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Before Seafood can reach the table the Fighty Rhea addresses YOU.
"That's an old watchword you gave. Who gave it to you."
You have no idea what to say. You glance at Seafood, to find him giving you a hard look. You remember your briefing and start to tremble visibly. You make a face like you're about to cry and pull your hood up, turning away.
Seafood comes in close, patting your back, whispering.
"Good. When I next whisper to you, mumble and gesture. I will press your hand for you to stop."
You nod several times, hamming full retard.
Out loud Seafood addresses the ThiefBoss.
"Sorry sir, but my 'dopted Uncle Oats' had a Bit of a Turn since Yarrowvale. We got the watchword from Clettennoak Haybarrow of the Everdote Haybarrows. He said we can give it if help was ever wanted on our way."
"Hmph. Everything's short and bare these days. What help can we spare you? But speak. Clettennoak's proven, even if his mother isn't."
"Oh no sir. We're here to ask <span class="mu-i">you</span>. Do you want out help, since we're passing this way."
You can feel their eyes peel.
"You? Beg pardon little miss Twiceling, but what can you do?"
"I can't much, except what Uncle Oats taught me: a little Tinkery and Barbery, enough to shave a Grain. But me Uncle Oats has got a <span class="mu-i">vewwy spuhsfic set of skews</span>, that makes him a nightmare for baddies like the Sticks tui!.
Everyone follows almost reflexively, showering the ground with phlegm.
The ThiefBoss looks YOU over, so you cringe and whimper believably. You've had lots of practice, everytime Seafood tells you to "Come. Here."
"Him? He can't kill a curry."
"He's bloody murder he is! A right artist wivva noif!"
>ey yo waddafugg
"Sure he is."
"I'll show you! <span class="mu-i">He</span>'ll show you! Who here's good wivva blade?"
Several smirks light up; Roogs.
Seafood looks through them, points one out. Slim, for a Rhea. Two knives visible in the belt, identical; probably has two more.
Seafood pops the tinny of safflower tun waxy waterproofing paint, dips your thumbs in, then the slim Rhea's thumbs.
"Your thumbs are now knives! Uncle Oats! Mister! When I drop my hand, you try to smudge each other's clothes! The first to smudge thrice wins! Readyyyyy!"
The Rhea moves in before Seafood's arm is fully down, but so do you. This isn't a real fight, nothing's on the line, so you go all in <span class="mu-r"> SUICIDEY</span>.
You dropping into Stance makes him miss his cheapshot, and you close distance in one move, Parting Litter, and you're already on him: heel heel kneeback kneeback hip - he spins, trying to slash your back, and you follow his movement, out of reach - hip bellycrossandup armpit - he tucks and tumbles, trying to get clear of you - and you follow his trajectory, scuttling under him.
He slashes as he does. You're not sure he got you: you didn't feel anything, so it might have been just paint being flung off, spatting your shirt front. But you definitely get him: wrist elbow neck neck <span class="mu-r"><span class="mu-i"> face.</span></span>
