For Fear of Foxes - RPLOG
From Rusted Promises
Participants
Date
11/8/477
Log
Siyu lets out a small sigh as his wagon pulls into the old saw barn. This place used to be a hum of activity and productivity. But his old lumber camp is all but abandonded now. The trees cut and cleared will take years to grow back, so there's no chance of everything just disappearing. Still, the bunkhouses lay empty, nests for squirks, the saw mills are rusting, blades turning red. In all manner of sorts the logging camp represented promise and hope, now all withered, so it's the perfect place for him to at least take some time away. At least he still has the writ technically so he has every right to be here and "look into" his investment, even if there are no workers and it's just waiting to fall over. The writ tucked into his merchants wagon along with nearly everything he owns. The rodent dressed in mail and leather, the forest still a dark and quiet place.
Fenris saunters into the old barn in the guise of old Amos Longtooth, the scarred, tattered battle veteran. His left eye is fogged over milky white and one ear seems rather torn, but he stands straight and firm in his dark Spyguard cloak. "Lonely sort of place, Mister Gang Xi Siyu," the old cat rasps, easing himself onto an old work bench, "Sorry to see the camp reduced to this." He rests his hands in easy sight on his lap and does his best to look non-threatening, though that was probably a lost cause already. "What are you running from, kid?" he asks.
Siyu a voice! By the 9 hells he just got here, someone followed him and did it quietly, he pulls heat, the coachgun next to his seat slides free, and both hammers cock. He clears the wagon quickly and tries to steady his breathing. He did pick the right soul for his travels, and it's not long before he's ducking in between shadows himself. Rodent throwing his voice a little. He's not the best at it, but enough to keep an average player guessing. "That's not your buisness, nor was it ever..." he squints, "I take it this mask is Longtooth?" he runs through the descriptors he's gotten and quickly arrives at that conclusion.
Amos does not even look around. He just holds his hands up in the air where they are easily visible. "That's my name, Siyu," the old tomcat says calmly, "Amos Longtooth. And I'm just here to talk, no need to go blasting my old head off with that boomstick of yours." The feline sits quietly, hands in the air, not looking around, hoping that Siyu's paranoia does not lead him to do something that they would both regret.
Siyu lets out a breath, "That's the mask you chose to wear. What, sweet, naive and innocent didnt' work, so now you're going to try old and wise?" he does let his finger up from the trigger, it is resting along the stock, but that creeping feeling of two barrels of lead being aimed at you doens't go away. "Bet you had a good laugh at my expense, I tend to be sympathetic, I always belived your last mask. Almost had me...now. I have no buisness with the King, bad or good, or otherwise, I'm no interest to the crown. So. State your purpose.
Amos shakes his head. "Just old, Kid," he says, "Don't know much about wise." The tomcat keeps his hands in the air. "I'd be happier to talk with ya out here in the open," he says, "But havin' the barrel of a gun pointed at my head'll have to do." He glances over his shoulder, just a little, then goes back to sitting still. "Ain't nobody laughin' at you, Siyu," he rasps, "And there ain't no conspiracy. Never was. Poor Denali didn't do you no harm, he was just lookin' for a place to do some good. Care to come talk about it? I got a badge if it'll help?"
Siyu feels his finger drift back to the trigger, "Amos Longtooth...and Denali are the same being." he states flatley and continues in a mocking tone, "But don't worry Siyu, they work for the King as a spy. Don't worry don't worry, I can't tell you anything more. You just have to trust us" he says in half a singsong. "Two Solacious sung me the same tune. Trying to reassure me. Oh we know they're the same, but they work for the King. I have done nothing to dismay his majesty, so that means you're doing it for your own pleasure."
