Toothpick

A hand wormed it’s way into his pocket and found a stray toothpick, it was in his mouth before she spoke, and when she did, he perked up, “Your family? I doubt the cost of care would be shoved on the families for something as widespread as this, we’re probably institutionalized. The politicians were probably leaping on the bandwagon to“save the lives” or whatnot…...then again, some might not be fortunate enough to live in a nation where the government would care,” he paused and gauged her expression, it pecked at him. “But cheer up, we live until we die, Sao doesn’t change anything as long as we remember we work best together.” Even he wasn’t certain in the truth behind the words, the notion of “F50” was enough to terrify him.  

((OOC: I know I poofed into nothingness for abit-no thanks to technical issues, but I can't simply let this drop. Sorry for the absence :P )) 

It’s pretty cold, that's weird He hugged himself close and looked up to the sky and and shivered, the wind blew strong and that was a strange for a floor such as F1. He clutched the shawl tight and looped a thumb through one of its holes, tip pressing against his palm and thumbnail digging into it who A message sent by a known middle-man and he had no clue why. “What good could come of fighting a complete stranger?” the question bounced about in-front of his mind’s eye and he looked down into the swirling mass that was, and in the orb. He touched it and felt nothing and drew back. Forfeit if it’s bad and watch your back afterwards if they’re orange He felt his hand was forced and he hated it, but the odds were against his misfortune so his thoughts strayed to tactics and what rules would and would not. The odds were in his favor, yes, but they could also be tilted further to negate the effects of progress. Nothing was beneath his life when it came to such a simple fight, not until he knew more.    

He took a moment to regain himself, cracking his neck in slow rotations and swearing to himself that it was impossible for him not to feel anything from that I groaned He saw the smile on Seul’s face and while he grimaced at it he knew he would’ve done the same. The beast approached and he clutched his whip at the ready, uninterested in the dirt which caked him. In a moment of clarity he didn’t even raise the whip to meet the beast, it was the dirt and the dirt was the stage. A trail of light was followed by one which was red and curled about the belly and the beast hopped back could a prop feel?  He chuckled and stepped forward as his ally cheered like a gamer “I’ll stun it and then you go in, I’m feeling lucky now, and I’d rather it not run away” he tilted his head back to Seul for but a moment as his pace quickened, but not to the degree where beast would be startled. There was no reason for which he assumed his next hit would paralyze a stage but he approached none the less and rose his whip up to swipe. The beast was still recovering from the fear of what semblance of sentience it had, but it was ready for him. The chain rustled and the beast’s hand rose up to grab at the chain and it did but the gleam of the sun flashed off the chain and into it’s red eyes along any other present to see [censored] It rose it’s hands up to block out the light and stumbled back until tripped and fell, pulling Toothpick with it, dragging him along the dirt once again, Toothpick unwilling to part with his weapon. Fortunately, it’s grip loosened before the whip was pulled away and the chain fell limp as the beast fell on its back and its tail shoved it to it’s side. “There we go,” A guttural growl of the predecessors and he smiled Hook, Line, and Paralyzed   

~~~

Toothpick, The Player

• [HP: 18/20 | Hate: 3 | Mit: 3 | Damage: 3+2]
• ID# 39804 [ BD:10 (Perfect Crit-Kangzilla)]

Kangzilla, The Abomination

• [HP: 3/24 | Damage: 3 | Mit: 6]
• ID# 39804 [ MD: 7 (Hit-Toothpick)]
• PARALYZED

((OOC: I lied to you, I COULD POST ALL ALONG :D)) 

Deciding it unwise to get mixed up in a flurry of colorful slashes and hops, Toothpick backed off for a moment to appreciate the absurdity of the battle, but the illusion of a retreat was not one the beast would take to kindly. In one great leap, the beast glided it’s way over Seul, landing not too far away from the shattered husk of Toothpick’s tree. Toothpick registered Seul’s gesture for but a moment, nodding briefly before letting the chain loose upon the Kangaroo. A tiny paw rose up to catch the glistening chain, and Toothpick blinked in disbelief before being yanked off the ground. The beast cracked it’s arm back and made to twirl Toothpick about. Fortunately, the small chain slipped out of it’s grip far before even the first rotation had been completed, and Toothpick was sent tumbling into an uprooted trunk, kicking up dust into Seul’s face. The beast snorted as it turned to face the two, and Toothpick pushed himself off the ground with a groan, his chain without a blemish and sprawled out before the dirtied wielder. Only one? How?  

