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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 20:34:00 GMT -6
Morgan had a competition to register for, so why were they here? Morgan was convinced that they would manage to get a quick quest and get it done before whenever the time limit was up. Morgan had to be quick, and they didn't know if they had a lot of time, but it would feel so weird to be unable to do the quest with their beloved Nico! He'd been with them for most of the quests, after all. Morgan had him walk at heel as they went to the quest board. It was absolutely COVERED with notes! Morgan was awed by it, but no matter. "What do you think, Nico?" Morgan says, as they look over it. After a moment or two, they finally landed their eyes on a fancy little note, even with etched gold leaf on it. What was this one requiring, Morgan thought? It was fancy, like the one for last month.
[1]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 20:51:39 GMT -6
Morgan looked it over, hand on the ivory-pale paper with the golden leaf. Nope! This one was going to be way too much time taken from the both of them, and it was pretty unsuitable for Nico anyway. "Welp boy, not this one I'm afraid. We don't have time, and I don't think you can climb trees!" The job was to clean some of the toilet paper out of the trees on a mansion's grounds. Apparently twenty-four of the trees were completely covered in the 'offending paper'. Morgan had to stifle back a laugh at that one, and instead frowned deeply. After a moment, they settled on a smirk instead, trying not to belie how hilarious this was. Nico looked up, curiously. "Yeah, I'll just put this one back." Morgan said, tacking it back up. Come on, there had to be something easier here that wouldn't take as long!
[2]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 21:03:29 GMT -6
Besides apparent calls to clean up the trickery of some rather prolific young pranksters all over the board, Morgan was having a difficult time finding something that Nico might actually be a boon in as opposed to a bit of a dead-weight. After a few rather hilarious calls to action over the toliet-paper tricksters, the human managed to find something near the bottom of the quest board that gave them pause. It was scarcely a scrap-let of paper, more like a sticky note than anything else. Morgan lifted the delicate piece of paper, delicate because it was obviously a scrap and not because it was made of fine materials, and could scarcely read the chicken-scratch on it. "What even is this?" Morgan muttered, complaining a bit. "A kinder-gartener's writing?" They said. 'Actually, yes.' Morgan wheeled around, eyes narrowed. They hated being snuck up on. Turns out that Nico had already seen the Quest-board keeper coming, and hadn't bothered to tell Morgan. "Traitor." Morgan muttered to him. [3]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 21:13:16 GMT -6
It wasn't that Morgan didn't like the woman. Okay, scratch that, Morgan wasn't big on anyone much. Not really. They tolerated other people mostly, and that was that. However, Morgan was especially not fond of the rather large swamp-deer person, mostly because Morgan was pretty short and disliked feeling looked down on. They drew themself to full height, still holding the sad little scraplet in their hand. "Who called the stiff brigade?" Morgan said, folding their arms over their chest. The swamp-deer snorted. 'You should take that one, be with other children like you.' She said. Morgan practically snarled. "I haven't been a child since-" They stopped. Baited. They weren't going to take that. "What does it even say, anyway." Morgan demanded, not quite a question. 'Have a heart, some kid out there has a sick pet. Might even die.' She pointedly glanced over Nico. Morgan didn't let it phase them. [4]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 21:19:03 GMT -6
Morgan glanced down at the tiny sliplet of paper and groaned a bit. "Fine fine, but I'm doin' it for the kid an' not for you." Morgan said, slipping into a bit of an accent for a second. They scanned the paper closely, and finally discerned some kind of an address to put into their information pad to hopefully be brought to it. It was on the worse side of town, but that was fine. Morgan was sure that Nico would protect them, and they would protect Nico if need be. "Do you know what is wrong with the pup?" Morgan asked. "I'll need to do a supply run." Morgan had a few tricks up their sleeve when it came to healing, after all. The swamp deer just shrugged. 'Don't know, I don't know if the kid knows. Surely you can fix a rakai, I hear you're... Educated.' The way that was said set Morgan on edge. Nico's tail stopped wagging. [5]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 2, 2019 21:48:56 GMT -6
