Masamune tries to find the movement when he hears the splash.
"I wonder what that sound was?"
Ash follows close behind Masamune, keeping an eye out for anything that might be out of place.
"I wonder what these are?" He says pointing at the footprints.
Alara shakes her head to clear her mind, then looks over to where William is pointing. Her face pales a bit and she readies an arrow in her bow.
"I don't think we're alone out here..."
Piper blushes even more at seeing your curves. He turns his head away in embarrassment, not really knowing if you would feel offended at his staring. 'I can't believe this. Here I am, staring at her backside. She shouldn't be stared at in such a manner. What's going on?!' As you lead him, you can't help but notice his appearance as well. His school uniform and armor show that he doesn't have much muscle definition, but his body does show that he's lithe, like that of a runner. Despite being in his early twenties, he could be mistaken for being in his late teens. His eyes are a deep green, full of life, happiness and curiosity. However, if you were to look deeper, you would see pain and sadness in his eyes. His black hair falls to his shoulders, neat, clean, and wavy. He stands at 5'8", coming around to your chin. His face is currently a deep red. The hand that you have a grasp on is a little calloused, his fingers seeming to be quite nimble.
He sees the footprints and draws his rapier. He spins it a few times on his index finger before firmly grasping the hilt. His keen eyes are scanning his surroundings, particularly the water. He manages to sign with one hand: 'Agreed, Alara.'
She glances back at you, her blush having faded for the most part. She notices just where your eyes wandered to... and smiles. Your favorite happy, joyful smile, in fact. However, it rapidly turns to a teasing grin.
"It's one of my best features, I think. I'll let you decide what I mean by that." With that, she lets go of your hand when she sees the party standing at the entrance to town.
Masamune looks at the others.
"Be ready it might be goblins."
Masamune tries to see if there is anything in the water.
Masamune laughs at Vincent's attempt to scare him.
"That's not how you scare someone. This is how you scare someone."
Masamune's next words are devoid of all emotion.
"If I ever see you out of that cell I will kill you. You should have been put down like a rabid dog before, but some people were too weak. I am not that weak. Test me, and you will die."
After speaking Masamune leaves without waiting for a reply from Vincent.
As you walk away, Piper stands there, face red in shock. 'Was she okay with me staring at her body? Oh, this is going to be interesting.' He looks down for a few seconds, then raises his head with a smile. By the time he reaches the rest of the party, his face is completely blush free, still containing that bright smile.
Vincent stares in fear as you say your piece. As you leave, his brow furrows and he snarls at not only you, but the party in general. Finally scoffing, he just sits down on his cell floor, contemplating the events that happened and his next move.
At Masamune's statement, Piper nods, looking at the footprints once more to see if it is goblins that made them.
Piper curses at himself for not paying attention in school when it came to identifying footprints.
William draws his Scythe and prepares for battle.
"Ready to do some goblin killing Piper?"
Why did I ask Piper... I still can't understand his hand movements...
Piper looks to William and gives you a smirk and nod. The look he's giving you says, 'Of course. But it can't hurt to be too careful.'
Sharrd notices the footprints. "Don't worry guys and gal, a footprint's enough to hex 'em real good. A curse can follow their trail." He says rather loudly, loud enough in fact for anyone nearby to hear. He waves his hands and says a few words in Draconic and the footprint farthest from the water begins to glow with a sickly green light. He continues to chant and the next footprint begins to glow and so on continuing to the waters edge.
Alara arches an eyebrow at Sharrd, a skeptical look written plain as day on her face. Yeah, I don't claim to know much about magic, but I'm pretty sure all you're doing is making those footprints glow. She thinks. She's content to let him have his fun if it makes everyone else feel better, however.
Piper rolls his eyes at Sharrd's bluff, but smiles as he decides to humor him. He writes: 'So, Sharrd, how does the curse you've cast follow the creatures into the water?'
Sharrd reads Piper's message and he waves his hand once again and says in Draconic.
Piper gains a look of confusion at Sharrd's words. 'Note to self: Learn more languages.'
Alara gives Sharrd a blank, confused look. "Wow. You're starting to sound like my Dad. I could never understand what he was saying when he started talking like that either."
Piper looks at you and just shrugs at you in regards to Sharrd. You notice that his cheeks are dusted a light pink and he's trying not to let his gaze linger on you for too long.
Piper turns back to the water and looks even closer.
Alara glances back at you and returns your shrug. You can feel her eyes running over you, taking you in. She blushes slightly and licks her suddenly dry lips before turning back to the swamp road.
"We should keep going. Keep your eyes open for any sign of trouble."
As your eyes run over his body and you lick your lips, his blush gets even deeper. He nods at you. He writes to you: 'I could tell that he just made the prints glow. What confuses me is that language he speaks.' Piper's thoughts: 'Why is she staring at me like that? Is she... into me?'
As he heads back to the road, Piper keeps his eyes open for any trouble in the brush, rapier held in his right hand.
Masamune decides that this may be going a bit too far.
"We need to stop the goblins right now. We can find out what that was later."
Masamune looks out over the river.
"We're sorry if you guard this place, and we thank you for letting us cross. I'll leave an offering near the bridge. You can take it if you want."
Masamune goes back towards the bridge, and places 3 gold coins next to the bridge.
He walks back and gets up on Duty.
"Well we should continue for now."
Alara takes note of what you wrote, turning back to you. "I've heard Dad speak that language a lot with Mom. Drove me up the wall every time I heard it because I had no idea what they were saying."
Her blush deepens a bit. "Except, well... their conversations all tended to end the same way, so I more or less just filled in the blanks myself."
She promptly shakes her head, trying, apparently, to interrupt that line of thought. No no no no no. Don't go there. Too steamy. Stay focused. Eyes on the prize! An image of Piper-- Not that prize, you moron. An image of Shalelu-- Not THAT one, either! An image of William-- Okay, now you're just being difficult.
She sharply breathes in and out, calming herself down.
Incidentally, you can tell she likes you.
Alara takes up a position at William's back, readying her bow to shoot at the first sign of trouble.
Holy Calistria Alara is right behind me. I can't look weak now!"
Alara turns her head towards you and nods. "Got your back. Let's go."
Looking to Masamune, "Brother, if we leave something behind us and go head first into the goblins, then we may end up between two foes. I would prefer to keep our backs clear."
What you said about your parents and Draconic confuses Piper .
To figure out what you mean:
Piper takes position near Alara and William . He then changes tactics by sheathing his rapier and taking out his flute, ready to play and keeping his eye out.
As you place the gold near the bridge, Piper tilts his head with a look of confusion and writes: 'Why are you placing gold near the bridge? Is it for a tribute or in thanks?'
Masamune notices the strange look Piper gives him.
"I don't think the creature was a goblin, and if this creature did own the bridge then I am thankful it let us pass without incident. Do you, or Ash know of any creatures like this?"
At the idea that some creature may own the bridge they just crossed, she racks her brain for any information she may have heard in passing in town about such a thing.
At the realization of what Alara meant, his face turns a deep red. He decides to play a tune on his flute to ease the tension (so to speak) and to entertain everyone.
He then looks to you and writes: 'What do you think?'. He has a big smile on his face.
Piper strokes his chin and racks his brain for information while examining the now glowing footprints again.
For the footprints:
Learning more about bridge:
For info on any creatures around the bridge:
As you start playing, Alara's blush disappears. Her eyes soften, and a happy, dreamy smile appears on her face. She sways on the spot in time with your flute playing until you finish.
"That was... um... beautiful." She says with a faraway look in her eye. You can tell she's feeling much better now.
"Beautiful song Piper, guess you did learn something at that bard college!"
Piper grins at your reaction to his music. He begins to laugh lightly. You hear a light, raspy sound coming from Piper, the only audible laugh he can form. His face gains a light blush as he writes: 'That, my dear. That is the reason why I took up my profession. To spread music, tell old stories, tales, and legends, and to see the faces of others as they enjoy the gifts of the bard. To see their faces light up and be filled with joy. Beauty, art, music, and... love are wonderful things to have in the world. Are they not, my dear?'
