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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:33:27 GMT -6
The sky was threatening rain with flashing white knives, cutting through the sky. Luckily the lightning was caught by the dozens of lightning rods affixed to the tops of the buildings across the city, funneling the energy no doubt to various acts of mad science across town. The sky could lash and roil all it wanted, but, at least for a fleeting moment, humanity was in charge. Emery wasn’t planning on staying out and about in this weather, but Orpheus had been characteristically uncooperative in his walk today, and it had taken longer than expected. She was now cutting through town in a different direction than usual to try and make it home sooner, coming across the quest board in the process. She didn’t have the energy to take a quest right now, and was planning on walking right by, but unfortunately for her the board was not alone today. (This is Emery's first time completing this quest.) Emery 1 Orpheus 8.1/4.1 1
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:33:43 GMT -6
There were a pair of twin mammalians standing next to it, passing out flyers to anyone who would pause for a moment. Unfortunately, Emery moved slow enough that most of her actions could be considered one continuous pause. One of them stepped into her path, his eyes skimming up and down her form for a moment, blinking, as if wondering where to look while speaking. “...Can I help you.” She droned, a thin green line on her screen wobbling to the sound of her voice. His eyes locked on that. “Yes! I couldn’t help but notice your estharne. It- well, we need some assistance. Quite urgently.” Emery turned her head slightly towards the quest board. “...I could guess that. However, I am simply-” “Stolen!” The other mammalian interjected, coming up behind her. Emery and Orpheus were now trapped in a sandwich of socialization, and she did not enjoy being the filling.
Emery 2 Orpheus 8.2/4.2 2
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:33:57 GMT -6
Before Emery could explain herself, the other mammalian spoke again. “We are the purveyors of a VERY fine book shop.” The one in front of her shoved a business card in her hand, reading “Osamuchi and Kiosamu Bukkukipa, Booksellers, The Dusty Scroll” along with an address. While she scanned it, the Bukkukipa twin behind her kept speaking, sidling around to her side. “We had a special order coming in tonight- one of a kind- and it was reported stolen at the docks! We need someone to apprehend the criminal- or at least get the book back.” He said, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead. Emery tapped the business card thoughtfully. She was… a LITTLE intrigued. “What book is it that you’re missing?” One of the mammalians- Kiosamu, perhaps? She was assigning him Kiosamu in her head, at least, spoke up. “It’s a very rare tome. First edition. Kallassamar’s Book of Spells.”
Emery 3 Orpheus 8.3/4.3 3
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:34:14 GMT -6
A spellbook? Now that was interesting. “A magic book. Those are… rare. Difficult to get ahold of.” She said, and the finger she was tapping on the card increased in speed. “Yes! You understand.” Said, presumably, Osamuchi. “It’s a first edition too. You can practically feel the energy radiating off of it- or so we’ve been told. It’s very powerful, and we were all set to study it, but well… it was intercepted.” He said with a shrug. “And you think I’m capable of getting it back?” She said, knocking on one of her leg supports. It made a dull clang. The twins looked at each other briefly, now a bit sheepish. “Well we have to admit, you’re the most… intimidating individual we’ve seen come by so far. And your estharne certainly looks worth his salt!” He said, gesturing at Orpheus. The creature stood up a bit straighter, now examining the two mammalians more keenly.
Emery 4 Orpheus 8.4/4.4 4
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:34:32 GMT -6
“Have you alerted the city guard yet?” Emery said, pointing out the obvious. Osamuchi nodded. “Yes, but… well, surely you know how slowly justice can move in this city. It’s on their “to-do list”. But the longer we wait, the less likely we’ll be to ever see it again!” Emery simply nodded in response. That was… quite well known of missing objects and missing people. “...Very well. I shall assist. But.” She said, holding up a finger. “There is no guarantee I will be able to obtain it. And if I DO obtain it… I would like to come… read it, on occasion. It could be useful.” The pair sighed with relief, their tails finally drooping to the ground. They agreed hurriedly and practically pushed Emery down the sidewalk again, happy to at least have ANYONE looking into it. Emery huffed to herself as she extended her walk down towards the dock. She hoped she knew what she was getting into.
