I told you there was a lot of Wildfall here, didn't I?

And here they are, back again. Voter Ichiro called it Mary's best dialog to date - and there's a new NCP here to boot! A big one for Mary.

 
Once they finished shopping and Todd Blackpaws went his separate way, Wildfall proposed they take the scenic route and walk by the brand new jobs board on the way home. Mary agreed and suggested they could cut between the museum and Council's main building on the way home. Wildfall smiled when he found himself holding her hand without meaning to. They were both carrying goodies from their shopping spree in various bags. Wildfall also carried travelling supplies and items from the house he'd sold earlier. Not to mention payment for it.

Mary smiled as she looked down at Wildfall holding her hand and felt a warm glow of feeling safe washed over her. She liked that feeling and continued walking toward the jobs board with Wildfall.

"I've never used them," Wildfall admitted. "I mostly come for a laugh. Some of these odd jobs are downright.. well, odd."

“Well, let’s see what they have and how many of them are ‘funny.’” Mary and Wildfall arrived at the board and started looking at the available postings. There were your usual assortment of missing items- an asshat collection, lost kittens, lost demons, lost demonic kittens. Completely mundane stuff, at least for the Kingdom.

“What is an asshat collection, Wildfall?” asked Mary.

Wildfall sighed and made a face. "A collection of hats.. made out of asses. I'm surprised you haven't heard of them yet. You've been in the Kingdom a while now, yah?"

“Yeah I have been and I had heard mention of those hats but never knew that people actually collected them.” Mary paged through the other job offerings. She looked through them but found nothing that caught her eyes for possible jobs.

"Heh," Wildfall laughed. "This one wants help catching those puppies! I don't think I'll take that job."

“Those must be some puppies if they need help catching them.” Mary laughed.

"It even says she'll give you a couple!" Wildfall said, chuckling. "Served either fried or baked. Ya know, I think I'm just gonna rip this one off if ya don't mind."

“You are not going to eat a puppy are you? That is mean,” cried Mary.

"What?! Noooo!" Wildfall looked over her and blinked and then took the notice and wadded it up in his hands. "I mean like this! It's technically illegal I think, but I'll take a chance over this one."

Mary smiled and gave Wildfall a big tight hug as she said, ”Thank you. Now noone* will eat those puppies.”

* Note: Noone is a proper word in LoathKingdomSpeak.

"Oh my Irish lore!" Wildfall exclaimed, surprised, giving her small hand a squeeze. "You think she wanted to eat the puppies?!" He paused. "Although now that you mention it, it is kind of obvious. C'mon let's get going."

“That wasn’t what she was talking about? Oh my how stupid you must think I am.” Mary sighed.

"No, silly," Wildfall answered. "I think you're right. Silly me."

He held her hand, looking her into her eyes. Her impossibly beautiful blue eyes. "You're one of the sharpest kids I've ever met. Of course, you're not a kid anymore, are ya?"

“So you finally noticed I am not that little girl who used to follow you around.” Mary smiled as she squeezed Wildfall’s hand.

"Well as long as you still follow me around, I..." Wildfall realized he had a stupid grin on his face and turned. "Let's get going. C'mon."

“I am still following you and you lead the way; I am right here with you,” said Mary with a smile.. The two of them walked off, still chattering about the jobs board as the Council building came into view.

You could see Wildfall's defenses go up as he noticed some burly penguins standing near the entry to the Council. Wildfall made a point to steer Mary and himself away from the building rather than closer to it. With a growl that Todd would mock, Wildfall said in a low voice, "Oh, that must be what Todd meant. I almost forgot. I got the penguins and council to negotiate things and they ended up with the penguins wanting to be on the Council. Urgh, I think I am gonna end up regretting that suggestion."

“That must have been what happened when I was out sailing and could not get back into the harbor because of the lockdown. YOU were involved in that? How did you get involved?” asked Mary with a surprised look on her face. “I think I heard that there are three or four penguins on the council now, isn’t that a lot for our council?” Mary quizzed.

Wildfall chuckled as they subtly picked up their pace. "It is when you're talkin mafia members, yeah. Four redheads or four blonds on the Council? I could live with that. Oh, how did I get involved? Lemme think.." Wildfall paused. "This probably won't surprise you; it started when I went to a Council of Loathing meeting. Before they added the penguins, obviously."

“Duh, you just noticed that I took notice what was happening here?” asked Mary.

Wildfall chuckled. "Then why'd ya ask? Der."

