Retainer Ad-Venture Contest (EU) - Entry Thread

[Lyrisath]

Character: Jacia Worldswalker
World: Balmung
Prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit

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A Rogue's Reward

R'haajr had always loved doing business with goblins. Any shiny bauble would catch their attention, and every now and then they had something of value they'd stumbled across in ignorance.

Not so unlike taking on ventures - guaranteed pay for bringing back... more or less anything. Jacia had always done well by him, though, so he liked to do his best. Well, the best he could do without putting in too much effort, and the spoils of an afternoon jaunt to some sunny corner of La Noscea fit that bill nicely. Spoils which were currently shaping up to consist of a faintly interesting Allagan-looking lump sitting among a goblin trader's wares.

"Lootfix greets uplander! Sees uplander having lustyeyes for junk of Lootfix, yes? Lootfix makes busydeal!"

"Well, when you put it like that..." grinned R'haajr. "Behold!"

He turned out his pockets to reveal a motley assortment of trinkets, all odd shapes and pretty colours, including-

"Agh! Nononono!"

He moved to snatch back the glint of silver as it rolled, but the goblin had already laid eyes on it. Lootpix's eyes gleamed through his goggles at the precious treasure as it disappeared into R'haajr's closed fist.

"Aha! Lootpix is muchwanting that silvergleam!"

That 'silvergleam' happened to be R'haajr's pay - his Venture. If he traded this away, he'd have worked for free, and the only thing less appealing than working was not even getting paid for it. He clutched it to his chest and fiddled with it, giving a nervous laugh.

"This thing? You don't want this. It's-it's small and worthless and really not very shiny. Maybe some jinglyshine instead?"

"Pssssh! Lootfix makes trade for silvergleam, not for jinglyshine today, and for tongueflaps never! Lootpix is having the judgethink that uplander is wideheart uplander. Sadfeel it would be if Lootpix had judgethink of uplander as narrowheart, no?"

"Let's not be hasty," replied the miqo'te. "Only this is er, precious. To me. Sentimental value, really. Nothing special-"

"Shhhkoh! Ears of Lootfix will earcatch no more timewaste tongueflaps."

R'haajr sighed theatrically.

"Fine. But if I'm parting with this, you make it worth my while, got it? Seven hells, the things I do to stay employed..."

Lootpix beamed and excitedly indicated his whole range of trinketry.

"Uplander chooses! Anything that is making eyecatch of wideheart uplander!"

"Two things."

"Uplander asks two tradethings for one?!"

"Well, if you don't really want this..." said R'haajr airily, turning away.

"Psssshhh... shkoh. Lootfix agrees to busydeal of uplander. Uplander chooses two tradethings before mind of Lootfix changes!"

R'haajr plucked up both the Allagan piece and an ore-flecked rock, and flicked something small and silver in Lootfix's direction as he turned to leave.

"Pleasure making a busydeal with you!" called R'haajr over his shoulder.

He put his hand into his pocket where his Venture had been safely returned, and suppressed a laugh until he was out of sight.

There were worse ways to spend a shiny jacket button.

[Lyrisath]

And only now I realise I've written the gobbie's name two different ways. Ack! They should all say "Lootpix." Sorry. D: