BeAutyBrokEn
The entrance to the Tee Dome was a bright rectangle. Though BeAutyBrokEn sat in a corner, trying to disappear into the shadows, but still she could feel the eyes on her. In her mind they were judging her, judging her lack of success. She looked down into her glass of TZ and finding it empty, she filled it from the pitcher on her table, then took a long drink.
“Beauty!” the cry pulled her from her revery. She looked at the voice to see BuTTherKupp coming towards her. “Oh, Beauty. I heard a rumor you joined up, but I didn’t believe it. I’m so glad you’re here!”
BeAutyBrokEn was thrilled to see her friend again, she quickly stood up and they hugged. “BuTTherKupp I’m so glad to see you,” they embraced again. When they separated, BuTTherKupp took the seat across the table, seated she helped herself to the pitcher and a glass.They toasted and drank.
“I’m so happy you decided to come in from the wilds, I was hearing some pretty crazy rumors about you?”
“I know! They told me I was a coven!” BeAutyBrokEn still couldn’t help chuckling at that.
“ I was surprised when the new high-level member turned out to be you. You seemed so happy just fighting, why did you come in?” BuTTherKupp looked seriously at her friend, “ I was actually scared that ThElder404 was going to send a hunting party after you.”
“If he had I would probably still be out there.”
“What do you mean?”
BeAutyBrokEn shrugged, “I got bored, that’s why I came to town. If a hunting party had come after me, that would have been something to do, I don’t know. When I came to town I was told that the best way to find you was to join up. They kinda recruited me.”
“I’m glad it worked the way it did!” BuTTherKupp said. “Did ThElder404 assign you a role? I’m an explorer, that’s why I wasn't here when you joined up.”
“Yeah, he told me. I was given a role, but I’m not an explorer, I’m a hunter.”
“Oh, too bad I was hoping we would explore together.”
“Well, I could use your help if you’re available.”
“Yes! Of course!. Uh, what are you hunting?”
BeAutyBroken laughed, a short evil laugh. “Not what, who. I’m hunting that principle from the bank.”
“Her? Why?”
“She’s a Tokener. As a hunter, I’m tasked with eliminating the Tokeners who threaten Ral’ya. So far she’s the only one I have meet.”
“I see.” BuTTherKupp thought for a moment,”I do want to help you, but I don’t think I would be much help in a fight.”
“That’s okay, I was thinking more about information anyways.”
“Oh good! I have lots of information, here hand me your map for a second. There now your map has been updated with everything I have discovered. I just came from the west, I found another town, with just as many principles as Ral’ya, maybe more.”
“Thanks, that will be very helpful. Maybe I’ll have to go there to track down my pray.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. The town, they call it Rifka, is very anti-Tokener. They have chased them all out of town. They have even hired bounty hunters!”
“Bounty hunters?”
“Yeah, the Band of the Golden Hand, principles hires them to Token, Tonkeners. They are the reason towns are targeting the Tokeners. There’s one name I keep hearing, Ragnar. I guess he’s some kind of hero with five bounties to his name. Your Tokener is probably in the wilds, in hiding. I heard other Tokeners are doing that, hiding.”
“So you think she left? I was going to the bank where I met her, to start,, do you think I should start someplace else?”
“No, I think the bank is a good idea, I can’t think of any better start point. Are you going now?”
BeAutyBrokEn finished the TZ in her glass, took a deep breath, then let it out slow. “Yeah, I’m going to get started. Are you sure you don’t want to join me? We could be a Tokener hunting duo.”
“No, I’m really happy being an explorer. Anyways I need to report to ThElder404. But I’m happy to help with any information that you might need, just let me know. I should be here for a bit before I head out on my next trek.” BuTTherKupp smiled, got up from the table, they embraced.
Once she was outside BeAutyBrokEn paused to let her eyes adjust to the brightness. She blinked, the TZ coursing through her limbs, it connected her to the earth through her feet and the sky through the crown of her head. She loved the feeling of the sun’s rays on her face and the breeze playing with her hair. The drink was warm in her core, radiating out a deep sense of contentment and confidence, It was wonderful, she hadn’t felt like this in so long, maybe ever.
