Coming Up a Bit Short (Bob Barton)

[Muldris Koffurn]

71st of Summer – 511 AV Muldris Koffurn wandered the sweaty streets of Sunberth with a look of pure disdain on his gaunt face. Summer hadn’t been the best of seasons. From the burns to unsavory confrontations, the season had been as bad as expected. The humidity clung to his skin like tar and sucked all of the moisture from his body like salt. What had brought the Maledictor out of his small windowless cottage? Sheer and utter boredom... He had spent to many years as a slave to be confined in his house like a prison. The day smelled of meetings and new adventures. Of course, everyday smelled that way to Koffurn and most days did not meet expectations. The heat felt unbearable, but it wasn’t because he was obviously bearing it with every step. His steps fell silently and their sound was lost in the normal hustle and bustle of Sunberth. He felt like a ghost in the city. No one paid any mind to him perhaps because his height meant most people looked right over him. The taste of salt brought an even sourer look to his face. His mouth was shut tight, but drips of sweat found their way to his mouth’s corners and lips Under his large hood, a few beads of sweat ran unpleasantly down his face and neck. He muttered his displeasure and curses quietly as he passed building after building, “This city is too hot in the summer. It will be over soon though... Fall is a good season.” Koffurn removed his hood begrudgingly. The heat collecting in the hood had somehow become more detestable than the sun above. Dangerous people fill this city. A wrong step and one of them could easily kill be killed. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than a peculiar person came into view. At first, the Legate mistook it for a mere child, but upon walking closer, it was clear that the person was, in fact, a man. How curious! His bones would make quite an interesting piece of work. He approached the man slowly, still not sure why he had chosen this man to meet. Perhaps he assumed the man wasn’t much of a threat compared to the city’s other denizens. Perhaps he figured that two outcasts could bond. Perhaps he wanted to meet the only person that was shorter than him. Dwelling in perhaps leads to unfortunate mishaps... He approached the man and tapped him on the shoulder. He cleared his throat and spoke to the man with a bit of joy in his voice, “Hello stranger. I haven’t seen you around these parts before, but I don’t get out much so... yeah! It’s not often that I find someone shorter than me. I can’t say whether I like it or not. I’m Muldris Koffurn. You can call me anything you like though. Koffurn is the name I gave myself though so I tend to favor it.” He extended a pale hand to shake.

[Bob Barton]

It was nice walking around during Summer. Especially in Sunberth. Why? Because for Bob the summer brighten's up all the dark alleys. The ones which normally have the taste of trouble in them. Of course Bob normally avoided those alleys though. Unless there were screams of helpless and defenseless women. Even those need second thoughts these days apparently.

And the this day in Sunberth was no different. Bob would just go on his merry way. Looking for his next mark. Gambling was one of those good things in life. You get to legitimately take things that don't belong to you from right under the very noses of your fellow players. That was if you were lucky at least. If not then well...better luck next time.

Then the tap came on his shoulder. While Bob was thinking that line of thoughts it was easy to mistake the situation. "Yipes!" Bob leapt in front and then turned around once he landed. Was one of his past marks coming to get him? It was too early. He was not even in Sunberth for a season yet. He turned to face his attacker, grasping his cane more tightly. Normally when he saw the face only he can decide to fight or flee.

What greeted Bob was a happy youth with an outstretch arm. What was this? Some sort of trap? No one. Not in Sunberth, Syliras, Zeltiva, Ravok or Sahova shakes hands with random strangers on the street. Maybe Bob was in the presence of a lunatic. Yeah...that sounded a lot more better than the murderers and rapists of Sunberth.

Bob stared at the boy's hand and back at his face, his own face looking a little confused. And what was that about short. Did he really think he was better just because he was tall? "Well Mold is cough fern, what I want to ask is...Is this some sort of a trap? Because if it is I am warning you I know how to run and hide." Wait why did Bob just say that? He should have said something more intimidating. Like I have powerful friends. Yes, that would work. "...while my friends hunt you down."

Actually that was pretty weak. The boy would most probably see through a poorly made lie on the spot like that. Well, depending on the boy's answer on whether or not he was a threat, Bob may actually shake that pale hand of his.

