Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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- Old Guild Username: Muttonhawk, probably.
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Bio
Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
Cool.
The soldier, Edwin, made it clear that he would be the expert in military matters. It made Ilario grateful not only to know that there would be a man of discipline among them, but someone who had practical experience in a subject that Ilario was severely under-read on.
Raising his nose and squinting at Isabelle in response to her comment on his attire, Ilario pondered on her skills. A thief then? Perhaps there is more merit than what your appearance and behaviour suggests.
The assassin, now introducing himself as Solomon Crow, -a name so poetically appropriate that Ilario thought it could be a stage name, let alone an alias,- caused Ilario's eyelid to twitch as he took a gulp of freshly boiling water with... something in it. The man must have a mouth of clay. You should let tea infuse, Solomon. His next actions reflected light off the details of his many knives and Ilario couldn't help but wonder what use he had for so many at once. Unless he was a collector of sorts, his only thought went to perhaps losing them all the time and requiring spares. Irresponsible, Ilario judged. He didn't much care for his tone, however. "A semi-decent motive, you say? Hmm, we will see when we are briefed, o semi-honourable Solomon." Ilario said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Now, that just leaves you," He turned his head to the giant, "Vestiago, was it? Are you to be the muscle of this team, or are you also a genius in the political sphere or..." Ilario pulled a sturgeon frown and waved his hand in a circle, trying to find another example, "... I don't know, a chef or something?"
Raising his nose and squinting at Isabelle in response to her comment on his attire, Ilario pondered on her skills. A thief then? Perhaps there is more merit than what your appearance and behaviour suggests.
The assassin, now introducing himself as Solomon Crow, -a name so poetically appropriate that Ilario thought it could be a stage name, let alone an alias,- caused Ilario's eyelid to twitch as he took a gulp of freshly boiling water with... something in it. The man must have a mouth of clay. You should let tea infuse, Solomon. His next actions reflected light off the details of his many knives and Ilario couldn't help but wonder what use he had for so many at once. Unless he was a collector of sorts, his only thought went to perhaps losing them all the time and requiring spares. Irresponsible, Ilario judged. He didn't much care for his tone, however. "A semi-decent motive, you say? Hmm, we will see when we are briefed, o semi-honourable Solomon." Ilario said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Now, that just leaves you," He turned his head to the giant, "Vestiago, was it? Are you to be the muscle of this team, or are you also a genius in the political sphere or..." Ilario pulled a sturgeon frown and waved his hand in a circle, trying to find another example, "... I don't know, a chef or something?"
Well, Ariel was a bit of fun to play. I honestly didn't expect her to be around for so long, but there you have it. It'll be a bit easier to manage just three player characters again x)
The pack hefted their bags and began to walk, their shoes clonking against the wooden floor of the inn. Fendros and Janius said one last goodbye as they walked through the door. Sabine was the last one out and paused at the door to look back. Though she still had tears down her face, her mouth formed a vibrant smile. Ariel returned the smile and raised her hand in a wave. Sabine continued and the door closed.
There were a few moments where Ariel stood and stared at the door, but she eventually turned away and found a seat. She was happy and sad at the same time. Her journey to her new life was well and truly over. She looked at the bracelet again, it was a cheap memento, poorly built. But to her it now meant a lot more. Taking a deep breath, she decided not to tarry; she had many orders to fill and with tomorrow night being booked, she would have to work extra hard. Wait, tomorrow night... Ariel clutched her head in both hands as a shocked expression swept over her face, "I need something to wear!" She breathed, before bolting upright and running out of the door, forgetting to even say hello to Rukeewei. If she was lucky, Neer might not have shut her shop yet.
The pack proceeded to the gate they arrived through. Things weren't quite as vibrant as they were when they arrived. Many people on ladders were carefully taking down the decorations for the festival. People were going back to their casual lives.
"So that's Thorn. Quite a nice city." Janius remarked.
"And that's Ariel, sad to say goodbye," Fendros added, before turning to Meesei who was in the lead. "And hello again to the wilds. Will we be hunting tonight, Meesei, or just covering distance?"
