CYOA Rustwater Chronicles Pt2
(holidays kind of screwed timing up but we're getting back on track with a fresh choice)
With such boundless opportunity ahead, where do we even start first?
A)The Brewery seems like the place to be right now
B)The Marketplace should take precedence for restocking and maybe raising some coin
C)The Midnight Delight, who doesn't love a little 'earthly pleasure'
D)Wander the city, with a bit of luck who knows what might turn up
(Voting for this one is open until Tuesday the 6th, 11:59 pm PST)
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B) Try to conceal the blade and keep it on you, what the guard doesn't know doesn't hurt them right?
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B) Ask him about sights around town
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Shuffling on his feet, Enek shifted view of the knife. Bending down, he act as if his boot lace needed retying and pulled his pant leg over the handle of the knife. "So... what can you tell me about the settlement? Any interesting stops you'd recommend for my stay here?" Enek tried to throw suspicion off by directing the mouse-morph guard's attention elsewhere. From past experience Enek knew he had a terrible poker face and deeply hoped it wasn't showing on his face right now.
"Interesting stops eh?" The mouse-morph repeated the question, not even paying attention to Enek for the moment as he rifled through the pack, giving anything that seemed odd a quick second glance. "That's an easy one, I give this old spiel half a dozen times a week." He smiled at the human.
'Crap..' Enek silently cursed to the heavens at this. A bell ringing echoed up from the cavern, catching the mouse-morph's attention for a moment as his large ears perked towards it before his eyes followed.
"Well I suppose that depends on what's on your mind really. We have the Zahn Brewery, one of the only establishments in the town that's allowed access to the resevoir on account of how much business a fully working tavern brings in... and the taxes of course." He tapped a finger to his chin as an embarassed look crossed his face. "Then next there's the Midnight Delight if er.. whoring, is your thing. Mistress Rose opened the place up about a few months back and assembled a fairly diverse group of girls. Not that I know anything about it of course." The guardsman cleared his throat. "The place is a bit of a rumor mill, I hear supposedly they pay for unique tidbits that folks bring in but for what reason who knows, maybe they're all just gossip mongers."
Setting the backpack aside, the mouse-morph pulled the not so concealed hunting knife from the side pocket. "This will be held with us until you leave, just come pick it up on your way out because if you don't then it's going into the guard armory." He tossed the blade onto another nearby table, causing Enek to wince at the sound of it hitting a solid surface so hard. "And let's see, the last of the tourist attractions would just be the trade-market. Whether you're stocking up on supplies or just buying a gift for the sweetheart back home you'll find at least something there. And the name is true to itself, they take more than just gold, silver, or bronze. They'll trade goods for favors or other goods as well. Now then big guy, normally this is the point where I tell you to bend and spread em but I'm off shift as of about 5 minutes ago. So unless you really want my fingers up your ass, how about you just promise that there's no nasty surprises on you eh?" The smaller guard smiled sheepishly.
Enek nods, gathering up the rest of his pack from the table. "It's not my intention to cause trouble even if I did, er.. sorry I never caught your name, but I'm Enek. Thanks for the info anyway." He nodded to the smaller mouse boy.
"It's Lio actually, and if you want some company you can find me down at the aforementioned tavern. I'm sure you've got a few interesting stories to tell. Might buy you a round if you share one or two. Seeya around Enek, and also.." Lio unlocked the next gate with his key ring, nodding to an awaiting guard and handing them off. "Welcome to Rustwater."
The town ahead of enemy stretched out through the cavern, a hive of activity. Street signs dotted every corner and tunnel entrance. If nothing else they seemed to at least have the city well organized. Buildings were built straight into the stone, or out of it. Some even wrapped around the more stuborn stalagmites. Housewives stood on stoops chatting away happily, children of varying races ran through the streets laughing, and even nearby miners could be seen actively working away at a section of wall. Enek wasn't sure how they were generating the power, but most of the homes even had lights on shining through the windows, though a good deal of the people seemed to either carry lanterns or relying on their own night vision.
Enek watched as Lio headed off towards a large, cobbled together, three-story building. The location in question seemed to be one that was attracting quite a lot of attention from the the citizens as a good many few were already heading in that direction. Taking a quick stock of his supplies, Enek counted out approximately a weeks worth of dried jerky and nuts. Food would last for a bit but they could easily go fast if not supplemented with some fresh stock.
The sounds of merchants shouting out to each passerby in hopes of catching their business sounded down what seemed to be the main street, while the sounds of song and cheer seemed to come from the large brewery, and though the last presented option wasn't as loud as the others, down one of the blocks, settled in comfortably towards the caverns current wall decorative red lanterns gave tempting sway towards the imagination of what it held.
Smiling wide as he took the sights in, the human headed into town with interest and curiousity.