The Ballad of Adler Young, Canto 2.5

Show Content

SpoilerSee it with pictures https://www.patreon.com/posts/33190852 or https://adleryoung.tumblr.com

>Adler: Let your Deranged Floozy Associate take the Deranged Floozy aside to calm down while you talk to these nice men.
>Adler: Finally some henchmen, and respect!
>Estvan: Take Rowan aside so Adler can converse with his potential minions. It's best to just let her tire herself out.

"Take charge of this deranged Floozy," I thought at Estvan via Elfmind as I stepped forward to greet the newcomers.

0115gentlemen.gif

"Gentlemen!" I exclaimed suavely. "Welcome to this outpost of Albric Tor. I trust you've made your way here to enter the service of the great Lord Randall?"

>Lowfolk Mercs: You overheard Rowan's shouting, you don't know why she's so upset. It was just a light, good-natured chuckle, you certainly didn't laugh her out of town like she said. She's just being hyper sensitive. Anyway, why are you out here, little girl?

"Sure," the lowfolk with the tricorn hat replied. "We were really just following Rowan to see where she went. We got a chuckle when the gold turned into twigs and leaves, yeah I admit it, but it wasn't worth running off in a huff like that! We were actually pretty impressed and figured there must be a genuine elf involved, or something like one. So where is he?"

"Look no further!" I declared.

"You are just the cutest thing," the other lowfolk interrupted. "Do you mind if I braid your hair while you declaim?"

>Adler: Why does everyone want to braid you hai- wait. LITTLE GIRL!?!
>Adler: I'm not a little girl.
>Mercs: Is that fox over there your father?
>Adler: I'm not a little girl.
>Mercs: Is he the elf that's recruiting like we've heard? It seems irresponsible getting his young daughter mixed up in all this.
Lowfolk Mercs: Give the little girl a glass of milk (which is only slightly rancid from the long walk out here) and some sweets (That are only a few years old and only very stale) so she calms down.
Adler: Accept the sweets and milk like a little girl begrudgingly, you are hungry after all. Almost throw up from the milk and sweets.
Estvaan: Explain to the mercs that Adler is the elf they are looking for.
Mercs: Be very bemused by Estvaan that he is claiming his daughter is the grand elf

0115tresses.gif

"So is that fox over there your father or something?" the one in the tricorn hat asked. "You said 'Lord Ramble,' right? He looks like the rambling type. Do we address him directly or, um, do we have to speak to him through you?"

"He's not -" I started to say.

"You have the silkiest, snowy white tresses," the other one murmured admiringly. "What conditioner do you use? After I've braided it all, I get a wish, right? I don't want much, just my own cozy little salon with three chairs .. and sinks."

"I'm not a little girl," I began.

"Shush now, missy," the one in the tricorn hat murmured at me. "Sure, you'll be all grown up in no time, but here now .. I brought you a treat. Now be a good girl and stay quiet while the grownups are talking."

He handed me a tumbler full of warm milk (with just a few pine needles floating in it from being carried through the forest) and a large stale cookie.

"I'm not a little girl," I grumbled. But I was hungry, so I took the proffered treat and began sullenly to nibble on the cookie.

"Are you Lord Ramble?" Tricorn Hat asked Estvan. "Forgive my impertinence if I'm not supposed to speak to you."

"Tish, quite all roight lad," Estvan chuckled, then pointed at me. "But sure an' that's the elf ye seek."

"Her? Seriously?" the lowfolk asked with visible skepticism. "What kind of father drags his innocent young daughter into such a shady business as the hiring of private mercenaries? Out in the middle of a tulgey wood, no less?"

>Adler: *scream like a little girl* I'M NOT A LITTLE GIRL!!!
>Rowan and Estvan: Seeing this scene unfold has helped Rowan calm down. You are both sharing a hearty laugh at Adler's expense.
Adler: I am not a little girl!

0115hansoff.gif

"GET YER MITTS OFF OF MY FLOWING TRESSES!" I screeched. "I keep telling you I'M NOT A LITTLE GIRL! I am the one known as Lord Randall! Now did you come out here to enter my service, or did you come to braid hair and make jokes?"