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08:12, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Posted by Brodert QuinkFor group 0
Brodert Quink
NPC, 12 posts
Sage of Sandpoint
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 06:12
  • msg #1

Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Brodert put his hand over the one his young protégé had just clapped to the older scholar’s shoulder.  He knew exactly what the younger man was feeling; he was feeling the same emotions himself.  He just nodded at Cato, smiled back, and began filing out with the rest of the crowd.  The scholar sighed to himself as he walked back towards the western part of town with the rest of the group.  So many dead.  And so many deaths still to come, in all probability.  He had never felt older than he did right at this moment.



This message was lightly edited by the player at 06:13, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Ven Vinder
NPC, 9 posts
Proprietor
Sandpoint General Store
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 06:13
  • msg #2

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Ven nodded gruffly at Kellan.  “He does at that,” the humongous man nodded, a slight catch in his throat.  As the proprietor of the general store, he knew just about everyone in Sandpoint, meaning that he had known many of those for whom the ceremony had been held.  “Always appreciated Zantus.  He’s a good priest.”  He hugged Shayliss close.  “Makes a man appreciate what he has.”  Ven’s expression was unreadable as he looked quickly back at where Katrine was walking towards the back of the group.

The big man walked in silence for a while, thinking.  But something Cato said in his conversation with Kellan brought him out of his reverie.  “Korvosa, is it?  That reminds me.”  Ven scratched his head.  “There was a man with a Korvosan accent in town when we had the town meeting.  You know, when Deverin was giving her speech?  Asked a lot of questions about the group of you.”  He gave Cato a nod.  “I put him off, told him you’d all been in Sandpoint for years.  No need to go spilling everything to outsiders, right?  I didn’t think much of it.  But if you’re from Korvosa . . . ,” he studiously did not look at Cato, “maybe this is more interesting to you than it is to the others.”




This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Chask Haladan
NPC, 5 posts
Bookseller
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 06:14
  • msg #3

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




“Vorvashali Voon, you say?”  Chask peered up at Pisca’s perch.  “Now that you mention it, no, I didn’t see him at the ceremony.  Which is strange,” the bookseller grinned, “as the man normally likes to make a splash at public gatherings by wearing the most-outlandish outfit he can get his hands on.”  He chuckled.  “One time he showed up at a Swallowtail Festival dressed in a ridiculously-multicolored ensemble that I’m pretty sure was actual jester’s garb from some far off land.  It had bells and everything!”  He shook his head.  “He is quite the character.”

“But no, I don’t think he was at the ceremony.”  Chask pondered for a moment.  “It’s odd, but not unprecedented.  Why?  Do you have a particular need of him?”




This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Lunk
NPC, 11 posts
Junkman
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 06:14
  • msg #4

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Lunk was confused.  He wasn’t sure exactly what to feel.  On the one hand, he was sad because of all the people that had died.  On the other hand, he was happy to see Pisca again, and he always enjoyed being with Mr. Chask.  And the ceremony itself had been very nice.  Lunk had been impressed by how it looked.  But he also knew that Gorvi would be calling for him soon to go junking, and Gorvi was never very nice about that.  It always made Lunk’s stomach feel bad.

Pisca confused Lunk even more.  He liked her, but she talked a lot, and a lot of the time Lunk didn’t really understand what she was saying.  He figured it was because Pisca was very smart.  Lunk knew he wasn’t really smart enough to have conversations with smart people other than Mr. Chask, who always made sure Lunk knew exactly what he was saying.

Lunk appreciated that.

But now Pisca was talking about grass, a subject Lunk felt he knew something about.  “I’m not sure, Pisca,” he ventured hesitantly.  He didn’t like contradicting people, because they normally told him he was wrong and then made fun of him.  He didn’t think Pisca would do that, though.  “The greenest grass is in the church courtyard, and it doesn’t have any fences at all.  They take really good care of it.  Have you been in there?  It’s very pretty.”

Lunk paused, confused again by the all the colors Pisca was talking about.  Everyone knew grass was green, and sometimes yellow if it wasn’t watered too well.  He decided to ignore the color part.  “I’m pretty sure the church people would make sure badgers didn’t tear up the grass in the courtyard.”  Lunk nodded confidently.  Father Zantus would be VERY upset if they let something like that happen!




