Elendor
Shirefolk Meet in Bree
Boldibad runs into Flossie at the Bree Marketplace.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Bree
IC Time: Evening
Description: November 29, 2009
Flossie
Flossie is a young hobbit girl, quite ordinary-looking. She is of average height and plump build, as hobbits usually go, but a little on the tall side, which makes her look less pudgy for a hobbit lass to be thought pretty. The girl has small features, a short bulbous nose, and wide-set dark-brown eyes with thick eyelashes that are almost black. She looks as fresh as a daisy with her plump rosy cheeks, despite the pale complexion, a sure sign that she must be avoiding direct sunlight. Her tight curls are in abundance and quite unruly despite the attempt to hold them back with a wide headband.
A long light-green cotton dress, with puffed sleeves and a gently gathered raised waist, loosely cascades over the girl's figure. She has several strings of multicolored beads around her neck, with a pendant in the from of a horseshoe attached to the lower string. Her thick, dark foothair make her quite comfortable without any footwear.
-----
Bree Market - East
This part of Bree is known simply as Market East. The street here runs east and west, with east leading to the Great East Road, and west leading to Market South. There are shops all along the north side of the street, while to the south is a collection of pens, corrals and watering troughs. Night has fallen and little can be gleaned from the pale light of distant lanterns. A few men scurry about on their business, gone as quickly as they came.
A rudimentary corral has been set up here made of rope and roughly shaped logs. Animals of all kinds mill within - some are tied near their owners, others wander loose - cows, goats, sheep you may even see a pony if you're lucky. Nearby are stacks of cages containing a multitude of chickens and ducks. In the spring, piglets add their distinctive odor to the mix, which overall is quite fragrant. Also dusty. Also noisy. A barrel has been split lengthwise and half-buried in the dirt for a makeshift watertrough. If you want to buy or sell any livestock, this is clearly the place to be. A wooden sign is nailed to a post with today's prices chalked onto it.
Type 'mhelp' for help with the Animal Market pricelist.
Contents:
Flossie
Obvious exits:
West leads to Bree Market - South.
East leads to GER: Centre of Bree.
Barber Shoppe leads to Barber Shoppe.
-----
As the sun begins to make its way toward the horizon, the crowd in the marketplace is beginning to thin out somewhat. Standing near the corral, Boldibad Bolger leans against one of the posts of the fence, casually smoking his pipe. His eyes suspiciously follow any human which passes him, and he nods politely to the occasional hobbit who walks by.
Flossie, a nicely plump hobbit lass in a simple but nicely made dress is collecting the remaining goods that she has been trying to sell at the market, with a tired but satisfied look, possibly suggesting that the day was not completely unprofitable. The numerous bead trinkets she is putting in her large sack with a wide strap - where the rest of the goods already are - glitter slightly in the rays of the setting sun.
Boldibad squints across this end of the marketplace, scrutinizing a hobbit who has caught his eye. Recognition fills his features, and he throws up an arm in order to get her attention. "Hello!" he calls, "Is that Miss Goodbody?"
Flossie looks up momentarily from her trinkets to see who is calling her. Then quickly scoops the rest into the sack with a suspicious side-glance as if ready to see a thief stealing her best string of beads from under her nose. The matte of business attended to, she then smiles and waves back to Boldibad. "Good afternoon, Mr. Boldibad Bolger."
Boldibad pulls his smoldering pipe from his teeth and removes himself from his relaxation at the wooden post. Moving across the cobblestones, he approaches, smiling. When he arrives, he bows politely and says, "And a good afternoon to you, miss. What an unexpected surprise--it seems that a Shire hobbit in Bree is as rare as a pair of boots in the North Farthing. How are the Goodbodies, and what brings you so far east?"
Flossie makes a short curtsy in recognition of the polite greeting, though her sack makes it look a little awkward. "Everyone is fine, I think, so thanks for asking. Business brought me to Bree, of course. I am trying to expand and enlarge my sales. At least in Pincup and around everyone seems to be already wearing my beads and putting them in my bead-decorated caskets. So when my uncle suggested coming here with him and my two cousins, I was quite eager to grab the opportunity. These are hard times for artistically inclined people like me."
Boldibad puffs on his pipe as Flossie speaks, and the aroma of fine Longbottom Leaf drifts among the immediate vicinity of the Shirefolk. "Pincup," he says a couple of times. "Ahh yes, I remember staying in that little town one night on my way from Tookland to the Bucklebury Ferry last year. A quaint location, but I'm sure if you paid a visit to Budge Ford, you may have some success in selling your items there. I also came to this Bree with some of my old antiques, hoping to make a fine profit--but, it turns out that this land is less hospitable than I had imagined! I suggest you stay away from these big-folks--some of them are quite tricky." He unconciously rubs an ugly gash in his forehead.
