"Quite the inquisive one, are we?" Wiley replies to the woman addressing him with a smile and an abbreviated bow. "I'm Wiley and this..." he motions to the older man behind him "Is Uncle Denn, he's a bit deaf so speak loudly if you would."

Uncle Denn scowls for a brief second at the claim he is hard of hearing.

"Where is your... merry troupe bound for if I may so inquire?

Very conscious of the Wiley's evasion  Roahfustion lessens her smilie to him and then broadens it for Uncle Denn.

"Hello, Denn, may I call you that?" she asks, looking squarely at the fellow. She's well aware that once folk become 'older', or have difficulty in communication they become invisible to some. But not to her. "We're headed up the road a way. Are you locals?"

Denn looks uncomfortable when addressed directly, and glances at Wiley before answering "Is there someplace you're looking for that I can help you find Mistress?"

"My friends are Blythe, and Troels," Roahfustion says, completing the introductions and indicating in turn the other female and the male wiith her.

"We do know where we're going. So I'll ask you pair for a third time, differnt words, but still a third time, are you travelelrs too?" answers the bard, barely suppressing her irritation. "That's not a trick question. It's answered with a 'yes', a 'no' or else we can just part company now. I'll help: we three are travellers. We've come from there.." She points back to the East. "And we're going that way." She points onwards to the West.

Roahfustion fully intends to have a pleasant conversation with the newly-met pair, but is somewhat erked by having pretty much every question answered with another question.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:00, Fri 29 July 2022.

Well You two have a nice day, we need to get to Arvey and can't wait around playing word games.
She gives both her compatriots a small tug .

In reply to Blythe of Portage (msg # 734):

Troels is ready to move on.

Roahfustion nods and pats Blythe's hand in reassurance. "I hope the world is kind to you both this day," she offers to the newly-met pair, adjusting the strap of her zither. The bard pauses one last time, a last opprotunity for a pleasant conversation, befoe moving off westwards along the road towards Arvey.

""Yes, indeed we are." Wiley replies, stroking his beard in thought.

"Well, if you're going westwards, you're very welcome to travel with us if you wish. But if you prefer not, then that's fine too. You'll need your own food as we have insufficient for five," she replies. "But if you're coming with us, then we need to be on the move now. If you're happy to talk about it, are you 'just' travellers like us? Or on some sort of quest?" She heads off with her companions.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

Wiley?? You are sort of holding things up at this point... do something.

"Great!" Wiley says,  then he adds "By the way, if some heavily armed men come along looking for someone who meets my description, tell them we've been togarher for a long time and you saw someone who looked a lot like me heading the other direction.  Sure is a nice day, right?"

The bard says smoothly, "Of course. Do they mistakenly believe you owe them (or their lord) some money?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:32, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

"Who can say what such men would imagine?" Wiley replies with a snort.  "Likely they imagine little beyond wenching and drink, which they afford through low deeds, being men of low caliber." he adds. "But why dwell on such things? Tis a magnificent day  and we should enjoy it while we can. "

Indeed so, although always nice to know a bit about those you travel with. Are you a wanted man? If so, why pray tell.

Roafustion smiles and nods, fully aware that the individual they've just met, and has asked the trio to lie for them, has serially prevaricated four times.

Serially prevaricated ... that's sort of like continuous duplicity? Monotonous Mendacity?

Blythe looks at Wiley expectantly...

In reply to Blythe of Portage (msg # 745):

Troels is less subtle.

"If you want us to bleed for you, you will share the truth, the whole truth, and stop the bullshit. Otherwise, we will hand you over the the next magistrate who asks..."

The bard raises an eyebrow and shrugs.

======
OOC: I love Troels!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

"And what, pray tell, would you tell said magistrate? Oh magistrate, here is a person who, when I met him on the road as a stranger, refused to divulge his lifes story to me, the cad!" Wiley shakes his head. "Come! Let us find this magistrate, my curiosity is piqued concerning just what charges you will bear against me."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:46, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

"Never mind Magistrates, for now. Prevaricate is a long word, Wiley. It means avoiding answering a question, often by asking a question in direct response. Five out of five times you've managed that. 'Trust' is a much shorter word. Do you know what 'trust' means?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 749):

"Or in case you are slow in understanding, stay away from us or I will drive my pick through your brain myself. You are clearly not trustworthy, so I do not trust you. Keep your distance, or I will regard you as thieves. Enough talk, come Roahfustion, let's be on our way."

He will ready his pick and sheild and prepare to depart, gaurding the rear of ladies as they leave.

Blythe has stopped to watch this exchange. She has a smirk on her face.  Troels is quite matter of fact and direct, I lean that way myself as where we are from in the Nomad Lands, such non-answers mean you have serious things to hide. We are just traveling to see the world and perhaps to find a fellow who has besmirched Roahafustions name and character. Doubt we'd kill him, but he will pay dearly in some way. Since we know nothing of your past, or what serious issues you hide, it would be unwise to get tangled up in it based on our ignorance. Of course, if you share a bit, we might decide to take your side ... or not, depending  on your crime or whatever.

She watches them for a moment, and if they say nothing, she moves to rejoin her group.

"Yes, please go accost someone else with your questions. I think you'll find most people in these parts have the sense to not answer personal questions asked, no,  demanded by strangers who by appearances are no better than common hoodlums. Whatever your game I'm not falling for it.  Away with you now"

"Come along, Blythe, there are plenty more opportunities ahead, and far more pleasant ones, with which to waste our time," calls  Roahfustion.

She adds,

The trio push ahead, planning to put much distance between themselves and the pair of potential pickpockets. "Light on food today, folks. No time for hunting; we want to be reaching town before nightfall."

In reply to Roahfustion (msg # 753):

"Agreed, if he gets close again, assume it is hostile." Troels growls, and moves on, only changing from pick and shield to crossbow when the distance is more than 100 yds.