There were a few moments where Ariel stood and stared at the door, but she eventually turned away and found a seat. She was happy and sad at the same time. Her journey to her new life was well and truly over. She looked at the bracelet again, it was a cheap memento, poorly built. But to her it now meant a lot more. Taking a deep breath, she decided not to tarry; she had many orders to fill and with tomorrow night being booked, she would have to work extra hard. Wait, tomorrow night... Ariel clutched her head in both hands as a shocked expression swept over her face, "I need something to wear!" She breathed, before bolting upright and running out of the door, forgetting to even say hello to Rukeewei. If she was lucky, Neer might not have shut her shop yet.
The pack proceeded to the gate they arrived through. Things weren't quite as vibrant as they were when they arrived. Many people on ladders were carefully taking down the decorations for the festival. People were going back to their casual lives.
"So that's Thorn. Quite a nice city." Janius remarked.
"And that's Ariel, sad to say goodbye," Fendros added, before turning to Meesei who was in the lead. "And hello again to the wilds. Will we be hunting tonight, Meesei, or just covering distance?"
"I can see the truth in that," Fendros responded, looking Ahnasha up and down, "I don't think you need clothes to do that though." He flashed a cheeky smile.
Janius, Fendros and Sabine followed the others upstairs to pack up as well. Travelling as they did, it didn't take long to gather up everything. After that it was just a waiting game until Ariel would turn up. Fendros took a bit of time to see Rukeewei at the bar and give him congratulations and thanks for being such a gracious host, as well as apologising for not being there to see the end of the competition. It didn't seem to bother him too much though. Sabine sat fiddling with the bracelet she had won a few days ago, it seemed to have a small shimmer to it now. It looked like she was just as uncomfortable as she was in the shop. Perhaps she just wanted to get the goodbyes over and done with before the thought of them drove her mad.
Some time passed, and Ariel entered the inn. There was a silence as she walked up to where the pack was seated with their belongings about them. She tightened her lips and breathed in. "I guess this is it." She started, doing her best not to break down immediately, "I know I've said this over and over, but, I couldn't have done this without you all. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank you for taking in my sister. I know my actions were not ideal in the past, but the chances you six gave me were..." she nodded and tried to find the right word, "... redeeming. Again, I'm going to miss you all. You've helped me so much." Her voice tightened up at the end of her last sentence.
Ariel walked up to the pack and addressed them all, right to left. Ahnasha was first, she put her arms around her and held her tight, "Ahnasha, thank you for convincing me to come to this beautiful place. I wish you all the best for your child, and your art."
Next was Fendros. He wasn't expecting a hug, but he got one anyway, "Fendros, thank you for your support. Take care, and watch you don't have any more moon sugar."
"Sure," Fendros laughed, "Goodbye Ariel."
Lorag was next in line, he got a hug as well, "Lorag, you're a real anchor for this group. You've been a great help."
Janius came next, they both had a small awkward pause before embracing, but they were at least satisfied that it was platonic at this point. "Janius," she smiled, "You always know what to say, you just don't know it. Just stop worrying about bedding everyone all the time." They both had a chuckle. Ariel's chuckle ended with a sniff, "Thank you for your help."
"It was my pleasure. Have a good life, Ariel." Janius said.
Ariel faced Meesei next. "Meesei," Ariel walked up to her and hugged her tighter than anyone yet, "Everything you've helped me with. The language, the culture, the loan. I don't know how I could ever repay you. Thank you so much."
Finally, Ariel looked to Sabine, who was seated. "Sister," Sabine looked up from her bracelet and revealed reddened eyes, "Come here." Ariel opened her arms and approached her. Sabine slid off her chair and they embraced. It was at this point that Ariel's tears began to flow. "Take care. And please write often. You have a wonderful family. You don't ever need to be afraid with them around." They held each other for a good minute. They both knew they might not see each other again, so separation was something they wanted to postpone.
When they finally broke away, Sabine took Ariel's hand and secured the now enchanted bracelet around Ariel's wrist. "Real good luck," Sabine explained. Ariel nodded and put her other hand around it. "I'll keep it close," Ariel said.
To all of them, Ariel spoke through her tears. "All the best on your travels. You will always be welcome here. I will never forget you all."
Janius, Fendros and Sabine followed the others upstairs to pack up as well. Travelling as they did, it didn't take long to gather up everything. After that it was just a waiting game until Ariel would turn up. Fendros took a bit of time to see Rukeewei at the bar and give him congratulations and thanks for being such a gracious host, as well as apologising for not being there to see the end of the competition. It didn't seem to bother him too much though. Sabine sat fiddling with the bracelet she had won a few days ago, it seemed to have a small shimmer to it now. It looked like she was just as uncomfortable as she was in the shop. Perhaps she just wanted to get the goodbyes over and done with before the thought of them drove her mad.