~~~

Toothpick, The Player

• [HP: 19/20 | Hate: 2 | Mit: 3 | Damage: 3]
• ID# 37933 [ BD:1 (Perfect Fail-Kangzilla)]

Kangzilla, The Abomination

• [HP: 22/24 | Damage: 3 | Mit: 6]
• ID# 37935 [ MD: 7 (Hit-Toothpick)]

A familiar corpse The fresh yet weathered string materializes about his neck, it’s owner softly pinching it between thumb and index, “Thanks, you did a good job with this.” His hand fell to the amber, lifting it up to a white background, his eyebrows flicked up, “Well, better to try than not, as I’m told,” the trinket fell limp against a green shawl, his examination finished. “Oh, I love fishing, but all good relationships have their ups and downs…...fishing gives me a chance to clear up my mind, an excuse to sit and do nothing for a bit. Granted, there's the work involved in preparation, but still, Fishing is certainly not the most active of professions. However, it is the most time consuming.” Toothpick gripped his shawl tight, a cold wind blowing through, weaving past thin and tattered cloth, “Though, if you like painting, I might have to commission you for a work…..when I have money, of course,” a warm chuckle that didn’t betray the shiver down his spine, and they were off. Civilization gave way to white and trees, an undisturbed slumber rife with threats awaiting a catalyst, Teayre’s footprints emboldened by his own.  How many have died, in the cold, alone? “Will-do, I don’t intend for either of us to die for something as minor as a trinket.” Should’ve brought a crystal

~~~

Toothpick receives and equips Caterpillar's Sacrifice! [+2 LD] 

“More rewarding? Well, of course, what is a monthly subscription when compared to your life, the price of admission makes things that much more personal.” A faint grimace that faded as it came, a shift in his posture, and he nearly forgot why he’d came. “Say, what do you think is waiting for us when we leave?” He didn’t know why, but he asked; brown fingers drumming against some surface, just as aimless as his thoughts.

The chain’s tip kissed the ground, dangling as his grip on both handle and branch tightened. The monster was an agile one, and judging from how his strongest attack didn’t scratch it at all, a relatively bulky one, but Toothpick didn’t falter. Don’t get hit The beast leaped through the air and Toothpick kicked off from his perch, a ripple waving through the chain as dust kicked up and boots were met with trampled earth, and egg shell was crushed, ooze having long since evaporated. “Even so, a grounded approach will do us best, play a defensive game and we should be fine,” a wink to mark the pun and his eyes met with redder. The earth shook, and the beast hopped, Toothpick backing off to the shade of the tree as to reduce the beast’s options. It cared not, and when it neared, hands rose up into the air as one last, uneven hop was made, propelling it forward more than usual as two feet lay infront of it. A dropkick? Regardless, Toothpick dashed out of the way, and the beast crashed into his tree. The which dust barely obscuring it’s form was cut through by thin metal as Toothpick cracked his wrist, the dethroned tree groaned, “Quick! Now’s your chance!”  

~~~

Kangzilla
ID# 37849
MD: 4 (Missed Attack on Toothpick)
HP: 22/24
Mit: 6
Damage: 3

Toothpick
ID# 37851
Hate: 2
BD:7 (Hit on Kangzilla)
Hp: 20/20
Damage: 3
Energy: 0/5

Seul
Hate:0
Hp: 48/48

Quote

Name of Catch: Verile Trout

ID# 37538

Roll:

LD: 17+1

CD: 11

MD: 1

Catch Size: Medium

Quality: Rare

Enhancements: Electrolytes (4+ Energy Per Turn, Combat)

Description: A trout that was once filled energy, potential, and hope. That potent virility pumps through those who consume the Verile Trout, renewing their hope of escape. One can only hope they do not meet the same fate as the trout. A pink streak down it's side, black dots over shiny skin, and a gasp of desperation. Stagnant.

After adversity, there was success, a healthy trout a reminder of that duality. Even minutes after Toothpick had pulled it, and it’s tepid companion out of the river, it still managed to flop about in it’s fight for life, trembling in rage. As if all the life from it’s dead companion had been siphoned out and added to the fuel of it’s own soul, the trout gasped at water that wasn’t there, chomping in disbelief. Toothpick ended it in one swift slice, it’s suffering forgotten, and virility slowly fading into nothing. Toothpick drank from the gourd.

