Noah stood inside a small inn near the outskirts of Portmont. He was enjoying a nice cup of ale and keeping to himself really. In front of him a single gold coin laid. He was amusing himself by spinning it and watching it twirl endlessly on the table. The inn around him was much nicer than the one he had visited with Dempsey. The crowd also seemed much more lively, though he did get pretty drunk at the other one so maybe he just was remembering it wrong. Why was he in Portmont though? He honestly had no idea, yesterday he asked a stage driver to take him to whatever city he was visiting next. Noah had no idea this is where he would land but he was not complaining. Once they arrived he found a nice inn, aka the one he was at currently, bought a room and logged out. Today he was just taking it nice and easy, he thought about going to explore but for the moment he was content just resting here and eavesdropping on any local gossip. As the coin spun in front of him and he took a gulp of ale, two gentlemen took the table next to him. Their large cups of ale splashed out as they slammed them into the table. They looked like your average NPC that roamed the bars and inns, one rather build like an ox while the other resembled a rabid weasel. The scrawnier of the two spoke. “Did ya hear about that ol’ Mrs. Fox?” “Nah, I haven’t. Is the old broad acting like a fool again? Last time I saw her in town she was rambling on to herself, like some mad woman. I don’t know how the Mister handles that. Sure she’s a good looking piece of tail but I’d be afraid she bite off my member, judging by the wild look in her eyes.” Great...they were vulgar. Noah just kept spinning his coin, he was interested a but not fully engaged yet. “Ha, yea she probably would. Though from what Rita said there ain’t much to bite off!” The smaller of the one flew into a fit of laughter, obviously amused by his comment to the lunk. The bigger of the two slapped the back of his head while his face turned bright red. “Ouch...I was only playing with ya. No, she’s been acting a bit more normal as of late… though I heard she’s been asking people to help her out on planning Mister’s birthday celebration. Got some odd request though...nobody is willing to help her out yet. Heard she’s even offering a nice bit of coin.” That was when Noah’s ears perked up, coin? “Oh yea? They still live over in Dunnstads?” “Yea, right on up the hill, in that blue cottage...Don’t get much visitors up there though, crazy old coot.” Noah stood up from the table, flicked his coin in the air allowing it to make several flips, before he caught it in his hand. He was gonna go pay Ms. Fox a little visit and hopefully make a quick snag on some money. He quickly scurried out of the inn and rushed towards Dunnstad. It was not too terribly far and he was a quick one. As he raced up the hill he saw the blue cottage that they must have been talking about. Around the cottage though was a half worn down fence, the gate was nearly hanging off of it. Noah paused there, he thought over what the men had mentioned. That this Mrs. Fox was a weird one...what if she tried to kill him just for offering his help? He stood outside the gate and pondered on these things. @Rook Whisker (OCC: Sorry if its awkward to join... I'm god awful about first posts x.x)
Rook wasn't sure how they felt about Dunnstads quite yet. The shores were comforting to stand next to and listen to the deafening roar of the waves as the tides came and went. The water had been bitingly cold and they had stared out across the empty horizon for a long spell before they returned to the beaten path as they followed after quests. The cities were a bustle, the towns a bore, and villages a hit or miss. After the third time they were spooked by birds winging off into the skies after startling the avians while walking past fields and farms they decided they didn't care for that particular zone. The doves had been ridiculously noisy and Rook had stopped with a blank look that read somewhere on their face as irritation, hands over their ears until the twenty-something birds flew off. After that particular mess, Rook stuck to main roads when the grasses threatened to get high enough to go hiding things. They'd eventually come across a small village nestled in the rolling hills with farms stretching across the ground in patches. There also seemed to be a man idling around outside the path into the village, staring off into the middle ground. A small, blue cottage stared back at him as if were challenging him to cross the half-rotted fence surrounding it like a castle's moat. It was dangerous to tread territory that didn't welcome one, it could be just as dangerous as man and monsters, but nothing too sinister drifted on the wings from what the mage could tell. There was always a chance the strange man had done something to offend the place that earned an ire just for him and nothing else. Or maybe he was weird and the house was just a house. The caster tilted their head curiously and moved closer on quiet feet until either the other person noticed them and snapped out of it or until the short Velten managed to turn his attention to them. Perhaps he was lost? It was easy enough to do in such a wide world with few populated cities in comparison to the all-consuming wilds that crowned the nations in miles upon miles of forest, field, and a fair few ferocious beasts. "Did the path wander or did you?" Perhaps he had a purpose at the cottage? Hopefully he had done it no offense, brick and mortar and wood had long memories. "Or the old nest called? You've a shell-shook look. Did it bite?"