Some time passed, and Ariel entered the inn. There was a silence as she walked up to where the pack was seated with their belongings about them. She tightened her lips and breathed in. "I guess this is it." She started, doing her best not to break down immediately, "I know I've said this over and over, but, I couldn't have done this without you all. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank you for taking in my sister. I know my actions were not ideal in the past, but the chances you six gave me were..." she nodded and tried to find the right word, "... redeeming. Again, I'm going to miss you all. You've helped me so much." Her voice tightened up at the end of her last sentence.
Ariel walked up to the pack and addressed them all, right to left. Ahnasha was first, she put her arms around her and held her tight, "Ahnasha, thank you for convincing me to come to this beautiful place. I wish you all the best for your child, and your art."
Next was Fendros. He wasn't expecting a hug, but he got one anyway, "Fendros, thank you for your support. Take care, and watch you don't have any more moon sugar."
"Sure," Fendros laughed, "Goodbye Ariel."
Lorag was next in line, he got a hug as well, "Lorag, you're a real anchor for this group. You've been a great help."
Janius came next, they both had a small awkward pause before embracing, but they were at least satisfied that it was platonic at this point. "Janius," she smiled, "You always know what to say, you just don't know it. Just stop worrying about bedding everyone all the time." They both had a chuckle. Ariel's chuckle ended with a sniff, "Thank you for your help."
"It was my pleasure. Have a good life, Ariel." Janius said.
Ariel faced Meesei next. "Meesei," Ariel walked up to her and hugged her tighter than anyone yet, "Everything you've helped me with. The language, the culture, the loan. I don't know how I could ever repay you. Thank you so much."
Finally, Ariel looked to Sabine, who was seated. "Sister," Sabine looked up from her bracelet and revealed reddened eyes, "Come here." Ariel opened her arms and approached her. Sabine slid off her chair and they embraced. It was at this point that Ariel's tears began to flow. "Take care. And please write often. You have a wonderful family. You don't ever need to be afraid with them around." They held each other for a good minute. They both knew they might not see each other again, so separation was something they wanted to postpone.
When they finally broke away, Sabine took Ariel's hand and secured the now enchanted bracelet around Ariel's wrist. "Real good luck," Sabine explained. Ariel nodded and put her other hand around it. "I'll keep it close," Ariel said.
To all of them, Ariel spoke through her tears. "All the best on your travels. You will always be welcome here. I will never forget you all."
Hmf, such a vote of confidence this 'cleaner' is. How utterly sociable. Ilario sarcastically thought to himself, keeping his bearded chin raised as he looked over the team. Whatever assignment Hawk has planned, it obviously must involve his own intelligence and artifice, a lot of muscle, steel, quiet death... and a small girl. It was a puzzle that fascinated Ilario. Certainly such a wide set of skills had an equally wide range of applications. Ilario looked into his wine and swirled it around, finally realising power and staging yourself a quiet coup, Hawk? If that's the case, I thought better of you.
The cleaner, whom had not shared his name, asked the girl, but probably the rest of them as well what their role was in this little party. "Indeed, if we are to be working together, we might know each other's capabilities." Ilario's accent flourished with at the end of each of his sentences, "As I eluded, I will be the scholar. If you need a lockpick that can humble any lock in moments, you come to me. If you have a design for a the strongest fortress and require it's weaknesses discerned, you come to me. If you require an explosive or a weapon to exploit such possible weaknesses, come to me. If you need a poison or a drug that will exploit other weaknesses, you come to me. Finally, if your bones are sticking out of your limbs because you failed in exploiting those weaknesses, pray your wounds do not fester, then you come to me. I will of course supply this group as such according to necessity."
The cleaner, whom had not shared his name, asked the girl, but probably the rest of them as well what their role was in this little party. "Indeed, if we are to be working together, we might know each other's capabilities." Ilario's accent flourished with at the end of each of his sentences, "As I eluded, I will be the scholar. If you need a lockpick that can humble any lock in moments, you come to me. If you have a design for a the strongest fortress and require it's weaknesses discerned, you come to me. If you require an explosive or a weapon to exploit such possible weaknesses, come to me. If you need a poison or a drug that will exploit other weaknesses, you come to me. Finally, if your bones are sticking out of your limbs because you failed in exploiting those weaknesses, pray your wounds do not fester, then you come to me. I will of course supply this group as such according to necessity."
