Delivering A Message

[JuneyGnomey]

A tall, slender man threw open the door to the Four Candles Inn, the wind howling around him, the rain lashing down upon him as he struggled the door closed behind him. He wiped the rain from his face with his long fingers, lowered his hood, and spent a few moments taking in his surroundings.

She had to be here somewhere... this was the location he was given when he agreed to the assignment. He paced toward the bar, his head turning left and right, scanning the room for her, running over the description his superior had given him in his head; a Gnome, curly red hair, somewhat chubby... and fond of talking.

He cocked his head to one side as he approached the bar, a high pitched, constant chattering catching his attention. He glanced toward a table, which he suspected was the source of the sound, and there she was. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he regarded her. "Fond of talking" didn't cover it. Her head bobbed with every single word, and she was rather animated with her hands as she nattered on and on in that lilting, almost sing-song Gnomish accent to the poor fool sat opposite her.

But that did not matter, he had a job to do, and the sooner it was done, the sooner he would no longer have to hear that incessant chatter. He reached into a pouch at his belt, feeling for a small vial of liquid, running his smooth fingers over it. He pulled the vial from the pouch, and as he approached the Gnome's table, he placed his hand into the pocket concealed within the inside of his tunic. His fingers touched upon the feathered end of the most important tool of his trade, before tracing down to the sharp, pointed end.

The gnome looked up from her conversation as he pounded across the floor toward her, his boots squeaking as much as the floorboards themselves, his long strides indicating that this was a matter of importance. She gave him a warm smile as he approached.

He stood before her, the rain still dripping from his bearded chin. He said only her name. "Juney Thimbles?"

The Gnome beamed a wide smile. "Aye aye," she chirped.

In one quick movement, and with something of a flourish, he held the vial of ink and quill before her. "Scribe, madam. I believe you wish me to take a letter."

"Aye aye!" Juney said again. "You'd better be taking a seat. This may take a while."

The scribe rolled his eyes ever so slightly, gritting his teeth as he prepared himself for his toughest assignment this tenday.

(( I have to apologise for the twist in the tale here - I put it down to Juniper's playful nature and habit of playing with words as being rather infectious. I'd be interested to see if anybody actually fell for it though, so feel free to send me a PM to let me know either way. ))

[JuneyGnomey]

Dear Pippy,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been a little while since I last wrote, but I certainly haven't forgotten you! I have just been really rather busy lately.

I am currently spending most of my time in a place called Sundren. It is a city far to the west, and it has its charms. I am currently sitting in a quaint little inn named "the Four Lanterns", and in case you don't recognise my handwriting, well, that is because I am having somebody scribe this letter on my behalf. He is a dashing, tall, and well-groomed man. And now he is blushing.

I am not longer with the troupe, I'm sad to say. We ran into a little trouble as we passed through the Dalelands. It is a long story, but the long and short of it is that Quilly got into a wee scrape and ended up in a fistfight with the wrong person, and is now received free lodgings on behalf of the Essembran Watch, so we kind of disbanded.

I am currently making my living as a seamstress, amongst other things, and although it doesn't pay much (I make more repairs than anything else), it gets a few raised eyebrows and people find it somewhat interesting. But there are always other opportunities to be seized in these parts, and, as you know, dear Pippy, I am always more than happy to seize them.

What else can be said about this place? Well, Gnomes here are few and far between, which, while kind of disappointing in one way, is something of a blessing; everybody here finds me even more fascinating!

I have so, so many friends around here, and everybody is always happy to spend time with me. People here are good listeners. So there is no need to worry about me. I have not encountered a single shred of trouble or had cross words with a single person for as long as I can remember. But if I did, my bodyguard would rough them up for me, I assure you.

That's right, I have a bodyguard! This chap is more than happy to follow me around most of the time, always happy to lend a helping hand, and I get the feeling he'd do pretty much anything I ask at the drop of a hat. It's nice to know that it's still easy enough to bring people around to seeing things how I'd like them to. It was a bit frustrating after we lost Quilly, having to fend for myself and all, but it seems that anybody can be replaced sooner or later. Anyway, his name is... well, I don't actually remember his name, now that I think about it. In fact, I'm not so sure I ever found out. I call him Thistlegrasper. It's a long story.

Speaking of which, it is worth mentioning that I am still using the name Juniper. Although it has some memories attached to it, I do so like the sound of it. Not as graceful as Gnomish names, but it has a real charm to it, so I am reluctant to let it go. Should I have need or desire, though, I think I'll be using "Blueberry", a nickname I acquired lately which rolls off the tongue quite nicely. I'm using a different last name currently - another nickname that stuck. So if you ever happen to be in the area, you'd be best off searching for a Juniper Thimbles. Not that I expect you to, of course - too much to worry about back home, I'll wager - you and that foresty boy will be wed soon, I'd imagine.

Do give my regards to my parents, Pippy. Tell them as much as they will listen to, and don't forget to mention that I do miss them. I know we didn't part on the best of terms, but I'm hoping time will soothe the irritation somewhat and that when I return, they will greet me with a smile in their heart rather than a scowl on their face.

Take good care of yourself, Pippy. And take care of Elissa, too, she needs you. I haven't forgotten the promise I made you, and am doing everything I can.

I will write again soon. My love to everybody.

Juniper.