The Beanies have been frequenting this seemingly haunted house at least once a week for quite some time now. See, they got this babysitting gig from Mr. Captain of the Fighter's Guild, and the Beanies did a stellar job at keeping the kid, Molly, under control and even actually want to learn from their tutors throughout the two weeks her parents were away that the servants all collectively begged their masters to hire the Beanies as permanent staff. Of course, the Beanies ended up refusing since they cherished their freedom too much for that, but they agreed to come once a week during Molly's language classes, which came with the added benefit of getting to slowly learn how Charon's written language system worked.

So it was during one of these days that the Beanies came to visit, only to be greeted by the head maid who frantically scooped them up and rushed them to Molly's room without warning.
"Ms. Molly, the Beanies are-" the head maid would be tackled to the floor and the Beanies snatched from her before she could even finish her sentence.

"Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Molly cradled the Beanies tightly while bawling her eyes out. Oh dear. This didn't seem like the usual crying Molly did when she was in trouble. The Beanies weren't sure what to do, but hugs normally helped in these scenarios, and so the Beanies would give Molly little hugs. Demony, as usual, rued the fact that it could only consume the Beanies' emotions and nothing else.

Molly eventually ran out of tears, and began blowing her nose on a handkerchief provided by one of the servants as her emotions subsided somewhat.
"Sniff, sniff... Uncle Horatio... passed... away..." The words were so soft with a horrible quiver to them that it might have been lost if not for the Beanies' small ears being close enough to intercept them. The Beanies' ears collectively flapped forwards upon hearing that. They haven't heard much about Molly's extended family, but people passing away was always a sad affair.
"We're sorry to hear that," Goody spoke meekly.
"Our condolences to you and your family," Star seconded. It was then that the Beanies felt Molly's grip tightening and trembling. Uh oh. That didn't seem like a good sign.
"I'm sure Aunt Camellia killed him! I keep telling the adults, but none of them would believe me!" Molly shouted in childish rage. "But Star, Goody, Chili, you three believe me, right?" The Beanies looked at each other. Oh boy. How should they approach this...?
"Molly have evidence?" Chili blurted.
"Aunt Camellia hates Uncle Horatio because he always makes the best high tea choices!" Molly spoke with an unbridled confidence reserved for children who did not know doubt.
"Um..." Goody thought deeply about what their next words should be. "Adults won't believe Molly unless Molly have physical item that says Aunt Camellia is guilty." Goody didn't exactly like to burst her bubble, but they knew enough that it was true.
"What!? Why? That's stupid!" Molly yelled towards Goody's head, causing them to squint their eyes into inwards-pointing arrows.
"Adults don't like admitting they're wrong unless they have to. So Molly has to prove them wrong." Star answered. Not the best answer, but it will prove enough to spur Molly into action.
"Mmmmm... Fine! We just have to find evidence, right? Molly and Beanie Investigation Team, charge!" Molly would march out of the room, the Beanies still firmly sandwiched between her arms and torso. Awkward expressions were visible on their faces. They were going to be stuck like this for practically the whole day, weren't they? Demony sauntered on behind them, silently relishing the surprising turn of events that may yet provide some delectable delights at the expense of the Beanies.

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Sudden Death
Participants: Two or more
Location: Any City
Post Requirements: 6 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown, Choice of 2 Common crafting materials
Description: A rich family is mourning the passing of one of their members. The circumstances around their death are very suspicious, and the family suspects a murderer to be in their midst. You have been asked to go in and investigate the situation. Someone connected to the deceased is responsible, and the family is trusting you to find the truth. You’ll be handsomely rewarded if you can bring forth some proof and connect the murderer to the death. The details around the murder and murderer are up to you. Make sure to be discreet, or else you risk having the murderer turn their attention to you.

The heaviness of her last adventure hadn’t quite left her.

Kou had dedicated the twilight of her life to helping people. Feeble as her body was, she’d always fancied her spirit bright and unyielding. It was her time to see the world - to use her gifts in service of others - because there was no deed too small to undertake. Someone was always going to need help, and she wanted to be there for the helpless.

It was a different thing entirely to hold a grieving woman’s hand and know there was nothing you could do to change what had already been set in stone.

Time was the only immutable constant in this world. She had made peace with that.

Had Ambika?

Kou had no idea whether she’d managed to make any difference, and that bothered her. But such was life. There were triumphs, and there were disappointments. What mattered was that you picked up and you moved on. She had done so all her life, and she would not stop now.

Such that it was before she set out from the city she was quite content to spend some time here, seeing the sights and taking in the locality. She’d even taken a part time position working as a personal chef for a local family of nobles.

It was only for a little bit of extra coin while she was in town, but the family was kind, and the child in their care was downright sweet. Kou enjoyed making traditional dishes for the people of Sol City. It was like bringing a piece of her home to others. It was easier for her to learn and connect this way, with her common as rudimentary as it was. Where language failed, food prevailed.

