was Yuzu or something?"
-
>"Just some Oni beating the crap out of some dude. Thought I'd step in, ya'know?"
-
>"A fight. So me and Orange gave her one til she stopped being a problem. Think her name was Yuzu or something?"
>"Ha!" Marisa gives you a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Day one and you're already roughing up oni. Wish I'd been there to see it."
>"Just some Oni beating the crap out of some dude. Thought I'd step in, ya'know?"
>"Huh. Any idea what it was about?"
-
>Rotate shoulder a time or two. Still a bit sore from that brawl with Yuzu. Still, figured Marissa would like hearing about that little escapade.
>"I never did get a straight answer out of either one of 'em on that. Yuzu ended up getting arrested, so I was gonna check in with Orange once I got back from Easthaven, see if she'd gotten anything out of her."
-
>Rotate shoulder a time or two. Still a bit sore from that brawl with Yuzu. Still, figured Marissa would like hearing about that little escapade.
>"I never did get a straight answer out of either one of 'em on that. Yuzu ended up getting arrested, so I was gonna check in with Orange once I got back from Easthaven, see if she'd gotten anything out of her."
>You give your shoulder a little stretch. All things considered, you could be a lot more bruised than you are.
>"Arrested? Seriously? Man, can't remember the last time I heard that happened. Almost surprised it hadn't gotten back to me already. Nice job!"
>Marisa's eyes perk up. "Oh! Speaking of which, did you hear about the scuffle that went down at that dig site last night - you know, way up off the northern edge?"
-
>What do we know about this dig site? Ask Marisa about anything about it we don't know.
>"No, no I didn't. What happened?"
-
>What do we know about this dig site? Ask Marisa about anything about it we don't know.
>"No, no I didn't. What happened?"
>You're vaguely aware of an archeological dig on a small islet among a cluster of them off the northern edge of Estval. Someone recently stumbled upon ruins of some sort, and a team from the Grand Academy quickly came and set up camp there. To the best of your knowledge, that entire area is uninhabited and has been for as long as anyone remembers. You're not sure if even the archeologists themselves are certain how old they are, or who built them. Travel in that area's always been difficult, so it could have been a very long time indeed since someone found a navigable route to the island. Of course, the Seekers' Guild was abuzz with interest when the news first hit - ever eager for some new treasure or lost artifact - but it's been pretty quiet up that way for a while now. You'd figured the find was turning out to be less interesting than everyone had hoped, archeologist included. As for what you don't know about, there's probably a great many things, although you're not sure Marisa would have the answers to those questions either.
>"Don't really know, myself," Marisa says. "Just bits and pieces. It's kinda vague by the time it's filtered back down here, but I hear they were attacked by something. Or someone tried to rob them. Or both." She scratches her head. "Of course, you've got some people whispering that they unearthed some ancient sealed youkai or something. Do they think every old place comes packaged with one of those these days? Although..." She grins a little. "It does make me think there may be something worth finding up there after all."
-
>Wry grin. That grin of hers is bloody contagious.
>"I get the impression they're gonna get some company up there very shortly."
-
>Wry grin. That grin of hers is bloody contagious.
>"I get the impression they're gonna get some company up there very shortly."
>You grin back at her.
>Marisa nods. "Think that's a safe bet. The Academy people try to keep gawkers away, but I'm sure a few of us will find our way up there anyway."
-
>"Try not to blast TOO many of em."
-
>"Try not to blast TOO many of em."
>"Hey, give me some credit, Naz," she frowns. "Most of them are only students anyway."
-
>Grin.
>"You were only a student once, and it didn't stop you, did it?"
-
>"I KNOW you, Mari. 'course that also means I know you well enough to know that you know you well enough to know when not to blow things up." Usually.
>Pause. Twitch.
>"That was a mouthful."
-
>Grin.
>"You were only a student once, and it didn't stop you, did it?"
>"Probably not," she says with a chuckle. "But these are archaeology students, Naz. Grand Academy or no, most of them probably can't cast a spell to save their life."
>"I KNOW you, Mari. 'course that also means I know you well enough to know that you know you well enough to know when not to blow things up." Usually.
>Pause. Twitch.
>"That was a mouthful."
>"Yup!" Marisa says, not missing a beat. You frankly wonder if she even bothered to parse that.
>You pause, and acknowledge how much of a mouthful that was. Marisa just chuckles and shakes her head.
-
>Does Marisa have anyone in the guild she could consider a rival?
-
>Does Marisa have anyone in the guild she could consider a rival?
>Not that you're aware of, and frankly you don't know of any active Seekers who could keep up with her. Certainly none in Braston.
-
>Who are the other notable seekers, in fact?
-
>Who are the other notable seekers, in fact?
>While there are more than a handful of Seekers you would describe as competent and capable (Lunasa among them), there are far fewer you'd personally consider 'notable'. Marisa is certainly at the top of the list for ones still active and traveling about, and of course Rinnosuke's reputation is something of a minor legend in and of itself. You're rather less familiar with Seekers who operate in other parts of the world, but no specific names have filtered back from there which stand out in your mind at the moment. Of course, Marisa's style and personality are likely the cause of much of her notoriety, beyond simply her actual accomplishments.
-
>"So what's your secret to get all the good jobs that pay more than a fraction of the month's rent, anyways?"
-
>"So what's your secret to get all the good jobs that pay more than a fraction of the month's rent, anyways?"
>"Ha! Divulge trade secrets? Never!" She lifts her head up smugly.
>"But seriously Naz, a lot of it's just making sure you get there before the next guy. Remember, some of the best jobs never make it to the board. Sometimes you have to find your own opportunities. That badge opens doors." She pokes yours again. "People respect it. Er, even if they might also think you'll try to fleece them blind. Just find someone who needs your skills, and is willing to pay for them. There's probably more of them out there than you think." She nods sagely. "Or buried treasure. That's always good, too."
-
>"Or to sum it up, you get a web of contacts."
-
>"Or to sum it up, you get a web of contacts."
>"Knowing first leads to doing first. And don't think for a moment that someone else isn't trying to beat you to the prize. Just keep your eyes and ears open, is all." She grins at you. "You may even have a leg up on me on the second bit."
-
>"Mayeb you could suggest a few good places to start? Not as though someone who just looted a bunch of ghosts can't spare a resource or two, eh?"
-
>"Mayeb you could suggest a few good places to start? Not as though someone who just looted a bunch of ghosts can't spare a resource or two, eh?"
>"Aww, c'mon Naz..." she says, frowning at you. "You know I like you and all, but I gotta keep some tricks to myself. I'm sure the two of us will end up racing each other over a contract yet, just you watch. But, well... when you hear something that grabs your curiosity, follow up. Even if it might be nothing. I've found a whole lot of nothings since I've been a Seeker, but you just keep at it, see? Sooner or later you'll find something worth finding. That's how it works. And keep your ear to where the news and the money is; the port's good for that. Lots of both coming in and out of there. And then there's collectors. Or just, I dunno, find the next orichalcum vein for Yuugi and them. I bet you've got a better chance of pulling that off than anyone else in Estval. May as well get some use out of that present, eh?" She grins.
-
>"Well, It sure as hell beats doing something like finding cats with these babies."
-
>"Well, It sure as hell beats doing something like finding cats with these babies."
>"Really? I could have sworn you said you couldn't wait to find the next one." Her expression is one of practiced innocence.
-
>"Hmmm... I wonder if these rods are good for stabbing eyes out... Oh, whats that? I was thinking outloud?"
>evail grin
-
>"Hmmm... I wonder if these rods are good for stabbing eyes out... Oh, whats that? I was thinking outloud?"
>evail grin
>Let's not say this as Nazrin isn't that dumb.
>Instead: "You're always welcome to have one ready for me when I get back. I think they asked for a striped one, if I recall correctly."
-
>Let's not say this as Nazrin isn't that dumb.
>Instead: "You're always welcome to have one ready for me when I get back. I think they asked for a striped one, if I recall correctly."
>"What, and take away your fun? I wouldn't have the heart for it, Naz." Her smirk is almost obnoxiously pointed.
-
>"No no, I think it would do you some good to remember how you started out, especially since you're taking some time off after that big score and all."
-
>"No no, I think it would do you some good to remember how you started out, especially since you're taking some time off after that big score and all."
>"Hey, I told you my first job was busting up some thieves. But if you want me to get all sentimental..." She cracks her knuckles. "Think the fairies will mind if he's slightly singed?"