This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Katrine Vinder
NPC, 4 posts
Ven's Daughter
Illicit Lover
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 06:15
  • msg #5

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




The dark-haired girl stopped as Pisca jumped off of Lunk’s shoulders and came up to her.  Her eyes narrowed, then she sighed.  “Come here,” she said, glancing over at the others and leading the gnome slightly away from where Ven was talking with Kellan, Cato, and Brodert.  Shayliss shot Katrine a meaningful look, but did not follow them.

“Okay,” said Katrine, stopping and kneeling to fix the short woman with a serious stare.  “Look.  Let me set you straight here, Pisca.  I like Liseth.  A lot more than I like you.”  Her eyes hardened.  “Because you are an interfering busybody, sticking your nose into things that are no concern of yours.  At least I know that Liseth means well.”  Her mouth twisted.  “Which is not something I can say about you.”

“But you go around with Liseth, so you can tell her that I consider her a friend.  She saved my life, after all.  So if she’s thinking that I’m mad at her, well, I’m not.”  Ven’s eldest daughter paused.  “I like talking with her, and she’s very sweet.  That said, we’re not THAT good of friends.  I have no desire to wring out my family’s dirty laundry in front of EITHER of you, and she has NO idea what I have to go through with my father on a DAILY basis.”

The raven-tressed woman chuckled mirthlessly.  “Liseth is very innocent, and she has a very rose-colored view of the world, and fathers in particular.  And that’s great for her.”  Bitterness seeped into Katrine’s voice as she went on in as heated a tone as she could muster, given that she was trying to keep her voice down.  “I’m glad she has such a great father.  But if she, or you, is interested in taking my father’s side in the matter of my love life, well,” she stood and dusted off her skirt, “I don’t have much to say to either of you.”

And with that, Katrine Vinder headed back to the group, where she received a comforting hug from her little sister.




Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 642 posts
Former Red Shirt
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 07:12
  • msg #6

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Kellan fell into step alongside the Vinders, with the exception of Katrine of course, who looked like she was having a rather...intense...discussion with Pisca that Kellan felt best not to intrude upon.

Venn seemed to have calmed and was substantially more talkative than his somewhat normal brooding self. Kellan couldn't recall if Venn had always been so irascible or if it had arose as his daughters began to mature. Regardless he seemed in a better mood and Kellan was keen on keeping him that way.

"It really does" he replied to Venns comment about appreciating what they had. They had been fortunate that they had such a devoted bunch caring for the town. Father Zantus, Mayor Deverin, Alergast and the Sheriff, all very qualifed, hard working and true supporters of the community.  It could have easily been otherwise.

At Venns mention of a man from Korvosa asking around Kellans first thought was this Rogors Craesby that Pisca had mentioned in regards to a package from Lord Foxglove. Of course he quickly remembered that Aldern had gone to Magnimar,  not Korvosa. Still he supposed it could be related, the man seemed to have some powerful and far reaching connections.

Kellan looked just about to voice this possibility when he realized that if it had been a delivery, he could have gone right up to the stage to deliver it.

"Odd..what kind of questions was he asking?" Kellan asked in return as they walked, with a reassuring glance to Shayliss as they went.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:12, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1136 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 14:27
  • msg #7

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Liking was neither here nor there.  Or rather, that was to say, that liking was always here or there or some other curious and possibly interesting place.  Liking, actually, was one of those things that was wherever and wherever it wanted to be in the eyes of Pisca Neep Freemish.  In fact, it was well known among gnomes in general that liking was incredibly fickle and not to be trusted.  The best that could be said for liking was that one liked what one liked when one liked it.  That and ... things could change.

But, then again, didn't they always?

"But ... butbutbut, Katrine ... "  The gnome hurried after the humans as they made their way back to the General Store, skipping and running at times to keep up.  It was a fortunate thing that Katrine and Shayliss stopped for a hug.  It was just the thing to let a gnome catch up.  Pisca swept her arm in a huge gnome-sized arc to indicate to Lunk and Chask Haladan that they were lagging behind and that the direction of destiny was with her and the Vinders, plus Stomper.  And plus Cato.