And while adventuring kept her body young, it was helping others in the ways that she could that nourished her spirit.

It was with a touch of pep in her step that Kou made her way to the manor, a basket of goodies in her hands. She’d brought some homemade pancakes with sweet paste in the center, a delicacy to share with others. Kou carefully skirted her way around the manor, hobbling towards the servant’s entrance in the kitchen. The life of those who worked in hospitality was often a busy one, so she hardly expected a warm welcome when she let herself into the kitchen, but Kou was surprised to see a flurry of activity unlike anything she’d ever experienced during her time here.

Maids were dashing back and forth, carrying bundles of black linens in their hands. Chefs were in the midst of roasting meats and preparing plates of food. There was an urgency underlying their movements. Almost as if they were preparing for something.

Kou blinked and grabbed the nearest chef - a young hauflin lass with a thick accent and a no-nonsense air about her. They’d struck up a bit of a rapport while Kou had been offering her services. “Maggie, what’s going on? Is there some sort of event I forgot about?” Her mind wasn’t as sharp as it used to be.

Maggie stopped, her arms laden with a bag full of what she could only assume were potatoes. Her face was flushed. “Oh, Kou! We weren’t expecting you today.”

Kou held up her basket in answer. “I made some sweets I wanted to bring to Miss Molly, but I seem to have wandered into a mayhem.”

“Into mayhem.” Maggie quickly corrected, though her voice was not unkind. “Oh, that’s thoughtful. As for Molly, well -“ She paused, struggling to find the words - “We’re throwing together a funerary service. The young lady is quite distraught. Why don’t you go bring her your treats? I’m sure it would lift her spirits.”

“Are you sure I can’t help?” She was familiar with the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

Maggie shook her head and offered a smile, no matter how weak it was. “No, no. You’ve already done so much for us and you don’t even work for the family. Though, if you’d like, you’re free to deliver those sweets. I’m sure the young lady would appreciate the company.”

Company. Kou could do that.

“Just holler if you need anything, sweetie.” Kou smiled and hobbled her way out of the kitchen, making her way to where she remembered Molly’s room was. She’d been a few times, only to deliver the food. She rarely left the kitchen and spoke only once or twice to the young lady, but Kou was certain that a friendly face and warm treats would just perk her right up.

As she made her way up the stairs and to the hallway, however, Kou heard a commotion in the distance. Miss Molly, with what looked like a hoard of her own stuffed toys, had burst out of her room with energy in aplomb. Now what could have given her so much energy? With a gentle-natured laugh, Kou leaned on her cane, approaching the excitable little lady.

“Now, you’d best be careful not to run down these halls, hon. What in the world has you in such a tizzy?”

Chili's olfactory organ would pick up on the smell of scrumptousness as the old lady called out to them, and they would scream "Fooooooooood!" excitedly, as was their prerogative whenever a potential feast was detected. Star couldn't help but facepalm at their fellow polar bear's insensitive statements and yelled, "Chili-plush!"

Molly would turn around, rather unimpressed at the sweets if only because her mind was too preoccupied with ~murder mystery investigation~, and she responded accordingly.
"We don't have time for sweets! We have an investigat-" The Beanies were looking up at Molly, pleading with the pearliest eyes they could muster, if partially because they wanted to be free from the girl's unyielding grasp as well. But mostly sweets. The sweets looked nice.
"W-well, we can't have an investigation without some sugar, I guess," Molly, unable to resist the Beanies' charm, set the Beanies on one of the decorative tables before taking the basket from the old woman and placing that next to the Beanies before taking a seat on a chair intended for waiting.
"""Yay!""" The three Beanies helped themselves to snacks and began nibbling away. It was only then that Star and Goody noticed that they hadn't met this old lady before. She was dressed differently than the other servants too. But Molly seems to know her, so they supposed it should be fine, right? Chili didn't care about any of that stranger danger though, there were sweets to be consumed and they didn't seem to be local cuisine, which was a definite bonus for the petite gourmet!

"Hi~! Goody is Goody!" Goody started with a self-introduction as was common courtesy when meeting a stranger.
"Star!" Star raised their arm and waved.
"Chili!" Chili was curious about the sweets now, and so they would ask, "Did you bake these? They don't look or taste like the treats the workers would bake! If you did, Chili wants to know how!" Their eyes were glistening with unbridled wonder.

"Chili-plush!" Star glared at their impulsive travel partner yet again. "Please excuse Chili-plush's rudeness. Chili-plush tends to get too excited when Chili-plush meets new foodie. Please don't feel obligated to do anything for us!" Star stood up and bowed profusely in an apologetic manner.

Meanwhile, Molly's impatience seemed to be ramping up by the minute, and she would start chanting "Investigation! Investigation!" in an attempt to pressure the Beanies to get a move on.