Piper looks at you with a raised brow. He then gains a smirk as he writes: 'Well, Will. Since you seem to know so much about music without an education from the finest institute in the Inner Sea, why don't you play us a tune? I'll even loan you my flute if you need it.' He then silently chuckles and writes: 'All joking aside, thank you William.'
He then gains a serious look. 'Will, I was wondering if you were still coming up with those weapon designs?'
At the sound of your laugh, there's a flash of something in Alara's eyes--
--that passes quickly. She nods firmly, looking you squarely in the eyes as she replies. "Yes. And the best part is there can never be truly enough."
He had no right. None at all. Existing isn't a crime. Should go back. Carve out his voice make him suffer make him feel it--NO. Can't. Wouldn't change anything. Wouldn't bring his voice back. He deserves better.
Better than me...
Alara arches an eyebrow at Will after she reads Piper's last message. "Hold on, you design weapons?"
Piper gains a look of confusion, thinking he saw something in your eyes. He shakes his head, though. 'Must be a trick of the light.' He wraps his arm around your shoulders. He then smiles and writes: 'I agree with you, my dear. One hundred percent.' As you look into his eyes, there's something in there as well--
---that seems to disappear as he turns his head forward. He then (reluctantly) removes his arm from you shoulders. He then looks at the ground with a frown on his face.
'What am I doing?! I like Ameiko! ...right? And she likes Shalelu! If I'm not worthy for Ameiko, the I'm definitely not worthy for Alara. I'm just... damaged goods.'
In regards to William, he just merely smiles and writes: 'Technically, it would just be a guess. You see, when I left for Absalom, Will here just merely wrote calculations of weapons in his book. I have suggested that he should use those calculations to create weapons. He did show me a couple of doodles before I left. I was just curious is all. Maybe thinking of asking for some weapons. Provided I have the gold, of course.' He silently chuckles after that.
Bluff to hide thoughts:
Alara sees the look in your eyes... and blushes. Whether she had the same thoughts as you or something else provoked it, you can't say.
As you turn your head away, she tries reading your face...
...and can't seem to. Whatever is running through her head right now has left her distracted. A look of concern appears on her face.
"Piper..."
Alara turns to you, an interested look in her eye. "Do you still have those doodles?"
"I am the son of engineers after all. I still have some of the doodles however even though I know how to make weapons I have never made a weapon mold before so I haven't made one of the weapons in my book. After I showed you my doodles I double checked my math and found numerous mistakes so I scrapped those ideas. Honestly Piper if you want one you'd be better off with a known weapon than one of my doodles, same goes for you Alara."
As Piper stares at the ground, he absentmindedly rubs his throat, specifically: his scar. His eyes close as he focuses on his thoughts.
Flashback
A roaring fire. The sounds of a hammer striking metal in the forge. The feel of the wooden knight that the carpenter made. The striking stops. The crash of the door as he kicked it in. His father's intimidating form, dark against the glow of the room. The knife in his hand, the blade gleaming. His hand around Piper's throat. The blade, cold against his skin. The blade, cutting through the skin. The vocal cords, severing. Fading vision. The muffled sounds of door being smashed in and shouting.
As you say his name, Piper snaps out of his thoughts. He looks at you, a questioning look on his face. He then feels something run down his face. He removes his hand from his throat and to his cheek. He feels a tear. He then wipes his eyes. As he's doing this, he smiles and writes: 'Sorry, my dear. Just spaced out there for a moment. I just have something in my eyes. Did you want something?'
Piper snaps his fingers. He writes: 'Dang. Ah, well. Nothing we can do about it now. Just thought that you could make me a rapier that could pierce armor.'
It was almost impossible for Alara to miss the tear running down your cheek after you touched your scar. Her look of concern shifts before your eyes, hardening into a look of determination as she runs a gloved finger along your scar.
"You didn't do anything to deserve this. You had something torn away from you that no one had the right to take."
She takes a step closer to you, a fire in her eyes. Her free hand clenches into a fist.
"I won't allow something like this to happen again. I can't. Not to you, not to anyone."
She steps up to you, the hand that was touching your scar now firmly on your shoulder. When she speaks again, a cold, tranquil fury is behind each word.