ID# 37538 [+5 EXP]
CD: 11 (Rare)
LD: 17+1 (Medium)
MD: 1 (Caught without issue)

ID# 37537 [+3 EXP]
CD: 8 (Uncommon)
LD: 10+1 (Rotting)

Quote

Name of Catch: Verile Trout

ID# 37538

Roll:

LD: 17+1

CD: 11

MD: 1

Catch Size: Medium

Quality: Rare

Enhancements: Electrolytes (4+ Energy Per Turn, Combat)

Description: A trout that was once filled energy, potential, and hope. That potent virility pumps through those who consume the Verile Trout, renewing their hope of escape. One can only hope they do not meet the same fate as the trout. A pink streak down it's side, black dots over shiny skin, and a gasp of desperation. Stagnant.

~~~

-2 Mats, 2 Total

Tremulous earth picked off from where it paused, the Ostriches gone as quickly as they came, and the cause of concern finally revealing itself. What the…. An almost cartoonish beast, “Kangzilla”, certainly not a creature Toothpick expected to see on F1. “Kangzilla” hopped in the closest thing to a leisurely gait that a kangaroo could have, seemingly more interested in the ground it tred than anything else, constantly staring off into the sand, or some shriveled greenery. It slowed to a halt as it neared Toothpick’s tree, sniffing at the air, before bending over to paw at an exposed nest. A blur of wind blasted Toothpick in the face as it’s motions stirred all underneath,  dirt and brown, dead berries kicked up as it wormed each egg from the nest and into its snout with a ginger dexterity. Toothpick could’ve easily have pet it without even stretching, beating flesh close enough for the scent of sweat to radiate onto Toothpick’s person. Slowly, his hand fell to the whip on his holster, unclasping each string pluck by pluck. Finished with it’s treat, the beast made to rise up once again and continue on it’s path, but was interrupted by a sneeze on it’s part, jolting it’s head towards Toothpick’s tree, eyes squeezed shut. When they opened, Toothpick was the first thing they saw. Almost immediately, he lashed out, the rustle of metal to signal an attack, a flash of light to sting a straight snout, a metal chain to leave a mark, and the beast stumbled back onto its rear.

~~~
Toothpick uses Whiplash [1x2(x3)+Stun] (5 Energy)
6 Mit - 6 Damage = 1 Damage Total
Kangzilla takes 1 Damage

Toothpick (1 Hate)
Hp: 20/20
ID# 37533
Damage: 3
Energy: 0/5
BD: 7

Kangzilla [Stunned]
HP:23/24
Damage: 3
Mit: 6
MD: 9 (Crit, but stunned)

And

Tfw the guy who uses times new roman likes music, and can meme

P.S: Rolland, I enjoyed your picks. If you're still there, thanks :D

Oh my

I certainly have found a gem, haven't I?

I guess my Ship will have to be Toothpick x toothpicks

“Ah, I see. Crafting is just the press of a button in most games……..hah, that’s hard to imagine. Sounds quite silly if one thinks about it,” Tales of MMO’s prior the stuff of myths for Toothpick. The whimsical tales of veterans wiser in a world that follows not reason, but fantasy. Those were all he had to understand the “ancestors”. He mulled over these thoughts as Teion scittered to and froth doing her duty, and even though he noted the odd inflow of people, it was in but a whisper among the boisterous thoughts that filed by.

((OOC: Now that things have calmed down a tad :V ))

“Mascot? Heh, how so? Heck, I might’ve even seen you before,” he said, gently stirring his fork through stew, kicking up settled ingredients. One of the patrons left, a lady in odd garb; Toothpick listened to her leave, the shifting of her silk, the whiz of col exchanging, a sigh. “My culture? Ironically, the ‘culture’ of most African American’s is born from the lack thereof. We are a people who were yanked away from our cultural roots, dragged across the sea in floating caskets, dehumanized and disoriented in a strange in cruel land, and left to dry without even a crutch thrown in our favor until the damage dealt was far too severe for a mere crutch. Even now, the ‘aid’ is given reluctantly at times. Our people are known for rash anger, rebellion, love, intense camaraderie, intense self loathing, the extreme ends of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, artistic and brash. We are very passionate, a people refused their identity for so long, and a phoenix beginning to rise from battered ashes, moreso on it’s own, as it realizes it’s worth.” he spoke quickly and from the heart, returning to his prior mood as if Shizuka had flicked a switch up and back down in the span of a second. “I hope that serves as an adequate summary,” he added with a slight smile.    