-
>"Given they want a pet, almost certainly."
-
>"Given they want a pet, almost certainly."
>"Oh, lighten up Naz," she says, throwing you a frown. "I wouldn't actually shoot it. Tell you what: I'll keep my eyes open, and if I nab one, you owe me lunch. Deal?"
-
>"It's hard to tell sometimes, you know?"
>Chuckle
>"But I guess I can't say to much, I did spent at least part of the day beating an oni with a signboard."
-
>"It's hard to tell sometimes, you know?"
>Chuckle
>"But I guess I can't say to much, I did spent at least part of the day beating an oni with a signboard."
>Marisa laughs. "Man, I really wish I could have seen that. I'm sure that oni had no idea what she was getting into when she picked a fight with you, all short and harmless looking." She throws you a wry grin.
>"Anyhow, I really should be getting back." Marisa glances up at the sun, then back towards Braston, its buildings shrinking into the distance behind you. "Probably already late," she mutters.
-
>"Late for what?"
-
>"Late for what?"
>"Oh, just lunch," she says. "Late lunch." Then she frowns again. "Really late lunch."
>She gets onto her broom. "You go find those cows like it's nobody's business, ok?"
-
>Wave. "Don't do anything too dumb!"
>Proceed!
-
>That doesn't sound suspicious at all. On the other hand, might be Marissa being Marissa. Ah well.
>Call after her before she gets too far away, "Mari?"
-
>Wave. "Don't do anything too dumb!"
>Proceed!
>"Hah," she grins. "No promises. Catch ya later!" And with a parting wave, she takes off like a shot, rocketing through the air back towards Braston. Your clothes flutter in her wake.
>You continue onward along the road.
>That doesn't sound suspicious at all. On the other hand, might be Marissa being Marissa. Ah well.
>Call after her before she gets too far away, "Mari?"
>You ponder her last remarks for a moment, then shrug.
>Another thought bubbles to mind, and you turn and call out after Marisa. Unfortunately, she's already gotten enough distance that she doesn't seem to hear you over the sound of her own velocity.
-
Is it important enough to chase her down, Sour?
-
Naw, not really. Just a passing thought.
Not that we COULD catch her, anyway, that girl can move.
-
>Carry on!
>...And since the road gets boring, let's test out those rods~
-
>Carry on!
>...And since the road gets boring, let's test out those rods~
>You shrug and keep on going, figuring that you can always ask Marisa when you get back.
>While you walk, you decide to test out your new dowsing rods, shifting them slowly through the air and feeling subtle vibrations resonate through them as you concentrate. They're wonderfully sensitive, however like any such device, it takes a little while to attune yourself to it and learn to discern separate signal from noise. You spend a little while acclimatizing yourself to them as you walk. Dowsing rods work best when you have a clear imprint of what it is specifically that you're looking for. If you can feel the resonances of a specific material or object, you can use that to help discern other things that resonate similarly. Sometimes it may be hard to be as specific as you'd like, if the properties of an object are not distinctive in a way the dowsing rods can sense. For example, while they may be able to discriminate between silver and gold with some practice, it would be hard to distinguish between, say, a golden sceptre and a golden statuette, and you certainly wouldn't be able to tell what it was a statuette of. Objects with distinctive magical auras are easiest, and organic matter is generally hardest. It also helps it the target is as dissimilar from its environment as possible. It would be much easier to locate a specific magical trinket in a huge forest than in the middle of the Grand Academy.
-
>Seeing how these rods work alongside our natural treasure sense is going to be interesting, even if a bit of fine-tuning along the lines is required.
>Wonder if they'd be any good at finding missing produce shipments, assuming that's even the problem? Or cattle, for that matter.
-
>Test them out by looking for something that stands out, then dowsing for it every so often after we passed it.
>Can we dowse for things based on concepts of ownership, such as our bed or Marisa's broom?
-
>Seeing how these rods work alongside our natural treasure sense is going to be interesting, even if a bit of fine-tuning along the lines is required.
>Wonder if they'd be any good at finding missing produce shipments, assuming that's even the problem? Or cattle, for that matter.
>Said sense is part of the reason you've so suited to using these in the first place. You have an intuition that lets you read the resonances from the dowsing rods in a more attuned way than most people can.
>Organic matter is difficult. With regards to the produce shipment, you don't even know what specifically it contains, nor would there likely be anything particularly distinguishing about that specific plant matter to make it stand out among all the other plant matter around here, such as trees and grass. The cattle may be a tad easier to find that way, being large and more distinct from the background, but you suspect it would still be tricky.
>Test them out by looking for something that stands out, then dowsing for it every so often after we passed it.
>Can we dowse for things based on concepts of ownership, such as our bed or Marisa's broom?
>As you pass by a small hill, you notice an exposed rock face with traces of iron in it. After getting a read on it, you continue forward, noting the subtle change in angle and direction of resonance as you move past it. The visual reference provides an aid to calibrate your sense of distance and position with the rods. You repeat the process with a few more rocks along your path with above-average mineral resonance.
>No. Ownership is not a physical property of an object.
-
>It's our treasure sense that tells us about the iron traces in those rocks, yes?
>If so, does that mean we can also sense metals that have similar composition or properties?
-
>It's our treasure sense that tells us about the iron traces in those rocks, yes?
>If so, does that mean we can also sense metals that have similar composition or properties?
>In concert with the dowsing rods, to provide focus and extra sensitivity. In this case, a visual inspection of the exposed rock could probably also have sufficed.
>You could sense and identify several distinctive metals with which you are familiar, if they were in sufficient concentrations and you were in sufficient proximity. Beyond that, you could detect likely metals, even if you could not identify specifically what they were. There were traces of at least several other metallic elements in that rock face, but you were unable to determine what they were, off-hand. Nothing of any particular value, however.
-
>Hmm. Miners and archaeologists would love to have us around, among others, once we work all the kinks out of these gizmos. Might even be our ticket to the big city right there.
>Grin.
>Thank you, Marissa.
-
>Could we dowse out non-material things, such as concentrations of faith (presumably from the faithful), or conceptual things such as a shortcut to a physical place? Or a city by name?
>Keep on trekkin' down the road.
-
>Hmm. Miners and archaeologists would love to have us around, among others, once we work all the kinks out of these gizmos. Might even be our ticket to the big city right there.
>Grin.
>Thank you, Marissa.
>There's certainly money to be made finding rare metals and other valuables. Of course, there's quite a difference between finding a vein of a valuable mineral, and finding it in a quantity that makes it economical to mine. The Miner's Guild has an outstanding bounty on the later posted at the guild. Some people try their hand at it, now and again. You're probably better positioned to fulfill that one than most people, although it's still rather akin to looking for a needle in a haystack, even with the dowsing rods.
>You grin and thank Marisa again. This gift is certainly going to come in handy.
>Could we dowse out non-material things, such as concentrations of faith (presumably from the faithful), or conceptual things such as a shortcut to a physical place? Or a city by name?
>Keep on trekkin' down the road.
>You don't know if faith can be concentrated enough in a tangible sense to actually exist as a measurable force (at least as far as someone like you could tell). However, you can certainly sense concentrations of magic, to a degree. It may be possible that if a concentration of faith were directed towards the manifestation of something specific, you might be able to detect that, in a similar way that you can detect magic, but you honestly don't know. You've never had occasion to observe such a thing. You could not detect a shortcut simply by virtue of its shortness. You might, say, be able to find a mountain pass by sensing configurations of rock and feeling for absences in it, but this would be a hit or miss thing. They mightn't be distinct enough (or at too great a range) to really pick up in most cases. You could not find a city by name, or by any property that was not in some way a tangible part of its physical being.
>As you continue along the road, you pass a few carts making their way to Braston, bearing fresh produce of various sorts. You briefly exchange pleasantries with the drivers as you pass; farmers, most of them. You even recognize a couple faces, though none you know well. Judging by the time of day, this is probably around when most people would start trickling into Braston if they left Easthaven at dawn. They'll doubtless get rarer as you proceed; nobody plans to come to market after nightfall. Aside from the occasional traveler, another hour or so passes without event.
>You're starting to get hungry; it occurs to you that you haven't had much to eat today at all.
-
>Work on some of those provisions while on the move.
-
>Work on some of those provisions while on the move.