"Alright, alright ... "  Pisca, upon catching up, tugged at Katrine Vinder's sleeve with one hand to draw her away from the greater group.  And, as the sisters seemed to be getting along so well, the gnome took hold of the sleeve of Shayliss Vinder as well, pulling her along too.  "Yes, alright, we're nosy bodies," Pisca whispered to the two sisters in conspiratorial tones.  "But, what I don't think you're understanding is that we're soon to be powerful and influential nosy bodies.  Wouldn't you rather have us on your side than not?  Face it, if you're having problems.  Any problems.  With your father, or anything.  Wouldn't it be nice to have people on your side?"

"Sure, most people would side with your father, Katrine.  Human's do that.  Authority, blahblahblah.  But your father is very much the grumpy bear.  And he's proven himself to be the kind of person who won't pick a gnome up when she needs to see over a crowd."

"What I'm saying is ... "  And the gnome, still holding the two human sisters by captive sleeves, looked up into their faces with very serious and intent violet eyes.  "What I'm saying is that if you ever need help, if you ever need aid or allies, we're here for you.  Lysa is nice and warm.  And I'm the Magic Gnome," said the self-proclaimed Magic Gnome, hooking a thumb at herself.  "I mean, with you and Stomper," Pisca added, tossing a wink and a grin at Shayliss Vinder, "we're practically family."

She turned then and left things at that, rushing back to where Lunk and Chask Haladan were still in the process of catching up to things.

"Oh, and *babies*."  The gnome stopped suddenly and turned back to shout in the direction of the Vinder Sisters.  "Remember, BABIES."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Wed 06 Aug 2014.
Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 603 posts
Now 100% Monster Free
Wed 6 Aug 2014
at 14:34
  • msg #8

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Cato smiled at Brodert as the group walked away from the funeral.  As bad as the events of the Swallowtail Festival and their repercussions had been, Cato had never felt more at home somewhere than he had in Sandpoint.

And then Ven mentioned the man from Korvosa.  Cato instantly stopped in his tracks, nearly stumbling.  He was sure his face must have gone pale, as every fear he had had about the Hellknights finding him resurfaced.  The happy camederie he had been experiencing suddenly fled, and Cato felt the urge to follow them, fleeing from Sandpoint as fast as he could.  Where could he turn?  Maybe he could get to Riddleport?  Then hop a ship?  Cato took a calming breath, and tried his best to resume his normal life.  He couldn't abandon Sandpoint now, not when the town needed him.  How could he ever take himself seriously if he left everyone here and fled to save himself.

"Korvosa, you say?  That's certainly interesting."  Cato tried to keep the conversation casual, but a thousand questions hammered at its mind, each wanting to be released.  "He didn't say what he wanted?  I wonder what someone in Korvosa would want enough to try and find me all the way out here?"  Besides the obvious, of course...

Cato managed a smile.  "I trust your instincts, Ven.  Thanks for putting him off.  Maybe if you spot him around town again, you could point him out to me?  That might be helpful.  Maybe it's just some word from my family.  My father and I had a bit of a falling out before I left home."
Ven Vinder
NPC, 10 posts
Proprietor
Sandpoint General Store
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 03:49
  • msg #9

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Ven didn’t look at Kellan or Cato as he continued to walk, but he did answer their questions.  “Nothing too out of sorts for an itinerant.”  The big man shrugged his broad shoulders.  “Or so I thought at the time.  What was going on.  Who you all were.  Where you were from.  Why you were on the stage.  Whether you were Sandpoint natives, or we were honoring out-of-town folk.”  He waved his hand through the air, as if shooing away an annoying insect.  “Things like that.”

He stopped as Cato continued his questioning.  Now he did look at the wizard, raising an eyebrow as he did so.  “I didn’t say he was looking for you, scholar, and neither did he.”  He waved his hand through the air, indicating the group.  “He was asking about the whole lot of you.”  He nodded as Cato talked.  “A falling out, eh?  Well, that’s understandable.”  He shot a glance back at his daughters.  “Family can be . . . difficult sometimes.  You don’t have to worry; I’ll let you know if he shows up again.”




Shayliss Vinder
NPC, 8 posts
Ven's Daughter
Kellan's Main Squeeze
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 03:49
  • msg #10

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Shayliss would have much rather been up walking arm-in-arm with Kellan, but Katrine had to come first.  Plus, Kellan was up talking with her father, and she didn’t want to make that any more difficult than it already was.  Shay spread her arms as her sister stalked away from Kellan’s gnome friend; she gave Katrine a comforting hug.

