Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 9 hours ago, Fuchsia Ostrich said: “Three is good with me… who are you betting on? Also three of those books are for my eyes only… one for anyone under the law.” “Let’s shake on it first,” he said, extending a hand, “then we’ll see about any alternate action.” He rifled through his pockets, looking for more change. He figured he should have taken more of his dad’s stuff when he left. Alais’ dad was a bit of an odd character. He never went anywhere without this chain thingy. Pops, Loyalty Short, always used to talk about how lucky I was, he thought. And I went and spent that luck. Breaking eye contact with Kael, seemingly distracted, he leans over to the girl and says, “So, you’re really an orphan? Where’d you grow up?” @Ivory Dragonfly Edited January 11, 2025 by Magenta Albatross Added @ tag
Amethyst Scorpion Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 3 hours ago, Mint Heron said: Byrar stares mutely at charred remains of the watchtower. In his mind he saw his woodshop that had been consumed by a fire two years ago. He had lost much in that fire, and now Gam was dead in another blaze of ill fortune. He shouldn’t have been suprised. His entire life had been filled with accidents and foul luck. His parents dead of a mysterious illness. he had taken over his father’s very successful store, but now that Byrar was in charge, things had taken a turn for the worse. Late shipments, vanishing tools, and finally the horrid fire that has ended it all. The only thing that kept him off the streets had been his father’s dwindling fortune and some quiet deals relating to his secret talent. Best not to reminisce on the past. Byrar took a new look at the ashy ruins before him. Someone had started this. Someone had killed Gam. This time, it wasn’t an accident. And now he finally had a chance to get back at the misfortune that cursed his life. Byrar noticed that someone had had the decency to give Gam a decent send off and decided to thank them for their efforts. “Nice of you to give Gam those plants. He smells better than he did in life. Poor soul. I don’t know why anyone would have wanted to kill him. Do you know anything about who started this?” Malmoc started, hearing a voice addressing him. Shifting Mihtig’s weight, he looked up to see Byrar the shopkeep nodding at him. Falling into step beside the man, keeping one hand in his pouch, he simply hummed, muttering, “Gam, yes, well, none of us ever smell as we should in life…” That was Malmoc too. The ash still clung to him, in a way it hadn’t before. And the dampness of the mists, retreating faster than they should. Or perhaps it simply felt odd to be beside someone. His hand worked inside his pouch, locating jars. This one had the faint tinge of defeat about him, but didn’t they all? What would set it straight. Sage again? Or perhaps a dash of comfrey. It would be— No. He could control the impulses. He breathed in again, which was a mistake, the scents needing correction again, but he chose to focus on Mihtig’s fur, its warm smell anchoring him. He would have the strength of the feline in the coming days. He would need it. “The ash smells different,” he said instead. “Can you feel it? It’s sharp, not a blanket anymore, but a presence.” He felt his confidence swell. This was why he was here. “We have to figure this out, do you hear? Gam dying, the fires, the rumours. It’s not a change in the people. It’s a change on the wind.” He trailed off. “The wind…” It nipped about them, driving back the last of the mists. The townspeople should hear about this. He realised, belatedly, that his footsteps were taking him towards Tyrian’s inn. A sure place of reunion, if there ever was one, and men bothered by the profusion of scents and stimuli in a burned watchtower might naturally seek the familiar sweat- and ale-soaked refuge of the tavern. Malmoc liked it too. There was always much more to taverns than met the eye—and, if the stench of death was heavy there too, he’d start having bigger conclusions to draw. But the man’s question. It had been… ”Started this? No, I can’t tell yet. Mihtig could probably tell. But she never talks to me. Not anymore…” He stroked behind the cat’s ears. “I blame the mist-cursed Lord Ruler for this. Dead or no, he would know what this is. Would restore the old winds. But he hasn’t, or can’t, and now we’ve got to pick up the pieces, and somehow not get killed.” He closed his eyes, envisioning the tavern. The drunk, Hayden, would be slumped over the counter as usual—no matter how much mint and citrus Malmoc plied him with, it seemed the cloying alcohol fumes would cling to him till his dying day. He was useless, almost as useless as Malmoc himself, but not necessarily a saboteur for that. The usual crowd of gamblers and rabble-rousers too would be there—and, he supposed, the merchants so recently in town. He paused. Could they have brought the scent with them? But then why was it on the wind itself? He looked again at Byrar, surprising himself with his boldness. “We should talk first. And maybe see the rest of the people. Reckon they’re deserting this ash heap for now. How’s a drink sound? The ale is foul, and I don’t touch it, but nothing the right infusions won’t fix up for you…” 1