>You take out some of your traveling rations, and start to munch as you walk. The beef jerky is a touch salty, but flavorful nonetheless, and the cheese is tasty as always. You save the (very) dry crackers until you can find a stream to drink from; until you'd first tried these, you hadn't realized it was possible for food to be this dehydrated. Still, they're not so terrible when you've got something to wash them down with.
>With your stomach feeling more contented, several more hours pass without event. You pass a handful more people on the road: a couple of farmers, and a small group of workers returning from what you think is an advance mining camp, a ways off the main road. At one point you spot a pair of fairies chasing each other through the trees to your left; you know there are a few small communities of them somewhere about, tucked away among the hills and forests, although you see little sign of them today.
>The journey is pleasant enough, if somewhat boring, and you find the last traces of your oni-induced headache fading as you walk. Even taking occasional rests, you make good progress and come into sight of the river, roughly two-thirds of the way to Easthaven, just as the sun is starting to set. A low stonework bridge spans it, at the moment bathed with an orange glow as brilliant streaks of light dance upon the water's surface.
>You see a small, blueish figure in the distance, leaning up against the side of the bridge.
-
>Approach the bridge, and keep an idle eye on the Deis-like figure.
-
>Approach the bridge, and keep an idle eye on the Deis-like figure.
>You continue towards the bridge while keeping an eye on the figure, whose only resemblance to a certain serpentine sorceress appears to be hair color. As you draw closer, you start to resolve a few more details. She appears to be a fairy, although a notably large one - it was hard to tell at first. She is blue-haired, with a blue and white outfit and a large blue ribbon in her hair. Most distinctive are what appear to be a fan of six ice crystals behind her, approximating wings. She seems to staring idly into space; you don't think she's noticed your approach yet.
-
>Keep going. Idly say hi when we reach the bridge.
-
>Is this the first time we've seen a fairy with abnormal 'wings'? Chunks of ice for wings, that's just... odd.
-
>Keep going. Idly say hi when we reach the bridge.
>You keep walking towards the bridge. As you reach conversational distance, the fairy springs alert, and in a single sharp motion turns to face you, and deftly frees a- was that a sword strapped to her back? That's certainly a sword in her hands right now, held in a firm two-handed grip across the center of her frame, its tip angled towards you. It's a very large blade for someone her size, although a human might be able to use it one-handed.
>"Ha!" she cries, a confident and determined smirk on her face. "A new challenger appears!"
>Is this the first time we've seen a fairy with abnormal 'wings'? Chunks of ice for wings, that's just... odd.
>It is rather unusual, but it's not unknown for a fairies' wings to assume a form somehow related to the part of nature they're aligned with. In this case, it seems fairly clear that she's an ice fairy.
-
>Come to an abrupt halt.
>"... excuse me?"
-
>Come to an abrupt halt.
>"... excuse me?"
>You come to an abrupt stop. A large pointy object leveled at you is more than good enough motivation.
>"You heard me!" she says, shifting the balance of her stance loosely, but keeping her feet where they are. "C'mon!"
-
>"I'm not here to fight, friend. Just to cross the bridge."
-
>"Let me guess: this is your bridge, and I have to beat you to use it."
-
>"I'm not here to fight, friend. Just to cross the bridge."
>"Oh yeah?" She gives you a hard look. "Well that's what the last guy said, and look how that ended. Not gonna fool me that easy."
>"Let me guess: this is your bridge, and I have to beat you to use it."
>She grins. "That's more like it. C'mon, make me actually try, I dare ya!"
-
>"Don't wanna."
-
>"Don't wanna."
>"Hey, that's not how it works!" She scowls.
-
>"Well you're not making a very convincing offer, are you?"
-
>"Well you're not making a very convincing offer, are you?"
>She frowns a little uncertainly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
-
>"Well, let's look at the facts here. I've been walking for ages, while you've been sitting here and resting. You can fly. You have a sword. Thinking about it logically, I can't think of a single good reason to challenge you. It's not a very interesting offer, I'm afraid."
-
>"Well, let's look at the facts here. I've been walking for ages, while you've been sitting here and resting. You can fly. You have a sword. Thinking about it logically, I can't think of a single good reason to challenge you. It's not a very interesting offer, I'm afraid."
>"Ha!" She grins sharply. "Are you giving up already, then?"
-
>"Can't give up when I didn't start, I'm afraid. I never said I was to begin with. By the way, I'm Nazrin."
>Offer a handshake.
-
>"Can't give up when I didn't start, I'm afraid. I never said I was to begin with. By the way, I'm Nazrin."
>Offer a handshake.
>You introduce yourself and offer a handshake. The fairy looks at your outstretched hand dubiously.
>"Hey, hey," she says, "we totally started. I was just waitin' for you to get ready. Y'know, sportsmanship and all. But there's only three ways to end a fight: you win, you lose, you give up, or you run away. So what's it gonna be?"
-
>Keep the hand offered.
>"No no, it's like the great philosopher said, 'it takes two people to start a fight'. And I've not agreed to be in it yet. You're offer's just lousy, I'm afraid."
-
>Keep the hand offered.
>"No no, it's like the great philosopher said, 'it takes two people to start a fight'. And I've not agreed to be in it yet. You're offer's just lousy, I'm afraid."
>You keep your hand extended - rather unfortunately close to the blade, it occurs to you - and continue to reason with the fairy.
>"Lousy? Lousy?" The fairy's brow furrows. "You're only saying that because you know you'll lose. You said it yourself!"
-
> Keep that hand extended.
> "Honestly, I've had a rather busy day and I just want to get to Easthaven before it gets too late. I've had to run around a lot today along with two splitting headaches so I'm just not up for it."
-
>"I don't even get anything good out of it if I win. Cross a bridge? Woo, I can do that every day. Besides, I'd feel too guilty to really try."
-
> Keep that hand extended.
> "Honestly, I've had a rather busy day and I just want to get to Easthaven before it gets too late. I've had to run around a lot today along with two splitting headaches so I'm just not up for it."
>You keep your hand extended.
>She frowns. "But that's boring. I've been waiting here for hours."
>"I don't even get anything good out of it if I win. Cross a bridge? Woo, I can do that every day. Besides, I'd feel too guilty to really try."
>The fairy's expression looks puzzled. "Guilty?" There's a pause. "...hey, wait, you think I can't take you? I could take you so hard." Her voice is indignant. "You think just 'cause I'm a fairy, I'm a pushover, right? Well, I'm not like those other fairies. I could take down ten of 'em at once. I've beaten humans; I can beat a youkai."
>Her eyes flash confidently, and feel the air around you grow colder. "I'm Cirno, swordsman of ice, and victor of a hundred and eleventy battles!" She appears to do some quick math with her fingers. "Uh, I think."
-
>"No no no, nothing like that. I'd feel guilty for getting into a fight over a bridge. I don't like fighting, you see. It happens too much already. Besides, what if I got lucky and hurt you? I'd feel terrible."
-
>"I'm already feeling bad over beating up that oni earlier, and she actually deserved it."
-
>"I'm already feeling bad over beating up that oni earlier, and she actually deserved it."
>Let's not boast how hardcore we are to someone who is clearly spoiling to beat up someone hardcore. We don't need to have Ichirin find us with sword wounds.
-
>"No no no, nothing like that. I'd feel guilty for getting into a fight over a bridge. I don't like fighting, you see. It happens too much already. Besides, what if I got lucky and hurt you? I'd feel terrible."
>"Can't hurt me," she says. "I'm a fairy; I get better. And who cares about the stupid bridge, anyway?" She scuffs the stone with her foot. "C'mon, just do something."
>"I'm already feeling bad over beating up that oni earlier, and she actually deserved it."
>Cirno's eyes widen slightly. "You beat up an oni?" There's a pause, then her face slowly widens into a grin. "Ha, maybe you could be a challenge after all."
-
>How wide is the river, and how deep does it appear to be?
-
>"Wanna got get something to drink?"
-
>How wide is the river, and how deep does it appear to be?
>At the bridge, the river is somewhere around 100 or so feet wide. You think it's relatively shallow, but would still be well over your head by the middle. The current and reflected light from the setting sun make it hard to judge more precisely with a glance.
>"Wanna got get something to drink?"
>Cirno frowns. "Huh?"
-
>"Well, you said you wanted to do something. Let's not hang around some boring old bridge when we can go to town and get something to drink."
-
>"Well, you said you wanted to do something. Let's not hang around some boring old bridge when we can go to town and get something to drink."
