The Blunder of Babette Boulanger
It was mid morning on a warm and pleasant spring day when the peaceful sounds of crashing waves were interrupted by the feminine cries of someone near the coastal village of Delport.
Arriving upon the beach of the Inner Sea, Uzriel d’Vanecu of Magnagora stumbled upon Babette Boulanger, the Gold House attendant of Delport, who was frantically searching along the sandy shores of the beach for something. Consumed with her search, she barely noticed him before others began to arrive, Khnemu Dahyu of Gaudiguch and Freja n’Lochli of Magnagora followed by Ayisdra Ysav’rai of Hallifax. It was soon discovered that Babette had lost the pearls from her grandmother’s pendant, a family heirloom passed down through her family for generations.
Shortly afterwards, many set out in search of the rare pearls, diving to the depths of the Inner Sea. The first to return was Faragan Ladyn of New Celest, who brought Babette the first two pearls. Overjoyed at the thought of having her pearls returned, hope had returned to Babette as more were brought back from the sea, Uzriel bringing three followed by Khnemu and Faragan with more. Babette carefully counted the iridescent pearls she held but realised there was still one missing. Worry once again filled Babette’s features as she remembered her friend Beauregard had headed out to sea in search as well, and had yet to return.
The search for Beauregard continued for some time, with Babette stricken with fear as Beauregard was no where in sight. At last Faragan and Uzriel stumbled upon his abandoned boat. Uzriel continued the search, soon accompanied by others whilst Jolanthe Myeras of Serenwilde and Ayisdra kept Babette company and tried to console her. It was not long before Khnemu swam into the shipwreck of Javile’s Memory and stumbled upon a massive tangle of seaweed that was blocking the way, and made out a humanoid figure swimming behind it. Pulling as hard as she could, Khnemu could not quite wrestle the seaweed on her own, and soon called for help which came in the form of Tikki of Hallifax, Freja, Jolanthe, and Uzriel. With their combined efforts, they were able to tear down the seaweed wall and set Beauregard free.
Thanking his rescuers, Beauregard explained that he thought he had found one of Babette’s pearls in the shipwreck, so he reached into a large hole in the side of the ship and plucked out the pearl with pride. It was not long before joy turned to terror as a something struck the side of the ship – a huge, black-skinned hammerhead shark smashed into the hull and broke through, its eyes fixed on Beauregard. Rushing towards its target, the shark latched onto Khnemu who was in the way of its meal, tearing strips of flesh from her arm. Taking up arms quickly, Beauregard, Xenthos An’Ryshe of Glomdoring, Jolanthe, Khnemu, Uzriel, Tikki and Freja fought back against the shark, each losing blood before Freja managed to land the killing blow and allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. Thanking his companions, Beauregard handed the pearl to Khnemu before heading back to his boat and then home to Delport to calm his nerves.
After seeing to Beauregard’s return, everyone headed back to Babette who was frantically waiting for some news. Freja and Uzriel returned first with the news that Beauregard was safe and sound and had returned home. Arriving soon after with pearl in hand, Khnemu graciously returned the final pearl to Babette who was overjoyed to have all of her grandmother’s pearls returned and explained that in the future she will try to be more careful when she visits the Delport Pier to gawk at the fishermen with her friends.
