GHB 2, orb 4

[dailybread]

Does anyone know what this is?

[He holds up a pendant. Something white and curved and thin is attached to it, along with a small satchel.]

There were fourteen of them on our doorstep this morning.

[[OOC: Yes. It's a fertility charm. And yes. It was left by an NPC. The white thing is a penis bone. :D]]

Comments

action.

[empowers]

Besides useless.

[goldeneyeball]

...beats the hell out of me. Looks like witchcraft. You're probably cursed now.

[dailybread]

Why would anyone want to curse us?

action.

[dailybread]

It smells like rosemary, but somehow I'm reluctant to try putting it in food.

[goldeneyeball]

Do they need a reason? Did you just get here or something? Stupid shit like this happens all the time.

[dailybread]

What can we do about it if it is?

[goldeneyeball]

My best guess is get yourself to a wisewoman or something. I'm just a hedgewizard, I don't bother with curses.

_[Yet.]

Even if it's stupid villagers doing stupid villager things, it's better to be safe than sorry.

[dailybread]

[He rubs his forehead. Old wive's tales he understands, but it seems like here, they might actually be true, and therefore a threat. He doesn't want to take chances.]

Do you know where I could find a wise woman?

[goldeneyeball]

Nope, sorry. We got us a church across the river. Maybe they'd know.

[dailybread]

Thanks. I'll try there.

[golden_moon]

Have you tried asking your neighbours? Perhaps they got some, too, or at least know what it is.

[dailybread]

I tried, but we were the only ones who got them, and nobody would tell me anything.

[He'd been met with giggles, tittering and knowing looks, actually.]

[golden_moon]

Hmm. May I equire, dear, as to whom you are living with?

[dailybread]

My friend, Katniss--uh, the villagers call her my knight.

[Whatever that's supposed to mean. ]

And they seem to think we're married.

[golden_moon]

Now why do they think something like that?

[Still, she smiles, because while she doesn't know what the bone is, exactly, since the orbs lack something in the sending, she has at least a bit of an idea what the bag might be.]

What's in the pouch?

[dailybread]

Because we're living together, I think.

[It baffles him a little, honestly.]

Smells like rosemary. Rose petals, maybe. There are a few polished stones too.

[[For purposes of mystery, we'll nix the thing that says FERTILITY on it.]]

[golden_moon]

Hmm. Any basil or garlic? Cedar shavings, maybe?

[She's got an idea, all right, but it's at least a little off.]

Sounds like a protection charm. At least, it would, back home. Lots of people give them to new couples.

[dailybread]

Not that I can see.

[Hey, it makes no difference to him.]

Well, that's better than a curse.

[golden_moon]

Well. What kind of rocks, sweetie?

Though I don't think the locals are much inclined to curse. Let alone fourteen times over.

[She teases at her hair with a few fingers.]

Smooth or rough? Shiny or not? Colourful, grey, brown, black?

[dailybread]

[He rubs at the back of his neck.] Someone told me it might be a curse earlier.

[He takes out the stones, holding them in his palm.]

Smooth and shiny. One's red, one's yellow, and one's purple.

[golden_moon]

Well. I ain't an expert, so don't take my word for it, but those rocks would be sold for...hmmm. Passion, friendship or love, and happiness. I think.

At least at the little shop across the street from mine. Sweet, little old Dutch lady runs it. Nicest vampire from the 1600s I've ever met. Says she was a witch during all them burnings back then, but I don't know if I believe her. Weren't that common back then, witches.

Especially with rosemary. Ain't nothing but shades hate rosemary, back home.

[dailybread]

[Friendship, passion, happiness--sounds like a blessing for the newly-wedded to him, so he nods.

But the mention of 'vampire' makes him pause.]

Vampire...?

The only thing I know about rosemary is that it adds a really nice flavor to crusty rolls.

[golden_moon]

Oh, she's harmless. Couldn't squash a roach if it pointed at gun at her.

Mmm, don't tell me you bake, honey. The last thing I need around here is a decent cook.

[And thus, she is distracted completely.]

[tatra]

Oh my. I've never seen anything quite like it, but it looks like some sort of charm.

[dailybread]

[All right, then. He's not sure what a vampire is, but apparently they're harmless, so he moves on to the next comment.]

I own a bakery, actually. The Mockingjay.