>Cirno stares at you silently for a few moments. "There's a river right here," she says eventually. "Why'd we need to go all the way to town to drink something?"
-
>"Well, it's just water in the river. I was thinking of something tastier."
-
>"Well, it's just water in the river. I was thinking of something tastier."
>"Like what?" she says, giving you a dubious look.
-
>"I dunno, you like juice?"
-
>"I dunno, you like juice?"
>There's a pause. "Maybe."
-
>"Let's find out, then."
-
>"Let's find out, then."
>She frowns at you. "This is some kinda trick, isn't it?"
-
>"Well, Like I said, I've got no reason to really annoy you."
-
>That's just making her aware we're deceiving her. Instead say: "First round's on me."
-
>That's just making her aware we're deceiving her. Instead say: "First round's on me."
>"First round hasn't even started yet!" she cries, looking rather frustrated. "You keep trying to talk about other stuff."
-
>"No, I meant I'd buy you a drink or two, not fighting."
Look's like purvys smarts cant even outbeat Cirno, ehhh?
-
They see me manipulatin', they hatin'.
>"But the offer's not gonna be around forever."
-
>Offhand, about what would our odds be of taking Cirno in a fight, if we had to? If only in terms of dealing with that sword, regardless of whether she's skilled with it.
Not that I'm about to endorse this, mind, but if she's stubborn enough to ignore Purvis' excellent anti-fairy tricksiness, it may not be much of a choice.
-
That's one thing I've been wondering. Entertaining as this as been, why don't we just kick her ass? I mean, it's Cirno. There's never a reason NOT to kick her ass, and it can't be that hard.
-
>"No, I meant I'd buy you a drink or two, not fighting."
>"But that's boring," she says. "If I wanted something to drink, I could have stayed home."
>"But the offer's not gonna be around forever."
>Cirno stares at you with something between a frown and a frustrated scowl. "Why are you so... so..." Her face twitches as she grasps at words. "...so weird? You said you beat up an oni, right? So why won't you fight me? Did ya just make that up? I don't get it."
>Offhand, about what would our odds be of taking Cirno in a fight, if we had to? If only in terms of dealing with that sword, regardless of whether she's skilled with it.
>You generally wouldn't expect much serious opposition from a fairy, although her stance seems surprisingly confident. You suspect there's a good chance you're faster than her, and you're almost certainly more agile. Given the size of her weapon in relation to herself, she probably can't strike particularly quickly with it. Unless she shows un-fairy-like restraint in her fighting style, you think you could probably dance around most of her attacks. Her flight could be troublesome, but you suspect her control of her weapon would be more awkward off the ground. Worst comes to worst, you could survive a handful of direct strikes without much risk of serious injury, even though it wouldn't be at all pleasant. Cirno, on the other hand, being a fairy, could probably only take a limited amount of damage before she poofs. A well-aimed kunai throw might even be able to end the fight in a single hit.
-
>"Well, It wasnt moreso like fought, it was me avoiding getting kicked halfway across the planet."
-
>"Well, It wasnt moreso like fought, it was me avoiding getting kicked halfway across the planet."
>No no no, never admit the con.
>"I'm not weird, I just don't like fighting nearly as much as I like making friends and having a drink with them. That's kind of mean, don't you think?"
-
>No no no, never admit the con.
>"I'm not weird, I just don't like fighting nearly as much as I like making friends and having a drink with them. That's kind of mean, don't you think?"
>Cirno looks increasingly lost. "Wait, you make friends with people because it's mean? Yeah, you're totally weird."
-
> "No, sorry, I meant fighting people's a bit mean, if you could just have a drink with them instead. C'mon, I'm sure that there's some good juice waiting for us."
-
> "No, sorry, I meant fighting people's a bit mean, if you could just have a drink with them instead. C'mon, I'm sure that there's some good juice waiting for us."
>"I don't want any stupid juice," Cirno mutters. You notice that her stance does seem to be a little less firm than when you started, though.
-
>"Oh. Well, do you like pie?"
>Produce what's left of our pie.
-
>If she doesnt like pie
>"Well, What do ya like?"
-
>If she doesnt like pie
>"Well, What do ya like?"
>Hold on this, she might say it just to try and force a fight.
-
>"Oh. Well, do you like pie?"
>Produce what's left of our pie.
>You ask Cirno if she likes pie, then move to produce it. Cirno tightens her sword on you as you reach into your pack, then relaxes a little again when you withdraw only a pie, rather than, presumably, some dangerous implement. She regards the pie uncertainly.
>"If I swung at you," she says, frowning, "would you at least fight back?"
-
>"I'd really rather not. I have a pastry here."
>Take off a corner and sample it.
-
>"I'm not in the habit of starting fights, especially not when I have pie in hand. But I can finish them, if I have to."
-
>"I'm not in the habit of starting fights, especially not when I have pie in hand. But I can finish them, if I have to."
> Disregard this, we're not trying to provoke her.
-
>"I'd really rather not. I have a pastry here."
>Take off a corner and sample it.
>You take off a corner of the pie and have a taste. You can't say you've ever eaten pastry at swordpoint before but the pie, for its part, remains as delicious as ever, atmosphere notwithstanding. Cirno regards the whole affair with a curious mix of incredulity, confusion, frustration, and is that just the tiniest bit of interest you see? She seems somewhat at a loss for words.
-
>Shrug.
>"If you don't want any, I suppose there's nothing for it."
>Start to wrap it back up and put it away.
-
>Shrug.
>"If you don't want any, I suppose there's nothing for it."
>Start to wrap it back up and put it away.
>You shrug, then start to put the pie away. Cirno watches with that same odd expression on your face until the moment you begin to actually put it back into your pack.
>"Hey, hold it!" she says, gesturing pointedly at you with her sword. Her mouth seems to be struggling to voice the rest of that thought; she just kind of grimaces at you.
-
>Pause.
>"What was that? I couldn't hear you over the sword waving."
-
So, Here we are, With a sword that can easily go through our flimsy necks at any second -
And we're eating pie. Purvis, How do you do this?
>"Well, Do you want some? There's no shame in having a slice-o-pie."
-
>Pause.
>"What was that? I couldn't hear you over the sword waving."
>"That didn't make any noise," she says, scowling. "You're just saying that."
>"Well, Do you want some? There's no shame in having a slice-o-pie."
>Cirno gives both you and the pie a long, hard look. "...I'm not hungry," she says at length.
-
>"Well, you don't need to be hungry to have a treat. But okay, I guess I'll just have to share it with some mice later on."
>Put it away.
-
>"Well, you don't need to be hungry to have a treat. But okay, I guess I'll just have to share it with some mice later on."
>Put it away.
>With a note of resignation, you explain that you'll have to share the pie with some mice instead. Cirno's frown deepens.
>You move to put the pie away again.
>"Stop!" Cirno cries. "That's not fair!"
-
>Stop.
>"What's not fair?"
-
>Stop.
>"What's not fair?"
>You halt your stowing of the pie.
>"...why do the mice get to have some?" Cirno mumbles. "What'd they do? They're just stupid old mice."
-
>"Hey! I'm a mouse. That's really rude of you."
-
>"Hey! I'm a mouse. That's really rude of you."
>"You don't look much like a mouse," she says, frowning at you.
-
>Frown.
>"Did the ears and tail not suggest it?"
-
>Frown.
>"Did the ears and tail not suggest it?"
>"Well, they uh... they..." She has a better look at them, still frowning. "Hey, how was I suppose to know? Half you youkai look the same, anyway. I'm a swordsman, not some... book... person."
-
>"Well...okay, I forgive you. But you ought to be nice to mice."
-
>"Well...okay, I forgive you. But you ought to be nice to mice."
>"I'm nice to mice," she grumbles. "Swordsmen follow a strict code of honor, you know. It's just it'd be a waste of pie."
-
>"So, do you want some?"
-
>"So, do you want some?"
>"Well... I guess I could," she says, doing a rather unconvincing job of sounding indifferent. "Y'know, since you seem to really want me to."
-
>"Not going to force you."
-
>"Not going to force you."
>"Nah, it's ok," she says. She lowers her sword a bit, then pauses and throws you a look. "Just don't try anything, got it?"
-
>"Sure thing."
>Cut her off a bit of pie and offer it, and have a seat at the edge of the bridge.
-
>"Sure thing."
>Cut her off a bit of pie and offer it, and have a seat at the edge of the bridge.
