Iridia have certainly grown up in the past ten years. She is a child no more. Both in mind and body, she had matured. While her beauty remains, it had lost much of the innocence it once had. Now, she shows signs of determination instead of indecisiveness, and cunningness instead of naivness. Her body had grown set of womanly assets that would make other women envious, and men lustful.

"There now, Eddy. Be a man." Iridia whispers and steps forward.

"I don't have time for you." She hisses and leered the man, "Out of our way, or else."

Iridia slowly draws her long knife. She didn't have the patience to deal with lowly thugs at this moment. She also needed to practice

Action: Wait, If he steps in within two yards, then step forward and punch his stomach.
Active Defense: Sideslip retreating dodge for the first attack, brawling parry for next, and dodge for the third attack.

01:21, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 6 using 3d6. Intimidation. 
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Fri 23 Jan 2009.

Xavier continued to gaze at the books filling the shelves.  His eyes came to rest on a certain tome.  Pointing a finger at it, he spoke

"I would like that one, the one about fairytales.  Classic fairytales I believe."

Xavier waited for the man to turn and retrieve the book.  As the man walked, Xavier continued,

"Do I know you from somewhere?  Your face seems really familiar."

"Wha?  What's going on?"  A flap on Smalls' pack opened itself, and the smell of something like a very small distillery came wafting out.  "I was asleep!" Five inches of furious pixie exploded out of the backpack, a sharpened knitting needle in one hand.  She spiralled for height above the five giants.  "You had to start a fight while I was sleeping?  Insensitive!  You're nothing but a bunch of crosseyed, slack-jawed oafs!  You!  Short stuff!  Next time you decide to piss off some thugs, have the common decency to put your pack DOWN when you know I'm asleep in it.  One of those four impotent asses might have hit me, or worse, the whiskey!"  As she delivered her high pitched tirade, she gained a bit of altitude, and circled above the four goons.

If the thugs start anything, she's going to hit the leader with her Pixie Dust
This message was last edited by the player at 04:42, Fri 23 Jan 2009.

At first, the wide-eyed thugs are surprised. Once the proverbial cat lets go of their tongues, they all start laughing. Loudly.

"Come here, you! I always wanted one 'o you fairies!" The leader makes a quick grab for Suzette.

For his trouble, he gets a puff of glittering dust in the face. He exhales quickly and waves the sparkling mist away. "You little!"

The other thee stop their laughing and start toward their leader.

---

OOC: Iridia and Eddy are about two hexes apart from Suzette, who is in an adjacent hex to the leader. The other three are one hax behind the leader.

Stripe rolled 9 using 3d6. Grapple.
Stripe, on behalf of Suzette, rolled 11 using 3d6. Dodge.
Stripe, on behalf of Suzette, rolled 4 using 3d6. Pixy dust.
Stripe rolled 8 using 3d6. HT roll (Vs. 11).

At first, the pixy distracted the thugs, but when they see Eddy is holding a knife, two of them whip theirs out as well. The leader seems to preoccupied with the flittering menace to notice.

"First, you pull a balde on me a me buddies, jus mind'n our own b'ness. Second, you're tell'n me ta get out 'o me own alley..." The second thug, knife drawn, has to struggle to come up with the number after two. "Thirdly, you's gunna make me spill your blood on me mudder's bir'day. Dat ain't good, stranger!"

The  thug advances, a bloodthirsty glimmer in his eye.

"Little!  At least I'm not the one stuffing a cucumber down my pants.  'n I'm not a poncy fairy, you mouldering morsel of dog excriment, 'm a bloody pixie!"  Recognizing her spear, so handy in warding off cats, would be virtually useless in this fight, she dropped it to the ground, then raised her arms into pixi-fu unarmed combat stance, while discharging another puff of glitter from her dragonfly wings into the leader's face, ready to drop altitude in a second if he should try to grab at her again.

OOC: If he attempts to hit her again, she is going to parry and retreat, not dodge, giving her a parry of 12 (in addition to the -7 to hit for being teensy).  If that occurs, she'll go for an hand-lock.  If not, she'll blow dust in his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Fri 23 Jan 2009.

Gaiven nods, and walks to retrieve the book. At Whisper's question, a wave of relief passes over the mute. He has no interest in reconnecting with his old past, least of all the sorcerous Whisper. If he hasn't really recognized him, there still was a chance that the whole encounter could be ended with the exchange of a book for some coins.

