Helllllloooooooooooooo Mani!

If only you could see me, things are shiny and roses and sunshine. After a good night’s sleep I felt ready for action! It’s time to take care of business, no more shenanigans for my family party! Of course when I wake, it’s not to the sound of birds and chipmunks, but to loud crashes vibrating through the house. Was it danger? I scampered as fast as I could to the action.

Mani, it was the strangest thing. Ildan was back! He smelled… like the top of the lake after a wizard rave. While I was happy to see him, my attention was caught by the bed that was turned over. Ren and Narcel’Uss looked to be bothered by it. I don’t understand why. It looked like somebody took their nasty sorceress decor to a whole new level. I suggested simply taking out a wall and dumping the bed out (I could smuggle it to the pond!) but they weren’t going for it. Oh well.

I was more curious about this Lucien… do you remember him Mani? He sounded familiar… maybe my notebook at home might have more information. Well, adventures are better as a team! I decided to disguise Ren and Ildan. I didn’t have many materials, so I used what I had on hand! I thought some ash might make Ildan look like a charming chimney sweep! He pulled that look off with aplomb. With Ren, well, why hide when you can flaunt it! I covered her with strategic feathers left over from Bird Girl that I have been collecting all this time. She looked so beautiful! I didn’t have much left, so I opted for a stylish floppy hat. I think I looked dashing and the hat hide my face, so there you go.

I led the team to a pub I had passed by before. I was hoping and hoping and Yes! Kaulin came! I haven’t seen him in forever. Do you remember him? While I had squished my past down, I squished down some friendships too. Kaulin is such a good pal. He and I would get up to no good, scampering about, hiding in the shadows, always just under the eyes of the large brutes that never could seem to find us after a heist. He has the worst taste in men though. Could never seem to set me up with a decent fellow. Oh goblins.

I was disappointed to see him covered in Tong markings… after that encounter we had… but they all can’t be bad if Kaulin joined them. Maybe they’re not as bad as they seem? But the caravaneers…. I’m conflicted Mani. I wanted to shout at Kaulin, You stupid goblin! But I was the brains of the operation and if he joined them after I left...

When asking Kaulin about objects, I tried to skirt around what we actually were looking for. Kaulin is sweet, but not the brightest bulb. While I don’t mind if he mentions me around here, trying to build a reputation and all, I don’t want anyone to know what we’re really after. Especially if we end up pulling a heist. When we got the information we needed, I gave Kaulin the biggest hug I could. I think Ren might have drunk too much, she knocked Kaulin and I over on the way out.

When we walked into Lucien’s bookstore, I wanted to figure out how he traded his illicit merchandise. He didn’t seem too interested until I showed him the prize I’d been keeping for awhile… tucked safely in my bag. Too bad Ildan and Ren were here, but oh well. Secrets out anyway. Lucien was mildly interested in my our magical mine. He didn’t take it (darn!), but at least I might be able to do some business with him. After we left, Ren went to get Narcel’Uss.

I was still curious about Lucien. I wanted to see what was going on in that bookstore of his! I leapt, somersaulted, dashed my way up the wall and hung upside down, peering through the window on the second floor. To my delight, Ildan joined me! I don’t know how he managed to scamper up with me,but we dangled upside down, side to side, watching that no-good thief relax in his shop.

I stayed put like a good halfling. Even when that curious looking dwarf girl caught Ildan’s attention, when that copper came in, or that funny wizard man and thug. Nope nope nope! I stayed put and, wouldn’t you know, it paid off Mani!

Soon enough the old fool left the shop! Ha!

Seeing my opportunity, I seized it with my tiny fingers and deftly… let’s just say, maneuvered my way into his shop. The safe was nothing to me! I’d seen countless like these before. Inside were some goods that I helped myself to. Remembering how Lucien had threatened my friends, I decided he didn’t really needs windows. I removed them for him and set course for home. I don’t know why Narcel’Uss seemed upset, I was extremely stealthy sneaky quiet little halfling.

When I have the chance, remind me to share this interesting book with you Mani!

Goodnight my dear one!

Vani