Aber was a bit confused as to why he'd received one of these letters; there didn't seem to be any immediate need for his services. He stepped up to the front of the line as the previous person left.
Until further notice
The woman at the counter, a gnome whose head barely cleared the table-top, gave him a cold glare. "You got your letter, or are you just going to stand around and gawk all day?"
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
THE SLORG!
Off to the side of the windows was a man, laying on a pile of old rugs that had been thrown out, asleep. The crowd had ignored him for the most part, since he just looked like a homeless man. And in the sense that he didn't own a home, they would be right. Admiral had arrived the previous night, intending to be the first in line; an adventure sounded like a lot of fun.
Of course, he fell asleep though, and managed to stay asleep since people didn't typically make a habit of yelling loudly out in public. In his sleep, Admiral dreamed of a past event...
Admiral was in his sister's dining room, about to take a bite out of a chicken leg, when there was a slam from the front door.
"I'M GONNA KILL THAT BASTARD INGRAM!"
That was his sister's voice alright, though Admiral was a little confused; last he knew, his sister wanted to marry Ingram. He glanced at the doorway, and waited until his sister was visible storming through a moment later. As usual, she was wearing a shirt and pants that were both colored with forest camouflage, with a chain mail shirt beneath. It seemed a bit odd on her, given that she looked like a full-fledged Neko, but she didn't care. Her arrival was punctuated by a large combat knife going right past Admiral's ear, missing by a few centimeters; it was his sister's default greeting to him when she was pissed off. It didn't phase Admiral at all.
"Hey sis."
His sister, unamused as usual at Admiral's apparent apathy, stabbed another combat knife into the table, adding yet another mark to the already scarred table.
"Did you know that Ingram had four other fiances? FOUR! One of them even has a split personality, so it almost counts as five!"
"Oh dear."
"Right, well none of them knew either, so now we're gonna go find Ingram and get some explanations out of him"
As she spoke, she headed to a rack of knives on the wall, and started placing more in her belt. Then, she headed back out of the kitchen and headed for her room. It didn't stop her from yelling across the house at Admiral.
"So that means I'm leaving; I don't know when I'll be back and I don't care if you're still here when I get back!"
"Okay sis."
She came back into view for a moment, a crossbow now slung on her back as she finished strapping a large two-headed axe into position on her hip.
"And don't drink all my beer!"
Once the door had slammed, Admiral shrugged and took a bite out of the chicken leg. In her rush and anger, his sister had failed to notice the second plate of food across the table from Admiral. One of the cupboard doors slowly opened, and a man hesitantly stepped out. He had pair of blue pants with two white stripes going down the sides, a black vest, and a blue bandana on his head. Under the bandana, his blonde hair poked out and flowed behind his head. He was slim, but clearly fit and muscular enough. It was no wonder how Admiral's sister had fallen for Jacob Ingram; as had four other women, apparently.
"Uh, thanks for not telling her I was here."
Admiral finished chewing his bite, and looked up at Jacob with a contemplative and slightly disappointed look.
"Seeing as I just found out you've been cheating on my sister, I hope you realize we can't exactly be friends anymore. Buuut, I figure you deserve a head start at least."
Admiral went back to his food as the pirate seemed to get the idea and quickly left the house via the back window.
Admiral slowly woke up, sat up, then yawned and stretched his arms. As the world around him started coming into clearer focus, Admiral realized that a line had formed while he was asleep. In fact, multiple lines had formed. That was unfortunate.
Admiral got up to his feet and calmly walked over to the nearest line. "Excuse me, I was here first. I was sleeping over there to be in line first" Admiral said, calmly pushing a large Orc out of the way as he motioned at the pile of rugs. "Here's the thingy" he added to the teller, putting the letter he had in his pocket down on the counter.
edited 24th Sep '12 5:30:55 AM by FirockFinion
You are reading this.
FISTINGLY DELICIOUS
A couple of people away from the head of line where Aber stood, behind a lithe warrior in the leather armor of a professional soldier, Kuon Mauer, dressed in the plain white robes of the Fellows Rest, was re-reading the letter the abbot had given him that morning. "It seems of your interest, master Mauer," the kindly old man had rasped before tottering to the garden for prayers.
He looked at those around him. With some exceptions, like the solidly built man with the weathered garments and long beard of a wizard, the young woman in front of him and the lean hobo that had pushed aside a very cross looking orc, the monk looked fairly out of place. But the letter had caught his attention. He straightened his shoulders and patiently waited for his turn.
edited 23rd Sep '12 11:09:45 PM by mantlemask
The hits keep rollin'!
With a sigh, the dwarven man behind the counter took the letter, stamped it, checked off something on a piece of paper he had, and then retrieved a sealed piece of paper from a cabinet, and looked up at Loser as he set it on the countertop. His eyes went wide, and he ducked under the booth.
"Oy, outta the way!" said an enraged orc - with a massive wooden club and the lingering scent of alcohol on his breath -as he pushed past a few people, including a man with a staff and one in monk attire as he walked up behind a half-Neko at a window. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, SQUISHY? "
edited 24th Sep '12 3:48:43 PM by nman
Aber handed the letter to the woman at the window, reminding himself that she was as much a prisoner of the bureaucracy as she was an irritant within it.