“Well, DER, I asked to see your reaction to the fact I am not an airhead who does not know anything.” Mary chuckled back.

Wildfall broke out laughing, almost doubling over. "Okay, okay, I said I was sorry I called you that. I can't believe you still remember, though. You were so young, and your face got so red! I really think you woulda beat me up if you could!"

“You don’t think I wouldn’t have tried if MUM hadn’t stopped me?” Mary asked. “I can’t believe you used to say that when you were younger. You used to make me soooooo mad.”

"Yeah," Wildfall said with a sly smile. "It's the wise ass in me. It's why ya adore me so dearly, ya know."

Mary burst into laughter as she said, ”Yes, you are right, Wildfall I do adore you dearly even tho you make me sooo mad at times.”

"I adore you too, kiddo." Wildfall paused. "I probably need a new nickname for ya, huh?"

“Yea, maybe you should. Pick one that won’t get you killed by me tho.” Mary laughed.

"No promises." Wildfall winked. He looked up as they walked passed the entry to the museum.

“Okay smart alec,” Mary laughed. “Hey have you been to the museum yet? I would like to go in and see what they have in there. Museums can be a lot of fun and informative at the same time.“

"Not yet," Wildfall answered. "I keep meaning to go, but I always seem to get busy with a job, or getting involved in massive battles. Ya know how it is."

“Wildfall, we need to pick up our pace, it’s getting dark and a lil chilly. We can always come back to the Museum later. We need to get to my father before it gets much darker,” said Mary. "Besides, I want to get the fruit put away soon."

"Alright," Wildfall said, smiling as they picked up the pace. "Let's go say hi to your pa."

 
Not long after, on the Right Side of the Tracks near the tracks

 
Wildfall and Mary Kate hustled through the bustling streets on the right side of the tracks, with Wildfall rushing to keep up with Mary. They dodged by the pedestrians and fought off a couple of sentient cans of bean as they made their way towards the train tracks.

"What?" Wildfall asked as the tracks came into view. "You're not gonna tell me your family got a house on the wrong side of the tracks, are ya?"

“Well close to it. Mum wanted the house accessible to everyone who needs treatment. She plans to use part of the house as a clinic while we live in the rest of the house,” said Mary.

Wildfall raked his memories over the word. "Clinic means.. healing magic or medicine right? I'm thinkin it's that, or a type of apple."

“Yes, it is for healing and medicine,” said Mary.

"Interesting," Wildfall answered with a nod, scanning the streets as he always did. Eyes sharp, eyes forward, always looking for a threat or point of interest. No one really stood out in the crowd here that Wildfall had seen, until he laid his eyes on a rather imposing figure rounding the corner. As tall as Wildlife but in better shape despite his advanced age and with a classic rough rider moustache and beard, he had that same build and walk as they who were soldiers.

The old man had the classic Ireacan colors, though, leading Wildfall to suspect he might have an inkling who the soldier was. He turned to Mary to ask her but didn't bother; he could tell he was right by the twinkle in her eyes.

“DADDY!! Oh dear, he must have gotten worried and came looking for me. Sure hope I am not in trouble for being so late,” Mary said as she ran down the street to meet him.

Wildfall chuckled, strolling along so as to give her time to greet her father before he got there.

After the two embraced, her father looked down at her. Wildfall came into view as the two talked. He couldn't help but notice that warm sparkle in her eyes, even as he lectured her on not being out so late.

Mary’s father stood an impressive 6’ tall and weighed 250lbs with short graying hair, blue eyes, and a moustache that covered his upper lip. Even though his hair was graying, he was still quite a dashing figure in his military uniform. “...... but daddy I was ok and am sorry that I am late. I just got so caught up in things and forgot the time. Please don’t be angry,” said Mary.

“I am not angry, Mary, was just very worried that you had met with some type of trouble, what with all the happenings going on lately and you being a young girl anything could have happened to you,” replied her father. ”You have to be more careful when you are out and about like this.”

As Wildfall walked up to Mary and her father, her father looked at Mary and asked, “What is going on and who is this ruffian?”

“Daddy, he is not a ruffian, he helped me out in the nearby plains when a bunch of creatures were bothering me,” said Mary.

"The nearby.. you were in the NEARBY..." Her father fumed, his face lighting up like a Dependance Day firecracker as he yelled, "WHAT exactly were you doing OUTSIDE OF TOWN, little lassie?! I TOLD YOU you were to stay INSIDE of the TOWN borders! You gave me your WORD, missy!"

