As the group surveying the now quiet battleground, they had two corpses, one man still trying to stop his nosebleed, two men face down begging for their lives and an ear.
Thwock looked around in dismay and took off his silk top har to mop his brow. "Well. this escalated quickly...'
Addiela locked her eyes on Thwock and gripped her staff more tightly, "Yes.. apologies. Now, the cave?"
Nethrida crossed her arms and frowned a little at the goblin. She nudged her head towards Addie. "I'd say you ought to listen to her".
Meanwhile Nimlindir used her sword and deftly picked up the ear from the ground with the point. She held it up to Finchley and giggled, 'Can you hear me now?'
Finchley grimaced through a smile at the sight of the ear. "Ummmmm... Sure, Nim."
Nimlindir grinned and flicked the ear off into the distance. She wiped the blade clean and sheathed it as Finchley shook her head softly.
Thwock sighed and jumped down from the stairs, looking up at Addie. "Alright, alright, to tell you the truth it will be a relief to get him out of here...since he showed up Bonita has missed three shows and a personal appearance...and do you know how much he EATS??? Well...I imagine you do.'
Addiela raised a brow at the goblin. "What is your arrangement with this Bonita? I assume you didn't rescue her from Forochel to only make her -your- slave?"
Thwock laughed. "Slave? Hardly....she is on an exclusive contract but if ya call that slavery, you must be outta your mind.....she eats better than you do, lady. Heck she eats better than ME!'
Addiela nodded, silently determining to ask Bonita that question for herself.
Finchley raised her hand a bit. "If she eats better'n me then I want to know where she gets her food from... and if I can have any."
Xan fussed over the stunned Elsa as Finchley held the girl up, one arm slung over her shoulders, with ease. She may have been small but she was not unused to carrying weight.
Nimlindir touched Elsa lightly on the temple and voiced a lovely chant. She concentrated, then smiled. 'She should feel better now Small Finchley...'
Ellsabeth nodded at her friends. "Thank you. Sorry...guess I did not make the best first impression when it came to a fight."
Nimlindir giggled, 'Do not fret little simbelmyne. You broke his weapon with your head making it harmless.' She giggled again.
As they followed the Goblin, Carneryn poked Neth's arm gently and Nethrida blinked before taking her hand.
Carneryn looked happier. "Thank you Nethy."
Thwock led them through the midway and around behind the big top. Along the way various people greeted him with a smile or a wave…for a goblin he seemed well liked by the performers and the carnies . "Careful over there, don’t wander too near the spook house. Gonna have to do something about that, the spook has been getting out of hand.'
Addiela glance over to the black and red tent of the spook house and took note of it. However, her mission was determined and she was ready to get to that cave.
Nethrida glanced over to the spook house and frowned. She was somewhat glad they weren’t going there and certainly kept her distance.
Finchley looked to the spook house as well for a moment but didn’t wander anywhere near it as she helped Elsa along who leaned into Finch for support as she continues to shake off the effects of the blow she took.
Nethrida huffed a bit "I'm not scared..." She proclaimed and straightened her posture as a random wailing was heard from the spook house and several children come racing out, screaming.
Finchley whispered to Xan, "Hey, after we get Rollo back, can we go in the spook house?"
Xanderian smiled at the girl..."If you wish, Small Finchley
Nimlindir looked confused, 'Small Finchley, What is a spook house?'
Finchley thought for a moment, 'Hmm, it's a lot of fun if done right. It's a sort of tricked out house made to be scary and fun. You walk through and see all sorts of spooky things.'
Nimlindir laughed, 'Spooky things? I should like to see them.'
Carneryn snickered softly "You know... It could be fun nethy." She also kept an eye out for the lovers lane... Just in case they had the time.
Nethrida huffed again. "Mission takes priority" she quickly retorted and didn’t even look at the haunted house anymore.
Tucked behind the big top was a large wagon, but the end where the door usually would be had been fashioned, with paper mache and gray paint, into a crude looking cave mouth. Sitting on a stool in front of it was a hobbit writing in a notebook.'
Addiela stared at the construction of this 'cave' for a moment, her lips pursing in thought before she finally looked to the hobbit. However, instead of speaking to him, Addie walked past him and into the cave wagon.
The hobbit looked up. "Hey, be careful...they are...ummm...well....bear naked, at the moment....are you press?'
The hobbit's words stopped Addie from entering the wagon. "What?"
Finchley glanced at the hobbit and tilted her head. "Eh... aren't all bears naked though?"
The hobbit looked at Finchley then back to Addie. "Well..they are extra naked then. I asked if you are press, or a fan?'
Addiela looked down at her nose at the halfling, imperiously. 'Friend... and I want my bear.'
Thwock hurried between the two and pointed at the hobbit.."This is Greedbo...Bonita's personal assistant.'