"I'm going to help you undo this. I think it'll be the best sort of revenge you can take on him; showing him that you've not only grown into a better man than he could ever hope to be, but also that the damage he did to you was undone. When that day comes, when your voice is returned to you, I want us to find your father again. Show him how much you've grown. And finally, I hope to hear you tell him, in the loudest voice you can muster, that he can go and f**k himself."
She looks deep into your eyes. "Have I made myself perfectly clear?"
You had Alara's curiosity. Now you have her attention.
"Still, being able to design your own weapons! That's a field of expertise neither Mom nor Dad have any experience in! Hell, Dad can't even patch a hole in a roof without resorting to magic."
"Well I never had that problem in my house, in fact my parents would break things just to see what I would do to fix them. Growing up was a time where my creativity flowed to no end but now I have to come to terms with reality and make a living doing meaningful things. For instance protecting Sandpoint from Goblins or protecting friends in times of crisis.
Great I'm losing her to Piper of all people... I guess not able to talk has made him a magnet to beautiful women over the years.
"I only keep the doodles to remind myself of my childhood and to always think of different ways to fix things."
Alara steps closer to you, eyes wide with excitement.
"Hey, the fact that you can fix things yourself without resorting to magic already makes you aces in my book. I mean, using magic only works up to a point."
Her hands start gesturing along with her words. She's really starting to build up steam.
"I mean, I still remember one day when one of the dining room chairs at home broke a leg and Dad just used magic to keep the chair from falling apart. It worked, until he decided to show Mom a new spell he researched during lunch. It ended up dispelling the magic holding the chair that Mom was sitting in together. Caused her to fall flat on her butt." She giggles at the memory, a cute & innocent sound.
"Dad had to spend the next two nights on the couch after that."
As you state your intentions, Piper stares at you. He then closes his eyes and smiles. He then takes your hand from your shoulder. He caresses it for a while, then lets go. He then writes: 'Alara. I thank you for your words. I thank you for your intentions. But, unfortunately, several people have tried to restore my voice. Madame Koya has tried. But no success. The cleric of Sarenrae has tried. But, again, no success. But, the way I see it, losing my voice is not only the worst thing that happened to me, but also one of the best things to happen to me. Let me tell you all the things I can't do because of my loss. I cannot speak to my friends and loved ones. I cannot sing all of the songs I've heard growing up. I am dependent on my chalkboard or my hands to speak. Now, let me tell you of all of the good things that came of it. Humility. Understanding. Appreciation of my life. Courage to attend the White Grotto. Determination to perfect my craft. I would say that the incident made me the man that I am today. That's not to say that I forgive him. Far from it. But I would say that... what he did has made me a better man.'
He then smiles a big grin, a few tears running down his face. He then writes: 'And, my dear, if you plan on getting rid of him, let me say this. If you were to ask me to kill him, I would refuse. Because despite what he has done to me, despite the fact that I dislike him, even hate him, he's still my birth father and I could never kill family. After being told for years that I'm responsible for my mother's death, I refuse to kill him. Because then, I would be proving him right in the end. It's my belief that he's still grieving. His grieving eventually led to anger and hatred. That, in turn had led to lashing out on the last remnant of mother: me. He has often told me in a drunken stupor how much I look like her. I hope that you understand my reasonings.'
Piper's thoughts: 'Again, what's happening with me? I love Ameiko and she loves Shalelu. But why do I feel this way?'
At your story, Piper once again gives his light, raspy laugh.
Piper smiles at you mentioning still having the doodles. He writes: 'It's always good to remember your past fondly.' He looks down at the worn silver flute in his hand.
Alara just listens. Your words seem to calm her down a great deal. She nods, and leans closer to you.
Blushing. Still blushing.
"Still, that doesn't mean it can't be done."
She looks at her feet. Looks at your feet. Meets your eyes again.
"I suppose the better question would be 'do you want it back?', then."
You can tell that she feels humbled by your resilience. Humbled, and grateful that you're here.
