Side One, Ep.2 "Double Dog Dare"

[Legendary Sidekick]

Black-Eyed Susan's Garden

Sister Patty approaches the black-eyed susans, and there is a woman standing among the flowers.

"Hello, Dear," says the nun. "What seems to be the matter?"

"My name is Susan," she says. "My parents named me after these flowers."

"I see."

"But my eyes are brown. The middle of the flowers are brown. They should be called Brown-Eyed Susans. Black-eyed sounds... violent."

The nun shrugs. "It's just the name of a flower."

The woman turns to leave. "So that's it then? That's my 15 minutes of fame?"

"I guess so," says Sister Patty.

An old man grumbles, "I was disappointed by that. I expected to see her reveal 2 black eyes. Then she'd have something to moan about."

"That's my number," says an old lady. "But I don't want to win the pot of gold over someone else's misfortune. Now get lost, or they'll be calling you Toothless Sam."

The old man removes his dentures. "They'd call me that now... if my name was Sam."


((Off to a meeting now, but wanted to post the lucky draw. Still no winners!
Losing #s: 3, 17, 15; NPC picks: 19, 1, 2; other players' picks: ain't telling, but not any of those six #s.))

 

[Reaver]

REAVER


I thank the priest for his time and walk over to Pale Jackal. "I think there's someone you ought to meet."

"Hmm.." the Jackal replies, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Nah. I really don't feel like meeting anyone."

"Well how about free ale and all the food you want?"

My sallow-toned friend does something I rarely see him do. He smiles broadly. "Now that sounds like something useful."

He pulls himself out of the pew he was sitting in and says: "Where we going?"

"It's called the Leaky Quiver."

"Weird name for a pub."

"It's not exactly a pub." I reply with a chuckle as we walk out of the temple, "It's a bordello of sorts."

I stop at the entrance and place the coin the priest gave me into an alms box. There's something off-putting about it and I'd rather not have it with me.

After a short while, the Jackal and I weave our way through a steadily growing crowd and arrive at the Leaky Quiver. It's filled to capacity and we have to push our way to the bar. Before I have a chance to blink, Pale Jackal dons his cestus and leaps at an unsuspecting Jaundiced Jackal. "YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"



PALE JACKAL

So I'm sitting there in this church, thinking about killing and stuff when Reaver says that there's someone I need to meet. I'm not really into meeting people so I tell him no. That's when he offers free booze and food. This makes me happy because apart from fighting and killing stuff, they're my favorite thing.

We leave the church and make our way through a big crowd. I really hate crowds and it doesn't take long before I can hear blood swooshing around in my ears. I really need to bash someone or something before my head explodes.

Just as I get to the point where I can't take it anymore, we finally arrive at this whorehouse called the Leaky Quiver. When we walk inside, it's packed from wall to wall with people and I can't believe that such a rundown shit hole could be so popular.

I follow Reaver to the bar and within seconds I spot that no good son of a bitch Jaundiced. I put my bladed cestus on as quickly as I can and then I bum rush that piece of shit.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

((No attack roll from PJ, but if he does attack, JJ definitely lost the initiative roll.))


Jaundiced Jackal is caught completely off-guard.

"What the hell? PJ--wait--!"

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Esmerelda sees Vincent accompanied by several ladies in the group. Her elderly lips form a playful grin as she asks, "Which of these lovely young ladies would be Diana?" She curtsies to Fenella. "Welcome to my garden, Your Highness." Addressing the group as a whole, she adds, "Let's take the scenic route to the festivities."

She leads those interested past patches of herbs and hanging gardens as well. She reminds Diana, and Jeisera as well, to let her knew what they are interested in making. She explains that it's easier for her to throw a recipe together and get the best herbs than it is to name all of her products. There are rock formations, some with water trickling down. Several plants are in bloom, and there is a hedge maze up ahead.

Before the group can enter the maze, a boy approaches Beatrice. "If it's okay with your parents, the preacher is having girls you age sit together."

Beatrice looks excited when she sees so many girls her age. "I would love that," she says. She turns to the rest of the group and smiles.

 

[Ireth]

Diana

I smile as a woman approaches and introduces herself as Esmeralda. When she mentions my name, I give a slight wave.

Vincent walks beside me as we follow Esmeralda through her gardens. I ponder his allergy cure, and he relays the information aloud. Lucky me, having a mind-reader for a husband!

I breathe in the many mingled scents of the gardens, but keep my hands to myself, knowing which plants are dangerous to the touch. I don't want to be zapped by anything like a Lightning Rod!

Vincent

I smile as a boy approaches Beatrice and beckons her to another part of the gardens. I suppose it's up to Diana or me to give permission, being her honorary aunt and uncle. "Go ahead, Bee. Have fun!"

I look into the entrance to the maze, my curiosity piquing. What secrets could hide in there?

