In reply to Sederic (msg # 420):

"My sone is eight. He was named for his Grandfather,go e now seven years. Come with me, I wish to question him. If he went to a shop,I need know by what means he settled his account  "

In reply to Francois Betancourt (msg # 421):

She will go with him.

"Be prepared for an answer you may not like then. But as a child, is such an agreement with demons binding? Kalima, do you know?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:02, Fri 27 Nov 2020.

"What was the date on that ledge entry?  Days ago, or weeks?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 423):

It looks to have been about a week ago.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 424):

"Then lets talk to the kid..."

"I agree, we need to speak to your son.  He may be in trouble without even knowing it -- and he may possess something that is itself a danger."

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 426):

You keave the guild and head over to the edge of dockside and redlight, on the other side of that disreputable area with the street collapse. You do notice four new trees, and a shop and a tavetn have reopened, but the area still appears fairly derelict.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 427):

Aoife likes the trees, but she thinks there need to be a lot more...perhaps replacing some of those derelict houses. But she says nothing...people don't choose to be poor generally. She keep on following the porter.

In reply to Aoife (msg # 428):

As you turn down the street toward Betancourt's home, you spot a small child bouncing a bright red ball. It bounces extremely high, upwards of five yards straight up when cast forcefully.

"Any bets what he got?  And if so, do we gain anything by taking it from him?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 430):

"I am more concerned with how he paid for it..."

She continues to approach the child.

"Son, what a nice ball. Where did you get it?"

In reply to Aoife (msg # 431):

The boy seems a bit shy and intimidated as he spots his father... and kalima the flaming four armed giant.
"From a shop."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Wed 02 Dec 2020.

"I don't think I've ever seen one that bounces like that.  What did it cost you?"  His voice drops to a whisper, "or did you steal it?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 433):

"I didn't steal it! They gave it to me, the man just asked me to do something, or they would take the ball back."

"What did they ask you to do?  Chores, like when you have to sweep the floors or carry out the chamber pots?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 435):
 The boy looks at his feet
"They asked me to pull on my sister's braids any time she went to pray "

In reply to Andre Betancourt (msg # 436):

"And what will they do if you do not?"

In reply to Aoife (msg # 437):

"Take away the super ball."

"Does your sister pray a lot?"

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 439):

"She used to."

"Why is the ball super?"

"Come now, Mancini.  You saw the way it bounces.  I've never seen a ball bounce that high.  The ones the Sahudese sell do barely half as much."

Ardenas turns back to the boy.  "So, you've already pulled her hair a number of times, have you?  How old is your sister?"  He looks aside at Francois.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 442):

"Antoinette is 10."

In reply to Andre Betancourt (msg # 443):

"The gods help those who help themselves...you may be doing her a favour, but if the demonic folk who gave you the ball want you to do it, then it is probably not a good thing. I suggest either your father, or we, take the ball. I would like to see them come and try to take it from me! A demon magnet...now that would be cool!"

In reply to Sederic (msg # 444):

"Then perhaps we should give it to Kalima...I would like to see some chump demon come to take it from her!" Aoife chuckles.