Sisco

Jess read Haldor's note, sighed, then perked up when she saw that she had been selected for a quest herself. Hopefully I'll see Haldor again soon, Jess thought to herself as she sat back down for another drink. "Sure, it's not doing me any good sitting in my bag." Jess accepts Arthur's author of 170 gold for the Sword of the Vampir.

Sigrid sat and listened to the events of the day unfold, her brow furrowing more and more as time went on. She didn't really want to vote for anyone, but one stood out as the most odd to her. So, she wrote down her vote on a slip of paper and passed it toward the front of the hall. Vote: Mist (Mencot)

Sigrid stirred at the mention of servants of Loki. She just about hollered with her fellow Einherjar, but she stopped herself short after remembering her oath. With an inner groan, Sigrid got up to look for writing material.

Jess smiled and leaned across the table, taking Haldor's hands into her own. "Let's do it."

Jess smiled at Haldor as she reached out to him. Lifting his chin up to look into his eyes, Jess said "Calm down, Haldor. You're perfectly fine. I'll answer your questions." Jess leaned back into her seat and contemplated a moment. "My favorite color is green; tree green. Stereotypical answer for an elf, I know. I like the thundering beat of a drum. I like swordplay and getting the best of my opponents. I like things that are intelligent, such as a clever book or a cunning trap. I like -scratch that- love gold; that I'm sure you know. And finally, I like a good challenge. I like the feeling of victory after conquering an enemy or completing a difficult task." Jess took a sip of her newly-brought ale, then thought another moment. "I dislike enclosed spaces. I need room to run if I have to escape. So no dates to any caves. I dislike the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. I know it's necessary, but I do not enjoy my visits there. Hm... Cold rain. I do not like cold rain; snow is another matter, however. I'll admit, my youth shows through when it snows." Jess grinned at the thought of snow. Her memories reached back to her youth, to snowball fights and building forts with... And then Jess's face darkened. She reached for her ale to hide it. "Any more questions?"

"Yes, of course I do! And I will. In time. But right now... Let's talk about something else. Anything else." Jess waived at the barkeep for another drink, then turned back to Haldor. "You say you know little about me. Ask away, I'll answer anything you ask as long as it doesn't involve home."

I would also gladly listen to any advice you all would have.

Jess released a smile as she sipped her ale. "Self-centered is one thing you are not, Haldor." Jess's smile dimmed as she recalled her trip back home. "My trip was... Interesting, I suppose you could say. Difficult circumstances; it was not a social visit. I'm not really comfortable discussing that right now, to be honest. In due time, I promise that I will tell you everything." Jess downed the rest of her ale, then waited for Haldor's reply.

Jess listened quietly as Haldor spoke. Then, the words she wanted to hear finally crossed the Nord's lips. "Shall we get another drink? I see that yours is empty."

Jess's charade of calm crumbled. "Haldor, I... I'm sorry I just... I got the message from my family and I had to leave. I didn't say goodbye to anyone; I barely had time to grab my things before I left. I'm sorry that I wasn't there. I'm sorry that these things have happened to you." Jess leaned in closer to the Nord. "I'm here now. Does that mean anything?"

Sigrid looked around from her seat, taking it all in. A fallen hero came and attempted to chat her up; Sigrid's icy stare soon sent him scurrying away.

"I've been attending to some family matters back home. How about yourself? You look well."

I've been panicking for at least 12 hours now, so I'll assume that it's okay.

I had such a list for Jess in the form of a physical handwritten copy. I've since lost it... It's a good idea, just type and save it on the computer.

Jess paused for a moment, considering Alexis's words carefully. "Alright, I'll go. Wish me luck!" Getting up from her table with Alexis, Jess walked over to Haldor, her heart pounding with every step. Haldor glanced up at about the halfway mark, and Jess started sprouting beads of sweat on her brow. After an eternity, Jess reached Haldor's table and took a seat. The hall seemed to have gone silent, awaiting her words. "Hello, Haldor. It's been awhile."

Jess looked up from her conversation with Alexis when she heard the heavy hall doors open. Seeing Haldor, Jess whipped her head back to Alexis and continued her conversation. Jess noticed Haldor glance in her direction, and she took note when he decided not to come say something. "Alexis... Haldor's just arrived. I feel like I should say something, but I have no idea what. Suggestions?" Jess chanced a glance at Haldor again as several heroes went to greet him. She then wiped a bead of sweat, rare for an elf, from her brow and looked to Alexis awaiting a response.

Sorry Scorpiox! Just advancing the story!

Jess was quiet a moment before she answered. "I see. Speaking of men not worth the investment... What news is there of Haldor?"

Feeling the mood go gray, Jess dropped her tone accordingly. "Anything you'd like to talk about, dear? I may have been gone a while, but I'm here to listen if you need me to."

Jess let out a rather undignified squeal as she saw her old friend approach. "Alexis! It's been ages! Absolutely lovely to see you again. I've just been seeing to a few of my family's affairs back home, you see. Took me out of action here at Heroica. But I'm back now, and I'm hoping to stick around for a while. What of you? You look well!" Jess took a sip of her ale and marveled at Alexis, thinking about how much she had missed in her absence.

"Jess will be perfectly fine," Jess replied with a smile. "I've been with Heroica for quite a while now. Two years maybe? I've just been on a, uh... Hiatus. I'm just trying to get back into it; rebuild my gold stores, see a few old friends. Tell me about your first quest! Did it go well?"

Jess finished her meal and looked around the hall, slightly disappointed that none of her old friends or even acquaintances had come to see her. Dejectedly, Jess decided to go look at the quest board and get back into the swing of things. "Hm... These three look interesting," Jess thought aloud to herself. Jess then penned her name down onto Quests 88: Fathers and Sons, 89: Reclaiming Glory, and 90: A Trip to the Circus. Satisfied that her chances of soon going on a quest were high, Jess went to sit by the roaring fire and see who came along. As soon as Jess sat down, an elf such as herself came and introduced herself. Intrigued, Jess replied. "Hello, Purpearl. It's a pleasure to meet you. How long have you been in Heroica?"

Thanks for the welcome backs, guys!