[Muldris Koffurn]

Koffurn wasn’t surprised by the small man’s suspicion. Sunberth was filled with unwholesome folks who would gladly throw someone into an ally and rob the person blind. The Legate liked the small man’s humor. Perhaps humor wasn’t exactly the correct word. The man was... witty. His wit didn’t dissuade Koffurn from continuing a conversation though. In fact, the man’s clever words and hints of power just made him more excited. His voice cracked a little as he talked, “You forgot the R, ser. Mold Ris cough fern.” He would play the short man’s games. Games were fun. “Well I guess it’s my lucky day then. This is not a trap and thus I won’t have to worry about your friends hunting me down. I’m also well versed in the skills of running and hiding. People of our stature tend to pick up such skills over the years. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have many friends or folks that would hunt down those who would do me ill! That’s why I came to talk to you, my potential friend,” Koffurn had a certain carefree happiness in his voice as the words tumbled out. A narrow grin stretched across his face. The man held a cane tightly in his hands though the Legate wasn’t quite sure why. The way he had jumped and turned revealed no signs of a walking impairment. Perhaps he was one of those people who owned a bunch of prostitutes. There was certainly no shortage of those types in Sunberth. Koffurn bit his lip. The small man was quite hard to figure out. Maybe it was his size that was throwing of his visual investigation. The sun’s blaze overhead no longer bothered him. The humid air and his tired feet were forgotten. The cogs of his mind drowned the sounds of the street out. The longer he examined the man, the more he could smell the promise of the day coming to fruition. The short man would offer a story or experience that Koffurn yearned for. Maybe the short man would even offer the friendship that was quite rare, at least for the Legate, in Sunberth. “I bet that you are a pretty different person. Most people who come to Sunberth are pretty different which makes them all pretty much the same. You got your gang members, anarchists, and other unpleasant ruffians. I think you are different even by Sunberth standards fortunately. Admittedly, your size is a big part of that assumption,” he said earnestly. The comments about size could be seen as cruel jokes, but genuine curiosity and interest poured from his eyes and filled his words. The person in front of me could offer a temporary reprieve from my summer blues. Let’s see where this path leads us. “I’m different too...” He added hastily so it seemed less of an insult and more of a proclamation of kinship. “... or so I’m told.”

[Bob Barton]

Bob's attempts to scare the boy off failed. But he had a feeling that he was going to like this one a lot. It was a little bit rare to find someone who would play along with your games especially here in Sunberth. Unless it was something like cards or dice but those needed mizas. This one here was free. With a shile Bob took the boy's pale hand for a shake. "Bob does not forget...Coughing was it?" The boy just mentioned his name only moments ago and already Bob forgot that. But who could blame him. He was more interested in knowing whether this one was going to hurt him rather than whether this one is a friend.

Hmmm...it looked that there was no one around. Bob squinted his eyes to make sure. There was no traces of shadows on the streets, no objects which can conceal a person which shouldn't be there. Koffurn must be telling the truth. And he seem to be very eager to make a new friend. Bob might be able to use this to his advantage.

"I guess people of our stature do have to develop a few skills..." Bob put an emphasis on the word stature by dragging it a little more than the other words. Hopefully that would be able to hint to the boy that he did not like to be reminded about his...limitations. "What are these skills you are talking about then?" the boy was so sure about himself, and surviving in Sunberth would definitely require that special something. So Bob should not dismiss this boy's abilities just yet. Better yet, he should try and learn what they are.

Coughing started to talk about the people of Sunberth. All of which Bob had the unpleasant chance of experiencing throughout the season. And then he started talking about differences. What made Bob different from the other people of Sunberth, besides his size. "You mean you are not from Sunberth too?" It was the easiest way to find out what he wanted without giving too much information about himself. If the boy really was honest and not a true Sunberth character which Bob will welcome for a change, maybe he will indulge Bob's curiosity. And if Bob felt that he could trust this boy, they could probably do something to get themselves better acquainted.

"Do you like games Coughing?" some gambling should be good. After all what are a few mizas between friends? Especially if that is what this boy wants to be.

