Poppy, and her mom eventually enter the Dragon, but their entrance is slightly preceded by the fragrant aroma of fresh baked muffins.
Poppy enters first with Spot at her side, Hey everyone. she says with a muffin filled mouth.
then Spot, smelling the fresh cheese and venison at a table mostly unattended, he rushes over and begins sniffing around for scraps on the floor. eventually popping his nose up on the table sniffing to get at the plate.
Spot! Get down from there, that's not your food. You know Dolgrin always leaves plenty of scraps for you.
Spot obediently gets away from the table. He wags his tail as he sees Bethana, who pets him gently then goes back to tend another table with a sleepy white haired man who has ordered something.
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Dart gives a small nod to his fellows as if to confirm that the strange girl's words seem sincere.
"So, if you're here to defend the town from monsters, it seems like were on the same side. Maybe we could share some food and compare what we know about the threats?"
He then looks at the food on the table and adds, "And Dolgrin hasn't poisoned anyone in the whole time I've known him, so I think you're fine."
And with that, Dart takes a seat at Felicity's table and invites the others to do the same and hopes that the strange gal will join them.
"Oh, you have a cute puppy! Ok, we can talk," Felicity says, rather quickly becoming fine with the group.
As she sits, she immediately starts in with, "So the cards saw danger and I asked some who'd know and there were tunnels, smuggler's tunnels, and things are things, things locked away, and the lock has broken. Evil is unleashed. That's what I know. The cards didn't tell me any more."
She then blinks rapidly as if coming out of a daze and says, "Oh yes. 'I' and 'me.' Felicity. Felicity Thorne, but some call me Fallacy. Not sure why," and with that, she reaches out as if to shake hands, and assuming Dart accepts, she grabs his hand and kisses it before saying, "Wait. Not that. Shaking, I think. Sorry. I don't people well."
She then notices Dart's wounded state and the blood on his clothes and says, "Oh," and still holding his hand, says a quiet prayer to Desna and a wave of healing washes across the blue haired fellow.
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Dart is caught off guard by her kissing his hand, but then is relieved as she casts a healing spell. He again nods to his companions as if to indicate that this gal is certainly odd, but seems on the up and up.
"We've encountered Goblins," he begins, sharing what they've encountered with Fallacy. They attacked the town on the day of the Swallowtail Festival,[/b]" he considers sharing about the missing body, but isn't sure he trusts her with that much information just yet. "There were also Goblins in the Glassworks who, unfortunately, had captured some of the townsfolk. We managed to save only one."
He then acknowledges the connection he'd heard from Ameiko with what he'd heard from Fallacy. "You say the cards told you of a threat in the tunnels and that those you asked spoke of smugglers tunnels. I believe these were the same paths used by the Goblins to enter the Glassworks. Since we're all after the same foes, perhaps we should work together," Dart poses, hoping the rest of the group won't object. "After all, one more set of eyes and one more blade against the enemy," he says, gesturing to the starknife, "could only help our cause."
He then looks at his allies, and back to Fallacy to see if there will be any more discussion of her joining them.
You have a good point Dart... well, Felicity Thorne? What do your cards say about joining forces?
"The pretty warrior, the blue-haired boy, the grumpy dwarf, and the friend of dogs," she says looking at each individually. "Yes. I will join these figures." She then turns back to Dolgrin and says, "I was suspicious of you, but it is better to be correct than to be critical," she says, giving him a nod as she quotes the fortune cookie fortune at him.
As Dart gives his suggestion of sleeping, Felicity nods and says, "Thank you for offering. A bed for the night would be lovely. You're sure you'll be ok on the couch?" Clearly she has not entirely understood Dart's question.
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Dart chuckles at the misunderstanding and says, "You know, I imagine we could probably arrange for you to have your own room. That would be even better, right?" and he goes over to ask Bethana if she can arrange a room for their new friend. Dart is perplexed as to why Bethana makes a face, but supposes the poor gal probably just doesn't need more work to do.
Dolgrin was about to object that she didn't quote the cookie correctly, but he lowered his hand and closed his mouth, before another useless argument started.
Then he turned around and walked off. "I agree, Dart. See you guys tomorrow."
The day goes on uneventful. People don't seem to know what happened in the glassworks, but there is some talk about the heroes carrying Ameiko. Rumors fly and some variations of this talk can be heard throughout town, to the point where some people say that they have beaten Ameiko down.
The night is a little warm, making people often wipe the sweat from their brow. The patrons in the Rusty Dragon find that the food is not so wonderful when Ameiko isn't responsible for the kitchen, but some leftovers are served, including the hog that Foxglove's people brought in. On the other hand, Foxglove is nowhere to be seen.
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Dart goes to the general store and buys a couple of bags of flour.
