Private - Get Down To Business

The pink-haired woman happened to be nowhere near a stranger to Stokbon, and even more so the guards now and then who requested aid from ordinary players. Comet heard many things that were beyond ridiculous or minor enough that help from others shouldn't even be needed in the first place. However, today's news intrigued her quite a bit, so she decided it'd be worth the time spent to investigate what exactly was going on. There were rumors floating around Stokbon to lead her in the right direction of who they originated from. Mostly fear-induced words of exaggeration filled the mouths of townsfolk and adventurers alike who knew just about nothing about the trouble arising among slums. Guards seemed quieter than usual and were apprehensive to share things with those who encountered and questioned them, as if suspicious of everyone. This worried Comet who's anxieties were often easily scrambled by the world around her. Not that she cared all too much about Stokbon or its people, but instead a natural wariness and sympathy settled in close to greed. These strong emotions mixed to push the persistent woman to ask the guards personally about what they knew but weren't telling: persuasion, intimidation, trickery... these methods came to mind as she slipped her way into a nearby tavern to catch the telltale men when most vulnerable and off-duty.

Very few succeeded in the same endeavors, she assumed, for later in the day when arriving near the edge of the slums Comet was surprised that no one else showed up. The guards were generous and suggested visiting the outskirts of Stokbon to get better detail into the trouble-makers who robbed the innocent, now making way for the dead. Despite being a selfish woman she could hardly imagine digging up graves to slip jewelry off of skeletons or decaying bodies. A bit repulsed, but hopeful nonetheless, Comet caught only those who had made homes in the poorest part of the gigantic city. Outsiders like herself - adventurers prepared to become makeshift detectives - were easily spotted. Therefore after a good few minutes her emerald eyes settled intently on an odd looking female wondering around just the same as herself. Comet approached with a small wave and friendly smile, but an aura of deeper intention rather than to simply make friends with the other player. "You've heard about the grave robbers too?" she pondered aloud when close enough to the blue-skinned female, though a comfortable space would be kept between the two for now.

@Savannah Reed

 

I’m sorry, what?

“Yeah, yeah,” the bartender said, his brown eyes wide, the mop of brown hair swinging wildly around his ears as he leaned forward and sniffed, tapping his bruised knuckles on the wooden bar-top. “Grave-robbers. Most of the noble graves, admittedly, but graves all the same. And, and, get this: the bodies are missing too.”

Savannah blinked and pursed her lips, her features a mix of confusion and intrigue. I thought grave robbers only grabbed jewels and stuff?

“See, yeah, yup, that’s what I thought. But, the bodies are missing too.”

Well, that’s no good, she murmured, grabbing her glass of juice and taking a sip. It was tart, but good.

“Say, ah, you gonna do anything about it?”

What? Me? Oh c’mon, that’s what the crowns guard is for. I’m no…person of authority.

“Yeah, sure, but you’re special. You’re one of those adventuring types. I can tell your kind a mile away.”

Pfft, the Death Knight responds, waving her hand and shaking her head as if to disagree with his comment. The Barkeep, seeing this, shrugs his broad shoulders and wanders down the bar to another patron who was hailing for a beer.

Hearing the pink-haired woman a seat over speaking, Savannah turns slightly and nods her head while taking another sip of her drink. Her hand creeps forward, snagging a peanut and cracking it with blunt, white teeth. Peeling the shell, she pops the innards into her mouth. Yeah, Ernie was just saying that the corpses are missing too. Real strange work. Probably something worse than just grave robbers if they’re stealing the bodies.

The lithe knight sighed and rolled her shoulders, feeling the tense muscles shift beneath her skin. Turning fully to the woman, she extends a hand for a shake.

I’m Savannah and I’m guessing you’re looking to figure out a solution to the grave robber problem, yeah?​

 

Not much thought had been put into... something worse than simple grave robbers to catch. What could someone possibly do with a decaying corpse? A million thoughts ran through the pink-haired woman's head while she tried to pull the situation apart by the seams within. Perhaps the day wouldn't end up as anxiety free as she thought. Of course, an adventure was an adventure but that fact never stopped her gut from churning at the worst moments over the worst things. At least a surge of adrenaline went through her veins to create a sense of excitement to challenge any impending worries. That would settle her stomach, as well as prepare the sensitive organ for any gruesome sights in her near future. Comet pulled locks of hair hanging over her face with a gentle swipe. Thin brows were shown to be quirked out of growing curiosity.

