Five??

Five??

How long have you been around damn

Older than old man Earl

Earl is a halfling, yes?

Yes.

Ask the right questions, and you’ll get the answers you’re looking for. This is a game now, since you’re so curious. Go ahead; I’ll answer.

No- no, no, it’s all right. Please don’t use your arm.

(Merchant tries to ease DG’s injured hand away from his face)

I’m not here because you’re useful to me. I said that because I assumed you would accept help more easily if you felt you were giving something back to me. Perhaps I haven’t adjusted as well as I thought…

Sorry, what? Have you been carrying this opinion of yourself the entire time? DG, my friend, I’ve known monsters. I’ve traded with monsters, and had to run from a few after a failed sale. You are a soldier defecting from a cause you didn’t believe in, and a person who wasn’t taught to be one figuring it out as he goes along.

Most people have had decades to feel out the world by the time they reach your age. You’ve had- what, three months? Four? Memory and knowledge can’t make up for experience.

Give yourself a little grace. A few years to settle in this world. Then come back and re-evaluate whether you’re a monster.

(Merchant is still almost entirely hidden by the cloak, but his posture wilts, indicating some level of self-consciousness.)

Ah… And there I go again. Forgive me, my people have an affinity for the dramatic and I doubt I’ll ever overcome it entirely.

(A rustling and a quiet sigh from outside the door)

DG? It’s the Merchant, friend, may I come in?

MERCHANT!!!!!!

Yess :3

(The Merchant leads a young adult Genasi into the room. The Genasi kneels in front of DG and holds out a hand, expressionless)

From what I’ve seen, he’s not the most… Talkative, but sie wants to help. Can you give him your arm? He’s going to set the bone and heal it enough for your own body to do the rest.

DG? I’ve returned with a cleric. He’s semi-retired, but agreed to see you.

Cleric- o-Okay- There a good cleric right?- they won't hurt me.

Another minute or so, and this will be over. You won’t be in as much pain.

DG? I’ve returned with a cleric. He’s semi-retired, but agreed to see you.

Cleric- o-Okay- There a good cleric right?- they won't hurt me.

(The Merchant reaches out again, giving DG time to back away before resting a hand on his non-dog-occupied shoulder)

You may have come into this world as a flickering shadow of another living being, but you became something more the moment you chose to abandon your masters and take on a name of your own.

Please let me help you. Let me try to prove to you that you’re worth the effort and more.

(A rustling and a quiet sigh from outside the door)

DG? It’s the Merchant, friend, may I come in?

MERCHANT!!!!!!

Yess :3

Forgive me, anon, I was mistaken. There are five.

HS, how old are you?

This is a more difficult question than you know. I’m not entirely certain how to respond - there are four ways I could, and four answers to give.