The hobbit looked annoyed. “How many times…..GREEBO...not GREEDBO...'
Addiela nodded, 'And did you have a hand in arranging this, Master Greebo?'
The hobbit just looked confused now..."Arranging what?'
Addiela snorted, 'This match for your lady bear, of course.'
The hobbit smiled in understanding. “Oh, you mean Romeo? No that wasn’t arranged he just appeared. The two of them spent a few minutes sniffing each other, made RRAAWWUURRRRR noises and BOOM, they weren’t seen again until the catering arrived. They have been at it ever since…ummm…pardon the phrase…but…yeah.”
Finchley licked her lips a bit at the mention of catering.
Morn had heard enough. She flew off of Addie's shoulder and into the wagon. She squawked angrily as she flew off. It was not certain which bear she would peck first, but by god there WOULD be pecking!
A flurry of even louder squawking echoed out of the wagon cave which then creaked a bit as a bear a bit smaller than Rollo lumbered out of the "cave"...it was certainly female as it's fur was dyed a bright pink with sparkles and it had long, dark eyelashes and a fetching straw hat.
Nethrida's jaw dropped and she simply stared at the dolled up bear while Carneryn raised a brow and just looked confused.
The pink bear rose up on its hind legs and made a soft chuffling sound, waving adorably to Addie. The Hobbit interrupted. "Save it honey, the rubes aren’t fans..."'
Abruptly the bear stopped waving, dropped to all fours and walked over to take a fresh salmon off the bucket of ice near the catering buffet.
Carneryn pinched both herself and Nethy to see if they were dreaming.
Finchley just stared at the bear and then smiled. "Awwww, she's adorable! Just... lookit her! She's pink!”
Thwock leaned close to Finch. "Ain’t she though...she is so adorable she clears 200 gold pieces a month, easy...and that is not counting personal appearances or merchandise. I am telling ya, she is a gold mine.'
Ellsabeth watched the pink bear and rubbed her eyes. Apparently she had gotten hit in the head harder than she had thought.
Nimlindir was confused, 'Small Finchley, How can a bear be a gold mine? Especially a pink one'
Finchley waved the goblin off and just oohed and aahed over Bonita. "Who cares if she makes you money or not; she is precious! Rollo picked a good one for sure."
Greebo the hobbit glared at Thwock. "Don’t talk about her like a piece of meat. She earns every penny, this is the hardest working bear in show business'
Finchley whistled, 'You're doin' amazin', Bonita! Or whatever you prefer people to call you. And we're thrilled you're here!'
Greebo picked up a small flute and smiled at Finch. "Bonita, baby..show em..." He played a popular tune as the bear rose up again and howled along to the tune the hobbit was playing. She then daintily pranced up to Finch and licked her nose.
Finchley waved off the hobbit too, enraptured. "Shh! Shh! She doesn't have to prove anythin' or work more. She's perfect as she is..." Finch giggled a bit and pulled yet another snack out of her pocket to offer to Bonita.
Nimlindir clapped her hands like a small child. 'This is lovely. In Mirkwood the Orcs have bears, but they are only trained to eat us. This is much preferred!'
Bonita took the offered snack in a very lady like fashion, and batted her eyes at Finch who could barely keep from hugging the poor bear! "Sooo cuuuuute..."
In the wagon the squawking continued, until at the mouth of the cave was Rollo....looking a bit pink smeared but otherwise quite healthy.'
Addiela folded her arms over her chest and looked at Rollo as Morn pecked him on the ear one more time for good measure. "And what do you have to say for yourself?"
Rollo looked at Addie dolefully and seemed a bit embarrassed...like a farmboy when their mother caught them canoodling in the hayloft. Rollo lumbered forward...and pressed the top of his head against Addie's hand'
Nethrida's confusion had slowly turned into amusement, snickering a bit at the pink bear, then at Rollo and looked even more amused.
Nimlindir grinned, 'This is Rollo? He is a very handsome boy!'
Finchley spared a moment from gushing over Bonita and pulled yet another snack from her pocket. "Here, Rollo! I did not forget your snack!"
Addiela shook her head and intercepted the snack, holding onto it for now, but did give the bear a quick pat on the head. "That still doesn't explain it. You had us all worried sick, especially Morn here."
Rollo made a mournful noise to Morn, who then pecked him on the ear again. Then the bear looked around, seeming to be surprised and moved they were all there.
Bonita meanwhile ate another salmon without comment.
Finchley held out a snack to Rollo again. "We were all worried about you, Rollo. You are a very well loved bear, you know." Rollo nosed the snack...then looked beseechingly at Addie'
Addiela stared at Finch and then to the snack in her hand. "Really? Did you not see me hold that other snack until he explains himself?"
