Tuckborough
An open cobblestone square bustling with people and sounds, a sensible spot for
the heart of Tookland. The town is a busy one, with an abundance of residences
and shops. There is a path up a hill to the southwest and another leads
southwards to a more rural district. An old tree stands in the northwest corner
of the square, and there are several postings upon it. A comfortable wooden
bench sits next to the tree, where hobbits often sit to relax.
Contents:
Sapphire
Wendelbrand
Rod Prudhomme
Donation Box
Big Old Tree
Obvious exits:
Mill leads to Mill on the Hill.
Bakery-shop leads to Fluffy's Bakery Shoppe.
Lucky Tucky Inn leads to Lucky-Tucky Inn.
Pipe Shop leads to The Wood and Weed.
East leads to Stock Road, Outside Tuckborough.
South leads to Farm Yard.
Wendelbrand with a grin, and a puff of smoke, the cheerful form of Dr.
Wendelbrand North-Took saunters into the village of Tuckburough. His walking
stick clicks occasionnaly on the stones in the lane, and between puffs on his
pipe the odd note of a strange tune can be heard on the wind as he humms to
himself. Strolling up into the center of town he breaths a contented shy and
pats his fairly trim stomach.
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RL (Arizona) time is Fri Jan 04 07:17:54 2002 (+time).
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IC time is about 5 PM on Thursday Rethe (March) 17, 1425 S.R.
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IC Weather Conditions
There is a bit of moisture in the air, almost a thin mist which seems to be
dissipating. In the distance some clouds may be seen moving slowly across the
sky on this Rethe day.
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A sharp ping can be heard coming up the cobblestone road as a ladyhobbit of
rather high repute waddles towards the Lucky Tucky Inn. A unpleasant frown sits
upon her face as she leans on her umbrella as she passes several hobbit-lads
playing with a ball. "Confounded nuisenses those guards are!" she mumbles to
herself, "What's Paladin gotten himself into this time?"
It is late afternoon and the spring sun is hanging low in the haze. It is cold,
and on the streets Omfast Cotton is making his way across town with a
thoughtfull frown on his face. He seems to barely notice people, and only when
he is just about to step on somebody's toes does he look up surprised and say,
"Oh, excuse me, sir! Excuse me, madam!" Just then he nearly wanders into Dr.
North-Took who's coming from the left. "Sorry sir," he mumbles, and under his
breath he continues, "The Tooks are crazier than I thought..."
Wendelbrand seems a bit startled at having almost been run into, but quickly
reacts to the comment about his Southfarthing relations. Taking the pipe from
out his mouth he smacks his lips quickly before retorting, "Now see here, there
is no call to be maligning the reputation of as fine and upstanding a hobbit
family as the Tooks."
"Crazy?" Sapphire snaps as she turns around to face Omfast, "My good sir, we
Tooks are not all crazy. I for one come from one of the most respectable
families in the Took Clan and I am married to Master Kaliadoc, who happens to be
a highly reguarded historian. No adventures for me, even though some other
members of my family have known to have been rather loopy."
Omfast stops and turns, "Oh, them Tooks have been very kind so far, good sir,
madam. But did you hear about that fellow who kept us all awake? And them
guards, too! What's a decent gentlehobbit to think at times as these? I was
supposed to be a-burrying me tulip onions and cutting down the bushes, and then
that commotion!"
Wendelbrand nods, "Humm..well..yes I suppose there has been a bit of commotion
up around Great Smials. However, if you ask me, that's all on account of that
Squinty-Eyed big fella who came unbidden and acted so rudely......err, though I
would imagine that this fine lady would know more about such things then a
Doctor from the North-Farthing such as myself. I was merely a spectator."
Sapphire sighs, "Aye, at least I know as much about the guards." Pointing to
Omfast, she asks, "What is your name, sir? And what do you know about the doings
at the Smials?"
Omfast takes a step back, "I am Omfast Cotton, Head Gardener at the Great
Smials! I didn't do anything suspicious, I was trying to work, mind you." He
looks from Sapphire to Wendelbrand and back, and adds, pointing his finger back
at her, "On the contrary, dear madam, the honorable Doctor here seems to think
that you might know something about the guards."
Wendelbrand takes a puff of his pipe and looks toward the hobbitlady in
anticipation. Gossip is almost as good as food....err...well maybe not....
Sapphire nods, "Well, I only know that they wouldn't let me see Paladin! The
nerve his Thainess had not even wanting to see one of his more important
cousins. Do you know what trouble he's gotten himself into? Hmm?"
