[ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Moderator: Community Team

Imperial_Fortune

[ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

The Good Doctor watched the five Cards he had cast spiral down towards the ground and disappear, leaving him unexpectedly drained. As they spun, he could see the faces of the Cards: Knight of Coins, King of Swords, Seven of Chalices, Four Wands, Ace of Chalices. The Lady's answers had been cryptic of late, but this answer to his query on where to find what he was seeking left him unsettled. He very much doubted she was approving him finding romantic entanglements, but what did she mean otherwise? Once the Cards had returned to his Deck, he shuffled it back and forth between his hands in an unconscious, easy motion. As always, touching the Cards lent him comfort, though he could sense the near ruined state his Deck was in which made him feel urgency on finishing his travel for the day. Soon he promised them.

His journey had brought him to the edge of this town, called Fenia City by the road posts, and he regarded it with jaded eyes. Being a city man, it looked rather pastoral to him. He hoped it was just the outward appearance and that there would be the comforts he desired from a city within, so he picked up his doctor's bag and slung it over his shoulder. With a steady stride he resumed walking. In time he reached the city and began the search for an inn or tavern.
Imperial_Fortune

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

It was well after dark by the time he'd found an inn that suited his taste. The inn was neither so crowded that he couldn't find a table, nor so empty a stranger would be especially noted. With his belly full and a drink at hand to wash away the final taste of the road he'd traveled that day, he found himself content. Thus far he had been left to himself which he didn't mind since it gave him a chance to unwind and rest. As more and more of the other patrons achieved the same state, he drew forth the Deck and set it on the edge of the table in front of himself. From his doctor bag he dug out the case which protected his precious spectacles. Bracing himself for what he would see, he put them on.

He winced, seeing the evidence of the state of his Deck from the condition of the topmost card. Laying a hand on top, he skimmed off fifteen cards. To the eyes of anyone watching the apparent number of cards within the Deck did not seem to lessen as the stack was no shorter than before. In three tidy rows he arranged the cards he had drawn. Given what he saw, a confirmation of what his fingers had felt earlier, he was fortunate that the Lady had not chastised him for attempting even so small as a five card Cast. To his spectacled eyes cracks liberally covered the cards, in some place so severe he could not even see the face of the card.

Sighing, he knew he wouldn't have the power to restore even the amount he had drawn, but it would be a start. Should he come upon what he sought, he didn't wish to be unarmed. So he worked with slow, steady motions to run his fingers over the cards, drawing magic to repair the cracks and gaps.
Kolrim

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Kolrim »

Kolrim had been traveling for about a week. He looked travel worn due to the dust and grime that he was covered with. As if in total disregard of his appearance however, he was not the least bit weary or tired. It would take a lot more than a week's worth of walking and sleeping on the ground to tire him that much. Dwarves were made of sterner stuff, after all. He scratched his chin through his full black beard, which extended past his belt, and grumbled to himself as he remembered it's condition. T'would be nice ta freshen up a tad., he thought to himself. Tho I don' have all that much coin to be spendin' on things like that.

He continued to walk through the town, eyeing the various establishments where he could potentially stop as he warred within himself on if he should spend the coin to stay at an inn for the evening. Paying for a meal and a bath would tax his purse, it was true, but not so heavily that it would hinder his plans. He then saw a small group of men stumble out of one tavern, then make their way to a nearby inn. That decided him. It's been too long since mah last mug o' ale! He grumbled under his breath about the deplorable quality of the ale that he was likely going to be served, then, on a whim, followed the group into the inn.

The dwarf's granite eyes swept the common area, surveying for a place to sit. Unfortunately that group he followed had taken the last empty table in the joint. Most of the other tables had at least a couple of people at them... except one. A man wearing spectacles - Not cheap, I recon. - was seated by himself and had a deck of cards out. Kolrim wasn't one to gamble, but mayhap he would be willing to share the table. Having already entered this inn he didn't feel inclined to leave just to try to find an empty table. So he wandered over to the man's table, grabbed a chair to seat himself and said somewhat loudly, though he didn't think so, "Hail there! Care if I join ye?"
Imperial_Fortune

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

While he largely ignored the comings and goings of the crowd around him, focused on repairing his Cards, he still kept awareness of any who came close. He'd just been involved in one war and had little knowledge of what the current situation in this place was. Having his mission impeded through his own careless behavior wouldn't be tolerated by his master. So when the dwarf approached his table and pulled out a chair, Rastus looked across the table over the rim of his spectacles for they gave no benefit to his physical sight. To the dwarf, he probably looked a rather non-nondescript human having both hair and eyes that were dark brown.

At first he thought he'd been approached by a child and was about to refuse, but then he noticed the beard and general state of disheveled uncleanliness that came from traveling in the wilderness. Yet another reason to cling to the city, in his opinion. A quick glance about the room determined that there wasn't much other places to sit and it was probably do to his extreme concentration and odd activity that none had approached when other options had been available. Thus he nodded his acceptance to the stranger's company and said, "I don't mind. Have a seat."

