[ NPC Open] The crows in the garden are laughing at my expense.

[thethirteenthchild]

Who: Dahlia Leeds (thethirteenthchild) & YOU!
What: Work, Historical Society, around town, and whatever else I think of
When: Late May, early June
Where: Kinda everywhere
Warning(s): None for now!

My stone, my shield, my steady hand.

[ Town Hall ]

Got paperwork to do? Dahlia's here to help, as usual. She sits in the front office of Town Hall, working on a few things at once--- approving employment paperwork, making a stack of things for Fever to file whenever she's on shift next, filling out some budgeting thing for Mayor Poe. She keeps busy these days, with how full the town has gotten. It's no wonder there's a sign out front advertising the upcoming open election for a few more Town Council slots. You can ask Dahlia about that as well. Or stop by for a chat! She could probably use a break.

Hold your light to the darkness in my head.

[ Graveyard ]

One early, grey morning, Dahlia can be found out at Fall's Promise Cemetery. She's sitting on the steps of the Leeds family mausoleum, and seems to be enjoying a picnic breakfast as she sits on the short stone stoop and looks out at the sea. She seems lost in a daze, a far away expression on her face. It's a familiar one to any one who knows her.

Behind her, a bundle of blue gladiolus flowers tied with a black ribbon lie.

If someone approaches, she will snap out of her stupor and wave. She seems amenable to a visit.

Put your ear to my heart or set your teeth against my throat.

[ Historical Society Meeting ]

For the past few weeks, the community bulletin board and the library have had fresh flyers with the mark of the Pumpkin Hollow Historical Society have been advertising a public meeting.

"Converse with your neighbors. Learn more about the history of our fair island and the world around it. Help us gather research about the monsters that appear here. Refreshments provided!"

Those interested can join the rather elusive group for a midday open meeting, finger sandwiches and tea available for those dropping by. Dahlia herself mingles, happy to compare notes or simply discuss the benefits of joining her research club.

Give me something pretty to wear beneath my bloodstained clothes.

[ Errands ]

On a weekend day, Dahlia can occasionally be found around town, doing some various errands. Shopping for new clothes or accessories, picking up groceries, going out to lunch. Sometimes she stops by the Temple with a sandwich for Degas from her favorite cafe or pops into the constabulary with snacks for Cerrit. She also frequently stops by various weapon shops for knives. One day she comes into town to dispose of a sack of shattered glass and bent metal for reasons unknown.

And occasionally she can even be found in the tavern, drinking. She's apparently quite fond of their ale.

Won't you cut down that apple tree for me?

[ Wildcard ]

Want a Pine Devil moment? Want to catch Dahlia throwing knives at trees? Throw anything you like at me, or DM me on Discord to plot!

Comments

[lordoftheozarks]

"I didn't, but a close acquaintance of mine did. Do not worry; the book itself is in safe hands, but I wondered if anything of that nature has show up in past records."

[thethirteenthchild]

"Certainly not here. There have been historical accounts of magical books that couldn't be destroyed back on the mainland--- What's the title?"

[lordoftheozarks]

"The spine held the name 'Necronomicon.' The cover was some sort of gruesome face made of stiff leather. I did not have the chance to open it or investigate further."

[thethirteenthchild]

"I can't say I know it," Dahlia replies honestly. But she has a hunch. "Let me look into it. Can you find out more about what's in it?"

[lordoftheozarks]

"I can count on you to be discreet, I'm sure." He's nervous about anyone tying this back to River and Angel.

"I do not think that will be possible. The place where it is being kept is impenetrable, even to me." Well, that part is only half true.

If he really wanted, he could reach into the flames at the cost of great pain. He'd rather not, because the pain of the flames would be nothing next to the pain of how betrayed River would feel.

"The only other thing I can tell you is that the removal of this book from its resting place is what caused that earthquake we had some time ago."

[thethirteenthchild]

"Goodness." Her frown deepens. "Where was it, exactly?"

[lordoftheozarks]

"Hidden in a far back chamber in the caves that are now collapsed. I wouldn't recommend exploring them alone."

[thethirteenthchild]

"Near where they found Linette?" Yeah that definitely cannot be good. She tuts in frustration.

"I'd meant to speak to the people involved, but they're a pair of West's gargoyles." Dahlia emphasizes her point with an eyeroll. "Maybe I'll see if I can get some information secondhand."

[lordoftheozarks]

"Yes. Very near. I do not think it is much of a leap to assume the two may be related."

It gives him a good chuckle to hear Valdis called a gargoyle, he must admit. But he is also curious.

"May I ask, where did the bad blood between you and West begin?"

[thethirteenthchild]

Immediately, Dahlia raises fingertips to the spot where her forehead connects to the bridge of her nose, pressing firmly and letting out a frustrated sigh.

"It's complicated, and has nearly everything to do with my father. The rest is just him being a paranoid little jerk who thinks he's too good for the rest of us. He's been constantly disrespectful to Degas, he's been trying to find excuses to defame my family for years, he's always snooping--- He's a conspiracy theorist who thinks he got blackballed for having a negative opinion of my family and refuses to accept that his business failed because people just don't trust him."

[lordoftheozarks]

"I see." The tone of these two words manages to come across both as apologetic and commiserating.

"And he has continued to hassle you even now, with your father gone--Degas too. What a shame. I'll be sure to steer clear of him, and to notify you should I catch him snooping."