[Muldris Koffurn]

Koffurn’s grin widened and wasn’t so narrow anymore. His name is Bob? How disappointing! I could have thought of a much better name for him. Bob continued using the wrong name, but why did it matter? Names were just empty words. They did not reflect who someone truly was. Names were tools of convenience. Bob was a normal name, but Bob wasn’t a normal person. He could see Bob’s distrust. The short man was looking around either for help or signs of an ambush. It was rare that someone found Koffurn threatening. Sunberth was a dangerous place and the Legate still could be considered a boy by many, but the feeling of being feared, no matter how slight, was refreshing. Bob turned out to be more fun by the moment. Koffurn shrugged at the mention of his skills. The game had commenced and he knew how to play it. He had a hand full of odd and dark cards, but he wouldn’t share them with Bob before he was more than a potential friend. Bob’s skills interested Koffurn too, but the man had been tight lipped so digging for information seemed a bit futile. The short man was unaccompanied though. He must have some sort of skill or power or secret. Please be a secret... Secrets are so fun. Bob’s question of his origin took the grin off his face. He wasn’t saddened by it but the answer required some thought. Was Koffurn from Sunberth? He wasn’t quite sure. He responded hesitantly, “I dunno. I’ve been in Sunberth for eight years. I was a slave for five of those though, but I had been here before that. In and out and in and out... I traveled a lot in shackles. Poor me was not worth keeping I guess. “ He gave a sigh that was oddly nostalgic given the subject matter. The smile was back on his face at the mention of games. “What sort of games? We could probably have a wicked game of hide and go seek, though I’d reckon tag wouldn’t be so enjoyable. Hmmmmmmmmmmm what other games are there? I am pretty good at dice games. Yep! So hide and seek or something with dice. Do you have dice? I don’t...” Koffurn hadn’t played dice games before, but he figured his projection could help him turn the tables... and the dice. It would be a fun chance to make a few Mizas and a new friend. Hopefully old Bob wouldn’t be too sour if Koffurn got caught, but the Legate decided that impressing him with his dice skills and “luck” would make for a more interesting and profitable day. “Oh and where do you wanna go play this game. My house smells of death and there is blood everywhere, but some people are into that. We could hit up a tavern or a similar establishment. It’s probably better than going to one of our homes...” I wonder if Bob’s house is tiny with a tiny door and a tiny bed. That would be awkward... if we went there and I couldn’t even fit through the door...

[Bob Barton]

Why, he completely dismissed Bob's attempts to find out the skills. Boy he was good. Not that Bob would ever admit that there is someone who could be better than him. Secrets, they are valuable things locked up tightly in boxes for no one else to get. And Bob is going to try his best to break the lock known as Coughing.

The poor poor boy. Not knowing about his life and used to be a slave? Thats sad. Bob remembered how he felt when he found out his uncle was hiding the truth from him. Anger, thats what it was. But this boy had a very sunny disposition. Maybe he found something else worth thinking about. "An ex-slave living as a free man in Sunberth huh? Tell me, how did that happen?" Another try to draw out the truth. Whatever skills this boy has would definitely be involved with these two important points of his life.

Hide and seek? What were they. Children? The adult version of hide and seek in Sunberth is hide or die as Bob knew it. "So you want to practice on...our running and hiding skills?" It would be a good way to increase chances of survival in Sunberth but this should not be those skills the boy was talking about...could it?

"I don't have any dice either!" Bob suddenly exclaimed. Dice was a simple game but for the boy to ask for it means he was confident in his own abilities as he suggested. No way! If Bob could keep the advantage away from him all the better. It just means that Bob had a better chance of winning. "I have some playing cards though, would that be better?" Bob had a little grin when he suggested that. Really he hoped that the boy was not good in that.

One of the familiar places to gamble or...the boys house of death and blood? What was that? A warning that the boy was dangerous? It just had to have something to do with his skills. Bob was curious to know more and would suggest that they go to Coughing's house. He might be able to find out more things. But maybe next time. He still knew nothing about the boy. And if he played his cards wrong it will be his death and blood all over the boy's house.

"I guess we should go to a tavern then since its a friendly game. Some of the people in Tall Johnny's are a little bit too serious for my tastes." They might kill Bob if they suspected he was trying to cheat, which he would. Or just accuse him anyway if as an excuse just to kill him and take his mizas in the end. A one on one with an untrained boy would be good enough. And give Bob some much needed practice.