But the gnome wasn’t done.  She had followed Katrine, continuing to badger her.  Shay’s lips set in a thin line.  Some people had no sense of social cues, and this gnome was apparently one of them . . .




Katrine Vinder
NPC, 5 posts
Ven's Daughter
Illicit Lover
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 03:49
  • msg #11

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Katrine rolled her eyes as the indefatigable gnome pulled at her sleeve.  “Look, Pisca,” she said in a low voice, glancing at her father as she retrieved her sleeve from her pint-sized assailant with barely-concealed impatience.  She began walking away, then stopped as Pisca kept talking.  When Pisca had finished, the dark-haired girl sighed, then turned around.

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Pisca.  You and Liseth.  I really do.”  Katrine was clearly attempting to be as gracious as she could.  It was just as clear that this was taking a toll on her.  “But please stay out of this business with my father.  You have no idea . . . .”  She looked on in consternation as Pisca ran back towards Chask and Lunk.

Then her face went ashen at Pisca’s yell . . . .




Shayliss Vinder
NPC, 9 posts
Ven's Daughter
Kellan's Main Squeeze
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 03:50
  • msg #12

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Shayliss’ hand flew to her mouth in horror as the gnome shouted.  She flushed, spinning about to see if her father had heard . . . .



Ven Vinder
NPC, 11 posts
Proprietor
Sandpoint General Store
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 03:50
  • msg #13

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




He had.  Ven immediately stopped in his tracks, glowering at Pisca as she started yelling in the direction of his daughters.  “Babies?  BABIES?!?!”  The word was an epithet.  He shouted back towards his daughters, shaking his fist.  “Katrine, if that no-good layabout has gotten you pregnant, Gods help me I’ll . . . .”  Helpless anger filled his voice.

“Or . . .”  He stopped, looking at Shayliss, mouth open.  He quickly shut it and rounded on Kellan, hands balled into fists.

“Storval?”  Ven Vinder had never seemed more imposing that he did right now.

“Storval?”  Ven’s menacing voice was quiet, but it carried.  “Is there . . . something you need to tell me?”




Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 649 posts
Former Red Shirt
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 10:45
  • msg #14

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Kellan, who had grown accustomed to Piscas curious manner and her even more curious way of speaking barely flinched when Pisca started shouting in the street about babies. Pisca was just that kind of person, she might shout about things, or whisper them, and they might not even be real things. Kellan had not known many gnomes in his life so he had kind of assumed that a lot of gnomes could behave in such a way. They had a reputation for quirkiness after all.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion after that. Katrines expression changed from sort of annoyed to one of abject shock. Shayliss was soon to follow and some how Kellan knew in that moment that when he turned around, Venn Vinder, all two hundred and something pounds of him would be wearing a scowl fit for a rune dog.

And sure enough, there it was.

"What?!" The farm boy replied, his face mixed parts surprise and confusion "No...no sir, Shayliss and I have never..." he broke off, shaking his head as he tried to steer Venn thoughts away from that, by not even saying it aloud

"You have nothing to worry about there, I swear it"

He turned to Pisca, his eyes pleading for some sort of intervention.

"Whats this about babies?"
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1158 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 16:49
  • msg #15

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

One glance over a gnomish shoulder was all it took to show that things were decidedly not right with the world.

Wait!  Pisca's hands pleaded with Lunk and his faithful Story Reader to bear with her.  Her lips mouthed the silent word.  There were dire circumstances to deal with.  Great anger and violence had raised its head once again in Sandpoint.

"Are you threatening my friend?"  The gnome had placed herself between Stomper and the angry store owner.  With hands on hips she tossed her challenge at the dark glowering clouds that were Ven Vinder.  "What are you?  A baby hater?  I thought all humans loved babies.  You certainly have enough of them."

"Isn't that what makes human's happy?  Don't you want your daughters to be happy?  Why shouldn't they have babies?  Don't you want grandchildren yourself?  Well, you can't force everyone to be like you, Ven Vinder."  Pisca wagged a finger up at the distant heights of the man in question.

"Everyone's afraid of you because you're big and you never smile.  Well, I'm not, and I smile a lot.  I'm not afraid of you and I say that your oppression must end.  People should be free to have babies.  People should be free to love.  Daughters should be free to make the mistakes that they want to make, and know that their father's loving arms will be there to hold them and comfort them and take them back, no matter what horrible mess they get themselves into."