Flossie looks at Boldibad with interest. "This might be a good idea. I mostly sell my things in Pincup and Bywater. Never took my operations east of Bywater though. Why do you think Budge Ford would be a good place? Do they have a big market? Or a lot of girls who like beads?" The lass sends a curious glance at the scar and here the words about the "tricky" big folks sink into her head. "Why? What happened? Not that I trust them much," - she sends a suspicious glance backwards and lowers her voice. "Nothing that I sell could be worth a whole lot, at least not the bead strings. But you seem to have suffered an accident?" Her forefinger points vaguely in the direction of Boldibad's forehead.
Boldibad smiles, "Budge Ford is full of ladies, young and old alike, who are interested in such things. Not to mention several gentlehobbits who would give artistic jewelry and such away to them as gifts. In fact, perhaps I could take a look at what you have to offer? I'm sure my old mother would love a bead necklace from the Pincup area!" At the second question, he clears his throat uncomfortably. "Oh, this," he says, rubbing at the recent cut. "Yes, indeed--I was accosted not three days ago by the tallest human I've ever laid eyes on! He tricked me, which is not easy to do I might add, into going up to the top of Bree-Hill, and there made his true intentions known. Before I could do anything, I must have fainted, and awoke missing my last goods--two fine rings, once worn by some of the Thains, generations ago!" He sighs angrilly. "And so, here I am, in search of anyone who may be selling rings here at the marketplace."
Flossie is listening with eyes wide open, as if the possibility of being robbed never crossed her mind before. Or perhaps the misfortunes of this kind tend to make her very compassionate because there is a definite look of genuine sympathy in her round eyes. "Who would have thought that a hobbit might be so incautious as to go to an unknown place with a stranger, and while having on him some prizes possessions. If I believed in such things as spells and sorcery I would say this was the case. Or maybe he slipped something into your drink when you were not looking, though again I would not drink with a stranger unless he is a hobbit of good reputation."
She sighs and shakes her head with disapproval mixed with sympathy. "Well, I have not seen anyone selling rings here. But I will keep an eye and let you know if someone appears. Not that I sell real jewelry. But those big folks are not too smart so he just might try me in case I would be interested."
Boldibad's cheeks flush slightly. He taps his pipe out over the ground and sticks it back in his waistcoat, then tucks his hands into his pockets. "Well, heh--normally, I wouldn't have done so. But, this being my third visit to the Bree-lands, I've grown somewhat accustomed to dealing with big-folk. Too much so, perhaps." He puts a hand to his mouth and clears his throat. "And, come to think of it--we did have a few ales together during the initial discussion. You see, he told me that his home was up that hill, where his coinage was kept. Of course, I knew something was up when I discovered there are no houses at all on the crest of Bree-hill! And, I was rather anxious to sell those final items so that I might be on my way back to the greener lands of the Shire." He shrugs, "Now I'm stuck here for a few more weeks--I have employed a young human named Gidon to do some investigating. I'll find out who that ruffian is... or at least try! You say you are with cousins? Perhaps I might travel back with you hobbits when you go--I'm a bit shaken up by the whole thing, I admit, and you never know who you'll encounter between the Shire and Bree..."
"A human to investigate? Well, I hope you can trust this one. Though he most probably wants some pretty remuneration for his help. Altogether a highly unfortunate situation. I will think twice next time my uncle invites me to go to Bree with him. Even though he seems to go here every now and then and I do not remember him ever complain. But he is very cautious and always goes with his sons, two or sometime all three of them. And they are tough enough, I think." She smiles almost proudly when saying this. "I am sure you can return with us if you want. I will tell my uncle about your misfortune, and we are supposed to stay here a while as well, since we just came here a couple days ago and have not yet done much business."
Boldibad nods, "Well, I would be much obliged, miss Goodbody. And, to show my appreciation, I'll invite you and all your family to Bolger Smial for a large feast, once we arrive safely at home." He chuckles, "And I daresay I'll think twice the next time I have the urge to visit this odd place. How can these hobbits feel at home, living amongst big-people--I'll never know." He looks around again as a couple of normal human breefolk pass them by. "Why, I'm staying in a little hobbit-style room at the Prancing Pony. If you should like to meet up for a meal in the next day or so, you should ask ol' Butterbur where I'm staying--having other Shire people here just makes everything seem a lot more... enjoyable, I must say!"