“I was looking for herbs that mum and I needed for healing lotions and lost track of where I was,“ replied Mary with a pained look on her face at having her father yell at her.

Her father calmed down a bit, stroking her hair. "I didn't mean to yell. You look so much like your mother did sometimes. She was always so pretty when she cried. But Mary, we talked about this. It's for your own safety. And for you, young man."

Wildfall took a half step back as Mary's father turned to him, but he gave Wildfall a curt "Thank you for helping my young daughter, and bringing her back to me safely."

"Yup," Wildfall said. He smiled, watching the old man. I mean, he looked old when Wildfall was younger, but he didn't look much older now. "No problem."

"Oh," his father said, reaching into his pocket. "You probably expect a tip before you wander off, huh? Here you go."

"Huh?" Wildfall shook his head. "No tip expected, Lt. O'Toole, don't worry about that."

"Daddy, don’t you know who this is? Oh My Goodness you don’t! This is Jarlsy. Remember? You and mother helped him out when his parents died." Mary laughed.

Wildfall smiled. "It's been a while. Surprised to see me?"

“Oh my goodness, Jarlsy it has been a while and you have certainly grown. Yes, I am very surprised to see you. Ireaca is a long way away from the Kingdom where we are now, or I should say Lothing Kingdom. It's really good to see you again. Come home with us and fill me in on what you have been doing and how you got here,” said Mary’s father. “I’ve gained a few ranks since I last saw you, Jarlsy, I am now a Captain.”

"Wow that's.." Wildfall paused. "That's a better rank, right? Oh. People just call me by my last name now, Wildfall."

“Ok then Wildfall it is, but forgive me if I slip occasionally and call you Jarlsy. I will have to get used to your new name,” laughed her father.

"No worries, Sir." Wildfall didn't even mean to call him 'sir' but it was hard not to. He had that commanding presence. "I could use a rest, anyway. Gotta find a new place in town."

“Wildfall, I have to leave for an extended period of time for an assignment with the military and am taking my family with me. You said you need to find a new place to stay. I was wondering if you would consider staying here at my home and taking care of the place while we are gone. You were always trustworthy as a boy and I have no reason to doubt your trustworthiness now,” said Mary’s father.

“Wait a minute, Daddy. I do not want to go anywhere. I want to stay here and not go somewhere new again. Please let me stay here and help Wildfall look after the house and the people that mother and I have been caring for. If mother and I both leave, who will take care of the sick here? I can do it, I know I can. Mother has taught me well,” begged Mary.

"I could look after her," Wildfall said cheerfully, doing his best to flash that winning smile of his. "I could be a mentor for her. Something Summer and I never had, really. Help train her for those wild adventures she wants to have. Besides, looking after a house is a big responsibility. I could use someone to share the blame, errr.. responsibilities with."

“Mary, I know you are anxious to go out on your own, although I am not so sure you are ready. I need someone at the helm with your knowledge of sailing to keep things in order on the ship. You have always been my First Mate and carried out those responsibilities with honor and dignity. I would feel so much better if you were with your mother and me,” said her father.

“Daddy, I am tired of being on a ship and never being able to explore the land around me. I want to see more of the world that I can see from the deck of a ship. Mother has taught me to help the sick and wounded. You taught me to take care of myself in difficult situations, but you are not trusting me to prove that I can do any of that when you are constantly watching over me. You have to let me grow up, Daddy. I am not a child anymore. Please let me stay here and prove to you that I can do things on my own,“ countered Mary.

“Yes, Mary. regrettably you are right about one thing, you are not a child anymore but I am still your father and I do worry about you. IF I allow you to stay I do expect you to listen to Wildfall explicitly and ….. ” He turned to Wildfall. “I expect you to keep Mary safe,” continued her father. “And you are right, First Mate, I do owe you some shore leave. But you mind what you have been taught and always be on alert.”

"Yes sir," Wildfall replied, standing up a bit straighter. "Would be this lad's honor to keep yer girl safe."

“Sir, Yes Sir,” saluted Mary as she ran to hug her father. “Thank you, Daddy, for having faith in me.”

Wildfall just smiled as the tender scene played itself out in front of him.

See? Didn't Mary just absolutely shine in this piece?

She sure does! Mary's father added a lot to the character, and more to the story since it sets the two up to be on their own, and to be responsible for the house on top of it! Voter also called Wildfall a "good foil" this time.

I do look forward to hopefully seeing Mary's father in future roleplays eventually. Poor gal got yelled at, hehe. Made a good story though! And I liked the touch of her dad not sure who Wildfall is at first..