After this, he returns to the Rusty Dragon and asks Bethana to do him a favor. "After we depart to investigate the tunnels," he says, "could you get Sid or some other such helpful young friend to deliver these to Aneka?" The package being delivered is the two bags of flour along with a note that says, "Flours for you, my love. --Dart"
Dart easily finds Ven Vinder's general store, but Ven is not as helpful as he would like. "Oy, you're one of those new brigands aren't you? Store's closed!", he says, as he gives someone else some change for a recent purchase.
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Dart decides to use a recent turn of events to his advantage to see if he can help improve the group's standing in town.
"Mister Vinder," Dart says, removing his hat and bowing his head in respect, "I have come to apologize, my good sir, for the affront that was caused to you. In case you're unaware, the individual you caught with you daughter is no longer traveling with our group. Such shameful and baseless behavior is absolutely not to be tolerated. and as a gesture of kindness and apology, I was going to offer to pay double for my purchases. I know, extra coin does not correct the offense caused, but consider it as a gesture towards making things right."
Despite his foul mood, something in Dart's speech got through to Ven Vinder and he shuts up. He takes Dart's money and points at a bag of flower with his nose. Dart is sure he has seen much much larger sacks of flower in Sandpoint Savories. He takes the two copper piece for a pound of average quality wheat flower, which is double the usual price.
Dart makes his way to the Sandpoint Savories and brings Aneka the wheat. She takes a while to understand what it is, then as she finally does, she is completely uncomfortable. She finally says "Thank you." Her sister Arika fails to contain her giggles. Aneka says "Oh shut up you. It was sweet! Come Dart, come have your first baking lesson."
Aneka brings Dart to the back of the store. He sees enormous sacks of flower. Aneka tells him "This is what we go through in an average week!"
The amount of flower you brought would last half a morning if multiplied by 5.
Aneka goes through the basics of baking. He learns terms like mother dough and fermenting, but there seems to be a lot of intuitive knowledge about baking. At least at first glance.
Izumi rises, stiff and sore in the predawn darkness. While magic was wonderful for healing wounds, the tempo of combat was far greater than she ever dreamed. Despite the priesthood of Shizuru being renowned swordsmen - both for solo kata and in the dojo, actual fighting was something was many of Her clergy rarely saw, and definitely in back to back engagements.
She groaned quietly and went to her prayers and ceremonies.
Fortunately the Dawn slow motion sword drills loosened up Izumi's forearms and shoulders, and she felt happy when she joined her parents for breakfast.
Her parents, knowing some rumours from the day before, considerately held a mostly silent meal without gossip.
With a bow and words of thanks, held in an automatic Tien, she departed to The Rusty Dragon.
The talk about old Kaijutsu's death has reached the Shinano family. They don't question her about the funeral rites.
It is warm in the morning. Some clouds can be seen to the west. The people of Sandpoint are not bothered by the heat and work has begun early. Children play and laugh in the streets, oblivious to the dangers that lurk below town.
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While Dart was uncertain if his clever wordplay on "flower" and "flour" actually hit home with Aneka, he was completely delighted as she stood up for him calling the gesture sweet. Then it became time for a baking lesson. On the one hand, he was delighted to get in more time with his beloved baker. On the other hand, he'd never made food. Ever.
As they enter the kitchen, Dart finds himself completely clueless as his first baking lesson begins. He makes multiple mistakes such as looking for a coffee cup when told a cup of flour is needed and asking what to pound it with when told he needed a pound of sugar, but he simply blushes with each mistake and happily joins in with the laughter it causes and he has a glorious time.
Unfortunately, after they've gotten in this glorious time together, the moment finally comes that Dart needs to join the others to head off to explore the tunnels.
He approaches Aneka letting her know he needs to go and reaches out to embrace her saying, "But I'll come back to you. Nothing else matters more than that."
Felicity wakes up to find that Dolgrin and Poppy are also staying in the Rusty Dragon, and that the owner Ameiko is very friendly to them. In fact, Ameiko is much more energetic, despite being a little somber, still. Dolgrin and Poppy find her talking to the mayor and a blond richly dressed man sitting at a table. They seem to be waiting for other people to get there.
Dart makes his way to the glassworks still dirty from flour. He notices that people in the streets don't really scowl at him as much now. He finds Izumi there ready and meditating facing east.
A fat man walks past Dolgrin, Felicity and Poppy. He looks scared but tries to hide it. He sits in a corner in the Rusty Dragon, trying to look mysterious. At the same time, a young woman stares into the sea horizon next to Dart and Izumi, looking wise or maybe sad.
As the fat man walks past, Felicity gives him an enormous grin and a happy little wave. She then turns her attention back to her breakfast and munches away happily.
Finally, around a mouthful of food, she says, "So, are we going to the tunnels soon? We do have to kill some monsters after all."