"Some people aren't afraid of you, Ven Vinder," cried the gnome with a defiant fist raised in the air.  "And it's about time someone taught you to stop acting as though everyone was!" Pisca added.  And then the gnome hauled off and drove a punch into the meaty part of the big man's thigh.
Cato Crispin
Human Wizard, 616 posts
Now 100% Monster Free
Fri 8 Aug 2014
at 19:22
  • msg #16

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Cato nodded at Ven.  "Of course, you're right.  Just interested in the group."  Cato gestured towards the shopkeeper's family.  "Maybe I've just had family on my mind.  I assumed it must have been someone sent by my family looking for me.  Despite everything that we go through, we still assume the best, right?  You're right, though.  It's probably just someone passing through town who was curious what was going on.  Thanks for letting us know.  If my family did want to reach out to me, I'd certainly want to know."  And if it was an agent of the Hellknights, I'd want to know that as well...

Cato walked in silence for awhile longer, observing the interactions of Kellan, Katrine, Shayliss, Pisca, and Ven.  The wizard felt relieved.  He was sure that someone had been asking after him, but maybe Ven was right.  Just someone passing through town and curious about the group on stage.  Maybe it was merely coincidence that the man was from Korvosa.  It was a big city after all.  He shook his head and stifled a laugh at the trouble caused by one errant word of Pisca's.  And then the gnome hauled and hit Ven.  Cato gasped.  What was going on?  Where had this come from?

The young sage rushed forward.  "Pisca, Ven, calm down.  There's no need for a physical confrontation here!"  Cato looked from the obviously enraged shopkeeper to the pugilist gnome.  "Let's take a step back and relax.  Ven's just worried for his daughters.  I'm sure he wants grandchildren, and babies would make everyone's lives happier, but you have to understand about human customs regarding marriage."  Cato glanced quickly glanced at Shayliss and Kellan to see their reactions.  As far as he knew, Kellan and Shayliss hadn't had any significant interactions before their escapades in the cellar, and Kellan certainly hadn't had enough free time since then to...well, for the making of babies.  "Ven is perfectly happy with Kellan's courting of Shayliss, and Shayliss and Kellan are happy with the way things are."  Cato looked to all involved.  "Right?"
The Raconteur
GM, 1141 posts
Teller of Tales
Writer of Wrongs
Mon 11 Aug 2014
at 22:10
  • msg #17

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)




Ven stared hard at Kellan as the young guardsman expressed his confusion and dismay at the bigger man’s unspoken accusation of fatherhood.  For a brief moment, there was silence as the giant storekeeper clenched and unclenched his fists.

Then he took a deep breath, as if calming himself.  It looked like a ritual he practiced often, and the flush in his cheeks diminished slightly.  “I believe you, boy,” he said, somewhat too reluctantly in Kellan’s view, “if only because I know Kenneth, and he would skin you alive if you fathered a child out of wedlock.  The Storvals have honor.”  His eyes hardened as he turned away from Kellan towards Katrine.  “That’s not something I can say for some OTHER . . .”

It seemed as if the entire group shared a joint, shocked intake of breath as Pisca ran up, yelling, and slugged the elder Vinder in the leg.  The wisdom was known in Sandpoint from the cathedral to Fatman’s Feedbag:  if you started something with Ven Vinder, he’d end up finishing it.

Every.  Single. Time.

Even the biggest, baddest Sczarni toughs gave Vinder a wide berth.  At one point a few years ago Jubrayl Vhiski had tried to make the General Store the focus of a protection racket.  Ven, of course, had refused.  Vhiski, never one to take “no” for an answer, sent several armed men to the store to make Ven see reason.

Ven had thrashed them all.  With his bare hands.  And carried two under each arm back to the Feedbag, where he dumped them at Vhiski’s feet and asked him if he’d lost something.  Vhiski had stared at the big man for a moment, mouth open.  It was the only time in living memory that the entire Feedbag had gone silent.

But Vhiski knew a losing cause when he saw one.  He laughed, designated Ven an honorary Sczarni, bought him a drink, and never tried to muscle in on his business again.

No one messed with Ven Vinder.  No one.

