22nd day of Winter 513 AV
For those that knew Bob there are few good places to reliably find him in Zeltiva besides the place he worked at. One of these places is would be the East Street or more specifically a bar in the East Street. There was no specific bar. Any bar with games of chance involving mizas, dice, cards or anything a person could think of? There is where they could find Bob although the opportunity of finding Bob in such a place has reduced in the recent seasons. The gambler just did not have enough time to frequent these places being busy, proving to his uncle that all those years away from Zeltiva did not turn him into some degenerate, which he was. The only reason why he is not seen that way by most people is because as a man no...as a gambling man, Bob had standards. Standards, rules and codes that he will not stray from unless he is in really dire circumstances. He was tested on a few times especially in Sunberth and would be pleased to admit once was an accident and the other? He would never be able to remember the other being so heavily drugged up by some unscrupulous bandit.
Now that he was done with his work tending to the animals brought to him for treatment, a very taxing job that needed him to put up with uncooperative patients and their demanding owners, Bob would be found at a table in a bar at East Street. On that table he would be near those like him holding on to their cards and watching. Watching each other and for their chance to win. Despite how intense it was getting, Bob was quite comfortable in the casual game. In Sunberth he would have to split his attention on thinking how he would run with his winnings as soon as the game was over since there was no telling when some sore loser would arm himself and decide to take back the mizas he lost, and then some but over here he could have a nice chat. These men were more acquaintances than friends to him really as he only met them for their semi regular games but it was enough for him to get to know them from little bits of conversation. Know them enough to bring the game further than just the cards on the table.
Because Bob's cards were not too impressive to him right now. He looked around at the other three men and watched their expressions. "Unreadable of course..." he thought to himself or it would have been so much easier. Actually even looking for tells would have been easy after so many games with them but Bob decided to keep it for next time. Instead he will try and minimize his losses. To make the others take the risks like the man on his left. His name if Bob was not mistaken is "Jeremiah. How are the fish this season? Had a good haul?" Bob of course knew the answer. Jeremiah has already complaining as the fisherman was anticipating the weather making it harder for him to do his job. The little bit of information Bob purposely remembered to get under Jeremiah's skin when the time came but he was disappointed when the man kept his cool only responding with a snort. That was not good and Bob tried to press the subject further adding "I guess you wouldn't be here giving me your money if it wasn't good" in hopes that the man will be enraged and make a mistake.
But that still did not do anything for the calm Jeremiah that gave him a glare. Bob decided to hold on once the cards were shown. He knew it. His pair of threes were useless and Jeremiah? He did not win the round too. However Bob's efforts were not wasted because he now knew Jeremiah's had some emotion towards his job. Bob should feel sorry for the man but now was not the time. Deciding Jeremiah's emotions were unreliable, he looked to someone else. Someone like... "Hank!" Bob was just about to ask about the man's wife when Hank still looking at his cards told Bob to shut it. Bob looked at his own cards and the ones revealed on the table. It was enough for him to "raise" on his turn and continue ignoring Hank's statement because "I thought we're all friends here?" or something close. They should be happy they were not really Bob's friends because Bob uses his friends, although he allowed them to use him a little. It was good to be able to rely on someone without always looking over the shoulder like in Sunberth with danger everywhere. Bob could only hope that Zeltiva would be better because It was home.
Bob had no doubts that he would win the round and took his winnings giving a smirk to fuel the anger simmering in the men. After the cards were distributed the third player named Pearce, although Bob liked to call him Pear suddenly spoke up before Bob could start. Bob did not know much about Pear other what the man has already insinuated before. A man working acquisitions in East Street. That actually told him a lot especially in the tone he used at the time. "You know Bob? You remind me a lot about Former Regent Everto." While Bob realized Pear was trying to distract him from the gambler cards, his curiosity was piqued. How could he be the same as this "Farmer Regan Everton? Is he crops better than Jeremiah's fishing?" still not letting the information go to waste. Actually it was Everto as he was soon corrected. No, Bob did not really have the interest to follow politics lately. "What about him?" Bob asked while comparing cards with those on the table, finding he was not at a disadvantage yet and still able to at least listen to Pear.
