[ by now kogi has finished sauntering downwards to join the group. sup guys, check out my shiny new trinket. it only cost him 20 whole leaf and I'm absolutely gonna forget he has 80 left ]
I would say this certainly sounds like a clue.
[ it's murmured quietly to the group, if only not to distract ]
[the knights can suck an egg. they keep looking over and she's going to just glare at them every time they do.
anyway, she gets the impression that the tiger doesn't really want to talk to her, so that's okay, she'll leave it alone. she pulls herself up to stand, brushing herself off. meat's bad... good to know. maybe they can go check out the forest themselves?
she hops over to datz to whisper in his ear:]
Datz, the tiger said you shouldn't buy the meat.
[and then she looks over at ponta.] What'd you get? Anything?
[ well, one of the knights looks awfully stressed when nimona is glaring at him! he turns back around to his companion, and more importantly, to the small lamb that is tugging insistently on his cloak.
the upset woman sighs, then shakes her head, putting her hand near her chin: "I don't know... I've only been here about a week? Our dance troupe is supposed to put on a performance, but we're going to have to pack up and move town. I thought I'd help out the merchant for a few extra leaves... But it's been like this the whole week we've been here."
the merchant raises both her hands in an idk shrug also. "Yeah. Hopefully it'll pass...I really just meant to stop over here for a little bit, but... well! Gotta make the best of it. I mean, it's okay. The other sticks are... kinda weird, but the only one I've got's good? I really just wanna get out of here. I'll give it to you for 15."
tiger guy sits and pets his pet tiger. he is still hungry and depressed looking. :( ]
Edited (edits bc i decided datz can have (arbys voice) the meats ) 2023-10-17 02:51 (UTC)
[ you would not believe how many times I've googled FOX VS. [animal] BEHAVIOR this game. luckily for this little one, kogi may notice but does not feel a hankering for gyros. alas!
he does, however, wander over thataway while everyone is talking to the merchant. might as well take one for the team and see if he can learn anything exciting from them ]
Excuse me, if you have a moment....? Given what the merchants speak of, is there any warnings for travelers one should know?
anyway nimona nods at ponta because that seems like a good plan, to have healing things. she'll let kogi and datz handle the merchant for now, because she's distracted.
she kind of just... squints at the knight when he looks stressed out. she recognizes him, she thinks - no, she. definitely recognizes him, there's no way she doesn't. she exchanges a look with glory, and then wanders over to the lamb. she's going to make the most out of her talking to animals power here. and it's only because she recognizes this guy that she gives him the time of day.]
Hey, your lamb is freaking out. [her tail swishes back and forth. she peers down at the lamb.] Are you trying to go somewhere?
Since every notable person is being talked to except tiger guy, who is still looking hungry and depressed, Ponta's going to approach him some more. He doesn't have food to offer, besides the healing berries, but maybe conversation's something? ]
Hey, you're looking... pretty miserable. Is the animal situation getting to you? Your tiger still seems pretty calm, but... it can't be easy, huh? Anything one could do to help?
[ ...it LOOKS really good still, so maybe nimona can ask the tiger to clarify "bad"... in a worst case scenario maybe they can use it to lure out animals in the forest or something? ]
...Yeah, OK, I'll take it. You gotta get your travel funds from somewhere, right?
kogi gets the attention of the second knight, clad in a maroon tabard, marked with crossed swords and wings. he looks a little stressed, but watches his friend deal with the little lamb. ]
Warnings? Well, the Sacred Guard was called here recently to investigate a disappearance... It's a step off from our training, but we do what we're told.
[ nimona, meanwhile, talks to the knight who is being chewed on. he's in a blue tabard instead, with the same markings as his companion. ]
I - it's not my lamb. It just keeps pulling on me. [ this poor man is trying really hard to be dignified. he flusters, embarrassed, and straightens, trying to present himself in a way that is a little more becoming of a sanctum knight. also this knight sounds weirdly, a lot like ryuki. it's fine probably. ] It just came from this house's back garden... I think it jumped the fence...?
[ the lamb looks at nimona. i rolled a 10 for you which cleared my check, so it says - Danger. He's in danger. Something's wrong.
the knight watches this bleating beastspeech conversation happen with a mix of like, awe and bemusement. ]
[ with ponta and datz:
the tired man looks up at ponta, who is smiling at him, and just sighs again, petting his tiger. ] I'm starving. I haven't eaten in days.
