076 -

[major_west]

What a fine landing. I must commend the Admiral for my latest head injury and... wardrobe.

Out of curiosity, who haven't we lost?

[...I was too lazy to grab a picture of him in more appropriate clothing for this. So have some recycled icons. NEVERMIND. Made one. ALSO: lololl work's been kicking my ass, so I'm really behind on tags, but I'm

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SPAM'D!

[my_freeze_ray]

So many new faces nowadays...

[Will mutters under his breath as he struts through the village square. There's been a veritable outpouring of mysterious strangers in the last few days, and it's ignited in him the spark of longing for adventure.

He's on his way to the pub when he spots yet another mysterious stranger, holding a small journal. For some reason, this one makes him pause, and like a good supporting character in a fish out of water fantasy story, he decides to come and make contact.]

Hello there. You're a traveler I take it?

SPAMMMM

[major_west]

[West looks up and snaps the journal shut, sticking it into the pocket of his coat-- coat? Oh, right, the new outfit-- as he hears somebody greet him.]

Ah-- right, I am, yes.

[Then he glances up and sees--]

Billy? Come off it-- Are you...?

[After a brief, awkward cough, he glances away, then does a double take]

Er. Sorry. [He offers his hand] Henry West.

SPAMMMM

[my_freeze_ray]

[Will gives a warm smile and takes the other mans hand, giving it a firm shake]

William the Farm Hand

[Yep, that's his name.]

If you don't mind me asking sir, what brings you to our village? It seems like there are... many outsiders around today.

SPAMMMM

[major_west]

[Of course you are-- is what West wants to say, but that'd probably come off as rude to the Billy-he-doesn't-know.]

A pleasure to meet you, William.

[He's reverted to his detached, polite voice, typically reserved for strangers.]

Well-- [He doesn't have a reason lined up, so he tries to go with something that would fit in a fairy tale world.] --to be quite honest, I was... on my way to my...

[Uhh. Come on, Henry, think of something intelligent and believable]

Grandmother's house, to deliver a package, but I was waylaid by a... wolf.

[Yes. Intelligent and believable. Bravo. He rubs the back of his head, which is still throbbing from the crash landing]

I'm sorry, I-- er, am still a bit out of sorts.

SPAMSPAMSPAM!

[my_freeze_ray]

[Will gives a wide, knowing grin, at the mention of going to a Grandmothers house]

Ahh, you were going to the Endless Forest then? What was in your basket of food? I hear they're attracted to jam tarts.

[He frowns then, as though some other thought has crossed his mind]

...or... I guess maybe that was knaves...

[He never had a particularly good memory for these things. Anyway, no time to worry about that, Will gives a bright smile.]

Still, the Endless Forest is not far from here, if you wish to make a second attempt?

SPAMCUBED

[major_west]

Lemon tarts and a loaf of bread, actually. [West makes the remark without even thinking, and a part of him wants to smack himself for coming up with such a silly cover. But then, it's a... silly world, from everything he's read. He's just going to have to hope he doesn't really come across any vicious wolves.]

...Endless Forest?

[He sighs]

I think I must have-- that is, the wolf must have knocked my head about. What's the Endless Forest, exactly?

Re: SPAMCUBED

[my_freeze_ray]

[Will leans forward, trying to see around West. The other man doesn't appear to have any lemon tarts of loaves of bread. The Wolf must have gotten to them!]

The Endless forest is the forest to the east. There are some wolves and the odd witch or fairy, but it's mostly all right if you stick to the paths. Lot of people retire there.

[He gives up on seeking out the lost Lemon tarts, and looks up, with a warm smile.]

As it happens, I was just going to the Inn to purchase supplies for my own journey that way. If you'd like to accompany me, you'd be more than welcome!

SPAM

[major_west]

[As Billy leans forward, West arches his brow and leans back a little. What on Earth was his friend looking for?]

Oh, of course. It sounds like a lovely place to go on...

[He hesitates awkwardly]

...holiday.

[Then, at Billy's invitation, he brightens a bit]

Absolutely! Er... but why are you travelling into the forest?

SPAM

[my_freeze_ray]

[Will brightens, starting off towards the Inn (hopefully with West in tow) he begins to explain in a quick, excited voice]

Well, you see, King Nathan put up this proclamation, a noble quest, if you will. The man who completes this Quest is rewarded with the hand of the lovely Princess Giselle in marriage, and all you have to do is catch and bring to him a willing and unharmed unicorn.

[He pauses briefly, at the door to the Inn, and gives West a sidelong glance.]

I've never actually considered the practical application of winning a princesses hand in marriage before, but it's sort of the done thing, isn't it?

[He pushes the door open without waiting for an answer.]

SPAM

[major_west]

[He follows. For all of Billy's odd and totally integrated into the port-ness, West is relieved to at least be around somebody he knows and cares for. They always manage to find each other. It's honestly the first time in his life he ever had something like that... weird as it is.]

It-- I suppose that's par for course. [Well, Princess Giselle. So there's another Barge person. He's not quite as sure about the king.] Do you even know the Princess, B-- Will?

[West enters the inn after Billy and looks around. How... rustic.]

SPAM

[my_freeze_ray]

[Billy gives a shake of his head]

Well, I assume she's much the same as all other princesses, and if everyone wants to marry her then that must be a good thing, I guess.

[He gives a small wave of his arm, for West to come forward to the Bar with him, and heads towards it to order some supplies.

And Beer. Supplies, and beer.]