Infused with well being she squared her shoulders and marched over to the bank. Deciding at the last moment to be a little stealthy, she stopped next to the open door. Peeking around the door jam, she saw the room was empty save a single principle. A golden-haired Viking sat behind the desk. The Viking looked bored or maybe even asleep. BeAutyBrokEn focused on the figure behind the desk.
Ragnar
Level 4
Wallet-10Au
So this was the famous Ragnar. His eyes opened and he looked directly at her. She felt a slight flutter in her stomach when he snapped upright in his chair behind the desk. “Hello?”
BeAutyBrokEn pulled her head back. Her heart seemed to beat double time in her chest. Taking a deep breath she refortified the feeling of confidence she had just had. She turned and walked into the bank. Ragnar looked at her and asked blandly, “can I help you?”
“Uh, yeah, um I’m actually looking for one of your coworkers,” BeAutyBrokEn said.
“I’m sure that I can help you with anything they were helping you with?” It was strange hearing this gnarly looking warrior trying to be helpful.
“It’s not like that, I mean it’s not related to bank stuff.” She said this was when she was sure he was going to shut her down, tell her he couldn’t help her.
“What’s her name?” Ragnar asked.
The question stopped BeAutyBrokEn cold. She could remember that the principle had called herself ‘Baby,’ but that was not her name. How had she not thought of this? She was suddenly very glad for the veils, though she hoped they were thick enough that Ragnar couldn’t see her blush. “I, I don’t know. Um, she said I could call her Baby, but I don’t remember her name. She helped me open my account. Do you think you could help me out and look up who opened my account?” she asked.
“Yeah, sure. Place your hand on the desk. Great, yes, found it. Let’s see here, your account was opened by...Now that’s interesting.” Ragnar said looking at his desk, “What business do you have with this principle?”
“I’m hunting her. Is that going to be a problem?” BeAutyBrokEn tried to make eye contact through her veils.
Ragnar looked back coolly, not unkindly, with deep consideration. He sat back like he had come to a decision. “I only ask because I’m here for the same reason. The principle we’re looking for goes by the name of 6ig6a6y. See the bank asked me to come here and cover her shift, but I’m not just here for that. I have a bounty on her head, I’m with the Band of the Golden Hand.”
“I’ve heard of you, and your band. It sounds like you’re doing good things.”
“You know what I’m about then. Who are you with, and why are you after Baby?”
“I joined the Thunder88, ThElder404 is the leader. He made me a hunter, that’s why I’m hunting Baby. um, you can call me Beauty,” BeAutyBrokEn said. Then feeling like she needed further explanation, “I’m tasked with hunting Tokeners.” She laughed, “Baby was the only Tokener I knew about. We met when I opened my account.”
“I see, I’m still getting used to principles knowing who I am.”
“You’re famous, I heard you’re a hero, with five bounties.”
He shook his head, “Only three.”
BeAutyBrokEn had to laugh, “only three? I don’t have any yet.”
“I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I could tell you what I know, it’s precious little, but it might help,”
“Why who you do that?”
“We're both working to the same end, I was thinking that maybe we could work together to hunt her down. I don’t really care how she gets Tokened, as long as it gets done.”
“Oh,” BeAutyBrokEn took a moment then said, “oh then I guess there’s no reason for us to not work together.”
Ragnar’s face lite up at her words, “You mean it! You’ll work with me?”
BeAutyBrokEn felt herself blushing at his response, “Sure if you don’t mind sharing the kill. When are you done with your shift? How soon can you start?”
Ragnar smiled and started around the desk, “Come on, let’s get started.” he led her out the door, turned and pulled it shut, BeAutyBrokEn heard a click as it latched. He turned and explained, “My shift end almost two hours ago. I’ve been waiting for a while for Baby to show. She, it seems, is not coming back. I’m closing the branch, let’s go get this Tbag.”
He ushered her out of the bank, shutting the door behind them. “Do you have any ideas of where we should start?” He asked.
