Days pass over the unconscious Dipp, a frightened expression coats his face as he sleeps. The never-ending recurring nightmare of death looms over his mind like a cacophony of agony. Covered in a sea of sweat Dipp quickly leans forward in the bed. Frantically, Oliver rushes, checking on his Master.
"Are you alright Master?" Oliver asks, worried after Dipp displayed power.
Still short of breath Dipp slightly nods. "Yeah, just a bad nightmare, but anyway what time is it, how long was I asleep?" Dipp says, rubbing his face.
"you've been asleep for 5day's, Pallas left for some errands early this morning while you slept. But don't worry I remained nearby in case of an emergency" Oliver says in a gentle tone. The door flings open, in strides an excited Pallas, now dawning a new sheath at his side. Dipp quicky notices the hilt of the blood sword, surprised that it remained after he passed out.
"Dipp your awake! Thank you so much for the sword. I went and bought a sheath for it so it wouldn't draw attention" Pallas says with a smirk on his face.
"While you were asleep, we reported the incident to the Adventurer's Hub and claimed our reward for completing the quest," Oliver informs Dipp while sitting down on his bed beside him.
"Wow, you guys did a lot while I was asleep, how are the girls tho?" Dipp asks curiously, uncertain of how they managed the work at the Dog's Mouth.
"The girl's have picked up the work well. I believe they wanted to make a meal for you when you were awake. We should hurry downstairs and greet them" Oliver says, a smile on his face as he steps up from the bed. Laughter and chatter radiated out, tables of patrons enjoyed a meal and a drink. Now wearing matching aprons and clothes, the girls waited tables, quickly cleaning and serving meals. From the base of the stairs, Dipp watches them work, their turmoil less noticeable.
"You're finally awake?, took you damn long enough," The Inn Keeper says in a gruff voice with a smile on her face. A wave of relief washing over her as she saw the small Dipp standing at the stairs.
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"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry, I must have been pretty exhausted," Dipp says in an embarrassed voice while rubbing his neck.
"Don't overthink it, but you've had those girl's waiting for you, they're the ones who've really been worried. Go say hi and let them feed you your fill." She says with a laugh, pushing Dipp over to the girls, planting him firmly at a seat. Suprised Dipp looks around, the shy rabbit girls slowly making their way over to him with plates of food. One after another, they placed a different dish down in front of him, taking a step back and bowing deeply.
"Thank you! You saved us. You brought us to this amazing place. Please let us repay you, eat all you want!." One of the rabbit girls says, taking the role of their leader.
"Thank you for the meal!, I'll eat every bite," Dipp says with an uncontrollable grin on his face, grabbing a knife and fork he dives into the food. In such a short amount of time, they'd opened up and were working hard. Determined Dipp gorges himself on the meals, returning an empty plate to each of the girls.
"So your Dipp, I expected you to be taller." A large polar bear man says with a laugh, patting Dipp, on the shoulder while he speaks. "Since your done eating can we have a chat?" He asks bluntly.
"Ahh, do we know each other?" Dipp says in a confused voice, looking over the towering man. Scars littered his massive body, on his back was a sword befitting the giant Forrest folk.
"No, no. We haven't met before. But I just wanted to introduce myself, and thank you for helping those girls. I'm Brick, do you mind if we go in the back and talk for a bit?" Brick says in a friendly tone, gesturing for him to to the Inn's back room. Warry Dipp looks to the Inn Keeper Kelly.
"It's fine, just follow him, he won't hurt ya," She says wit ha rough laugh. Dipp trusting her words jump's from down from his chair, trailing behind after the towering Brick. Behind the counter and past the kitchen they walk, down worn and creaky stairs. Poor and dim light fills the basement room; careful Dipp follows close behind his guide.
"Again, thank you for saving those girls. As a representative of Long Claw, thanks to you" He says as he opens the decrepit door, into the dust-filled room. In the centre of the room was an extensive collection of Forrest folk of all kinds gathering around a long table. The door's ear piecing creak grabs their attention quickly.
"Oh, is this Dipp, he's so cute!" A penguin-like person says as she rushes over to Dipp.