Boldibad ahems, blushing slightly, "With your uncle and cousins' presence, of course!"
"I wholly agree, Mr. Bolger. It is nice to see a familiar face among those unfamiliar crowds. I am not sure my uncle will like it much if I go to the Prancing Pony, even with him or cousins present, but I will ask what he thinks about it. I hear the Prancing Pony is nothing like our inns in the Shire. I may be wrong, though, there must be at least some decent place here where a company of decent hobbits can socialize without being interrupted by the rudeness of the local big folk." Flossie smiles agreeably and shift her sack backwards and puts the strap over the shoulder, getting ready to go. "We are staying with some friends of my uncle's here, and I am sure we can arrange a meeting."
She pauses and seems to hesitate before adding. "And if this is a serious business proposition, about your mother and a string of beads or a bead necklace, I can show you some of my best, and I do not have them all here, just in case." She glances at her sack with satisfaction. "Of course they will need good lighting for you to appreciate the beads and the workmanship and to choose something you really would want not give to your mother. So we should meet in the daylight and somewhere where I can arrange the strings and necklaces nicely. I also have rings, but they are of course nothing much compared to real ones that you had stolen."
Boldibad smiles at the response and nods in agreement. "That would be most enjoyable, Miss Goodbody. It's been too long, after all, since we've even had a chance to speak! I'd been spending a lot of time in Buckland, chasing after some old antiques I'd read about, and have been quite disconnected from the good folks of the Shire proper. Once I return, I'm looking forward to getting back to my old life at Bolger Smial. The Bucklanders are alright, in comparison to these uncouth Bree-hobbits, but I never was able to get used to wearing boots in muddy conditions..." He nods, removing his hand from his pocket, and bows politely. "I'd very much like to see what you have to offer, as well--a well-crafted piece of jewelry is always in demand, despite what materials or historical significance it may or may not have. Very well then, until our next meeting!"
Flossie nods and gives Boldibad a parting smile. "It was really nice to meet you here, Mr. Bolger, and I hope that you will find your lost rings and be able to return home with us after making some more profit instead of a loss. I am looking forward to our next meeting." She does not curtsey this time, with the heavy sack to her side but bows her head and takes her leave.
Flossie
Flossie is a young hobbit girl, quite ordinary-looking. She is of average height and plump build, as hobbits usually go, but a little on the tall side, which makes her look less pudgy for a hobbit lass to be thought pretty. The girl has small features, a short bulbous nose, and wide-set dark-brown eyes with thick eyelashes that are almost black. She looks as fresh as a daisy with her plump rosy cheeks, despite the pale complexion, a sure sign that she must be avoiding direct sunlight. Her tight curls are in abundance and quite unruly despite the attempt to hold them back with a wide headband.
A long light-green cotton dress, with puffed sleeves and a gently gathered raised waist, loosely cascades over the girl's figure. She has several strings of multicolored beads around her neck, with a pendant in the from of a horseshoe attached to the lower string. Her thick, dark foothair make her quite comfortable without any footwear.
-----
Bree Market - East
This part of Bree is known simply as Market East. The street here runs east and west, with east leading to the Great East Road, and west leading to Market South. There are shops all along the north side of the street, while to the south is a collection of pens, corrals and watering troughs. Night has fallen and little can be gleaned from the pale light of distant lanterns. A few men scurry about on their business, gone as quickly as they came.
A rudimentary corral has been set up here made of rope and roughly shaped logs. Animals of all kinds mill within - some are tied near their owners, others wander loose - cows, goats, sheep you may even see a pony if you're lucky. Nearby are stacks of cages containing a multitude of chickens and ducks. In the spring, piglets add their distinctive odor to the mix, which overall is quite fragrant. Also dusty. Also noisy. A barrel has been split lengthwise and half-buried in the dirt for a makeshift watertrough. If you want to buy or sell any livestock, this is clearly the place to be. A wooden sign is nailed to a post with today's prices chalked onto it.
Contents:
Flossie
Obvious exits:
West leads to Bree Market - South.
East leads to GER: Centre of Bree.
Barber Shoppe leads to Barber Shoppe.
-----
As the sun begins to make its way toward the horizon, the crowd in the marketplace is beginning to thin out somewhat. Standing near the corral, Boldibad Bolger leans against one of the posts of the fence, casually smoking his pipe. His eyes suspiciously follow any human which passes him, and he nods politely to the occasional hobbit who walks by.
