Jesper makes a trip into town - Part 1
I was going to sit here and try to write this whole thing in one go, but I think for my sake, I'm going to write and update it in parts. I think it'll be more fun that way. Anyway, here's a little thing about Jesper going into town to get some things for Yarrow. :)
It's the early morning. The sun is on the horizon, casting the sky a dark red. Wind blows through the forest and disrupts the wind chimes of a charming little cottage. Rain from the night prior mixes with morning dew, covering the hills with a carpet of mist.
Yarrow's home is tucked away in the forest, nestled favorably between a stream and a small valley. With a little bit of patience, the location is not far from a decently populated village. It's a quiet spot, full of lush greens and dense foliage, except---
Jesper. Yarrow's imp companion. Summoned as an assistant to a previous owner.
Just beyond sight of the cottage is Jesper, clothed in nothing but a pair of soaked trousers. He is bent forwards, face down in the stream, arms grasping around for something. That something glides through his grubby little claws. Jesper yelps as he whips his head from underwater.
"Found shrimp!" He laughs. "Imp caught shrimp---hehehe."
It crawls around on his hands, and begins picking away with it's legs in an attempt to clean him. Jesper's dark eyes open wide to get a closer look.
Eventually, it jumps back into the water. Jesper deflates.
He plops hard onto the rocks once beneath his feet. The water is now chest-high, but slow moving. Jesper's arms float effortlessly in the current. He glances at the sky to get a sense of the time. Yarrow will be awake soon. He grumbles softly.
"Jesper get clean, get dressed---hehehe." Jesper stands up and begins the small trek back to the cottage.
Instead of heading inside, Jesper turns at the side of the home. A small bucket and clean cloth have been laid out. He removes his trousers, and rinses himself off. Small vegetation from the river rocks washes off, as well as a surprising amount of dirt and sand.
Focused on the task, Jesper enters the cottage, leaving wet little footprints along the floors. Some are still vaguely muddy. He scurries over to his belongings, careful not to stir Yarrow from his sleep. Throwing clothes in every direction behind him, Jesper grabs a handful and runs back outside.
Jesper's feet carry him so swiftly that he tumbles, but tucks himself into the fall, laughing, as he slowly winds down. The shirt he'd picked out flies out of his grasp. He goes back for it.
"Imp get dressed, go to village, be good---hehehe. Can be good. No bite! Hehehe. No bite merchant. No bite."
Jesper opens his eyes, and throws his clothes on the grass. He makes sure they are carefully splayed out, as if they are a map of his mental plans. He picks the trousers up and puts them on. He could simply teleport---pop!---into them, but doing it the old fashioned way, one leg at a time, is more amusing. And takes much longer.
He sits down, and pulls on his socks. Brown leather boots next. Jesper stands back up and puts on his shirt. Finally, his jester's hat. The bells jingle incessantly as it's thrown over his head, adjusted for his ears, and neatly tucked behind him. Jesper throws his arms up in a miniature celebration for himself.
The boots cause Jesper to take his time. He walks back up to the cottage door and opens it as gingerly as he can, after feeling around for the doorknob, of course.
Yarrow pulls himself out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Jesper notices the noise, and peeks through one eye to make sure he's heard correctly. They lock eyes for a second before Jesper closes his tight once more.
"Yarrow up! Imp ready!" Jesper waves good morning. "Go to village, get food, no bite---hehehe!" His arms fly out to their sides, as if ready to be inspected.
Yarrow recites the list of items that Jesper needs to pick up. He nods with each item, having already memorized them. He reaches out for the list, but is facing the wrong direction. Yarrow leans over his companion to hand it to him. The list is promptly tucked away into his front pocket.
"Jesper ready!"
A look of skepticism crosses Yarrow's face. Jesper does not see it, but he does hear Yarrow leave and return. He then feels a familiar addition to his wardrobe wrapping itself around him. It's his rucksack.
"Oh!" Jesper chuckles. "Hehehe---Jesper forgot. Packed water! Imp packed bread. Hehehe."
Yarrow opens the rucksack and sifts through it to double check. Everything is there for a day's trip. But just to be sure, it can't hurt to triple check. While Yarrow is busy shifting Jesper's weight around by juggling the inventory of his bag, Jesper begins telling Yarrow of his early morning adventures.
"Caught shrimp, friend! In water... touched hands---hehehe---crawled on hands, jump back in! Lost shrimp. Found two worms earlier! Gave to fish---hehehe---fish like. Imp tried. Did not taste good---hehehe!"
Yarrow pats Jesper's bag, a silent indicator that he's set for the trip. Jesper does not notice.
"No! Imp tried worm, not fish! Not fish! No bite fish! Only bite... um... fish cooked---hehehe! Imp good, no eat uncook! Only tried worm. Not good. Did lick. Did bite."
His morning recount is interrupted by being inquired about being prepared and ready to tackle his trip into town. Jesper briefly opens his eyes, looks up to his friend, and nods.
The two leave the comfort of the cottage and make their way outside. It's a calm, beautiful day. A small breeze passes through the canopy of forest trees. Yarrow stands in the doorway, waiting for Jesper to need something, but he does not. Jesper turns and waves him goodbye, pats his shoulders to make sure his rucksack is still there, and begins heading west.
The stream on Jesper's right trickles delicately with the sway of the trees. The sun is higher in the sky, and the sky is painted a soft pink. He hears the sound of the door of the cottage faintly closing behind him.