THE SLORG!
Admiral had almost taken the sealed paper off the counter top when the Orc yelled right behind him. Admiral looked back, his expression still neutral save for a sort of bored surprise.
"Well, I'm Admiral Loser" Admiral said simply; not like he was boasting, but just calmly informing the Orc of the fact that that's who he was. Then he looked back at the counter and took the sealed paper. "And I think that's everything I had to do here. Thanks" He added on, directing the last addition over the counter top to where the Dwarf was presumably still hiding. Then he looked over the piece of paper as he stepped to the side of the window, to let the other people in that line get to it.
edited 24th Sep '12 3:50:16 PM by FirockFinion
You are reading this.
"LOSER!" The orc yelled out, grimly laughing at the man's name. "Oy, oy, get back here, I'mma teach yous some manners," he slurred out as he swung his club at the Admiral in name only.
THE SLORG!
Admiral looked, an expression of more genuine surprise on his face now. He was used to deadly implements coming at him at high speeds, but that was usually from his sister, who intentionally missed.* But having it coming from someone who was actually trying their hardest, albeit drunkenly, to harm Admiral caught him off guard.
There was no time to go for his rapier just yet; there was only time for half of his inherited instincts to take over and start his hardest to avoid getting hit. Hopefully he'd tire the Orc out or the brute would just give up after the first swing, maybe...
edited 24th Sep '12 4:39:09 PM by FirockFinion
You are reading this.
For all his smooth movements, the orc still managed to clumsily power his club into Admiral's stomach, knocking him back. "Oy, you learned yer lesson, or want me to tutor ya some more?" he taunted, calling out to the half-Neko he'd just smashed.
THE SLORG!
Try as he might, Admiral still got hit, the club to the stomach winding him entirely and knocking him to the ground. Being so winded, Admiral was not going to get up any time soon and was thus essentially helpless.
He shakily raised up a hand and waved it slightly as he raised his head up a little to look at the Orc. "Nah, I'm good. Got the message" Admiral managed to squeeze out, before letting his head and arm fall back to the ground as he waited for his lungs to get things back to normal.
You are reading this.
FISTINGLY DELICIOUS
There was a callused hand that was suddenly laid on the orc's brawny shoulder.
"I believe that's enough there, friend. He shouldn't have pushed in line but you shouldn't have knocked the wind out of him."
On seeing the ruckus caused by the "hobo", Kuon was sure that nothing good would've come out of annoying an orc. Sure enough, there he was; flat on his back as the orc roared and spat, as was the way with that brutish race. Kuon would not have to put up with an even worse beating that was sure on the orc's mind. The white-garbed monk made his decision and allowed the one behind him to move up in line.
The hand on the shoulder was firm. "Look at him; he's done. Get to the counter and we can put this unpleasantness behind us."
The hits keep rollin'!
Until further notice
The drunken orc spat derisively, just missing Loser's head by an inch. "Yer lucky I didn't go fer yer thick head, ya pussy." Satisfied that he'd taught him a lesson, he walked up to the counter and slapped his letter onto the counter, setting it a-quiver.
A hand reached out from under the counter and pulled the letter down. "Karsh Blackhand... Okay, you've been assigned to the Wildlands expedition. Briefing's next Friday at eight in the morning. Bring your letter." And quick as a flash, the letter had returned to its place on the table, a seal of confirmation imprinted neatly in the bottom right corner.
Satisfied, the orc lumbered off, dragging his club behind him.
"...He gone yet?"
"...I think so."
A moment passed, and both the dwarf and the gnome popped up.
"Right, where were we?" The gnome retrieved Aber's letter, scanning it quickly before slamming the seal into place. "Aber of the Street of Smiths... The New Divide expedition. Come back tomorrow at noon, and bring your letter with you."
"And if you're coming, don't forget to bring him along," the dwarf added. "Admiral Loser..." He shook his head in bemusement, affixing his own seal. "The New Divide expedition. Same rules apply." And with that, he waved Loser away. "Okay, who's next?"
edited 25th Sep '12 7:43:29 PM by Pyrite
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
FISTINGLY DELICIOUS
Kuon wanted to speak up and take a turn, but by then his line was already beginning to move. He then turned to the dwarf, who was looking expectantly before the one who'd been in line behind the orc, Blackhand, stepped up.
With a sigh, Kuon reached down and helped the lean hobo up. "Should've been more patient, neighbor," he chided him.
The hits keep rollin'!
Stupid Man Suit Wearer
Arimil had been standing online wondering about this job that he had been offered when the fight broke out.
Since he wasn't really one for violence of the non-magical sort, he kept his head down until the ruckus had ended.
"Uh...I guess that would be me?" The young wizard took his place in front of the counter and presented his letter.
Give the world the best you have and you will get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.
Until further notice
"Arimil Moonbrook? Odd name for a village boy like yourself..." The dwarf arched an eyebrow as he scanned his list of applicants. "By the gods, this must be some kind of coincidence. New Divide. Tomorrow. Noon. You know the drill." He stamped the same seal onto Arimil's letter and handed it back to him.