Flossie, a nicely plump hobbit lass in a simple but nicely made dress is collecting the remaining goods that she has been trying to sell at the market, with a tired but satisfied look, possibly suggesting that the day was not completely unprofitable. The numerous bead trinkets she is putting in her large sack with a wide strap - where the rest of the goods already are - glitter slightly in the rays of the setting sun.
Boldibad squints across this end of the marketplace, scrutinizing a hobbit who has caught his eye. Recognition fills his features, and he throws up an arm in order to get her attention. "Hello!" he calls, "Is that Miss Goodbody?"
Flossie looks up momentarily from her trinkets to see who is calling her. Then quickly scoops the rest into the sack with a suspicious side-glance as if ready to see a thief stealing her best string of beads from under her nose. The matte of business attended to, she then smiles and waves back to Boldibad. "Good afternoon, Mr. Boldibad Bolger."
Boldibad pulls his smoldering pipe from his teeth and removes himself from his relaxation at the wooden post. Moving across the cobblestones, he approaches, smiling. When he arrives, he bows politely and says, "And a good afternoon to you, miss. What an unexpected surprise--it seems that a Shire hobbit in Bree is as rare as a pair of boots in the North Farthing. How are the Goodbodies, and what brings you so far east?"
Flossie makes a short curtsy in recognition of the polite greeting, though her sack makes it look a little awkward. "Everyone is fine, I think, so thanks for asking. Business brought me to Bree, of course. I am trying to expand and enlarge my sales. At least in Pincup and around everyone seems to be already wearing my beads and putting them in my bead-decorated caskets. So when my uncle suggested coming here with him and my two cousins, I was quite eager to grab the opportunity. These are hard times for artistically inclined people like me."
Boldibad puffs on his pipe as Flossie speaks, and the aroma of fine Longbottom Leaf drifts among the immediate vicinity of the Shirefolk. "Pincup," he says a couple of times. "Ahh yes, I remember staying in that little town one night on my way from Tookland to the Bucklebury Ferry last year. A quaint location, but I'm sure if you paid a visit to Budge Ford, you may have some success in selling your items there. I also came to this Bree with some of my old antiques, hoping to make a fine profit--but, it turns out that this land is less hospitable than I had imagined! I suggest you stay away from these big-folks--some of them are quite tricky." He unconciously rubs an ugly gash in his forehead.
Flossie looks at Boldibad with interest. "This might be a good idea. I mostly sell my things in Pincup and Bywater. Never took my operations east of Bywater though. Why do you think Budge Ford would be a good place? Do they have a big market? Or a lot of girls who like beads?" The lass sends a curious glance at the scar and here the words about the "tricky" big folks sink into her head. "Why? What happened? Not that I trust them much," - she sends a suspicious glance backwards and lowers her voice. "Nothing that I sell could be worth a whole lot, at least not the bead strings. But you seem to have suffered an accident?" Her forefinger points vaguely in the direction of Boldibad's forehead.
Boldibad smiles, "Budge Ford is full of ladies, young and old alike, who are interested in such things. Not to mention several gentlehobbits who would give artistic jewelry and such away to them as gifts. In fact, perhaps I could take a look at what you have to offer? I'm sure my old mother would love a bead necklace from the Pincup area!" At the second question, he clears his throat uncomfortably. "Oh, this," he says, rubbing at the recent cut. "Yes, indeed--I was accosted not three days ago by the tallest human I've ever laid eyes on! He tricked me, which is not easy to do I might add, into going up to the top of Bree-Hill, and there made his true intentions known. Before I could do anything, I must have fainted, and awoke missing my last goods--two fine rings, once worn by some of the Thains, generations ago!" He sighs angrilly. "And so, here I am, in search of anyone who may be selling rings here at the marketplace."
Flossie is listening with eyes wide open, as if the possibility of being robbed never crossed her mind before. Or perhaps the misfortunes of this kind tend to make her very compassionate because there is a definite look of genuine sympathy in her round eyes. "Who would have thought that a hobbit might be so incautious as to go to an unknown place with a stranger, and while having on him some prizes possessions. If I believed in such things as spells and sorcery I would say this was the case. Or maybe he slipped something into your drink when you were not looking, though again I would not drink with a stranger unless he is a hobbit of good reputation."
She sighs and shakes her head with disapproval mixed with sympathy. "Well, I have not seen anyone selling rings here. But I will keep an eye and let you know if someone appears. Not that I sell real jewelry. But those big folks are not too smart so he just might try me in case I would be interested."