[ and with datz, the merchant beams and says: ] You got a deal! [ the hysterical girl sighs in relief, and the actual merchant passes datz over the Good stick of meat for 15 leaves. ]
[oh the fact that he sounds just like ryuki is instantly endearing to nimona. she blinks at him, and then looks down at the lamb with a slightly alarmed look.]
He is? [...] From what, do you know? It's alright. I'll look after him as much as I can, okay?
[there's something uneasy in her. she knows what happened, and it clicks for sure at about this point. this is...
she looks over at the others who aren't chilling here with the knights and gestures, like. come here.]
[ Ponta glances at Datz, with his meat stick. Then back at the tiger owner. Come on, Datz, be a dear and help us out in the name of good relations with the guy who has a tiger.
Having a tiger on your side seems like a good plan!
He'll come over to where Nimona is calling once that is settled one way or another. ]
[ and HE'S ALSO LOOKING BETWEEN THE GUY AND THE MEAT STICK AFTER HEARING THAT BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THAT TIGER MEANT ABOUT THE MEAT BEFORE HE GIVES THIS GUY MAD COW DISEASE OR SOMETHING... but he guesses maybe the tiger can just bat it out of the guy's hand if it's actually that concerning, and either way he'll have done his part...
there is nothing notably Weird about this meat now that it's up close, right? assuming it still looks delicious, he'll offer it to the guy while also briefly glancing at the tiger and shrugging like "idk man, i'm doing my best here". ]
the maroon one nods and looks at the blue one, who makes an "ah!" noise and starts digging around in his armor. he reaches out and produces a small notebook, and snaps it open with a little bit of dramatic flair.
... and then feels very silly for doing that, shakes his head, and clears his throat. ] Ahem. The information we received stated that a young man recently wandered into the woods with the intent of hunting game for his family, and has yet to be seen. Sources also said that he wasn't the first: that a few weeks ago, the very same thing happened. The locals are worried that they may have been attacked by something.
[ maroon knight nods in agreement, giving ponta a slight bow in greeting when he approaches as well. hey! ] Right. So, we're here to investigate. The woods are probably pretty dangerous, so...
[ the lamb, to nimona, bleats unhappily, finally letting go of the young man's cloak, and goes to nimona instead, butting her head gently against nimona's legs. Thank you. Be safe. Don't know what. Scary. Dangerous. Please be careful. Darkness. ]
[ sweet datz. you purchased this meat! there is nothing notably weird! actually this stick o jerky looks really good. juicy and delicious! the other ones looked kind of weird and dehydrated. (its jerky) i said what i said.
the tiger guy looks up at datz, surprised. ] Really...?
[ the guy with the tiger takes the meat, and jumps up. ]
Ahahaha! [ and then, like a flash out of the blue, he twirls around, and - well, gone is the depressed, miserable looking guy from before! standing there instead is
this guy. he is extremely ostentatious. also, the tiger is gone? standing there instead is a very tired young man dressed like a butler. i dont have a good sprite image for him apparently but he looks extremely tired.
the blonde claps his hands, just delighted, beaming. ]
Ah, the kindness of others always impresses me! ☆ I'll admit, this was a little bit of a test. New travelers to this town can be strange, you know! And I don't mind a stranger, but one with good intentions is the ideal.
[ the guy in the suit sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. Sir. Please. ]
Welcome to Wellgrove: I am Alrond, the owner of Wellgrove Manor, the patron of this department store, and currently, a very happy citizen of my town. This, for your kindness, is a gift!
[ the new blonde stranger beams at datz, still holding the jerky in one hand, and produces something for him - a little velvet bag! inside the bag datz will find: 100 gold leaves and Alrond's Promissory Note, which is more or less a paper that says "I do what I want". this paper will allow you to succeed a single roll you do extremely poorly at automatically. you just tell me which.
thank you for finishing my sidequest. im crying. ]
[she crouches down first to pet the lamb gently, smoothing her fingers over its little head and behind the ears.]
Yeah, yeah, don't worry - seriously. I can do darkness. You stay safe too, okay? Go find someone to look after you.
[and then she looks up at the knights again. specifically mr. blue voice.]
Are you guys going into the woods? Don't go without me. Temenos said.
[and then quietly, to ponta - and kogi too if he's listening:] I think this whole thing belongs to Temenos. Like how the other ones did to Danny and me.
Whoa!! All right, thanks, man! I'll try to put this to good use too!
