RP:Sympathy At The Sanctuary
Summary: It's the third anniversary of Happy Tails Animal Sanctuary in Northern Sage Forest, and job opportunities, refreshments, and adoptable pets await those that visit! The founder, Lanara Banks, is granting on the spot interviews, when Hake appears with a strange inquiry. The man wonders if his dinosaur, Rotmaw, has been sighted or perhaps captured, as he's been missing for thirty years. Lana cannot get Hake's name correct, nor has she seen any reptiles with bad breath, but she does manage to help the man by hiring him for a few hours of work. Hake tends to the stables and afterwards heads westward, with his pockets full of coin.
It’s midday and the sunlight filters through the thickness of Sage Forest, shining a beacon on Happy Tail’s Animal Sanctuary. The shelter is lively today as volunteers hurriedly bustle about, tending to the demanding needs of the critters, both domestic and wild. Before the doors of the establishment there are two burly security guards, each paying close attention to those that near their workplace, should anything untoward occur. On the left side of the courtyard there is a large tent erected, and beneath it there are tables laden with refreshments, and a sign stating that it’s the three year anniversary of the sanctuary. The founder, Lanara Banks, looks busy accepting applications for those that wish to adopt, thanking those that give monetary donations, and granting on the spot interviews for those that are looking for employment. The brunette is clad in a pair of black leggings, a fitted gray tee-shirt, and a pair of ankle boots, and she likely has some treats in her pockets as a pygmy goat constantly bats its head against her thigh. Lana smiles encouragingly at those near the tent, her curious chocolate hues sizing up each individual, as her hand idly dips to stroke the top of the goats muzzle.
Hake had heard some news regarding animal sanctuary, and by small infinismal hope he'd see a pet of his from thirty years ago, he had decided to stroll out there. Granted, traveling between Rynvale and Sage was no easy journey, but he had been in the neighborhood, so he felt it wise to travel up the road to it. He gave his respects to the guards, and if admitted, entered to see a woman, he had met at the bar, "So the sanctuary is yours?" He asked in a gentle voice.
Lanara finishes scribbling something on a piece of parchment and lifts a brow as a figure approaches, the gentle voice echoing in her slightly tapered ears, and she trails her gaze upwards to see the man she had briefly met at the bar a few days prior. What was his name again? She tries to recall their conversation and she has an ‘aha’ moment and triumphantly returns the greeting, “Blake! I didn’t think we would cross paths again.” She’s -certain- he said his name was ‘Blake’ and she remembers that he is a widower who drinks brandy, but aside from that, the man is a stranger. Did she even give him her name?! “Yes. I am Lanara, the founder of this sanctuary… We’ve been operating for three years now, and since I’ve returned to the lands, we’ve heavily renovated the place and even renamed it!” She’s proud of her career from the tone in her voice to the way her eyes sparkle as she babbles on about the building, the animals, and the volunteers. At long last, she circles back to Hake’s random appearance, “So… What brings you to this neck of the woods?” She waits a beat, “We -are- having a special! Two kittens for the adoption cost of one! We can always use volunteers on the weekends… And of course, if you are looking for a job, I’d be happy to interview you. But, sadly, the only position that’s yet to be filled is kennel maintenance and that’s not exactly glamorous.” Had he followed her after she left the tavern the other day? Of course, he could have just been wandering aimlessly around the forest and saw a tent with free food, too! The witch carefully studies Hake’s expression, wondering if perhaps after the loss of his wife he has grown lonely, and is looking to fill that void. If so, there are a dozen dogs that will make a perfect companion for the man!
Hake :: "It's most impressive, I can see you take pride in your work here." He said with a small smile as he looked around. "I had heard by chance of Animal sanctuary, and I had perhaps an ill place glimmer of hope that a pet I lost thirty years ago might turn up here, but I doubt it, frankly I think my pet would prolly a might big for this sanctuary.." He sighed with a small smile on his face. "A job a job, I'd be happy to clean your pens and cages before, I must make my way east."
Lanara nods as Hake compliments the sanctuary, her smile growing slimmer upon the mention of a long lost pet, “You had a pet that went missing thirty years ago?” An incredulous stare is offered to the man, as she wonders why he is -just- looking for his companion now… Three decades later?! “What type of pet? Please, give me a description of its appearance and personality. We’ve only been in business for the past three years, but I’ve rescued countless critters in my lifetime, and perhaps fate made sure we crossed each other's paths.” Lana wonders if perhaps the companion had been rescued and rehomed, or if it was released back into the wild after a time. Hake isn’t offering her much to go on, but the animal empath hopes he will at least give enough details that she can keep an eye out. “You’re welcome to clean the barnyard stalls and pens, if you like, and I can pay you handsomely for a day's work. But please, don’t feel obligated.” As much as she loves the cattle and horses, she loathes cleaning up after them!
Hake chuckles, "What type of pet?" "Oh where to begin, um, its prolly pretty large now, given its species and the time its been away, Raised it from whence it was hatchling. Given how its mother and father were hunted down by pack of angry villagers...still, Its prolly back in Venturil, if did show up out here... well. I am sure it would be the talk of town. I haven't heard anything so, very likely not. However, if you happen to see something that fits try calling it by its name, Rotmaw. Course, if it sees you... given its size.... I would run.* He tries putting out the description. (Spinosaurus) “Notoriously bad breath." He smiled, “Well, If you let me know where your tools are I can get started.”
