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Post by Ancelas on Apr 2, 2022 18:07:13 GMT -5
 Book 2: Descent
Interlude: Children of Wachovia While the Elfsong Tavern had seen considerable action this evening, Trollskull Alley was mostly quiet. The sun had only just set, but there were still lanterns out, and while the few shopkeeps and residents with doors into the alley were sweeping their stoops and preparing to close up for the night, a handful of children were still running back and forth, kicking a ball back and forth. Jenks and Nat were playing blocks, standing between marks on the cobble stones while their partners were kicking the ball around, trying to get past one another. Ren was partnered with Nat and Squiddy with Jenks, leaving Mouse to referee. There seemed to be no way to tell who was winning, but the kids didn't seem to care. After Squiddy juked past Ren to kick a ball that Nat failed to block in time, Ren let out a frustrated huff. "I can barely even see the ball now," he said. "I'm going to go turn in." There was a chorus of mixed laments and jibes, but it seemed like the kids were winding down for the night. |
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Post by redcoat on Apr 3, 2022 8:38:38 GMT -5
The kids were fine- that was the important. She'd been concerned, after the attack on the Elfsong, that similar cultists had attacked Trollskoll... or rather the people around it. Letting out a deep breath, Cerys would approach.
"Good evening, adventurers. Looks like you're winding down for the night."
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Post by CautionCat on Apr 3, 2022 23:38:27 GMT -5
Vincent left the interrogation to the others, getting information out of people wasn't something he wanted to do, and Cerys needed company to check on the kids. What with what happened at Elf Song, traveling alone didn't seem like a good idea. He would have asked her if she was alright, as they walked, if she needed anything.
Seeing the kids was a nice change of the day. They weren't exactly innocent, but they weren't adults yet. Unassuming sort. He raised his brows and glanced at them all. Cerys was better talking to kids, so he stayed quiet for now.
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Post by Ancelas on Apr 4, 2022 7:54:10 GMT -5
Mouse waved at Cerys and Vincent while Ren yawned. Squiddy made a series of quick signs to Nat, who turned to greet the two adults. Jenks hurried over to chase after the ball.
Nat signed, and Squiddy translated, the tiefling's eyes glowing a very faint yellow in the evening light. "Nat was wondering what happened - Ren said the house scared you off, but she thought it would take more than that."
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Post by redcoat on Apr 4, 2022 8:13:04 GMT -5
Cerys would be honest with Vincent on their walk- that the fresh air, and being away from a tavern full of people helped. That what she'd seen in the hotel room with the Hellrider had just hit far too close to home for her. A man taken by the plague, leaving a note for the person to find him.
Far too close.
But seeing the kids helped, and she couldn't help but smile at them. "That's high praise, coming from Nat." She teased. "Not run off, not permanently, at least. We're dealing with some problems in the city and are staying closer to them. But, I didn't know if you all had found some dinner, and I figured if you hadn't, I could at least make sure you didn't go to bed hungry." She shrugged.
"Not as good as last night's dinner, but I can do something about it, at least."
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Post by CautionCat on Apr 4, 2022 13:11:11 GMT -5
Vincent was happy Cerys was honest, and it was something that hit close to home for her. He would make sure to keep and eye on her...
Nodding to the kids, he folded his arms and shrugged. "One thing led to another, there's a lot of work to be done in this city, and we barely scraped the surface."
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Post by Ancelas on Apr 4, 2022 13:42:16 GMT -5
Nat squinted as Cerys spoke, but Squiddy quickly began signing to her, since it was easier for her to see the hand movements in the dim light of the alley than read Cerys' lips. Nat smiled faintly at the comment.
"We're downright starving," Ren said, folding his hands behind his head, his fatigue temporarily forgotten. "Nothing but bread scraps and apple cores today."
"It wasn't that bad," Mouse ventured. "He's just saying that because he hasn't stopped thinking about the meal we had the other night."
Ren scowled and moved to punch Mouse's shoulder, but mouse ducked and scurried off to the side, joining up with Jenks.
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Post by redcoat on Apr 4, 2022 21:18:28 GMT -5
Cerys chuckled at the youthful antics- it made her feel better, being around kids. Even if their problems were systemic and difficult, being able to be a direct help was a balm for a bruised heart.
"There will be more dinners like last night, especially once we get our work done and clear the ghost here. In the meantime though..." she cast goodberry.
"These are magic berries. I am aware how sketchy that sounds. But, they'll keep you full and fed for a full day."
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Post by CautionCat on Apr 5, 2022 17:40:10 GMT -5
Vincent listened, and smiled when Cerys created some Good Berries for the kids. He nodded, and tilted his head towards her. "It's what adventurers eat when they're out of rations, and not able to find anything to hunt. They're good... What flavor did you make them?"
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Post by redcoat on Apr 5, 2022 17:49:45 GMT -5
"Strawberry." Cerys added, smiling at Vincent- thankful of the assist.
Persuasion with advantage: 23
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Post by Ancelas on Apr 5, 2022 17:55:30 GMT -5
Ren looked over and immediately approached. Nat put a hand on his shoulder, and after Squiddy signed to her, looked at Cerys and squinted. She stepped forward and picked up one of the berries, turned it around in her hand, and nibbled at it.
Nat's face lit up and she turned, nodding enthusiastically at her companions. The children immediately crowded forward around Cerys and Vincent, eagerly looking to try some of the berries.
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Post by redcoat on Apr 6, 2022 17:55:40 GMT -5
Cerys smiled brightly, handing out the berries happily- this felt more like helping to her. Sure, she knew that the work they were doing would help on a larger scale, but there was something very rewarding about being able to help someone immediately and with minimal bloodshed.
"Okay- that should keep you until tomorrow. If I can't make dinner, I can at least make these again, so you aren't going to bed hungry." She looked them over, then reached into a bag to pull out the small tin of Healing Salve. "And, if any of you get hurt, this will help a little. It's a healing salve. But, if it's something stronger than this can take care of, send someone to come find me."
((Each of the goodberries heals 1hp, and the healing salve she's handing over heals 1d4+4))
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Post by CautionCat on Apr 7, 2022 16:47:29 GMT -5
Vincent watched on as the kids minds were blown from the berries. It was a good thing to fall back on, especially for these kids.
"Maybe someday one of you can learn how to make them yourself. Any of you gifted with magic? Or ever want to learn?"
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Post by Ancelas on Apr 8, 2022 18:57:35 GMT -5
Squiddy started signing to Nat, but Nat ignored her for the moment as she stepped forward to take the salve and sniff it. Jenks spoke up as he chewed the goodberry at Vincent's question. "Squiddy wants to be a famous magician one day."
The tiefling girl blushed in the dim evening light and tugged her hat down a little. "Yeah, well, so do you."
"Yup," Jenks agreed cheerfully.
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Post by redcoat on Apr 9, 2022 14:57:51 GMT -5
Cerys smiled at Squiddy and Jinks. "What type of magic do you want to do?"
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