[ safely squirrels this little bag away... and before he goes over to join the rest of the group, he'll see if he can get a little guidance since this guy seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to this town. ]
Congrats on the nice town, by the way! Any other places you'd recommend stopping by while we're here?
two things happen when nimona says the name "temenos". the first is that the maroon knight just looks exhausted, immediately. real this energy. the blue knight, however, perks up immediately, his eyes lighting up. ]
- You know Inquisitor Temenos? [ !! !!!!!!!
the maroon knight says: "Crick, that's probably not a good thing." and the blue knight, heretofore known as crick, shushes him, his attention going to nimona. and. wait. actually. actually!!!! he seems to realize something and then frowns mightily. >:C ] That... does sound like him - wait, was he insisting that I needed to be protected, again? Please don't let him convince you of that, anything he said was just - he's just being difficult. [ the maroon knight mutters "as usual" but crick ignores him. perhaps he could be convinced to come along with the right ability.... ]
[ the lamb rubs its face into nimona's hands, bleats, gives her a boop of the nose kiss on the hands, and then runs off, hopping the fence back into the garden.
alrond!! he taps a hand against his cheek, thoughtful. ] I'd try the tavern, if I were you. They make a strong drink. Good luck!
[ and with that, alrond is going to run off, dragging his extremely exasperated manservant behind him, who just bows and thanks datz and follows him. goodbye. ]
first, to ponta:] Not really, I just know this guy is friends with Temenos - the lamb said there's darkness in the woods and to be careful.
[also she laughs like an asshole at crick getting super excited about knowing temenos. what a fuckin' nerd. she can't convince him because crick is not an animal, as much as i think he is a cute puppy, but hopefully someone else can.]
He just wants to make sure you guys aren't going to eat it in the woods. So I think you should wait for us to help out before you go?
[she hasn't heard alrond talking but the tavern probably is important i'm just bound by the tag order]
Yeah, yeah! Inquisitor Temenos was like... pretty excited that we could meet you, too. It'd be sad to miss out on an opportunity to get to know someone he talks so much about, y'know? We should absolutely partner up for this!
[ Ponta sincerely hopes that he doesn't have to like... flaunt this midriff free outfit or anything for this to work.
Just being excitable and likeable ought to be enough allure! Come on, charming smile, do your thing!! ]
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I would say this certainly sounds like a clue.
[ it's murmured quietly to the group, if only not to distract ]
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anyway, she gets the impression that the tiger doesn't really want to talk to her, so that's okay, she'll leave it alone. she pulls herself up to stand, brushing herself off. meat's bad... good to know. maybe they can go check out the forest themselves?
she hops over to datz to whisper in his ear:]
Datz, the tiger said you shouldn't buy the meat.
[and then she looks over at ponta.] What'd you get? Anything?
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[ Hopefully they won't be stuck here long enough for them to get hungry enough that the healing items have to double as provision...
The forest seems like a logical next destination to check out, but before that, he also turns to the upset woman: ]
Did anything change lately, to drive the animals out?
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Aw, that stinks, sorry to hear that.
[ and even more sorry to hear your meat sucks ]
Yeah, how long's this been goin' on? Your competition's havin' a hard time too, I guess?
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the upset woman sighs, then shakes her head, putting her hand near her chin: "I don't know... I've only been here about a week? Our dance troupe is supposed to put on a performance, but we're going to have to pack up and move town. I thought I'd help out the merchant for a few extra leaves... But it's been like this the whole week we've been here."
the merchant raises both her hands in an idk shrug also. "Yeah. Hopefully it'll pass...I really just meant to stop over here for a little bit, but... well! Gotta make the best of it. I mean, it's okay. The other sticks are... kinda weird, but the only one I've got's good? I really just wanna get out of here. I'll give it to you for 15."
tiger guy sits and pets his pet tiger. he is still hungry and depressed looking. :( ]
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he does, however, wander over thataway while everyone is talking to the merchant. might as well take one for the team and see if he can learn anything exciting from them ]
Excuse me, if you have a moment....? Given what the merchants speak of, is there any warnings for travelers one should know?
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anyway nimona nods at ponta because that seems like a good plan, to have healing things. she'll let kogi and datz handle the merchant for now, because she's distracted.
she kind of just... squints at the knight when he looks stressed out. she recognizes him, she thinks - no, she. definitely recognizes him, there's no way she doesn't. she exchanges a look with glory, and then wanders over to the lamb. she's going to make the most out of her talking to animals power here. and it's only because she recognizes this guy that she gives him the time of day.]