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 12 hours ago, Magenta Albatross said: “Same terms as Ka- Kim— Kael! That’s right. Same terms as Kael had. Over or under, your choice. Girl can have my last name too if she wants. It don’t fit me, it was my pops’ nickname. My buddies and I joked about me having a noble last name ‘cause he had it. Eventually it stuck.” @Ivory Dragonfly “Hey,” he continued, “wanna bet on the saboteur? My senses tell me it’s that shifty guy by the bar who keeps looking at people weird. What’s his name? Acks?” "Yah." he said. "Youse the saboteur. Hundred boxings on it." he didn't have a hundred boxings, though. 10 hours ago, Emerald Falcon said: Usually I'd wait to see if anyone else showed up to the inn, but it seems to have gotten a bit quieter around here, and I'm drawn to the atmosphere of the place. And by the food. It'll also give me a good opportunity to take a look at everyone in the inn. Even as an outsider to the village, I figure it's in my best interests to help find the saboteurs. It should keep me from getting bored, at the very least. I currently have the energy to start looking for saboteurs, and I decide that people will forgive me for intruding on their space this much in a short amount of time as long as I'm contributing to the hunt. I slip in through the door and find a table to myself off to the side, partially concealed in the shadows. A good spot for someone like me. I settle in, ask for some food, and start observing the many people in the inn. A few things stand out to me as I watch: The person who I had noticed earlier is there, staring across the room at a man. I've decided already that the lurker (@Azure Mouse) I'd seen earlier was unlikely to be a saboteur, on a fairly weak basis. I can't be certain yet, but I like what I've seen from them so far. They're watching a loud man (@Magenta Albatross) who I could hear from outside the inn talking about making bets on who is sabotaging the town - perhaps suspicious. I find myself watching him for a while, noticing that he starts accusing a quiet man (@Coral Swan) sitting at the bar, who hasn't caught my attention yet. Perhaps this is some kind of early way to test reactions by throwing around suspicion, perhaps not. I make a note to keep an eye on the large gambler, who bothers me slightly. The merchant (@Fuchsia Ostrich) seems fully uninterested in solving the mystery, not even mentioning it once despite their constant stream of yapping, seeming to prefer to sell their wares. Perhaps avoiding trying to find the saboteurs is something a saboteur would do, but I can't be certain yet given that he's only been in the inn for a short amount of time. They don't currently bother me, so I turn my attention elsewhere. I scan the room absently, noting a couple of the others in the room, pausing on a young girl (@Ivory Dragonfly) and a drunk man (@Cream Tuatara), both near the gambler. They both don't seem to be doing much right now - the drunk seems to want to be left alone, and the girl is won't shut up on about something to do with her parents. Eventually, I find myself looking back at the lurker who's still glaring daggers across the room at the large man. Perhaps someone worth talking to. Maybe I could invite them to my table to talk? As I consider whether it's worth the anxiety of talking to someone to get up and ask, I do a quick count of who's in the inn right now. Not very many, currently. I'd guess there's likely others who aren't in the inn who I should look at, but perhaps they'll show up later. It's definitely going to confuse me if more people arrive, considering that I've already confused myself on who is who here a couple times already. Guess I might be stuck here for a while. Hayden scanned the room. Lord Ruler, he needed metal and a drink. It was the gambler yelling at him he did not trust. Someone here must be lying. But who? Not the girl, he was sure. Then one of the others?
Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 2 minutes ago, Cream Tuatara said: Yah." he said. "Youse the saboteur. Hundred boxings on it." he didn't have a hundred boxings, though. “I’ll take the other side of that wager. In fact, I’ll pay your tab as well if I’m right.” Alais extends his hand, offering it to shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal”
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 1 minute ago, Magenta Albatross said: “I’ll take the other side of that wager. In fact, I’ll pay your tab as well if I’m right.” Alais extends his hand, offering it to shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal” "Wat you mean by that?" he said. "Other side of wager?"
Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 Just now, Cream Tuatara said: "Wat you mean by that?" he said. "Other side of wager?" I bet I ain’t the saboteur. Seems like a safe gamble, innit?
Ivory Dragonfly Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 12 hours ago, Magenta Albatross said: Alais looks up and calls to the bartender, “Three beers for these fine folks and myself, and whatever the girl wants, contingent on them hearing me out.” @Fuchsia Ostrich @Ivory Dragonfly @Cream Tuatara "Yay! Uh... what's good for me to drink? I guess water's fine.." She had tried some of the alcohol stuff before. It made her head hurt like crazy. 12 hours ago, Cream Tuatara said: "Uh, yeah." he said, slurring his words. "Why not?" "I noone's dad, leastways not right now. You can have my last name, though, don't matter to me. It was Vendel, though I supposed it yours now." 12 hours ago, Magenta Albatross said: “Same terms as Ka- Kim— Kael! That’s right. Same terms as Kael had. Over or under, your choice. Girl can have my last name too if she wants. It don’t fit me, it was my pops’ nickname. My buddies and I joked about me having a noble last name ‘cause he had it. Eventually it stuck.” @Ivory Dragonfly “Hey,” he continued, “wanna bet on the saboteur? My senses tell me it’s that shifty guy by the bar who keeps looking at people weird. What’s his name? Acks?” "Whoa... Two last names?" Sew considered this for a moment. "Nope, too fancy. Plus, you can't both be my dads. Unless there's some forbidden love thing? Ooohh.. that would be excitin'. Wait, no, focus." She tried to calm herself. "I don't have much money, so I don't think I should be bettin' nothin'." 2 hours ago, Magenta Albatross said: “Let’s shake on it first,” he said, extending a hand, “then we’ll see about any alternate action.” He rifled through his pockets, looking for more change. He figured he should have taken more of his dad’s stuff when he left. Alais’ dad was a bit of an odd character. He never went anywhere without this chain thingy. Pops, Loyalty Short, always used to talk about how lucky I was, he thought. And I went and spent that luck. Breaking eye contact with Kael, seemingly distracted, he leans over to the girl and says, “So, you’re really an orphan? Where’d you grow up?” @Ivory Dragonfly "All over the place... Y'know, I'm in the caravan. And that's where... my parents are from. Probably. They just had to leave at one stop. Wasn't their fault. Maybe it's this one!" She visibly brightened at that last sentence. She took a sip of her water. So far, there was a bunch of grumbles going on. She wasn't sure what to do. She hoped that her parents were among the crowd, but there was also a murderer! She hoped Gam wasn't her... No, she crushed that thought immediately. She didn't look anything like that bloke. Still, a murderer! Best to let the adults talk. They were all kind of blending together. Murderers had to be suspicious right? As long as they kept talking, they could root 'em out. And maybe she could find her parents that way too! Okay, maybe she should talk too then. But who... 43 minutes ago, Amethyst Scorpion said: ”Started this? No, I can’t tell yet. Mihtig could probably tell. But she never talks to me. Not anymore…” He stroked behind the cat’s ears. “I blame the mist-cursed Lord Ruler for this. Dead or no, he would know what this is. Would restore the old winds. But he hasn’t, or can’t, and now we’ve got to pick up the pieces, and somehow not get killed.” He closed his eyes, envisioning the tavern. The drunk, Hayden, would be slumped over the counter as usual—no matter how much mint and citrus Malmoc plied him with, it seemed the cloying alcohol fumes would cling to him till his dying day. He was useless, almost as useless as Malmoc himself, but not necessarily a saboteur for that. The usual crowd of gamblers and rabble-rousers too would be there—and, he supposed, the merchants so recently in town. He paused. Could they have brought the scent with them? But then why was it on the wind itself? He looked again at Byrar, surprising himself with his boldness. “We should talk first. And maybe see the rest of the people. Reckon they’re deserting this ash heap for now. How’s a drink sound? The ale is foul, and I don’t touch it, but nothing the right infusions won’t fix up for you…” "Omigosh Is that a cat? Can I pet her? What's her name? She's so cute. Oh my gosh!" 1
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 3 minutes ago, Magenta Albatross said: I bet I ain’t the saboteur. Seems like a safe gamble, innit? "One lass thin'. To seal the deal, a trade of secrets. Tell me, youse burn metals?"
Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 1 minute ago, Cream Tuatara said: "One lass thin'. To seal the deal, a trade of secrets. Tell me, youse burn metals?" “No nobility in my family tree, I’ll tell you that,” Alais said, with his hand still extended. It was getting a bit tired. “That’s an odd thing to say. Are you saying the killing was done with investy-chur?” He said, mangling the word, “I don’t much like that thought, myself.”
Kasimir he/him Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 14 hours ago, Kasimir said: PMs are open! Please include both myself and @Araris Valerian in all PMs made. This is your co-pilot speaking. Have been requested to re-clarify this; for ease of reading, the PM open announcement has been moved to a separate line. Thank you for flying with Coinshot Airways and have a pleasant flight! Edited January 11, 2025 by Kasimir 1
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 6 minutes ago, Magenta Albatross said: “No nobility in my family tree, I’ll tell you that,” Alais said, with his hand still extended. It was getting a bit tired. “That’s an odd thing to say. Are you saying the killing was done with investy-chur?” He said, mangling the word, “I don’t much like that thought, myself.” "Exacly." he said, nodding. "We need to find someun drinkin' them metals and inerrogate them. Where do youse get metals in this town? I haven't had some for sev'ral years, leastways."
Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Cream Tuatara said: Exacly." he said, nodding. "We need to find someun drinkin' them metals and inerrogate them. Where do youse get metals in this town? I haven't had some for sev'ral years, leastways “Well, it’s always good to have someone with investy-chur on my side. What about the crazy-eyed chick at the bar?” Alais said, gesturing to Acks, “She’s staring at half the inn. Let’s ask” He stands up halfway and takes a step toward the bar, gesturing for Hayden to follow. @Coral Swan Edited January 11, 2025 by Magenta Albatross Word use and wrong name
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 28 minutes ago, Magenta Albatross said: “Well, it’s always good to have someone with investy-chur on my side. What about the crazy-eyed chick at the bar?” Alais said, gesturing to Acks, “She’s staring at half the inn. Let’s ask” He stands up halfway and takes a step toward the bar, gesturing for Hayden to follow. @Coral Swan "I got some, though I ain't burned no metal in four years."
Magenta Albatross Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 “Come with me, and we’ll talk to ‘em,” he said, walking over to Acks @Coral Swan and sitting down. “So,” he started, leaning towards her, “do you burn metal?”
Mint Heron Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 2 hours ago, Amethyst Scorpion said: . “We should talk first. And maybe see the rest of the people. Reckon they’re deserting this ash heap for now. How’s a drink sound? The ale is foul, and I don’t touch it, but nothing the right infusions won’t fix up for you…” “I’ll stick with water. Alcohol tends to lead to accidents, and with my luck drinking is a bad idea. But we should probably try and talk to some more people. I hear there’s some misting about, maybe we’ll run into one of them.” Byrar follows him to the in and takes a look around the room. So many people, any of whom could be trying to destroy the town.
