[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/b3RmLjgwLmFmMThkMS5SV3h6WVdKbGRHZ2dRbkpsYm01aGJnLCwuMA,,/baby-anything.regular.webp[/img][/center] “How did you know that,” Agatha asked again, though this time her tone was firm. Her heavy hands slammed down onto the bar, knocking over a glass as she did, sending it crashing to the ground below, and filling the air with its shattering sound. Elsabeth quickly scanned the room to see if anyone was paying too close attention to her conversation, and sighed as it seemed to be safe still. The only client in the tavern was still fast asleep in the corner. [Color=BA55D3]”I am what is known as a spirit medium,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she took in a deep breath, looking towards Joseph who had proceeded to start crying. It wasn’t the wailing, but it was loud and distracting. Elsabeth needed it to stop. She raised up a single hand until it was on level with his face and snapped her finger. The sound seemed to stir him from his cries and focus his attention on her. “That’s not an answer. I don’t believe in that, my Joseph was a good man. An honest man. A man of God. If he’s anywhere he’s with the lord now.” [Color=BA55D3]”As many would think.”[/color] Elsabeth turned to Joseph with an empty face. [Color=BA55D3]”I will ask you a series of questions. It is important that you give me a clear, concise, answer. Understood?”[/color] “Are you already drunk,” Agatha asked. “I-I-I understand,” Joseph responded. [Color=BA55D3]”Tell me about how you first met your wife,”[/color] Elsabeth asked as she kept her gaze on the ghastly figure. “I met her when I-I was seven.” [Color=BA55D3]”You met him when he was seven,”[/color] Elsabeth repeated. Her eyes drifted towards Agatha and saw only rage on her face. “I was a-a-a farmers son, and I was out working the fields. I was too weak to help farm so I was tasked with chasing-chasing the black birds. She came running through the fields screaming that she was being chased by a bad man..” [Color=BA55D3]”He was too young to help with the farming so he was tasked with chasing the crows. You came running through the farm as you were being chased by a bad man,”[/color] Elsabeth narrowed her eyes as the anger seemed to only grow in Agatha. It must’ve been a story that was told before and someone could know this. [Color=BA55D3]” Joseph, it seems you’ve told the story of your first meeting many times before. Was there any aspect of it that neither of you have shared before,”[/color] Elsabeth kept her eyes locked on Agatha in case she needed to run. “Ye-yes, yes there is one part. She was running through our farm not because she was running from a bad man, she was running from the watchmen.” [Color=BA55D3]”You would later tell him that you were being chased by the watch,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she watched the anger on Agatha’s face melt to shock. “Agatha had stolen a bag full of food from the market.” Elsabeth did another scan of the tavern before she continued. Again, the drunkard in the corner contributed his snoring to the conversation. [Color=BA55D3]” You had taken a bag of food.”[/color] “Her family was starving and were without coin.” [Color=BA55D3]”You did it to help your starving family.”[/color] “It’s why to this day she gives out free meals to those in need” [Color=BA55D3]”This shame is why you give away food to those who need it.”[/color] “To both help people who are going through the same situation, and to try and clear-clear her sin.” [Color=BA55D3]”And it’s all because you don’t want others to commit the very same sin you committed.”[/color] Agatha recoiled back, taking three steps as she did until her back was slammed into the wall. Her jaw was tense, her eyes darted, and her hand slowly rose to cover her mouth. Elsabeth knew that she had an in. [Color=BA55D3]”Thank you Joseph,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she looked back to the man and offered a warm smile before returning to Agatha with the same one. [Color=BA55D3]”Sudden, and tragic, loss of one’s life can lead to their spirit being trapped in the mortal realm. I am someone who specializes in helping those trapped here to reach the other side.”[/color] “I don’t want to go,” Joseph spat out. “What if I don’t let you help him move on,” Agatha asked soon after. [Color=BA55D3]”Things will be the way they are right now. The only difference is now you know,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she sighed, [Color=BA55D3]”but I want you both to think of what will happen from here. You won’t be able to see each other, hold each other, comfort each other,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she let the words hang, [Color=BA55D3]” That alone is a curse. As well, the longer Joseph lingers the more emotion, personality, and everything else that makes him, well, himself will be slowly eroded. He’ll become more cold, confused, angry,”[/color] she closed her eyes as she took a deep breath in, and then loudly out. [Color=BA55D3]”Pray tell, have you heard mention of something known as a poltergeist?[/color] “No,” Agatha softly responded. “Don’t they live near Spain?” Joseph asked in return. [Color=BA55D3]”A poltergeist is,”[/color] Elsabeth paused as her head shot over to Joseph. Her eyes remained fixated on the man, a single eyebrow raised at the comment. [Color=BA55D3]”A spirit who has remained too long and is considered noisy. You can see it with the tankards. Joseph is already considered such a spirit. Eventually, he’ll get louder and louder, and louder still. When you’re gone, Agatha, how loud do you think he’ll get? If you don’t pay enough attention to him, how many knives could he throw? When his memory becomes fragmented and things change, how many people can be affected?”[/color] Elsabeth paused as she looked back at Agatha. [Color=BA55D3]” While it may seem like a blessing now, it’ll quickly turn into a curse. One that you will be powerless to dispel.”[/color] Agatha pushed off the wall, her eyes scanning where Elsabeth had been looking and strained as if she could will her eyes alone. Yet Elsabeth could tell that her words had moved the woman enough, even if she could tell by his energy that Joseph would be harder to convince. “What would you need in return,” Agatha asked as a few tears began to steam down her cheek. [Color=BA55D3]”Room and board, meals, and patience,”[/color] she responded bluntly, [Color=BA55D3]”I will not need to pay, but I will need time. I need to get to know Joseph, his story from his mind, and what keeps him here,”[/color] she paused as she looked back to Joseph who had continued to yell ‘NO’ at her, [Color=BA55D3]”I don’t think he’ll be very forthcoming at first.”[/color] “You can have the room for a week, but I’ll still charge you for food,” Agatha paused as she stifled a cry, “after that you’ll be on your way. Agreed?” [Color=BA55D3]”You have a deal.”[/color] In the corner, the Old Drunkard opened one eye as he continued faking a snore. A slight grin spread across his face.