Red to remember you by A strange violence and an odd master to boot, even now I’m unsure of how I feel about Ssendom. He can’t be entirely bad, he is with Teayre after all, but still…..his lust for a good fight brings to question how driven is he to leave; whether he is either extremely passionate, or not at all. I saw the light, and returned Ssendom’s nod it’s reflection, and the subsequent friend request “Always with the hefty titles eh? I’ll be sure to call. Cya’.” And he was gone, his waving hand barely discernible from the blur that had as much right to call itself “me” as did his body. Thinking back to it now, I can’t help but wonder how relativity works in Sao. I suppose there isn’t any real way to accurately measure here, with the static crafting options and all, but I know a physicist, so I’ll have to ask later on. “Up, or down…” I looked between the two paths, one unseen, and the other familiar, I took the former, reaching a roadblock soon after. Rocks had crashed into the thin path, stacking up into a teetering pile. I could see some form of gem shining from within, and with a tad of digging, I managed to worm it out without getting crushed by rocks.

~~~
+1 Mat

ID# 37511
LD: 14+1

~~~

Thread Closed

Toothpick
+1 Monsters Sacrifice
+1 Mat
+25 Col

All Participants
+200 Col
+1 SP

“Haha, a blood grudge is it? No wonder, any other explanation wouldn’tve made any sense,” Ostriches of all things  Toothpick cracked his neck, leaning his back against the tree. Trees rustled and the ground trembled in emotionless anticipation for Toothpick did not. He watched as Seul scrambled for a bush before turning to the fruitless tree he was leaned against, his expression motionless. A grip on one of the low-hanging branches, and he heaved himself up, another, and into perch on a branch; already he could see them coming. “A bush is a horrible place to hide, so immobile, and you can barely see anything.” The rising dust cloud caught his attention, the inflation appealing, “The ostriches don't bother with humans, and so as long as you don’t get too close to the eggs or their food, you should be fine.” Black feathers rushed by, some halting by the trees, only interested in the fruit, or their children. Toothpick patted one of the thicker branches firmly, dangling his feet before the empty space before him, ostriches ignoring his tree due to it’s lack of fruit, only strutting past to reach some other distant destination. “You see, perfectly fine,” he looked down into the bush, somewhat surprised that there was no sign of Seul whatsoever.   

“Hmm, no offence, but the pink hair screamed ‘rebel’ to me. I still can’t shake off the notion that hair styles, and fashion as a whole, have completely different standards in video games. Culture shock still gets me,” he waved the chopstick about in the air, readjusting his grip, and gesturing at the same time. He dipped in, and was in the process of attempting to stab a chunk of beef when he saw the fork. “Oh, so it was that obvious eh? I guess I have a lot to learn,” he chuckled, trading his chopsticks for a wieldy fork. The plastic drew a raised brow, but it wouldn’t be the first time that the real world had broken through, so he ate without question, and the stew was good.

“Vladislav and Claudia, a pleasure,” she must be tired, hiking up here in a dress of all things he nodded to each as he said their name, pausing at Claudia, “And if you want to sit, please do, I’d find it displeasing if you restrained yourself from resting weary bones on a perfectly fine bench.” Already, plans to weaken what he considered Dracul’s mutually inhibiting dependence on Claudia whirling through Toothpick's head regardless of if they were to be familiar faces, or ones that would be forgotten as quickly as the butterfly. He was worried for their safety. All manipulation begins subtly he gestured to the bench, looking back up to Dracul, “If your master doesn’t mind allowing my hospitality, that is.” Paglikha’s voice, a reminder of his presence, a small conversation popping up between two did I not make myself clear? I’ll have to look the message over he decided not to intervene. ruffling a hand through unevenly matted hair to level it properly. The two three turned to him, “Well, while it is reasonable to say that we’ll get some Mat farming done today not people enough for the lottery the main purpose of this meeting was to separate those who said they were interested from those who would actually participate. Though we wont be a guild, I hope for this little ‘group’ to aid one another in the low-leveled grind so that we can catch up to our peers.” His hand fell to his side, "This meeting is, as our first: an ice breaker, and where we will set the group schedule-how we divvy up the work.” He looked for any more faces, but saw none, “And since it seems like more aren’t coming, how about we get a move on with things, hmm?”  

