In need of a guide (Zokia)

Ulfr Grimsson · May 26, 2005, 05:04 PM

A short figure enshrouded in a hooded black cloak approached the Ranger Hall somewhat hesitantly. The figure was clearly torn between the desire to run the opposite direction and whatever it was that drove it here. It moved fitfully a few paces forward and then paused for a moment before moving onwards.

Eventually, even this slow progress was enough to reach its objective and the figure paused at the door to the Hall, its nerve not enough to actually carry it over the threshold and instead it waited to see if someone would come in or out.

Zokia Zora · May 31, 2005, 08:45 AM

Zokia Zora was heading toward the Hall for the first time this Brightening. Immediately her keen violet colored eyes picked up the presence of another. The clothing that it wore and so the Esh’lahier Elf approached cautiously hid its face and body. She desired to display a good manner, since it reflected upon the reputation of all Rangers. Zo smiled softly and then cleared her throat so that she would gather it's attention without startling it. "May I help you?"

The figure appeared very nervous and so as with all nervous creatures Zo tended to think that they were unpredictable. Zo kept her thumb linked through the standard bow that was wrapped over her lithesome shoulder. She may not be able to shot him with an arrow, if he tried anything violent, but she would at least be able to whack him in the head with it if she used it like a club. Inwardly the female smiled with this picture forming in her mind.

Ulfr Grimsson · May 31, 2005, 05:04 PM

The figure had been paused on the threshold of the Hall, shifting weight from one foot to another and it's whole concentration focused on the doorway and what lay within.

It appeared that the figure had not even considered the possibility that it might be followed from outside and it certainly was not expecting a soft voice to greet it from behind.

The reaction was thus somewhat predictable and it jumped, emitting a sqeak of surprise. On landing again it spun and flattened itself against the wall by the doorway, the hood of its cloak falling down and covering its face. It's right hand scrabbled at the cloth while it trembled and warbled to itself in distress.

After a few moments it got hold of the errant hood and swept the cloth back, revealing the features of a goblin, and not an especially large one. Its eyes swept around looking for the woman that had frightened it and centered on the features of Zokia.

It's eyes fixed on her features and it wilted visibly at the sight of one of her race here. For a moment it appeared that it would melt on the spot, but after a while it pulled itself together and spoke.

Ju know de rangers mistress? I was looking for a ranger to help me.

Zokia Zora · June 1, 2005, 12:58 PM

Zo almost giggled out loud upon observing the antics of the creature but she held it in, assigning it the honor that it may or may not deserve. She watched it with kind eyes until its species was revealed to her. A goblin! Zo had never personally seen a goblin but only knew of their existence. It was a good day if learning or seeing something new.

Zo crouched down and listened to him as he spoke to her. Ju know de rangers mistress? I was looking for a ranger to help me. Zokia Zora nodded delightfully because she knew the answer to his question. She spoke softly toward him so as to keep from frightening him once again. "I do know of the Rangers...what need do you have of one?" Naturally she didn't want to reveal to the creature that she was a Ranger, at least not until she knew for sure why he was seeking one.

Ulfr Grimsson · June 1, 2005, 01:34 PM

The goblin was taken a little askance at the answer. It bit its lip and stared at Zokia for a moment while it decided whether or not to take her answer at face value. Elves such as herself it had some dealings with, but rarely had it any reason to trust them. On the other hand, this one did appear to have some dealings with the Rangers here, and Rangers were reputedly to be trusted.

The goblin didn't have much reason to trust anything, elf or ranger, regardless of reputations but it also knew that it was in danger in this shara city, strange as it was. There seemed less threat of direct violence here but it was strange and without known boltholes to hide in, the goblin was nervous.

I have need of their services, he hissed out reluctantly after a while. I am told dat dey are experts in de wilderness and travel. His head nodded in time with the words that he spoke. I have need of some explorations in the wilderness and I would hire a guide. Do you know of any Rangers dat would be willing to do dat?

It smiled up at Zokia hopefully.

Zokia Zora · June 1, 2005, 05:04 PM

Zo finally let out a soft chuckle do to the antics of this creature. She wished to share the fact that she was a Ranger with him but she also wanted to know more information about his little trek into the wilderness. The female stood and placed her hands firmly on her slender hips as she shifted from side to side, looking rather firmly down at him. "And what is the purpose of this little trek in the wilderness? The Ranger is going to want to know this kind of information. And how much are you willing to pay?"