[Muldris Koffurn]

Koffurn laughed happily. The story of his freedom was such a good story. Though it was probably not the best story to tell, Sunberth was a land without law. As long as you don’t step on the wrong food, punishment was nowhere to be seen. He cleared his throat and looked up to the sky contemplatively, “My last master died. He was stabbed to death... by these very hands...” He held up his hands and examined them as if the lines of the palm would reveal some deep secret. “The house was also burned to a crisp by my hand, but I didn’t do it though. Ghosts are pretty colorful guests. Need I say more?” He laughed lightly. The memory was certainly a fun one. Old Bob must think I’m completely insane, but that is fine. It will just make things more fun. The Legate wet his lips when cards were suggested. His skill set was more suited for the physical nature of dice, but cards presented a challenge and challenges are fun. He bit his lip and thought of ways he could win. His words were drowned in indifference, “Cards are good too. Really anything works.” He chuckled again. Does it really matter what we play? I will find some way to win. “To a tavern!” Koffurn exclaimed jubilantly and pointed in a random direction. “The Pig’s Foot is pretty safe. The Disappearing Drunk is another nifty one, but Stumble Alley can be frightening. The Drunken Fish is always an interesting place to be. Take your pick, Bob. I don’t have a preference, but you would just pick one of the other two if I did.” He didn’t laugh, but he did give an amused little peep. He was watching Bob closely. Koffurn wasn’t particularly suspicious or worried because he had surprised the short man, but the man was being less than open. The Maledictor added, “As for our running and hiding skills, perhaps the loser will have an opportunity to practice those.” He hummed quietly as he waited for Bob to choose a tavern. This guy may be good at cards, but I figure I can throw anyone off their game. We will see. One so eager to gamble is likely to have a few tricks up his sleeve. He was getting a bit restless and wanted the day to continue. They had been standing in the relatively empty part of the city for a while which was unacceptable with such adventure on the horizon. Koffurn had never been drunk before, but he figured he would like the feeling. Why would so many people drink if it didn’t feel good? “I need a drink,” he muttered quietly. He wasn’t sure if Bob could have even heard, but it, like so many other things, didn’t matter. He had said it to feed his own little fantasy and thus his knowledge was enough.

[Bob Barton]

That was dreadful. Though the boy getting back his freedom should be something like good news, the way he got it back was horrible. He happily admitted to killing the man and burning his house down. Not to mention that strange comment about ghosts. Would his skills involve killing and stealing souls? Bob was too afraid to ask more. He will just conveniently forget all about this. Luckily he rejected the offer to go to Koffurn's house earlier or he might just be the next victim like he thought. Sunberth people are definitely dangerous no matter how they looked.

"Y-Y-Yes, to the t-t-tavern!" This boy is getting very scary. And being out here alone with him is starting to make Bob feel unsafe. They had better hurry to a tavern soon. It has more people, more witnesses in case someone was trying to steal Bob's soul next. "The P-P-Pig's Foot should be good. I've been t-t-there before quite a bit." Stumble Alley is definitely out of the question. Especially after that mess which happened earlier in the season.

Curses what was going on. Bob getting afraid just because of a little story by a boy which he did not even know was true? If he was going to go secret hunting then he should be even more prepared for more horrors. Bob slapped his face on both sides at the same time bring up red cheeks. More importantly it brought back his senses.

As it was it was a good time for Bob to try and get himself back to normal because the boy was trying to frighten him again. "The loser huh? Just remember who has the friends here." Bob tried to give his biggest grin to put up his false bravado. If the boy tried to scare him, Bob will return the favor even more. And it will be good if he can mess up the boy's mind even before the game would begin.

"Yes I am sure you can find yourself some good drinks in the Pig's Foot so lets go." Bob was eager to show his prowess in the game. Especially with this odd boy. But maybe he should think up of what they are going to play and what was at stake. He would not want to end up losing his soul like this. That evil jackal boy god Clyde tried it once and Bob was lucky enough to keep his soul for himself.

