Runt knows that there is little else he can expect this afternoon if he has tapped out the merchants at the city gates as well as the dock workers.  The latter had proved to be something of a disappointment, though Runt could hardly blame them for wanting to get out of the open air, dreary and wet as the day was.  He resigned himself to digging up one of his stashes.  The day had represented an odd duality.  It was the most he had ever made in a day, what with the sale of the mace to bolster it up, but because he was giving so much to Deng, it meant that he owed that much more of his cut to everyone else.

Runt makes his first stop to pay a percentage near the statue of St. Martin, where the wizened old woman, dubbed the "Beggar Queen", organized and shepherded the working poor.  She seems quite surprised by the 7 farthings that Runt shells over, though she says nothing, letting Runt walk on into the dwindling daylight.

Runt sheds all his belongings too.  He wonders if Deng would think to rob him after extorting him for such high sums, though whatever the answer to that question, Runt knows that the possibility is simply not worth the risk.

When Runt returns to the streets, all he is carrying is his broken broomstick and four small cloth bags with money inside, 10 for Deng and three others for various others he needs to pay.

The skies still seem to hang in a semi-permanent half light as Runt makes his way back to Van-Gowen Way, back to the place where Deng had accosted him this morning.  He thought he was ready, though he wasn't sure exactly for what.

As Runt approaches, he notices that Deng is already there, resting with his back against one of the stores.  He notices Runt almost immediately, tipping himself forward to a sort of bear crawl before he pushes himself to a stand and hurries towards Runt, his steps hobbled slightly as if his foot is asleep after a long sit.

"And late too!"  Deng grunts before he is within even a dozen steps.  "You better have what I need pipsqueak, cause I'm already madder than hell!"

OOC:  It's 1730 on the 30th of October.  One of your two hero points has been spent on serendipity.

"Ain't late Deng.  It still not be six bells past noon," Runt stated flatly.  "I got the ten farthings that you be robbing from me," he continued, not shouting but definitely projecting his voice out where even those not nearby could hear.  He reached into his trousers and pulled out the bag of coin for Deng, tossing it onto the ground between them.  "There it be.  And Deng, dis be the last time.  You ain't gonna rob me no more," he finishes, placing his hands on his hips, standing defiantly.

Deng had been walking with a purpose, his eyes set upon Runt with a hate that the child had not earned.  But as Runt throws the small bag of coin in the street between himself and Deng, the other stops in confusion for a moment, his eyes traveling down to the sack and back to Runt's eyes before he truly falls upon the coin in earnest.

There is a moment while Deng is tearing open the sack and pouring the coin upon the street, counting each copper with a feverish haste, where Runt can take in the scene unmolested.  Deng looks like a man who has been set upon by thugs.  One eye is swollen and he seems to have fresh bruises painted upon his face.  Runt would almost be sympathetic if it weren't for him passing along whatever malevolence had been visited upon him.

Runt had been speaking loudly, and it seems a few passersby in the square are taking some notice, most carry on their way, though an older girl, maybe fifteen, with a somewhat tattered and dirty look about her stops to take in the scene from a stone's throw away.

As Deng scrapes his pile of coin together, Runt can see Deng's eyes darting madly from the coin in his hands to Runt, his mind working avidly behind those eyes...

And then any trace of sympathy Runt still held was washed away in a single sentence.

"This ain't all of it."  Deng is still not looking Runt square in the face.  He kneels, gripping the coin in his hands, his voice quiet in comparison to Runt's intentional projection.  It's plenty loud enough for Runt to hear however, and he grits his teeth and clutches his broomstick even as he prepares for the rest of the comment.

"You musta misheard me."  Deng continues, his swollen eyes still scattershot and unfocused.  "I said twenty... You're ten short pipsqueak."

OOC:  You are about six yards from where Deng is kneeling, and the girl who has stopped to look is maybe ten or twenty yards to the side of you.  You have your broomstick in your hand and the other bags of money are all stashed away in your pants (not outwardly visible).

It came to Runt in a flash, Deng must owe someone a bunch, probably lost some big bet.  Still, that changed nothing.  This trouble with the thug had to be finished tonight.