With care he unhooked his spectacles from his ears and carefully folded them away into their case before returning it to his bag. "My name is Rastus, a doctor by trade." Though he had a curious hobby for a doctor, he smiled pleasantly enough and gathered up the cards he'd lined up, scooping them with practiced ease back into the Deck. It felt a bit better, even if he'd barely recovered the loss he'd sustained in his earlier cast.
Kolrim

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Kolrim »

"Thank ye." Kolrim said simply, then sat down in the chair he pulled out which groaned and creaked alarmingly because of his weight. Even though he was barely over four tall, he weighed over 250 pounds. And not because of a potbelly like some other dwarfs either. After seating himself, Kolrim idly combed his thick fingers through his beard while the good doctor introduced himself. "I be Kolrim.", he said while jabbing a thumb at his own chest. "Rastus, it be a pleasure ta meet ye. A doctor, ye say? Master of medicine n' th' like?" The dwarf nodded to himself briefly. "Tis good ta have a trade. Meself, mah only trade be hard labor. Mining and quarry work be th' most familiar ta me, but I've done a wide variety o' work." As he talked he cast about the common area for a serving maid or 'wench' depending on the quality of the establishment, which he had not paid much attention to. He wanted to order some ale ... and food. An' let's not forget th bath!

Kolrim waited for a lull in the conversation, then idly pointed to the deck of cards the good doctor had on the table. "Do ye be a gambling man, Rastus?" The dwarf had noticed the ease in which his new, and probably temporary companion, had put the cards away.
Imperial_Fortune

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

Hearing the complaint of the stranger's chair, he looked more closely. Sure enough, though the stranger was short, he had a solid density that indicated strength. "A pleasure, Kolrim." He nodded in turn as they exchanged their names.

"Yes. I focus primarily upon ailments of the body. Those of the mind are out of my ken and I'd rather not attempt treating them, though I will in an emergency." He readily believed Kolrim's claim of his own profession, considering the obvious benefits it had reaped in his body. "An honest sort of life, that. If it isn't too much a presumption, is that why you are traveling?"

One of the inn's cheerful waitresses flounced over soon after the dwarf had settled himself. She appeared rather alarmed at how Kolrim's chair creaked at his every movement. Giggling nervously she asked, "May I get you something to eat or drink, sir?" As she took his order, she unconsciously twisted some of her dark hair around her finger.

While they talked Rastus minded his own business, though it couldn't be helped that he overheard. After the waitress left and he was asked if he were a gambling man, he released a good-natured laugh. "Like you would not believe. How about you? I would guess not?"
Imperial_Fortune

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

Off Topic
I've waited for Korlrim to reply and he appears to be in deleted status, so sorry but I am moving on. Feel free to join in again later if you return!
Satiated, the Good Doctor rose from bed the next morning, the spot where the giggling waitress of last night had occupied gone long cold. It had been fortunate that her ailment of loneliness was best cured without Casting which would tax his already dangerously spent Deck. More, he had been more than happy to help her with it. His employer would disagree that such distractions weren't part of his job, but he didn't care. Here he was far enough away from monitoring he could indulge himself.

Breaking his fast would be the his indulgence. He was pleased to see the tray on a nearby table, doubtless a treat from his lover of last night. Toast and bacon were swiftly dispatched to his stomach. With an idle hand he repaired a couple Cards from the Deck.

After he was full and his Spectacles returned to the safety of his bag, he did a quick two card Cast, beseeching his Lady Luck to prevent pregnancy. Indulge he would, be a fool he wouldn't. Ten of Chalices and The Chariot showed their faces before dissolving back into the Deck. The Lady forgive him, but he took the positive of the Chariot's promise of focus on his job over the unnerving hint at a happy relationship, let alone the "blessing" in the context of his wish. A baby would be no blessing.

With his Deck safe in his pocket and holding his doctor's bag, he left the Inn to investigate the town. The market enticed with its promise of wares and possibility of talkative vendors, so he followed the directions he had gotten from the Innkeeper.
Constance_de_Vere

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Constance_de_Vere »

Life had not been the same since Alice's death. The woman had been conditioned to accept the odd things that happened in the Marchioness' household, in particular, the antagonistic relationship between her and the brother.

The new steward, Daisy, only had bread for a brain. That was the sole thing that saved her from a quick death. The woman believed her lack of loyalty was unknown to her mistress, but she did not know of the puppets. By now, most of the household fed her. Through their eyes and thoughts, she knew what Daisy thought to hide.

Today was market day for Daisy, ordering the supplies the house needed regularly and any other sundry thing that had made the weekly list. While Hrodohaidis had puppets a plenty to follow the woman on her behalf, she went herself on a whim. Being chained to the Fenia University was wretchedly boring. Even following a faithless servant was more entertaining.