As Noah stood there perplexed on if he should actually go past the rotten fence and venture into this mad woman’s house, the sound of footsteps behind him caught his attention. He lifted his head and turned around, semi-snapped out of his daze. While his mind was still focused on entering the threshold or not, he at least gave partial attention to the new comer. Being near a larger town, Noah was not terribly afraid that this approaching person was a PKer. From what he had gathered so far, PKers really was not that big of an issue on this game. They were often ostracized and generally hunted down since other players would not receive the negative effect of having killed a PKer. As he glanced over the figure that approached him, he changed up his posture a tad bit so that he did not appear to be as in deep of thought anymore. As he looked over the person that spoke to him, he was a bit perplexed. The garments they wore and the look of their face made it rather difficult to peg down as a boy or girl... Perhaps by a further conversation, he would become aware of what they were. He reached his hand over his head as he rubbed the back of his head and let out a small chuckle. “Ah, you caught me acting weird huh? I’m just deciding if I want to go on this message or not... I need some gold but at the same time I heard that the chick living here is a bit....off to say the least.” That was when the idea sparked into his head, what if this person helped him out? Heck at least he would not be knocking on the door alone, he’d have an accomplice. This meant that he would have to split the rewards but hey who cares? It was nice to make some new friends every now and then. “Say, would you want to go along with me? Be nice with somebody having my back in case this lady really is as nutty as I’ve heard…” @Rook Whisker
Rook watched the man snap from his daze with a faint smile, head tilting just a bit further as his stupor seemed to linger. The man was far taller than they and the Velten had to look up past the over foot of distance. The Faerin subraces were so small and it was incredibly odd to always be so far down. It made for an excellently different view to see the world through, however, and made them a might bit harder to see or hit. The man before them looked like he could take a hit, but would prefer not. He held himself lightly, not quite nervously. Perhaps a more nimble class? The caster's fingers twitched lightly as if feeling a craving to go seeking out the cards for what one of their patrons might see. No need. Not now at least, Rook could go sating their hungering curiosity some other time. After all, the other needed help. Rook could help. "Off? In what walk?" They asked with a teasing tone. They were aware of the word 'off's use and had heard it enough times directed toward themselves. Rook didn't see it as an insult. They didn't mind seeing this woman apparently like them for whatever reason she'd earned the lovely little word. "This one has no templar might or shield-maiden's namesake, but this one can keep spines forged. We will help." With that they promptly swiveled on their heel and walked up toward the small cottage with a smile and a faint whistle under their breath. Halfway up the walk they paused with a sway and looked over their shoulder, laughter in their golden eyes. "Rude of real and silver-backed not. This one is Rook." They placed a hand to their chest and tapped with another smile. A few more steps and they were knocking on the white door set into the face of the pale blue homestead. There was a lull of silence before the sounds of shuffling and furniture being displaced started up, the tread of feet and the tap of what might have been a cane moving closer. When the door opened it wasn't the older woman they had expected, but rather a beautiful young woman with fiery red hair. Rook smiled politely at her and watched the crafty look in her eyes. It didn't look like the redheaded was necessarily what got her last name. It was probably being married to a man named Mr. Fox, but it was entirely fitting. Perhaps on purpose? The other had said she might be 'nutty' after all. They realized, quite suddenly, that they had no idea their purpose here beyond aiding him in aiding her to get gold. "There is a reason." They said blankly and turned to the probably-a-rogue. @Noah Krane
Noah looked at the person before him inquisitively...he was off a bit himself… He was interesting to say the least. The man was much smaller than Noah. Perhaps he was part of the Faerin race. He had yet to run across one of these mythical races. Of course when he was creating his character he had the option to pick this race, just like he could opt to go for the Felis race, the race of Dempsey and Felix, instead Noah chose the ever safe and boring Human race. He had heard that the Faerin race was seen as inferior in this game, though they appeared like elves or fairies of other games, which were often times seen as royalty or exalted races. Before Noah could answer the person’s question they spoke some more confusing nonsense about templars and shield-maidens. Noah took this as the person before him was not the best when it came to physical fights, perhaps he was a mage of sorts then. Again the really only kind of mage that he had ran across was Beatle and he was more so a bard than a mage. He would have to keep an eye out for this one, never knew what a mad mage might do… He followed the boy through the rotten gate and towards the cottage before them. The path from the gate to the home was not a far one, maybe ten to fifteen yards at best, it was a simple stone step-way with weeds and potentially wilted flowers, along its border. Roughly halfway there the interesting little Faerin turned around and introduced itself to Noah, at least that is what he thought he was doing. Noah mimicked the hand to chest motion with his own introduction. “”I’m Noah” With that the two continued their journey towards the blue home. A few knocks at the door and a moment or two latter, a redheaded woman swung open the door, peering at the two on her doorstep with intense eyes that seemed suspicious of the two before her. Rook quickly realizing that they had jumped ahead of themselves turned to Noah in an attempt to get the answer. Noah was befuddled for a moment before snapping out of it and taking the lead of the conversation. “Ah, yes...we’ve heard that you’re in need of some help with your husband’s birthday…” He really did not know much else to say other than what was already said. The two waited the woman’s response, would it be violent or would it be inviting? The woman’s, once intense eyes, melted away to a more happy and welcoming pair. “Oh my goodness! Oh my oh my oh my, finally Uene has listened to me. Probably because I threatened to go to Ahra if she didn’t.” The woman started laughing, with a laugh that sounded more like a goose getting stuffed from behind than a human’s laugh. “Yes, yes, yes come on in. I’ll go get the list of things I need from the town…” The woman skipped away after ushering the two into her home. Noah cautiously stepped into the home hoping Rook would follow, though from the little interaction he had with them, they might skip right on after Mrs. Fox. It was a bit messy inside but nothing that was too bad. Blankets were half folded on chairs, shoes were on the ground in the middle of the room, the oddest thing though was that all the photos had been turned around, what that signaled he had not idea. He just wanted to get this whole ordeal over as quickly as possible. @Rook Whisker