Finchley looked at Addie then down at the ground sheepishly and then pretended she had been offering the snack to Bonita.
Slowly recovering, Ellsabeth looked at Rollo for a moment and offered a wave to the bear as it was their first meeting.
Addiela looked back to Rollo and waited, now that the temptation of the snack was gone. Rollo looked at Bonita and the two stared at each other and made raauurr noises...then Rollo moved to stand beside Addie.'
Bonita faced Addie and howled for a few moments (possibly to the tune of the classic Rohirric ballad, Jolene) then slowly walked into the cave, her back end swaying a bit more then it normally would.
Addiela took a deep breath. “Oh no you don’t you hussy…we settle this today.” and marched into the 'cave' behind Bonita, leaving Morn perched on Rollo's back to guard him while she spoke with the lady bear.
Finchley waved as Bonita returned to her cave. "Ooh... I hope they have souvenirs of her!"
Xanderian shrugged as Addie went into to settle things with the pink bear, petting Elsa's hair gently
Ellsabeth turned to look at Xan with a smile. She had a look of embarrassment on her face because of how easily a single blow had dazed her earlier.
Xanderian whispered to Elsa. "You did well to stand your ground...
Xan's words caused the girl to smile as she allowed her to continue to play with her hair. "Thanks you..." She says in a whisper.
Carneryn watched Morn intently "I wish I had a bird..."
Finchley looked to Ryn. "Eh... Sure about that, Ryn?" She was clearly thinking of another raven.
Carneryn nodded a little "Yeah... Just not Galvra..."
Finchley gigglesnorted! "Can't argue with that."
Nimlindir began to hop from foot to foot. Her attention wandered and she meandered towards a few vendors close by.
Xanderian look up at Nim. "Sweet songstress?
Just as the minstrel was wandering off, she stopped, turning back to Xanderian and smiled. She pointed over to where barkers were luring patrons to throw a ball at some bottles or to buy snacks. Ellsabeth looked around at some of the nearby Circus Games and started to walk towards them as if she were completely drunk...a good sign that she was not 100% yet.
Xan called to them, 'Dear Nim, Elsa..please bring Finchley one of those grilled rodents?'
Finchley looked to Xan and just... hugs her. "You're the best!"
Nimlindir nodded and grabbed Elsa, and arm and arm led her to the barker and the balls and bottles thingy.
Within the cave, Addie and Bonita were speaking and growling at each other, seeming to be negotiating. Now that Addie was in the 'cave' alone with Bonita, she spoke common speech as well as the bear’s own language. "What do you want with Rollo? And is he the only bear you've been seeing?"
Bonita would make a shocked noise and growled a response.
Addiela listened to the bear, though a stern expression still remained on her face and her arms were still folded over her chest. She continues on in bear speak, "I see.. And do you no longer wish to work to start this family?"
The pink bear shook her head and howled.
Addiela raised a brow, "Go on.." The bear laid down and made a chuffing noise.
Addiela looked Bonita over and sighed as she let her hands drop down to her side. "Just tell me what plans you have. You wish to stay here, with this circus, and make your home?"
Bonita howled again and growled softly.
Addiela shook her head, "I don't care about your fans or your career, I only wish to know the plans you have with Rollo."
The bear stood and roared.
Addiela narrowed her eyes a bit. "Don’t get huffy. Perhaps you both should have thought about all that before bringing on... other responsibilities."
The bear roared louder and bared her teeth.
Addiela roared back at Bonita. "I am not judging you, but I know the cost of being the daughter of a warrior, one that only saw her father in between his service.... the daughter of a warrior that was killed in duty. Do you really wish for your child to be raised in such a way, with Rollo away so often?"
The pink bear stared intently at Addie and chuffed again.
Addiela shook her head, "You are mistaken on our arrangement. We have no contract nor is he bound by any oath like you are with this place. He helps me because he is a friend.. and as a friend I also want what would make him happy. If that is this path, so be it; I shall not come between that."
Bonita moved forward, pressing her head firmly against Addie and rubbing…then moved down out of the wagon followed by the woman.
Meanwhile, Nim and Elsa had walked a few feet along the midway. Shouting in a carny voice and spreading pixie dust a barker shouted, 'Step right up, step right up! Knock the bottles of the stand and win a prize!'
Nim put a coin down just like she had seen Finchley do. However the Carny shook his head, 'Nope! no Knife ears allowed' Something magical about them wins every time... 'But you pretty lady!' he oggleed Ellsabeth, “You can try your luck and win a prize!''
Ellsabeth looked timidly at Nim and then nodded yes at the Carny. She took one of the balls but she was still not recovered from the blow she had twken. She focused on what she THOUGHT was one of the bottles before she threw the ball. Elsa had not realized that she was facing the wrong direction and that the bottle she threw the ball at was actually Finch's head.
