NPC Blog

@questnpcs | closed starter

she jingles the bag of coins expectantly, awaiting the figures to emerge from the fog. it probably wasn’t the wisest decision to do this alone but she was going to do it now. with the help of wulf, elas, theodore, and the other team members she was able to accumulate enough funds to meet the required amount. she would be left with nothing afterwards but it was worth it. 

“come get your money,” she spoke to the fog, “the halfling must be unharmed and in my arms before i give you all of it.”

rosa could hear the anger in his voice turn. the moment his hand raised, she flinched away in complete fear. any illusion she thought she built up was gone. thankfully he didn’t strike her, but still her heart raced. “t-that is not true. you can’t just make up things like that!  the thought alone of stoning was scary enough to think of. and she knew these people would do it “we were kind to the people in the town, despite what was happening to our friend.” she hesitated for a moment. “i was kind to you…”

“my friends care for me very much, which is why i am trying to help you. if you think they will not find me then you are sorely mistaken. they will be madder if they find me here tied up like this than if you untied me and we can come to an agreement.” she held up her bound hands to him in hopes that he would free her. gods, she hoped she found convincing. but still there was fear coursing through her as he mentioned that town again. “i threw a harmless small pebble at him. it was not anything he didn’t deserve after he tried to have my friend killed.”

rosa inched backward away from the man as best as she could with her hand tied tightly in front of her. “please…” she said softly this time, trying to keep any shake out of her voice. “you can just let me go. we can still give you whatever it is you want.”

theodoremontfort‌:

          théodore  swallowed,  smile  faltering  but  for  a  moment  as  he  openly  accepted  the  woman  into  his  arms,  at  the  mention  of  husband.  but  he  was  quick  to  recover,  the  fondness  in  his  smile,  the  warmth  of  his  eyes  not  at  all  an  act  as  he  reached  up  to  brush  the  gentle  curve  of  her  jaw  with  a  tender  touch.    ❛  still,  ❜    he  spoke  softly,  as  if  they  were  the  only  two  in  the  room,  she  the  center  of  his  whole  world.  leaning  in,  he  stole  a  kiss,  simple  and  sweet ;  his  lips,  plush  and  pink,  capturing  hers  in  something  chaste  but  undeniably  loving,  before  he  drew  away,  smile  dimpling  his  cheeks.    ❛  you  know  how  i  hate  to  be  kept  from  you.  ❜    

          it  was  only  then  that  he  deigns  to  give  his  attention  to  the  other  man,  appropriately  polite  despite  the  way  his  skin  crawls  at  the  sight  of  him.    ❛  that  is  kind  of  you,  sir.  ❜    anxiety  continues  to  creep.    ❛  but  i  think  it  best  if  we  retire.  the  moon  is  high.  ❜    

the kiss took ally by surprise to say the least. it had been many years since she shared physical affection with another, and while she was quite fond of theodore she had never thought of him that way. in fact, she had never met anyone whom she viewed as a romantic prospect. for an elf that was a lasting commitment that she felt she was not yet ready for. despite this fact, she did not draw away. allyria leaned in to the gesture and cradled his face in her hands, mimicking what she had seen others do. 

she did not allow her mind to rush into the thoughts of the consequences of this moment and instead her eyes flickered to the man watching them. their ruse was done well enough to sell anybody on their love, and she was thankful for that, but she was not sure it would be enough to send him away.  her gaze returned to theo and she nodded, her eyes gracious but still filled with worry, “i agree. it is best that we leave now. as much fun as i have had here tonight …i’m glad to see you.”

theodoremontfort‌:

           there  was  a  tension  that  drew  the  line  of  his  shoulders  tight  under  the  ivory  cloth  of  his  coat  ever  since  they  had  entered  the  small  town.  there  was  something  about  it  that  didn’t  sit  well  with  him,  all  obvious  troubles  aside.  théodore  had  thought  taking  a  walk  alone  with  the  moon  might  put  him  at  ease,  but  the  tug  in  his  gut  guiding  his  feet  would  soon  prove  otherwise.  besides,  the  rowdy  sounds  of  low  lit  taverns  never  failed  to  pull  his  thoughts  back  to  distraction,  the  stars  barely  peeking  through  the  clouds  to  keep  him  company.  

          he  sighed,  forlorn,  only  realizing  his  feet  had  carried  him  into  the  rowdiest  tavern  he’d  seen  since  nights  of  true  debauchery  in  brent  once  his  boots  scuffed  worn,  damp  wood.  he  blinked  at  the  state  of  it,  brow  furrowed,  before  his  gaze  drifted  up  from  his  boots  only  to  land  on  an  old  friend,  as  fate  would  have  it.  an  old  friend  that  looked  ––  he  realized,  as  anxiety  crept  up  from  the  base  of  his  spine,  nestling  in  his  chest,  dark  eyes  flitting  wildly  about  to  assess  the  situation  ––  entirely  uncomfortable  and  in  desperate  need  of  escape.  and  so,  without  second  thought,  he  was  making  quick  strides  toward  her,  smile  painted  on  as  brilliant  as  any  other,  though  it  masked  his  worry.    ❛  ally !  ❜    he  weaved  his  way  through  the  crowd  with  finesse  only  granted  to  him  by  years  of  practice  running  amok  back  home,  with  harlowe.    ❛  so  sorry  i’m  late !  ❜

there were no words to properly sum up the immeasurable rush of splendid relief allyria felt when theodore entered the tavern. she imagined it was something akin to what theodore felt on the day that they met only stronger. she’d saved him after a particularly nasty fight, and now he was returning the favor even if he was not aware of it. 

