Horfil attempts to read the notice the old man put up, without walking away from the table.
Bah! Just as bad as books! Only thing that would be worse is a dog covered in books!
Team Alpha---
The dogs circle the minotaur at first, barking and snarling and beseeching him in their way of speaking to please leave, it's their alpha's territory and they must protect it. However, after about one minute of tense movement; crouching and growling on some accounts and sniffing on others, the dogs seem mollified. After all, they aren't abused and are only there to defend their master's house, and as far as their olfactory senses are concerned, Ruul mustn't be that bad.
One of them wanders off to get more water.
Team Sheeple---
The notice is a missing persons poster. A young man missing one of his front teeth smiles from a familial sketch.
A woman less than five feet tall and wearing a deep green dress that hid her in the foliage (and is now covered with small juniper fronds from her silent snipping) comes into view, her face obscured by a long, brown scarf from the nose down.
She narrows her eyes at the houseguests and then lifts up her garden sheers in her right hand while tapping her hip with the other.
The dogs immediately perk up and run to her, and she makes a few cooing sounds, but otherwise says nothing.
Her shears hang open as she stares at the pack of strangers expectantly.
Greetings. We are here to see about meeting the masta of the house,Fulgrim Stockhour. We heard he was the one to about looking into the rings he sets up in the city.
Marduzi looks around, figuring where there are dogs, there must be someone, and indeed, that person does show up. Marduzi smiles and bows to the woman.
"Indeed, and we'd be really appreciative at the chance to speak with Master Stockhour. Wonderfully behaved guard dogs, by the by. And a beautiful place as well. Does Master Stockhour happen to be around?"
Aside from a glint of recognition at the words "master" and "Fulgrim Stockhour", you don't think she understands a word you're saying.
The woman brandishes her glorified hedge clippers, eyes trained on Manny and then Marduzi with intensity. After a couple of seconds, she begins to sidestep and scramble backwards to the front door, her sheers ever pointing ahead of her.
She opens it and darts inside (still backwards).
The group is left in silence, if one doesn't count the whimpering of a confused hound.
"Um...well, maybe she's going to find him?" the young man shrugs, a bit surprised at the running off of the woman.
Manny shrugs. I reckon.
After thinking through what dance routines he will present the theater to try to get it in good standing with the inhabitants of this gruff city he decides to ask the Catfolk if she would like to be his dance partner.
As he is walking to the table he is reminding himself Okay -DON'T- panic, people can be reasonable and if I say the right words she might even accept being my dance partner for teaching the theater. Just compliment her on her grace and ask if she would like any help with anything for compensation to accepting the offer it might just work. Schmooze, but don't schmooze too much I am just trying to get her to dance with me nothing more.
Hello miss I haven't seen many with your particular gracefulness around in a long time and was wondering if I could ask you a question regarding my peculiar situation. See I have heard that the theater here is a horrible place for entertainment and being the person I am I just can't let that stand. I feel like I have to help them to bring a new form of entertainment than just drinking after a shift in the mines. So I was wondering if you would like to be my dance partner, showing the theater dances that are sure to bring the masses in to watch. I'm not sure if the theater is entirely comprised of Dwarves and if it is then I would like to dance with someone a little closer to my height.
"I...well" she hesitates and stammers a bit... What should I do... the truth!
"I'm embarrassed to say this; but I never quite found the time to learn how to dance."
Oh... Well I didn't even think that was even an outcome what do I do? How do I salvage this conversation???
Is that so? Sorry I just assumed that one of such grace would have danced at some points in their life. You haven't even danced at a festival or something similar?
Why am I asking this I have no right to ask a personal question such as this???
Group Alpha----
The woman reemerges: this time with an actual sword (another foreign piece). She moves forward in the same pattern in which she retreated inside. Walking in her wake is a frazzled but meticulously-groomed dwarf in a nightie. He wears said gown like a lordly robe and looks down from the top of his manor's entrance stoop, blinking sleep from his eyes.
"Pardon my servant Kaede. I've only just hired her and she comes from a place where a position as butler is far more perilous. May I help you?"
Greetings sir, apologies for waking you but we wish to inquire about participating in the fighting rings you run. We can return when you are properly awake.
*She looks to the right and then down at her feet.*
I can't be that graceful; can I?
" Well.. since you gave me such a compliment; I'll give it a try. She says hesitantly; her eyes meeting Horfil's near the end of the sentence.
What did she just say? She will try! Awesome, though she doesn't feel confident in herself I'll just have to fix that.
You will! Oh thank you... Ummm I don't think that we've even been introduced, I'm Horfil pleased to meet you.
Horfil holds out his hand in a friendly manner.
Team Alpha---
The dwarf laughs with his diaphragm.
"She hardly speaks a word of Taldane, I'm afraid, but she's the granddaughter of an old friend, and I'm not one to renege on promises."
He looks at the bagged "halfling" in wonderment.
"Oh, it's about the ring? Torag's smattering beard-spiders, that is heartening news. I'll be right back. If you don't mind, I'll let Kaede commence with the tryouts. Don't kill eachother, now. Nonlethal damage only, you know. I'm running a brawling ring, not an abattoir."
The dwarf winks and returns to his house after giving a sentence-long order to Kaede.
She's smiling with her eyes.
She drops the sword and shifts to a defensive fighting pose, beckoning at the posse to come at her.
Team Sheeple---<still cannot believe chrome recognizes that as a word
The directions Horfil recieved takes the two to the "Palace" in the eastern section of town. The buildings around it aren't at all neglected; a jeweler's and a bookstore stand nearby in vivacious condition, but somehow, the dusty theater before Horfil and Sorval seems to have a palpable air of sadness and humiliation, as if the building itself recognized how sorry a state it has found itself in.