Except, apparently, Pisca Neep Freemish.

Ven looked as shocked as anyone.  His hand came up automatically, ready to backhand the gnome away from him, when Cato jumped into the fray, attempting to make everyone see reason.  Ven’s eyes narrowed, but the blow promised by his raised hand never fell.

“Just keep your gnome in line, scholar.”  The innkeeper grated, staring daggers at Pisca.  He nodded at his daughters.  “Kat, Shay, come with me.  We’re going home.”  He gave Kellan a level look.  “Please escort your friends elsewhere, Storval.”

Katrine and Shayliss, cowed by what they had fully expected to turn into violence, followed their father obediently.  Katrine’s stare at Pisca was an angry one, and Shayliss shot a pleading glance at both Kellan and Pisca, hoping that they wouldn’t make things any worse.

And with that, the three Vinders took their leave of the company, heading back towards the General Store.




This message was last edited by the GM at 22:22, Mon 11 Aug 2014.
Kellan Storval
Human Fighter, 653 posts
Former Red Shirt
Mon 11 Aug 2014
at 22:52
  • msg #18

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

Kellan had barely had time to register Piscas punch before Cato was upon her. Pisca had something of a habit of getting close and looking up at people, but this was the first time he had seen her get violent with anybody.

His reaction was a sort of frustrated clenching of his jaw and a steady pace over to where Cato was keeping the two apart.

Venn was right of course, Kellans father had long ago made it very clear that a man was expected to take responsibility for his actions, and the guardsman knew that any sign of a little Storval would lead to Sandpoints shortest engagement and a very somber ceremony led by none other than Father Zantus. That was all aside from the possible estrangement...being written out of any inheritance and any other punishment his forebears saw fit to dole out in recompense for shaming the family name.

Kellan looked to Shayliss as she was led away. He wanted to say goodbye, to give her his gift, to hold her one last time before they rode off towards Thistletop and an unknown fate, but he could not risk the tenuous relationship he had established already over sentiment and a bauble.

He sighed and turned, taking a long deep breath as he looked to the others.

"There was'nt much we needed at the store anyway...I'm goin back to the Dragon...need to clean my kit...probably write some letters, and get some sleep. You guys comin?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:58, Mon 11 Aug 2014.
Pisca Neep Freemish
Gnome Archaeologist, 1166 posts
The Gnome!
And Her Imagination
Mon 11 Aug 2014
at 23:51
  • msg #19

Re: Chapter #7j:  What's in Store (Pisca, Kellan, Cato)

The gnome watched the Vinder family depart.  Her small pink hands were balled into fists and each one was planted firmly upon each hip.  On her face was a dark cloud of dissatisfaction.  That had not gone well.

The gnome sighed.

Normally.  Usually.  Well, often, at least, a good sigh would expel a goodly amount of annoying dissatisfaction, where upon it would drift away to either dissipate on the breeze, or to go bother someone else.  This was not one of those times.  The gnome's mouth only compressed into a thinner line of ire and her golden brows pulled down harder over her large violet eyes.  It was only thinking of Stomper that eased the feeling of how badly that had gone.

"I'm sorry, Kellan," and the disappointment within her turned to contrition.  "That must have ruined your time with Shayliss.  I was so hoping that you two would have had time to have sex and make babies before we left for an uncertain death.  But, I guess, from everything that was said, that you wouldn't have anyway.  Even if you'd had the chance.  I guess I didn't have the right sense of which would take precedence for a human, honor or the legacy of children.  You humans are really quite difficult to understand sometimes."

"Oh, and next time, please don't intercede.  Thank you for the concern.  But, I've found that there's nothing like the satisfaction of standing up to a big bully when you're the weaker one.  It's well worth the pain of the beating."

Pisca shrugged her slim shoulders.

"Well, that was interesting.  But lets not do that again soon."

"I've got one more errand to run before returning to the Rusty Dragon.  Maybe, I'll see you for a late meal.  But, I suspect we'll need plenty of rest tonight for the trip tomorrow.  Don't you think?"

The gnome waved and headed in the direction of the docks.  She sighed once again, and this time felt the hard knot of disappointment loosen and leave.  It was, however, replaced by a quiet sort of sadness.  Not unpleasant, but sad none the less.  It would have been nice to have left babies behind.
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