However Elsa stumbled, turned, tried to catch her balance, and spun all the way around before throwing…knocking ALL the bottles down with a fancy trick toss before falling on her backside.'
As the bottles cascaded, the barker looked down at her and snarled. "Hey, no sharking....'
Nimlindir cheered and helped Ellsabeth up. 'You did it! She won, no?'She then glared at the carny menacingly.
The barker swallowed any further argument, and reluctantly give Elsa a stuffed Bonita, an even brighter shade of pink than the real “hardest working bear in show business”.
Nimlindir smiled, 'Lets go get small Finchley her rat...'
Ellsabeth smiled back at Nim. She took the stuffed bear, smiling at it as well before looking back at Nim. "Ok. Maybe we can try again after. That was fun."
Nimlindir giggled and led Ellsabeth to the food vendor. She purchased four rats on a stick, which she assumed was something battered and fried, shaped like a rat. She handed one to Ellsabeth as they walked back to the group. When they arrived she handed Finchley two, and she prepared to eat the fourth herself.
Finchley took the two rats on sticks and grinned. "Thanks! Hmmm, to save this second one for Lif or to not..."
Just before she took her first bite, Nimlindir discovered that the vendors were actually telling the truth! It was a real rat on a stick. She looked a little green as she disposed of hers.
Finchley takes a bite of hers. She chewed thoughtfully. "Hmmm... A little gamey, if you ask me. But it's not terrible... I'm gonna save this other one for Lif after all; see what she thinks."
Xanderian shook her head. "I think bringing a rat on a stick to the Banshee would just be setting a bad precedent.
Finchley tilted her head. "Bad precedent?"
Xan shrugged. “With such an example, who knows what, or who, else she will put on a stick and fry.”
Elsa watched the two and looked at the now unclaimed second rat on a stick in Finchley’s hand. “Are you going to eat that?”
Finchley looked to the stuffed Bonita bear Elsa has. "Awww, that's adorable. Trade?"
Elsa considered it….then shook her head. “No, but I will show you where I won it…I bet Rian could win one for you.”
Finchley nodded happily, and shared the extra rat with her.
Emerging into the light as the girls ate, Addiela looked at Rollo and there was now an expression of hurt on her face. "You two can speak matters over, Rollo... it still remains that you didn't bother to tell this to either myself or Morn before running off. And how long would you have kept it hidden? Would we have even known you would soon have a family if we had not grown concerned and followed you?" Addie spared the bear one more glance before turning and stepping back. Morn looked a bit torn as to what she should do, but ultimately kraas in agreement and followed Addie.
After some growling with Bonita, Rollo took a salmon from the ice bucket...and laid it at Addie’s feet.
Addiela glanced down at the salmon and then back to Rollo. "Do as you wish, Rollo, I am no master over you. You and yours will always be welcome, but I shall not demand it of you." Morn glared at the bear, she clearly would demand him leave Bonita if it were up to her.
Rollo nodded...and stayed beside Addie. His choice had been made, at least day to day. Bonita watched the two, waddling over to Rollo and rubbing her muzzle on his head.
Finchley peered over at the two and sighed, still eating her rat. "Poor Rollo and Bonita. It's like a tragic love story."
Addiela broke the snack in half that she was still holding in her hands, offering one to Rollo and trying to get Morn to take the other as consolation.
Morn refused to take the snack from Addie as she made herself seem to be too heartbroken to eat. However, as Addie lowered it to offer it to Rollo, the bird squawked to demand the snack. Addie held back a smirk, knowing that would work.
Rollo rubbed himself against Addie’s leg as she patted the bear on the head, "You're forgiven, just tell me where you're going next time."
Nimlindir watched the scene in tears, calling out, 'Take heart herimedli. His love for you kept him true. 'His place is with you and he knows it.
Addiela blinked a few times in confusion toward Nim. "What?"
Nimlindir hugged herself, 'The honey eater has such deep love for you... I will sing of this. A true love story for the ages!'
Addiela opened her mouth to speak, but then just decided to nod.
As the group prepared to return home, or perhaps seek out this Lover’s Lane that had been mentioned, another howl was heard from the spook house as a child dashed out...fell to his knees...and threw up.
Addiela looked in that direction and got a twinkle in her eyes as she turned back to call out to Neth. "Impressive...One more place before we leave?"
Nethrida deadpanned at the spook house, then leaned towards Ryn "I've decided we're NOT going there..." she nodded with great confidence that the matter was thusly resolved.
Addiela smiled brightly at Neth. "It's agreed then."
Carneryn nodded softly "Ooooh we're going there Nethy."
Xan led the way as Addie and Ryn dragged Nethrida between them, leaving the others to explore the big top for a bit while they entered the spook house.
