Strange Sweet Solicitation

//random Tel'Adre event for child characters
//this godforsaken city already has ice cream, for some reason
The hot, dusty roads of Tel'Adre haven't been treating you well as you attempt to pass through. It only takes an errant gust of wind to send you into a coughing fit, and it's feeling more and more like the sun beating down on your head is doing so quite literally. You're getting woozy enough that you need some cover, and quick.

A nearby alley looks suitable for your needs. It's far enough from the road itself that you're able to slip clear of the crowd, and when you finally duck into the cool shadows, you let out a deep breath, feeling like you've just gotten out from under a stifling blanket. You're not entirely sure how you're going to deal with the heat when you have to leave this shelter.

It's then that you hear a voice behind you.

[say:Hey there. Are you lost?] it asks, gentle and low. You turn around. A man stands there, his silhouette tall and broad against the bright, red-tinged sky behind him. [say:Are you here with your mom or dad? Do they know where you are?]

You shake your head no, and he crouches down, giving you a better view of his appearance. He's middle-aged, but still fit, clothed in a bulky leather traveling cloak with a large number of pouches and straps. A flat cap sits on top of his short shock of dark brown hair, and he wears a smile on his clean-shaven face.

[say:You mean you're all alone?] You nod, and he continues, [say:Here in the middle of the desert? That's terrible!] He pauses for a second and looks off at an indistinct point to the side. [say:Just terrible... You look pretty out of it. The desert around here's definitely no joke, you need to be careful.]

He spends another few moments crouched in the entrance of the alley, which is barely wide enough to accommodate him, a contemplative hand on his chin. [say:You know,] he finally says, [say:you look like you could really use some ice cream. It's great for places like this, cheer you right up! Would you like that? Would you like some ice cream?]

He looks at you expectantly with his bright blue eyes. Do you want a treat?

[Yes] [No] [Run]


[No]
You're not really sure about this. You tell the strange man that you don't want anything from him, and there are a few moments of silence. All you can hear is his quiet breathing in the desert air, and the faint murmur of the crowds that now seem far away. A small shiver runs through you.

[say:Are you sure?] he asks. [say:When I first got here, it looked like you were about to pass out. You need something to freshen you up, let me treat you.] He smiles warmly at you.

 //same options


[No] //Again
You shake your head firmly. You feel another chill in the resulting silence, even with the blazing heat of the city. The man's shoulders roll forward, and your heart thumps once, but he only stretches to his feet and grunts.

[say:Well, try to take care of yourself. It's really important, especially for a growing [boy] like yourself. Please, talk to a guard or an adult you trust if you ever need help,] he says. The man then tips his cap, giving you a brief flash of some sort of animal ears, and smiles one last time, just as warmly as the rest, before turning about and striding off into the city.

You're left with a somewhat disconcerted feeling. You watch the man's back as he fades into the crowd and wonder exactly what he was doing there. You find no answer by the time you can't see him any more, but you linger a few moments longer in the shade, recovering and trying to regain the strength to face the blazing sun once more.

And then, with nothing left to do, you move on.


[Run]
You don't know exactly what's going on, but you know you shouldn't be here. The heat might have been suffocating, but if you spend one more moment trapped in this cramped alleyway, you're not sure what's going to happen. The only question is how exactly you'll do it. He's big, but it doesn't look like he's very ready to react, so you might have an opportunity.

You'll just have to risk it. In the middle of a sentence you haven't been listening to, you suddenly dash forward, skirting the gap between his leg and the wall. It's a tight fit, but you make it, and your [legs] continue working for a bit afterwards, doing their best to bear you a safe distance away.

It's only when you feel a modicum of safety that you're willing to turn back to look. You're breathing hard, and you're fully ready to set off again in a second should you need to, but strangely, you don't. The man hasn't moved at all, hasn't even shifted from his lazy crouch. He cranes his neck over and peers in your direction, a vaguely disappointed expression on his face.

Your sense of unease isn't really dying down, but he breaks the spell by rising to his feet and stretching languidly. As you stay there trapped between bolting and observing him a bit longer, he suddenly breaks off at a brisk pace, not even paying you a passing glance as he presses on through the crowd. It's only seconds before you can't see him any longer, and you're left feeling unsure of whether you read the situation right.

Whatever the case, there's nothing more to do but to continue on under the desert sun.


[Yes]
[say:Great,] he says, grinning even wider than before, [say:that's just great! You stay here for a minute, I'll go get you a treat.] A single wink, and he's off, his long legs carrying him out of sight surprisingly quickly.

You wait uncertain for a few minutes as the crowds continue to shift and stir in front of you. You're not really sure of his trustworthiness, but the prospect of something cold and soothing to drive off the oppressive heat is all you can think of. Almost anything would be better than suffering in the stinging air outside your shelter, so you're even quite glad when you see the man's large frame resolve out of the mass of pedestrians once more.

[say:Hey there,] he says as he arrives, holding up a small white swirl of heavenly ambrosia. [say:Hope you like vanilla.]

You're not too picky at the moment, so you happily take the cone from his offering hand and bring it to your lips. When the first taste of ice cream hits your tongue, you almost melt, a palpable sense of relief washing over you. You rock in place as the sweet sensation interferes with your balance.

[say:Woah there, you look a bit unsteady,] the man puts forth. [say:Here, let me help.] Before you can react, he takes your arm and tugs you over a few steps before sitting on an abandoned crate and patting his lap. You're not quite sure, but his guiding hand leads you over, and you settle down on top of him. His body is broad and firm, making for a reasonably comfortable seat.

[say:Go on, don't let me stop you.] His head inclines towards the cone in your grasp. You suppose that that's the most pressing concern right now, so you get back to it, eagerly tasting that sugary bliss once again. It's enough that you have to close your eyes, and you feel incredibly grateful that you're sitting here save and serene in this alley, instead of out there in the heat. You're so content that you aren't very startled when the man's hands slip forward onto your [if (isnaga) {tail|thighs}], stroking you lightly.

[say:Hmm, tastes good, right? I've been in this city a long time, and it's still a comfort every time...]

You glance up to see the stranger's gaze focused in a hazy direction to the right. You wait a few moments, but his steady hands stay still on your [skinshort], and he doesn't say anything further, so you continue eating your ice cream. It's not one bit less delicious, though it is starting to melt a bit, your pace quickening in response.

Lick after lick, the frosty treat shrinks until only the cone remains. A few crunches, and that's gone too, leaving you with just a faint chill in your hands and mouth. Your benefactor sees that you've finished, and with the warm smile you've come to expect from him, releases your [if (singleleg) {body|legs}] after one final squeeze.

[say:Feeling better, right?] You give him your affirmation, and he chuckles softly. [say:Wonderful. It's great that you're alright, but please remember to take care of yourself. The sun can be a real meanie sometimes, so you should make sure to drink a lot and watch out for the heat.]
m
He seems particularly pleased for some reason, but only a few seconds pass before he eases you onto your [feet] and rises. A quick nod signals his farewell, and he's off, striding into the street crowd with a brisk step. It's only seconds before you can't make his shape out any more.

A strange encounter, to be sure, but you're feeling quite refreshed and ready to take on the desert city once more.