The Needlehole Mysteries

the giant rat of sumatra? might help?

You know, that gif might be just the thing I need. XD

i've drawn something for the part *evil laugh*

and. whoops.. midnight. nighty night.

Added this story too to the first post so it's easier to find what we've been doing.

Think I'm gonna go for the giant rat of Sumatra plot. If it's good enough for Sherlock then it's good enough for me. Hopefully I'll post something today/this evening.

Edit: Ok, I got obsessed, so see below.

Ringo’s face still hurt from laughing as he curled up in bed that evening. It had been great to be just the three of them again, joking and watching Nora flail her arms around while telling her crazy tale.

He folded his arms behind his neck and stared into the ceiling. It was a bit easier to sneak off now that Eldo and Nora thought he was seeing a girl, or a boy. But they were far from happy about it. The strange behaviour of sneaking out before breakfast - instead of the more expected way of sneaking in before breakfast - had lead the to the conclusion that he was dating a milk maid or farm boy, "which was fine", rather than a bar maid-type. He was certain they also had a list of suspects and were getting ready to interrogate them.

This was getting out of hand. He had simply wanted a second job to earn some money. Now he was sneaking about, lying and the Dark Planet ambassador of all people was keeping secrets on his behalf and feeding him breakfast and cod liver oil every morning. Things like this don’t happen in real life, it was like he was caught in a strange tale where he was at the mercy of some lunatic author.

Putting existential thoughts aside, he came to the conclusion that this could not go on. He wanted his own cart and pony, but the price was too high. He rolled over to his side and closed his eyes, knowing that worrying would not stop the sun from rising and he had to be up and about by then.

---

“You seem troubled.”
Amarië’s calm voice reached him and he realized his thoughts had trailed of in the middle of whatever it was she had been talking about.

“No, not at all. All is well.” he lied.
“Forgive me. My mistake. Shall I pass you some more butter?”

He looked down at his plate and saw he had put a mountain of butter on a rather small piece of cheese.

“I meant to do that.”

“Of course.”

Ringo slapped the buttered cheese on a slice of bread, figuring he might as well devour the evidence.

The following silence was rather unnerving. Amarië was slowly carving thin, thin slices of ham with a large yet elegant elven blade, a small smile on her lips. Ringo couldn’t help thinking that this was a fairly effective way of interrogation which he hoped Nora and Eldo wouldn’t adopt. Though knowing them they wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face for long before laughing. Their constant hints and questions were torment enough. Perhaps it was more to do with the person than the method. He deep down knew that they would never actually kill him, while he never quite knew what the ambassador might do.

“They think I’ve been pining over a girl. Or a boy.” he blurted out.
Amarië smiled and put the sliced ham on a serving plate.
“Which is fine by Eldo, I am sure.”
“Yes it is. Or it would be if it was so. Which it isn’t as you already know. Why does everybody have to make a point of that? If it’s fine then why mention it?”

Amarië shrugged.
“It’s a new age. People feel they need to make a stand and show their acceptance or disapproval. It is not long ago that something as simple as going out on adventures was frowned at, and now it is commonly accepted and hardly anyone raises an eyebrow, except the most old fashioned of people.”

She paused to take a sip of her tea before she calmly continued.

“Also you are a tall, dark and very handsome, door smashing…” At this point Ringo accidentally bit his tongue in pure perplexion. “…troll hunting, Fjordlandian one man army, so you should not exclude the possibility of flirting or that some people might be terrified of angering you in some way.”

“Ah… That really clarified things….Glad I asked.” Ringo drank a large mouthful of milk hoping to soothe his tongue a bit.

“But this is not why you are distracted, is it?”

He pushed his empty plate from him.

“I have quit my job at the post office, this is my last day. Which also means I will in all likelihood not come for breakfast anymore.”

Amarië didn’t look too surprised. He didn’t know if it was because she had expected it or if she was simply covering it up in her usual diplomatic manner.