 

[JRFLynn]

Jeisera

It's fine seeing Granny Ez again. "Well, seeing we got a cart full of Buffadillo, let's cook some steak, ribs, maybe some stew or a meaty cassrole...oh, and salad for the vegi-folk. Blahg." The last bit flew under my breath. A loud gurgle howled for all to hear, the excitement of the day left me particularly ravenous. Looking around, I didn't see Riff. Durn it, where did that meddler get to? Shaking my head, I smiled at young Beatrice.

Earlier the lass had taken me aside and explained things nice and slow. Needless to say, it was pretty crazy. This little girl, a goddess? Having crossed a possessed monster-barn, and discovering Holst's betrayal, at this point anything is possible. Now having met the Maiden, seeing her a sweet darling, I am determined more than ever to protect her against those foul demonic bozos.

Riff better catch up soon, silly pix...Facing the mouth of Granny's maze, the air was festive and the critters were acting especially troublesome. Still, with Holst out there, I would never again feel at ease.

 

[Reaver]

REAVER

Damn that fool! Fighting in a place like this, especially with it being full of drunk and amorous beings of all sorts...It's bound to cause a huge brawl and that's something that I promised Aisha wouldn't happen. Pale Jackal's attack takes a stunned Jaundiced Jackal completely by surprise. PJ draws his right arm back to strike and then follows through, stopping his blades less than an inch in front of JJ's face.

"HA-HAAAA!" my pale friend shouts joyously at his would-be foe. "Had you goin' there for a second didn't I? Boy, you're losin' your touch old buddy. I can't believe you let your guard down like that. You must be chasin' tail."

 

[Noma Galway]

I smile at Fenella. "I think I'm going to go with the children. If you don't mind, that is." I almost go without waiting for an answer. Being around the others has done wonders for my confidence, but Fenella is the princess.

 

[Ruby]

Fenella

I smile back at Esmerelda. She has such good manners and even curtsies to me. It reminds me of old times at Court.

Mariya is talking now. She wants us to go with the children.

"That's a good idea," I say and we go together.

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

Beatrice advises Diana and me to stay close to the children. I'm inclined to agree; if anyone ends up needing protecting tonight, they are the most vulnerable. Even Bee herself, untrained as she is. But I'd be honored to act as their -- and Her -- defender. 'Defender' is part of my middle name, after all. It's as though my mum knew I'd grow up to be such.

I look to Diana and Esmeralda, wondering whether the former will join me in guarding the children right away, or if the two herbalists still have things to discuss.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Garden

As soon as Mariya arrives with Beatrice, other children rush over. They introduce themselves as Sandy and Cindy, though Mariya isn't sure who is who until the dark-haired girl says, "Cindy! Ask permission before you do that!"

"Oh…" Her voice is apologetic, but her ear-to-ear grin remains. "…I'm being gentle, though, right?"

Beatrice joins in with the children giggling and talking.

As Vincent and Fenella follow, the altar boy says to Vincent. "Sir, I'm afraid only maidens are permitted beyond this point. You may remain here with the other parents." He just bows to Fenella and steps aside. "I would not question your honor, Your Highness." He smiles awkwardly.



Esmerelda gives Diana some catnip and mirrorweed. "Named from the way it glistens with the morning dew, though it makes a lousy mirror." She watches the children gathering around Mariya. "Maybe it makes a good mirror for her."

To Jei she says, "Yes, you and Addison got yourself quite the beast. Addy moved the cart to her place, not far from the tiger lilies. If you follow me through the rose garden…" She gestures toward her hedge maze. Her hedges are intertwined with several rosebushes, with roses of every color of the rainbow.



Leaky Quiver

"Dammit, PJ." The Jaundiced Jackal laughs. "I guess I needed that, though you did give me a scare. Grey's been messing with everyone's head, so you never know which head has to be removed." He smirks when PJ guesses the reason for JJ's lowered guard. "Yeah… you might be right about that."

The Jaundiced Jackal looks back at the bar. Olga is still out on her break. None of the customers complain, though it's been nearly half an hour since she stepped out. "I told her the drumstick was undercooked," JJ mutters to himself.

As he shifts his eyes toward PJ again, he glances at the cestus blades and Reaver's naginata. Both were cleaned recently, but not thoroughly. "What'd I miss?"

 

[Ireth]

Vincent

As the altar boy stops me, I nod and step back, though I keep both eyes on Beatrice and the other girls. Good thing I can defend them from a distance if need be. Then again, if something horrible does show up, I rather doubt people will be too choosy about where people are, other than getting the young and defenseless ones far away from danger.

Diana

I take the herbs Esmeralda offers, glancing over toward Bee and the other girls. At least she has the chance to act like a real child for a while, and not like a goddess. I can only imagine what it must be like in her shoes.

 

[JRFLynn]

Jeisera

Granny Ez wants me to follow her, so I relent, though my mind is still on Riff. I am curious about Addy's home. She lives here in this giant conundrum? Well, I too once lived in a blessed garden, at least I know how crazy it can get with all the critters flitting around...blowing horns in your ear, napping in your shoes, stealing your knick-knacks and things. They listen to pixies though, so it wasn't nearly as annoying as it could have been.