(Double Post?)

Rotting, and Rubbish, both, useless, one left out on the shore for the birds to [censored], and the other never tangible enough to be tossed into the basket. He didn't trouble himself with their fate, but rather, his loss, 2 good mats wasted on nothing. More would and come, and hopefully they would have better uses. Regardless, the sun set and he went off to fetch the gourd, the moonlit water proving to be the purest when settled.

~~~
-2 Mats

ID# 37223 LD:11 MD: 5 CD:8 Uncommon, Dead, Rotting fish [+3 EXP]
ID# 37222 LD:1 CD:3 MD:3 Instantly Vanishing Boot, Bad [+1 EXP]

Rotting, and Rubbish, both, useless, one left out on the shore for the birds to [censored], and the other never tangible enough to be tossed into the basket. He didn't trouble himself with their fate, but rather, his loss, 2 good mats wasted on nothing. More would and come, and hopefully they would have better uses. Regardless, the sun set and he went off to fetch the gourd, the moonlit water proving to be the purest when settled.

~~~
-2 Mats, EXP now [11/40] Damn this update for it's wonkyness :[ 

ID# 37223 LD:11 MD: 5 CD:8 Uncommon, Dead, Rotting fish [+3 EXP]
ID# 37222 LD:1 CD:3 MD:3 Instantly Vanishing Boot, Bad [+1 EXP]

Toothpick tapped a few final times, a green shawl draping itself about his neck as the menu vanished. a tender two-finger grasp pinching the green, “Perhaps, I’ve familiarized myself with the motions, I can only go up from here.” He looked further into the vast darkness, “though, even with your healing, I could’ve died if both had hit me at the same time, so I think it’s wise if we head on back now, if you don’t mind. Plus, I can feel the effects of the consumables weakening their hold on me,” the urge to kill is weak  “and I wouldn’t want them dropping mid-battle.” He sheathed the bronze blade, the scabbard uttering it’s dim screech. He stared off into the floor in a brief contemplation, scanning for any missed drops as he did.

~~~
No Mats found

ID #37221
LD: 1+1

A purple flame, and it was rendered meaningless. She fumbled for an arrow when it became clear she did not have the time, and a red blade swung at her neck. She dodged, but her bow did not, and it was split in two, forever purposeless.  She stumbled back, startled, another swing narrowly missing her arm. She ducked underneath a red trail of light, drawing the short dirk on her belt, it rose to meet the next red slash. The chink of of blades meeting. Through her dexterity and her dexterity alone, she diverted the flow of blow away from her person, allowing herself to stand for a few moments longer. The avoided blow created an opportunity that she took, dashing in and slashing at Toothpick’s thigh. Alas, his reaction was uncharacteristically deft and his foot met with her back. She was sent tumbling to the ground, arrows spralled out before her as she kicked herself up to a stand only to find Toothpick pressing the assault. She dodged to his left, and stabbed at his thigh, a mis-calculation leading her to sheath the blade within him. She mistakenly attempted to pull her weapon out, but a hand gripping her hair pulled away from the blade, and up into the air. She was heavy, and Toothpick could feel it, but the red was with him, and she wouldn’t be for long. Her eyes met with his and a faded red met with her chest, no more weight to be found. " 'Finished the fight'," he popped up the menu, scrolling through the interface with the scimitar held loosely, poking away with his off-hand, the empty grasp he once held in with behind his index, browsing through the loot.

~~~

5 x 5 = 25 Col from Archer Goblin

Mace Goblin
HP: 0/8
Damage: 6
-DEAD-

Toothpick
HP: 10/12
Damage: 1+3+1
BD: 9 (Critical)
LD: 13+1
ID# 37206

Archer Goblin -DEAD-
HP: 0/5
Damage: 2
MD: 8 (Hit)
ID# 37207
Passive: Night vision +1 MD in the dark
Passive: Archer's Respite As long as 1 action range from target is maintained, +1 MD (unfulfilled)
Passive: 2-Finger Taunt  Spawns 1 action range away from players

