Leave him alone!
The crowd turns towards me with a mix of fear and hatred in their eyes. One of them shouts:
'Are you in league with this, this demon? Don't you see what its kind has brought upon us?'
Look at what you've become. Do you think we've returned to the Dark Ages?
(Speechcraft) Can you do the same to the Mob? Aren't they your real oppressors?
Uncertain looks are exchanged among the crowd.
I just wanted to -
Why did you intervene on my behalf?
No one should pay such a price simply for looking different.
Sanity gained: 2
I can feel the creature examining me from head to toe. The burning amber eyes move rapidly with the effort to comprehend.
Are you not human? Is this a disguise?
It's not. I am human.
The creature is clearly still puzzled.
For whatever reason you aided me, know that I am incapable of helping my own self. Leave me be, that I may continue to search for that accursed man.
The accursed man? Tell me about him.
This man in black...with no face. The man with the cane of bones. The ghostly tapping of his stick still rings in my ears.
I was stunned by this matching description. Could it be?
You mean the Dismal Man?
A fitting name. Do you know him?
I too am searching for him.
Then you are doomed as I am, stranger. In my bones, I know that no good would ever come from finding him, yet I have no other choice but to find him. His countenance was the last thing I saw before finding myself in this purgatory.
Where did you last see him?
Somewhere far away. So far, so distant now... Damn the day I left my castle! Damn me for leaving my dreary chambers and the twilight droves and the companionship of my books! Damn me!
You live in a Castle?
The past is best left alone. It often brings pain and seldom joy, and when it does, the longing of that joy twists it once more to pain.
How did you come to Arkham?
I betrayed everything. The timeless peace that the lone centuries granted me! My own existence! I do not know how I came here but I know why: this is my punishment.
Perhaps we could look for this man together.
The creature is silent for a moment.
Perhaps it is no coincidence. Very well. I shall walk with you for a time.
Good. What is your name, friend?
I... I don't remember, I am unsure if I ever had one. But I know one thing, wherever the fates toss me, I remain the "outsider."
I am Kalin Ibrahim. And know that whoever you are, it is a pleasure to meet you.
The creature says no more and follows in my footsteps, from a distance away.
I simply nodded in understanding and resume my walk towards the Bank of Arkham at Main Street.
His vigilant eyes quickly scan the premises and when he finally feels secure, he addresses me in a timid but needy fashion.
Forgive me if I startled you, sir. I'm Cornelius Moretti.
I have a proposal from which we can both benefit. Pardon my abruptness, but it will only take a minute of your time.
Tell me about it.
He gazes momentarily at the bouncers standing near the Old Eel House.
I had seen you go up to the Old Eel attic before I got ejected by those ignoble swab. You might be just the man who can help me.
How so?
It was just another miserable day at the joint when I, partly encouraged by the devil's juice no doubt, finally spoke what had been on my mind for a long time.
His anger suddenly takes precedence over his nervousness.
I called him out, that tyrannical devil's seed called Wax Face! I denounced him as the False Sheperd he really is. Nobody said a thing of course... cowards.
There was, is, and will ever be only one shepherd of men! For saying that, they expelled me, humiliated me, and worst of all, they
marked me! Tis' a death sentence, you understand?
What does being Marked entail?
Hearing the word, a surge of misgiving darkens his visage.
Now is not the time nor place, and besides, you're better off not knowing what it is.
(Psychology) Look, you seem really agitated. Try talking about what's bothering you. It might help in easing your mind.
He ponders the advice and eventually concedes the point.
First they ban you from Mob premises, and then the whole town starts to shun you lest they get Marked too!
And then- they'll take you and turn you over to the Cult, wherever you are! There's no hiding from it. Oh Jesus, please help me!
The Mob owns the Drug store, the Pawn Shop, and the Old Eel House. Denied of these facilities, the Marked ones will have to fend for themselves on the streets. It'd be almost impossible to eke out a living in that kind of condition.
All right. I understand your plight now. What do you need from me?
Well, sir, all I'm asking is that you retrieve my heirloom - a pocket watch from the Old Eel attic. It's a valuable piece, from my late father. I stashed it there, having an inkling that might need it in the dark days ahead.
It's hidden under a floorboard next to the mattress. I need it more than ever, for I'm left with nothing else. Once I barter it off we'll split the cigs halfway. Please... please... will you do this for me, sir?
I will. No one should be condemned to such despair merely for expressing their convictions.
Sanity gained: 2
A shimmer of mirth appears in his eyes.
Oh THANK YOU! Brother, thank you! It's encouraging to finally meet someone in Arkham whose heart isn't made of stone.
And I renounce my share. You need it more than I do.
Oh, heavenly brother, may God bless you. I had almost lost hope that such good people still existed in this town. I am eternally grateful.
He casts one final glance at his surroundings.
I'll be near the desecrated church in French Hill. I'll be safe there, it's abandoned. Now I must go, before they come for me. Please hurry sir. My life depends on it.
He scurries away into the night. Realizing the urgency of his plight, I decided to not delay and immediately entered the Old Eel House to retrieve the poor man's heirloom.