The Delayed Return Home of Beranwald
Jun 1, 2021 15:11:45 GMT
Delilah Daybreaker, WillJ, and 1 more like this
Post by Greebo on Jun 1, 2021 15:11:45 GMT
“OSCAR! Oscar, where are you!?”
“Jeez, what are you shouting about? We have - What the hells happened to you!?” Jane shouts in response from behind the counter.
“This, I’m fine, no I’m fine, mostly his blood... I’ll be right as rain after a rest but Jane, Jane! What a day it has been! QUICK, A milk please…” The now dishevelled Beranwald wobbles into the Thirsty Dragon, hair matted and limping heavily on his left side. Meekly following behind is a man Jane hasn’t seen before, carefully holding the door open for him.
“Who’s blood!?”
“Details Jane! Details! I’m fine, just where is Oscar!?”
The look of concern doesn’t quite leave Jane’s face as she turns back to the customer she was serving;
“Greebs, we’ve been over this, we have customer’s here, you can’t keep walking in like this - Sorry about that, was it one or two you wanted?”
Before the confused woman being served has a chance to answer, Beranwald continues.
“JANE! You don’t understand, I need to speak to Oscar. Much has happened and I - and I … I say you can see I’m struggling here, would you lift me to the bar already?”
“Oh no you don’t! We’ve been over this! You can have that seat there!”
The man following in has a tense moment of not really being sure what to do. Picking up his employer but fearing retribution from Jane, he apologises awkwardly before placing Beranwald in an empty seat. All the while, Beranwald continues his ranting;
“Yes yes yes, fine but Jane, JANE! This is important Jane... I’m sure this -” he looks over at the confused woman beside him - “- fine young lady would understand. Where is Oscar? I must speak to him!”
“Uh, is this a bad time?” The confused woman finally asks
“No, of course not, I’m so sorry! He sort of lives here but he’s no trouble. Oscar’s probably upstairs Greebo now please let me get on with actually running this place? And please don’t leave blood everywhere again.”
“Yes of course, I’m dreadfully sorry to disturb you madam. Brian! Put me down, I must see Oscar immediately!”
“Are… are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?” Brian asks as he lowers Beranwald back to the ground.
“Nonsense! I’ve never felt more alive! In fact, why don’t you take a break here, Jane makes a most excellent cocktail - Non-alcoholic of course. You really must try it - Put it on my tab Jane!” Beranwald wobbles off to the back of the room and the stairs leading up, leaving Brian sitting slightly perplexed and quietly apologising to Jane for the fuss.
As she finally ventures to return to her customer at the bar, they are cut off once again, “I’LL TAKE THE MILK UPSTAIRS JANE! HAVE BRIAN RUN IT UP!”
“OSCAR! There you are!”
His old friend startles at the sudden shouting but soon calms down when he sees Beranwald limping in,
“You actually won’t believe it! I’ve finally managed to track him down!”
He watches quietly as Beranwald struggles once or twice to get himself seated in his condition. The matted hair is very obvious in the sunlight from the window
“Took most of last night and this morning but I finally found him! I’d say… maybe a couple days, let me heal up a bit and we can think about finally making our move, show that scoundrel what’s what for good! Aha!”
Oscar says nothing but gives a disapproving look that spoke more words than Beranwald felt his fine friend could ever find muster together
“Oscar! We can not simply allow this, this…. Ruffian to have his way! I can not allow it!”
“.....”
“I’m sure Euric would agree with you but nonetheless, I won’t allow it!”
Oscar remains silent but Beranwald sees his eyes wander over his battered form.
“What? Ah,no don’t worry, this wasn’t him, no. That should be much less dangerous than this. No, I was feeling somewhat bold given our recent success... You know he’s still just got it on display there like some damned trophy! I shan’t have it, no! This level of disrespect must be rectified!”
“......”
“Oh, yes, sorry, this... Now after tracking him down I felt like letting off a little steam and decided to see that fight pit everyone keeps going on about. I admit I maybe got a little too caught up in the moment and decided to participate myself, even sticking to their normal rules of engagement. There was a great deal of speculation and doubts going around but I assured everyone, including my eventual opponent it was all above board.”