"That... is strange," Comet nodded slowly at the blue-skinned woman's response before taking a seat of her own. Space continued to be kept out of comfort and the situation. Who knew if the other planned to tackle the present issue anyways? Suddenly, she doubted her approach and began to chew on her thick, pink bottom until further words were spoken. "I am. A few guards told me to investigate the slums. See if people know stuff, I guess. Supposedly a lot of robberies have happened there. Might be some witnesses too. If I'm lucky. Would you like to join? I'm sure reward can come out of our efforts. These type of things don't go unnoticed." she winked with a newfound confidence. Absolutely positive the other would join her, Comet nodded towards the bar's entrance as if suggesting they head out sometime soon as a team.

@Savannah Reed

 

Starting in the slums was the smart thing to do. Most of the time, grave robbers tended to come from poorer backgrounds. After all, it was usually those beggars and poor folk that they got to dig the graves because no one else wanted to do the labor. Sure enough, they would know which ones were the freshest in the ground and which had the most jewels laid to rest with them.

The Knight gave a nod of her head and a small sigh. It wasn’t that she was opposed to helping or even working alongside the woman with the pink hair. The nature of this quest just seemed…wrong. Perhaps it was because she had been around the Citizens and seen Lucia’s necromancy at work day in and day out. Or maybe she just didn’t like the idea of someone’s final resting place being disturbed by grave robbers who didn’t give a rats ass about them and only was after their jewels. Or maybe it was something else entirely…

Finishing the last bit of her juice, she swallowed it down and left the goblet on the bar top. Throwing down a few silver coins – far more than what was needed for a simple cup of juice – she looked back at her newfound partner and gave a small smile. It was nice to get to work with new people. Savannah’s current circle of friends was pretty small so expanding her contact list outside of everyone who knew and worked for Lucia was always a good idea.

We’ll have to take this slow, Savannah murmured once they passed through the entrance of the bar and onto the street. It was a little after noon and there was a cool breeze blowing through the city. It was warmer than it had been, but that breeze wouldn’t let Savannah think that spring had come early.

I agree with heading the slums. It’s probably our best bet to get some information. But, we just as well might hit a dead end. Savannah turned onto the main street and began walking, her steps keeping in time with Comet’s. She knew the city, much to her chagrin, and led the way toward the poorer area easily. Poor folk protect their own and considering some of them might be doing the robbing, I think we should ask around like we’re looking for work. Work like grave digging. That’ll get us in contact with whoever might’ve hired our nefarious foes. What do you think?​

 

Allowing Savannah to lead, rather than taking it herself, happened to be more refreshing than originally thought. As a follower there'd be no stress of maintaining perfection. No stress of ensuring they were headed the right way. No stress of impressing her companion. Many would see Comet's views extreme. Perhaps ridiculous. But the young woman saw things how her parents desired. They taught their daughter ideals that stuck within her mind even when she became a powerful Archer in a game that could be turned into anything you wanted. So unfortunately she would always be controlled by things such as systematic reactions or certain expressions or mannerisms regarding situation. "Of course!" she replied, a bit too excited of an answer to be satisfactory.

Mentally face-palming the young woman trotted to catch up and remain by Savannah's side. Emerald eyes scanned the unique skin tone, luscious hair, and ominous eyes. Though the appearance hardly intimidated Comet she still felt overwhelmed. If there were an award given to some of the few character creations that were subjectively best, Savannah would win one. Warmth embraced her lithe body despite the fact that she'd become a makeshift detective about to face graves dug up without remorse. A cool breeze reminded her of the sick acts. Of what evil existed among good. She wanted to get rid of the obstacle and move on rather quickly in order to forget what could go on. Virtual reality felt disturbingly real from time-to-time to the young woman.

"Undercover work?" Comet wondered of her previous plan, and discarded it. Savannah's was much more appealing and exciting. "I like it. Too bad we don't have any leads. Think it'll take long for us to figure out who's connected?" emerald eyes danced upon their entering into the slums. The poorer area resonated both unity and solemness. An odd, slightly bothersome smell emitted but fortunately nothing unbearable. A quick change in scenery - underdevelopment seemingly consuming the poverty stricken community - felt very new to the explorer who hadn't reached any sort of similar place by boot quite yet. A few looked away from their occupation or conversation or leisurely activity to stare in the direction of the pair. An attention that made Comet very uncomfortable due to strong insecurity ruling her soul from within.

"Guess we will have to play the part, huh?" she half teased and half voiced worries aloud, leaning to whisper in @Savannah Reed's ear.