<font color="yellow">Damien

Walking briskly ahead towards what appears to be a village, he sighs inwardly ~ Of all the rotten luck… ~ Feeling a tremendous growl followed by a persistent churning, he suddenly becomes aware of his ravenous and exhausted state. Yet… …no money…. ~ He grits his teeth ~ If I ever lay my eyes and hands on that rogue…

The realisation of his poverty strikes doubly hard at his heart ~ Now I can't even afford to stay in a proper inn… ~ His weary eyes gaze around the surroundings and he spots a lone resident sitting outside his home. Picking up the air of restlessness, he studies the stranger more carefully ~ A young fellow, probably hungry for adventure… I wonder…

Striding up towards the youth, he smiles broadly at him ~ "A good evening to you, young sir! My name's Damien, and perchance, I came across your village, after a most… regrettable incident. May I have the honour of being your acquaintance?"~ He extends his right hand towards the lad. </font>

<font color="silver">Sorsha

As her shy eyes gaze around the room, they rest on those of an elf sitting by himself at a round oak table, eating absently. A sudden shudder runs through her ~ He looks just like him! ~ Gasping for breath, she turns away in time before his penetrating eyes detect her strange behaviour.

The room is filled with a series of excited yelps as Puka runs forth, leaping onto the lap of the elf. He begins to wag his tail vigorously, licking the shirt of the elf playfully.

With a thumping heart, Sorsha walks over to the table, her hands fidgeting ~ "F…forgive him, sir… y...you reminded us of s...someone close..." ~ In the long awkward silence that follows, she continues stammering ~ "W..would you happen to know a person named... J..Justin?"</font>

<font color="white">Raymond

Well met, Damien!
The name is Raymond.
Raymond Rothberg.
Have a sit if ye will.
What troubles you, good sir?
May I be of any help?</font>

<font color="yellow">Damien

Heaving a sigh of relief, he takes the proffered seat ~ "Well met, too, Raymond. I have spent the last few weeks trying desperately to locate someone... someone who has some strange object." ~ He gives a wry grin ~ "I'm not making much sense, am I?"

Leaning back against the wall, he inhales deeply before continuing ~ "My tale is an odd one... in the early days of my childhood, my father engaged the best tutors for me. Swordsplay, literary... he envisioned a life of greatness for me. And so, I learnt all that I could... I was bored to tears of it, really."

His right hand raises to pat Raymond on his shoulder ~ "You remind me of what I would have preferred to be... a carefree life, I mean." ~ Yawning involuntarily, he goes on ~ "My swordsmaster now wants me to retrieve a powerful artifact for him, and my father fully supports this mad quest, thinking it time that I prove my manhood. Well, whatever it is has gone missing, and nobody knows where it is, including whose possession it could be in. So as far as I see it, I'm on a fool's errand."

Smirking to himself, he mutters ~ "And my first encounter with the real world had to be with a rogue... my money is gone, and I'm hungry and tired..." ~ Shaking his head ~ "What a life this is."

His voice trails off and he stares into the starlit sky.

<font color="lightgreen">Gavrouche

Home turns out to be little more than a run-down hut. As he sits grinning and recounting his prize, his eyes assume a faraway look ~ Wouldn't it be a lark to find some real treasure...

Abruptly, he stashes his money safely into his belongings and walks over to the window. Peering out, he perceives two figures seated outside Raymond's house. ~ Could Raymond be having visitors? But he's never had any... ~

Curiousity gets the better of him, and he sneaks out of the hut, hiding in shadows. As he approaches slowly but steadily towards the two, his eyes widen in recognition and he suppresses an oath ~ Well, I'll be... if it isn't my victim of an hour ago! </font>

<font color="white">Raymond

Well...It seems that you and I want what the other has...I tire of milking cows and weeding the garden. I want to do something grand!
By the way...I would like to help you. Seeing as you are short of funds, you can stay here, or I will pay you a night's stay at the Inn. We don't usually have many visitors, so the Inn is real quiet. They have food there as well, but let me tell you...I can cook a mean cornbread! You gotta try it! What will be your decision, then? Stay or go to the Inn?</font>

<font color="yellow">Damien

He smiles at the enthusiastic lad's hospitality ~ "I'll gladly accept your offer, Raymond. I'll sample your culinary skills, and I'm not too proud to accept a place to rest in."


(ooc: Larry - You can drag Damien along if you want to pick it up from here till I return tomorrow. As I said, I've no plans in mind about where this is leading; it's free and easy :D )

<font color="white">Raymond

Raymond begins to cook a fine dinner for his new friend that had found trouble this night, as Damien begins to lay out a series of wild and fanciful tales of his adventures and the world that is unknown to a commoner. He figured that was the best way to pay Raymond for his services this night.
They eat the meal, then Raymond shows Damien into the guest room that he had built just for an occasion like tonight, where he could help a travelor in need.
The night is upon them, and both are sound asleep within minutes, Damien dreaming about the simple life, and Raymond dreaming of rescuing damsels from dragons. </font>

<font color="skyblue">Gerald

Hey! Pretty Lass! Get yer tail feathers o'er 'ere and quit wasting time wit dat elf! I wanna dwarven ale!!!
Hey! Did ye here me??? Be quick 'bout it!!!</font>

<font color="AACCFF">Legolas

Legolas was glad he could rest his tired feet in the inn. His stomach too, had growled for the past few days. Waving the innkeeper over, the elf had ordered a meal and wolved it down in minutes.
Still hungry, he asked for another serving. His greatest hunger stilled, he ate slowly, thinking about his plans for the next day.

He snapped back to the present when the girl started speaking to him in a soft, halting voice.

"Aye, I know a man named Justin," he says, his voice strangely accented even for an elf. "Old Justin One-eye is one of the best rangers this side of the great forest. He may not be much of an archer, but the man's pure muscle and brain."

Legolas pauses for a second, taking another bite of food
"S that the Justin you're looking for? But I can see in your eyes he isn't. Come, sit down. I am Legolas."
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