She had ransacked the best of Constance's memories concerning fashion and decorum to come here today. If she came as Marchioness, the shopkeepers would recognize her and call out to her, ruining the game. Despite having many under her sway, there were still strong creatures in the city that she didn't want to provoke. Instead, she condescended to be a simple village girl. She had had one of the other servants provide her the plain dress she wore. Constance's dainty look was something not too easily covered, but there were others about that looked much the same. With Constance's hair loose and long down her back, freed of its habitual elaborate braid to keep it tame, tidy, and out of her way in case of a fight, Hrodohaidis believed she would be near unrecognizable to Daisy.
Imperial_Fortune

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Imperial_Fortune »

Never under the illusion that his search would be as easy as talking to a merchant or two and he would be set on a firm trail, it was still disheartening after speaking with half a dozen different merchants of various flavors that there was no word of foreign nobles taking up residence here. After a dozen more and all he got was "No, sir, but would you like some...", he decided that he was going about this matter backwards.

The trail was already over six years cold. Bad luck and nasty politics had landed him this impossible job. While his talents were valuable beyond compare, what he sought was deemed more so or at least equal to his possible sacrifice to the one who had sent him. Thinking dark thoughts of possible reasons to send him on such a quest, he sat on a bench, eating the sausage sandwich he had bought off a vendor on the street. He didn't think too closely of what actual meat the sausage consisted. It tasted good enough and filled his belly. He would trust to the Lady to keep him from illness.

He considered the possibility that the siblings and the creature thought to be riding either one or both of them had assumed a different guise than nobility. It was only prudence. Shorn of their attendants, servants, and riches, they could have claimed nothing greater than impoverished nobility. Nothing in the cards indicated they had split up, but he may still be simply too far away to get other than a vague indication of direction.

Even so, he trusted his Deck which had guided him here, though miles of empty roads, towns and cities, and countless dangers. He knew what he sought still lived for if the trail had been cut off altogether, the Deck would have given clear indication. As tricky as the Lady was, she wouldn't have let him go this long without even a hint that it was all just a cruel joke.

That was only limited comfort. It would be very well within the Lady's humor to send him down the literal path his quarry had taken, ignoring a direct route which would lead him to them. He had always warned people curious of his Fortune Casting that it wasn't a science guided by exact and reliable rules. While his luck was a powerful gift, there was nothing like predictability in its outcomes.

A dark hair girl walked by, but he didn't recognize her as one of his prey. He had been supplied with a description and had seen paintings, but those couldn't tell him anything about posture and mannerisms. You could know a friend or someone you saw often from behind because you recognized the movement of a person's body. Six years could drastically change a person.

Brooding upon the fatal consequences of his inevitable failure, he felt a tug on his hand. "Sir, sir?"

"Yes?" He looked at the grubby urchin. He believed it was a girl, but he or she was young enough the high, childish voice was difficult to differentiate.

"Are you a traveling doctor?" She pointed at the bag resting against one of his feet. "You are, aren't you? Please?" Hopeful tears shined at the corners of her eyes, threatening fall at either good or bad news.

Had life been different, he would spend his life doing nothing else but helping people. Since today was a waste anyway, he nodded and said, "I am."

"I knew it. I just did! Please," her tug came more insistent, leaning back and trying to pull him to her feet with her urgency, "daddy needs help."

Taking up his bag, he let her pull him along, quickly striding with her hurried trotting, down through streets increasingly narrow and grimy.
Constance_de_Vere

Re: [ORP] Retrieving What Was Stolen

Post by Constance_de_Vere »

Despite the disguise Hrodohaidis underestimated the natural poise of Constance's body which carried itself like a princess even if that was no longer the girl's fate. This drew the attention of the townspeople and briefly that of Daisy, but the woman only looked a moment before going on her business. Hrodohaidis allowed herself to be fawned over by the nearest shopkeeper, pretending to be flattered and truly interested in his wares. He would be disappointed for she excused herself and moved with the crowd when Daisy drifted to a different part of the market.

Thus far the stops yielded no insights, seeing Daisy haggling with a miller and wood-chopper for delivery to the Estate. She saw the man with the bag follow a child, but only as her eyes passed over the crowd. She did not recognize him. Contriving to speak with the wood-chopper, she determined that he was an honest sort. To not raise suspicion, she tagged the miller to approach on a different day or to claim as a puppet.

She loitered at a jewelry shop, looking with feigned interest which was a strain as she saw no use in metal decorations. From the corner of her eye, she watched Daisy who had taken to sit on a nearby fountain and rub one of her feet. The jeweler caught her attention, bringing out a more elaborate piece from the protected rear of his shop and offering it at a special discount for her mistress, taking her as some lady's maid. She looked over the piece with chill indifference, but smiled brief and small and shook her head, murmuring that it would not do.

When she glanced back at the fountain Daisy was gone. Annoyed that her purpose had been foiled, she tried to scan the crowd and pick up sight of Daisy, but could see nothing but the backs of strangers. She cursed Constance's shortness for not the first time. Even through the eyes of the occasional puppet around town Daisy was gone. Sour she swept home, ignoring the cries of shopkeepers for her attention and rudely bumping into any who did not acknowledge her hurry and give way to it.
Post Reply