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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 1:57:03 GMT -6
It was understandable. But something also felt off to him. When the duo were close enough, the ssashirk began walking toward them. "Can I help you? What busssinessss do you have?", they hissed, annoyance in their voice. Xentus didn't expect them to be friendly, but they were still striking him as strange somehow. Perhaps he wasn't the first to come interrogating today.
"Greetings. This one has been sent by the Bukkuk-"
"Their sssshipment? Lossst or sssomething", the ssashirk cut him off abruptly, trying to wave off the leopard quickly. This would not work. And frankly only raised his suspicions. "Not lost. Stolen", the leopard retorted firmly, "This one wouldn't suppose he could take a look for himself, could he?"
The man before him seemed to reel back slightly, disgust evident on their sneer. Their narrowed eyes cast a glance toward Mizura briefly, seeming to hatch an excuse. "Not with that monssster you won't." A soft smile crept onto the leopard's face. Normally he would be offended, but this would work just fine.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 2:08:47 GMT -6
"Ah, so she shall stay here and keep watch then, yes? How does Miz feel about that?", Xentus turned and asked the wiurn, who's annoyance and anxiety seemed to only grow. The strange men, the tight pier, the teasing waters only a few feet away.. A low grumble bubbled in her throat, head bowing down to make her false eyes more visible. The ssashirk reeled back yet again, eyes flicking between the wiurn and its master. For as calm a facade the leopard had, the beast he had on the chain certainly made him seem more threatening.
"Show us to the hold, if you would. We will be quick", Xentus pressed. It was enough to make the ssashirk attendant falter, a visible gulp traveling down their neck. "Fine, fine. You will not be finding anything..", they murmured and began leading up the gangplank. A nervous eye kept tabs on the leopard and his company as they boarded the ship.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 2:22:25 GMT -6
They were quickly led across the deck and down into the hold, skirting around the crew members busily offloading crates. The lizardfolk seemed to grow increasingly tense, stopping short of their destination. A firm hand thumped on a bulkhead twice, then the man spoke, "Jussst up there we kept that ssshipment. I've got work, be quick." And in quite the hurry, the ssashirk was gone. The leopard barely had time to object, mouth part way open to speak. But.. Perhaps this would work out in his favor.
Mizura was not a fan of the tight quarters below deck, sticking close to the leopard with a grumble ever present in her throat. But beyond that, he could still hear something. Shuffling? None of the crew were here.. Cautiously, the mammalian stalked forward with wiurn in tow, soon coming across a large wooden crate with its lid ajar. It only took a quick look to see it had been tampered with.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 2:31:13 GMT -6
As he began to inspect the crate more thoroughly, quickened, heavy footsteps alerted him to someone making a quick exit. It was dark below deck, but the figure was darker, shrouded, and heaving a smaller wooden crate.
"Ay! Hold it!", the leopard shouted, almost in a growl, "Come, Miz!" He set off after the figure, dropping Mizura's chain and hoping she would keep up. Before him, the hatch slammed shut at the top of the stairwell, granting the fleeing figure precious seconds of time. The leopard could feel his claws digging into the wood for traction, desperate to make it up the stairs. He tackled against the hatch, flinging it open. The clatter of wood against wood was not enough to drown out the scrape and heaving of the figure pushing a chest overboard.
Blue eyes frantically flicked between the falling crate and the man attempting to make his escape. At a time like this, he wished he'd trained Mizura to hunt after a target.. In these fleeting moments, he had to make a decision; chase the man down or retrieve the goods. Mizura might get disoriented in this place, nor did he trust his own ability to keep pace with the man as he fled into the busy dock. It would seem the mysterious figure would have to get away. But, he could at least retrieve the stolen goods.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 18, 2020 2:52:48 GMT -6
The leopard steeled himself and made a running start over the railing of the ship, large wiurn trailing after him. A clawed hand clutched his amulet, begging for it to not fail him as he dove into the lake. The shock of the cool waters stunned him momentarily, but he began his dive after the steadily sinking crate. He could hear the splash from above as Mizura entered the water as well, her form gliding effortlessly past him. He used her as a crutch, diving into the depths to retrieve the chest. -- Xentus made his return back to shore, wooden box and wiurn in tow. He had a report to make to the twins. A set of books untouched, a strange crate of value, and a mysterious man on the loose. The Bukkukipas were delighted to find their shipment was mostly in tact, but disappointed to need to find themselves a new trade company. And the leopard found himself to make a decent enough impromptu detective, though not much of a hero. That was certainly enough thrill for one day..
20 > Exeunt Xentus and Mizura (20)
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Post by NPC on Aug 19, 2020 9:12:24 GMT -6
Congratulations, you have successfully completed the quest! Your QP will be added to the bank and your reward sent out shortly.
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