Okay, if they're allowed to be brief then I'll give daily posts a shot.
We can skip to when Ariel had closed the shop for the day and arrives at the inn if you like.
Fendros made a short and quiet chuckle, "I don't care how unpleasurable the withdrawal symptoms are, it'll better than going through that experience again, I'm sure." The smile he briefly had faded and he looked at Ahnasha directly with a more concerned face, "Still, if it's addictive, I'll need to watch out. I trust myself enough not to try it again, I mean, it wasn't a pleasant experience. Just in case though, would you... I don't know, keep an eye on me as well?" He looked ahead with another laugh and smile, "Perhaps you could point out the signs that say if there's moon sugar in the food. I appear to be blind to them when I've spices on my tongue."
Even though Ariel was certainly in a state of mental alert during her business hours, the momentous occasion of her opening day only stayed momentous for so long. The pack and Rukeewei started to shift to leave.
Ariel returned Rukeewei's smile when he approached. "Of course, yes." Her eyes twitched to the floor and back up to his face, "Thank you for coming. I-I'll see you tomorrow."
When Meesei spoke shortly after, Ariel nodded in understanding. "Right. I'll head to the inn as soon as I close." She looked to the rest of the pack as well, "Thank you all for coming. And thank you again for your help."
Fendros and Ahnasha at least got to see the shop in business when they arrived, even if the pack were just getting up to leave. They exchanged some quick words with Ariel before they left with the others. Fendros at least was satisfied that all the work that had been put into the shop was paying off. It would be sad to say goodbye to Ariel, after all the time she had been with the pack. Now though, it was time to pack up.
On the way back to the inn, Janius walked alongside Fendros and Ahnasha for a short while. "How are you feeling, Fendros? That pastry was a surprise to say the least."
"I could be better, to be honest. I would hit my head against a wall for being stupid enough to eat the moon suger, but-" Fendros lifted his hand to his temple as he spoke, "-it feels like my head is administering the pain for me."
Janius chuckled, "You certainly acted strangely. At one point you were flailing about like you were being attacked by an invisible troll. What was that about?"
Now being reminded once again of the crawling skin, Fendros closed his eyes and creased his brow. Continuing to talk about the memory made Fendros rather uncomfortable. "Look, I'd really rather not talk about it right now, it wasn't a good experience. I just want to put it behind me, okay?" Just in case Janius decided to pry, Fendros tried to shift the conversation, "Let's talk about something else. How was the rest of the festival?"
Raising his hands to show that he got the hint, Janius dropped the subject for now. "Well, I suppose it was good. We all had lots to eat and drink, we got to talk with a few people. Also, Rukeewei's wine ended up placing second in the competition."
"Oh, good. I'll have to congratulate him when we get back." Fendros responded. Turning his head to Ahnasha now, Fendros nudged her and walked closer to her, "How about you, Ahna? Did you get up to much else at the festival?"
Even though Ariel was certainly in a state of mental alert during her business hours, the momentous occasion of her opening day only stayed momentous for so long. The pack and Rukeewei started to shift to leave.
Ariel returned Rukeewei's smile when he approached. "Of course, yes." Her eyes twitched to the floor and back up to his face, "Thank you for coming. I-I'll see you tomorrow."
When Meesei spoke shortly after, Ariel nodded in understanding. "Right. I'll head to the inn as soon as I close." She looked to the rest of the pack as well, "Thank you all for coming. And thank you again for your help."
Fendros and Ahnasha at least got to see the shop in business when they arrived, even if the pack were just getting up to leave. They exchanged some quick words with Ariel before they left with the others. Fendros at least was satisfied that all the work that had been put into the shop was paying off. It would be sad to say goodbye to Ariel, after all the time she had been with the pack. Now though, it was time to pack up.
On the way back to the inn, Janius walked alongside Fendros and Ahnasha for a short while. "How are you feeling, Fendros? That pastry was a surprise to say the least."
"I could be better, to be honest. I would hit my head against a wall for being stupid enough to eat the moon suger, but-" Fendros lifted his hand to his temple as he spoke, "-it feels like my head is administering the pain for me."
Janius chuckled, "You certainly acted strangely. At one point you were flailing about like you were being attacked by an invisible troll. What was that about?"