>You cut off another slice of your shrinking pie and offer it to Cirno. She regards it with another few moment's uncertainty, then flips her sword around and jabs the point at the ground beside her. Small tendrils of ice rise up from the bridge surface and grasp the tip of the blade, keeping the sword upright. She takes the piece of pie with both hands, and flops on the edge of the bridge, her crystalline wings fluttering with the motion. You have a seat a polite distance from her.
-
>"So how long have you been staying around this bridge?"
-
>"So how long have you been staying around this bridge?"
>"Couple hours," she says, her mouth half-full of pie.
-
>Nod. There went that hypothesis.
>"Are you from Easthaven, or do yo live out here somewhere?"
-
>Nod. There went that hypothesis.
>"Are you from Easthaven, or do yo live out here somewhere?"
>You nod, ruling out one of your ideas.
>"Easthaven? You mean that human place way over that way?" She gestures idly in the general direction of the town. "Nah, I live-"
>Her eyes suddenly narrow and she stops mid-bite, regarding you suspiciously. "Hey, you're not trying to get me to tell you where the others are, are ya? Because if you want to get to them, you gotta go through me first." The pie in her mouth rather muffles both her words and any sense of intimidation she may have been trying to muster with that tone.
-
>"I didn't know there were others. Oh, are you with the faeries at the secret hideout in Branston? At the warehouse?"
-
>"I didn't know there were others. Oh, are you with the faeries at the secret hideout in Branston? At the warehouse?"
>"Huh?" Her expression softens a little, looking more nonplussed than threatening. After a moment, she resumes eating. "Don't know what you're talking about."
-
>"I did a little work for them, earlier. Found them a pet cat. Well, I'm supposed to get another, but I have to do something time sensitive in East Haven."
-
>"I did a little work for them, earlier. Found them a pet cat. Well, I'm supposed to get another, but I have to do something time sensitive in East Haven."
>"You found 'em a cat? I thought you said you were a mouse? Aren't you guys like, supposed to hate cats or something?"
-
> "Yeah yeah. I've been getting crap for it all day."
-
>"It's exactly why I gave them a cat. Got it off the streets where it's terrorizing the mice."
-
> "Yeah yeah. I've been getting crap for it all day."
>"What? From the other mice or something?"
>"It's exactly why I gave them a cat. Got it off the streets where it's terrorizing the mice."
>"Huh." Cirno shrugs.
-
> "Nah. Just from my friends."
-
> "Nah. Just from my friends."
>Cirno takes another bite of pie. "Isn't that what I said?"
-
>"I have friends who aren't mice. I am a Seeker, you know."
-
>"I have friends who aren't mice. I am a Seeker, you know."
>"Is that somethin' weird, too?"
-
>"You really like to call things weird, don't you? It's a guild, for people who find things of others."
-
>"You really like to call things weird, don't you? It's a guild, for people who find things of others."
>"Huh. What kinda things?"
-
>"Whatever people hire us to find, really."
-
>"Whatever people hire us to find, really."
>Cirno nods slowly. "So, ever find anything really neat? Like ancient treasure, or magical armor, or some great sealed evil you had to slay?"
-
>Cirno nods slowly. "So, ever find anything really neat? Like ancient treasure, or magical armor, or some great sealed evil you had to slay?"
>"Probably not the last one, we're not usually not fighting stuff. But trouble happens sometimes."
>_
-
> "Plus I just started today. If you wanted stories like that you'd be better off asking my friend or someone who's been in the profession longer. Hell, my friend mentioned something earlier today about getting rid of ghosts when I talked to her."
-
>"Probably not the last one, we're not usually not fighting stuff. But trouble happens sometimes."
>"Trouble?" Her eyes light up a little. "Like what?"
> "Plus I just started today. If you wanted stories like that you'd be better off asking my friend or someone who's been in the profession longer. Hell, my friend mentioned something earlier today about getting rid of ghosts when I talked to her."
>"Ghosts?" For one fleeting moment, she actually looks a little nervous, but brushes past it quickly enough. "Where's this friend of yours, anyway? She walking this way with you or somethin'?" Cirno looks off down the road.
-
> "No, she's back at that big city down the road. But trouble like having to hit oni with signboards, or trying to climb up rotting crates, that sorta thing."
-
> "No, she's back at that big city down the road. But trouble like having to hit oni with signboards, or trying to climb up rotting crates, that sorta thing."
>"Bah, that sounds boring." She takes another bite; only a small bit of pie remains.
>"If I were lookin' for stuff," she says thoughtfully, "I'd want to find a legendary sword. You know, like in the stories. Something only the bravest and strongest swordsmen could wield. One that could beat down a hundred fiends in one blow, or fire lightning bolts or something. Yeah, that's what I'd do."
-
> "You already have an ice sword there, that's plenty impressive. But yeah, the lightning fiend slaying sword sounds pretty awesome, too."
-
>"Personally? I want a castle, which moves on its own, so I could go visit people and invite them in. And a fat treasury to go with it."
-
> "And a labyrinth to hide my cheese in, so no one else can get at it."
> Wipe the drool off the corner of our mouth.
-
>"...Not that mice particularly like cheese. Just I do. Another slice?"
-
> "You already have an ice sword there, that's plenty impressive. But yeah, the lightning fiend slaying sword sounds pretty awesome, too."
>"It is awesome," she says, nodding. "Yeah, that's totally what I'm gonna do. This sword's just something I found lying around." She grins. "The ice is all me."
>A crystalline sheath of ice crusts over the last bit of pie in her hands; she tosses it up into the air and catches it in her other hand.
>"Just think about it. Ice and lightning bolts. I'll be unstoppable."
>"Personally? I want a castle, which moves on its own, so I could go visit people and invite them in. And a fat treasury to go with it."
>"That sounds kinda cool, too," she says. "Maybe I could go find one of those after I get that sword."
> "And a labyrinth to hide my cheese in, so no one else can get at it."
> Wipe the drool off the corner of our mouth.
>Cirno frowns at you. "Why would you waste an awesome labyrinth on something boring like cheese? They're supposed to have gold and gems and legendary stuff in them. I bet that sword's in a labyrinth somewhere. Yeah, that's totally where it would be."
>You sheepishly wipe away the drool forming in the corner of your mouth. But man, that would be nice.
>"...Not that mice particularly like cheese. Just I do. Another slice?"
>The ice around the last bit of pie dissolves and Cirno pops into her mouth. "Sure," she says between bites.
-
>Administer another slice. Not too large, though.
>Are there any faeries in the Seekers? And would Rinnosuke get mad at us if we directed one/another there?
>"I don't think you'd find one hanging around a bridge, even though it's a nice bridge."
-
So, Here we are, With a sword that can easily go through our flimsy necks at any second -
And we're eating pie. Purvis, How do you do this?
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/exitjmouse/Nazrin_FearMoxie.png)
-
>Administer another slice. Not too large, though.
>Are there any faeries in the Seekers? And would Rinnosuke get mad at us if we directed one/another there?
>"I don't think you'd find one hanging around a bridge, even though it's a nice bridge."
>You cut off another smaller slice of pie and hand it to Cirno.
>You've certainly never heard of such a thing. It's possible some have tried - you're not sure on that front - but fairies are almost universally too flighty to stand a real chance of making it through. You doubt Rinnosuke would be mad at you for sending an interested person his way, though. As long as she didn't end up causing a scene somehow...
>"I was just looking for someone strong to fight. That's what swordsmen are supposed to do, see? The fairies back home can't put up a fight anymore, not even if they all come at me at once. It's boring now. So I came here. But you had to go and be boring, too," she mutters, then takes a bite of the pie.
-
>"How can a nice lemon pie be boring? And no, that's just brutes that do that. People who think they have something to prove and don't care who they hurt to do it. No one likes those people."
-
>"How can a nice lemon pie be boring? And no, that's just brutes that do that. People who think they have something to prove and don't care who they hurt to do it. No one likes those people."
>"Dunno what you're talking about," she says. "Swordsmen are awesome. Y'know, slaying monsters and rescuing princesses and being heroes. But they always gotta keep working to get stronger: looking for other strong people to fight, training years in the mountains to master some secret technique, that kind of thing."
>"Someday, I'm gonna invent my own secret technique," she adds thoughtfully. "And it's gonna be awesome."
-
>"Well, Ya kinda got ice. Think of all the things you could do. Maybe you could freeze an arrow midair, or stop a slash at you with your icy sword. Maybe even an ice-spear. There's really no limits for what a hero can do, right?"