"That be a lie Deng and you knows it.  Sides, ain't got no more to give you.  Money I gots left goes to the Businessman's Association and the Guards.  You tries to take that and they gonna get real upset with you," Runt stated levelly.  "Guards just hang you or maybe make you a slave.  Businessmans probably do worse.  Break all your bones or take you for a boat ride with a lot of rope an some big rocks!.  So you better jus turn back and go try an scrape up the rest of the money somewhere else.  You ain't getting it from me."

Runt was fairly confident that when Deng made a move, he could avoid it, but still kept a close eye on the thug to be ready.

OOC - I wonder if that's enough to get Deng to blindly attack or if I need to say more.  Guess I'll find out soon enough. :-)

Every parent has known the moment where a child has stood in front of them and brazenly, with no comprehension of consequence or the bigger picture, told them 'no'.

It is not something that Deng is prepared for.

Runt's threats seem to wash over the man's wide eyed expression as he stuffs the copper in his pocket.  He doesn't seem to quite comprehend what Runt is saying, or else perhaps, he has weighed the consequences of Runt's friends and found them inferior to those of his own enemies...  Either way, Deng is back on his feet in a moment, his fists clenched and his eyes wild as he approaches Runt.

"Oh, don't worry about the businessmen."  Deng's words drip acid, louder than before, though he is still not projecting like Runt had.  "I know them real good.  They won't mind it none if the money comes from me insteada you.  'Sides"  He offers, one pointed side of his mouth creeping upwards in a maniacal grin.  "'Swat you owe me pipsqueak.  If you can't pay what you owe than I'll just make it so you can earn better...  Like we talked about."

Deng takes a few steps forward, his fists clenched and his mouth clenched shut.

A stone's throw to the side, the girl takes a few steps forward, unnoticed by Deng.

OOC:  Deng is now at range 3.  He is unarmed, but quite a lot bigger than you.  You have your broomstick in your right hand.

“Deng, your mama must’ave dropped you on your head a bunch when you was a baby cause I don’t think nobody is that stupid natural.  You takes other people’s money from me to pay off who you lost money to and they gonna want you to pay that money too plus they probably kill you in a bad way.  That not be bad for me cause then I won’t have to listen to your stupid voice whining all the time.  Maybe they sell you to the muslims who cut everything off ‘tween your legs.  Won’t make much difference to the ladies.  I hear the girls on the street laugh ‘bout you when you is done,” Runt teased, his voice taking on a mocking tone.   “Sides, ‘for you break my legs you gots to catch me and I knows you be too slow and clumsy to do that.”

As Deng moves forwards, Runt moves back to keep six yards between themselves.

OOC – Runt is prepared for Deng to charge him and is ready to go fully defensive or break and run depending on the circumstances.

"You ungrateful little shit!"  Deng spits as charges forward, both hands extended in an effort to push Runt to the ground.

Runt skitters backwards, his broomstick still gripped like walking stick in his right hand, barely managing to duck out to the side as Deng rushes past him.  Runt keeps moving back to gain distance, but Deng is already turning to face him again, his body still moving in a jaunty, overworked fashion.

"You don't want to pay me what you owe then I'll take it from you pipsqueak!"  Deng's eyes are wild, burning with rage.  His fists are still tightly clenched, poised to lash out in any direction.

OOC:  You are now at range 1 from Deng.  You are facing him, though he is still turned slightly away from you (you're looking at a side hex as he turns).  If you want to run, note that you only move at half speed if you are going backwards.  Otherwise, you have to take 3 movement points to turn away (showing your back) before you start moving.  You can also try and run through Deng, though that will require an evade and a Dex contest.  You can also try any other option you can think of, including fighting Deng.  Your broomstick is ready in a 1-hand grip.

Deng had moved a bit faster than he had expected.  It looked like the thug was finally enraged and not really thinking.  No matter what, it was time to beat feet out of there and head towards the destination of his plan.  He turned slightly and sprinted past Deng.  He knew that he should probably keep his mouth shut but couldn't resist another dig as he went past.  "Deng got a little ding!"

OOC - If I understand your description correctly Runt should be able to get past Deng where Deng would be required to turn completely around to give chase.  Note - Runt is not going through Deng's hex but past it to Deng's side.  Runt will make a one face turn and then straight ahead for five hexes, which should put them six hexes apart.

Runt darts ahead as he hurls his insult, just to the side of Deng, with the intent of missing the man entirely as he skitters freely away...  Unfortunately it seems, his movements are not quite as fast as he had really hoped.