[Muldris Koffurn]

Little Bob must have found Koffurn to be a frightening fellow, but that was mostly due to a series of omitted truths and cryptic messages. The blood in his house was the blood of a wolf and a few ferrets that he had bought dead from Killroy’s. A ghost’s possession had led to his master’s death. In truth, the blood made Koffurn sick and the slave would have never had the guts to kill his master, but those were... minor... details that Bob didn’t need to know yet. They would be added if the whole friendship thing worked out. The Pig’s Foot is not as fun as the others. It’s too safe and too mundane compared to the others, but still, it’s better than smelling the pelts stewing in brains. He smiled at the thought, but Koffurn gagged when he remembered the foul smell. He decided that The Pig’s Foot would be a nice break and started walking towards it. The Legate had been in Sunberth long enough to know where all the popular places were even if he had not been inside them. Bob’s voice indicated some fear, but the reminder that the short man had friends made it seem that he wouldn’t be running, which was good. Koffurn wanted to be friends with Bob so badly that it would be unfortunate if his quirks scared the man off before they even had a chance to truly interact. The day was still fresh. Much could still lie ahead. Bob had still not revealed much about himself and Koffurn wanted to learn more. Not for the game, but rather for their possible friendship. In truth, the game was just a tool to get to know Bob and the Maledictor had learned quite a bit. Bob wasn’t from Sunberth, he liked to gamble, he was cautious, and supposedly had dangerous friends. Still, he hadn’t broken even. Bob knew more about Koffurn, even though most of the information was useless, than the Maledictor knew about the gambler. He would only give his short friend a particular set of questions to answer in order to force some sort of answer, “So Bob, where exactly are you from? Got a wife back at home? Got any jobs? Addictions? Why do you carry around a cane? Know any magic? Do you have some whacky talents?” He looked over and watched his companions face to try and discern some sort of reaction if answers weren’t given, but Koffurn was notoriously bad at reading people. Koffurn said teasingly, “Or you could just avoid the questions, my tightlipped friend.” The Legate snickered. Partly because he was calling out Bob and partly because he had just devised a way to possibly win at cards. Today is very awesome to be sure. I am quite sure that Bob and I will be friends by the end of the day. He tossed on his hood and looked up at the sky. “People have so many questions, so many secrets, and so many oddities,” Koffurn sighed. He walked with a subtle spring in his step and a sly smile. OOCI feel like I didn’t give you much to work with in this post, but I hope its fine. Both of our PCs are being pretty cautious right now.

[Bob Barton]

On their way to the Pig's Foot, Bob was bombarded by questions from the boy. At least he was not spreading some disease like his namesake of Coughing Mold. The only doctor here was that creepy man at the outskirts, even creepier than the boy of death. Given the choice Bob would rather avoid the doctor and take his chances of getting his soul stolen by Koffurn.

It was not a secret worth keeping and at least the boy already told Bob something similar. "I am from Zeltiva, but I have been at other places. Before I even came to Sunberth." Bob added an extra statement to try and addle the boy with power and influence that was non-existent. "So if you do try and do anything bad to me today, there would be nowhere for you to run or hide." Bob said this grinning again to hide the fear he really had. He did know people, but they were not that great. Like lowly squires, small time gangs and little wannabe princesses.

Bob tried to dismiss the rest of the questions. They were just a little bit too personal for Bob to even think of indulging the boy his curiosity. The first three he just shrugged off. After that the reactions varied. Asking about the cane just made Bob think that the boy might be suspicious about his weapon. So keeping up his ruse he started to act like there was a limp on one leg. Everytime he took a step with his right foot he would bend it a lot more causing him to jerk his body and support his full weight with the cane on his right hand. It would look deliberate to anyone but if Koffurn would ever point this sudden change out, all he would get from Bob is a dumbfounded look like the boy was talking more gibberish than he already was.

The last two were a little strange to turn up so casually. As far as Bob was concerned for the world, there was no magic. Anyone claiming that would be looked with suspicion or madness. "I suppose my whacky talents are so great that people would think that they are magical." The only thing Bob knew about the boy's own whacky talents was that it involved ghosts and blood. While that may be thought of as magical, Bob thought that it was more of a sign of the madness in the boy.

Bob threw open the doors to the tavern. "I am pretty sure that its only you, friend." The last word was said coldly compared to the others. Hinting that Bob was thinking of the boy with the opposite meaning. The biggest question, secret and oddity right now? It was Koffurn.

OOCMade us end up at the tavern to speed things up. Probably we should work out how they will play the game through pms. Cards on a forum is definitely funny when you think about it