"Bloody minded Solaciouses," Amos growls, lowering his hands, "Always firin' off their fool mouths!" The tomcat sighs and leans back. "Yeah," he rasps, "I'm Denali. Though I hate to confirm anythin' like that. And Lord Angus Solacious is usin' me for a current investigation looking for a clever bunch of thugs out stealing soul gems from honest folk. Has nothin' to do with you or the pillows." The old tomcat's features soften and gracefully reform into the delicate features of Denali, still wearing a spyguard uniform. "I just thought it would be nice to be able to bring a little comfort while I have the chance, Mister Siyu," He says in a warm, high tenor, "I didn't mean to scare you. Will you come talk?"
Siyu lets out a soft laugh, "Talk? Talk and what? What point would there be to talking? Oh please, I'm just a poor fox who had to sell his body. I only have two tails, I can't even change my face" he mocks. "Why would I belive a single word you say. STATE YOUR BUISNESS" he finally shouts at you. Feeling his nerve start to crack as most of his fears are being confirmed. Mind racing quickly with every revelation.
Denali sighs. "I can see that this is driving you mad, Mister Siyu," he says, "You have worked yourself into a frenzy over nothing!" The delicate fox stands slowly, keeping his hands visible. "Look at yourself!" he cries, "You have come to hide in an abandoned mill because of an imaginary threat!" The fox puts his hands on his hips. "And what was I supposed to say?" he asks, "I'm a royal spook who wants to take a break from spooking?" Denali smiles warmly into the shadows. "I'm not asking you to take me back on at the Pillows, Mister Siyu," he says, "Only telling you that I am your friend, and there is no need to hide in the wilderness."
Siyu shakes his head, "Madness...how many beings are you, spymaster, you speak to me as a friend. As if you know me. I've only met you once...once...unless it wasn't once. Unless you're others. You have to be, a friend? Which friend, who would do this to me..." the gun clatters to the dirt, and he runs, runs into the darkness, fleeing as fast as he can, his cloak soaking up light.
"Siyu!" Denali cries, hearing the clatter of the gun and seeing the flutter of the rodent's cape as he darts from the mill. "Siyu, stop!" he calls as he breaks into a run, "Creators! Do you do this to everyone who tries to make friends?" The lithe fox dashes into the woods, his own dark coat fluttering as he runs. "Siyu!"
Siyu runs into the rear door, and he yanks at it, only to have a heavy iron rusty chain stop his way with a clank. He spins quickly and he pants hard, "Damn you to the pit...to the blackest hell. Why me, why are you doing this to me, what sick game are you playing. DAMN YOU!" he falls to his knees, "If you want my gold take it, it's all in the wagon, if you want to kill me this is the chance. If you wanted to see me broken you have it. Just end this...finish it and leave me alone..." he's practically sobbing
Denali draws up short as he comes close to the now sobbing rodent. "Creators and Gods, Gang Xi Siyu," he says, sinking down next to the distraught rodent, "I was just hoping that you might go home!" The delicate fox drapes an arm over Siyu's shaking shoulders as he pants heavily. "I was afraid you might get hurt or hurt yourself running from me!" He looks over at the cowering kangaroo rat. "Listen," he says soothingly, "I only wanted to try something new. Something soft and soothing and gentle." He leans over to rest his head on Siyu's shoulders. "Didn't mean to scare you," he says, then stands and starts to walk away. "Go home, Mister Gang Xi Siyu," he says, "You never need to see me or Amos again. I won't bother you any more. But if you care to talk sometime, let that Solacious bastard know you are looking for me." With that, Denali walks lightly away toward the open mill doors.
Siyu jerks back away from your touch, "That's not what I meant damnit. You know me...you know me well...finish this. Who are you." he just remains sitting on the dirt, legs spread, unable to stand.
"A friend, Mister Siyu," the departing kitsune says with a wave, "What else is there to know?" With that, he makes his way around Siyu's wagon and into the afternoon sunshine before vanishing from sight.
Siyu is just left sitting in the dirt, a broken merchant, his head thumping back agianst the wall. "Damn you anyway..."