Omfast grins, "Oh, I imagine, dear madam, I imagine!" Looking at his dirty
hands, he says, "In the meantime, all I know is I was digging up some of the
back corners of the Garden when I suddenly heard a commotion, and the guards
appeared. I was able to see some of this quite well from behind the bushes, if
you get my drift, but I didn't see all of it..."
Wendelbrand snorts, "Granted I was a bit late in arriving for the rumored party,
having just gotten into town after treating a patient up in Hobbiton. When I
arrived there was a rather large gathering of hobbits milling about the door,
and a couple of surly looking guards posted to keep them out. To make matters
worse there was this Squinty-Eyed rogue winding in an out of crowd causing
trouble and telling malicous falsehoods about how the Thain lost all his money
gambling. Said much the same about the Baggins' as well, come to think of it.
Dasteredly Big folk, causeing trouble." He grumbles a bit to himself to add
emphasis.
Druso arrives from the northeast.
Druso has arrived.
Sapphire snorts with anger, "Bloody bigfolk is it? I wish the Thain wouldn't
allow such vagabonds into the Shire! Especially, filthy squinty-eyed ones. They
belong in Bree!"
Omfast nods vigorously, "Aye, I've seen the big troublemaker as well! Up to no
good, as was to be expected. Reminds me of that other big folk woman was here
some time ago. Some Kalae MacAllister or something. A troublemaker, I say. Had
no home, no job, no money. And she wasn't even from Bree, she was was from even
further away -- the true Outside if there ever was one!"
"Druso Baggins! You get back here right now!" is heard, shouted through the
streets, but if the Hobbit so casually walking into the Square is indeed the one
being called, he doesn't seem to hear it. Or, perhaps, he ignores it. Granted,
the poor lad doesn't seem like he -should- be out on such a day, for his hat is
pulled low over his head and his cloak a little heavy, no doubt for the season.
But there is a twinkle in his hazel eyes and a grin playing about the corners of
his lips as he comes across the gathering. "Hello!" he calls, continuing to
ignore the calls of his names.
High up in the sky you see a great bird winging its way toward the Shire OOC
Room with a young hobbit on its back.
Wendelbrand back peddels a bit, "Well I might not go so far as to say ALL big folk
are queer, and I've known some decent big folk. I will say thought that, that
squinty-eyed......" He stops short as the rather pale looking hobbitlad
approaches, "Err..yes. Well, hello there."
Sapphire turns to at the sound of Druso's name being shouted. She points her
umbrella to him and shouts, "Hullo there. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"I? In a hurry?" Wide hazel eyes are turned to Sapphire, "I'm not in a hurry at
all. Just thought to take a bit of a stroll...it's a nice afternoon, isn't it?"
Naah, he -can't- be the Druso Baggins who is being called....for no Hobbit would
ignore such a thing, would they? Maybe, though if they were in their more
mischeivous tweens...
Omfast turns to look at Druso as well, now. He says, "Hello there," and starts
looking around. "Well, whoever it is, that Baggins fellow is sure to get it when
he's found. At least we give our young ones a decent uprising, here in the
Shire. Not like them big folks. And I don't care what you say, Doctor, I haven't
yet met a single decent one o'em."
Sapphire rolls her eyes, "At least I'm glad my daughter is married to a Baggins
who doesn't go around causing trouble or going on adventures after gold."
Wendelbrand nods, "Umm...yes. I suppose adventures do have the nasty habit of
shaking up ones expectations. We can't have that now can we." His eyes sparkle
just a bit and he takes a puff on his pipe as he winks to Druso.
"Big Folk? We're talking about Big Folk?" Hazel eyes widen even more as the
tweenager starts to join into the conversation, "I met some big folk not too
long ago...at one of the inns. Scary pair...they kept on saying how they
wouldn't eat me, which made me think that they would!" Scratching at the tip of
his nose, he adds, "They made my Aunt Freeda pass out cold onto the floor."
Freeda Baggins, if anyone knows her...and she's very likely the one who has been
calling for this mysterious 'Druso'. To Sapphire he offers a bright grin, "Every
day can be an adventure...even if it's not off looking for gold." The grin
widens as he catches Wendlebrand's wink.
"What vulgar talk coming from that mouth!" Sapphire comments and rolls her eyes,
"What's gotten into the younger generation of hobbits these days?"
Omfast says to Druso, "Hm, two of them, you say? Strange now that I think of it,
when I was back up in Bywater the other day I ran into two of them big folks as
well. Shied away from the light as any foul thinking meddler would, I dare say."
Wendelbrand suddenly becomes a bit more serious, and looks to both Druso and
Omfast, "Really, you both saw a pair of big folk you say? I don't suppose either
of you fine gents can remember if these big folk might have been having a
converstaion, and what the topic might have been? Of course I'm sure no self
respecting hobbit would eavesdrop, but of course Big Folk do talk so awefully
loud that I'm sure you might have accidentally heard something, eh?"