-
>"Well, Ya kinda got ice. Think of all the things you could do. Maybe you could freeze an arrow midair, or stop a slash at you with your icy sword. Maybe even an ice-spear. There's really no limits for what a hero can do, right?"
>"That's right!" she says, nodding enthusiastically. "Just you watch. I'm gonna be one of the strongest heroes ever, some day."
-
>"Hmmm... Ever think about joining the seekers? There's a whole variety of people there, people like me who do small stuff and people like my friend who's kicking ghosts around like a can. Besides, You said you're much stronger then other fae, and I can see that. So, What say you? Wanna be one of the first few faeries in the Seekers Guild?"
Welp, If I'm dropping the " U WAN JOIN PLZ?" bomb a bit too soon, interrupt me now or forever hold yee peace.
-
>"Hmmm... Ever think about joining the seekers? There's a whole variety of people there, people like me who do small stuff and people like my friend who's kicking ghosts around like a can. Besides, You said you're much stronger then other fae, and I can see that. So, What say you? Wanna be one of the first few faeries in the Seekers Guild?"
>"A swordsman's gotta follow their own path," she says sagely, then grins. "But if there's a bunch of strong people there, maybe I should check it out."
-
>"No harm done if ya do, right? Say, If you ever do drop by, Tell em you're a friend of Nazrin's."
-
>"Just don't cause any trouble, okay?"
-
>"No harm done if ya do, right? Say, If you ever do drop by, Tell em you're a friend of Nazrin's."
>She nods. "Got it."
>"Just don't cause any trouble, okay?"
>She smirks. "People like me are the ones who end trouble."
-
>"Speaking of ending trouble, it's time for me to be on my way. Easthaven's probably not going to fix itself."
-
>"Speaking of ending trouble, it's time for me to be on my way. Easthaven's probably not going to fix itself."
>Cirno nods, taking another bite of pie. "Go kick its ass! But if we see each other again, you owe me a real fight, got it?"
-
>"You've defeated two slices of pie, isn't that enough?"
>Get back on the road!
-
>"You've defeated two slices of pie, isn't that enough?"
>Get back on the road!
>"Heh." She grins. "Pie's easy."
>You start to head back on your way. Cirno pops in the last bit of the pie and gives you a little wave, then gets up and pulls her sword free of the ice gripping it. With a little flourish, she resheaths it on her back, then flies back up and flops down on the bridge ledge, letting her feet dangle over the side. You make it to the other side of river without being accosted further.
-
>Keep going!
-
Quick recap.
I don't know what doublethink means!
>Walk and enjoy the scenery. Make a note to self to ask Rinnosuke when you get back if a certain fae applied.
>We never got her last name did we... Do most people not have last names?
-
>Keep going!
>You keep moving along the road. The has sun sank a little more during your time with Cirno, and seems to sink further with each hill the road weaves around. It turns out to be a truly brilliant sunset; the kind people paint pictures of. Vivid reds and oranges blaze through strands of wispy clouds, and the hills and trees are suffused with a golden glow. It's a pleasant backdrop for an uneventful walk. But soon enough the sunset itself ebbs, yellows giving way to dusky reds and then to black as the last vestiges of sunlight fade. Several more hours pass beneath the starry sky. The moon is but a thin sliver tonight, but there is enough light to keep to the path. Time starts to drag; you haven't seen a single person since the bridge, and there's only so much uneventful walking one can do without growing impatient for one's destination. Still, even as minutes grow long, the miles continue to pass and eventually you see tiny points of light in the distance. Easthaven at last!
>Walk and enjoy the scenery. Make a note to self to ask Rinnosuke when you get back if a certain fae applied.
>We never got her last name did we... Do most people not have last names?
>You certainly did plenty of walking, and even some enjoying of the scenery. You make a note to ask Rinnosuke about Cirno. Hopefully she actually doesn't cause any problems...
>Humans almost universally have last names. With youkai it varies. Many do, but some don't; you rather suspect this is personal preference, as many youkai with family names don't have a 'family' in a lineage sense. Or certainly not a family that would have had names themselves. Most fairies have two names, although neither is really a 'family' name, nor do fairies have biological families in a conventional sense. Now that you think of it, Cirno's name is actually rather unusual for a fairy. Most take their names from parts of nature - flowers, plants, the weather, and so on - or sometimes food, especially sweet things, or objects of whimsy. Whether she has a second name or not, you really wouldn't know.
-
>"Cirno's pretty interesting eh... I wonder if she'll be able to top Marisa one day?"
>Is there anything we've forgotten, like sleep or the like?
>Any of our memory from before this morning really coming back? Because that was one shitty hangover.
-
>Well we've been walking most of the day, so sleep is pretty obviously going to be a thing we need.
>Head toward Easthaven. Recall what we can about it. Was it where we spent our rodent days?
>Also don't talk to ourself; especially as if ourself was someone else.
-
>Nothing wrong with talking to ourselves. It's when we start arguing with ourselves and losing, then we've got a problem.
>Recall as well the route to Ichirn's place, that seems a decent place to pitch our tent for the night, if possible.
-
>"Cirno's pretty interesting eh... I wonder if she'll be able to top Marisa one day?"
>Is there anything we've forgotten, like sleep or the like?
>Any of our memory from before this morning really coming back? Because that was one shitty hangover.
>You give voice to an idle thought about Cirno. If anything sentient heard you, it's been hiding its presence pretty well. And truthfully, you'd be pretty damn impressed at anyone who could manage to top Marisa, let alone a fairy. Still, it might be interesting to see her try...
>By its very definition, something you've forgotten is not something you could recall to know that you'd forgotten it. However you're not yet overdue for sleep at least, although you could really use a rest after all that walking.
>You remember a great many things from before this morning. Last night itself still gets increasingly foggy the later in the night you attempt to recall, degenerating into a sort of vague montage of celebratory carousing. ...oh dear lord, were you actually singing karaoke with Merlin?
>Well we've been walking most of the day, so sleep is pretty obviously going to be a thing we need.
>Head toward Easthaven. Recall what we can about it. Was it where we spent our rodent days?
>Also don't talk to ourself; especially as if ourself was someone else.
>It certainly wouldn't go astray, although you're not dropping with sleep just yet. A chair would be nice, though.
>You continue towards Easthaven. The land grows much flatter and more open here as the trees thin and retreat away to the north. Easthaven is a farming community of exceptional bounty, owing this in no small part, you figure, to the fact that a harvest goddess calls the town home - she herself is always rather more modest about her role. The population of the village is small, but it's surrounded by a profusion of cultivated fields that extend for a great distance from the village center. All manner of produce is grown here, many of which are very hard to grow anywhere else in the Outer Freelands. Consequently, Easthaven supplies much to the other communities in the region, and even some to the central nations. There is very little to the village but farming, however. It is a peaceful and friendly enough place, but sleepy; not much happens here, and you doubt much ever will. Many of the villagers are perfectly happy with that, of course, but you wanted more to your life than this. You don't remember your time as a mundane mouse very well anymore, but Ichirin found you in a field a little ways outside the village. You're honestly not certain if you spent much time in the village itself.
>Maybe the hours of empty terrain are getting to you a little.
>Nothing wrong with talking to ourselves. It's when we start arguing with ourselves and losing, then we've got a problem.
>Recall as well the route to Ichirn's place, that seems a decent place to pitch our tent for the night, if possible.
>But you decide to cut yourself a little slack, anyway. It's been a long day.
>Ichirin's orphanage is along the southeast of the community, towards some of the cliffs overlooking the island's edge. The village center itself is near the eastern edge of the community; nearly all the fields extend to the north and west of it, and indeed nearly all of the actual land.
>You start to reach the outermost fields and pass a scattered house or two built among them - small and simple buildings of wooden construction, although you're still inclined to say they look better than the average place in Braston. You see no one out and about at this hour, although there are lights coming from inside the houses. You suspect there'll still be some minor activity in the village center itself.
-
>Head for the village center.
-
>Go towards Ichirin's.
>how good are we a singer? bet we outdid merlin ehhh?
-
>Head for the village center.