Educated, huh? Morgan wondered how many people thought what she did. Morgan was wearing a lab-coat, after all. So maybe it was that. However, Morgan knew that this swamp-deer person was very integrated into certain parts of society, running this board and all. They squinted at her, brow furrowed in suspicion, and then shook their head. "I know botany. I have some things for healing salves at home, and I know biology. I'm no vet, if that is what you're asking, but I know a few. Can the kid's family not afford it?" Morgan said, curiously. They'd never heard of anyone sending holiday wishes to Light for fulfilling, and Morgan didn't believe in all of that anyway. However, they wouldn't turn the kid down for that. Honestly, Morgan had a bit of a soft spot for kids that are in bad spots. Kinda reminded them of theirself as a child. Morgan looked down at Nico. "Alrighty boyo, got one. You ready to go my boy?"[6]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 13:51:51 GMT -6
Of course Nico was more than excited, bouncing around and wagging his tail as if he hadn't just gotten a bit stiff earlier when Morgan had felt suspicious for a moment. He was so in-tuned with Morgan that it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between them. Morgan looked up, folding the little hand-written note up and pocketing it at the same time as glaring the swamp-deer down. An understanding passed between the two; with Morgan's gaze saying 'you better not tell anyone about this' much better than actually saying it would have done. At that, Morgan closed their eyes, turned around, and then stepped away, leading Nico at heel. Nico's happy looseness in his muscles stood at stark contrast with Morgan's stiff and surprisingly broad shoulders despite their small build otherwise. A sigh could be heard behind Morgan, and then what sounded like sweeping. Well, it was time to go to the house for a second.
[7]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 13:58:35 GMT -6
Morgan needed some things. They had no idea what things they needed; since everyone in the whole world had to be the least helpful individuals ever, and no one cared to do any research on what the heck was wrong with this rakai to begin with. For all Morgan knew it was dead already. Morgan rolled their eyes just thinking about it. Morgan disliked backtracking, and they didn't have long to do this, BUT Morgan stepped up to the front door and automatically opened it with their door key card. Nico stepped in like he owned the place and Morgan didn't mind. Morgan went straight to the supply closet, and began shoving items in their backpack. A first aid kit, some items for salves and cures, some toys just in case. Morgan finished pretty quickly, sticking a few things in Nico's own creature pockets, and finally felt like they were ready, at least somewhat. "Welp, I think we're ready."
[8]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:03:55 GMT -6
Nico was ALWAYS ready! "You ready to go, boyo?" Morgan said, backpack slung across shoulders and hands on knees. The houluh pup wagged his tail excitedly and just about danced. He was ALWAYS ready to go outside! Morgan called him to heel and they left. The heavy mansion door closed and locked automatically, and Morgan made their way down to the street pretty quickly. They looked down at their information pad and pulled up the map. Well, that was kinda far away. A good thirty minute walk; at Morgan's typical brisk pace. Morgan sighed... They should have taken a mount, but they were a little too lazy to go back and fix the issue. They wanted to get this over with. The pair walked down the sidewalk, following the map to the house that would undoubtedly be in the poor part of town. That was a big difference from last month's request!
[9]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:07:31 GMT -6
Morgan had chosen this one, after all. It was because it would be quick and simple, and that was all it was. Morgan told theirself that and then pushed it from their mind altogether. The pair, master and hound, made their way most of the way there before they even had to stop for an equillion cart, and then another quarter of the way before they had to stop for someone moving their herd of murp. Finally they made it to the poorest part of town, and Morgan sighed. It was going to be pretty deep into this part of the town, too. Morgan had somehow expected that. It might be dangerous walking home, if the rumors were true. Morgan didn't mind, but couldn't help but be worried about Nico anyway. Finally, they stood right in front of the house and stepped up across the lawn to the front porch. The whole place looked horrible.
