tushanshu | video

[The network gets an eyeful of weathered, gaunt and very green goblin features as the hooded creature straightens in his chair from fiddling about with the keys. There's half a toothy grin on his lined face; when he speaks his voice is like the bastard child of gravel and sandpaper.]

There we go, I'm a fuckin' natural at this. Anyway, hi, how are ya. I've had a few chats on this thing but for the benefit of the rest of you bums - and I mean that in a very caring way - the name's Styx.

First off, let's get it out of the way: yeah I'm a fuckin' goblin, yeah I fuckin' talk, yeah it's a fuckin' miracle. And if you don't have goblins in your homeland and don't know what I'm talking about, congratulations. I'll make sure someone delivers your medal.

More importantly, who's a guy gotta kill to find steady work around here? I'm not a fucking merchant's helper, you get me? But you need a scout, you need someone or something tracked down, someone's got your property and you need it fetched back quiet-like, that kind of shit, you're singin' my song. [Or, you know, spying and assassinations, that'll work too. But he'd be stupid to be too loud about that in front of too large a crowd.] Last job I took was guiding a guy through hostile territory, real nasty time but I fuckin' got him where he had to go. I don't play around.

Speaking of which, last thing. I doubt he's here or the wallpaper wouldn't be looking so pretty anymore, but I gotta mention it. Anybody runs into an orc named Arkaïl - bigger than me, greener than me, not half as charming though - you send that lunkhead my way. Guy's dogshit at diplomacy, I can't take my eyes off him for ten minutes. Orcs, am I right?

...unless he broke something or owes you money, in which case I've never met him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Overlanders here tend to make a great fuss over anything that doesn't look like them, so I thought I'd just give you a fair warning. The native Kedan are better about it, though, since they're a race of shapeshifters to begin with.

[If he had a juulan for every time someone made a comment on his looks or tried to guess his race... Naugus leans on one elbow, propping his chin on the claw.]

The creatures I knew that were like you tended more towards grey, but that's neither here nor there presently. When did you arrive here on the turtle, Styx?

Eh, couple days back. Slept off the hangover, [A lie. He hadn't slept, not for a long while.] had a discreet look around the neighborhood. Learned to use this damned thing. Always better to get your bearings first, yeah? 'Cause let's just say the "Overlanders" where I come from tend to make a fuss, too. [That's certainly one way to put it.]

I've been here about a month myself. Still plenty to learn, plenty to familiarize with. Such as the lay of the land and any secrets it might hold, for instance! Sounds like ferreting out this sort of thing is where your talents lie and I'm sure such a thing could come in demand.

[Hint hint.]

[The movements of the goblin's ears, poking through neatly-cut holes in his hood, are subtle and small, but there's a certain alertness in that reflexive twitch. His toothy grin returns.] Sure does! Just a matter of getting in touch with the people demanding it. If you're looking for a ferret, we can talk business over a map somewhere. Point me at a patch of countryside and off I go.

[Countryside, place of business, someone's house, someone. You know, whichever.]

Oh, I never said this was about me, did I? What use do I have for secrets and spies?

Out of curiosity, which suite did they assign you? I'm in the Earth Sector myself. Unit 2-D, to be precise. Not a bad place. [To talk business.]

My mistake. You know how it is, a guy's coinpurse gets a little light, he starts hearing things. It's a sad condition. [He doesn't bat an eye; he's very generous when it comes to deniability. All that matters is messages sent and received.]

Ain't that the biggest fuckin' coincidence? I'm in Earth myself! It's a small turtle, after all.

[He'll be along, once the sky's a little darker and the messages are winding down. Instantly going quiet on this thing would be just a little obvious.]

Very sad, I'm sure. I hope you find employment soon to help manage that ailment.

But I'm afraid I must excuse myself from this conversation. I have pressing business that needs tending to. Until next time, Styx.

[Blip, the video feed goes off. He'll be waiting.]

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