“Wait, is that all?” BeAutyBrokEn was astonished by the confidence and lassez faire air that Ragnar gave off, she found it very compelling. “Don’t you have to lock the door or something?”
Ragnar shrugged,”The door will only open for a principle who works for the bank. And if someone got in what would they steal? The only thing in there is a desk?”
“Oh.” BeAutyBrokEn said, “to answer your question, the bank was where I was going to start. I guess we’ll find out how helpful that was,” She teased.
“Right,” he said ryely. “She wasn’t at the bank. Do you have any idea where she might be? Maybe we should go to that hall.” Ragnar pointed to Tee Dome, “Maybe someone over there saw her.”
“I can save us the time, I was just there. No one knew anything, I did talk with a friend who thought that if Baby had fled town, she would go generally to the south-west, trying to get away from the towns. I think, maybe, we should do that, if you don’t have a better idea.” BeAutyBrokEn shrugged, mostly she wanted to get out of town.
While thinking Ragnar scratched with one hand at the edge of his helmet, BeAutyBrokEn found the gesture enduring. They walked in silence as he thought, when they reached the intersection he spoke, “I don’t have a better idea. I’ve had luck using statutes to track down bounties in the past, know which way she went when she left town will help us find one. We should exchange maps, would that be okay?”
There was something in the way he asked made it seem like he was asking for something special, like holding hands or a kiss. “Uh, sure.” She said, He already had his map in his hand, she held her’s out. He briefly touched her map with his, then turned and started walking into the wilds.
“Wait? Is that it?” She started after him.
Ragnar turned and came back to her. “Yeah, see if you look at your map. Yeah, there all the places I’ve discovered are now displayed. See?”
BeAutyBrokEn was embarrassed, again she was glad for the veils ensuring that Ragnar couldn’t see her blush.She had known all this, she had also been looking, anticipating, something more. She covered her embarrassment with genuine surprise at how much of the map had been revealed. “Wow! You’ve traveled so far, discovered so much!” She gushed.
They were walking side by side now heading into desolate, seemingly empty, flat lands. The ground was covered in tough, fibrous, ground cover. A few piles of rocks, some looking to be pretty tall, as well as a smattering of the ever present bush with the purple berries, where the only shapes breaking up the monotony of the land.
“I guess I have traveled, it’s all been on bounties, work not fun,” Ragnar said.
“I see, but look at all the different towns you’ve been to. Let’s see, you’ve been to. One, two, three, four.” Then pointing to Ral’ya on her map, “the fifth city you’ve been too is the only one I’ve seen.”
“You’re right. It’s just, I don’t know, something doesn’t feel right. The fame is cool, I’m happy that principles are seeing how wrong Tokening is. I just. . . would you mind talking this through with me?” Ragnar asked, his ears turning red.
“Yeah, uh sure.” BeAutyBrokEn was flattered, they walked in silence for a moment. “I’m not sure where the problem is, you think being famous is cool, you’re happy with the reason, so what’s bothering you?”
“I guess it’s the Band,” Ragnar said.
“Your clan?”
“Yeah, if you can call it that.”
“Aren’t you one of the founders?”
“Yes, but not really. It wasn’t my idea. MoProbs, he had the idea, though we started it together, he was the one making it happen. I guess I was just the muscle.”
“Not just the muscle. Don’t forget I’ve heard of you, I haven’t heard of any other hunters. You are the face of the Band too.”
“When you put it like that, it sounds like I’m being used.”
“But what would he be using you for, I mean what would he be getting out of it?”
“Money. Now that I think of it that must be it. I left that part of the business completely up to him.” Ragnar put the palm of one hand over half his face, “I’m such an idiot! He doesn’t care about the Tbags, it’s just for money.”
That didn’t seem that bad to BeAutyBrokEn, so she didn’t say anything. They walked in silence. Ragnar sighed and said “I guess the money isn’t that bad. The last time I was at the Headquarters he got in a fight with a principle, I know that doesn’t sound that crazy but this guy was super chill, and MoProbs did something that really pissed him off. The thing that really bothers me is that I think MoProbs lied to me about what happened.”
