We'll shelve the problem for a minute. I can feel a pit beginning to swell in my stomach as the pilsner I left behind on my seat at the table fades into background radiation, like an old tree being hollowed out by rot, or fire. Licking at the edges inside— that's where the turn of phrase falters, to me. Hunger doesn't gnaw at you, so much as it licks at threads. Tendrils, not teeth.

Maybe I'm just not really hungry enough yet.

Regardless, it's looking like I've succeeded better than I had hoped in keeping myself beneath the notice of the cantankery-of-the-day— I never heard anything back from the lamia or the paladin regarding my passing remarks, which is fair enough, and the open-ended question I had for the open-ended question that sounded off in their wake went unaddressed. I ended up putting a face and cause to the voice on my own as the dwarf shuffled forward to confront Hrefna about her proof of kill, loudly and heatedly. I guess that, also, is fair. I hardly do much to distinguish myself now that I've settled into whatever I am— it wasn't until I cracked a good share of goblin skulls that I had even made iron rank, after all.

Speaking of, all the continuing commotion has left me the space I've needed to pull up to the board and have a proper look for jobs that might put more food in my stomach, and I'd be mighty pleased if I saw more goblins to kill. They aren't the most common job, actually— the unending tide of bloodthirsty, guild-sanctioned raiders does a lot to keep numbers in check and extant populaces wary of any human settlement bigger than three or four people, as I understand it. But still, goblins got me my shiny new Iron Rank, and they're one of the few things I can tell I have a certain skill for dealing with. If I find more goblins on the board today, I'm sure to keep that rock rolling downhill.

There's a gap I can shoulder into, next to the academic cupping her chin in thought and perusing things. I won't take that for any particular omen, seeing as she doesn't strike me for the type that would be looking for the same opportunities I am, but she's been standing here for a minute...

[color=c4df9b]"Anything good on there?"[/color] I ask conversationally as I wedge my way into the gap, eyes narrowed as I scan the options the axe-toting girl from a moment ago has left for us scrap-stealing vultures. I'm searching, I'm searching... And I click my tongue with a frown. [color=c4df9b]"Damn. Outta luck. Nobody needs dumb muscle, do they?"[/color]