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We're going on an adventure!
What: Mission: Ossidia's quest
When: A couple days after the first week
Where: Castle Dyspros
Rating: PG-Hobbit
[A wizard and a man. Two dwarves. Three hobbits. The similarities catch the ranger's eye but his mind can't be fooled. This isn't home. He's had a week to come to terms with this peculiar reality, and as much as oddities abound in his world, this is unlike anything he's ever seen. Questions remain unanswered—concerns and fears and doubts unresolved—and it's hard and it's harrowing and yet they must move on.
Which brings them here, in the Castle, all reunited for an unusual quest. The change of scenery would have been a most welcome breath of fresh air were the times not so dire in Middle-Earth, and instead it is but a mere distraction, pulling them in a direction they have not chosen. Aragorn's heart is not fully present, but he does his very best to focus—he's used to prioritizing whatever the moment calls for, but this is strange and rather taxing, and he can see the same apprehension in the eyes of his companions. He doesn't flinch, keeping his own torments to himself, and after the brief reprieve they have allowed themselves in the nearest tavern, it is time to face their first adventure in Goldvale.
Aragorn stands tall before the group, hand on the hilt of his sword. There's nothing but determination in his gaze, and he looks at each one of them as if they all possess the same strength. As if he has complete faith in them, and he does.]
Do not wander too far. You may encounter creatures you've never before seen in these halls. [He nods towards the dwarves, a sign of both encouragement and respect.] Proceed with caution. [Wisdom over recklessness; the resolve in his gaze gives no room for arguments.] We shall meet again in one hour's time. [With or without rat tails. There's a brief exchange of glances between the ranger and the wizard, a silent acknowledgement, and he doesn't turn until the dwarves are out of sight, guiding the hobbits towards the first door.]
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Staying in his chosen guild was no difficult task; Gandalf was there, and he was thankful for the companionship the wizard provided him. But his worry for Frodo, for this place and for their escape was constant. Being so decisively separated from Frodo, and indeed, Gandalf's presence itself, didn't help his own conclusions and suspicions as to the nature of the city. The wizard was comforting enough, and the familiarity was welcome to Sam, but there was a creeping sensation of dread to his presence. Uncertainty as to his fate, his presence and his state of being that put him at ill ease. Even if he were closer to his master, Sam suspected it would do him little good. Frodo's presence in this place alone ate at him, as did his apparent unawareness of his state - their state - in Middle-Earth. Sam had no idea what to think about anything he'd experienced in Goldvale yet; vaguely familiar, but different enough to be strange to him.
He kept his hand on his sword's handle as he filed inside of the castle; close behind Aragorn. There were dwarves with them, and another hobbit. Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins, supposedly, with the dwarf from earlier who had claimed to be Kili. This stole the luxury of coincidence from under Sam's feet rather easily; when he'd only known of Kili the dwarf, he had eased himself slightly with the assumption that it was simple coincidence. It was hard to do the same when two very similar happenings had cropped up twice in one pub sitting. Their presence was one that made Sam uneasy. He wasn't sure on the workings of this place, nor of much else concerning it, but he was sure of what he knew. And he knew well what had happened to the three.
While he hadn't meant to feel so, Aragorn's warning smacked of a sardonic sort of humor to Sam. He'd encountered much already that he'd never seen; inside the castle and out. ]
Clear lack of things I have seen before since I come here, if I might say.
DWARVES THREAD NO ONE ELSE ALLOWED :|
Kili's near bouncing with excitement. He sets off down the hall, glancing back at Thorin with a broad grin.]
Come on, Thorin!
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Do not rush off, Kili. We do not know this place. [Be careful, boy, is what he means. He's not happy though, being delegated into hunting rats. Rats. He was no child nor feline!]
Stay sharp, while we hunt the meek and small, there could be worse things in these halls.
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What could be living in a castle besides rats?
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Has the guild you've chosen not spoken of the beasts, monsters, that live in the castle?
[He's not sure why the city would live around a castle full of monsters, but it is not his place to judge them all for what they do. He does that when it comes to elves as it is, let's leave the judging to just them for now.]
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Oh. Yes, I suppose they did. [But Kili wasn't really paying attention. He hardly ever does.] Sorry, Uncle. I forgot.
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[He understands Kili is having fun, he's still young, everything is amazing and new and he has to rush towards it, but Thorin is older and he would have his pace be rushed, but still with weapons at the ready and keeping his eyes peeled for anything.]
Do they expect the rodents to come to us, or were we given nothing to lure them with? [Honestly. He'll sigh.] Keep an eye out for them, I shall make sure nothing else falls upon us.
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We could use this?
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[Thorin nods, actually quite pleased by Kili's resourcefulness. As Kili deals with setting their bait out, Thorin will keep an eye out. He'll give a few practice swings and twirls of his blade, feeling his body complain a bit as he moves. Muscles are still stiff, his body still sore from his encounter with Azog. Instead of letting that get to him he'll grumble a bit.]
Tis insulting, being made to fetch the tails of rodents like felines.
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He looks up at his uncle in surprise once he's finished.]
Gandalf said it was the hardest task!
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Way to ruin the fun, Thorin.]
Gandalf will say and do as he wishes to get things done.
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It takes a little time, but he manages to set up a very rudimentary trap using a bit of string and his throwing knives. Satisfied with his work, he straightens up and goes to Thorin's side.]