As Felicity's comment hangs in the air, a mosquito calculates the easiest way to land on her neck and suck some blood. As it flies by, it approaches her a little bit more at every pass. Felicity begins hearing the buzzing noise.
Perhaps friend Felicity... a moment, Izumi says rising.
She approaches Ameiko then turns to the newly arrived fat man and says, What troubles you?
Dolgrin seemed geared up and ready to move out, just as the new girl suggested. A thorough and strong nod answers her question and tells her he holds no grudge.
When Izumi addreses the fat man with her usual kindness, he whispers "waiting for breakfast I presume".
The fat man cowers before Izumi and says "Please, don't tell them I'm here. I'll come up with the gold, I promise. I just need a little more time!"
As the mosquito flies at Felicity's neck, she quickly tries to catch it...but misses. As it buzzes angrily away, she mutters, "Well, missed opportunity for him. I was going to let him be my familiar. Now he's unfamiliar!"
And since Izumi told her hey were going to wait for just a bit longer, Felicity pulls out her harrow deck to do a quick reading on the fellow Izumi is approaching.
Felicity notices that the fat man is scared, as if a shadow is about to jump from the wall and attack him. The mosquito flies away hoping to find an easier time to strike.
Izumi sits at the table and turns on the most reassuring smile she can...
Fear not my friend... I am nothing to fear, in fact, let me help... do you have financial difficulties? You seem very worried and I wish just to help.
The fat man relaxes a bit, but he's still nervous. He replies to izumi "Well lady, unless you can come up with 50 gold pieces in an hour, you can't really help me. I owe the Scarnetti." He looks away from Izumi to Dolgrin, Felicity and Poppy, as if what he said would clearly push Izumi away. He has clearly given up and running away is the only hope he thinks he has.
Dart slowly recognizes the woman looking at the sea. It's Elise's mother.
I might... I might be able to get some coin. Tell me about this Scarnetti? Why do you owe Scarnetti money?
Felicity glances from her cards to the big man and back even as Izumi chats with him. "Scared. Shadows. Threat? Yes. Hunting...hunted. Someone after." And out of the corner of her eye she takes note of the mosquito buzzing a bit further off now and whispers, "You will be mine. You. Will. Be. Mine."
The fat man gives up and confesses "I lost some money with gambling in Magnimar. I borrowed it from the Scarnetti to pay my debt, but now they want to collect." The man starts sobbing. He says "I only wanted to buy my wife the nice dress she wanted. I'm only a lowly butcher, I can't buy her the things she wants." The man lowers his shoulders, looking down, defeated.
The woman notices Dart, but doesn't turn to face him. She says simply "We're... well. How is life as a hero?"
She has been crying
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"Hero is a bit much," Dart replies, downplaying the compliment. "We just did what needed to be done."
He then softens his tone slightly as he continues saying, "And I don't mean to pry, but it seems like something is wrong. Is there anything I can do to help? Even if it's just being a listening ear?"
Dolgrin listened from the back and had his own thoughts.
Gambling for money should be forbidden. Games of luck are nice and fun, but should be restricted. There will always be a loser. Like that poor guy. He probably deserves to feel like he does now.
Still, those Scarnetti should be kept in check. "They need to get reimbursed for what was borrowed. No copper more." He didn't even realize he was thinking the last sentence loud.
Elise's mother replies to Dart "Oh, nothing you should worry yourself about." She turns and leaves after tipping him an imaginary hat.
The man hears Dolgrin and says "I would, but I don't have the money, see?"
I have 2 platinum coins, that's worth 20 gold... that might help placate them. I will give them to you for a lifetime oath to never gamble for money again.
The man looks at Izumi, defeated. He is touched by her generosity and seems to gather his resolve. He wipes his face with his sleeve and says "Thank you for your offer, madam. I'm afraid I have to decline. It's time I faced reality." He leaves the tavern and starts walking towards Sandpoint's south exit.
With the man gone, the group remembers that there is a looming danger in the town's underground.
When the man left the tavern, Dolgrin suddenly turned around and bolted towards the door as well. With the man still in sight he shouts after him "Offer them to work off the debt!" That's as much as we can do know.
While he is still standing in the open door, he turns his head around and asks his allies questioningly. "you comin'? Monster and such..."
The man doesn't turn at Dolgrin's suggestion, but he surely heard it.
The group makes their way to the Glassworks, with Felicity tagging along. They find it exactly the same, untouched. Inside, they go back to the basement and look at the dark tunnel.
The tunnel winds lazily northeast for some time. Eventually it branches off, offering three ways. To the north, it continues as it was. To the east it continues into the dark. To the west there is a torn down brick wall.
Dolgrin instinctively leads the party with his night vision and his underground experience. It seems he isn't afraid of anything down here.
He walks towards the torn down brick wall and investigates it. Who did this? What tools did he use? When did that happen?