03 | what will you do?

[elevelvetor]

good morning, Retrospec.
today, i'm hosting a choose-your-own-adventure... adventure!
if you would like to play, simply read the rest of my post and reply with your action; i shall supplement all details.
if you don't wish to, then simply keep scrolling.
thank you.
now, without further ado...

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Night has fallen on the sleepy seaside town of Willin' Wisp. The full moon casts her ethereal light on the cobblestone pavement and rough, shanty houses of the area you're in. Once famed for being a rich fishing town, Willin' Wisp has largely fallen into disrepair in the last fifteen years. Those that could fix it do not, enjoying their time eating rare, tropical fish imported from the capital of Helena instead. The town is staying afloat, but only just by the skin of its teeth, thanks to its oil business.

You are standing outside of the town's most famous tavern, though "most famous" makes it sound a little more glorious than simply "the only tavern in town." Inside the tavern, people shout and cheer and are generally incredibly loud, contrasting with the dead quiet that litters the streets.

There are exits to the south, east, and west of you. To the south is the tavern. To the east is one half of Mulberry Lane, which leads to the cemetery, the church, and the docks, where the oil businesses run their businesses. To the west is the rest of Mulberry Lane, which leads to the market, an area that is genuinely booming during the day.

What will you do?

Comments

[elevelvetor]

The duck allows you to come closer, and you crouch down in front of it to read the sign, which says: "I Play Songs For Money."

There are a number of instruments beside the duck; the closest is a harmonica, a saxophone, and a miniature piano. To the other side of the duck is a hat with a couple of coins in it, indicating he has gotten business. Good for him!

Are you going to give him your patronage, or will you choose do to something else?

[fiddlestick]

[!!!!!]

> Pull out violin and ask if the duck wants to collaborate.

[elevelvetor]

The duck looks taken aback by both your violin and your offer, but bobs his head up and down.

"I'd love that, sir! I'd love to!" He looks at his instruments, then pulls the miniature piano closer and lifts his foot. "What are we playing, sir? Do you have any ideas? I've just been taking requests, sir, that's all I've been doing!"

[fiddlestick]

> Plays this

[elevelvetor]

[ ...please give her a second, she's laughing, this is perfect. ]

"Oh, that's my favorite show!" The duck quacks in laughter, then plays along with you. He's not very good, given his webbed feet. In fact, he's absolutely terrible. You quickly realize that the coins in his hat are pity coins, not happy ones.

But the duck seems like he's having a good time, at least!

[fiddlestick]

Oh, the poor duck.

> Continue playing and have fun with it! The important part is that he's enjoying music!

[elevelvetor]

You're such a kind adventurer. The duck gives a few bows once the song is over, then turns back to you. His chest is all puffed out in pride.

"Let's take this show on the road!" He quacks excitedly, giving a few bounces. "We'll make millions! And we'll split it fairly, sir! 80/20!"

[fiddlestick]

> Ask if 80/20 is really fair?

[elevelvetor]

"Of course it is! It was my idea, after all! So I'll fairly get most of the pay, sir!" The duck bobs his head a few more times, then begins to collect his instruments into a large bag. Suddenly, an arrow flies from the turkey side of the room, spearing through his neck.

The duck raises his wings to his throat, spins twice, and collapses dramatically onto the ground.

It seems to have come from a little girl holding a bow that's much too big for her; if it's any consolation at all, the little human looks absolutely terrified about killing something.

[fiddlestick]

> Screams at the sudden death of his new music partner.
Ask the girl why.

[elevelvetor]

The tavern as a whole takes no notice of the events unfolding in their midst, but the girl shakily lowers her bow and bursts into tears. She's a small human girl, likely about thirteen or so years old, with long red hair and a face full of freckles.

"I didn't mean to, promise! Honest! Really! I was just trying out my new bow and it shot and I killed it and I didn't want to!"

[fiddlestick]

Oh no.

> Tries to reassure the girl?? And suggest she not try out her new bow inside a busy place...

[elevelvetor]

It takes a bit, but you manage to calm the young girl down fairly well. She introduces herself as Robin of Merryweather, a city you're pretty sure is somewhere in the northern reaches of Helena. Her parents, she explains, are currently getting divorced by the Mother over their... differing holiday opinions.

"I think the whole thing's really dumb though." She crosses her arms, frowning. "Does it really matter when holiday stuff gets put up? It's going to get taken down anyway."

[fiddlestick]

> Tell her I don't know, and ask why people are fighting so much over the holidays.