audio | username: haltham

[aprescoup]

He... llo? Hey-ho! Hello. Got the hang of it now —

( But does he? A sudden spell of background laughter would indicate the channel remains disrupted, until… it suddenly quiets down. )

...there we go! How’s you lot? This is Haltham. Me? Been good. Real swell. Got me a... got a goat now. She’s a handsome one. Met’er coming down from the mountains, minding my own business, might’ve had a little to dri — ...but keeps the body warm, don’t it? And there I was, and there she was, and I think she’d just killed a man? Can’t be helping it, happens in a mountain. And we looked each other up, then down, though she’s mostly sideways, think she’s, hm... her eyes sort of cross, but you know, she’s a looker, and she walks the leash right, and we headed on together, so. And now, I take her everywhere.

( He seems, suddenly, to remember the point of his outreach: )

Anyway. You’ll have your own goat! Maybe. We’re taking you. Taking you elsewhere. On a walk. To a new place, better place, for living. Mostly better. Well... right, it’s not all that better, but it’s a home, a farm. And... look. Can’t be having you at the… ladies’ house no more. There’s trouble in the city now, with all them folks rising for Anurr, and... heard some of you got involved with all that. Keep your heads down! Oi! Oiiiiiiii. Down. Don't be dying before I even see you.

( A pause, then: ) So, this farm. Used to be a woodhouse. It’s... closer to the forest, where the old blood live, and it’s farther out, but… you can still walk to the merchants’ places, and it’ll do you good. Proper, honest stroll each morning. Works an appetite. Old man thought it might be rough, but I talked him into it, and it’s all yours, now! You can head on tomorrow, and Karsa’ll even... you know, sort out your speech pieces, so you can talk smart there too.

Now, it’ll need some cleaning... and some urging along of the wolves. And rats, and... the trouble with the... you'll see. I don’t think some walls are holding, but you’ll prop them, won’t you? Bit of sweat and mud and snow, and it really is all yours, once that’s done! And no one will come along to bother.

Just... don’t open your doors at night, no matter what the wind tells you. Or people. Them’s not people, in that forest.


( ooc: A mission log for the move-out and the delights of the 'farm' will be up tomorrow :) Characters with jobs at the House of Dew can hold on to their posts, even after they relocate. Translation devices will work throughout. )

Comments

[somebadnews]

And that sort of thing just happens. In the mountains.

[aprescoup]

Has to happen somewhere.

[somebadnews]

So you decided to bring it along for protection?

[aprescoup]

It just... looked lonely.

[somebadnews]

Of course it did. It killed its last companion.

[ Okay deep breath, he's trying to move past it. ]

When is this big move happening?

[aprescoup]

Oh... give it a... a day or two? I'm just steering the moose out of the grounds.

[somebadnews]

Is it a homicidal moose, or the regular kind?

[aprescoup]

...why would a moose be homicidal?

[somebadnews]

[ Why would a goat?? ]

Just checking. You sound like you've got it all under control.

[aprescoup]

Thank you, little friend. It is hard to find a noble goat. I am pleased for her. She's stopped giving me the eye, too.

...oh. Oh, do you want her? For your farm.

un: anglicized

[descendency]

[ Gently; ]

Haltham, she's your goat.

[aprescoup]

That's right... that's right, she is. But you're my friends. And I haven't named her yet.

She gave me a bloodied eye a long time, so I didn't want to stare at'er.

[descendency]

Then you should pick a fine name for your fine goat. We would be happy to watch her for you for a time if necessary, but you're the one who found her. You've a sort of obligation to each other, have you not?

[aprescoup]

You're right! You are right. I'll bring you milk, but keep the goat.

Unless she don't let me near her bits. Then I won't bring milk.

[descendency]

Fair enough. It's good to respect a lady when she tells you no.

[ Does he sound like he's laughing a bit? It's not at you, Haltham. But you are a delight. ]

Have you thought of any names?

[aprescoup]

No... would you like to name her?

[somebadnews]

[ Never mind, there is no moving past this. ]

The goat?

[aprescoup]

I suppose... if you really need her...

[somebadnews]

[ DON'T WORRY MINGYU he's not going to take the killer goat away from your friend. But it is... a nice gesture?? ]

That would be a creative way to murder my enemies, but it doesn't seem as dignified.

[aprescoup]

Right. Well. Well, I'll keep her. And I'll try to bring you milk, so you can grow strong.

[somebadnews]

[ He knows it's his fault for not changing that stupid username but he still hates everything. ]

Oh gee. That would really... make my day.

[aprescoup]

Of course. I am here to help you. As you are helping me.

[descendency]

[ It's not that he thinks any less of you just because he knows you're a cutthroat opportunist, Five. He just knows you about as well as he knows anyone in this group, and, well. Haltham needs... a lot of help.

But he appreciates that you're not stealing Haltham's killer goat out from under him. In fact. ]

Oh, Five, while we're both here. Shall I see you for the usual tonight or tomorrow?

[ The 'usual', which he's not advertising on the network for obvious reasons, being plying you with food and hard liquor while reviewing all the current data on their situation. ]

[somebadnews]

[ Not advertising but still making it sound... weird. Like they're friends at the very least. Still. He kind of needs a drink right now that isn't 'milk so he can grow strong' because that kind of makes him want to take a cue from the goat. ]

You should think of another way to phrase that.

not here

[remugient]