"You motherfucker!"  Deng screams, stepping into Runt even as he kicks in his burst of speed.  Deng's hands thrust out, seeking to knock Runt off of his feet.

Runt ducks to the side swiveling his body to avoid the push all together.  Somehow, miraculously, his body spins with the force of the shove, turning even as his feet continue to run forward, onward and away from the thuggish hobo.

"Damnit!"  Deng shrieks from a step behind as Runt regains his balance in full, never losing a step even as he continues to run.  Though Runt realizes the situation was too close for comfort, at least now he's far enough away and hopefully increasing the gap.

"Pick on someone your own size!"  A gravelly but higher pitched voice sounds out from Runt's side.  Even as he continues to run, Runt swivels his head and sees the girl stepping ever closer, her face screwed up in a look of rage.

"Mind your own business, bitch!  Or you'll get it just as bad!"  Deng shouts from behind Runt, though the child does not look to see how closely he is being followed.

OOC:  That's a lot of dialogue for one second, but assume it's somewhere around that.  You are not at range 6 as you assumed, though you did manage to dodge Deng's shove and keep running while he seems to be struggling to keep up.  The girl is now about range 12 and seems to be focused in Deng's direction.

Deng had almost gotten him but hadn't been fast enough.  He was clear enough now and knew that he could keep ahead of the thug.  But with the girl stepping in and getting involved that changed things completely.  Deng just might change his immediate target and go after her.  He took a couple more steps forward and spun around to face Deng.  "Here I be, come and get me!"  This was going to hurt.

This is what happens when the character's plan is not the same as the player's plan.  This will be interesting.

Not wanting to involve someone else into his fight, Runt takes a few further steps to gain some distance and turns around.  The extra distance was what he needed to be ready to meet whatever attack Deng had planned, or at least he thought it was.

Runt turns to see Deng a few steps behind, his face contorted in a mask of anger.  There is but a moment to try and step out of the way of his charge and Runt makes an attempt, but he is not quick enough.

Wham!

Runt wheels back as Deng's lower torso and hands smash into his head and shoulders.  His arms flail out like windmill blades trying desperately to regain his balance.

"Hey!"  The girl's voice shouts again, this time from closer, though all of Runt's attention is focused on not tumbling down to the cobbles below.

OOC:  Roll vs. DX.  If you fail you fall over.  You are currently at range 1 to Deng, and he is still facing you.  The girl is now at his left rear quarter, and closing.

Deng had closed on him a bit faster than he had thought and the impact knocked his small body back a few feet. But despite the slick cobbles, he had managed to stay on his feet.  He scooted back a bit more to try and avoid the thugs swinging fists.

"That all you got Deng?  You a wimp!"

OOC - 10:00, Today: Runt rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,3,3.  Dex - Perfect Balance +4.  No problem there.
And just to speed things along cause I'm sure Deng will be attacking with murderous intent now - 10:09, Today: Runt rolled 7 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,3.  Dodge - All out Defense Inceased Dodge +2 and Retreat +3.  Should be safe unless Deng gets very lucky.

"I'll kill you pipsqueak!"  Deng shouts in retort.

His eyes bulge and his chin juts forward.  Runt barely has the moment to regain his balance before Deng's fists come flying.

The first punch comes in high, aiming for Runt's face.  Runt easily shifts himself back and the blow falls well short.  But Deng throws another haymaker, this one with his left hand, which Runt is not as prepared for.  Miraculously, Runt bobs just enough to the side, the fist missing his shoulder by a hair.

Getting a glimpse around Deng's side, Runt notes the girl is now full tilt, just a few paces behind Deng, and leaning forward as if to ram him straight in the back.

OOC:  You managed to evade both of Deng's attacks, though he seems adamant to punch every inch of you he can reach.  Let's do one more second, as I have a feeling things might shift significantly on the next turn.

Deng's one-two combo almost got him there, but missing by an inch was as good as missing by a mile.  "No wonder the Businessman Association don't use you for nothing.  You can't even beat up a little kid," he shouted mockingly.

