forum I summon thee @Young-Dusty
Started by @amber_is_in_a_loop
tune

people_alt 66 followers

@amber_is_in_a_loop

(You're back!)
Charlotte stared at the child, Thomas, as he rambled on. "Well, I'm Charlotte, I'm 28," she grinned, getting to her knees to level with the kid. "Do you like living here?"

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

"Yeah," Thomas said offhandedly. "There's a river nearby here and we go fishing in it. Will can't fish yet, but I'm pretty good. One time we saw a huge fish but it got away. Everybody has a part of the bank that they share. One time when I was really little, like two, Uncle Ben's part caught on fire. But it's better now."
One of the other children, a girl with tousled brown hair, suddenly poked Thomas to get his attention.
"Oh yeah," he said. "Mara says she's seen you before. And that guy who was with you. She saw you at her birthday party. Where you there? I don't remember you."

@amber_is_in_a_loop

Charlotte wanted to frown in confusion, but she went for a calmer approach to the kids. Switching her gaze from Thomas to Mara, she spoke to the girl. "Is that so? When was your birthday?"

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

(awww shucks XD)
"I think so. You were…um…..as old as me, I think. The dragon was pink and purple and it could talk. The tall man was a knight. Right?"
"Mara!" A harried-looking woman suddenly came out of the house and walked over to them. "Are you kids bothering this young woman?" She offered Charlotte a polite smile. "Sorry about them, they don't meet strangers very often."

@amber_is_in_a_loop

(noo I just got confused, your kids are very convincing)
"Of course they aren't," Charlotte kindly assured the woman, with a wider smile than she'd worn for a good few years. "We were just talking, but I'll let you be on your way."

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

(Aw ty XD)
The woman seemed relieved. "Of course. Thank-you. Mara, Thomas, you have chores to do. Will, come inside with me, all right? You can help me cook."
Just then Rick arrived, tipping his cap amiably at the woman. "Okay," he said to Charlotte. "Sorry that took so long. Find anything interesting yet?"

@amber_is_in_a_loop

Charlotte eyed the family as they headed away, nodding slowly for Rick's benefit. "Apparently the Sandman has used our identities," she said to the retreating silhouette of Thomas and his mother. Then, turning to face Rick. "Isn't that right, Knight Rick?" she teased, already heading for the town center.

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

Rick looked confused for a second, then chuckled. "I have an uncle who's a psychologist. He used to tell us that when you're a kid, you're real busy learnin' how to recognize faces, but sometimes it goes overboard a bit." He sighed. "I miss bein' able to hang out with my nieces and nephews back home…..they were the best comedians I ever met."

@amber_is_in_a_loop

(eeeh I got to go to bed, gnight <3)
"I miss children. When I was working with them day after day, it was some of the best times I've ever had, despite the context."
She was clearly softening, pulling beloved moments from tangles of memories she'd only ever tried to repress. "I remember once…"
And just those words brought tears to her eyes. Shaking off the memory, she turned away from Rick. "Anyway, never mind. I'm going to head to the Easternmost spot, start on questioning. Meet you here in a bit."

@amber_is_in_a_loop

Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.
She marched to the farthest house, running up their front steps and forcefully knocking on their door. No answer. She knocked again.
(I was thinking maybe we each play the people the other are questioning?)

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

(Sounds good. I do have an idea for that guy who was staring at them in the tavern, btw, so you'll probably meet him again pretty soon)
The door slowly opened and a very old woman poked her head out. "If you're here to arrest me, I haven't done anything wrong in almost twenty years," she said in a wobbly yet indignant voice. "don't make me break my streak. And if you're here to sell me something, I'm afraid to say that my dog has more money than me, so go sell him a bone or something."

@amber_is_in_a_loop

(WHO IS THIS WOMAN)
Charlotte blinked in surprise once, twice, before regaining her composure and offering the woman a reassuring hand shake. "Nothing of the sort, ma'am. I'd just like to ask you a few questions, and I don't even have to come in."

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

The woman squinted thoughtfully. "Ohh, since I was maybe fifty-two, and I'm probably about eighty now. When this town first started, there were three houses and a barn. That nasty tavern didn't get built for another five years or so, although I admit it did draw a few more settlers. And that's how I met my dearly departed husband, so I suppose I can't really complain."

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

"Why, yes I did. That was back when I was…..sixty…..three? Or maybe it was forty three…..hmmm…." The old woman scratched her chin. "Well anyway, I made it. I was in the army, you know, or one of 'em. Even managed to fight a big ol' Deorn once. Let me tell you, that was a day to remember. I have some pretty crazy scars from that, you can imagine. What about you, girl? Were you even alive back then? You look so young and sprightly to me."

@Young-Dusty-the-Monarch-of-Dusteria group

"Oh, they're not close to here, no, but we get our fair share of the buggers. Every fall and spring there'll be one or two young 'uns hanging around, looking for a place to settle. But all we have to do is burn the old fields in the fall and make a racket by the river during the spring, and they clear out. They're not so desperate that they'd pick a fight over a dusty old place like this, y'see. Not enough food for 'em."