Fable: The Ties that Bind (RP Thread)

[Lanzerus]

Taylor shuffles along the the very tail end of the group, he generally dislikes being in large groups, but he pays close attention to the type of wood he is supposed to be looking for.

[Haylie]

By this time, Scarlet has pulled her hood back over her head, once more hiding her face. She waves a hand absently.
"Oh, it looks much like any other kind of wood, but this wood is very strong, and difficult to find if you don't know where to look. This also makes it hideously expensive, more so than I can allow the Guild to simply pay for, since most of that gold goes toward food." She falls silent for a moment, still walking. "I think the most distingquishing feature will be it's size."

By now, they've reentered Greatwood and are now walking down one of the more beaten paths. Songbirds tweet in the trees and several small, furry animals scurry out of the party's way. Several Traders are also on the path, and they all stop to stare at them, or to be precise, to stare at Scarlet, and whisper to one another. Small snatches can be heard.

"... heard she took on six Summoners by herself!"
"Really? I heard it was eight."
"Well, I heard she leveled an entire Bandit camp with her hands behind her back."
"I find it odd she never shows her face..."
"... Who's that lot she's with?"
"I dunno. That bloke with the axe sounds a bit familiar, though..."

[muffinstud]

Cletus, at hearing the people mention him, straightens up a bit and smiles. "Don't be so modest. You're quite good, Aloena. Soon people will speak of nothing but my bravery, Lyon's stealth, Keaton's brains and your beauty. Such is the life of a hero."

[Lanzerus]

Keaton hides his face in the book out of his backpack. "I want the stories with the glory but I don't like people talking about me..." he says actually beginning to read and zoning everyone out.

[Kris_Roth]

Aloena nods as the traders in this area start to whisper about them..."Are these people talking about us...I mean, we took on a Balverine and these guys are still praising our good deeds.." She blushes a bit at Cletus's comments.

[Haylie]

"I'm afraid you can't stop the whispers, Keaton. That's also part of being a Hero, and how the stories become legendary. And to be your lot's age and successfully take down a Balverine, it doesn't happen often. Even in a group."

The Traders continue their hushed gossip.

"... Oi, Max, you see that girl they're with?"
"Yeh."
"What do you think?"
"By Avo, my heart's stopped..."
"... Skorm, that bloke's big! Look at that jaw..."
"Why's that kid reading a book? Ain't he a Hero, too?"

[muffinstud]

Cletus leans towards Aloena. "That seals it. I'm not the only one who thinks you're beautiful, so it's not flattery, it's just the truth."

[Shadowmaster]

Lyon walks along with the rest of the group. "Hmmm, word of the mission has spread rather quickly." he said.

[Kris_Roth]

Aloena blushes a deeper red at Cletus's comment. "Yeah, it's just all this unwanted attention; not that the flattering is nice, but I don't want this to become a pride issue that it would cloud our judgement on any missions."

[Haylie]

Scarlet feels the need to insert her two cents.
"It can hardly be avoided. Word will spread, whatever you do. You will build a reputation, whether you like it or not. You just have to be careful how you build it."

She just keeps walking down the beaten path, passing more and more talkative Traders, and the occasional Bandit that runs for the nearest rock to hide from the Red Paladin*. She ignores these.

"Skorm, it's her! Hide me!"
"Me first, numbskull!"
"Quit shovin'!"
"Did you see that? She scared off those Bandits like nothin'!"
"Pft. I could do that."



(*Red Paladin: One of Scarlet's many names among the hoi polloi. Her official title is simply Paladin)

[muffinstud]

Cletus rubs his chin. "It also doesn't hurt to be following someone who could kill any of us at a whim..."

[Tiffany Grimm]

Suddenly, a beaten and battered Robin walks out of the clearing, her clothes are torn up, and her arm is bleeding. She faints in front of the group.

[Haylie]

Scarlet stops in her tracks at the sight of the beaten Robin. She turns to the group, then points at Robin.

"Aloena, I would appreciate you helping our lost sheep here."

[Kris_Roth]

Aloena rushes over to the fallen Robin..."Robin! What happened to you?" She attempts to heal up Robin and find out what or who ambushed her..."Who did this to you? Can you hear me? It's me, Aloena? Remember I met you in the girl's dorms?"

[Tiffany Grimm]

Robin gets up, looks at Scarlet for a second, the turns away and coughs up some blood.