[hr][hr][h1][b][i][color=00aeef][center]Drops of Rain[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1][hr][hr]
Drops of Rain had tried to convince his Ma that they wouldn’t need the cart as their employer, Mr Garrick, would have some of his own. But she wouldn’t hear any of it.

“It’s a long way to that side of Forsaken. Even by horse and going around it’ll take you most of the day, and I know you boys won’t want to lug all your things for that long.” She had said whilst preparing Delilah that morning. “Besides, Delilah could do with a nice holiday. Isn’t that right my dear?”

And that had been it that morning. Their bags slung into the back of the wagon they had set off at the crack of dawn t join the rest of the traffic towards Forsaken, before turning off on one of the smaller roads which wound their way through the hamlets surrounding the city like stragglers in a crowd.

“So, do you know anything about this guy?” Drops of Rain asked, only turning his head towards his brother whilst keeping his eyes on the horse, Delilah. “I think Da mentioned something about him.”

Even in the afternoon sun the white walls of the Garrick Estate were bright enough to make Rains eyes hurt. The golden gates amidst the surprisingly clean white walls looked almost comically out of place in the dusty outback and plains that surrounded Forsaken.

He brought Delilah to a gentle stop before the gate and the horse snorted in equal displeasure at the wall’s brightness. Delilah was just as plain but functional, and possibly just as old, as the four wheeled, open wagon she pulled. They didn’t have to wait long before Rain saw someone walking somewhat briskly up the path towards them.

The half elf was dressed simply but the closer he got Rain took notice of how fine his clothing was. The black colour of his jacket and trousers where uniform and neat without a crease out of place or spec of dirt on his shoes.

They hadn’t even set foot in the estate and already Rain felt very out of place. He was wearing his finest clothes to make a good first impression, but they were just as worn and simple as everything else he had so try as he might Rain couldn’t push down the horrible knot of unease now nestled between his heart and stomach.

“Yes? May I help you gentleman at all?” The butlers’ grey eyes washed over them with a sneer.

Rain clenched his jaw and sat up straighter in his seat. While he would let Thunder deal with the butler Rain would e shooting his own condescending glare right back at the man. As far as he was concerned the guy was a stuck-up snob.

[i]"What an absolute arsehole."[/i] He thought along with several other words.

Rain would let Thunder deal with the butler so he could focus on keeping Delilah in check as they were lead down the path. When the golden gates were swung open Rain clicked his tongue twice to let Delilah know she could walk on.

“Wow.” Rain breathed.

Trees lined the path on both sides were tall, strong and reached towards each other, so their branches met neatly in the middle in a crisscross pattern to shield anyone on the path from the worst of the suns blasting heat, but still let in enough light to cover them in splotches of light. It took the change in tone of Delilah’s hoof-steps for Rain to notice the path had changed from the serviceable compacted dirt and stone to gravel of the lightest shade of pink. 

Everything was perfect. Everything was in place; the grass was a delightful shade of green, the workers tending the animals and land were far enough to be seen but not heard, and the flowerpots on either side of the driveway scented the air just enough to be noticed but not to overstay their welcome.

If Rain didn’t know better, he could’ve sworn he had died and gone to heaven. It was beautiful. It was disgusting. He clenched his jaw, gripped the reins harder and tried to shove down his embarrassment.

When they arrived at the front door Rain grabbed his own bag from the wagon and a young lad took Delilah and the wagon off elsewhere.
Rain took off his hat as they were led into the foyer and his ears, angle to the back somewhat, betrayed his nerves. He stuck close to Thunder hoping his older brother would take the lead.

The house was much colder than outside and held a distinctly bitter smell of polish. From the dark wood floors, the rugs, the brick-a-brack and more were all placed and aligned perfectly with each other to be just within reach should they be needed but just out of sight to be ignored when not. Even though there wasn’t a spec of dust Rain wondered if anything here had ever been held or even used.

Step. [i]Clunk.[/i] Step. [i]Clunk.[/i] Step. [i]Clunk.[/i]

His prosthetic echoed against the steps and Rain could feel the eyes of the paintings glaring down at him. How dare someone as lowly as he be in their presence? How dare this ruffian dirty their home?

Rain reminded himself that he had been invited by name.

When the butler opened the door to the study Rain was surprised of the weight that lifted when he saw that other people had arrived before them.

[i]"Well, at least we’re not gonna get killed off in a basement."[/i] He thought.

But even in here everything was suffocatingly fancy and neat. He hated the horrid knot it made in his stomach gazing at all the booked and nick-nacks dotting the pristine walls.

“Hello.” Rain tried to keep the drawl out of his voice. “You all here for the job?”

Try as he might Rain couldn’t help but stare at the other people in the room; one a dark-skinned human looking woman with hair that looked too much like fire, an Orc in strange but deadly looking armour, and a violently red Tiefling with an odd-looking sword. And all of them armed to the teeth and looking like they’d kill in a heartbeat.