Old Gobbo
Six of Clubs
Halberd Bearing Hitchcock Film
Posts: 153
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Post by Old Gobbo on Dec 31, 2010 17:49:44 GMT -5
Amherst walked down the street with his halberd over his shoulder. As he passed by people in the city, his brain was constantly working. The left side of the brain would be analyzing. Ferret bi-pedal at ten o'clock. Seven feet tall. Approximately one hundred eighty pounds. Sweep the leg, then bring down the axe-head. Meanwhile, his right side would be judging. The ferret holds himself nobly, though he's only a six. I see a gleam in the eye that denotes pride, possibly in his work or maybe he got lucky last night. Probably a well-meaning chap.Amherst eventually stopped outside the pub and took out his flier. The paper was fine parchment and the lettering precise. It had taken him some time to write it. His handwriting was not usually this good, but one had to look good to one's employer. Using the side of his halberd, he nailed the flier to the community sign-post. That done, Amherst stepped into the pub. He walked up to the bar and motioned to the man behind it. "Barkeep, I'll take an ale and the corner table. If anyone comes in asking for Guardian Amherst, please direct them to my table." He tossed a few coins to the man, about double the cost of the ale, and settled himself over in the corner. He wondered who would respond, or if anyone would. "It'll be an interesting day..." he said under his breath, while letting a small smile creep onto his beak.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 2, 2011 14:15:24 GMT -5
The squirrel was too young to waltz into a bar like she owned the place. That didn't stop her from slipping into the establishment. And just walking in right after someone did take the attention off of the fact that she was a young girl who shouldn't be around. And it wasn't like she was going to drink anything. She was just curious about the various people who gathered in the bar. There ware so many different people of different regions that she could meet, why not investigate? And maybe someone would find her interesting. It would be nice to make some sort of connection, even if it was with an adult it could always help her in the future. The squirrel made her way to the back of the bar. They hadn't thrown her out yet, so she might as well try to "blend in." The bright colors caught her eye. Benyan? She'd never met one of those before. "Excuse me sir, would you mind if I take a seat at your table? I'm waiting for someone to pick me up and I don't want to sit alone...."
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Old Gobbo
Six of Clubs
Halberd Bearing Hitchcock Film
Posts: 153
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Post by Old Gobbo on Jan 2, 2011 19:27:18 GMT -5
Amherst looked the squirrel up and down. Fascinating little creature. Very cute, even with the breathing apparatus. She was clearly not attempting to be a client and Amherst was anxious to get a contract and not get dragged into a conflict. In the end, he just didn't have the time for the Card. But...
...but then he looked again at the Card. So small. So...nervous. A Card clearly needing his protection until her company arrived. What honorable Card could, should, or would deny such a request? Clearly not a Guardian. Amherst's father had taught him better than that. There was only one way to answer.
"Pull up a chair, little one," he said in his slight Mid-Range accent. "I assure you that you will not be alone while you are in the company of Guardian Amherst. Can I order you a drink, ma'am?" He moved his hand to indicate the seat opposite his.
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Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 2, 2011 22:14:53 GMT -5
Linnea waited silently, nearly bouncing on her toes. Would the man believe her. Could she be cute enough to pull this off? It seemed like an eternity before the bird replied. It took most of her willpower to surprise a cry of victory. That would have given her away. "Thank you sir! My name is Linnea."
She said as she pulled over a chair and hopped onto it. His accent was a little strange, wasn't it? She had no idea where it came from, and she could only make wild guesses. She made herself comfortable as she thought about what sort of drink she could get. Maybe they did mixed drinks? "Ah... well... I'm not particularly sure what they serve here. Maybe a Bloody Shame if they can do mixed drinks."
She tapped her paws lightly on the wooden table. "If you don't mind me asking, but I don't know that much about other regions besides the Highlands and the Bog. Where is your accent from?"
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Old Gobbo
Six of Clubs
Halberd Bearing Hitchcock Film
Posts: 153
|
Post by Old Gobbo on Jan 2, 2011 23:29:40 GMT -5
"A pleasure, Linnea. I am Amherst. If you would excuse me for a moment..." Amherst signaled with his bright, feathered wing and, a barmaid made her way to the table. She was a feline/wolf three of clubs. She smiled nervously at the large bird in front of her. "Another scotch on the rocks for you, sir?"
Amherst noted the nervousness. Did he put off a vibe? He hoped not. "I am still working on this one, thank you," he said, indicating the half finished glass he was working on. "However, the lady would like a Bloody Shame."
He paused for a moment in contemplation. Then, apparently deciding, he said, "And put it on my tab."
That done, he turned towards the squirrel. "Don't let these colors fool you, little lady. I am a Mid-Ranger, through and through, from both sides." The look he gave as he gathered himself up and flattened his feathers could only have been one of pride. "Have you heard of the Mid-Range?"