At Kuon's end of the line, a short, squat kobold had just finished processing his letter. "Nice work, Monk guy. I suppose the Curators could make use of a good diplomat. Good luck with the trip, though - if you're travelling with these people, you're going to need it." He gestured a claw at Loser and snorted derisively.
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
The Plum and Only
Aduth bore the appearance of a man who had spent the last few days living out in the wild. This was mostly because he had spent the last few days living out in the wild.
Ashe II at his side, he watched the brief fight and it gave him a smile. The Neko was being what could only be described as a massive ass anyway. Overhearing the name 'Admiral Loser' only made it that bit sweeter. He took one last glance at the letter - but it was still an incredible amount of gibberish to him - no matter how long he stared at it - he could only hope the old lady back in Meltwater had given him the right place.
As his place in the line approached the front, Ashe caught a scent of the Neko, and it was enough to set her growling, but he quickly put the husky back in line. "Ey, cut it out!"
Curse the ill fortune that led you to me.
"You got a letter or just enjoying the view?" said a particularly irate halfling at an open window as he stared at the man and his dog. "Hurry up, ain't got all day.
The Plum and Only
Aduth rolled his eyes and placed his letter onto the desk.
Curse the ill fortune that led you to me.
The halfling quickly stamped and filed the letter away, and handed Aduth a sealed piece of paper. "Next!" he called out impatiently to those in the line.
THE SLORG!
Admiral groaned a little as the monk helped him up, still keeping a hand at where the club had gotten him in the gut. "But I was here first" Admiral protested, but his tone of voice seemed to suggest he wasn't really that upset over it. "When I got here last night there was nobody else here yet, so I was here first" he explained to the monk.
A number of people made passing comments suggesting that Admiral would be useless on the trip to the New Divide. Admiral, being Admiral, didn't get phased by it. "New divide huh? Not much use for money out there" Admiral thought out loud. There was also a dog that had probably smelled Admiral's Neko half that most folks couldn't tell was there. Admiral was also used to that. "Hey doggie" he said in a friendly manner; there wasn't a hint of nervousness or fear, because Admiral wasn't feeling any. Normal dogs just weren't enough to make his maternal lineage override his personality.*
Admiral then spent the next few moments breathing heavily, trying to get his voice back to normal. "Okay, feeling better now" Admiral commented to nobody in particular as he wondered what he should do now.
You are reading this.
FISTINGLY DELICIOUS
Kuon only smiled.
"Good to hear. Though I think it best that you shouldn't have belabored the point to a drunken orc. They prefer to end their debates 'conclusively.' Now, c'mon," he hooked under the Admiral's arms and hauled him to his feet. The monk took note of his seemingly lost expression. "For a start, I suggest you have a seat somewhere," Kuon said, not unkindly. "Afterwards, maybe get a meal?" He looked around as he did so, looking for a place in what appeared to be the shortest line.
The monk caught sight of one slightly diminished before making his way to the end of it. No sense in ending up like the Admiral, after all.
The hits keep rollin'!
Until further notice
It took a while, but Kuon finally made it to the end of his line, where a halfling was finally sorting out the last of the papers. "Ah, right. Kuon Mauer..." She scratched her head absently, peering over the list to see where his name fell. "Congratulations, you've got the last slot in the New Divide expedition. The briefing's tomorrow, so why don't you take your time and enjoy the city a little? A monk like you could stand to loosen up a little. Alright, next!" She handed him the letter and waved him off.
Beyond the reporting stand, various adventurers were already comparing their assignments.
"Meltwater, eh?" a tall elf was heard remarking to his brother in arms. "At least it's just a regular resupply mission - it's boring, but at least you're likely to come back in one piece. At least it wasn't the Wildlands expedition - or worse, that New Divide one that nobody knows about."
Not a substitute for a formal medical consultation.
FISTINGLY DELICIOUS
Kuon took the letter and bowed at the gnome behind her desk. "Thank you kindly. Though I have been enjoying the city's hospitality for quite sometime, I'll take your advice."
With a final smile, the monk took his leave. But as he headed for the exit, he heard a pair of elves discussing some of the various missions the Curators had been assigning. He'd overheard one of them mention the New Divide mission in passing and he froze. Kuon walked up to the elves.
"Excuse me, good sirs," he said politely. "But what is this about the New Divide job? You made it sound like some of us might've drawn the short straw." Kuon had a note of humor in his voice, but was curious all the same.
edited 27th Sep '12 3:11:19 AM by mantlemask
The hits keep rollin'!
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As the midday sun burned over Jeralta, various men and women of all races, ages, and backgrounds had gathered themselves into a line near the information windows of the Curators. They all had with them letters that had been sent within the last few months, inviting them on an expedition unlike any other to reclaim lost artifacts, with today's date printed near the bottom with instructions to turn in the letter at one of the windows. A few of the men and women at the windows had finished up their business and were walking away, including a pigman with a wide smirk on his face as he looked at a piece of paper in his hands, and a half-ursa woman who was whistling as she went about on her business.
At the front of the line were a few such adventurers, the folks behind them trying to hurriedly push them forward as the workers behind each empty window waited.