“...... ow”
“Yes… It was a valiant battle if I do say so myself, I nearly had him despite the handicap of not using any kind of magic but he managed to edge out the victory in the end. BUT, as you can see, he won out in the end and claimed victory. Of course it would have been a rather different matter if I were going at it with all my abilities but I can’t fault his capabilities."
Oscar stares intently at Beranwald. Before the battered noble can say anything though, they are interrupted by Juno bursting into the room. The pair look at her in surprise but she doesn’t pay them much attention as she makes herself comfortable in her usual spot; the corner couch.
“A few days Oscar. A few days and it shall be back, that I promise you.”
Oscar doesn’t appear too impressed with the promise and turns his gaze out the window toward the setting sun, the crimson colours dancing their elegant dance on the water around the wharf.
An hour or so passes as Berandwald finally catches his old friend up on the last few weeks he has been missing; The impromptu wagon ride to Daring, venturing into the woods and dealing with the Modrons out there, The settlement of Pangolin people to the far West and the most recent burglary turned arson and Devil provocation. Milk was eventually brought up for the pair by Brian, along with a stern word from Jane. Introductions were made but Brian still seemed a little shy and didn’t say much before heading back downstairs.
Despite his aching body, Beranwald couldn’t help but feel happy. He had been missing his chats with Oscar and was glad to see The Thirsty Dragon seemed to still be in one piece despite his absence. Things had even seemed to pick up between Juno and Euric it seems as he spots Euric dozing in the seat next to Juno with only a mild look of disdain crossing her face.
It was good to be home.
“Let me guess, he didn’t tell you who Oscar was?”
Brian looks up from his revelry as he ambles back down the stairs and sees Jane giving him an odd look.
“I should have expected it really…”
“Yeah, he definitely takes some getting used to. Still, he’s a good one really… when he’s not making a mess anyway. Another one? He’s paying anyway.” Jane asks, already making another cocktail for the confused man
“Umm, yeah ok. Thank you” - He takes a seat back at the counter and glances around the room, at the various people in small booths pouring over boards and cards - “This… this doesn’t really look like the other bar we were at?”
“Well, that’s because it’s not. This is more of a board game cafe… plus we only sell on-alcoholic drinks here.” Jane says, putting a glass of colourful liquids in front of Brian before wandering up the other end of the counter to make a fresh coffee for one of the patrons. He sits quietly for a few minutes, slowly sipping the sweet drink and trying to decide if he likes it or not but before she returns
“So, how did he rope you into following him around then?”
“Huh, oh… um… He hired me to uh… I’m still not sure to be honest. It’s… it’s been a weird day.”
“Right…” Jane nods slowly at the man before leaning in and talking a little quieter, “So what actually happened to him today? He comes back like that now and again, spouting stories of adventures and Butlers made of chocolate but… well he’s so small and I worry about him”
Brian sits speechless for a few moments before finally answering.
“Well... we spent most of the morning following a seagull around for some reason. Said it had committed some… I don’t know, he used a lot of words. Apparently he’d been out following it all night. Then a little after that I lost him for a bit. I went looking and asked around and someone said they saw him chasing a butterfly into the fighting pits and then…”
“He didn’t!” Jane almost shouts, clearly angry at the situation
“Well, no...He tried. Told me he had it under control and to watch from the stands. I tried to stop him but... well…”
“what happened!? They didnt stop him? He’s a cat!”
“Oh no, they tried too. They actually said no but he said honour demanded it and… well you must know: he says things and people just go along with it. Next thing he’s in the ring and the other guy is refusing to fight. A few people walked in to try and convince him out but he wasn't having it. Next thing everyone is watching him just, leap at… Catcall I think it was…”
“And he did that to Greebo!?”
“Oh no! He didn't actually touch him! He didn't want to do it either. Greebo, uh… hurt himself trying to hit the other guy. After a couple minutes, he eventually… ah, what was it... ‘conceded defeat’ and walked out. They managed to actually get on with the fight that was planned after that....”