she was quick to rush to him as he made his way towards her and loop her arm around his. a shaking exhale exited her lips and she smiled with desperation. “theodore, my love, my dearest husband, no need to apologize you are right on time.” while theodore was not the most socially perceptive person she had met in her life she had high hopes that he would catch on to her ruse. and while the title may have been false, the adoration in her gaze was genuine. she was so glad that his timing was as fortunate as usual.

rusk felt like he was on top of the world for that moment. he had his prize safely in his arms and he was ready to whisk her off to his place. his friends were a witness to how easy the ladies would fall for him. but before he could blink the other man entered the tavern, the husband. then there was that look on ally’s face. she made no attempt to hide the joy in her face as she saw him. the relief. was he suddenly so bad that she would go running from his arms into the arms of another man? she had just promised to come with him. and now she pushed her aside like he was nothing? humiliation was not something to be taken lightly around here. men died for something smaller than this. rusk sized up the man, before taking a step forward. “your lady and i were getting to know each other. i was about to show her the town.” he said, trying to control his anger. his eyes flickered to ally’s face. seeing the look he gave her husband only infuriated him more. she lead him on like this on purpose. to humiliate him. he knew she did. 

all allyria knew was that she had to get out of this tavern, away from his friends and closer to hers. her vow to never hurt another living thing prevented her from attacking him but if she could lead him into danger and let one of her companions slit his throat then all would be well. she raised her eyebrows, and replied, “very well i am convinced. take me to your domicile and we’ll see what sort of secrets i will need to keep by the end of the night.” she did not stand and instead awaited his next move. if he was expecting a fight he would not get one, not from her. 

of course, that worked easily. in his mind, rusk was a master charmer. no woman could resist him and why would they want to? they were easy prey and easy to manipulate. seemed like this woman was just like the rest. “glad to see you’ve got some smarts amongst all this pretty.” rusk reached out and (sloppily) brushed some of her hair out of her hair. “you won’t forget this night. i might make you forget your husband and stay here with me.” with that he snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her off her chair and closer to him. “let’s go.”

rosa had been through a few small towns in her travels, but the group she had been with had been smart enough to avoid places like this. fable was not filled with men whose intentions were masked with smiles. there was no reason to be rude to this man or to doubt that his kindness was coming from any place other than a good place. plus, rosa had always enjoyed getting to meet new people, this seemed like just another chance to do that. “you’re traveling as well? wouldn’t that be funny if we saw each other one the road?” she beamed at the fun thought of running into someone again in a wild country like this. “i believe we’re traveling up the northern path… that way.” she pointed. tucking the bag under her arm she held her hand out to man to shake, the proper thing to do. “i’m rosa.”

another tankard of well water, how thoughtful of him. she did not even offer a polite smile, she merely sighed and responded, “if there was a line i never paid attention to it. my focus was drawn by my husband. who should be entering soon. perhaps you’ve seen him about town, the one in the ivory toned coat.” as a generally honest person allyria was not inclined to lie, but she felt the only way to deter this man was with proper competition. she knew a predator whens he saw one and there was no difference between the look in this man’s eyes and the one she’d seen in the wargs’.  “call me darling if you wish, i cannot promise my husband will take kindly to it, but who am i to stop you?”

“oh i am completely certain you are incorrect,” replied allyria, without too much haste or hesitation to denote worry. her tone was completely level, despite the feeling of rising terror sh was concealing. “what makes you think i am alone?” she inquired, knowing that her friends were not so near that they could hear her call for them, but if there was a commotion the nearest comrade would come running. “my name is not in a language you can comprehend.”

there was a complete lack of awareness of what sort of town this was. people came to these places to be off the map. people who didn’t want to be found or who were hiding. the seedy nature of the small town was clear to most. unclear to rosa who smiled back at those who smiled at her as she walked through the town, coming back from getting supplies. she hadn’t seen the lingering gaze of the man who hovered near the tavern. the young hobbit gave him a smile. “morning sir.” she said. “i’m traveling with my friends. we’re stopping for some supplies.” rosa said holding up her bag to show. “do you live here or just passing through as well?”

ally grimaced, the muscles in her jaw tensing as she clenched her teeth and drew in a sharp breath.  she’d come to the tavern seeking cheap food. of course gross men were unavoidable in such a locale but she had not expected any to be so immediately brash. “perhaps the reason that i am alone is because i prefer to be.”

“you must be part of that group travelin’ through ‘ere. cause i’d remember seeing a face likes yours in this tavern.” he smiled, a gapped smile as he slithered into the seat right next to ally. “i noticed you sittin’ alone. girl like you shouldn’t be alone.”

she was either a halfling or a very small and very vibrant young woman. either way thoril was fascinated. he’d never seen a hobbit before, they didn’t ever come this far south. her bright smile and colorful hair was unlike anything he’d ever seen in this drab and downtrodden town. perhaps a conversation was in order. he sauntered over to her, looking her up and down with no attempts to hide his predatory gaze. once he was near enough he leaned against one of the support beams of the local tavern and inquired, “mornin’ lassie, what are you doing in a town like this?”

From the high white walls for Allmeera she gazed upon the people which she would only call her ‘subjects’ with great hesitance. She did not see herself as separate or above them in any sense other than the literal. The duchess waved to the people below, offering a kind but withholding smile to the bustling crowd. Only a few looked up at her, most of the rest went about their day in the busy market. 

She watched as one particular young man made he way through the crowd diligently, his off white coat tails fluttering behind his quick step. Something about him intrigued her. And something in her heart stopped her from looking away. She thought perhaps he was one of the travelers she’d heard rumors of: those daring a dangerous quest to the great mountain. 

Her heart was beating fast in her chest and she did not know why. She peered down at him from above, calling wordlessly for him to look up at her.