Boldibad's cheeks flush slightly. He taps his pipe out over the ground and sticks it back in his waistcoat, then tucks his hands into his pockets. "Well, heh--normally, I wouldn't have done so. But, this being my third visit to the Bree-lands, I've grown somewhat accustomed to dealing with big-folk. Too much so, perhaps." He puts a hand to his mouth and clears his throat. "And, come to think of it--we did have a few ales together during the initial discussion. You see, he told me that his home was up that hill, where his coinage was kept. Of course, I knew something was up when I discovered there are no houses at all on the crest of Bree-hill! And, I was rather anxious to sell those final items so that I might be on my way back to the greener lands of the Shire." He shrugs, "Now I'm stuck here for a few more weeks--I have employed a young human named Gidon to do some investigating. I'll find out who that ruffian is... or at least try! You say you are with cousins? Perhaps I might travel back with you hobbits when you go--I'm a bit shaken up by the whole thing, I admit, and you never know who you'll encounter between the Shire and Bree..."
"A human to investigate? Well, I hope you can trust this one. Though he most probably wants some pretty remuneration for his help. Altogether a highly unfortunate situation. I will think twice next time my uncle invites me to go to Bree with him. Even though he seems to go here every now and then and I do not remember him ever complain. But he is very cautious and always goes with his sons, two or sometime all three of them. And they are tough enough, I think." She smiles almost proudly when saying this. "I am sure you can return with us if you want. I will tell my uncle about your misfortune, and we are supposed to stay here a while as well, since we just came here a couple days ago and have not yet done much business."
Boldibad nods, "Well, I would be much obliged, miss Goodbody. And, to show my appreciation, I'll invite you and all your family to Bolger Smial for a large feast, once we arrive safely at home." He chuckles, "And I daresay I'll think twice the next time I have the urge to visit this odd place. How can these hobbits feel at home, living amongst big-people--I'll never know." He looks around again as a couple of normal human breefolk pass them by. "Why, I'm staying in a little hobbit-style room at the Prancing Pony. If you should like to meet up for a meal in the next day or so, you should ask ol' Butterbur where I'm staying--having other Shire people here just makes everything seem a lot more... enjoyable, I must say!"
Boldibad ahems, blushing slightly, "With your uncle and cousins' presence, of course!"
"I wholly agree, Mr. Bolger. It is nice to see a familiar face among those unfamiliar crowds. I am not sure my uncle will like it much if I go to the Prancing Pony, even with him or cousins present, but I will ask what he thinks about it. I hear the Prancing Pony is nothing like our inns in the Shire. I may be wrong, though, there must be at least some decent place here where a company of decent hobbits can socialize without being interrupted by the rudeness of the local big folk." Flossie smiles agreeably and shift her sack backwards and puts the strap over the shoulder, getting ready to go. "We are staying with some friends of my uncle's here, and I am sure we can arrange a meeting."
She pauses and seems to hesitate before adding. "And if this is a serious business proposition, about your mother and a string of beads or a bead necklace, I can show you some of my best, and I do not have them all here, just in case." She glances at her sack with satisfaction. "Of course they will need good lighting for you to appreciate the beads and the workmanship and to choose something you really would want not give to your mother. So we should meet in the daylight and somewhere where I can arrange the strings and necklaces nicely. I also have rings, but they are of course nothing much compared to real ones that you had stolen."
Boldibad smiles at the response and nods in agreement. "That would be most enjoyable, Miss Goodbody. It's been too long, after all, since we've even had a chance to speak! I'd been spending a lot of time in Buckland, chasing after some old antiques I'd read about, and have been quite disconnected from the good folks of the Shire proper. Once I return, I'm looking forward to getting back to my old life at Bolger Smial. The Bucklanders are alright, in comparison to these uncouth Bree-hobbits, but I never was able to get used to wearing boots in muddy conditions..." He nods, removing his hand from his pocket, and bows politely. "I'd very much like to see what you have to offer, as well--a well-crafted piece of jewelry is always in demand, despite what materials or historical significance it may or may not have. Very well then, until our next meeting!"
Flossie nods and gives Boldibad a parting smile. "It was really nice to meet you here, Mr. Bolger, and I hope that you will find your lost rings and be able to return home with us after making some more profit instead of a loss. I am looking forward to our next meeting." She does not curtsey this time, with the heavy sack to her side but bows her head and takes her leave.
Players: Flossie, Boldibad