"I've heard enough," Sapphire grunts. "Good-day, Gents," she mutters and
scurries off down the lane.
Wendelbrand tips his hat, "A pleasant day to you, madame."
Omfast waves his hand, "Good night, Ms. Took."
Sapphire goes north into the Lucky Tucky Inn.
Sapphire has left.
With a twinkling smile that soon fades, the young Hobbitlad turns to both Omfast
and Wendlebrand, "Was the Man really dark...pretty odd-looking, even for a Big
Folk? And the Woman, did she have a sword?" If it's possible, he grows a little
paler, "They -were- talking...I heard them talking about leaving first thing in
the morning...but they didn't say where they were going." As Sapphire takes her
leave, the smile returns...if a little dimmed, and a brief bow is given. "Good
day to you..."
Omfast starts fidgeting around with his hands as he replies, "Well, no, they,
ah, disappeared as soon as we saw them up in, in, Bywater. A man and a woman it
was, but I can't remember wether they were, uh, armed or not. This MacAllister
woman, on the other hand, she was armed, I saw her the night she arrived. Very
suspicious."
Wendelbrand takes a thoughtful puff on his pipe, "Interesting...this dark fellow
you describe could be the same squinty eye trouble maker that was lurking around
Great Smials and causing so much trouble. I wonder what brought this pair into
the Shire?"
Druso just shakes his head, "I dunno...I just heard them talking about leaving.
They made me fetch their rum and some cakes..." He then draws back with a
gasp..."I ate one! I mean, they had me take a cake and I ate it!" Was it
poisoned? Maybe it's a slow-acting thing that will have him waking up dead...
Omfast grins, now, "Ohhh! Bad boy, eh? Ate the cake, did you? Well, I for one
can only say that this MacAllister woman here in Tuckborough had a very, a veery
short temper! The two up in Bywater I know nothing about."
Wendelbrand chuckles at Druso, "Well I'm a doctor if that helps, so if you keel
over, just give me a call. As for this MacAllister women you say....when did she
arrive in town?"
Ugh, another doctor? Looking sharply at Wendlebrand, Drusu then gives a
nod...and will try not to cough or get one of his dizzy spells when he's
standing here. "I don't think they gave me their names...the woman just kept on
touching her sword and the man..." he gives an involuntary shudder, "He sure was
creepy."
Omfast scratches his head, then runs his fingers through his hair again. "Hm,
when did she arrive, indeed? Let me see, I had just come here, and then there
was... wait... It must have been Afteryule, but when exactly I cannot
remember... T'was a number of weeks ago, it was."
Wendelbrand nods slowly, "Hummm...I see. Might either of you know when that
other pair started lurking about?"
Druso shakes his head, "It wasn't too long ago...I guess the two are gone but
now. But it was really cold...snowing a lot..." Maybe a few weeks ago?
Omfast scratches himself some more, "Uh... when was that... my second visit home
I think... Hm... oh, I don't know. I really can't remember. T'was cold is all I
know."
Wendelbrand nods, "Strange....very strange. Might also be the same pair that
people say were talking down to the Sarn Ford with the Sackville-Baggins', or so
the rumor goes. That might explain alot. I wouldn't put it past them to try to
malign the good name of the Thain and their Hobbiton relatives. Humm...I wonder."
Omfast shrugs, "They're weird folks, I agree. But I wonder. Oh well. I bet we'll
find out soon enough. That other fellow won't keep still, and that's for sure."
With that, he bows and says, "It really is time to go. Gotta get home for some
dinner, I do!"
Wendelbrand tips his hat, "A good evening to you, sir. If you ever need a
physician please feel free to call on Dr. Wendel North-Took."
Druso wrinkles his nose..."Causing trouble, no doubt. If I see them again..." He
probably won't do much, but he certainly won't eat the cakes they offer him. Of
course, that is when an angry Lady Hobbit comes marching down the square, right
behind the young tweenager, "Druso Baggins...how many times did I call you?"
Grabbing him by the ear, she turns to the other two, "Excuse me, gents...but I
need to have a word with this lad." Wincing, Druso can only offer a wave before
he dragged away by his Aunt Freeda.
Omfast smiles, "I will remember, you, thank you very much." As he leaves,
though, he mutters under his breath, "I remember that Panagrin Took seemed
awefully friendly with that MacAllister woman. I wonder what that means..." He
doesn't notice Druso's struggle as weaves his way through the crowd.
Wendelbrand laughs quietly as the lad is drug away, and makes his way into the
Inn for a pint and some stew.
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