Piper's face gains a red tint as you lean in. His brow furrows as he ponders your question. He then looks at you and writes: 'To be honest: no. With everything that's happened to me since then, I believe it was for the best. What about you? Would you want my voice back?'
Blushing William turns away from Alara and Piper talking. Easy Sense Motive, I wont even roll bluff...
He can't stand to watch Piper and Alara that close.
I can't believe it. She must really like the pity party that is Piper's life. I can't be too hard on the guy but still... So conflicting I never thought that I would have to choose between my best friend and a girl.
Your question causes Alara to pale a bit. She shifts from foot to foot, her blush gradually creeping back into her face.
"...I never got the chance to hear it for myself. So... yes."
She promptly straightens up and begins stammering.
"I-I-I mean, if you had a singing voice even half as good as your flute playing, losing it would have been a tragic mistake all on its own--"
Alara sees Will turn away from her and Piper, and abruptly stops stammering. She walks over to him, and can tell that he's feeling really down.
"Hey, Will... would you like a hug?" She offers, her blush giving her an air of innocence.
|
For the past 3 years, fishermen and farmers have told
stories of a pale monster with legs that bend like a dog’s, that
dresses in rags, and that hunts along the shores of the Soggy
River. Sightings of the so-called “Soggy River Monster” are
most common near Brinestump Marsh, causing most to
believe the creature dwells somewhere in the swamp. The
creature has been blamed for at least five disappearances
over the past year, although Sandpoint’s militia suspects
these disappearances are, in fact, simply bored sons and
daughters running away from home to seek an exciting life
in Magnimar.
After spending about an hours travel on the trail, crossing two more bridges in similar disrepair as the first, you arrive at what you assume must be Walthus' house. A ramshackle two-story affair situated on the edge of a small lagoon, the open water of the ocean is visible just beyond the headland. The ever present moss grows on the sides of the building and the roof is in desperate need of repair.
Alara's turns to the rest of the team, her face paling a bit. She looks at the river, then to the bridge, then back to the rest of you.
"I think that was the Soggy River Monster that just passed us by."
Alara takes in the view of Wathus' house, wincing at the sight of the house's roof.
She turns to the rest of the team. "I don't think he'll be expecting visitors. So, who wants to introduce themselves to him first?"
Piper blushes at your statement. He then gives a small smile as he takes your hand again. He writes: 'You really desire to hear me, don't you, my dear? If you really wish, then I will consider seeking out a way to restore my voice. Also, if you must know, I doubt that my singing voice would be as good as my skills with a flute.'
Piper sees William turn away. He then puts the pieces together. He then gives a light groan and sigh while running a hand through his hair. Piper's thoughts: 'Great. This is even more conflicting. Ameiko, Shalelu, Alara, and William. What complications love can weave. ...wait, did I just think of... love? With Alara? That couldn't be it. ...could it?' Piper turns a light red at his thoughts.
At the thought of the Soggy River Monster, Piper pales considerably, his tanned skin several shades lighter. After Alara says her thoughts, a look of fear crosses Piper's face. He remembers all of the stories that the townsfolk used to say about the monster. He writes: 'Well, then. I think a vote must be made. All in favor of getting as far away from the river as humanly possible say "aye".'
Piper cringes at the sight of the house. At Alara's question, Piper thinks about it. Gaining some resolve, he steps forward, first writing: 'I'll go. Alara, Sharrd, would you mind accompanying me?' He then heads to the door and knocks on it.
"I don't need a h-h-hug Alara. Lets just continue to Walthus's house."
"That is just an urban legend Alara, no need to worry about it."
Piper walks up to you and writes: 'I'm sorry.'
Alara's face brightens as you take her hand & reply. At the idea of your potential singing voice not being as good as his flute playing, she chuckles. "Isn't that what I'm here for?"
Alara's face falls, but she relents. "Okay."
She returns to her place in the party formation.
Another broken heart... all because of me...
Alara's hand shoots up.
"Aye!"
She turns to Will. "Still, there's no real reason to try and find out if it's real yet."
She turns pensive. "Actually, come to think of it, you could just as easily push a goblin into a river and call IT a 'soggy river monster'.
Alara nods to Piper and steps up to the door with him.