“I am sad to hear that. I have enjoyed our time together. At least I know the streets of Needlehole are safer now that you are fit and healthy again. Are you sure you are not sneaking away to start another ‘diet’?”
“Of course not! That is not an experience I wish to repeat.”

Amarie shook her head.
“I am not convinced, who’s to say you haven’t started already? I know you eat well for breakfast, but perhaps you don’t eat for the rest of the day? I am the only one who knows how you spend your mornings, I feel responsible for your well-being.”

“I don’t need looking after, I am not your pet!”
Amarië face darkened. “Don’t you take that tone with me, Sargent. Without me you would be hardly more than skin and bones!”
With deep indignation, he jumped out of his chair, pulled his shirt over his head and struck out his arms to make his point clear. “See? I’m fine. No need to for you worry!”

The ambassador slowly leaned back in her chair, adjusting her glasses slightly.
“Well well, seems I was mistaken yet again. You do look fine indeed.”

Ringo looked at the ambassador’s crooked smile, then he looked down at himself. He put his hands on his sides, his fingers tapped restlessly on his hips while he tried really hard to stay mad.
“I cannot believe I took the bait on that one.”

The ambassador laughed.
“Yes, that was too easy. I truly do worry about your health. Eat, sleep and keep your wits about.”

With equal amounts of embarrassment and amusement he put his shirt back on and went to get his dark sneaking-about-fairly-undetected hooded coat.

Amarië walked him to the front door in silence. He stepped outside in the crisp morning air and took a deep breath. Despite all the lying and sneaking he too had enjoyed these early mornings in the embassy. I had been nice to ramble on in their respective Fjordian dialects about this and that, making sure the topics were harmless non-political and not work related. Almost like real friends. Next time they would meet it would probably be on official duty as ambassador and police hobbit, not Ringo and Amarië. He didn’t know how to voice these thoughts without sounding like a complete idiot, so he simply turned to her and said a hearth felt “thank you.”
Amarië smiled warmly in return. “It’s been a privilege.”

A he turned his back he heard her add in a far more familiar tone.
“You are welcome to stay for breakfast any time.” And with a laugh she closed the door.

He blinked at the door for second, before he grinned broadly and shook his head. He then ducked his head under his hood trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. He hurried along to make his final deliveries on the job before handing his uniform back and heading for his interview at Mrs Figgs’. He was hoping for better work hours and less back breaking labour. If Eldo truly had promised to stay away from Figgs’ then chances were he would not accidentally run into him or Nora. And what happens at Figgs’, stays at Figgs’.

it sure does.

“Also you are a tall, dark and very handsome, door smashing…” At this point Ringo accidentally bit his tongue in pure perplexion. “…troll hunting, Fjordlandian one man army, so you should not exclude the possibility of flirting or that some people might be terrified of angering you in some way

.”

omg thi is so accurate !!

With deep indignation, he jumped out of his chair, pulled his shirt over his head and struck out his arms to make his point clear. “See? I’m fine. No need to for you worry!”

i fedinitely need to draw this, it just omg, I picture it perfectly, it's hysterical xD (might to a comic book kind of thing.)

This has been really good reading !

Thank you! Thank you! I love you all!


And I have no objections to a comic strip ( ).

Brill Amarie.

'And what happens at Figgs’, stays at Figgs’.'

Thats oddly reassuring.

Aw shucks...

Great stuff, Amarie! I love your dialogue and the characterization is great. It's nice to get a more personal look at the larger cast of characters in Needlehole.

Double shucks! *mumbles incoherently*
It's a fun universe to play with.

especially if it includes carrots!

Well, we're heading to Figg's next, but I am not sure if rookies are allowed to handle the veggies...

Not even for a light teasing before the veg hits the pan ?

Might be allowed to watch.

oh my, what will I have ringo do

Norc wrote:oh my, what will I have ringo do

I don't know, but I am dying to find out!

Lester Cat! Love it, Norc!

*picks jaw up from floor* The perfect movie poster!!! That is brilliant! Really! The motion, the composition, (the smug cat,) everything!!

Brilliant drawings Norc !