“It sounds to me like you just can’t trust the guy. You need to decide if you want to keep working with him.” BeAutyBrokEn said.
“You’re right, I don’t trust him, and I can’t stay on with the Band.” he sighed and his shoulders drooped.
BeAutyBrokEn felt bad, and in some way like it was on her to cheer him up. “It’s not so bad. If you quit the Band you can come out here and join the Thunder88, you and I can be hunters together.”
His face lit up, “that would be great! You really think so?”
He looked so excited she had to laugh, “I know so, ThElder404, the leader told me I could make a team of anyone. With your level and your renown, it won't be a problem.”Ragnar seemed to be about say something more when suddenly he stopped and pointed. BeAutyBrokEn followed his finger with her eyes. At first, she didn’t see anything, nothing. When she saw it she grabbed his arm. “I see it! We are going the right way!” He looked at her hands on his arm. She slowly took her hands away, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, really it is, you just surprised me, that’s all.” He put his hand on her elbow and they both started forward. “Don’t get your hopes up too much, it might not be a statue for one of her fights. I would be kind of amazed if it is, seems like an awfully long shot.”
“Don’t be a downer. It’s what we’re looking for, I just know it.” with that she pulled her arm free from his hand, then before he pulled his hand away she took it in hers. She thought that he might pull his hand away, instead, he gave her hand a little squeeze and said, “I hope you’re right.”
BeAutyBrokEn felt something warm move in her chest, as they walked the remaining distance to the statue. When she could see it clearly her stomach fell. The statue small, maybe six inches tall it showed a small wolf lunging at the throat of a tiny gnome. The gnome, who hadn’t drawn its sword, wore an expression of horror. Ragnar reading BeAutyBrokEn’s expression said, “Not her, eh?”
“No, the Baby I met didn’t look like either of the principles,” She said.
“I’m going to watch it anyways,” Ragnar said, dropping to a knee next to the statue, he reached out a hand and touched it. Less than a minute later he sat back on his heels, “It’s her. It’s a fast brutal fight, but that’s definitely her.” He said.
“She’s the wolf?” BeAutyBrokEn asked
“Yeah, she transforms and attacks, she’s fast, very fast.” He stood up, “The good news is that it shows the direction she leaves in,” He pointed in the direction they had been heading, into the wilds.
“Oh, so in the direction I said, which would make me what?” She said sweetly.
“Uh, I don’t think it makes you right. It was a guess.”
“Yeah, but it was a, what, guess?”
“Fine, it was a good guess, you were right.”
“Ha! I love those words.” BeAutyBrokEn could have skipped. It was refreshing talking with someone who didn’t know what she looked like. More important he didn’t seem to care, he treated her like an equal. “So are you going to join the Thunder88?”
“I want to, but I think I need to head back to CampOut and tell MoProbs I’m quitting in person. Then I’ll come back if that’s okay.”
“Sure, do what you think you need to. Let’s go get this Tbag so you can sign up.”
“I’d like that,” he said and took her hand.
They walked, and talked, she was enjoying the conversation, but consciously kept only one eye on Ragnar. She also kept one eye on the ground before her, to avoid an embarrassing fall. Her six other eyes were on a constant swivel, vigilant for another statue or any other hint of 6ig6a6y.When she saw a slight movement, behind her and to her right, she was ready.
BeAutyBrokEn grabbed Ragnar’s arm and spun towards the motion. Ragnar was initially pulled off balance, BeAutyBrokEn was impressed to see how quickly he recovered. By the time she had completed her spin, he was stable and reaching for his ax.
Upon seeing that she had been detected, 6ig6a6y stood up to her full height. “I’m impressed. What are you two doing so far from town? Don’t you know there are dangerous principles out here?”
“Maybe we’re the dangerous principles,” Ragnar said.
BeAutyBrokEn could see 6ig6a6y focusing on Ragnar, she looked surprised. “I’ve heard of you, maybe you right. Oh, and that’s why you’re here, you’re here for me. The stupid thing of it is that I had no idea what I was doing. Sad really.”
