#telbi

 Home was supposed to be a refuge from all that, but now there were strangers in the front room.

 Telbi stepped carefully, slipping through the door without it creaking, scurrying for the stairs. She knew this house, knew every inch of its sounding boards and silence. She could get through without being spotted,

 “Our daughter, Telbi, will be able to help with your… problem. She should be home shortly.”

 Telbi scowled and stepped onto the stairs, taking them as fast as she reasonably could.

 “In fact–”

 Telbi heard her father’s voice getting closer and hurried on her way up the stairs–

 “Telbi.” The door of the living room swung open.

 “Hi, dad.” She winced and swivelled on her heel. “It’s been a really long day, so–”

 “We have visitors who would benefit from your input. They asked for you specifically.” Her father frowned.

 Telbi groaned. “I don’t do private work, they have to make commissions through the workshop.”

 “Yes, I was most impressed with the talk you gave.”

 Telbi stiffened her jaw. The human who stood in the doorway had been at the back of the tour group. Notable only by the way he hadn’t asked any questions. “I trust it covered all the basics, like guild work cannot be done outside of the guild itself.”

 The human let out a sound that could have been a laugh. Maybe a sigh. “Yes, everyone has been quite clear on that. But–”

 “Well then. I don’t see–”

 “Telbi–” her father said, voice sharp.

 “As I have been saying,” The human raised his voice to speak over both of them, “the work that I’m asking about isn’t to do with the guild. It is about tracking, and hunting traps.”

 Telbi blinked. “What?”

 “We have been commissioned to take care of some wild creatures that have been terrorising the nearby farms,” the human said, shifting as he gestured into the room behind him. “But none of us have the requisite skill set.”

 Telbi flicked a glance at her father and stayed where she was on the stairs. It gave her some height and an easy (if impolite) escape. “Why did you come to me? I don’t… do that anymore.”

 “You did once. And by all accounts, you were good.”

 “Those files are sealed, how did you find out?”

 “People still talk.” The human shrugged. “And I’m told I’m a good listener.”

 Telbi snorted.

 Before her father could reprimand her for that, someone in the living room laughed and called out, “was that your mother said that, Amos?”

 The human – Amos, then – closed his eyes and sighed. “Come and meet the rest, at least, before you decide.”

 Telbi looked at her father, who gave her an encouraging nod. She’d been so close to a quiet evening. “Fine.” She stepped back down the stairs. “Introduce me and I’ll think about it.”

 Amos nodded and strode back into the living room. “My name is Amos, and this is Carbonne, Lathlaeril, and Pahzrasi.”

 A fire genasi, elf, and aasimar nodded or waved as he introduced them.

 Telbi wondered which of them had laughed at Amos. Probably the genasi; the others looked far too serious.

 “Delighted,” she said, sitting down and digging into her food.

 Her father sighed, but it had been a long day and she was tired and hungry.

 Amos stood before the fire and cleared his throat.

 “I’m listening,” Telbi said. “I can eat and listen at the same time. What’s your pitch?”

 Carbonne chuckled, which confirmed Telbi’s suspicions. The genasi saw her watching and winked.

 Amos coughed. “Right. There are reports of dangerous creatures threatening the farms on the outskirts. Several dogs have been killed and sheep have been savaged. A few children described hearing horrible laughter, and the corpses have been… violent.”

 “So gnolls, right?” Telbi asked, interested despite herself. “I didn’t think we had hyenas around here.” She frowned. “You don’t need traps for those.”

 “We have tried, but they’re smarter than your average pack of gnolls – if they are gnolls – so there must be something else leading them.”

 “And you want my help.”

 “Yes.”

 “Just for this?”

 Amos glanced at the other three. “Or longer, if you like.”

 “No. Nope, no, I don’t–”

 “Telbi,” her father said. “You’re wasting away in that guild hall.”

 “So I should get out and see the world?” she asked dryly. “I don’t think they’ll appreciate that, I’m still on thin ice with them.”

 “Still?” asked her father.

 “So fuck ‘em,” said Carbonne.

 “What.”

 Carbonne shrugged. “If they’re not going to let you take time for anything, fuck ‘em. Your work should be supportive, since you – you know, work for them. Doubt they can do your job.”

 “Well, no,” Telbi said slowly.

 “And you don’t seem like you enjoy it.” Carbonne shrugged again.

 The elf had closed his eyes, looked like he was praying. The aasimar looked like they were faintly confused and trying not to laugh.

 “So like–”

 “Carbonne, if you say fuck ‘em one more time,” Amos said.

 “Not literally.” Carbonne grinned, rolling her eyes. “Or do, if that’s what floats your boat. I’m not going to judge.”

 Telbi laughed. “Alright.” She finished her food, feeling better for it – and, oddly, the company – and put the plate to the side. “I’ll help.” She held out her hand to Amos. “And I’ll think about after.”

 “Hot shit.” Carbonne actually gave a little fist pump, flames lighting up her rocky exterior.

 The elf winced. The aasimar had given up on hiding their amusement.

 “Thank you,” Amos said and shook her hand. “I appreciate it.”

 “You might not, when you see my bill.” Telbi grinned. “Discounts available. Depends how much of the world you show me.”

 “I vote all of it,” Carbonne said. “What? That makes it cheaper, doesn’t it? Right?”

 Telbi laughed.