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Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 3, 2011 14:01:31 GMT -5
The little squirrel put her best adorable face on. "Thank you sir!" she said cheerfully. Not having to pay for her own drink? She never thought that he would be so nice as a stranger. Not to mention he was a red suit. Of course that was a painfully awful stereotype, but after living in the palace of Hearts she found that the stereotype was mostly true.
Her eyebrows perked. So the accent was from the Mid-Range? Even though he was quite clearly from a different region. Huh, well, his parents must have been quite interesting. "Of course I've heard of the Mid-Range. I just haven't met anyone from there before. There aren't that many Mid-Rangers in the Highlands where I live."
She gave a small shrug looking the man up and down. So much for finding things out about the Benyan. At least she could have a little more insight on Mid-Rangers. "You're far from home... what brings you tot he Capital?"
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Old Gobbo
Six of Clubs
Halberd Bearing Hitchcock Film
Posts: 153
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Post by Old Gobbo on Jan 3, 2011 18:28:49 GMT -5
What was he doing in the capital? Oh, that was quite a question. A question, in fact, that he could speak volumes about and keep someone busy for hours. But the time was not right for that. Perhaps, one day, when the stars aligned right and he was in a better position, he would reveal the whole plan. Until then, there were the half truths, ones he would have to bleed for later on.
“I am an orphan, Linnea, and quite recently made so.” Amherst held up his wing and used his opposable thumb with the wing to grip his halberd. “My father, Raphael, taught me about honor and honesty, about courtesy and sincerity, about one’s duty and one’s purpose.” He hefted the halberd and set its head upon the table where it gleamed from a recent polish. “He also taught me how to wield this. And so, when he and my mother passed on, and I had nothing left to tie me to the Mid-Range, I came here. My father was once a protector of the courts, and he taught me the ways of the Guardian. I hope to put those skills to use here. That’s also why I am here in this bar. With all luck, I shall find an employer.”
He set the halberd back in its place against the wall, and turned back to the squirrel. “And how about you, little one? What brings such as yourself to the capital and, in fact, to this small part of it?”
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Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 4, 2011 14:57:50 GMT -5
Linnea blinked. She was terribly surprised that the man was being so... honest with her. She shifted awkwardly for a moment. What exactly was she supposed to say to that? Her tail curled around her feet as she listened to the man, watching him intently. It was hard to tell emotions when talking it birds, she should probably watch the staff more often.
"Ah well, I hope you find someone. Maybe you should go to the Court of Diamonds? I'm sure they're in need of guards." She didn't really pay attention to Court politics, but it seemed that every suit always needed some form of help.
At the question her ears perked slightly. What should she say to him? "Well my parents are a bit over protective sometimes. I just had to get out and I thought that the city would be a good place to go. And I'm meeting a friend here... hopefully."
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Old Gobbo
Six of Clubs
Halberd Bearing Hitchcock Film
Posts: 153
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Post by Old Gobbo on Jan 4, 2011 21:55:59 GMT -5
Amherst couldn't help but agree with the Card. This was not the bar he initially thought it was. Seedier, and possibly prone to violence when the light of the sun and the good graces of sobriety had been left behind. What kind of employment could he hope to find of the honorable sort here?
"The Court of Diamonds, you say? I may have to check on that. I'm beginning to wonder how many of the honorable sort I might find here." He inclined his head to Linnea. "Present company excluded, of course."
And with those words, Amherst knew that he was decided. After today, he would take down his sign and seek employment elsewhere. The courts seemed as good of place as any, and his father himself had guarded the courts a life ago.
Of course, he couldn't leave yet. He still had his charge to take care of, and she was alone still. "Tell me, who are you meeting and when are they expected to arrive?"
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Post by Kari Muffin on Jan 5, 2011 13:44:38 GMT -5
Linnea glanced at the various patrons in the bar. There were very few, and none of them seemed to stand out, and most of them were nursing drinks rather early in the day. She was grateful that the bird was at least nice enough to say she was excluded. "I think you would have better luck at the Courts. Especially if you are versed in Mid-Range culture. I'm sure they would love someone who is honor bound protecting the safety and welfare of nobility."
The little squirrel's drink finally arrived. She took a small sip of it as Amherst asked her about who she was meeting. Right. The fictional person she was supposed to be running into today. She bit the inside of her cheek in thought.
"He has a policy about strangers knowing his name, but he's a Torquehelm wolf." A lie somewhat based in truth was good enough right? She was fairly sure that Tybalt wouldn't mind in the long run.
It was time for a change of subject.
"So, do you mind if I ask... not many people have seen my region, and most of the time they ask about it. Have you seen other people from the Bog? Or are you just too polite and nice to mention something?"
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