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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 2:36:03 GMT -6
Ashe eyed the man, taking him in. His grungy appearance, his eyes that once glittered with mischief but now looked fearfully at Ashe. He also noticed there was a necklace hanging around his neck, and he was getting the magical vibration from it; was this the charm that allowed him to change his appearance, or was it simply another magical item he'd stolen? He'd deal with that later; right now, he had to get him back to his house so Ashe could get the item.
"You can tell me the way from here?" Ashe said, raising an eyebrow. Which might not show in the dark. He did see the man nod, however. The dim light reflecting off his eyeballs made the movement obvious. "Alright then." Ashe hoisted the man up over his shoulder. He was smaller than Ashe was, and more like a weasel, so he figured he could carry him at least most of the way. He didn't trust him not to try to break his feet free, and Ashe just wanted this to be over with. His happy buzz was wearing off and he wanted either a bed with water, or another drink with some attractive people.
"Tell me which roads to take," Ashe told him. Inyala kept an eye on him over Ashe's shoulder, and Toxic Rose trailed them, eliciting a shriek from the man the first time she revealed herself from the shadows. He hadn't known she was there!
Toxic Rose 2 0/5 Inyala: 3 1/5 Ashe: 0 16/20 Post 16
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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 2:41:02 GMT -6
They walked on for a good twenty minutes. Ashe took orders from the man, turning right onto this road, hanging a left here, walking straight for another mile, yes he saw that house between the two elms, alright they were at the front door. The whole time, Inyala had guarded Ashe's back to make sure he didn't try to cast any magic or use anything. It was a good thing Ashe had bound his hands together up over his head like that, so they couldn't fuss with a pocket or try to wriggle free enough to cast anything. This way, he couldn't even touch let alone move.
Toxic Rose trailed behind them, and now she came up in front to investigate the house, sniffing around for traps or guard animals. But it seemed like it was safe enough - all things considered. Ashe walked to the front door and set him down on his feet. "Now, if you'll just un-untie m-me, I'll let you in-" the man started, but Ashe shook his head. "I'll set you free when I have my item and I leave," Ashe said, not listening to it or falling for it. If he could change his appearance, he probably had other magical things in there, and Ashe didn't want him raising the alarm.
The man sighed, knowing he was beat. "Front left pocket. Key."
Toxic Rose 2 1/5 Inyala: 3 2/5 Ashe: 0 17/20 Post 17
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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 2:45:39 GMT -6
And Ashe quickly located it, pulling it out and opening the door. He thrust the man inside first, in case there was a booby trap, but nothing happened. He flicked on the lights on and walked inside, Toxic Rose following with her tails flowing. Ashe left the door open behind them in case they needed a quick getaway, and so it couldn't shut and lock them inside.
"Now tell me, what item is it my employer would want?"
The man had seen Ashe talking to the man, or the man had sold Ashe out in return for his good service... Either was possible. But the man wouldn't have been able to target Ashe specifically without knowing his face. Perhaps the man put a bounty out on Ashe, too, since Ashe's face had been on one of those sly cards? Maybe he would have people hunting him down for an item soon. Did this mean...that this man was innocent? But no, wait - he seemed to know the item Ashe spoke of, and if someone approached Ashe in the same manner, he wouldn't have a clue.
Stop being paranoid, Ashe told himself.
"It's on the wall. That large painting of the roses and thorns," the man said dejectedly, as if finally admitting complete defeat.
Ashe frowned. "A painting? All of this trouble, for a painting of flowers?"
Toxic Rose 2 1/5 Inyala: 3 2/5 Ashe: 0 17/20 Post 17
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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 2:54:26 GMT -6
The man cleared his throat. "Hey, it's a priceless painting! Made by Evan Fitz!" Ashe didn't know or care anything about famous painters or art. He didn't mind looking at it, or decorating a house with it, but to care who it was painted by? He couldn't have cared less.
"It looks like something a kid could do," Ashe said dismissively. He walked over to the painting and started to lift it off the wall, going slow and hesitating, in case there was a trap. But there was no trap here, either. He lifted the painting off and set it on the ground, looking it over. Weird, that someone would go through all of this trouble...for this.
"Yeah, well..." The man trailed off, shrugging off Ashe's insults. He didn't seem to care about the painting either, actually, which made Ashe wonder if it was even a real priceless painting by whatshisface. "Howard valued it, so I got it. He's my brother, you see. It's silly, really. It's not something I even wanted, but, well, brothers do stupid stuff when they're pissed at each other." He looked up at Ashe. "You have your item, can you release me yet?"
Ashe considered this. He looked at Toxic Rose, who was watching the man evenly. She was holding it up pretty well. Inyala shifted on his shoulder, getting antsy. "Alright. One second."
Toxic Rose 2 2/5 Inyala: 3 3/5 Ashe: 0 18/20 Post 18
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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 3:16:45 GMT -6
The one second ended up being for Ashe to make a split decision. He reached for the man's neck, causing him to cry out and fall backward. But before he was out of range, Ashe snagged his necklace on a finger and gave a jerk, breaking the string thong holding it there. "You'll be free in three minutes, but I'm taking this for all my trouble," he told the man. He turned, his companions leaving the house with him, to a chorus of shouts and yells. But by the time the man was freed and reached the door to chase after them, man and beasts were gone. To make matters worse, that thief hadn't settled for the bullshit he'd thrown out last minute, but he'd discovered the true item sought and fought for...
--
Ashe went to the questing board the next day. He could have gone that night and perhaps found that guy, but honestly he just felt like going home, relaxing with one more drink, before passing out with a couple bottles of water near his bed. What he craved was a woman, but Vix was out for the night, hence why he'd even done the quest at all right now. Jinx was so close, just in the next room... But she was too willing and eager, and Ashe wouldn't be able to hold himself back once they got going. So he went to bed alone, waking around noon the next day. He took his same partners, and they quickly spotted the quest giver, lurking nearby.
Toxic Rose 2 3/5 Inyala: 3 4/5 Ashe: 0 19/20 Post 19
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Post by Ashe on Dec 6, 2019 3:33:04 GMT -6
"Ah, yes, I remember you! Back so soon?" The sly man faltered, looking at the picture Ashe was carrying. "What is that?" He asked, and Ashe thought he was trying to sound patient but also that he was starting to think of Ashe as a simpleton, if this was what he brought him in return.
Ashe held up the picture, showing it to him. "It's a priceless painting by something something Fitz," he said with a shrug. "Is it not?"
The man burst out into laughter. "That is a child's painting. His son's painting! From when he was little!" The man was laughing so hard, but the pitch changed. At first, it was true laughter because he thought it hilarious, then it switched to an angrier laugh full of mocking. "You've been had! I thought I could trust you, and you thought I wanted a painting?" The laughter died out and he ran a hand over his face.
Toxic Rose's hackles went up, not liking the tone being taken with her master. She glanced at Ashe, as if waiting for the sign that she should bind this guy in shadows as well. Ashe shook his head at her and smirked. The guy shook his head in disgust and started to walk away - but Ashe pulled out the magic necklace and held it up. "So this is not the item you seek?"
"Ha. HA! HAHA!" The man laughed again, more like a cackle this time. "I thought you had been duped, but it was I! Yes, yes, this is it, wonderful!" He reached out, and Ashe handed the item over.
Toxic Rose 2 4/5 Inyala: 4 0/5 Ashe: 1 0/20 Post 20
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Post by Renathan on Dec 6, 2019 10:24:45 GMT -6
Excellent job! Your QP will be added to the bank, and your prize will be sent to you shortly!
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