Emery 5 Orpheus 9.0/4.4 5
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:49:57 GMT -6
After some preparation, Emery headed out to the docks, with Orpheus leading the way. The estharne was perfectly comfortable in the night, even as the streetlights clicked on. This mission would be nothing to him- but then again, he had a lot less to lose if things went wrong. Emery couldn't imagine someone willing to steal a tome of shadow magic would be particularly friendly towards someone trying to steal it back. On the way there, she had plenty of time to think about how she was going to… handle this, exactly. The woman had a backpack on her back that she had stuffed with some supplies. Including, crucially, a fake book. It was a bit sloppily rendered- she dressed it up how the Bukkukipa twins described, but given the time she had she couldn't make it very convincing. Hopefully the darkness would conceal the differences until she had already made her escape.
Emery 6 Orpheus 9.1/4.6 6
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -6
She also had a knife in her pocket, though, well, she was hoping she wouldn't have to use it. It wasn't necessarily that she was morally opposed- thievery was a crime, she was justified, and she didn't particularly care about whoever it was she was stabbing- it was simply not something she was very good at. Besides, she had Orpheus with her. She wasn't sure he liked her enough to actually help if she was in trouble, but she was also sure he wouldn't turn down an opportunity for violence if things started getting hairy. If someone started getting violent, then everyone would start getting violent if Orpheus was involved. But ideally, it wouldn't have to come to that- Emery luckily already had some fingers in the pie that was the docks' undermarket. The parts she was made of weren't always... above the board, and she had to go through some effort sourcing them.
Emery 7 Orpheus 9.2/4.7 7
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:01:32 GMT -6
As a result, she already knew quite a few people down there and was well known as a reliable customer. She had to be- she very much needed the various rare transistors and complex mechanical parts that made up her support system, and was willing to go the extra mile to obtain them. Hopefully her reputation as a reliable customer would get her to the right places to find this book, and the thief's less reputable nature would make it so people would look the other way when she stole something that "belonged" to them. That was how she was hoping it would go, at least. That left the most obvious thing she was missing- a lead. There wasn't exactly a literal marketplace for these sorts of things- just word of mouth and meeting places and items stashed in strange places. Luckily, she knew a couple of strange places to start looking.
Emery 8 Orpheus 9.3/4.8 8
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:04:33 GMT -6
It didn't take much to get into the docks this time of night. Even though Emery's footsteps were loud and unsubtle, there were many corners that were left missed or unguarded, and it wasn't difficult for her to wiggle through a heavily degraded patch of fence. The metal edges tugged on Orpheus's fur, and he growled softly. "I know." She said, guiding his shoulder through with one hand. "We'll be quick, and then you can go home and take a nap." She said, her mechanical voice far from reassuring, but Orpheus didn't seem to mind regardless. Even he seemed to realize the need for stealth, and he kept close to Emery's side as they wove their way between warehouses and shacks, the sound of lapping water against the docks in the distance. Emery dimmed the brightness of her screen, keeping it just high enough that she could see. If they kept to the shadows, they might be okay.
Emery 9 Orpheus 9.4/4.9 9
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:11:28 GMT -6
Now, she just had to find a way into one of these buildings... "Hey Emery, is that you?" Came a voice from her left. Fuck. Well. Stealth was right out. "I could hear you coming a mile away!" ...Not that she was very stealthy to start with. She turned to face the man. A humanish fellow, with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Ah, yes, she had talked to this man several times before in her trips down here. He was very friendly, but not especially bright, but had a very good knack for knowing the comings and goings of the docks... for a fee. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite recall his name. "...Hello." She said, gripping Orpheus's leash tightly. "Aw, is he friendly?" The man said, leaning down and reaching his hand out to make a very stupid mistake. Emery yanked the leash back as Orpheus growled. "No. But, perhaps you could help me with something."