Jane lets out a resigned sigh before turning her attention to another patron walking in the door. Brian takes another sip of his drink, still not quite sure about it.
“Maybe this is just… normal now?” He thinks outloud
“Jeez, what are you shouting about? We have - What the hells happened to you!?” Jane shouts in response from behind the counter.
“This, I’m fine, no I’m fine, mostly his blood... I’ll be right as rain after a rest but Jane, Jane! What a day it has been! QUICK, A milk please…” The now dishevelled Beranwald wobbles into the Thirsty Dragon, hair matted and limping heavily on his left side. Meekly following behind is a man Jane hasn’t seen before, carefully holding the door open for him.
“Who’s blood!?”
“Details Jane! Details! I’m fine, just where is Oscar!?”
The look of concern doesn’t quite leave Jane’s face as she turns back to the customer she was serving;
“Greebs, we’ve been over this, we have customer’s here, you can’t keep walking in like this - Sorry about that, was it one or two you wanted?”
Before the confused woman being served has a chance to answer, Beranwald continues.
“JANE! You don’t understand, I need to speak to Oscar. Much has happened and I - and I … I say you can see I’m struggling here, would you lift me to the bar already?”
“Oh no you don’t! We’ve been over this! You can have that seat there!”
The man following in has a tense moment of not really being sure what to do. Picking up his employer but fearing retribution from Jane, he apologises awkwardly before placing Beranwald in an empty seat. All the while, Beranwald continues his ranting;
“Yes yes yes, fine but Jane, JANE! This is important Jane... I’m sure this -” he looks over at the confused woman beside him - “- fine young lady would understand. Where is Oscar? I must speak to him!”
“Uh, is this a bad time?” The confused woman finally asks
“No, of course not, I’m so sorry! He sort of lives here but he’s no trouble. Oscar’s probably upstairs Greebo now please let me get on with actually running this place? And please don’t leave blood everywhere again.”
“Yes of course, I’m dreadfully sorry to disturb you madam. Brian! Put me down, I must see Oscar immediately!”
“Are… are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?” Brian asks as he lowers Beranwald back to the ground.
“Nonsense! I’ve never felt more alive! In fact, why don’t you take a break here, Jane makes a most excellent cocktail - Non-alcoholic of course. You really must try it - Put it on my tab Jane!” Beranwald wobbles off to the back of the room and the stairs leading up, leaving Brian sitting slightly perplexed and quietly apologising to Jane for the fuss.
As she finally ventures to return to her customer at the bar, they are cut off once again, “I’LL TAKE THE MILK UPSTAIRS JANE! HAVE BRIAN RUN IT UP!”
“OSCAR! There you are!”
His old friend startles at the sudden shouting but soon calms down when he sees Beranwald limping in,
“You actually won’t believe it! I’ve finally managed to track him down!”
He watches quietly as Beranwald struggles once or twice to get himself seated in his condition. The matted hair is very obvious in the sunlight from the window
“Took most of last night and this morning but I finally found him! I’d say… maybe a couple days, let me heal up a bit and we can think about finally making our move, show that scoundrel what’s what for good! Aha!”
Oscar says nothing but gives a disapproving look that spoke more words than Beranwald felt his fine friend could ever find muster together
“Oscar! We can not simply allow this, this…. Ruffian to have his way! I can not allow it!”
“.....”
“I’m sure Euric would agree with you but nonetheless, I won’t allow it!”
Oscar remains silent but Beranwald sees his eyes wander over his battered form.
“What? Ah,no don’t worry, this wasn’t him, no. That should be much less dangerous than this. No, I was feeling somewhat bold given our recent success... You know he’s still just got it on display there like some damned trophy! I shan’t have it, no! This level of disrespect must be rectified!”
“......”
“Oh, yes, sorry, this... Now after tracking him down I felt like letting off a little steam and decided to see that fight pit everyone keeps going on about. I admit I maybe got a little too caught up in the moment and decided to participate myself, even sticking to their normal rules of engagement. There was a great deal of speculation and doubts going around but I assured everyone, including my eventual opponent it was all above board.”