Zo starred him down until he was willing to give her the appropriate answers to her inquiries and then perhaps she would tell him that she was a Ranger. This bit of information would set his mind at ease but his answers would also set her mind to rest. So what they both searched for was answers, hence communication was needed, nay essential. The Elf began to pace in front of him as if she were interrogating him.

Ulfr Grimsson · June 2, 2005, 05:59 AM

The goblin quailed slightly under the interrogation and pressed against the wall behind it, but at the same time it had a certain pride and when the elf started pacing up and down, it straightened its back and pushed itself off the wall.

It shifted its shoulders and raised its chin self importantly, but the eyes which tracked every movement still showed its alertness and fear.

My mission is a secret one, entrusted to me personally by the thei.. I mean, by a high government official and only to be shared with the Rangers and not with some chance met stranger.

The goblin held itself more proudly and to be fair to it, its acheivements so far in getting here were worthy of pride for the little creature.

As for pay, well I wish to hire only the most elite of rangers, so I will pay five gold crowns a brightening. The goblin beleived it to be a fair price, plus the ranger would get to keep anything that they found along the way, if anything.

Zokia Zora · June 2, 2005, 08:18 AM

Zo grinned upon seeing the newly bolstered spirit and pride of the creature. In truth she didn't mean to seem so hard on him but she didn't want to get herself into something that would cost her something greater than mere gold coins. The female finally moved in and winked at him as she spoke softly, as if what she had to say was a secret and for his ears only. "I am a Ranger...maybe not an 'elite' as you seek but I know the wilderness pretty well to survive and I have more common sense then most.

Zo stood to full height and waited for a response from him. If she wouldn't be what he had in mind then she could always find another Ranger that would better suit him. She also thought about the five gold coins a brightening. It didn't seem like much but she didn't have any other offers at the moment anyway and a trek in the forest would give her the experience that she needed.

Ulfr Grimsson · June 2, 2005, 10:24 AM

The goblin spluttered at the revelation that she was a Ranger, and glared at her balefully, realising that she had been playing with it.

Ranger are you? How do I know that you are a Ranger and not just playing tricks to get me to tell you my mission?

Clearly he still wasn't sure of her, but he was also clearly tempted by the idea that he had already found someone who could help him and get the mission underway. One thing that had been impressed into him was that it was urgent that it start quickly.
~

Steve Lionhart Gil'dae · June 3, 2005, 11:55 AM

Boredom. The plauge of youth. Some people were quite happy to sit around doing nothing, to watch the day go by. Steve wasn't at all like this. His usual destinations were taverns, more taverns, and the occasional random city hundreds of miles away. There was one more place worth visiting more than most in Narim. For him, anyway. Because he knew where to find a certain someone.Approaching the Ranger Hall, the bald man spotted two figures at the entrance. One looked familiar, but the other didn't. As he drew closer, he could pick out their conversations, except from when she spoke quietly and winked. Is he trying to make a move on her? he thought, with some amusement. Almost next to the elf but still slowly approaching, he looked down at the goblin with a curious expression, and glanced sideways at Zokia.

"Well, if she isn't a ranger she's been lying to more than one person. I thought we had no secrets." He smiled brightly and mischeviously at Zokia, wrapping a arm around her. "You can probably trust her, she is a ranger." He told the goblin. He knew he'd probably ruined whatever effect she was trying to pull on the confused creature. "So who's your friend sweetie?" He asked Zokia, proud of his sudden interuption at the most inappropiate moment. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too agitated. Agitated people weren't as affectionate. Also he hoped the goblin wasn't too flustered. While he usually was less than fond of green toothy creatures, he'd never actually seen a goblin before, but recognised the creature from general knowledge. His policy was no prejudice untill its tried to kill, pillage or burn you.

Ooc: Hope you don't mind Ulfr

Ulfr Grimsson · June 4, 2005, 11:24 AM

ooc: Not at all Steve, I was expecting you to appear

The mans stealthy approach had not gone unnoticed by the cautious goblin, but since he had not appeared to be actively hostile, he had ignored him. Well, almost anyway, for the goblin had edged towards the doorway, ready to bolt inside in the hope that the Rangers might protect him from this pair.

Ju, he spoke into the pause in conversation while the woman found her words to reply. Why ju think dat I beleive you, when ju friends wid dis woman?

He was almost inclined to beleive, after all he was on the threshold of the Hall, but caution was a natural survival instinct for the goblin.

