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Glow Cream
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>Poor lad, his status and job has kind of overshadowed his own identity. Maybe if things keep going well you can press to get to know him more.
Huh, you’ve never thought about it, but he would be more well-known for his title than his actual name, wouldn’t he? He is the TreeWalker, not… whoever he used to be before that. It is not him they cheer and clamor for, but for what he symbolizes.
Bill: For a long while, you just stare at the Mayor with a knowing smile, before finally stating, “Alright, Ah’ll l-let yah off t-the hook this time.” the badger lets out a breath as you continue, “Besides, t-that thing is p-probably full of mmm… mmm… … mercury. We don’t w-want yah g-getting hurt, do we?”
Mayor: “Thank you.” it is clear that he’s grateful, “Finally, someone is reasona-”
TreeWalker: “Actually, I would prefer if you ate it.” the bunny suddenly interrupts, “In fact, I was hoping you would share it with your grandson, as well as the other kids of the hamlet.”
Mayor: Both you and the Mayor give each other a look, “What?”
TreeWalker: “I made it out of liquorish, after all… and the red band as well as the insides are raspberry flavored.” an annoyed Mayor stares at the TreeWalker, who just smiles warmly, “You’ll have to excuse my jest, dear sir, but it is traditional for a TreeWalker to give the town children something tasty.” then the rabbit laugh loudly, his whiskers bobbing up and down, “And I shouldn’t resist when you said you didn’t have a hat to eat.”
Mayor: “Hmm, very funny…” the old badger grumbles, “But thank you for the liquorish… I’ll make sure the children get a taste…” He gives you a nod before leaving, clearly too old for this manure.
TreeWalker: “Ah, so where were we again? Oh, right, the lake?”
Bill: “Oh, I’d b-be glad to help a TreeWalker on t-their quest in any way Ah can, sir.” you tell him as you start your work on his fish, “While Ah admit Ah don’t k-know how much help Ah can be, it is imperative that Ah at least try help yah to banish this… um… f-foul creature.” With a loud whack, its head is separated from its body, “Though, can we talk after Ah’m done here? Maybe over a… a… a… m-meal?”
TreeWalker: “While I would hate to distract you from your skillful work, master fisherman…” you can feel his eyes on your back, watching your every move with interests, “Sadly, I am already taken for dinner tonight.” He leans a bit to the side as you start gutting the fish, trying his best to get a better angle to watch your handiwork, “Got to dine and whine with the important people here… you know how it is.”
Bill: “Well, as far as Ah know, there’s nothing to fear in the lake.” Bones falls into the bucket, your hands moving on their own, “Nothing but having to take an empty haul back home, that is.”
TreeWalker: “Indeed…” the TreeWalker stays silent for a bit, just watching you work with great interest, before finally asking, “Do you know the lake well? How long have you been fishing there?”
Bill: “Ah’ve lived by and fished on that lake ever since Ah were a hatchling.” you tell him with pride, “Lika mah pah before that and his pah before that.” You put away the knives, happy with your work, “And we have never met no monster, no sir.”
TreeWalker: “Hmm, how often do you venture out there?” his soft paws taps the stall behind you, “And how big is your boat?”
Bill: “D-d-do yah want to g-go with me!?” you almost drop one of the files onto the ground, “Err… Ah mean… most days?” taking a deep breath, you refocus yourself, “And mah boat is big enough for two or three people, TreeWalker. Ah c-can show y-yah after Ah’m done h-here… if y-yah want?”
TreeWalker: “Tonight? Oh no, that won’t work.” he shakes his head, “Even if I wasn’t busy, that’s all too late.” Tap tap tap, his fingers dances on the wooden surface, “No, we’ll head out early in the morning, at sun rise.”
Bill: “…y-yah actually… Ah mean… err…” taking a moment, you put a few herbs onto the fish files, “Yah know, Ah have this sinking feeling that Ah already know the beast they are talking about. The other fishermen, that is.” and then some salt, “It’s me. Ah’m the beast.”
TreeWalker: “Oh, Bill, don’t be so hard on yourself. Of course not.” he smirks, “In fact, they all said you were the only one brave enough to fish there, even if there was a creature out there.”
Bill: “…Ah don’t think they called me brave, TreeWalker.” You sigh, “TreeWalker is to formal… can Ah call yah something else?”
TreeWalker: “The difference between a fool and a brave man is that the fool doesn’t feel fear.” he states in a self-assured tone, “And you clearly aren’t a fool, Bill.” Then he grow silent, looking away from you before mumbling quietly, “… … …by the way, my n-name is Theodmir… you can call me Theo if y-you so wish.”
Bill: “It’s is an honor to meet yah, Theodmir.” you state as you wrap what is left of the fish in earthroot leaves, “Say, why have yah come to mah humble hamlet?”
Theo: “Why, I’m hunting a fearsome beast, Bill.” he say with pride, “One that can swim between worlds… and I do believe just a day or two ago, it came here to your lake.” Looking back at him, he quickly notices your concern, “Oh don’t worry, that thing wouldn’t attack someone as big and strong as yourself, my scaly friend. It mostly goes after the weak, like the young and the elderly.” Theo brushes some dust from his jacket before calmly stating, “That is to say, unless you do something foolish, like sleeping by the lake.”
Bill: “…Mah hovel is right next to the lake, Theo.”
Theo: “Oh… um…” the rabbit fixes his cravat awkwardly, “I’m sure you have a friend that can lend you a bed?” he coughs, “Or some family?”
You place the finished fish files in front of him. Both bathed in salt, herbs and wrapped in Crimson leafs. Both of you stare at each other in an awkward silence.
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