“...... ow”
“Yes… It was a valiant battle if I do say so myself, I nearly had him despite the handicap of not using any kind of magic but he managed to edge out the victory in the end. BUT, as you can see, he won out in the end and claimed victory. Of course it would have been a rather different matter if I were going at it with all my abilities but I can’t fault his capabilities."
Oscar stares intently at Beranwald. Before the battered noble can say anything though, they are interrupted by Juno bursting into the room. The pair look at her in surprise but she doesn’t pay them much attention as she makes herself comfortable in her usual spot; the corner couch.
“A few days Oscar. A few days and it shall be back, that I promise you.”
Oscar doesn’t appear too impressed with the promise and turns his gaze out the window toward the setting sun, the crimson colours dancing their elegant dance on the water around the wharf.
***
An hour or so passes as Berandwald finally catches his old friend up on the last few weeks he has been missing; The impromptu wagon ride to Daring, venturing into the woods and dealing with the Modrons out there, The settlement of Pangolin people to the far West and the most recent burglary turned arson and Devil provocation. Milk was eventually brought up for the pair by Brian, along with a stern word from Jane. Introductions were made but Brian still seemed a little shy and didn’t say much before heading back downstairs.
Despite his aching body, Beranwald couldn’t help but feel happy. He had been missing his chats with Oscar and was glad to see The Thirsty Dragon seemed to still be in one piece despite his absence. Things had even seemed to pick up between Juno and Euric it seems as he spots Euric dozing in the seat next to Juno with only a mild look of disdain crossing her face.
It was good to be home.
“Let me guess, he didn’t tell you who Oscar was?”
Brian looks up from his revelry as he ambles back down the stairs and sees Jane giving him an odd look.
“I should have expected it really…”
“Yeah, he definitely takes some getting used to. Still, he’s a good one really… when he’s not making a mess anyway. Another one? He’s paying anyway.” Jane asks, already making another cocktail for the confused man
“Umm, yeah ok. Thank you” - He takes a seat back at the counter and glances around the room, at the various people in small booths pouring over boards and cards - “This… this doesn’t really look like the other bar we were at?”
“Well, that’s because it’s not. This is more of a board game cafe… plus we only sell on-alcoholic drinks here.” Jane says, putting a glass of colourful liquids in front of Brian before wandering up the other end of the counter to make a fresh coffee for one of the patrons. He sits quietly for a few minutes, slowly sipping the sweet drink and trying to decide if he likes it or not but before she returns
“So, how did he rope you into following him around then?”
“Huh, oh… um… He hired me to uh… I’m still not sure to be honest. It’s… it’s been a weird day.”
“Right…” Jane nods slowly at the man before leaning in and talking a little quieter, “So what actually happened to him today? He comes back like that now and again, spouting stories of adventures and Butlers made of chocolate but… well he’s so small and I worry about him”
Brian sits speechless for a few moments before finally answering.
“Well... we spent most of the morning following a seagull around for some reason. Said it had committed some… I don’t know, he used a lot of words. Apparently he’d been out following it all night. Then a little after that I lost him for a bit. I went looking and asked around and someone said they saw him chasing a butterfly into the fighting pits and then…”
“He didn’t!” Jane almost shouts, clearly angry at the situation
“Well, no...He tried. Told me he had it under control and to watch from the stands. I tried to stop him but... well…”
“what happened!? They didnt stop him? He’s a cat!”
“Oh no, they tried too. They actually said no but he said honour demanded it and… well you must know: he says things and people just go along with it. Next thing he’s in the ring and the other guy is refusing to fight. A few people walked in to try and convince him out but he wasn't having it. Next thing everyone is watching him just, leap at… Catcall I think it was…”
“And he did that to Greebo!?”
“Oh no! He didn't actually touch him! He didn't want to do it either. Greebo, uh… hurt himself trying to hit the other guy. After a couple minutes, he eventually… ah, what was it... ‘conceded defeat’ and walked out. They managed to actually get on with the fight that was planned after that....”
Jane lets out a resigned sigh before turning her attention to another patron walking in the door. Brian takes another sip of his drink, still not quite sure about it.
“Maybe this is just… normal now?” He thinks outloud