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The people of Soft Haven bustled around their crumbling hopes and dreams, dutifully ignoring the state of affairs and determined that it would somehow all get better. Few and far between were spared the troubles of a crumbling economy, only held afloat by harvest season, that did not pay enough to maintain their glory days. But some knew how to find opportunity in these darkening days, tapping into a market dark and dreadful.

The Treant never saw better days, always a slipshod affair with spaces in the walls and bent and broken nails barely holding the place together. Inside wasn't any better, a poorly laid chimney providing some warmth in the winter months to a tavern that always seemed on its last legs. It's tables and chairs had been broken and patched over and over until everything had more scratches and dents than wood and all boasted a strange sideways slant if you sat down too hard. 

It's employees were much the same, a grizzled old gnome polishing tarnished flagons and a human barmaid who didn't have enough food on the regular but clearly snuck a few drinks behind the bar. Some vagabonds rolled dice in the corner and one woman already half asleep with the bottle still tightly clutched in her hand, only the occasional hiccup or snore breaking her reprieve. 

Ermes studied each individual carefully in passing. Each and every one of them could've been the one he was looking for, but in the end he'd settled for trying his hand at the gnomish figure polishing flagons behind the counter. He sat down on a stool in front of him, tapping his finger against the counter a few times before finally  speaking. [Color=7b5d92]"Too many fishermen over in Wilree. Most all you could get was Sea Bream. I was hoping to get some bigger fish here in Soft Haven. Know a good spot?"[/color]

The gnome peered at the boy sitting at his bar, staring intently at the mop of shadows Ermes considered hair before snorting at him. [color=brown] "And I'm the God's damned Duke, I am."[/color] The gnome retorted, putting down his cup and rag, skepticism in his stare. [color=brown] "Fish 'round these parts'll eat you 'fore they eat yer bait, boy. You wanna try your hand, we gots a rod out back in the second barrel. Leeches are our choice of bait round here."[/color]

It appeared his senses hadn't dulled with his time away from Wilree. He gave the gnome a pleasant smile as he sat up a bit more straight. [Color=7b5d92]"I appreciate the warning. But I think I can handle it."[/color] There was only one piece Ermes hadn't understood. Perhaps it was some form of Soft Haven slang he didn't know. But he was sure he'd find out soon enough once he followed the man's directions. Ermes turned around in his stool, slipping off the seat before making his way out the front doors again. 

Ermes turned the corner, making his way towards the back of the establishment. The whole time keeping tabs at his periphery making sure no one was following him or capable of seeing him as he made his way over. Once he rounded the corner again he saw the barrels the gnome had mentioned. Looking over them for a bit before heading towards the second one, searching for something to help him move forward.

Behind the Treant, several large and damaged kegs were stacked haphazardly out back. Each one still had their taps in various conditions, tarnished and broken and bent, with a single exception: the second barrel to the left had a nearly pristine tap. Pulling on it causes the face of the keg to swing up and reveal a set of stairs leading beneath the tavern, ending in a heavy door with a metal slider set at eye level. There was no handle for someone to open it from the outside.

There was a satisfied smile sitting on Ermes's lips as he squatted down and found the pristine tap was a handle leading down. He lifted it up, peering down the dark corridor before heading in and slowly making his way down the stairs. All that remained was a heavy door, the slider sitting above his head. He huffed in annoyance before using his magic to conjure up a small wooden step stool. Taking the first two steps in order to get eye level with the peephole as he knocked on the door, waiting for a response.  

After a few moments, the tunnel was plunged into darkness until the slider slid left with a brief screech. A single, large brown eye could be seen beyond and a deep grunt of displeasure at the interruption. [Color=green] "What'd ya want?"[/color] The person beyond spoke, the voice deep and low.

Ermes stared right back at the singular brown eye. He'd thought back to what the gnome had told him before speaking. [Color=7b5d92]"Leeches."[/color] It was a strange password, but it fit the bill and worked well into the conversation he'd had earlier. Hopefully he'd gotten it all right up until now and wasn't walking into some form of trap or haze. 

The large eye stared. And stared. And stared. Until the slider closed and a number of locks were undone. It seemed to go on for much longer than necessary, the sound of clicking and fiddling and muttered curses until finally a sharp snap had the door opening. A towering half orc, hunched in a short room, scowled at… 

He blinked and looked around before looking down. Ermes' construct had vanished in the time the bouncer had been fiddling with the locks and he now stood at his normal height. The bouncer gave Ermes a look of disbelief but otherwise stepped aside.