Returning with Thorden's Tales and Adventures, Gaiven places it on the table, and scribbles another line of text for Whisper to read.

"I don't believe I've seen you before. I'm certain I would remember. The book will be 15 silver, please."

As the man returned to the counter, Xavier studied his face. Suddenly his eyes opened wide and a smile crept across his face,

"Gaven was it. No! Gaiven, that was it.  Rimuldar last time we met.  I'm sure of it."

Xavier put his hand on the book and looked at Gaiven,

"It has been a long time, have you kept in touch with," A moment passes as he tries to recollect, "Just what was her name, Gaiven?"

 "There's two problems with that Suzette, first: I didn't know you stowed away in there again, and second: even if there was any Booze in there to begin with, it will certainly be gone now.
And you, Brainiac, you were not minding your own busyness, this isn't your alley, and your mother's birthday was last week, when I did her well."

Thug advances to where?
If he walks into striking-range, Eddy will Attack. If he only moves 1 step, Eddy will All-Out-Attack on the leader.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Fri 23 Jan 2009.

A hostile scowl appears on Gaiven's face. He furiously scribbles a single line, and then forcefully turns back the paper so that Whisper can read:

"I am sure I don't know what you are talking about."

"Back out, Suzette." Iridia orderd, stepping forward again.

"I'll say this one more time, step aside or you bleed." She ordered the thugs

Action: Wait, if anyone comes within striking distance then Iridia will step into close range and punch. If the leader tries to grab Suzette she will step forward again and punch him in the guts.

Active defense: Side-slip retreat dodge (+2 to dodge), knife parry for the next attack, and brawling parry for the third.

19:32, Today: Iridia Silvermane rolled 13 using 3d6. Intimidate. Skill = 13

Xavier smiles as he reads the hastily scribbled words on the paper.  Taking the quill, he writes back to Gaiven,

"I am sorry for my misunderstanding.  I was unaware that you couldn't talk.  Perhaps we can do business later.  I have many stories about dragons that I would like to have scribed.  Hopefully you won't charge me an eye-tooth for it.  There is much money in it for you!"

Xavier set the pen down and dropped two gold coins on the counter.

"Be seeing you around then."

[Private to Stripe: OOC: I hope that's not tooo subtle.  If he doesn't respond, I will return to my wagon and examine the book.]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Sat 24 Jan 2009.

Buzzing in the air, Suzette keeps out of the man's clutches, but can't manage to catch one of his fingers -- lucky for him!

From out of nowhere, Eddy wades into the middle of things with a quick thrust of his knife! With a resounding scream, the man topples over and crashes into the nearby wall clutching his bleeding gut.

Like a street brawler, Eddy stands before the other three thugs in fighting stance, bloody knife in one hand.

"I'll say this one more time, step aside or you bleed." Iridia ordered the thugs. Her words are punctuated by a squeal of pain from their fallen leader.

The three standing thugs, two with knives drawn, scowl and bare their teeth... but they hesitate, locking gazes with both their opponents.

A few tense seconds later, the one without a knife breaks the silence. "Com'on! We gotta get him to the healer!" He goes over to his friend and starts to lift him. "Com'on! There'll be another time!" He grabs the nearest by his sleeve and tugs. With that, he backs away and helps his friend lift their wincing leader from the ground.

"Yes, there will be another time!" the leader seethes through clenched teeth. "I swear on my mother's grave I'll kill you and have that gods damn fairy! I'll kill you!" His last threat is a shout as the two drag him away. The remaining thug backs away, then sheaths his knife and turns to follow the others.

"Yeah, you better run, $#&^er. Next time you try this stuff, YOU MIGHT NOT GET THAT CHANCE!"
Eddy turns to Suzette with a quickly fading look of concern in his eyes and then to Iridia.
"You're alright? Yeah, too bad. Ok, so my shortcut was a bad idea, but you're the one who supposed to know where we're going. Spill the beans girl, I don't want to run in circles around the city all day."

OOC: Eddy Smalls rolled 6 using 3d6. Snapping out of Berserk, CR12.
BTW where are we going?

Gaiven looks despairingly at the paper that Whisper has left him. Screaming was said to have a therapeutic effect at times like this. Just a shame he didn't have any voice. Though he could always develop an ulcer. The old man said you were never too young to develop an ulcer. Apparently he was right.

