Topic: All For a Good Cause

Lord Ayreg

Date: 2006-03-17 20:25 EST
"No."

"Aw, c'mon, mister!"

"No."

"It's for a good cause. A great cause!"

"No."

"Puh-leeeeease?"

"No."

"But it's going to the nursery!"

"No."

"And the new orphanage. The one they have is in such bad shape!"

"No."

"And urban renewal!"

"No."

Ayreg blinked.

"Urban renewal?"

"Yeah! Help raise money for a bunch of charity work. Part of it is to repave some of the streets in the West End."

"No."

"Puh-leeease?"

"Get out, girl. This is a forge, not a piggy bank for your silly little charities."

"But--!"

"Out, before I throw you out!"

The Scoutgirl frowned, sticking her bottom lip out in a sulk. She turned, walking away across the hardwood floor of the Dragon's Breath before turning around. There was a veritable lightbulb springing to life above her head, and she spun around quickly.

"It's also to help pay for compulsory anger management classes for that pigtailed girl in the tutu."

"GET OU--" Blink. "...I beg your pardon?"

"They tried it once, but she ate the psychiatrist. Now the city won't fund another one, even with the common law judgement. So the Scoutgirls of Rhy'Din, Chapter 369, Local 417 have offered to help raise the funds to hire the psychiatrist."

"Pigtailed girl in the tutu... you don't mean that harpy, Tara?"

"Yeah, that's the one!"

Ayreg scratched at his chin for a moment. If nothing else, it would be amusing to hear about later.

"Very well. Sign me up."

"Alright, what your volunteering for is--"

"Just sign me up and get out, girl."

"Would you like to buy some cookies while I'm here?"

"OUT!"

Lord Ayreg

Date: 2006-03-17 20:40 EST
Ayreg left the forge later in the day, making the walk up the cobbled street back to his home at the Red Dragon Inn. His muscles ached, and for some bizarre reason it snowed last night. A thin blanket of white, clinging in the late evening chill, was all that was left.

It was still enough to make his arthritic knee ache, though.

As he entered the common room of the Red Dragon, Ayreg's eyes passed over the news board mounted on the wall.

The Scoutgirls of Rhy'Din, Chapter 369, Local 417 are pleased to announce the commencement of the four hundred and thirty-third annual Drive for Charity!

This year, the annual People Auction gets underway with Jodiah Ayreg, a blacksmith at our very own Dragon's Breath Forge! Highest bidder gets the services of Mr. Ayreg for the entire day, of any day of their choosing. Mr. Ayreg has already said how happy he'd be to help with roofing, mowing a lawn, planting flowers, or even prepare a meal! Your imagination is the limit as there are no rules, and no holds are barred for the People Auction this year!

Come on down to the Scoutgirls of Rhy'Din, Chapter 369, Local 417 headquarters in scenic West End and place your bids!

Jodiah Ayreg blinked.

Twice.

Then again.

From his side, Ayreg heard the muffled sound of snickers, and faces pointed in his direction. He frowned, very much quite visibly annoyed. A hand rose, quite prepared to rip the poster off the news board. He stopped short, though, growling through gritted teeth. The code of honor Jodiah Ayreg followed may be twisted, and incomprehensible to most of those around him, but his word is still his word. Loathe to break it as he is, he very seldom gives it unless there is a distinct bargain in his favor. He sees no bargain in his favor, now.

Perhaps he shouldn't have thrown the Scoutgirl out of the Dragon's Breath.

He turns sharply on his heel, and stalks up to his room. His impatience got him into this, and now his pride will get him through it. He has to go through with it, understand, or his word becomes tainted.

That would, indeed, be a blow to his pride. One that he would not stand for.