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

[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?

[descendency]

[ Mingyu is a talented man good at many things, Haltham. Naming things isn't one of them. ]

Ah, well, I could try to make some suggestions? What is she like? What traits stand out to you?

[aprescoup]

Well... she killed a man.

[descendency]

Sometimes that's just a show of good judgement.

Catherine? Elizabeth? Maneater?

[aprescoup]

I should like Catherine very much.

[descendency]

[ The woman who drugged her husband and cut off his penis, excellent choice. ]

Catherine it is, then. I'll be happy to meet your Catherine soon.

[aprescoup]

You will. If you look after yourselves, yeah? Don't open no doors at night. Don't feed the wolves. Don't be looking where you don't belong.

[descendency]

I'll do my best.

[ Which isn't a lie. It also isn't a yes. ]

[aprescoup]

Thank you.