Emery 10 Orpheus 10.0/5.0 10
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:49:12 GMT -6
Before the man could insert his own assumptions, Emery began to speak again. "I am here to pick up a book. A spell tome, like this one." She said, getting out the false book and pointing at it. "This one is just for display- I'm looking for the real copy." The man raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "You're getting into magic now?" "...It would help." She said, realizing her excuse wasn't the best. "I was told the pickup would be here tonight, but I've gotten turned around. I don't suppose you could help?" The man scoffed. "No, I don't think I can. I don't pay attention to-" She pulled out a fistful of credits. "-Most things, but you're in luck! I saw some guy carrying a cloth wrapped... thingy. I'm not sure what it was, but it was about the same size and shape as a book, and it was all... fuzzy."
Emery 11 Orpheus 10.1/5.1 11
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:52:08 GMT -6
"Fuzzy?" Emery asked, tilting her head. "Yeah, fuzzy! You know, visually, how things go all swimmy when you're looking at something super magical." The realization crept in- Emery did indeed know what he was talking about. "Ah yes, that would be my associate. Would you happen to know where...?" She said, leaving the gender out, considering she didn't actually know who he was talking about. "Yeah, he went to that uhhh ugly red shack at the end of pier 6. Gave me a nasty look and holed himself up in there. Whatever though- at least I'M not wearing stupid pants." He said, gesturing at his overalls. "...I'll be sure to pass along the comment on his manner of dress." Emery said. "Yeah, 'course! Good luck out there!" He said. "Likewise." Emery responded with a wave, and headed out towards the pier he mentioned. Surely there couldn't be that many rectangular magical objects floating around the docks in one night?
Emery 12 Orpheus 10.2/5.2 12
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 12:58:41 GMT -6
She certainly hoped so, at least. She also hoped that she would be able to get the book away from the man without any issue. In her experience, the people who moved around here were rarely the final customers. If the item was worth having, if the person who wanted it was important enough, they'd send a broker. Emery only came herself because, well, she was too cheap for the time being to risk anyone else's skin picking things up. With any luck, the person she was going to find wasn't the final buyer, and could be spooked out of keeping the book... ideally. As she approached the pier, she realized the "ugly red shack" was the only building on it. Very few places to hide. Not ideal, but she didn't have any other choice. The shack wasn't too large, nor too small- about fifteen by fifteen feet. And already she could hear someone shuffling around in there.
Emery 13 Orpheus 10.3/5.3 13
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:13:16 GMT -6
No windows. No hope of getting on the roof to check for a skylight. There was only one path to take... Emery knocked on the door. She waited a few moments. Then raised her hand and knocked again, once- "Yeah, I heard you the first time! Give me a minute!" The man that opened the door... did indeed have some very stupid pants. She supposed in another land they might be practical desert-wear, but in this one the sheer number of tassels all over them were mind boggling. Orpheus watched, entranced as they swayed and shook with each small movement the man made. Emery gripped his leash tight- but then loosened her hand again. Perhaps having him free would have its benefits. The man looked Emery up and down. "Oh. You aren't- who are you?" He said. Crap. She hadn't planned that far. "...I am the intended recipient for the book you have." She said.
Emery 14 Orpheus 10.4/5.4 14
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Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:25:57 GMT -6
The man paused for a moment, looking at Emery's screen, before doubling over in laughter. "Shit, how dumb do you think I am? I only met the guy once, but I think I would have remembered if he had a TV for a head!" "...It's a computer." Emery clarified, only to be met without another round of laughter. "Alright, how about this- I keep the book, and you get to walk away for free for giving me a good laugh, eh?" He said, laughter still shaking his frame. Emery looked at him, and then glanced down at Orpheus. She had a better idea. Slackening her hand, she let the estharne go free- who immediately leapt at the man, who's pants shook and waved like the little toys she played with him with. But bigger. And full of meat. The laughter was soon turned to screams as the man tried pushing the estharne off, who was biting and tearing at the tassels.
Emery 15 Orpheus 11.0/5.5 15
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