Steve Lionhart Gil'dae · June 5, 2005, 04:17 PM

Realising that Zokia would probably be pleased if she managed to get the little fellow to trust or at least believe her (for what purpose he wasn't sure) he was slightly alarmed that this question was being aimed at him and he had to think of a clever response. He raised a hand in a calming gesture. "I didn't say that I thought you believed me. But she is a ranger, thats just the truth." He spoke plainly and to the point with his gaze fixed into the goblins eyes. Zokia had been playing games to find out more, so it had fair reason to suspect her. Steve merely thought it was clever of her. Somebody could have tricked the creature for malicious purposes. And the goblin didn't know her well enough to judge. But he did and the goblins suspicion was unjustified as far as he was concerned. And he certainly hoped he was right, since Steve liked to think he knew her better than anybody else in Narim. Knowing the creature wouldn't take his word for it, he instead hoped Zokia would give a forthcoming answer and it'd believe at least that she was a ranger. Hopefully not too many other people strode into the ranger hall with bows anyway. It was probably a security issue. He didn't know if hooded goblins could be trusted either.

Zokia Zora · June 7, 2005, 10:59 AM

All situations tended to become revealed quite quickly and this one was no different, especially when a certain 'person' decided to spring his presence upon a certain 'female Elf'. Zo rolled her violet colored eyes and then proceeded to try and jab a pointed elbow into the ribs of Steve. He blew her strategy and she would make him aware of this but the Goblin wouldn't have to know just how close the pair of them was and are. "What are you doing? I have this situation under control!" Zo's attention flashed to the Goblin. "This is not my friend! So why would he lie for me?" She shot Steve a glare of contempt though hidden within were emotions that could only be revealed to him in private.

Zo took a few paces back and then took a deep sigh. "Alright...I am a Ranger. I just needed to know your intentions. Perhaps I should have just asked you instead of trying to beat around the bush. I apologize for that." The Elf took yet another few paces but this time toward the strange creature and a bit quicker. She eyed him carefully, inspecting his movements to see if she could trust him. "Will you tell me now about your mission and perhaps then I would be happy to accept it?" Zo grinned with an evil grin dancing about her features as she spoke the next words, directing them toward Steve as she glanced back at him with a wink in her eye. "And perhaps a certain male would join us then..."

Ulfr Grimsson · June 7, 2005, 12:48 PM

The goblin glanced between the two of them and frowned. Goblins might not be the brightest of creatures on Telath, but it could see that the two of them knew eachother well, and if they were not friends then what were they then? Enemies?

The goblin skittered back a few paces into the security of the doorway as Zokia bore down on him and then glared at her.

First he says you are friends and then you say that you are not. The goblin didn't stick too closely to the exact history of the event, but its meaning was clear.

I suppose that I can reveal to you my mission, since you do appear to have the appearance of a Ranger. And yes, perhaps your friend, who is not a friend can come along too.

I need to travel through the wilderness and visit the towns there. There are rumours of dangerous things roaming the wilderness. Like elves, he thought but kept the thought private.

And in any case, I think that they will not allow me into the towns. When I tried before, they chased me off.

I am but a poor merchant, but I cannot trade unless I know what the towns have for sale or what they are in need of...

Steve Lionhart Gil'dae · June 8, 2005, 10:53 AM

"Ey!" Was the general sound that came from his mouth, sounding more narimite than usual in its strange sailorish accent. He pretended to look hurt while really he was on the break of cracking up with laughter for no real reason. He turned around and wondered away a short distance. He wasn't sure if she was angry or not, and he wasn't aware of her violent tendancies. However, no real harm was done to him anyway and he thought it was all fairly amusing. Finally, all thanks to him she gave the little green guy a straight answer, instead of faffing around and acting all mysterious. It was probably like most women to waste time and confuse people, he realised. He turned his head back towards the pair as he was mentioned. The goblin seemed confused about it all.

Steve looked over at Zokia, and, with a over the top fake angry way about him, he promptly spurted out "Why should I, I'm not your friend!" Steve then poked his tongue out at her. Normally wandering around Sheria with some goblin wouldn't interest him, but since it was Zokia, it did. As in, Zokia would be with the goblin, she wasn't a goblin. He had the sense that the goblin wouldn't be so evasive if that was what he was really going to do, but he didn't care much for the creatures mission. Leaving a pause after his last comment he smiled. "Sure I'll come, not really sure why you want me there. I guess its because you love me really, hmm?" He approached cautiously, then rested his arm on her shoulder, ready to bolt incase she tried to slap him or something. However playfully that was. Maybe she was just a vicious elf?