|
Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:30:59 GMT -6
"Fuck, get it off! Get it off!" He shrieked, but despite his panic, Emery was relieved that Orpheus wasn't actually hurting him. He seemed far more interested in catching and ripping off the tassels, but it made for a fantastic distraction. There in the corner- was a square shaped object, covered in fabric. With the man otherwise occupied, Emery quickly stripped off the fabric. The book was beautiful- and humming with energy. As quickly as she could manage, she stuffed it into her backpack. She was sure the twins would prefer it with some bent pages rather than never getting it back at all. Then, she slapped her fake book down on the fabric and wrapped it back up as best she could. The whole process took maybe fifteen, twenty seconds, but she prayed it wasn't too long. She turned around, hefting the backpack back up. The man was still "distracted" by Orpheus.
Emery 16 Orpheus 11.1/5.6 16
|
|
|
Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:33:32 GMT -6
She grabbed the estharne's leash and pulled on it, dragging him back. He yowled plaintively, but between her effort and the man's, he scooted backwards out of his grasp, dragging the newly wrapped fake book along with him. "...My apologies. He knocked me over when he jumped. I simply meant to appeal to your goodwill- the book you have is stolen, and I wanted to return it to its rightful owners." The man sputtered, his outfit ruined, but thankfully only with a few scratches himself. "Rightful- st- you think I'm giving you SHIT now? Get out of here! Before I- I-" He whipped out a knife, but glanced at Orpheus, who looked more than ready to go another round. "Before I mess you up real bad! And don't even THINK about calling the guards- I'll be long gone!" Emery held up her hands in a placating gesture. "Of course. My apologies. It would appear I've bitten off more than I can chew."
Emery 17 Orpheus 11.2/5.7 17
|
|
|
Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:41:37 GMT -6
"Just leave." The man hissed, and Emery didn't need to be told twice. She trekked back through the docks, every step carrying her closer towards safety. Hopefully it would take that guy quite some time before he realized the swap had occurred, and by that point she would be long gone. Emery's battered heart throbbed in her chest, adrenaline pumping in spite of herself. Orpheus chewed loudly on a tassel he managed to gnaw off the man's outfit. And yet... that man saw her face. Or, well, the distinctive machinery she used in place of one. And he WOULD figure out that she had duped him eventually. Perhaps he would even seek retribution. Out in the Labs City, he had no means of recourse, but if she ever came back to this part of the docks at night, well... she was sure he would have something more effective against her estharne later.
Emery 18 Orpheus 11.3/5.8 18
|
|
|
Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:48:16 GMT -6
Which meant that now Emery was effectively cut off from her black market connections- at least for a while, until things had calmed down a bit. She sighed heavily as she trekked back into the wilderness between The Labs City and the docks. Hopefully the reward of getting to learn more about magic would be worth it- though she couldn't help but think that there would have been easier ways to figure that out. At the very least, those shopkeepers would be thrilled to have their tome back. And it WAS a valuable tome- she could feel the magic in it throbbing through her backpack, like she had a beating heart in her bag instead of a book. It was impressive to say the least. She tried to put away her more negative thoughts for the rest of the trip, tamping them down- it was a long walk, and she didn't need that on the way there.
Emery 19 Orpheus 11.4/5.9 19
|
|
|
Post by Emery on Oct 15, 2023 13:50:48 GMT -6
By the time she managed to get back to the city and navigate its public transportation, dawn was threatening over the peaks of the buildings once more. She had managed to stay up all night. Orpheus was practically dead on his feet- more so than usual, that was. But working through the night meant it was early morning for the book keepers, who were busy setting up their shop for the day. They were happy to see her, but that happiness turned to being thrilled once she held up the book for them to see. She could barely keep straight what they were saying, though that was perhaps due to exhaustion. They ushered her into the shop and offered her a cup of tea for a job well done, though she couldn't really drink it. But the chair they set her down in was comfortable and Orpheus sat himself right on her feet. And so, she drifted off to sleep while they excitedly took care of the newest tome in their collection.
Emery 20 Orpheus 12.0/6.0 20
|
|
|
Post by NPC on Oct 15, 2023 16:58:17 GMT -6
Congratulations, you have successfully completed the quest! Your QP will be added to the bank, and your prize will be sent out shortly.
|
|