Coral Swan Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 2 hours ago, Magenta Albatross said: “Come with me, and we’ll talk to ‘em,” he said, walking over to Acks @Coral Swan and sitting down. “So,” he started, leaning towards her, “do you burn metal?” It took a moment for Acks to register that someone was speaking to him. He looked up and saw a couple people sitting down at the bar next to him. By reflex he almost burned some more metal, curious to learn more about who would be interested in him after everything he had done, but was able to repress himself this time. "Sorry, uhm, metal? I mean... yeah, but it's not very useful. Ask anyone in the town and they'll tell you as much." Acks looked down at his glass and ran his finger along the edge, then returned his gaze to the newcomers. "Why do you care?" @Mint Heron Also, if when voting you could also put the account name in red as well that would be awesome as I totally missed one of the votes on myself until I saw someone else quoted it. Thanks :). Edited January 11, 2025 by Coral Swan Interesting, page breaks actually make a new page now...and you can't delete them...
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 1 hour ago, Coral Swan said: Previous Page Next Page It took a moment for Acks to register that someone was speaking to him. He looked up and saw a couple people sitting down at the bar next to him. By reflex he almost burned some more metal, curious to learn more about who would be interested in him after everything he had done, but was able to repress himself this time. "Sorry, uhm, metal? I mean... yeah, but it's not very useful. Ask anyone in the town and they'll tell you as much." Acks looked down at his glass and ran his finger along the edge, then returned his gaze to the newcomers. "Why do you care?" @Mint Heron Also, if when voting you could also put the account name in red as well that would be awesome as I totally missed one of the votes on myself until I saw someone else quoted it. Thanks :). Previous Page Next Page Hayden frowned at Acks. "So what would happen if I burned iron righ' now?" he said, slurring his words. Edited January 11, 2025 by Cream Tuatara
Coral Swan Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 1 minute ago, Cream Tuatara said: Hayden frowned at Acks. "So what would happen if I burned iron righ' now?" he said, slurring his words. Acks frowned in slight confusion. "I guess you could fly? I don't really know. Like I said, I'm not really good with metals. All I know is mine."
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 3 minutes ago, Coral Swan said: Acks frowned in slight confusion. "I guess you could fly? I don't really know. Like I said, I'm not really good with metals. All I know is mine." "Which is?" Hayden leaned in. "You don't want me to Pull on you."
Coral Swan Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 4 minutes ago, Cream Tuatara said: "Which is?" Hayden leaned in. "You don't want me to Pull on you." "There's no need to shove me, I don't see why you are threatening me? I feel that I have been completely humane during our conversation thus far. I use the eleventh metal. I wouldn't be surprised if you never heard of it before. Most haven't."
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 33 minutes ago, Coral Swan said: "There's no need to shove me, I don't see why you are threatening me? I feel that I have been completely humane during our conversation thus far. I use the eleventh metal. I wouldn't be surprised if you never heard of it before. Most haven't." "Where you get that metal?" he frowned. He had only heard of other metals used by Steel Inquisitors. "Youse worked with the Ministry?"
Coral Swan Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 8 minutes ago, Cream Tuatara said: "Where you get that metal?" he frowned. He had only heard of other metals used by Steel Inquisitors. "Youse worked with the Ministry?" Acks shook his head, not wanting to think about the Ministry. "No, it's not good to do anything near the Lord Ruler. I have a friend who knows a lot more about metals and the like. He helps me out whenever I'm running low."
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 1 minute ago, Coral Swan said: Acks shook his head, not wanting to think about the Ministry. "No, it's not good to do anything near the Lord Ruler. I have a friend who knows a lot more about metals and the like. He helps me out whenever I'm running low." "What you do with this metal?"
Coral Swan Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 3 minutes ago, Cream Tuatara said: "What you do with this metal?" "I...see things." Acks closes his eyes. "About people...about...who they are...who they could be..." Acks shook his head. "But it's all fake, like I said, not useful at all. Just a fantasy."
Cream Tuatara Posted January 11, 2025 Posted January 11, 2025 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Coral Swan said: "I...see things." Acks closes his eyes. "About people...about...who they are...who they could be..." Acks shook his head. "But it's all fake, like I said, not useful at all. Just a fantasy." Hayden frowned. He did not trust him, but did not think Acks a murderer either, not after this. "I see." Edited January 11, 2025 by Cream Tuatara
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