>You continue towards the village center, passing more fields along with the occasional house or barn. You spot a figure moving along a path between fields in the distance, but the main road itself remains bare as you make your way towards the cluster of lights ahead. Soon enough, the fields give way to more houses as you approach the village center. It is a loose gathering of buildings, arranged with only a suggestion of roads dividing them: mostly houses, with a few storage and other buildings. A couple shops, the village hall, and Minoriko's inn form a rough square around an old stone well, a little further east. That area is still warmly lit from lanterns hung off the side of buildings and you can hear quiet chatter as you walk.
>Go towards Ichirin's.
>how good are we a singer? bet we outdid merlin ehhh?
>You follow the road south from the village center towards Ichirin's, leaving the bulk of the village behind. The land starts to grow hillier to the south and there is little cultivated land here, although there are still a few other houses and buildings along the way. The orphanage itself is on a small rise, past most of the other habitation. It is a low, l-shaped building, fairly large by Easthaven standards, though still of modest construction. A great oak tree grows beside it, a pair of swings hung from its branches. You can still see light coming from the windows.
>At least she was singing in the right key...
-
>Knock on the door.
>What was the reason for coming here again? A request of some sort, right?
-
>Knock on the door.
>You walk up to the door and knock.
>"Hey!" comes an accosting voice from the roof. "Who're you?"
>What was the reason for coming here again? A request of some sort, right?
>You're came here because Ichirin posted a request with the guild; something about disappearing livestock in the community.
-
>"I'm Nazrin."
>Look up.
>"Is Ichirin around?"
-
>"I'm Nazrin."
>Look up.
>"Is Ichirin around?"
>You announce yourself, then look up. Sitting on the roof is a dusty blond-haired fairy in a black dress. She's frowning at you a little accusatorily.
>"Whadda you wanna know for?" she fires back.
-
>"I grew up here, hoping to check in and see what that job she sent to us was about."
-
>"I grew up here, hoping to check in and see what that job she sent to us was about."
>"Never seen you around here before," the fairy says dubiously.
>At this point the door opens. "...Nazrin?" Obvious surprise is writ on Ichirin's face.
-
>Glance down to Ichirin. "Um, hey. How's it been? I heard you've been needing a seeker?"
-
>Glance down to Ichirin. "Um, hey. How's it been? I heard you've been needing a seeker?"
>"You heard-" Ichirin pauses uncertainly for a moment, then a warm smile spreads across her face. "Oh Nazrin, you finally did it, didn't you? I'm so glad for you."
>"So you know this kid?" the fairy asks.
>"Yes, I know her," Ichrin says, then frowns a little and looks up. "What have I told you about accosting all our visitors?" she adds in a mildly chiding tone.
>"...sorry."
-
>"Eh, It's fine. Let the kid have her fun."
>"Anyways, I heard that you needed help with something, mind giving me a bit more details? And hows the place been doing, eh?"
-
>"Eh, It's fine. Let the kid have her fun."
>"Anyways, I heard that you needed help with something, mind giving me a bit more details? And hows the place been doing, eh?"
>Ichirin frowns. "You shouldn't encourage her." The fairy grins.
>"You've only been here for 30 seconds and already you're talking business." Ichirin shakes her head. "You've been on the road for hours, and you could use some rest, whether you'll admit it or not. Come in; I'll put on some tea." And with that she turns and walks back into the house.
-
>Do we think, if we took some time to have tea with Ichirin, we could get back to the gathering in town center and ask around there before it breaks up for the night?
-
>Do we think, if we took some time to have tea with Ichirin, we could get back to the gathering in town center and ask around there before it breaks up for the night?
>You don't know that it was a specific gathering, so much as people milling about. However, it's pretty late as it is, so you imagine a lot of them will be trickling back home over the next little while. There might still be a couple people about, after tea, but not many. There may not even be very many if you left now.
-
This is why we do the time sensitive things first.
>"Maybe in a bit. First I just wanted to make sure that everyone here was okay, and...well, um, you mind if I stay here the night?"
-
>"Maybe in a bit. First I just wanted to make sure that everyone here was okay, and...well, um, you mind if I stay here the night?"
>Ichirin stops and turns back to you. "Of course not!" she says. "We even have an empty bedroom at the moment. It's not your old one, I'm afraid." She frowns. "I hope you didn't honestly think it'd be a problem."
-
>"I was afraid you might've been full up. I'll be back in a little bit. I need to gather up some information about another job. They need it done and in Branston by tomorrow."
>What were the details of the produce shipment? Would we expect Ichirin to know anything about it?
-
>"I was afraid you might've been full up. I'll be back in a little bit. I need to gather up some information about another job. They need it done and in Branston by tomorrow."
>What were the details of the produce shipment? Would we expect Ichirin to know anything about it?
>Ichirin frowns a little, then nods. "Don't push yourself too hard.?
>It was a shipment of fruit for The Melon Bowl in Braston. The contract was with an Isato Matsutaka. You don't recognize the name off-hand, but Ichirin might know.
-
>"Do you know an Isato Matsutaka?"
-
>"Do you know an Isato Matsutaka?"
>"I do," she nods. "Why do you-" She pauses, then fixes you with a firm gaze. "Is this about that wild youkai he said attacked him the other day?"
>"Big meanie thing!" the fairy adds.
-
>"Might be. What're the details?"
-
>"Might be. What're the details?"
>"I'm not sure exactly," she says. "I only heard it second hand. But supposedly he was attacked on the way to Braston a couple days ago. He managed to get away uninjured, but when he went back later looking for his cart, the whole thing was gone, horses and all. I'm glad he made it out safe, but that's a pretty big loss for someone to recoup. Did he register a petition with the guild, too?"
-
>"His client did. Can you tell me where to find him?"
-
>"His client did. Can you tell me where to find him?"
>"He lives over towards the north of town, I think. I'm not certain where exactly, I'm afraid. Minoriko would probably know. She might still be open," she frowns, looking towards town, "although it's getting pretty late."
>"Still way early," the fairy pipes up.
>"We're not all nocturnal," Ichirin retorts. The fairy just giggles.
-
>"Alright, I'll look into it. Thanks, Ichirin, all be back in a bit. Just leave a note if it keeps you up too late."
>...Probably not too comfortable with hugs, so just head toward the center again.
-
>"Alright, I'll look into it. Thanks, Ichirin, all be back in a bit. Just leave a note if it keeps you up too late."
>...Probably not too comfortable with hugs, so just head toward the center again.
>Ichrin nods. "Go take care of what you have to. I'll still be here."
>"Bye!" the fairy waves.
>You hesitate for a moment, then decide to simply leave and head towards the village center. It's a short enough walk, although the place feels a little quieter than when you passed through the first time. You pass a farmer heading westward as you cross into the square. He smiles and nods at you and you return the gesture; you recognize him vaguely, although you couldn't put a name to the face. Most of the buildings here are closed now, but there's still light coming from inside the Harvest's Bounty.
-
> Have we ever been in there before? What do we know about the owner?
> Go inside.
-
Oh yeesh I totally forgot about the other job my bad
>"Look around for Minoriko, if we know who she is of course.
-
> Have we ever been in there before? What do we know about the owner?
> Go inside.
>You've certainly been inside here quite a few times in past. As well as an inn for what few travelers come this way, The Harvest's Bounty is also an eatery and a communal gathering place. Minoriko Aki is the proprietor, making it quite possibly the only inn in the world run by a god. Despite being a harvest deity, many years ago she chose to live as a simple villager, sharing her days with those who work the land, and coax bounty from the soil through their labor. She has always insisted that she be treated no differently than if she were a regular member of the community. As incredible a thing this must have been to ask of farmers who'd worshiped her, over the generations she did truly come to be treated as a member of the community. She is a warm and understanding sort - the kind people open up to about their problems - and an excellent cook. In fact, knowing her as you have, it would be easy to forget she was a god. You've never met any other divinities in person; you wonder if any of them are similarly unassuming, once you strip away the myth and ceremony?
>You open the door and step into the inn. The main level is dominated by the eatery, a large open space arrayed with round wooden tables and chairs, lit warmly by a multitude of lamps hanging from the walls and beams. A counter runs along the north wall, with a line of stools in front of it, and a few booths run along the south wall, by the windows. The kitchen is through a door behind the counter to the left, while a staircase to the right leads up to the rooms.
>The place is pretty empty at the moment. A middle-aged man is nursing a bowl of soup at one of the tables, while a small group of farmers in the corner appear to be getting ready to leave.
>Look around for Minoriko, if we know who she is of course.
>Minoriko herself is easy to locate; in fact, she looks up from her tidying of tables as soon as you step in through the door.