Now being reminded once again of the crawling skin, Fendros closed his eyes and creased his brow. Continuing to talk about the memory made Fendros rather uncomfortable. "Look, I'd really rather not talk about it right now, it wasn't a good experience. I just want to put it behind me, okay?" Just in case Janius decided to pry, Fendros tried to shift the conversation, "Let's talk about something else. How was the rest of the festival?"
Raising his hands to show that he got the hint, Janius dropped the subject for now. "Well, I suppose it was good. We all had lots to eat and drink, we got to talk with a few people. Also, Rukeewei's wine ended up placing second in the competition."
"Oh, good. I'll have to congratulate him when we get back." Fendros responded. Turning his head to Ahnasha now, Fendros nudged her and walked closer to her, "How about you, Ahna? Did you get up to much else at the festival?"
Wiping the sleep from his eyes and taking a deep breath, Fendros awoke to a mouth that tasted of sick and a headache. "I've been better," he grumbled. He slowly sat up and looked out the window, "How long was I asleep?" Judging by the afternoon daylight, it might not have been that long, unless of course he had slept overnight. He was able to get up from the bed and walk with Ahnasha to the shop, hand in hand. It was clear from his stride and his complexion that he had recovered considerably, but was a little shaken by the experience. "I remember becoming isolated from everything, then relaxed, then when my senses started to come back, it was... crawling, biting." He shuddered at just the memory, "Then I remember seeing you, you helped me. Thank you. I didn't say or do anything bad, did I? I was in a strange state of mind."
At the shop, Ariel saw some familiar faces from when she handed out flyers. Many customers were content to browse, but others came straight to her for a specific request. The local's requests ranged from the simple, to the complicated, to things that Ariel hadn't even considered. There were occasions where Ariel was able to fulfill the request on the spot, but she very quickly had a lot of orders in her logbook. She was most grateful for knowing what little Jel she had mastered. Even though some exchanges were slow and a little frustrating, Ariel was able to be patient and communicate sufficiently. So far, the opening day was going about as well as Ariel had hoped.
With all of the activity, it was hard to even notice Sabine leaning up against a wall. She was looking down mostly, but didn't give away much in her demeanour except that she was uncomfortable. It might have been all the activity in such a small space, but more likely she was anticipating their departure. There was of course no chance that Ariel would be coming with them. She knew that all too well. It didn't make it any easier to say goodbye, or to wait to say goodbye.
Janius observed Sabine in this state and stood beside her with his arms crossed. "It seems to be going pretty well, hey Runt?" He said, looking at her.
Sabine did not respond.
"Hey, don't be too upset, Runt." Janius put his hand on Sabine's shoulder comfortingly and gestured to the shop. "Ariel's got a great thing set up here. Is there anything you want to say or do with your sister before leaving?"
Sabine scrunched her eyes shut for a moment, then shook her head. "Later," she said weakly, keeping her tears at bay for the moment. Ariel was busy, she didn't want to interrupt her just yet.
At the shop, Ariel saw some familiar faces from when she handed out flyers. Many customers were content to browse, but others came straight to her for a specific request. The local's requests ranged from the simple, to the complicated, to things that Ariel hadn't even considered. There were occasions where Ariel was able to fulfill the request on the spot, but she very quickly had a lot of orders in her logbook. She was most grateful for knowing what little Jel she had mastered. Even though some exchanges were slow and a little frustrating, Ariel was able to be patient and communicate sufficiently. So far, the opening day was going about as well as Ariel had hoped.
With all of the activity, it was hard to even notice Sabine leaning up against a wall. She was looking down mostly, but didn't give away much in her demeanour except that she was uncomfortable. It might have been all the activity in such a small space, but more likely she was anticipating their departure. There was of course no chance that Ariel would be coming with them. She knew that all too well. It didn't make it any easier to say goodbye, or to wait to say goodbye.
Janius observed Sabine in this state and stood beside her with his arms crossed. "It seems to be going pretty well, hey Runt?" He said, looking at her.
Sabine did not respond.
"Hey, don't be too upset, Runt." Janius put his hand on Sabine's shoulder comfortingly and gestured to the shop. "Ariel's got a great thing set up here. Is there anything you want to say or do with your sister before leaving?"
Sabine scrunched her eyes shut for a moment, then shook her head. "Later," she said weakly, keeping her tears at bay for the moment. Ariel was busy, she didn't want to interrupt her just yet.
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