Hey, your lamb is freaking out. [her tail swishes back and forth. she peers down at the lamb.] Are you trying to go somewhere?
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Since every notable person is being talked to except tiger guy, who is still looking hungry and depressed, Ponta's going to approach him some more. He doesn't have food to offer, besides the healing berries, but maybe conversation's something? ]
Hey, you're looking... pretty miserable. Is the animal situation getting to you? Your tiger still seems pretty calm, but... it can't be easy, huh? Anything one could do to help?
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[ ...it LOOKS really good still, so maybe nimona can ask the tiger to clarify "bad"... in a worst case scenario maybe they can use it to lure out animals in the forest or something? ]
...Yeah, OK, I'll take it. You gotta get your travel funds from somewhere, right?
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kogi gets the attention of the second knight, clad in a maroon tabard, marked with crossed swords and wings. he looks a little stressed, but watches his friend deal with the little lamb. ]
Warnings? Well, the Sacred Guard was called here recently to investigate a disappearance... It's a step off from our training, but we do what we're told.
[ nimona, meanwhile, talks to the knight who is being chewed on. he's in a blue tabard instead, with the same markings as his companion. ]
I - it's not my lamb. It just keeps pulling on me. [ this poor man is trying really hard to be dignified. he flusters, embarrassed, and straightens, trying to present himself in a way that is a little more becoming of a sanctum knight. also this knight sounds weirdly, a lot like ryuki. it's fine probably. ] It just came from this house's back garden... I think it jumped the fence...?
[ the lamb looks at nimona. i rolled a 10 for you which cleared my check, so it says - Danger. He's in danger. Something's wrong.
the knight watches this bleating beastspeech conversation happen with a mix of like, awe and bemusement. ]
[ with ponta and datz:
the tired man looks up at ponta, who is smiling at him, and just sighs again, petting his tiger. ] I'm starving. I haven't eaten in days.
[ and with datz, the merchant beams and says: ] You got a deal! [ the hysterical girl sighs in relief, and the actual merchant passes datz over the Good stick of meat for 15 leaves. ]
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[ this place is just having all sorts of problems isn't it? might as well add this to his mental tally of things to keep an eye on ]
Does one have a description, in case we happen upon them as we continue onwards?
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He is? [...] From what, do you know? It's alright. I'll look after him as much as I can, okay?
[there's something uneasy in her. she knows what happened, and it clicks for sure at about this point. this is...
she looks over at the others who aren't chilling here with the knights and gestures, like. come here.]
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[ Ponta glances at Datz, with his meat stick. Then back at the tiger owner. Come on, Datz, be a dear and help us out in the name of good relations with the guy who has a tiger.
Having a tiger on your side seems like a good plan!
He'll come over to where Nimona is calling once that is settled one way or another. ]
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Thanks! Better luck in the next place.
[ and HE'S ALSO LOOKING BETWEEN THE GUY AND THE MEAT STICK AFTER HEARING THAT BUT HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THAT TIGER MEANT ABOUT THE MEAT BEFORE HE GIVES THIS GUY MAD COW DISEASE OR SOMETHING... but he guesses maybe the tiger can just bat it out of the guy's hand if it's actually that concerning, and either way he'll have done his part...
there is nothing notably Weird about this meat now that it's up close, right? assuming it still looks delicious, he'll offer it to the guy while also briefly glancing at the tiger and shrugging like "idk man, i'm doing my best here". ]
Ya want this?
1/2
the maroon one nods and looks at the blue one, who makes an "ah!" noise and starts digging around in his armor. he reaches out and produces a small notebook, and snaps it open with a little bit of dramatic flair.
... and then feels very silly for doing that, shakes his head, and clears his throat. ] Ahem. The information we received stated that a young man recently wandered into the woods with the intent of hunting game for his family, and has yet to be seen. Sources also said that he wasn't the first: that a few weeks ago, the very same thing happened. The locals are worried that they may have been attacked by something.
[ maroon knight nods in agreement, giving ponta a slight bow in greeting when he approaches as well. hey! ] Right. So, we're here to investigate. The woods are probably pretty dangerous, so...
[ the lamb, to nimona, bleats unhappily, finally letting go of the young man's cloak, and goes to nimona instead, butting her head gently against nimona's legs. Thank you. Be safe. Don't know what. Scary. Dangerous. Please be careful. Darkness. ]
[ sweet datz. you purchased this meat! there is nothing notably weird! actually this stick o jerky looks really good. juicy and delicious! the other ones looked kind of weird and dehydrated. (its jerky) i said what i said.
the tiger guy looks up at datz, surprised. ] Really...?