Iridia smirks at the sight of the retreating thugs, then turns to Eddy.

"Nice move there, Eddy." Iridia remarks as she sheathes her knife. "We should have killed them, though. It'll be really inconvenient if they try to bring a bigger gang against us later on."

"Since you asked, I have no idea. I've been away for ten years, this place has changed quite a bit since then." Iridia continues while rubbing her chin, pondering on what to do next. "Well, I guess finding some form of lodging would be a logical next step, don't you think?"

"Well you can stay at my place. It's not much, but it's home. I'm sure you can eh... compensate me in kind for my trouble."

OOC: Eddy Smalls rolled 13 using 3d6. Self-C roll for Lecherousness, CR: 15. At -100 for walking right into this one.
On that note, Eddy has Appearance: Attractive, in case you where wondering.
Should I roll for Suzette too, or don't humans and pixies 'swing that way'?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:10, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

"You'd better run, you slackjawed, lily-livered, yellow-bellied, street spawn.  Only whores you could get to love you would be your mammas, and they'd still charge you double!

And you! Tiny!  You have a flop?  I got dibs on a rafter, and if any of your fingers come near me while I'm sleeping, I'll make it bend backwards."

"Oooh, how interesting." Iridia passes her tongue over her lower lip as she grins to Eddy. Iridia steps in closer, and leans her face toward's Eddy's, leaving nothing but several inches in between. Her grin widens as she stares into Eddy's eyes as she tries to measure his seriousness. To any lesser man, Iridia would seem scary, or insane.

When she finally has enough, Iridia withdraws her face. "Very well then, let's go. Come along, Little Suzette."

Xavier had returned to his wagon with his new purchase in tow.  After several hours reading it, he decided enough time had passed and returned to the small bookstore where he purchased it.

Walking through the door, he had a large smile on his face,

"So what made you decide to open a book shop of all things?  Never knew you were much of a reader.  Must be some one of a kind ones in here.  Ever consider getting copies made of these?"

Xavier set a hand on a stack,

"A fire in here and your life's work would be up in flames.  Might consider some sort of protection."

Xavier scanned the room before crossing his arms,

"Had any time to think about our prior conversation?"

Eddy takes Iridia, and under some protest Suzette, to his small house. It's an 2nd floor attic, on top of a small bookstore. The thick A-frames of the roof make walking upright difficult, but at least they kept the water and the wind out. They also keep the sunlight out, making it very dark. Although 3 candles surround a small house-altar next to the shaft of a chimney, Eddy is reluctant to light them. A flatted sack of hay, that smells distinctly of use, qualifies as a bed, and a chair with a broken leg is the only other furniture present.

"Welcome to my crib. Make yourself at home.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:39, Thu 29 Jan 2009.

Gaiven is in half a mind to just chase the sorcerer out of his shop. Then again, he is a sorcerer, and even if he might not put a curse on Gaiven, there is the threat concerning his store.

Still, Gaiven remains silent with his arms folded across his chest, saying nothing.

Xavier moved the paper across the counter and set it and the quill before Gaiven.

"Perhaps your memory needs a little jogging.  It, and I'm sure you know what it I'm talking about, was stolen by you and the cute girl and the fellow that got executed."

Xavier pointed to the paper,

"Ring any bells yet?  No?  Then let me continue.  You sold it to a creature by the name of Zuul, who has since been killed."

Xavier crossed the store to stand in the window,

"Do you have any idea what has become of 'it'?"

Xavier stood there, looking out the window, smiling at those that passed by.

"Hey, nice digs!  JUST my size!"  Suzette puts on a dazzling display of aerobatics as she flits about the tiny appartment.  She disappears up above one of the beams for a moment.  After a brief shower of mouse droppings, she pops her head out from behind the beam.  "Home sweet home.  So, what's the scam?  We going to knock over one of them mansions?  Find those terribly rude bully boys and beat the crap out of them?  I'll hold them, you punch!"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Fri 30 Jan 2009.

"Well, we could work on the alley we just 'conquered', but I was really looking for something bigger. So yeah, we could do a mansion, but we'd need to find a place to sell the loot. I don't know any living fences. You?"


OOC: Eddy Smalls rolled 14 using 3d6. Looking for fence. Streetwise, bl:12.