I nod to Esmerelda and head on through the hedges, hoping Riff will catch up soon.

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Those emerging from the maze and those seated with or near the children can see Sister Patty. The nun is hardly a youngster, yet she still has the strength to swing from a vine--one of many from the hanging garden.

She calls out to the child holding Mariya.

"What is your name, dear child."

"I'm Cindy," she says.

"And who is your friend?"

Bee says, "That's Mariya."

"And I still don't know if you should hold her," says Sandy. "She may be 11 inches tall, but she's a person."

Cindy finally asks Mariya for permission to carry her, but she's drowned out by the nun announcing...

"Eleven is the next lucky number!"

"Silly me," says Cindy. "That's my age, but I picked twelve, because Maiden's Day makes me think of my own birthday." She says to Bee, "When are you going to be twelve?"

"Never," says Bee.

The girls laugh, and she laughs with them even though she wasn't joking.




((Losing #s: 3,17,15,11 / NPC #s: 19,1,2,12))

 

[Reaver]

PALE JACKAL

"Well...it all started on this ship called the Black and Blue Oyster..."


REAVER

I buy the two Jackals and I a few rounds of ale and sake while PJ regales JJ with our adventures thus far. As I sit there drinking and listening to Pale Jackal's unique style of storytelling, a feeling of uneasiness washes over me. Where's Olga? She would never allow her bar to be ran by her bartenders for so long. Something is definitely wrong. I excuse myself and go back to Aisha's office.

My dear friend greets me with a warm smile. "You're back! I heard about Barney Needles. Damned shame. He was a good man." She notices the concerned look on my face. "What's wrong?"

"Olga's hasn't been at the bar for over an hour."

Aisha leaps to her feet. "What? You must be mistaken! She'd never leave the bar for that long. I mean she sleeps there for goodness sake!"

We leave the office and move swiftly through the busy kitchen and past the bar toward the door.

Pale Jackal sees us: "Hey! What's going on?"

"Come on." I reply curtly.

Both Jackals stand and follow us outside. Aisha starts scanning the crowd, looking for her giant friend.

"What are we looking for?" PJ asks.

"Aisha's friend Olga. She's gone missing."

 

[Ruby]

Fenella

I walk past the altar boy, without answering him, and follow the children. I keep an anxious eye on Mariya, my little muse. She is so tiny and trusting. I hope that the children do not harm her, mistaking her for some kind of animated doll.

 

[Noma Galway]

I giggle at the girls. "You're fine, don't worry. I stand on the Princess's shoulder all the time. And I'm not that fragile." I think about it for a second, then quickly add, "But don't test that theory, please."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

Street

Reaver, PJ and JJ step out into an alley. There are overturned bins, a crack in a brick wall, and there's a small pool of blood next to shards of broken glass… and a few broken teeth.

JJ picks up a man's shoe. He winces, then tosses the shoe aside. "The foot's still in it."



Violet Garden

Sister Patty says, "Now that I know there are pixies about, I better watch my step."

She looks down as she walks along the tiny violets. Unfortunately, she fails to notice what the woman in front of her is carrying—until she sees the yellow spattering at her feet.

"Ugh!" says the woman. "I just dropped a dozen eggs. 12 perfectly good eggs."

"Sorry dear," says Sister Patty. "If it makes you feel any better, you just chose the next lucky number."

"My number was 5. It doesn't."

Cindy says to Mariya, "It makes me feel better. That's my number!"

"WE HAVE OUR FIRST WINNER!"

Sandy says, "Wow… ten percent of the pot goes to you, Cindy. I wonder how much that is!"

"I'll find out later," says Cindy. "I want to stay here with Mariya." Cindy forms a bridge with Sandy, so Sandy can hold the muse.

"You can walk here if you want to," says Sandy. "I didn't know there were pixies without wings. What do you do besides sit on a princess' shoulder."

Cindy gasps, and says to Fenella. "Wow! Are you a real princess? Um…" She attempts to curtsey, clearly for the first time in her life, and without a lesson. "Am I… doing it right?"



((NPC#s: 19,1,2,12,5 / Losing#s: 3,17,15,11 / Winning#: 12 / Pot: 90%… of what, you don't know yet

I hope after all this, somebody wins the final draw - two more to go…))

 

[Noma Galway]

I giggle and hop into Sandy's hand. "I use my singing to help people. I could show you, but I don't want this to turn out badly. Besides, it is the Maiden's night, not the Voice's." I laugh as Cindy tries to curtsey. "Here, I'll show you." I demonstrate a proper curtsey.

 

[Ruby]

Fenella

I watch while the children and Mariya practise their curtsies. I smile but I feel uneasy. Does Mariya know what she's up to?
So much has happened recently, it's hard to relax, despite our fine clothes and the festive atmosphere.