The Gamble - 27/08 - Robin
Aug 29, 2024 8:31:46 GMT
Andy D, Marto Copperkettle, and 2 more like this
Post by Robin Montajay on Aug 29, 2024 8:31:46 GMT
“So, the box was making people happy?” Jassin’s normally dour face took on a slightly skeptical cast. After walking in on an impromptu get together, Jassin had decided to sober Robin up and get a clear picture on the consequences of this new adventure. The two were seated in their shared office. As always, Jassin sat at their desk as if they’d been poured into the seat, while Robin leaned against a chaise, too energetic to sit.
Robin quickly clarified, “Ok, when you put it like that, it sounds bad. But the box made people lose they desire to leave. Poor Ashling had gone to Seren Springs to find a cure for their family’s curse. Well, the curse was gone and they were hanging around to perfect their arrow throwing? Nonsense. I don’t know why the fairies wanted to amass a bunch of oblivious people, but it completely eroded their free will. That was the issue.”
Yes, the residents of Seren Spring were technically happy. Yes, they serendipitously had the one thing they desperately needed. But there was nothing after that. Suspended in this singular moment of happiness, they forgot their other desires. It had rubbed Robin the wrong way, however innocuous it may have seemed to others.
“Now, is it right to just take things because we’re being paid to? No. But Elarris’ idea to just leave it there undefended wasn’t going to solve anything either. I suggested to just take it straight to Aurelia, but Adelard swore an oath to deliver it to Tymora. And you can’t really argue with a paladin and their oath.”
Jassin leaned back in chair, hands steepled in front of them. “So you returned the box to Susannah? A job sort of well done resulted in you being mildly sauced with two men I’ve never seen in my life? And that doesn’t really explain all this” Robin’s usually very tidy side of their living room/office was now covered in very religious and infernal tomes. The wall was covered in red string and poorly drawn images of devils.
“She told us to call her Sue after we finished the job”
“Sue denim?” Jassin raised an eyebrow in bemusement. “Pseudonym?”
“Gods, you’re smart.” Robin sighed, eyes wide and dreamy. Moving to Kantas was really his best idea, even if his sisters technically had the idea first. The clearing of a throat reminded him to focus. “Right, so our employer turned out to be a rakshasa. And someone called “the gambler”. Ultimately working for Asmodeus.”
“Hey, let’s not invoke his name.” The tiefling looked around nervously.
Robin shrugged. “Fair. You know, I don’t really have much else to say about that, I was shaken to the core being in his presence. I know Adelard was fine, defended us even.”
“This doesn’t really explain the…state…you were in when I returned home.”
“So…as we were about to leave…I may have... used my telekinesis to swipe the box back. And I may have used my little shrine to return it to Tymora.” Robin flopped on to the chaise, nervous energy finally leaving him with that confession.
“Alright…you might be in a bit of trouble.” Jassin abandoned their seat, pulling out a large rolodex and several worn journals. “Maybe someone in the society knows how to remove your name from the annals of Hell. Let’s do a bit of research”
Robin’s head ,and mood, lifted. “This is why you’re my favorite.”
~*~
A night of research and hastily sent missives may not amount to much in the long run, but Robin awoke feeling hopeful. Jassin, allergic to the dawn, remained asleep in their room while the halfling attended to his morning routine.
He gave Phyl, his awakened shrub, a nutritious blend of mineral-activated water. He put the kettle on, ready to break his fast. And Robin went to his small shrine to his gods. Touching each symbol of his gods, he bowed his head, “Protect those that wander the path, allow me a glimpse of its thread, and may lady luck continue to smile on me.”
Robin collected his star charts, ready to use calculations to find a small thread of fate. But as he set his charts down, it revealed itself. He saw the thread, he even saw a less favorable split from that same thread. Never had a divination appeared so immediately. His second attempt required the usual work, flipping through maps and cross referencing them with arcane sigils. But that first reading was clear.
As was his first reading the next morning. And the next.
And the lady of luck smiled even brighter.
Robin quickly clarified, “Ok, when you put it like that, it sounds bad. But the box made people lose they desire to leave. Poor Ashling had gone to Seren Springs to find a cure for their family’s curse. Well, the curse was gone and they were hanging around to perfect their arrow throwing? Nonsense. I don’t know why the fairies wanted to amass a bunch of oblivious people, but it completely eroded their free will. That was the issue.”
Yes, the residents of Seren Spring were technically happy. Yes, they serendipitously had the one thing they desperately needed. But there was nothing after that. Suspended in this singular moment of happiness, they forgot their other desires. It had rubbed Robin the wrong way, however innocuous it may have seemed to others.
“Now, is it right to just take things because we’re being paid to? No. But Elarris’ idea to just leave it there undefended wasn’t going to solve anything either. I suggested to just take it straight to Aurelia, but Adelard swore an oath to deliver it to Tymora. And you can’t really argue with a paladin and their oath.”
Jassin leaned back in chair, hands steepled in front of them. “So you returned the box to Susannah? A job sort of well done resulted in you being mildly sauced with two men I’ve never seen in my life? And that doesn’t really explain all this” Robin’s usually very tidy side of their living room/office was now covered in very religious and infernal tomes. The wall was covered in red string and poorly drawn images of devils.
“She told us to call her Sue after we finished the job”
“Sue denim?” Jassin raised an eyebrow in bemusement. “Pseudonym?”
“Gods, you’re smart.” Robin sighed, eyes wide and dreamy. Moving to Kantas was really his best idea, even if his sisters technically had the idea first. The clearing of a throat reminded him to focus. “Right, so our employer turned out to be a rakshasa. And someone called “the gambler”. Ultimately working for Asmodeus.”
“Hey, let’s not invoke his name.” The tiefling looked around nervously.
Robin shrugged. “Fair. You know, I don’t really have much else to say about that, I was shaken to the core being in his presence. I know Adelard was fine, defended us even.”
“This doesn’t really explain the…state…you were in when I returned home.”
“So…as we were about to leave…I may have... used my telekinesis to swipe the box back. And I may have used my little shrine to return it to Tymora.” Robin flopped on to the chaise, nervous energy finally leaving him with that confession.
“Alright…you might be in a bit of trouble.” Jassin abandoned their seat, pulling out a large rolodex and several worn journals. “Maybe someone in the society knows how to remove your name from the annals of Hell. Let’s do a bit of research”
Robin’s head ,and mood, lifted. “This is why you’re my favorite.”
~*~
A night of research and hastily sent missives may not amount to much in the long run, but Robin awoke feeling hopeful. Jassin, allergic to the dawn, remained asleep in their room while the halfling attended to his morning routine.
He gave Phyl, his awakened shrub, a nutritious blend of mineral-activated water. He put the kettle on, ready to break his fast. And Robin went to his small shrine to his gods. Touching each symbol of his gods, he bowed his head, “Protect those that wander the path, allow me a glimpse of its thread, and may lady luck continue to smile on me.”
Robin collected his star charts, ready to use calculations to find a small thread of fate. But as he set his charts down, it revealed itself. He saw the thread, he even saw a less favorable split from that same thread. Never had a divination appeared so immediately. His second attempt required the usual work, flipping through maps and cross referencing them with arcane sigils. But that first reading was clear.
As was his first reading the next morning. And the next.
And the lady of luck smiled even brighter.