Noah was a good name, they decided. It didn't sound like something that would wither and die easily. This particular one would probably last a while, they were decently sure. You could tell a lot about a person by their name after all. Though you could tell a lot about a lot of things by their name. That was the point. Rook moved back a step to allow their companion to speak to Mrs. Fox and explain their now joined purpose in being here. A birthday? Help with it at that. It seemed an odd thing to need help with, but they could surely manage something like that. The mention of the gods of this world had Rook's eyes narrowing into crescents from their smile. Silly woman had no oak trees planted, nor roses. No idols inside that called to the name of either. Why would anything answer when one had nothing to give? A faint line of mana was pushed through their deck and out toward the planar entities. None seemed to have their eyes on the proceedings, though The Ash Cat gave a warm plume of heat their way in greeting as The Winged Temple shied away with a fury. The caster followed the two into the woman's home only half distracted by places none of them could see. They took in the curious sight of the photos turned away in shame or grieving and noticed Noah's eyes on the odd decorative choice as well. How... intriguing. Mrs. Fox turned into her small kitchen and began rifling through papers strewn across her table, along with a few platters of odd herbs and powders and a vial of something startlingly purple. It certainly didn't look healthy. Rook caught sight of a athame before it was swallowed once more by the papers of a book that had lost most of its spine and could barely act as a folder much less a binder for its old pages. She was a practitioner of some sort though it'd be awfully rude to ask. Instead they took the list she held out with a cry of victory. "Aha, that's where I went and put it! Here, here. Now it's a bit of a run to the market, but you two strapping young fellows shouldn't have any issue." She winked at Noah at that before she carried on. "Here's a little thing of gold for you to get those all with. Now, make sure to be back before nightfall, you hear? Gracious, bout time you get moving!" She suddenly flicked her hands out at them as if to shoo them back out of the house and kept a close step behind them until they found themselves back on her doorstep. The redhead gave a cheery farewell and closed the door promptly in their faces. Rook looked down at the paper with a curious noise. Sharpened Knife seemed to have been crossed off and that was a fitting edit considering the look at the ceremonial dagger they'd seen. "Pig's blood. Two pounds salt. White candles. Shovel." They scratched a drop of something off the page with the nail of their thumb and the faint lingering connection the patrons shifted as He Who Speaks to See chuckled somewhere deep in the ichor of its plane. The drop appeared to be some herbal mixture of something. Purple like the vial. No matter, Rook gestured happily for @Noah Krane to take the lead as they headed to town to fetch her supplies. They would have to ply the patron for more information since it seemed so amused at whatever birthday surprise she had planned! Surely Mr. Fox was lucky to have so much work and care go into the big day.
As the woman returned to her two guest with a short list in hand, Noah noticed that Rook had a curious look about him. He seemed also to be aware that something was up with not just this woman but this house as well. As long as she had no plans of churning them into meat pies though, Noah had little care for her daily habits. This list did pop a couple of red flags in his mind. Who needed this much salt for a birthday cake? Not to mention the mention of pig’s blood. The only semi normal thing on the list was the candles.. As the two of them perused the list, it became apparent that this lady was planning something else than just your average surprise birthday. He gave Rook an odd look and nodded for the two of them to go ahead and get out of this house and started on this little shopping adventure. As the two left the vicinity of the Fox’s home Noah spoke up to Rook to see what they were thinking. “This list for birthday supplies doesn’t seem like your typical list huh? What do you think she is planning on doing?” The walk down to the town was not particularly far so it would give them just enough time to make small talk about what each of them speculated was going on. Even though the list was short it required items that would be awkward to carry, mainly the pig’s blood.One of them would have to carry that solo while the other held the candles and salt. The latter two of the three items would be relatively easy to find and most general stores would carry candles and salt. The two might have to purchase a pig itself and kill it for the blood. Most people do not just have buckets of that laying around. As they entered town one of the first buildings there was a large general store that held various items for both players and NPCs. For NPCs Terrasphere was their home, they had to live in it like the players did in the real world. Unlike the real world that had places like Walmart, in Terrasphere the shops tended to be smaller and locally owned and ran. Noah pointed to the shop. “Might as well stop in there to see if we can find some candles and salt.” He’d rather get those two first anyways. They would not draw nearly as many looks as carrying around a bucket of blood. Once inside the shop, Noah quickly went towards the isle that held spices and other cooking ingredients. He had yet attempted to cook anything in this game, mainly opting to purchase things from vendors and inns, so he was unsure what sort of spices were actually in the game. He was pleasantly surprised to see familiar ones such as cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and of course salt. The bag was a bit bigger than two pounds but it would do. As he would get the salt he had hoped @Rook Whisker would have scanned the other isles for the candles.