And Pear continued. Explaining about Ignotus Everto. The two other players were clearly disturbed about it for some reason. If this was the reason Pear brought it up, it was working and Bob decided to help the sneak's efforts. In the next round because this one was over and petch. Bob was already taken in by Pear when he miscalculated his odds with his cards. His hand did not end up well at all but that would not stop him. He bought in to the next round and continued to ask "so I'm the same with this Everto because...of what exactly?" Curiosity aside, these men were not comfortable with the subject. Making them more uncomfortable, such as when they explained it was because of how Bob was trying to manipulate them the way Everto manipulated the political scene will only give him more opportunities to make mistakes. Maybe he should try getting into politics as well especially "if I can do politicking like I do gambling, I would have been a politician like him too." After all, "how hard can it be?"
It was then that even Pear's voice got lower. It even got Bob's attention away from the cards. What did he just say about this Everto guy? Its as though "...the man has a sorcerous ability?" Bob asked to confirm in a soft voice as well so they would not be overheard. Was that what they meant by Bob being similar? That was impossible! GIven the amount of people with magic thanks to the university being in Zeltiva, Bob has not risked using his hypnotism during games. There is no telling when someone might actually discover him with auristics! He was shaken not by the revelation of the former regent but how the point that was driven home. The other three could see that Bob stopped talking after that and focused on the game but they would not have known the reason why. Bob threw mizas, threw cards. Anything that could get whatever suspicion they had off him during that time and once the game was over "Thanks for the game boys, and the story Pear. Maybe next time if we have more time I'll ask you more" or not Bob felt before leaving the bar.
All on his way back, Bob was reviewing the information that he has gotten today. For his next games with the trio, he knew that Jeremiah is sore about his job but Bob would probably need more information to actually use the information properly. The same thing goes with Hank and the relationship with his wife although that might be a bit dangerous Bob felt. The man responded a little bit too fast about it. However the thing that was lingering in his mind was the man Ignotus Everto. That would be a man to know, if anything else so Bob can be prepared for the man and keep away from him. His thoughts had him for so long that even when he returned home and to help his uncle with his job, Marny was telling him off for being so distracted. Bob was helping his uncle with surgery making sure that the surgical tools were kept clean and were in his uncle's hand when the man needed it. It went quite well at the start when Bob gave the scalpel, the bleeders and such as he saw his uncle opening up his patient's rib.
Something that Bob felt he would not be able to do for a long time. Eventually, he started being yelled at. His uncle telling him that Bob does not need to be told what tools he needed. At one point Bob was rushing to give his uncle the next tool when he dropped it. Of course he immediately tried to get it clean before getting it to his uncle but Marny would not have the distracted Bob any longer and told him to get out and work on something else. Always in need of medicine, Bob decided to work on his philtering and got the tools out. He decided to work on making some soap, something he once tried to make on his own. With Marny here he could probably make it properly. Bob rummaged through the ingredients and tools available to him. "Yes lye..." he told himself as he took the jar which is only the first of the ingredients he needed. The others would not be too easy.
Unless he made them easy. For the others, Bob just went with opening the jars and smelling into them for something that was nice. It was only when he found the nice things that he examined them closely. He knew from the leaves what he should not be touching. His uncle already taught him some of the basics. The bright colours especially, he stayed away from always remembering what his uncle told him about those most likely being poisoned. Instead he looked for the ones that might hurt, the spiky leaves. Those were the ones that his uncle told him needed protection from things that would destroy or eat them. Bob took a few, accidentally scratching his palms in the process as he put them in the mortar hoping that the extra ingredient of his blood will not affect the end result. Then he took the pestle and mashed them all together as hard as he could all the while allowing the lye to heat up on the brazier near him.