OOC - Bad part is if Deng does manage to hit him, it's almost certainly going to be head, neck, or very upper torso/shoulders due to the height difference.  Going to do two rolls incase Deng goes with another Double Attack.  12:30, Today: Runt rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,3,1.  Dodge - All out Defense Increased Dodge +2 and Retreat +3.  12:30, Today: Runt rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,1,6.  Dodge - All out Defense Increased Dodge +2 and Retreat +3.  So far so good.  But with my luck Deng is going to roll a Crit. Success

"Raaaaaaaahhh!"

Just as Runt had hoped, Deng is now a an uncontrolled ball of fury, both fists flying in a hurricane of poorly controlled punches.

Deng's first shot sails well wide of hitting anything, and Runt does not even attempt to step farther out of the way.  The second shot comes much closer to connecting with Runt's jaw, though a well timed duck and a step backwards allows the small boy to keep just out of reach.

Long enough anyway for the girl to catch up...

"You're fucking dead you... Shit!"  Deng curses as the girl plows her shoulder into the small of his back, flailing his already wild arms in an attempt to keep his balance.

However, Deng proves to not be nearly as nimble as Runt.  The flailing mass of arms flies just wide of Runt, stumbling over his limp and falls squarely to the ground, barely managing to keep himself from smacking face first into the road.

For once, Runt now finds himself looking down on Deng as the other makes sluggish motions to try and get himself back to his feet...

OOC:  Deng is prone in the hex right in front of you.  The girl is also a hex away (standing in the same hex as Deng's feet).  Let's do two turns of combat action this time.

Runt looked at his tormentor face down on the cobbles.  For a brief second the thought of attacking him goes through his mind and is quickly dismissed.  He backs up another couple of yards, hopefully enough that Deng couldn't lunge and grab him.  He looked over at his unexpected rescuer and said, "Be a good time now to get away."

OOC - Runt's action are going to be heavily dependent on what the girl does.  If she takes off, then he will move well away and wait on Deng to notice him so that Runt can try and lead him off.  If you need them for the next two combat turns here are a couple of Dodge rolls -
22:57, Today: Runt rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 5,1,3.  Dodge - All out Defense Increased Dodge +2.
22:57, Today: Runt rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,2.  Dodge - All out Defense Increased Dodge +2.  Both looking good.

Runt thought briefly of pressing the attack now that he had the upper hand, though he puts the thought from his mind, instead attempting to press his rescuer to make a quick escape.

It seems the girl has no such thoughts however.

Deng has barely made it to his hands and knees when the girl is back at the attack, stepping into a  wild kick that catches Deng at the edge of the jaw.

"Bitch!"  Deng spits out a wad of blood as he weaves his way to his feet, turning to face the girl now instead of Runt.  "Don't you ever learn?  Seems I've got more teaching to do!"

He throws a punch at the girl, which misses badly, and she returns with a quick knee upwards to his groin, though Deng somehow manages to backpedal away.

"Only teaching you're doing anymore Deng is how to eat with no teeth!"  The girls spits back, weaving her way around the side so that Deng's back is now fully turned to Runt.

OOC:  Since you didn't have any contingency for if the girl kept fighting, I had you take two do nothing actions, though you didn't need to use your dodges.  You still have your broomstick ready, and are standing at range 3.  The girl and Deng are in close combat.  Let's do two more seconds, unless you plan on evading, then just give me your whole plan.

Runt couldn't believe it.  Deng was down on the ground and he and the girl had a perfectly good chance to get completely away before the adult got back to his feet.  But no, she just had to keep attacking Deng.  Runt knew he could still easily vanish but he just couldn't leave the stupid girl to the likes of Deng. There really wasn't much he could do, but maybe he could trip the big man.

OOC - I have no real idea what to roll against, but what he is going to try is to poke the broomstick between Deng's legs down low and try to trip him.

OOC - oops, for got to do my roll
19:19, Today: Runt rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 1,3,5.  trip.  Seriously doubtful there

Runt runs back towards the fray and jabs his broomstick between Deng's legs, trying to twist and turn it to trip Deng up enough to get him back on the ground.  Though he manages to get the weapon where he wants it, he doesn't seem to quite get the leverage he needs to knock the man from his feet and Deng seems little perturbed by the attack.

Whack!

Deng's fist lands a blow across the girl's cheek, though she does little more than flinch as she presses in closer to Deng, gripping a hook under over his arm as she smashes her knee straight into the beggar's genitals.

"Dammit!"  Deng shouts as he twists his body to get away, throwing another wild punch that is foiled by the close range and the shuffling bodies.