Toothpick’s hand took the chopsticks gingerly, unsure of how to treat them, “Thank you.” He glanced about the stall in hopes of catching out a stray spoon or fork, entirely unaccustomed to the use of chopsticks. The bowls came, and even though he saw spoons behind the stall’s counter, he didn’t ask out of fear of being rude, and the sudden inspiration to learn from observation. Prayer? he blinked, he didn’t expect her to pray of all things. He was familiar with spirituality in Sao, however, he did not take Shizuka for one pray. “Who do you pray to? If you don’t mind me asking,” He pinched the chopsticks in-between his fingers and scooped up a few noodles and a chunk of beef, managing to get the latter in his mouth, the former slipping off and back into the bowl with a splish of steaming broth, some potatoes bobbing in the murky green liquid.

Purple warmth dulled even the illusion of pain, and once again, his health bar went up to green. The red obscured his pity, for they would be the true victors of the fight were it not for Ssendom’s influence. But pity was not mercy, and they would not be fighting were it not for Ssendom; Toothpick figured the goblin came to the same conclusion, hence his grimace, but neither spoke. The goblin raised his club up, holding it at a diagonal angle, and breaking into a charge towards Toothpick, feinting a horizontal slash. Is he? Toothpick shrugged off the confusion, raising his scimitar over his shoulder, posture shifted, spare hand held out, blade facing the cavern ceiling. Ssendom’s advice reminded Toothpick of a scimitar sword art he’d seen prior, the perfect finisher for whatever the goblin had in store. The red returned, and as the goblin thrusted, so too did Toothpick, and goblin was no more. One last smile, “Well fought….human,” and blue shards gave way to a small orb dimly glowing blue, an item within, the goblins club, split in half, and soon to follow him.

Name: Monster's Sacrifice

ID# 37087

Roll: 18+1

Item Type: Leather Armor

Quality: Uncommon

Enhancements: +3 Mit

Description

“WHAT NEVER WAS CANNOT BE”
MAY THAT RESOLUTION SHEILD THEE

A tattered shawl of a murky green color that goes about the neck, tight

 

She gasped, and Toothpick looked up to return her stare. The fight was not over. In an almost childish disbelief, her eyes glossed over for a moment that was short lived and replaced with red. She drew and fired. Toothpick ducked underneath, grabbing at the small orb as the arrow whizzed overhead. Notification, "Monster's sacrifice". He broke into a charge towards her. Unwise, and he took a arrow to the knee as penance, a wavering blue fading into pixels as it knocked him to the ground. She relished it. Another followed, and it sunk into his back before he could push off the ground and continue his advance. It too faded, blue scars all that remained.

~~~

Toothpick obtained Uncommon Item "Monster's Sacrifice"

Mace Goblin -DEAD-
HP: 0/8
Damage: 6
MD: 1 (Perfect Fail)
ID# 37088

Toothpick
HP: 8/12
Damage: 1+3
BD:8 (Hit)
LD: 18+1
ID# 37087

Archer Goblin
HP: 5/5
Damage: 2+2
MD: 10 (Perfect)
ID# 37089
Passive: Night vision +1 MD in the dark
Passive: Archer's Respite As long as 1 action range from target is maintained, +1 MD (unfulfilled)
Passive: 2-Finger Taunt  Spawns 1 action range away from players

”Hah, neither have I, doesn’t seem to be a very popular profession, but I intend to change that with just the slightest dash of luck,” he kicked off from the wall, looking over the wares in the counter as he approached, “Oh, yeah, ‘other games’, pardon me, Sao is my first real video game….unless you count this one game on the phone that would go by as ‘legit’ by the standards of most, Wayward Souls for the Iphone, if you happened to be curious…..but….are professions less rewarding in other games?” he paused a few inches off from the counter, satisfied with his appraisal. Glancing up to his host as she spoke, her purple enticed him to wonder whether or not her ‘real’ self had dyed hair, “Yes, actually, infact, that’s one of the reason I picked it up in the first place! You could say I have an plan of sorts.” The door opened before he could say any more, and he turned to look at the newcomer. The words were funneled out, Toothpick more interested in the person behind them whom he recognized as Zelrius of the Azure Brigade, the gathering at Mack’s Hot Springs familiarizing him with the boy’s appearance. He reached down pull out a toothpick from his pocket, fumbling with the packaging as another entered. They know each other? Small world. “Ello’,” he nodded to the two, sticking the splinter between his teeth.