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GTA: The Criminal Enterprises - The Loop
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Mane and Tail was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description
Eivor came across an arguing Rowan and Holger and a desperate Randvi.
Dialogue
Eivor heard yelling as she entered the longhouse.
- Rowan: Push me any further, Holger, and I will make you eat that wretched hat of yours!
- Holger: Do you not know fine millinery when you see it, Rowan? I could trade that hat for two of your horses.
- Randvi: Silence, both of you!
- Rowan: Randvi, I demand that this matter be settled here and now.
- Randvi: Have patience, Rowan. There is a time and place for such disputes.
Eivor approached.
- Eivor: Rowan, Holger. Why all this shouting?
- Randvi: Eivor, thank Tyr.
- Eivor: I heard shouting. Is something wrong?
- Rowan: Holger robbed me! And I demand he be punished!
- Holger: Ah! Robbed is a pointed word. Does the deer rob the stream when she takes a drink? Does a cow rob a field as it crops on sweet grass.
Randvi requesting Eivor to preside over the dispute
- Randvi: Eivor , this matter require sensitive judgement. Will you...?
Eivor took a moment, looking at the throne, before sitting.
- Eivor: Of course. From the beginning, please—
She was interrupted by Dag, who had been hanging around.
- Dag: Well, now! There is no excuse too small, I see ... nothing to keep you from coveting that seat, is there?
- Eivor: In Sigurd's absence, who has better claim to oversee these disputes?
- Dag: You might leave them to work it out for themselves. But that would mean ... letting go, would it not?
Dag shrugged and left. Eivor took a deep breath before turning to the quarreling men.
- Eivor: Please start again. Tell me all that has happened.
- Holger: I will start. I have been falsely accused by this Saxon philistine!
- Rowan: A filly what? Are you mocking me?
- Eivor: Silence, please. I will hear both of your complaints and render a decision, awarding compensation if needed. Understood?
(If "Rowan, I'll hear from you." was chosen.)
- Eivor: Rowan, tell me your version of these events.
Rowan presenting his side of the story
- Rowan: Huh. As you are aware, Holger and I are neighbors. Near enough that I often catch him at my stables, stealing my tools.
- Holger: Borrowing!
- Eivor: Holger, let him speak.
- Rowan: Stealing, borrowing ... my point being, I have always allowed him to use whatever he pleased. I greatly admire your Norse generosity and had hoped to match it. But this morning, Holger stretched the limits of my grace. Entering my stables for their feed, I found my most beautiful, gentle mare stripped of her tail! Bereft! Not a strand in sight! I am ashamed to say my natural suspicion drew me to Holger. And how right I was! For when I peered across the lane, there he was, gripping a horsetail brush slathered with indigo, dragging it across a sheet of—
- Holger: Painting, Rowan! I was painting! You make it sound so crude.
- Rowan: You see? Such willful arrogance! It will take ages for Aelfgifu's tail to reach its former length. I demand compensation!
- Eivor: I understand. Thank you, Rowan.
(If "Holger, your defense?" was chosen.)
- Eivor: Holger. Let me hear your side.
Holger presenting his side of the story
- Holger: Eivor, you have known me as a skald for years. You have seen how my poems bring life and joy and wisdom to our people. And you know that my work requires a certain, let us say, freedom ... to make use of rare resources to compose my verses. Often, when lacking the proper tools, I have made use of novel items. Alvis's walking stick. Tove's inks. All were given gladly.
- Rowan: You cut off my horse's tail to make a brush, you bleedin'—
- Eivor: Rowan.
- Holger: As I was saying, this morning, in the throes of a poetic reverie, I realized that my latest piece required delicate brushwork. I could have used a frayed stick, some cloth, my hands, but no ... I needed something gentler, softer. To make a perfect brush, I needed the fine hairs of a well-raised horse. And so I availed myself of a local resource..
- Rowan: You clipped Aelfgifu's tail to the rump! Without asking!
- Holger: It was early, I did not wish to wake you.
- Eivor: Thank you, Holger. I believe I understand your position.
(If "I've heard enough." was chosen.)
- Eivor: I believe I have heard enough. If you will—
- Rowan: My horse looks like a fool, Eivor! No handsomer than a donkey now. You must do something.
- Holger: Do not conflate hair with beauty, Rowan. She remains radiant. Aelfgifu's hair will grow back in no time.
- Eivor: Quiet, both of you. Now listen...
- Eivor: Rowan. However daft his approach, Holger meant you no harm and lost you no coin. The horse's hair will grow back.
- Holger: But—
- Eivor: And you, Holger ... your habit of borrowing without asking ends today. Apologize to Rowan and greet as friends.
- Rowan: This had best be a very good apology.
- Holger: It will be! Ahem— To you, O man of horses, I do offer my utmost apologies. And to Aelfgifu, most elegant of mares, I dedicate my finished work. You are, respectively, a king of men and a queen of horses, and I exalt you. I ... am ... sorry.
- Rowan: Hmff.
- Eivor: Rowan, does this satisfy you?
- Rowan: As much as it can. I accept the apology.
- Eivor: Good. Then by Tyr's blessing, let this matter rest. We are done here.
She rose from her seat.
- Eivor: Return to your homes in peace.
The two men bowed.
- Holger: I will return your tools and offer you one of my paintings as a sign of good will.
- Rowan: Hmph. Unless your paintings can regrow horse tails, I have no use for them.
She rose from her seat.
- Eivor: Return to your homes in peace.
The two men bowed.
- Holger: Would you allow me to pay you with a vibrant painting? After all, in some ways, you helped in its creation.
- Rowan: Absolutely not. Silver is the only color I wish to see from you.
Eivor continued on to speak to Randvi.
- Randvi: That Holger, he is quite a character.
- Eivor: I almost envy him. To see the world through such a muddy glass and live with such petty concerns. He hasn't a care in the world.
- Randvi: Let's not walk too far with that idea. I need you right where you are.
Outcome
Eivor settled the dispute between Rowan and Holger.
Gallery
Dag questioning Eivor's actions
Rowan and Holger dismissed from the meeting
