*Bob*


Bob casually bounces into the Guild Hall, trying to look as though he belonged there by rights.


"Hi there!" He greets the Guildmaster. "I'm looking for some information about a Pink Antwerp and was wondering if you could help?"

*The Guildmaster*

With his athletic build and his cool, almost emotionless appearance, the Guildmaster seems at first glance less than friendly. A second glance would reveal he's just the cautious type.

"Pink Antwerps... rare beings indeed. Rarer than unicorns," says the man quietly. "You are new to Spielburg, I see..."

*Bob*

"New? Well, not really. I live in the south of the valley with my family, but I don't really come to town before. It was a bit embarrassing, you see. I had to summon all my courage to go to the castle and seek instruction from the Weapon's Master."

He gives a brief summary of the encounter at the castle. "And so, I came here looking for information about others like me. Can you help me?"

*Guildmaster, Waffel von Waffelig*

The young man with the cool demeanour begins to sharpen a sword upon which he frowns, although the edge seems sharp enough. It is clear von Waffelig is very keen-sighted when it comes to weaponry and so on.

As he works, he speaks.

"I will give you some information, certainly - although it may be less than you would wish. After all, pink antwerps are not seen as monsters in general (and it is monsters with which guildmasters are most familiar). These antwerps are regarded as fine examples of adventerous and quite intelligent beings. It is said that to be touched by a pink antwerp is a great blessing."

Von Waffelig pauses before continuing, and his eyes look straight at Bob's ocular devices. "The weaponmaster is the least likely to aid you with information on this subject - he was once defeated by a pink antwerp." His voice is dry, and he pauses again.

*Bob*


"I don't get it....are you saying pink antwerps are a bit like unicorns in that they're very rare? Um, does that mean that you have to be a...well, um.....what I mean is that you haven't experienced.....um?"

He blushes an even deeper shade of pink.

*Waffel von Waffelig von this and that and the other - Guildmaster*

Waffel von Waffelig crosses his arms and looks uncompromising. "That," he says levelly, "is very personal information. But... so far as I am aware, there is no special implication in being able to see a pink antwerp. Its rarity has nothing to do with any human activity. I think the Healer, Amelia Appleberry, has a few theories on why the pink antwerps are rare.

"What exactly do you wish to know? Whether there are others like you who dwell in the Northern Valley? Or something else?"

*Bob*


"I want to know EVERYTHING there is to know about Pink Antwerps. All my life I've been poked fun of and alone. If there are others like me, I want to find out everything I can about them and seek them out. It's my only chance!" Bob almost shouts this last, before realising how odd this could seem.

"I'm sorry," he offers, "but this is very important to me! Even more so than becoming the greatest swordsantwerp"

*As Humbert Nussday*

A thin, scraggy-looking man steps into the guild. He has a runny nose and is wearing a grubby raincoat and a weary, hang-dog expression. His worn shoes are tied loosely with bits of string. He has obviously managed to catch that last bit of information, because what he now says is directed at the room in general.

"Oh, Gods, look at me, I'm completey useless, no one is going to buy this pink antwerp of a loser like me. I might as well go to the Flying Falls and throw myself into the lake right now."

Looking at the two men, his large blue eyes indicating nothing but complete honesty, Humbert Nussday smiles discreetly to himself.

*Bob*


"Excuse me?" he asks, a bit ticked off that his very real and personal dilemma was being mocked by this disreputable looking person.

*As Humbert Nussday*

It is clear that Humbert Nussday realises that he has offended Bob. He thumps his forehead in a gesture of abject horror and self-revulsion.

"Oh, no! Please, forgive me my intrusion, good sir! I'm so sorry to have... why do I always do this...? As I was about to say, I was exploring the forest a few days ago, keeping myself very quiet to avoid the monsters; and I managed to find out, after much searching, the secret location of a glade where a pink antwerp happily resides. However, I've had the most absurd rotten luck trying to convince anyone here in Spielburg that there is another pink antwerp in Spielburg - other than yourself, good sir -" he nods at Bob - "much less that they should come with me and look at it. Forty years I've lived in this paltry, boring valley! Forty years, and what do I have to show for it? Nothing! And just when I find something that might be significant, no one believes me!" He staggers back a little, obviously emotionally wounded by Spielburg's lack of faith in him, and sighs theatrically - wondering if perhaps he's overdoing it. "If only someone could be just a little more..." he hesitates. "...well... flexible..."

He gives Bob a quick, terrified glance, as if almost expecting to be beaten for daring to speak in the presence of his betters - or bounced on until he would be squashed flat.

*Bob*

Bob waits for the man to draw breath after such a long speech.


"So....you want me to come with you to find the other pink antwerp?" he wonders aloud.

Humbert's face lights up, and he visibly sags with relief. "You mean you... you'd believe me about the pink antwerp?" he says, evidently in disbelief. "You don't think I'm crazy, or drunk? That's what the sheriff said..." Immediately, Humbert's face grows frightened again. "Please, don't tell him I said that! The sheriff thinks I'm mad, but I know I what I saw, out there in the woods. I know what I saw." His face is white with fear, and flushed with embarrassment and self-doubt.

*Bob*


"Well, good sir, I'm the LAST one you need to convince about the existence of pink antwerps." Bob bounces jovially.


"So, if you'd like to lead the way, I'd be more than happy to follow you to the location you mentioned."

Humbert Nussday leaves the Guild towards the forest, with Bob following him.

Continued here.