The two plodded up to the village through the north-west entrance. Shortly after clearing the outer curtain wall, and within earshot of the boarding house, Jack could make out the silhouettes of townsfolk repairing the forest-side entrance door. Apparently the shiny metal [expletive deleted] had completely unhinged the thing, and now the townsfolk were there having to fix the mess. Just like him too- nowhere to be seen, while others cleaned up after the consequences of his impulsiveness.
Just as he was about to turn left to go around the boarding house, there was an elven girl bearing down on him from the East.
"There you are." she said stiffly. "Where have you been?"
Only an elf could find a way to make a gentle toned invocation of such a simple statement convey tones meant for the recipient to know he was in the doghouse. Clearly this girl had been looking for him. He took a moment to quickly but discreetly assess her, looking at her height, her bone structure, the shape, spacing, and length of her ears, and her eye color--(A strange one that..)-- before taking an unconsiously held breath.
No... Not the same clan... ... ... Probably never even heard of me... Why is she looking for me? he thought to himself.
It took him a moment longer to register that she had never introduced herself. That was a bit rude, especially from an elf. Not unconscionable, but he wondered if she was one of the more racist ones. He re-examined her posture-- No nonsense, and impatient. she did not move with the kind of 'liquid grace' that the more haughty types had. Stranger and stranger still, she looked very young. Did her parents die or something? He did not have a lot of experience with the younger ones, since the enclave he had dealings with in the past seemed quite careful to keep him at arms length at all times.
Lookin for me? he gruffed, What'er for?-- but then he remembered his manners, took a deep breath, and tried again. How can I help ye?
"You ARE a beast-master, aren't you?" she responded flatly. "You can at least track things, right?"
He wasnt sure, but he was starting to like this elf. He hadn't really enjoyed the company of one so direct and blunt. It was refreshing.
I ain't nobody's master 'cept muh own. He leveled his gaze at hers. Very strange eyes indeed... But I can track animals and people jus' fine. That all ya need? This about them wolves?
The elf girl gave him a frustrated look, and crossed her arms. "No. Not the wolves." she responded, a hint of impatience, and incredulity about the suggestion in the response, before pointing, and non-verbally indicating the bear. Her expression screamed "Explain that then" at him.
Oh, uh-- Mama? he asked confusedly, before scratching the back of his head impulsively as color entered his cheeks. He wondered just how perceptive this girl was, since she was probably a city-elf. Never take anything for granted about elves though. Full of surprises. Mama's her own thing. I uh..... The color was rising more in his cheeks, and he hoped his beard concealed it sufficiently I don't rightly know how to explain it-- but I think we got it under control for the moment-- Her headache that is.
She dismissed it with a gesture and a shake of her head as she turned around and waved for him to follow.
"Just come with me to the inn." She halted for a moment, turned, and added. "Please. I have need of your services."
Jack shrugged. He had been subjected to worse withering scorn before; this was mild frustration at worst, and he had no reason to refuse, so he followed as she walked past him toward the boarding house.
"I'm sorry for being so blunt." she said, more politely. "It's just.. This has been a stressful day. I'm Linea. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr----"
Jack. One-eye'd Jack. he replied, accepting the shift in tone of the conversation. No, not racist, just tired and put off. I can relate to that. he thought to himself, before his thoughts dwelled on the impulsive and rash behavior of those three lumbering idiots earlier, and how they had absolutely no remorse for butchering all those wolves without a moment of sympathy or concern. He felt his face darken, and he was forced to consciously relaxed it. And amen to that-- Today's been complete [expletive deleted.]
"I am here to investigate a missing persons case." she continued undeterred. "The innkeeper reports that they were dragged from their room by a wild beast or animal of some kind-- From the second floor, through the window." She turned and looked at him. "I was hoping you could assist in the investigation."
Jack was confused. Something like that would surely have made one hell of a commotion-- when did this happen? Surely not just recently. Then the thought that it would have taken time for the missing persons report to make it to any kind of authority, and then get approval to investigate sunk in-- followed quickly by another, less pleasing thought.
Ye' ain't a Sherrif are ya? he gruffed coldly. If'n yer here about the warrant--
Linea, the elf-girl stopped momentarily and sighed.
"I am not a sheriff, and whatever past criminal history you may have are not important right now." she re-composed herself. "My apologies-- I do not represent a local legal institution, and have no intentions to arrest you. I am more... A private investigator?"
Ahhh... he breathed. Allrighty then-- About this critter---
"We should probably ask the Inn keeper again." she said politely. "I was hoping you could help with the investigation."
Aright--- Might as well. Day's young still.
"Good, we're here." she said, as she rounded to the still functioning door of the boarding house, and knocked politely.
"Oh, it's you again!" said the jovial man in the apron, as he opened the door for Linea. "Back so--" his eyes took in Jack and Mama, standing next to her. "GET THAT THING AWAY FROM MY INN!" he blurted, turining 7 shades of red and purple.
Jack was stunned-- whatever could the man be so angry about-- Then he remembered that Mama had been the one who had knocked the Shiny Metal [Expletive deleted] through the door on the other side earlier today.
He opened his mouth to protest, but Linea expertly handled the situation before he could say anything.
"This gentleman has the situation under control, good sir. There is no need for concern; he's a specialist in dealing with these kinds of matters."
"He's a specialist in dealing with blood crazed forest monsters that knock doors off inns?" the man retorted bluntly, with his arms crossed.
Don't listen to the man Mama-- He just don' understand... whispered Jack, rubbing the bear in her now favorite head-spot, while Linea did all the talking.
Specialist? I ain't no damn specialist-- I'm just some guy... he thought to himself confusedly as she continued.
"In a manner of speaking-- He's a specialist in animals and tracking them." She replied in a velvet tone. "I was hoping you would let him examine the room the incident happened in, in greater detail."
"he ain't gonna bring that blood thirsty beast inside is he?" asked the innkeeper nervously.
She ain't bloodthirsty, she's sick, ya [expletive deleted] twit. Some-ats DRIVIN the poor things in here, makin em crazy as bed bugs on a hot pan. Ain't her fault--- Asides, you want me to just walk off and leave her unsupervised in a town full of fool villagers as would poke holes in 'er the moment they see er, and start this whole ruckus again, just 'cause they' ignorant savages? he growled.
Linea cut him off.
"---I THINK what my associate MEANS--- " She turned and gave Jack a hard stare, before returning, pleasant as all hell, back to the inkeeper "--is that he has the situation with the bear under control, as long as she stays in his company. Having a bear on the patrol seems a bonus to you, doesn't it?" she beamed.
The inn keeper looked at Linea, a torn expression on his face, then at Jack, with a scowl..
"Allright-- FINE-- But it that bear so much as scratches the foor-------"
"I don't beleive that will be a problem... " she cooed, before turning her head around at jack, and giving him the stink eye. "Will it-- Jack."
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Topic: Mystville [Game Thread] (Read 115224 times)