[ he reaches out and takes the jerky... ]
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Ahahaha! [ and then, like a flash out of the blue, he twirls around, and - well, gone is the depressed, miserable looking guy from before! standing there instead is
this guy. he is extremely ostentatious. also, the tiger is gone? standing there instead is a very tired young man dressed like a butler. i dont have a good sprite image for him apparently but he looks extremely tired.
the blonde claps his hands, just delighted, beaming. ]
Ah, the kindness of others always impresses me! ☆ I'll admit, this was a little bit of a test. New travelers to this town can be strange, you know! And I don't mind a stranger, but one with good intentions is the ideal.
[ the guy in the suit sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. Sir. Please. ]
Welcome to Wellgrove: I am Alrond, the owner of Wellgrove Manor, the patron of this department store, and currently, a very happy citizen of my town. This, for your kindness, is a gift!
[ the new blonde stranger beams at datz, still holding the jerky in one hand, and produces something for him - a little velvet bag! inside the bag datz will find: 100 gold leaves and Alrond's Promissory Note, which is more or less a paper that says "I do what I want". this paper will allow you to succeed a single roll you do extremely poorly at automatically. you just tell me which.
thank you for finishing my sidequest. im crying. ]
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Is that so? We will take extra precautions whilst continuing forward. My thanks for the information.
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Yeah, yeah, don't worry - seriously. I can do darkness. You stay safe too, okay? Go find someone to look after you.
[and then she looks up at the knights again. specifically mr. blue voice.]
Are you guys going into the woods? Don't go without me. Temenos said.
[and then quietly, to ponta - and kogi too if he's listening:] I think this whole thing belongs to Temenos. Like how the other ones did to Danny and me.
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Whispering back: ]
Do you know anything about what's ahead, then?
[ Nimona seems confident that Temenos' name will pull weight with these people, so she seems best-informed out of the four of them. ]
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[ safely squirrels this little bag away... and before he goes over to join the rest of the group, he'll see if he can get a little guidance since this guy seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to this town. ]
Congrats on the nice town, by the way! Any other places you'd recommend stopping by while we're here?
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two things happen when nimona says the name "temenos". the first is that the maroon knight just looks exhausted, immediately. real this energy. the blue knight, however, perks up immediately, his eyes lighting up. ]
- You know Inquisitor Temenos? [ !! !!!!!!!
the maroon knight says: "Crick, that's probably not a good thing." and the blue knight, heretofore known as crick, shushes him, his attention going to nimona. and. wait. actually. actually!!!! he seems to realize something and then frowns mightily. >:C ] That... does sound like him - wait, was he insisting that I needed to be protected, again? Please don't let him convince you of that, anything he said was just - he's just being difficult. [ the maroon knight mutters "as usual" but crick ignores him. perhaps he could be convinced to come along with the right ability.... ]
[ the lamb rubs its face into nimona's hands, bleats, gives her a boop of the nose kiss on the hands, and then runs off, hopping the fence back into the garden.
alrond!! he taps a hand against his cheek, thoughtful. ] I'd try the tavern, if I were you. They make a strong drink. Good luck!
[ and with that, alrond is going to run off, dragging his extremely exasperated manservant behind him, who just bows and thanks datz and follows him. goodbye. ]
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Aye, we are well acquainted with him. He has told us much about a knight we should look out for.
[ did he for realsies??? we'll never know ]
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first, to ponta:] Not really, I just know this guy is friends with Temenos - the lamb said there's darkness in the woods and to be careful.
[also she laughs like an asshole at crick getting super excited about knowing temenos. what a fuckin' nerd. she can't convince him because crick is not an animal, as much as i think he is a cute puppy, but hopefully someone else can.]
He just wants to make sure you guys aren't going to eat it in the woods. So I think you should wait for us to help out before you go?
[she hasn't heard alrond talking but the tavern probably is important i'm just bound by the tag order]
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[ Ponta sincerely hopes that he doesn't have to like... flaunt this midriff free outfit or anything for this to work.
Just being excitable and likeable ought to be enough allure! Come on, charming smile, do your thing!! ]
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Hey, I just made a bunch of money by buying a secret rich guy some discounted meat!
Anyway, he recommended the tavern, so probably wanna add that to our itinerary.
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