Smaller than the tavern above them, the room boasted a few tables built into alcoves along the wall and curtains that could be drawn for privacy. More were haphazardly scattered through the space and a smaller bar with various libations sat on the left side. The room was smokey, the few torches around the room spitting smoke and shadows in equal measure, though there were few to care about the conditions. 

In one corner, a sallow skinned man with yellowed, gapping teeth and strangle bulging eyes sipped at a bottle and muttered crazed to himself. He looked like he hadn't bathed in weeks, his clothes disheveled and torn, and tipped precariously towards the floor as he rocked back and forth. An elven woman sat at the bar, black hair tied in a tight bun and her white dress embroidered with fall leaves spiraling from shoulder to toe, where she sat pouring over a heavy book.. A human pair, a male and a woman who were splitting images of each other, picked from a simple meal of fruits, cheese, and bread and sat in weary silence. 

Ermes stood there, waiting for the large brute behind the door to finish unlocking it. He stepped down from his construct before it dissipated, knowing full well he didn't put much Aether into it to keep it stable for long, deciding that inspecting his nails was far more entertaining than waiting for the other man to finish what he was doing. He tried not to smile as the half-orc looked around him with disbelief before stepping aside for him to come in.

He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he saw the homeless looking man. Even in their line of work he had to have been making enough to bathe and eat. He quickly averted his gaze and noticed the elven woman, clearly someone who took on higher work given how well put together she was, then there were the human twins. Ermes made his way over to the bar, making sure to inspect the room as he did. Searching for any job boards that may be posted around, or at the very least a barkeep to help him navigate this new town's ways.

[color=gold]"Imgriad, what have I told you about letting children in here."[/color] The woman didn't glance up from her work as Ermes approached but her voice carried across the room nonetheless. The twins glanced up in curiosity but shrugged at the scene and continued to eat quietly. The woman continued to scan the pages in front of her.

[color=gold]"Is there something you need, boy?"[/color] She demanded.

Ermes's head lazily turned to meet the woman who was speaking. Given the attention she'd garnered in such a short amount of time, coupled with how no one spoke back to her, he decided she may have been the Shadow. He pulled up the chair one space away from her, scooting himself onto the stool as his legs dangled above the ground, swinging ever so slightly. [Color=7b5d92]"Work. Recent developments have brought me over towards this town and away from Wilree. I was hoping to get some assignments while I'm here."[/color]

There was a short pause as he glanced behind the counter then back towards the woman. [Color=7b5d92]"Also…a drink would be nice. I've had a long night and morning and could use something to drink."[/color]

She spared him a flat look at his choice of seating and then rolled her eyes as he offered more than just a single worded response. [color=gold]"Maybe had you had the decency to introduce yourself before asking for handouts, I'd oblige but you'll have to earn the drink now."[/color] She replied, sounding bored. [color=gold]"And your prior experience? Anything beyond urchin?"[/color]

A look of shock shot across his face before it quickly settled back down to an unamused look. He hadn't expected a handout for the beverage, fully intending to have paid for it. But if he could work for a free drink, he wouldn't mind. [Color=7b5d92]"Ermes De Luca. Unfortunately I haven't gotten much past urchin, I was hoping that I could push past that here. Prove my worth."[/color]

She frowned at him as she considered his response. [color=gold]"Well, I suppose there is something I've been curious about. Rumor has it that every new moon, a strange phantom slips out the southern gate and onto the woods but never returns. It's been happening for 14 years so we've had plenty of eye witnesses but anytime someone tries to follow them, the guards suddenly appear just after the figure passes the southern gate. Figure out who it is and what they’re doing and I'll consider you for jobs. Fail and I'll run you out of town."[/color] She offered.

In all honesty the proposal sounded like a wild goose chase. As if she was more content with running him out than actually giving him a chance. [i]A fourteen year old rumor barred by the town's guards[/i] If anything it sounded more like a folk tale or urban legend. Ermes hopped off his seat, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. [Color=7b5d92]"That won't happen for another two weeks then. Does it happen for more than one night? Or is it simply on the first day's cycle of that moon?"[/color]

[color=gold]"It sounds like you have two weeks to discover that for yourself. Ask around, put your ear to the ground, and whatever other tricks you think you may have up those filthy sleeves of yours."[/color] She scrunched her nose in distaste. [color=gold]"I don't want to see you here again until you have an answer for me."[/color] The swallow skinned man let out a hysterical cackle, clearly listening to the conversation. 

He hadn't bothered saying another word to her. Turning around so that his back was facing her and then rolling his eyes as he walked away. He stopped just before the large door, sizing the orc up as he waited for them to open the door once more before finally stepping through. Once it shut he'd let out a small sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as he wondered what shithole of a town this Shadow was running.