The only thing left was to mix them all together. Taking a big ladle Bob started stirring the mixture together. It was a time of calm for him to keep to his thoughts again. The same thoughts that his uncle chased him out for. At least no trouble will come from it now except... "what's that smell...?" Bob looked at the brazier and yelled "petch!" because he has been taking too long and the mixture was ruined because of it. Looks like all his efforts have been wasted again all because of Pear and his stories of scary Zeltivans.
Now that he was done with his work tending to the animals brought to him for treatment, a very taxing job that needed him to put up with uncooperative patients and their demanding owners, Bob would be found at a table in a bar at East Street. On that table he would be near those like him holding on to their cards and watching. Watching each other and for their chance to win. Despite how intense it was getting, Bob was quite comfortable in the casual game. In Sunberth he would have to split his attention on thinking how he would run with his winnings as soon as the game was over since there was no telling when some sore loser would arm himself and decide to take back the mizas he lost, and then some but over here he could have a nice chat. These men were more acquaintances than friends to him really as he only met them for their semi regular games but it was enough for him to get to know them from little bits of conversation. Know them enough to bring the game further than just the cards on the table.
Because Bob's cards were not too impressive to him right now. He looked around at the other three men and watched their expressions. "Unreadable of course..." he thought to himself or it would have been so much easier. Actually even looking for tells would have been easy after so many games with them but Bob decided to keep it for next time. Instead he will try and minimize his losses. To make the others take the risks like the man on his left. His name if Bob was not mistaken is "Jeremiah. How are the fish this season? Had a good haul?" Bob of course knew the answer. Jeremiah has already complaining as the fisherman was anticipating the weather making it harder for him to do his job. The little bit of information Bob purposely remembered to get under Jeremiah's skin when the time came but he was disappointed when the man kept his cool only responding with a snort. That was not good and Bob tried to press the subject further adding "I guess you wouldn't be here giving me your money if it wasn't good" in hopes that the man will be enraged and make a mistake.
But that still did not do anything for the calm Jeremiah that gave him a glare. Bob decided to hold on once the cards were shown. He knew it. His pair of threes were useless and Jeremiah? He did not win the round too. However Bob's efforts were not wasted because he now knew Jeremiah's had some emotion towards his job. Bob should feel sorry for the man but now was not the time. Deciding Jeremiah's emotions were unreliable, he looked to someone else. Someone like... "Hank!" Bob was just about to ask about the man's wife when Hank still looking at his cards told Bob to shut it. Bob looked at his own cards and the ones revealed on the table. It was enough for him to "raise" on his turn and continue ignoring Hank's statement because "I thought we're all friends here?" or something close. They should be happy they were not really Bob's friends because Bob uses his friends, although he allowed them to use him a little. It was good to be able to rely on someone without always looking over the shoulder like in Sunberth with danger everywhere. Bob could only hope that Zeltiva would be better because It was home.
Bob had no doubts that he would win the round and took his winnings giving a smirk to fuel the anger simmering in the men. After the cards were distributed the third player named Pearce, although Bob liked to call him Pear suddenly spoke up before Bob could start. Bob did not know much about Pear other what the man has already insinuated before. A man working acquisitions in East Street. That actually told him a lot especially in the tone he used at the time. "You know Bob? You remind me a lot about Former Regent Everto." While Bob realized Pear was trying to distract him from the gambler cards, his curiosity was piqued. How could he be the same as this "Farmer Regan Everton? Is he crops better than Jeremiah's fishing?" still not letting the information go to waste. Actually it was Everto as he was soon corrected. No, Bob did not really have the interest to follow politics lately. "What about him?" Bob asked while comparing cards with those on the table, finding he was not at a disadvantage yet and still able to at least listen to Pear.
