12th of Summer, 516 AV
"Anything to drink? We've got a cup of Steamed Kelp Tea ready if you'd like."
Minnim knew the man at the Quill's Rest meant it to be friendly, but that didn't stop it from being bothersome. He didn't need to drink, and so drinking at all was only a waste of money. He hadn't come here to waste money; he had come to scope out a new body.
Though his old body was holding up rather well, and only cut in a few inconspicuous places, it was never a bad idea to have a new body targeted ahead of time. He would let the person live until it was necessary for him to move, of course, he just wanted to know what his options were.
Minnim said none of this. Instead, he tossed the man a glare and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. The man seemed put off by this, but he left, and that was all Minnim cared about.
Finally in peace and quiet, he reclined in his chair and watched the people go by. He didn't know yet whether he wanted someone young or old. Old bodies, such as his current, worked rather well to blend in, because they brought no suspicion when he moved slowly, or walked late at night, or let slip the number of places he had traveled in his youth. It was normal for an old man, and could always be blamed on creeping madness.
But a young body, oh, they were so much more comfortable. In a young body, his fingers didn't ache when he weaved, and he could run and jump and climb in a young body, with less fear of damage. It would last much longer, and be healthier, and much, much more beautiful.
And so, caught up in a daydream of being youthful again, Minnim watched the young faces around the tavern chat about their studies. One particular woman looked so vibrant, so lively, that Minnim had to remind himself not to stare. She was small, short and skinny, but her tiny, pale face was pattered with freckles of every size and shape, the way a child's might be in the late Summer. Her hair was ratty and unkempt, but it didn't look as though it had gotten that way through harsh conditions or neglect. It was ratty because that's the way it was. Minnim brushed a hand against his own failing hair, feeling the rough twigs pointing from his scalp. He so missed his original body.
Perhaps, he thought, just being around this woman would allow him to feel some of what he used to feel as a young, attractive woman. Without another thought, Minnim stood, his black cape fluttering about his ankles. He paced quietly to where the woman sat, extending a single hand palm-up to her.
"Would you be so kind as to gift me your company for a chime, my dear?"
"Anything to drink? We've got a cup of Steamed Kelp Tea ready if you'd like."
Minnim knew the man at the Quill's Rest meant it to be friendly, but that didn't stop it from being bothersome. He didn't need to drink, and so drinking at all was only a waste of money. He hadn't come here to waste money; he had come to scope out a new body.
Though his old body was holding up rather well, and only cut in a few inconspicuous places, it was never a bad idea to have a new body targeted ahead of time. He would let the person live until it was necessary for him to move, of course, he just wanted to know what his options were.
Minnim said none of this. Instead, he tossed the man a glare and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. The man seemed put off by this, but he left, and that was all Minnim cared about.
Finally in peace and quiet, he reclined in his chair and watched the people go by. He didn't know yet whether he wanted someone young or old. Old bodies, such as his current, worked rather well to blend in, because they brought no suspicion when he moved slowly, or walked late at night, or let slip the number of places he had traveled in his youth. It was normal for an old man, and could always be blamed on creeping madness.
But a young body, oh, they were so much more comfortable. In a young body, his fingers didn't ache when he weaved, and he could run and jump and climb in a young body, with less fear of damage. It would last much longer, and be healthier, and much, much more beautiful.
And so, caught up in a daydream of being youthful again, Minnim watched the young faces around the tavern chat about their studies. One particular woman looked so vibrant, so lively, that Minnim had to remind himself not to stare. She was small, short and skinny, but her tiny, pale face was pattered with freckles of every size and shape, the way a child's might be in the late Summer. Her hair was ratty and unkempt, but it didn't look as though it had gotten that way through harsh conditions or neglect. It was ratty because that's the way it was. Minnim brushed a hand against his own failing hair, feeling the rough twigs pointing from his scalp. He so missed his original body.
Perhaps, he thought, just being around this woman would allow him to feel some of what he used to feel as a young, attractive woman. Without another thought, Minnim stood, his black cape fluttering about his ankles. He paced quietly to where the woman sat, extending a single hand palm-up to her.
"Would you be so kind as to gift me your company for a chime, my dear?"
