[OOC:
Sareth wrote:[OOC]And I think Brad and Lillith should quiet down for a bit to give the townies a chance to catch up in time. Say when.[/OOC]
OK. There's one thing I want to get out in play, and after that, we'll let them rest for a while.
Incidentally, we're beyond our usual thread length, and it might be time to start another one and archive this one. Of course, that length is arbitrary, so we don't
have to switch, but the time is coming soon. (Alberich, FYI, we usually try to create a new thread after one reaches 250-270 entries just so that readers won't have to do too much pawing through articles to find the one they want. The break between threads can be anything from nonexistent -- picking up right where the previous one left off -- or overnight, or rarely, even longer.) So for a little closure, and a little movement:]
"Oh, my," Sister Rose said, blushing slightly, upon reaching the cloisters. Without a word to Argus, she quietly renewed the damping spell, and extended it to where Bryce and Maduin were staying. "They're taking their instructions to lie low rather seriously, aren't they? I think we can head back to the inn and finish up with the diary." She smiled (outwardly). "I'm a bit tapped out on magic, but I don't think we're going to need magical silencing tonight quite as much as they are."
Dammit.
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Brad, of course, wouldn't let the love of his life overburden herself for any longer than absolutely necessary, but he had to face it: there were times when a mother's touch was the right thing, even if it was a "surrogate" mother. He therefore didn't interfere in the carrying arrangement until Lillith was starting to show signs of wear. (It took longer than he expected, he was pleased to see; this woman he loved was so
strong...) When they did finally transfer the boy from her shoulders to his, he took the opportunity to ask a question that had been bothering him for a while.
"So this was the thing that you used to make the bolts fly? How does it work?" he said.
Ronnie squirmed a little. "Yes, Your Eminence," he said. (Brad decided not to correct him, not now.) "I just had to be rubbin' it, then it be shootin' arrows. But after the whirlwind, it don't be workin' any more. I be thinkin' it got busted when the wind be knockin' pieces off it." He had a sheepish look as he continued. "Lucky-like, I be not a very good shot. See, I be thinkin' you-all be demons, which you ain't. I'm glad I be missin' you."
Brad smiled as he hoisted the boy onto his own shoulders. "So are we. Did it make the fireworks too?" A nod from Ronnie confirmed this, then he got on to the real question on his mind. "Your poor uncle gave it to you. Did he say where he found it?"
Ronnie thought, looked unfomfortable, made a decision. "Yessir," he finally said. "He said he be pickin' it up on the ground at the stable, when he be goin' by there the first time an' seein' the fire. It be like somebody be leavin' it there ..." The reminder of his uncle was threatening to make him cry again, so Brad hastily changed the subject, joining his beloved in murmuring comfort to the boy until they reached the temple.
[OOC: So are we good to start a new topic? Two or three more entries in "Background Noise" on the journal will follow, starting this evening -- have been busy since weekend and unable to write much. Incidentally, yes, I know that what Ronnie said this time about the origin of the gadget differs from what he said before -- but by now he'd be opening up just a little, and less inclined to evade. It's important.]