Magpies rest on the roof and have made white smatterings all over the walls and the remaining windows. At least two have been boarded up, while one has a hole shattered through it, as if someone lobbed a rock at the place.
What must be the auditorium doesn't have windows. The outside has been used for the local businesses to pile old material goods against, however. There's a broken chair leaning off the side.
Manny shrugs and puts his dukes up. I'll flank her for you. He says to Ruul.
"Well, at least she seems happy." He draws a wicked looking spear from his back.
Whoa there, Marduzi, this is a knuckle and knees fight.
Kaede narrows her eyes at Marduzi's weapon.
Manny starts circling around Kaede, waggling his fists and humming a Tune
Marduzi sigh, putting the weapon away. "Fine, fine. Take all the fun out of it..." The oracle seems mostly joking as he prepares his fists.
Zeltor's movements are surprisingly fast for a mild mannered history teacher, as he reaches for his bow, takes a step back , and quickly lets off a blunt tipped arrow.
The young oracle sighs again and joins in the circling, attempting to get a good right hook in, knowing his fisticuffs were not used to much action anymore.
I'm going to have a tough time on my hands not just teaching them dancing but fixing up this place to make it decent looking let alone a great one...
Oh wow. I'm speechless as to the the disrepair of this place.
Horfil turns to Sorval and asks.
Ready to show them what we can do?
Is it still even open?
"I'm not so certain it's safe... it looks like it has been abandoned for sometime"
She looks for an entrance...
Team Alpha---
Confirm? Nope :)
The party surrounds the woman, with Manny making music whilst Zeltor lunges with a full-nonlethal weapon. Ruul manages to make a solid hit while Marduzi uses the opening to push against her ribcage with an accurate but lacking in violent intent.
Her eyes glitter, and she is obviously watching every movement and rippling muscle.
Her eyes dart to Zeltor, as he is the only one holding a weapon. She lashes out with an ankle kick to the solar plexus, flashing him a glimpse of her petticoat and bloomers.
Team Sheeple---
Sorval finds the entrance easily enough. It is a red double-door with enormous brass knockers in the shapes of pixie-like creatures staring longingly at one another and handles shaped like half-moons.
Despite the disrepair outside, this alcove has been well-kept.
Saron approaches the door; and after checking it over, knocks twice.
Do-dee-doo-dee-doo. Manny humms as she comes up behind and strikes!
Team Sheeple
There is about a ten second wait before the door creaks open to reveal a shorter blonde dwarf caked in white makeup dressed in what could only be called a dress. However, the beard still gives away the fact that this could only be a male.
"Why, hello!" comes his charming, friendly voice. For a dwarf, it is clear and higher in pitch. His smile is wide and earnest, though his eyes are almost manic. "An elf and a neko-jun! Welcome, welcome! Are you here about the show or to finally snuff me out? Both are a welcome change!"
He shoves open the door that had remained shut and ushers the two into a grand entry hall covered in cobwebs and dust. A fountain depicting a cherubim lies dry over neglected red carpets. A grand staircase leading up to an announcement balcony stands intact but empty.
There is a skylight that magnifies dust flying around the room like snowflakes.
"Welcome to my dead kingdom." The dwarf announces in a grandiose fashion.
A surprised, disgusted look appears on Horfil's face.
Wow no one really comes here at all...
I heard about the theater being in poor standing as a source of entertainment in this city and thought it would be a good idea to teach your actors some of the many dances I've learned in my travels. However after seeing this place I have but one question... Do you even have any actors?
Marduzi grumbles as the blow to the woman definitely stings a bit on his undeveloped fists. "Yeesh. Tough woman."
"I have three, but they seldom come in this place because it saddens them, I'm afraid. Once it became clear that we couldn't generate enough revenue to keep them here full-time, they took up adventuring, mining, and becoming singers in the tavern circuit. Mind you, I used to have a fourth actor, but he sort of... cracked... and exposed himself on stage after taking a massive amount of some sort of drug some ten years ago. People still think that I supplied it to him or am somehow responsible through negligence. It was a way to justify their dislike of my life choices, I think."
He sighs. "Poor sod died that night. Theater just hasn't been the same since, but no one talks about that."
Oh, what should I do...
Hrofil turns to Sorval and attempts to whisper in her ear.
Would you be willing to help me save the theater? I know it is more than you bargained for and you don't have to accept the offer. But it would be nice to the city if we were able to pull this off.
She doesn't seen to notice Horfil's voice... and stifles a yawn.
Places like these remind me of my attic at home... but it smells like an unused cellar.
Reeling from the strong blow, Zeltor nods - "My attacks were not meant to kill, but very well..."
Dropping his bow, and ballig his fist, he throws a punch.
Team Alpha---
Manny does not disappoint one he is able to exploit his allies' positions, and he manages to get a decent strike in even as Zeltor misses with a punch that might have fared better if her weren't a tad lacking in wind. Ruul lands a rather devastating haymaker while Marduzi... just sort of slaps the air in her general direction. You think you hear her snicker.
She is beginning to look a little winded, but no bruises have yet formed in the small amount of skin visible. She turns on Ruul with her vicious feet.
She goes for his right arm and certainly doesn't massage it. However, she doesn't take her eyes off of him. Obviously, he's the biggest threat.
After a moment she turns and whispers back
"I am little to busy to do that; I'm afraid." I can tell you why later- just not in front of anyone else.
Team Sheeple---
The dwarf sighs at the whispering, unable to hear what is being exchanged but more than willing to guess.
"If you're not hear to do either, worry not. I'll be here, as long as the place doesn't burn to the ground and no strange miscreant comes in and slits my throat... I mean, if you're sure you're not going to."
Ovril deflates.