“I don’t buy it.” Ragnar said, “I’ve seen the warning sign that everyone gets before Tokening. You made a choice, there’s a cost. WolfBane is angry enough to pay us, The Band of The Golden Hand, to make sure you pay that price.”
6ig6a6y stepped back, “I feel bad about what I did. But if that doesn’t mean anything then I’m not going to make it easy for you.”
“I wouldn’t want you to,” Ragnar said as he pulled his ax from the holster on his back.
6ig6a6y howled as her face began to change. Her jaw and nose stretched while coal black fur emerged to cover her whole body. Two minutes later the transformation concluded with a full body shake and growl. She snarled down on all four limbs, then pounced at Ragnar. He calmly stepped to the side and swung his ax in a sweeping cut waist high. The swing was perfectly aimed and would have caught 6ig6a6y in the muzzle, but she aborted her attack in time to avoid the cut.
BeAutyBrokEn and Ragnar were standing side by side, four feet apart, facing 6ig6a6y, waiting for the next attack. 6ig6a6y stood her ground, growling, deep in her throat. That moment of calm that precedes the storm. Immediately one of BeAutyBrokEn’s eye noted that while 6ig6a6y growled, her coloring began to shift. “Look out!” BeAutyBrokEn cried out, “Something’s happening!”
“I see it,” Ragnar said calmly.
The change was a subtle, a lighting of the fur from coal black, to a granite gray. It started on the tips of her ears and moved to her eyes then further down to her forehead then her eyes. Soon her whole body was completely gray, The growl, a deep gravelly rumble became a sinister chuckle. Then as if Ragnar wasn’t there, 6ig6a6y launched an attack against BeAutyBrokEn. BeAutyBrokEn was forced to retreat. She did so while throwing threads at her attacker.
The threads did nothing to slow 6ig6a6y down, most of them stuck in the wolf’s forearms, the slack hanging down as BeAutyBrokEn continued to retreat. Ragnar joined the fight at this moment with a mighty swing of his ax, aimed at 6ig6a6y’s back, maybe a foot above her tail. Throwing off sparks the blade met back and skipped off doing no visible damage. 6ig6a6y laughed and turned her attack on Ragnar. He used his ax to block her claws, it quickly became clear that his blade was dealing no damage. He shouted, “Her skin, it’s like stone, I can’t hurt her with my ax.”
BeAutyBrokEn had taken advantage of 6ig6a6y’s single-mindedness to get behind her, tagging her back with as many threads as possible. 6ig6a6y made another lunging attack on Ragnar, who continued to use his ax to deflect the blow. BeAutyBrokEn was not watching that part of the battle, instead, her attention was on 6ig6a6y’s feet. The paws were getting caught in the excess thread that was laying in layers over the battlefield. One hind leg was caught in at least three threads, the other in just as many.
Seeing this BeAutyBrokEn pulled her arms back, recalling the excess thread. There was a “Snap!” an almost visible sound. 6ig6a6y was in mid-leap, when the air around her moved, collapsing on her. Like a furry cigar, 6ig6a6y slammed to the ground with a “woof.” Ragnar spun at the sound. “I have an idea!” He shouted, the pumped one hand on the handle of his ax, the pointed it at the writhing, trapped, wolf. There was a loud crack.
Nothing happened. 6ig6a6y merely chuckled darkly, then turned her head and began working the threads with her teeth. BeAutyBrokEn didn’t wait to see if that would work, she sent activated her newest skill and sent a charge through her threads. The threads glowed white; 6ig6a6y jerked, her head flung forward, eyes wide open, a strange clicking sound coming from her throat. Her fur went through a slight change when BeAutyBrokEn released the charge, 6ig6a6y’s whole body sagged, panting.
“That worked! Try it again! Maybe it’ll force her out of this stone state.” Ragnar called.
BeAutyBrokEn took a deep breath, then knowing that this was her last charge, she sent it into the threads. The effect was immediate, 6ig6a6y writhed and twisted. Trying to escape the threads. There was no escape. When she slumped over, BeautyBrokEn released the charge. 6ig6a6y, unconscious, was quickly returning to her ordinal coal black coloring. As soon as her neck was free of gray, Ragnar had leaped forward and with a single blow, removed 6ig6a6y’s head. It rolled a few feet away.