And Pear continued. Explaining about Ignotus Everto. The two other players were clearly disturbed about it for some reason. If this was the reason Pear brought it up, it was working and Bob decided to help the sneak's efforts. In the next round because this one was over and petch. Bob was already taken in by Pear when he miscalculated his odds with his cards. His hand did not end up well at all but that would not stop him. He bought in to the next round and continued to ask "so I'm the same with this Everto because...of what exactly?" Curiosity aside, these men were not comfortable with the subject. Making them more uncomfortable, such as when they explained it was because of how Bob was trying to manipulate them the way Everto manipulated the political scene will only give him more opportunities to make mistakes. Maybe he should try getting into politics as well especially "if I can do politicking like I do gambling, I would have been a politician like him too." After all, "how hard can it be?"
It was then that even Pear's voice got lower. It even got Bob's attention away from the cards. What did he just say about this Everto guy? Its as though "...the man has a sorcerous ability?" Bob asked to confirm in a soft voice as well so they would not be overheard. Was that what they meant by Bob being similar? That was impossible! GIven the amount of people with magic thanks to the university being in Zeltiva, Bob has not risked using his hypnotism during games. There is no telling when someone might actually discover him with auristics! He was shaken not by the revelation of the former regent but how the point that was driven home. The other three could see that Bob stopped talking after that and focused on the game but they would not have known the reason why. Bob threw mizas, threw cards. Anything that could get whatever suspicion they had off him during that time and once the game was over "Thanks for the game boys, and the story Pear. Maybe next time if we have more time I'll ask you more" or not Bob felt before leaving the bar.
All on his way back, Bob was reviewing the information that he has gotten today. For his next games with the trio, he knew that Jeremiah is sore about his job but Bob would probably need more information to actually use the information properly. The same thing goes with Hank and the relationship with his wife although that might be a bit dangerous Bob felt. The man responded a little bit too fast about it. However the thing that was lingering in his mind was the man Ignotus Everto. That would be a man to know, if anything else so Bob can be prepared for the man and keep away from him. His thoughts had him for so long that even when he returned home and to help his uncle with his job, Marny was telling him off for being so distracted. Bob was helping his uncle with surgery making sure that the surgical tools were kept clean and were in his uncle's hand when the man needed it. It went quite well at the start when Bob gave the scalpel, the bleeders and such as he saw his uncle opening up his patient's rib.
Something that Bob felt he would not be able to do for a long time. Eventually, he started being yelled at. His uncle telling him that Bob does not need to be told what tools he needed. At one point Bob was rushing to give his uncle the next tool when he dropped it. Of course he immediately tried to get it clean before getting it to his uncle but Marny would not have the distracted Bob any longer and told him to get out and work on something else. Always in need of medicine, Bob decided to work on his philtering and got the tools out. He decided to work on making some soap, something he once tried to make on his own. With Marny here he could probably make it properly. Bob rummaged through the ingredients and tools available to him. "Yes lye..." he told himself as he took the jar which is only the first of the ingredients he needed. The others would not be too easy.
Unless he made them easy. For the others, Bob just went with opening the jars and smelling into them for something that was nice. It was only when he found the nice things that he examined them closely. He knew from the leaves what he should not be touching. His uncle already taught him some of the basics. The bright colours especially, he stayed away from always remembering what his uncle told him about those most likely being poisoned. Instead he looked for the ones that might hurt, the spiky leaves. Those were the ones that his uncle told him needed protection from things that would destroy or eat them. Bob took a few, accidentally scratching his palms in the process as he put them in the mortar hoping that the extra ingredient of his blood will not affect the end result. Then he took the pestle and mashed them all together as hard as he could all the while allowing the lye to heat up on the brazier near him.
The only thing left was to mix them all together. Taking a big ladle Bob started stirring the mixture together. It was a time of calm for him to keep to his thoughts again. The same thoughts that his uncle chased him out for. At least no trouble will come from it now except... "what's that smell...?" Bob looked at the brazier and yelled "petch!" because he has been taking too long and the mixture was ruined because of it. Looks like all his efforts have been wasted again all because of Pear and his stories of scary Zeltivans.