OOC:  Deng and the girl are grappled and in close combat.  You are directly behind Deng and unfortunately, your sweep attack didn't get the effects you were looking for.  Let's do another two rounds of action.

Frustrated at being in a fight he shouldn't have to be in and at his lack of success in tripping Deng Runt tosses the broom stick aside and throws himself at Deng's leg, trying to grab on and interfere with the thug's movement.

OOC - Grapple I guess Targeted Leg -1 though I really don't think this should be applicable here (picture a little kid hanging onto a parents leg), Determined Attack (+4), and hold on using both arms and legs if successful.  If successful 1st round then bite the second round.  11:58, Today: Runt rolled 9 using 3d6 with rolls of 6,2,1.  Determined Attack +4, Targeted Leg -1.
should have worked.  12:01, Today: Runt rolled 6 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,1,2.  bite - not sure of what modifiers.  Just maybe here, though probably makes him want to retch with the filth of Deng. ;-)

Not satisfied with his influence on the fight he never wanted in the first place, Runt drops his stick and instead dives shoulder first towards the back of Deng's knee.  He knew he might not be big enough to get the man down of his own accord but he could prevent him from balancing enough that the man might fall of his own accord, or with help from the girl.

Runts shoulder hits into Deng's leg, and both arms wrap around, securing a firm grip.  Aware of little else of the fight, Runt opens his mouth wide, sinking his newly cut front front four teeth into the man's calf.

Whump!

Somewhere above Runt, a solid blow lands with a guttural exhalation like a deflating balloon.  Deng's goes limp in Runt's arms and he is barely able to scramble his way out from under the falling form before Deng hits the ground, utterly unconscious.

Runt pushes himself to his feet with a quick look at the girl before focusing his attention back on the beggar who had tried to extort him for a whole week's worth of earnings.

Deng looked pathetic.  His eyes were sunken, one of them swelling and looking as if it were just biding its time to go fully black.  Across the rest of his exposed skin were bruises... clearly, few of them, if any, were from this fight.  Runt wondered just how many fights this man had been in recently, and why.

"You're a piece of shit Deng."  The girl says.  She looks mussed, her own eye starting to swell slightly.  She seems to have attention for no one but Deng at the moment, drinking in the unconscious form with her eyes.

OOC:  The girl scored a moderate blow to the groin, which was enough to put Deng into negative HP.  He failed a HT roll and passed out from his wounds.  Your bite landed, and was certainly a moral boost, if not actually adding to the damage.  We are out of combat mode, and you can start posting normally.

Runt just stood there for a brief moment, 'what ifs' running through his mind and none of them with good outcomes.

"You fight good," he said to the girl.  "And I say thank you for that.  You think you help me but you done made things badder than they was.  When Deng wake up he gonna be real mad at me.  Hunt me down.  And he ain't gonna give me no warning.  He just kill me.  So I can't make no money no more with him hunting me.  And if he get dead here then the Guard gonna come looking for me for that.  So I still can't make no money.  You done mess stuff up bad."  Should have just let him chase me.  He would of never catched me.  And I'd have made him go where I wanted."

"You fight good."

The words take the girl out of her momentary trance and she seems to notice Runt for the first time as she swipes a handful of her hair back behind her ear.

"Yeah, no...."

But as Runt continues, the girl stops, her face slowly shifting from contentment to confusion to distaste...  a look like she had eaten a sweetmeat only to find it had gone sour.

"I didn't keep you from running kid..."  The girl looks like she is going to say more, but she looks over at Deng's unconscious form again and shakes her head.

The girl's face hardens and her jaw juts forward.  She stays in silence for a moment, then spits on the ground next to her as she turns her back to Runt.

"Ok.  Next time your on your own then kid.  Hope you can run as fast as you think you do."

And the girl walks off, leaving Runt standing over Deng, with only a few kids still left watching from a safe distance.

OOC:  Feel free to write a closing post to this thread.

Runt watched the girl walk away and noted the observers.  He thought about leaving immediately, but then remembered the money Deng had stolen from him.  He quickly searched where he had seen the thug stash it.  With that in hand, he recovered his broomstick and made himself scarce, heading out to finish the day's business.  As he walked, thoughts rushing through his head, he came to a simple conclusion - he had to leave the city, and quickly.