“Quick! Loot her Token!” Ragnar yelled as the head came to a rest.
BeAutyBrokEn dropped to her knees next to the body. She felt along the body’s hip until she found the wallet. She pulled out the Token, then ignoring the twitching that was her own Token she asked, “Ragnar are you sure?”
“Yeah, yeah, you will need some proof of your victory. I’m going to quit the Band anyways, I guess I don’t care what they think. We’re going to be partners if you like, see it as a gift to commemorate the beginning of our partnership.” He smiled so warmly at her, she looked down at the body not yet ready to return that kind of open affection. “You need to pull your Token out and bring it close to the other,” he coached.
Wordlessly, BeAutyBrokEn followed his direction. She followed her movements with all but two eyes. One of those eyes was fixed on Ragnar, memorizing the details, the small curls emerging from under his helmet. Her other eyes watched in wonder as her Token began to send out tendrils of energy, seeking, seeking the Token in her other hand. When the energy found its target it threw off an enthusiastic explosion of energy webs. These webs covered the battleground and soon swept all evidence of 6ig6a6y away. 1 TK + 2 xp.
When the last of the webs had disappeared or returned to her Token, BeAutyBrokEn stood up, and let go of a breath she wasn’t even aware she had been holding. She started to put her Token back in her wallet.
“Beauty,” It was the first time he had called her that, she stopped what she was doing. “Beauty, look at your Token before you put it away.”
She did and saw she had a new skill. “Stone Skin,” She read aloud.
“Nice! That’s a really good skill. It should compliment your web skill very nicely. I mean, I was pretty useless against it.”
“Do you know if being a Tokened skill, it will be weaker?”
“I don’t think so. There’s only one way to test it. Do you want to try it?”
“Uhh, I don’t know?”
“We can just try it on your arm if you are more comfortable with that.”
“Ok, I’ll try and just activate it on my arm.” she held out her arm and triggered the skill. She could feel it working quickly, starting on the crown of her head and working its way down. As it moved past her eyes she could feel it, a slight stiffening of her skin, a little like a bad burn without the burning.
When she felt it on the bottom of her feet she blinked her eyes and moved her head to test her range of movement. “How does it feel?” Ragnar asked.
“It’s pretty much the same,” BeAutyBrokEn replied, “I guess I’m ready.” she held out her arm.
Ragnar held up his ax then paused, “You’re ready?”
“Just do it before I change my mind.”
“I’m really sorry if this hurts,” Ragnar said as he brought his ax down hard. It struck her arm with a klang! Sparks flew.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine! That was so cool, try to decapitate me.” BeAutyBrokEn said extending her neck.
“No way! I can’t do that. What if I kill you?”
“It's a risk I need to take, I need to know how far I can trust this. Just don’t Token me and we’ll be okay. If you Token me, I’ll haunt you forever.”
“That might not be that bad,” said under his breath.
“What!?!” she had heard.
“No-nothing. It wouldn't be bad be haunted by you.”
“Oh, okay.well, let's get this over with. Decapitate me.” again she stretched her neck up.
He tried, twice, each time with the same result. Nothing.
“That,” Ragnar said, “is awesome!”
“Yeah,” BeAutyBrokEn breathed, “Cool.”
“Um, well I think that it’s time for me to go back to CampOut.”
“Go? Why? Why there? I thought you were done with them?”
“I am, but they don’t know that. I have to tell them face to face. You understand that right?”
“I do, but, you are coming back?”
“I promise. When I come back, we’ll go freelance. Beholden to no one but each other. We’ll explore and take out Tbags. It will be great.” He took her hand and squeezed.
She squeezed back, “Do you think I should quit the Thunder88?”
“I don’t. No, I was even thinking that when I return I would join up, that would make it simple for us to work together.”
“Good. Better get out of here. The sooner you leave the sooner you can return.”
He smiled and left, she turned and started back Tee Dome.