I've only tried a trap like this once when Fili and I were really desperate one hunting trip. But it should work.
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[Thorin gives Kili a clap on his shoulder, his way of saying 'good job'. Kili was surprising him, but in a good way. The boy knew how to hunt of course, he'd just never really seen it like this.]
We can come back a little later, let us see if we can find any else where. It will not hurt to explore this place, seeing as it is where we first arrived.
[This strange castle... the one they'd been locked in until the mayor of the city let them out. Now should they stumble into some monsters, or merely walk about with no idea where to go? Just DON'T GO UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF THE CASTLE. The monsters will grind you into dust.]
woah i had this half written up and then apparently forgot i had it open
That first day was so strange. [Kili shakes his head slowly, recalling. He'd been in pain and confused and completely terrified. He's glad he found Thorin those first few days, though. It was hard enough on his own.
He'll follow his uncle's lead for now, sword drawn and hanging loosely from one hand.]
...Do you think Fili will come here too?
[He tries not to sound too pathetic, but Kili has always felt like the lesser half of a whole. He and Fili aren't meant to be parted. They've never been parted, really.]
man I hate when I do that... especially when chrome then decides to crash and loses it allllll
And then he'd found Kili and things felt slightly better, even if it was still worrying that most of their company was not with them. There was little to explain what was going on, which was more worrying.]
Perhaps.
[His response is slightly hesitated, which means he doesn't know. He doesn't know, but he doesn't want to say it. There's a nose up ahead, Thorin isn't sure what it is, but it has him stopping, a hand coming up to block Kili from walking further. He doesn't speak, only listens. There's more noise, but he can't make out what it is.]
... what do you make of that?
[Thorin will murmur back to Kili, voice low. There's something not far ahead of them just around a corner, but it's nothing he's ever heard before.]
i know that feel bro
The noise is intriguing. Kili slows and listens intently, frowning. When Thorin asks the question, he shakes his head slowly.]
I don't know. [His admittance is soft and rather embarrassed. Kili's the hunter, he ought to know.] I have never heard anything like that.
terrible feels
And then it turns the corner and they can see what it is. Or more can see two of what it is. Odd long bug like creatures, their husks a hard metallic looking black with red eyes.]
What creatures are those!
[Thorin will state in surprise and has to shove Kili aside and roll away as one comes at them. One for each dwarf it seems, as soon as they're parted the one that charged at them turns tail and comes at Thorin, the other one going for Kili.]
Kili!
[He'll call to alert him, if his nephew hasn't seen it already. His own blade is used to deflect the many legs of the creature as it tries to come at him, and he'll manage to hack a few off. It does not seem to faze the beast too much yet, only anger it, much to his dismay.]
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He puts a little distance between himself and the creature, noting how Thorin's attacks aren't seeming to do much good. Moving quickly from years of practice, he draws a knife from his belt and throws it, striking the thing in one eye. It lets out a high pitched squeal and rears back. Kili allows himself a smile.]
Eyes are a soft spot!
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What his nephew figures out instantly has Thorin formulating a plan.]
Kili! Attack again, at the eyes, I will strike their under belly once they've reared back. Keep away from them, don't let them hit you!
[If they work together and keep out of the way this should be easy enough now that they've worked this out. When Kili does it again he'll swoop in for the kill, at least on one of them.]
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A yellow-feathered arrow soars through the air and hits its target, completely blinding one of the creatures. Focused as he is on his task, Kili sends another two arrows at the other creature's eyes, anticipating Thorin to expect the action and be planning ahead for it.
Kili's aim is deadly accurate.]
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The other one goes down just as easy with Kili's help. Thorin lobs the head off the second one as it doesn't want to die quick enough. He doesn't see the point in letting it slowly die, needless pain and all that.
He's more curious as to what they are, using his sword he'll poke at one, peering at the dead creature.]
... you did good, Kili.
[Thorin will glance to his nephew, knowing that he deserves to be told of his skill.]
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Already flushed with excitement and adrenaline, Kili beams at the praise.]
Thank you, Uncle.
[He crosses the room to join him beside the dead things.] I've never even heard of creatures like this. Have you?
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I have fought many an orc or goblin, wargs... but never these. They are strange to be sure. They look as though they belong in the deep dark of a cave, not the halls of a castle.
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Maybe this place attracts them? I've heard the locals talking about it being home to some sort of... [He struggles for a moment to find the right word.] Vala.
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[Yes he knows the term men use, he would rather call whatever could be in here that than give them any credit for being like their creator Mahal.]
Come, let us go and see if your trap has been successful.
[These monsters have made his desire for looking around diminish greatly. Hopefully Kili's trap has caught more than one rat. They needed five after all.]
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He's just as eager to leave after the unexpected attack and nods in agreement.]
Right.
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To their luck there seemed to be a rat caught in the trap, another was not, but was trying to steal some bread away from the trap now that it had been sprung. Thorin doesn't let them get too close, otherwise they will alert the sneaky rat.]
Can you hit it from here?
[A silly question, but he knows Kili enjoys showing off, he's merely giving him reason to.]
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Thorin's question gets a derisive look. Obviously.
Inhale, exhale, release.
The rat never stood a chance. Kili grins in triumph, looking to his uncle for approval.]