(Post 1 of 2) Lanara levels her gaze on Hake as he chuckles and tries to describe his lost companion, and she wonders why he is -here- in Sage, rather than in Venturil where the beast had gone missing. Although he doesn’t spell it out, she assumes it’s some sort of large reptilian creature, as he mentions it hatched from an egg, is very large, and has lived for over three decades. The mention of the bad breath gives her pause, but the fact that it hails from the western side of the realm narrows the possibilities. Hake is either looking for a dinosaur, dragon, or perhaps some weird sort of reptile-feline hybrid that dines on fish and grew to a monstrous size. “Any specific physical markings? Scars? Coloring?” Once he finishes telling her about Rotmaw, she nods, “I will be sure to mention this to Venin, she oversees things when I’m not around, and perhaps I should inform my sister, Talyara, too.” She pauses, “Rotmaw is a suitable name… I have a reindeer named Rude-Off, because he’s so ill mannered!” Lana smirks, “You could check with the Adventurer’s Guild, too! Maybe someone has seen your pet, or would be willing to lead a rescue expedition?”
(Post 2 of 2) Abandoning her station, Lana leads Hake behind the gates, through a large field, and over towards the eastern area of the facility. Three massive barns are erected, but it’s the center one that pulls her attention, “There are ten stalls in all, four of which are unoccupied, so I will need you to clean the six that have horses in them.” She points to the designated stalls, “After you finish mucking the poop, you will sweep the bedding into a large bag, and then wash the floor, walls, and door. Dump the water from the trough and fill it with clean water… There is a well around the back! Next, you will replace the bedding with fresh straw, and the horse can be returned to it’s stall.” Lana points to one horse in particular, a white mare with blue eyes, “Do -not- attempt to pet Sugar, she is tempermental. When it’s time to clean her stall, just alert me, or one of the other workers in the area, okay? The others are friendly enough, you just gently hold the reins and walk them into one of those clean, empty stalls, while you work on cleaning their areas.” The witch hopes Hake has enough common sense to latch the doors and not to try and stroke Sugar, but she isn’t the type of employer to watch over one's shoulder like a hawk. “Any questions?”
(Post 1 of 2) Hake would nod with a shrug of his shoulders. "Physical markings, well, I suppose it would still bare the scars on its tail from when it got its tail stuck in a gate, and I suppose he'd be easily recognizable by his large red sail, or his golden brown leathery skin, and yellow spots down his back, never was good at camouflage, though that may have been me by accident not sure, magic was... is still pretty new to me. His most noticeable feature would be a scar running from his lower chest, to his lower belly, it was my first surgery and rescuing some cats and two dogs for two neighbors was important, so first surgery." He said with a bit of shrug, and small grin, as if vividly remembering it, and cracking a bigger smile hearing her say her reindeer's name was Rude-Off, sounds like you put about as much thought into names as I do, I gave Rotmaw his name, only because everytime he breathed I was sure a graveyard was missing its corpses, phew, its prolly why my sense of smell is still bad." She got him to smile, even to chuckle, not bad for someone who only met once before.
(Post 2 of 2) As soon as the woman rose from her station, he would follow her to the gates, and look over towards the eastern area of the facility, and examination of the stalls and listening to her instructions. "Muck up the crap, sweep bedding into a large bag and then wash the floor walls and door. Dump fresh water into the trough, after you dump old water out, and there is well around back, replace bedding with fresh straw, and then return horse to stall." He said going through what she told him just so that he got the order of instructions right, and she could correct him if he made a mistake. "Right, don't pet Sugar, temperamental, I suppose I should panic then if she pets me." He said with crack of a smile, his secret humor shining through, his eyes briefly regaining some light in them, "I'll alert you don't you worry."
Lanara gives a curt nod in response to the fact that Hake seems capable of following directions, and she motions to the rear of the barn, where all the supplies he would need had been stored. There is a large leather apron to protect his clothing, shoe coverings, gloves, rakes, shovels, buckets, cleaning agents, and of course a large basin for him to cleanse his hands after he finishes the tasks. “I’ll leave you to it, Jake!” She mispronounces his name, yet again, but before she can be corrected, the witch sets off back the way they had come. Several people had gathered at the tent to inquire about adoptions and she eagerly greets them all, before she pulls a sour faced woman to the side. It’s Venin, the caretaker, and to those that are in close proximity or have enhanced hearing, they would overhear the physical description of Rotmaw and to keep an eye out for a lost companion. “Maybe hang a flyer near the entrance and send a message to our contacts in Venturil? Be sure to have Drake leave his contact information with us, before he leaves. Oh! And after he finishes cleaning up the barn, be sure to give him one hundred gold coins.” She flashes a grin, because it’s triple the daily rate she would pay one of her full time employees. “I think he’s down on his luck… Widower, drinks brandy by the mug, missing dinosaur, cleaning the stables, you get the picture.” They’ve all been in his shoes, in one way or another, and although she cares little for anyone save for her family, the pack, or her beloved pets, the witch shows a tad of pity for Hake. The caretaker nods and finishes writing down Rotmaw’s details, only to be interrupted by Lana, “I’m going to finish with the crowd and then I have to get out of here, I’m trying a new recipe tonight and want to surprise Tiber.” The time passes by relatively quickly, and as predicted, Lanara is gone by the time that Hake finishes his work in the barn. Should the man have anymore business at the sanctuary he will need to speak with Venin, or he can collect his daily wages and be on his way, perhaps with his hope lifted and a bit more coin in his pocket.
Hake smiled slightly even as the witch or elf left him and mispronounced his name. It didn't bother him too much, as he got his name because his egg when it landed had fallen and twisted a rake and hoe together so the family had named him Hake as a joke, which he accepted. He would work his time being diligent, going and cleaning the stables, but he did more than he set out to do, he ended up polishing the door handles, the locks even raking up some leaves in the yard, In the end when he finished and had asked for help with Sugar, he would finish and receive his pay and thank Venin,for the pay. "Thank you, I hope you and the sanctuary have a blessed week." he said writing down his contact, and leaving through the doors.