>"Oh, Nazrin!" she says, smiling. "My, it's been a while since I've seen you. I'm afraid I was just about to close up for the night, though..."
-
>"It's okay. I was looking to ask some questions."
-
>"It's okay. I was looking to ask some questions."
>"Oh? Well, if there's anything I can help with," she says, "ask away."
-
>"Thanks, Minoriko. I need to know about Isato Matsutaka, and what happened to his shipment."
-
>"Thanks, Minoriko. I need to know about Isato Matsutaka, and what happened to his shipment."
>She pauses for a moment. "May I ask why?"
-
>"Seeker business. Something happened to his stuff and I've gotta get it done by tomorrow."
-
>Tap the badge as we mention the business.
>"Otherwise, I'd let you close up in peace, trust me."
-
>"Seeker business. Something happened to his stuff and I've gotta get it done by tomorrow."
>Tap the badge as we mention the business.
>"Otherwise, I'd let you close up in peace, trust me."
>Minoriko's eyes follow you to your badge as you tap it and explain why you're here.
>"So you've come back to us a Seeker?" Minoriko says, smiling. "Congratulations, Nazrin. But I'm not sure I can tell you anything he couldn't. None of the others who've been along the road since then have seen anything at all, as far as I've heard, which might be best if there really is something dangerous lurking out there. Were you planning to look for it yourself?"
-
> "That's the plan. Can you share anything with me, or should I ask Isato directly?"
-
> "That's the plan. Can you share anything with me, or should I ask Isato directly?"
>She looks surprised. "You haven't spoken with him already? I thought he'd hired you."
-
>"His clients have. I only just got into town. Not sure where he is, or if he's awake."
-
>"His clients have. I only just got into town. Not sure where he is, or if he's awake."
>"Oh, well I can answer where he lives, at least. It's along the northwest path out to the fields. Third house before the watermelon patches. Green trim, with a small shed next to it. I think it should be easy enough for you to find. And I imagine if you plan to find his cart, he'd be willing to talk to you even at this hour. Replacing all of that will cost a lot of money. Although I'm afraid it may be too much to hope that the horses are still ok," she adds with a frown.
-
>"Thanks for telling me Minoriko."
>Shall we head onwards?
-
>Toward Melon-haus, to the Northwest.
-
>"Thanks for telling me Minoriko."
>Shall we head onwards?
>Toward Melon-haus, to the Northwest.
>"You're more than welcome," she says, smiling warmly.
>"Good luck!" Minoriko calls as you turn to leave. "Make sure to stop by tomorrow, if you're still around."
>You depart the Harvest's Bounty and, following Minoriko's directions, find Isato's house in short order. It is more or less exactly as described; an utterly unremarkable dwelling, perhaps even small by Easthaven standards. To your dismay, it is also dark and silent at the moment.
-
>Oh well.
>Approach the farm, knock on the front door is we don't get attacked by dogs along the way.
>Put on the business face.
-
>Oh well.
>Approach the farm, knock on the front door is we don't get attacked by dogs along the way.
>Put on the business face.
>You shrug and decide to make the best of it.
>You walk up to the front door and knock firmly. Thankfully no animals accost you along the way.
>You assume the business face and wait hopefully for a reply. You hear rustling from inside the house and after a few moments, a somewhat haggard-looking young man in a slate blue jinbei opens the door. His expression takes on a subtle note of disquiet as he sees you.
>"...yes?"
-
>"Hello, I'm Nazrin. I'm a seeker hired by your clients to deal with the missing shipment. Sorry to wake you, but we're on a deadline. May I come in? I need to hear what happened."
-
>"Hello, I'm Nazrin. I'm a seeker hired by your clients to deal with the missing shipment. Sorry to wake you, but we're on a deadline. May I come in? I need to hear what happened."
>"Oh, um..." He frowns, looking surprisingly uncomfortable. "Er, I guess so, yeah."
-
> Could he be nervous because we're youkai? Or is it something else?
> If he lets us in, go inside.
-
> Could he be nervous because we're youkai? Or is it something else?
> If he lets us in, go inside.
>You couldn't say for certain. Youkai are not exactly a rarity, and by and large, most humans seem comfortable enough around to them. At least you haven't personally encountered much prejudice in that regard. You do think the occasional person might be a little intimidated by them, but in this case, you wouldn't be surprised if it had more to do with a you being stranger wanting to come into his house in the middle of the night than with you being a youkai.
>After a moment's awkward pause, Isato seems to realize that you're waiting on him. "Oh, sorry," he says, moving out of doorway. You step inside.
>Isato moves into the house and lights an oil lamp, setting it onto a small wooden table not far from the entrance. The inside of the house is fairly spartan, although not unlike other dwellings you've seen here. The space is dominated by an open porch/living/dining room with a kitchen alcove to the side. A half-open door on the rear wall leads to what you suspect is the bedroom. There's no sign of any other occupants at the moment.
>Isato pulls out a chair for you. "So, um... can I ask who hired you?"
-
>Have a seat.
>"The Melon Ball. It's a restaurant expecting to receive your shipment; they need it by tomorrow or they'll have to close down. So, let's hear the details about the event, please?"
-
>Think we meant Melon BOWL there.
-
>
That'd be our side job of being a John Wayne impersonator slipping in
-
>Have a seat.
>"The Melon Ball. It's a restaurant expecting to receive your shipment; they need it by tomorrow or they'll have to close down. So, let's hear the details about the event, please?"
>"Melon Bowl," he says, then runs his fingers through his hair and sighs. "Is she really that close to the bone?"
>Think we meant Melon BOWL there.
>It would seem so. Oops.
> That'd be our side job of being a John Wayne impersonator slipping in
>You do a sight better job at this than singing, that's for sure
-
>"With any luck, it won't get to that point. That's what I'm here for. Just tell me what happened, anything you think might be helpful."
-
>"With any luck, it won't get to that point. That's what I'm here for. Just tell me what happened, anything you think might be helpful."
>Isato is silent for a moment. "It's gone," he says. "All of it. The fruit, the cart, even the horses. I was robbed on the way to Braston a few days ago. I can try to throw together another shipment for her, but next harvest on some of it won't be ready for at least another week. Assuming I can get someone else to cart it in for me." He frowns. "I'm sorry."
-
> "Well, we can at least see about tracking down the guy who robbed you. Where were you robbed, and who did it?"
-
>"And how, exactly?"
-
> "Well, we can at least see about tracking down the guy who robbed you. Where were you robbed, and who did it?"
>"And how, exactly?"
>"Well, it was..." He frowns, then sighs. "It was near the bridge. A youkai jumped out at me from the trees. She had... she had these big claws. The horses bolted, threw me from the cart. I... I want to say that I tried to fight her off, but when I took one look at her, I- I just ran." His shoulders slump.
>"I crept back later to look around, but it was gone. All of it."
-
>"She had claws. Very well. Did you see her do anything else? Where did she land? Did she say anything to you?"
-
>Hmmm. Near the bridge...
>"Anything else?"
>If not, Would Cirno know who'd done it?
-
>"She had claws. Very well. Did you see her do anything else? Where did she land? Did she say anything to you?"
>"She was... I don't know how to put it, but..." He frowns. "Wild. She didn't say anything, just growled. I... think she may have tried to attack the horses, but they were too fast. I hope they're ok, at least."
>Hmmm. Near the bridge...
>"Anything else?"
>If not, Would Cirno know who'd done it?
>That's what he said.
>"She's dangerous," he says. "I'm sure of it. You probably shouldn't go looking for her."
>That's a good question.
-
>"What, precisely, did you see her do?"
-
>"What, precisely, did you see her do?"
>"Well, she uh... she ran out of the trees, then leapt at me with those claws of hers out. She tried to slash at me, I think, but missed when the horses bolted. After that, I didn't see it too well - I was too busy running."
>He rubs his forehead. "The whole thing's a bit of a blur, I'm sorry. It happened so fast."
-
>"That's fine, I just wanted to be sure you didn't leave anything out. And, as far as you know, she didn't follow you?"
-
>"That's fine, I just wanted to be sure you didn't leave anything out. And, as far as you know, she didn't follow you?"
>Isato opens his mouth to speak then freezes, the color draining from his face. "...well, I was going to say no," he speaks timidly, "but-"
>There is a sudden sound of glass shattering behind you. Before you can turn, you feel sharp claws sink into your back.
>"...maybe?" he adds lamely.