[10]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:14:33 GMT -6
Morgan had grown up in the lap of luxury. They had to admit it, and it wasn't embarrassing to them. However, they felt horrible seeing it face to face. They often tried to do public welfare funds to try to help, but it seemed like nothing ever reached the ones it needed to reach... The entire neighborhood was snaggle-toothed. Some of the houses had obviously been demolished, others were mere shacks. It looked like some of the houses used to be top notch, but were half taken down. Morgan just about tripped over a rotten board in the first two steps of the front porch. Already, Morgan was bristling. This seemed off. Nico stayed at Morgan's heel, but was keeping watch. The house had a peeling, sulfurous shade of yellow paint that made Morgan feel nauseous. Still, they were here. Time to get this over with. They raised their hand to rap their knuckles against the front door.
[11]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:20:49 GMT -6
Before Morgan could even knock (which already felt too foreign to Morgan in the first place) the door swings open towards the inside; revealing what looked to be a middle-teenager, in some ratty looking blue jeans, and an undershirt that was quite stained with oil. The individual looked and smelled like they had just gotten off of work doing some kind of machine work. Morgan immediately was suspicious; mechanics were paid very well in the city. Why was a mechanic, even a young one, living in squalor? And could he not write any better than a child? Before Morgan could say anything snarky, a little boy, couldn't have been any older than seven, held the teenager's pants leg looking nervous. Oh. 'What are you doing here?' The guy asked, looking just as shocked as Morgan had been. Morgan wasn't one to play games. Nico sat at Morgan's heel as Morgan pulled out the little scraplet of paper. [12]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:25:28 GMT -6
Morgan started to unfold the little paper slip, and immediately the kid looked a little guilty. The guy reached out for it, looking a little stressed, and Morgan explained, but not because they had to. "I am not a veterinarian, but I can do salves herbally, and I've got a first aid kit. My partner here is really good with other pets, and if your Poppy is depressed, a good game or two might make it a little better." Morgan said, addressing the older individual as if he were an adult. Morgan had already assessed the rest of the room beyond them, it was obvious that the teen was raising his kid brother by himself. Morgan had raised theirself as a teen too, so it didn't even phase them. There was no way that anyone but these two lived here. The kid looked up hopefully at his brother, and Nico wagged his tail quite hard, fixing his attention to the kid.
[13]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:31:24 GMT -6
It was obvious that the teenager did not want to let Morgan into the house, and it was even more obvious that he was frustrated to be put into this position. However, he glanced down at his little brother, and Morgan saw that tell-tale look. That hardened, stressed individual's eyes went from aggravated to melted as soon as he looked at his beloved sibling. The little kid looked nervous at first, but when he looked up at his brother, he cracked a grin. Morgan's arms were folded. 'You aren't one of those dang priests, are ye?' The guy asked. Morgan shook their head. 'And not one of those scientists, right? Not from the labs?' Morgan shook their head. Not yet, anyway. Morgan could feel the guy's appraising gaze measure them up and find them mostly lacking, but he finally relented. 'Fine, come in. I'd tell you not to touch anything, but I don't think you look like you want to anyway richie-boy.' Morgan wasn't even mad. The houluh was excited, and followed after Morgan now between Morgan and the kid, who was behind his brother and oddly silent. [14]
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Post by Morgan on Nov 3, 2019 14:35:39 GMT -6
Morgan didn't correct the man about their gender. It didn't matter.
The house was a mess. Morgan ignored it. It was understandable; it's hard to keep things clean when you have to work to raise someone else. The man lead them to the back room, and opened the door. It was the kid's room, and on the bed laid a little black and white spotted rakai. The first thing that Morgan noted was that this was not a regular rakai. This was someone's expensive custom. It even had wings. Morgan looked over at the young working man, and then had to say it. "I raised myself too." Morgan said. "Didn't have a little sibling though." They admitted. "You know, you can get a great job as a mechanic- I know a guy that needs one." Morgan added. "Heck, I can teach you a few things too if you want."
[15]
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