NEWCOMER MINGLE
The breeze across the waters is cold, Norrhamn glowing like a bonfire with the reds and oranges of the trees. Autumn has truly arrived and Olivia, the administrator, has foregone summer dresses for warmer clothes. The ferry lands soft as always, letting off the small group of newcomers. Welcome to Norrhamn.
As is tradition, a welcome party is planned for later that night. A small fire pit has been set up in the community center garden and Ingvar is present to liven up the night with his accordion. The fika for the night is apple cake and hot chocolate — and if you know who to ask, you may be able to spike that chocolate with something stronger.
HOUSE GNOME MAYHEM
You're sure you had it a minute ago. The book you borrowed from the library, that trinket you brought from home, your favourite shirt, maybe even the keys to your cabin — whatever it is, it was there and now it's gone without a trace. Weird, huh? To make matters worse, whoever manned the community center kitchen has also disappeared, leaving the guests to fend for themselves with whatever they can find in the fridge.
Those who investigate this odd string of thefts - if that's what they are - may hear footsteps, see movement out of the corner of their eye, smell tobacco smoke or hear a faint, gruff chuckle without being able to place where it's coming from. Stranger and stranger...
[ The little man squints at her, grumbling nonsense to himself before trying this communication thing again. Perhaps the nature of the man makes the translators less effective, because his words come out broken and with a heavy accent. ]
Go... away! Away! Go! [ He makes a shooing motion for emphasis. ]
[ The Gnome stops his shooing, listening to her protests. There's a pause and he squints at her, which to be honest is kind of hard to see under these thick, bushy eyebrows. ]
[ ... He has the doll. Hanako is relieved, but that's quickly washed off by apprehension when he's clearly asking for something in exchange that she probably doesn't own. ]
[ He waves his hand again, more insistent this time. Maybe this is a test. Maybe he wants her to figure out what would be an appropriate trade. ] Gimme.
[ Is it something random? Anything would be fine as long as she gives it to him...?
His insistence only brings more anxiety. What would a gnome like to have?
Out of desperation, she empties the pockets of her skirt. Some coins and a few candies she bought for future hungry spells end up in her hand. She presents them to him, chewing her bottom lip. ]
I-I only have those on me at the moment... I'm sorry, but if you give me time I could search for more.
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Go... away! Away! Go! [ He makes a shooing motion for emphasis. ]
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She squeezes her hands over her chest as she makes an attempt to communicate. ]
Excuse me... p-please, I'd like to know i-if you've seen a small doll with blonde hair around here.
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...Maybe.
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If you've seen it, please, c-can you indicate me where it is? The doll is a really important thing for me...
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Have you got something s-specific you want...?
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His insistence only brings more anxiety. What would a gnome like to have?
Out of desperation, she empties the pockets of her skirt. Some coins and a few candies she bought for future hungry spells end up in her hand. She presents them to him, chewing her bottom lip. ]
I-I only have those on me at the moment... I'm sorry, but if you give me time I could search for more.