A strange tale spinning in a gossip mill would best be milled in the largest public form of any town: the market. It was a place strangers were expected and a shrewd one could gather as many rumors as they wished without concern. Soft Haven's market was an uninspired affair, with large gaps of uneven cobblestone visible in between stalls that spoke of better times gone by. Still, it was busy and that meant people.

As Ermes rounded the corner of The Treant, leaving behind the dimly lit atmosphere and trading it out for the sunny skies of Soft Haven. He squinted his eyes at the light, placing one hand above his brow in an attempt to block it out as he began to make his way towards the front of the tavern. Leaning against the frame of the building he began to go through the motions, scanning the crowd, the buildings, thinking of where he'd need to go next. 

Typically the best place to gather intel would be at the bar. But the horrible disposition that the barkeep had led him to believe that even the drunkards wouldn't wish to spill some secrets to that crotchety old bastard. His gaze finally landed across the street towards a building just a little ways down. The town's apothecary seemed as good a place as any, who better to trust with your woes than the healer  themselves. Ermes propped himself off of the wall of the tavern and began making his way over, catching the glimpse of an old woman inside. Perfect, older people were always the nosiest. 

The apothecary was what one would expect, warm toned wooden shelves host to a myriad of plants, bottles of dried herbs, and polyjuices and ointments. A single set of wooden stairs broke the long cabinets on the right wall, leading up to a second story hidden behind a locked door and to the right of the counter at the back, a strange platform with various ropes and sandbags suspended around it was carved into a small alcove in the wall. However, the spots of light visible from the outside were not candles or mirrors but rather crystals hovering through the store, swaying in a phantom breeze. Magical items were a rarity even with so much dedicated study on aether and its secrets; even one of these would cost a fortune, much less the ten that hovered in the shop. 

The store had a few customers browsing and an older man was being assisted away from the counter by his daughter. An older halfling woman sat at the counter, white hair cut short and tipped ears hinting to some elven lineage in her blood, gawfing loudly at whatever parting the old man had given her. A heavy book sat nearby, accompanied with ink and quill, and an empty tea cup was shoved into a corner. The woman squinted at Ermes' as he entered, the gentle chiming of the bell announcing his arrival, and she let out a weary sigh.

[color=E4FF4C]"Another damn aetherborn? I thought cursed quit in threes."[/color] She grumbled loud enough for the entire store to hear. The few customers turned to take Ermes in and each one stared openly at his hair before busying themselves again with their items.

Ermes froze for a moment as the halfling woman called him out. A string of curses running through his mind as his original plan was foiled before it had even begun. The cute kid route was out, he needed something that wouldn't aggravate or annoy her any further than his previous colleagues had already done. He put on his best apologetic and sympathetic smile as he approached her counter to talk. [Color=7b5d92]"I hadn't meant to add to your troubles today. I'm sorry. I only wished to ask about some ghost stories I'd heard while entering town today."[/color] He'd hoped the bait was enticing enough for her to bite and not just cast back the line before kicking him out.

[color=E4FF4C]"Ghost stories, huh?"[/color] Agitha leaned forward, brow cocked and a suspicious look in her eye. She motioned for him to approach her counter.[color=E4FF4C]"Tell me, what are the lousy blabber mouths of my town telling random kids?"[/color]

Ermes had an internal grin as Agitha responded. He moved closer to her counter, debating if he was allowed to lean on it or not before decidedly not doing so. [Color=7b5d92]"They say a shadowed specter lurks in the darkness of the New Moon. Seemingly vanishing without a trace. I'm actually quite fond of the paranormal and things that go bump in the night. So I was hoping to catch a glimpse of this being when the next cycle happens."[/color] 

Agitha frowned as she considered the story. There was a moment’s pause then her eyes grew wide and she covered her mouth, not fast enough to hide the manic grin stretching across her face. She shook with aborted laughter but eventually it was too much, cackling wildly while slapping the counter top. [color=E4FF4C]I-I I can’t…”[/color] She wheezed, the tea cup rattling dangerously as she made a scene. It took her a while to calm down, dabbing her tears away and fanning the red out of her cheeks.

[color=E4FF4C]“Whoo, just what I needed, boy! What a hoot!”[/color] Agitha took a deep breath and fixed him with a crooked, sly grin. [color=E4FF4C]“Sure, I’ll tell ya all about it but whatever you find, I’m the first one who gets to know, got it?”[/color]

Ermes hadn't expected to elicit such a reaction. When the frown had started he at first thought perhaps he had said something wrong. But as her demeanor changed and she broke out into laughter, he was able to relax some, his shoulders lowering as a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth and he let out a small chuckle. [Color=7b5d92]"No problem at all. As soon as I know I'll come running straight here. Or at least once morning breaks I will."[/color]

[color=E4FF4C]"I'll hold you to that, ghost boy. But here's what I know. Sure, people talk about this thing that skulks through the streets, disappears through the south gate, guards suddenly appear behind it once it does, yadda yadda yadda. But,"[/color] She gestured for Ermes to come closer. [color=E4FF4C]"A maid of one of the Duke's friends was feeling a little feverish and took a step outside to get some air one night and she claims, swears by Azaiza and all, that she saw the Duke himself skulking around during the new moon before he seemed to disappear into thin air."[/color]

[color=E4FF4C]"Of course, no one's been able to confirm this. No one wants to get close to anything moderately related to the Duke so you have all the wiggle room you want. Minus the guards of course."[/color] She smirked at him.

Ermes leaned in as she gestured for him to come closer, eyes going wide with partially feigned excitement as she began to go into the heavier details. For a brief moment his expression faltered, disappointment taking place as it sounded like it was just some Duke out for a night's stroll. But his eyes shot up once more as she finished telling him the Duke vanished into thin air. [Color=7b5d92]"Why's no one want to get close to the Duke? Who was the maid that saw?"[/color] His voice was hushed but full of wonder and excitement like a kid wanting to hear more of a tale.

[color=E4FF4C]“Why would anyone want to? The Duke believes himself King and acts like everyone below him is horse shit on his boot. Poking your nose in something may be the Duke’s business is a shit decision.”[/color] Agitha shook her head, a disbelieving look leveled his way. [color=E4FF4C]“And I’m not in the business of givin’ away people to newcomers. Why should I tell you names? You could be one of the Duke’s little ploys again.”[/color]

Ermes wrinkled his nose at both the accusation and her description of the Duke. [Color=7b5d92]"Doesn't exactly sound like a nice guy if you ask me. I'm not in the business of licking boots, especially to people like that."[/color] he gave Agitha a shrug before continuing. [Color=7b5d92]"As to why you should tell me, I just wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth if I could. Much easier than having to figure out which maid it is by myself, especially if poking my nose in his business could be a bad thing."[/color] He let out a small sigh and a disheartened look. 

Agitha’s eyebrows shot up. [color=E4FF4C]“You’re already potentially in the Duke’s business, ghost boy. The wrong guard hears you sniffing about this and…”[/color] She drew her thumb across her neck. [color=E4FF4C]“No more ghost boy in town. I’ve given you plenty to set up your little watch so you can trail him and fail like everyone else. Don’t go getting people in trouble by sniffin’ around people who can’t defend themselves. And if you do and I find out, well, there aren’t a lot of places you can hide from, Ermes.”[/color]

Ermes shoved his hands into his pockets as he offered the old woman a lazy and innocent smile. The shadows of his hair moving, dancing across his face and helping to accentuate the dark circles underneath his eyes. [Color=7b5d92]"I'm not here to cause any trouble, don't worry. If you ask me to steer clear of them and track it myself, well I'll be more than happy to do so. I've done my fair share of stakeouts, waiting for a glimpse of the paranormal, so I can do so again readily when the time is right. Although hopefully I won't fail like those before me. I'd love to have an excuse to come back and talk to you some more. After all, I promised I would, should I figure it out."[/color]

His smile faded as he cocked an eyebrow at the old woman. Warning bells ringing in the back of his mind as he debated on if he needed to place his hand on his sword. For now he kept his hands firmly within his pockets as he gave her a leveled look. [Color=7b5d92]"I don't recall giving you my name. Not that I'd meant to hide it, but…[i]who are you?"[/i][/color] His usual apathetic tone came back, now laced with a hint of concern.

[color=E4FF4C]“Maybe if you weren't as rude as your acquaintances earlier, I'd tell you."[/color] She smirked, sitting back and crossing her arms. [color=E4FF4C]"However, since you think you're some sort of investigator, you're more than welcome to figure it out. Was there anything else you needed because I might start charging."[/color]

Ermes's polite smile had come back. [Color=7b5d92]"I seem to find myself apologizing to you a lot today within our first encounter. I wasn't raised to be rude, and doubt my parents would appreciate knowing I had been even if unintentional. Thank you for your time."[/color] he said as he took a few steps back before turning around so that he was facing the exit. His face relaxing back down towards a neutral state as his cheeks hurt from smiling more than he was used to. He raised his left hand into the air as he waved goodbye to the old crone. [Color=7b5d92]"I'll see you in two weeks time, Agitha Hawthorne."[/color]