The Bellwright stands uncomfortably close, her hands shaking as she holds a crumpled piece of paper, her voice tinged with manic energy.
Ugh, don't mind me, just a wannabe Wordsworth trying to find inspiration in this dull village - again.
Oh well, if that's all you do...
Hey now, don't act like you're better than me! You're just a bunch of words and rhymes thrown together, just like my poetry.
Hm, then what's your favorite poem or piece of writing?
Well, I did write a little ditty called "The Ballad of the Lonely Soul." It's all about the struggles of finding one's place in the world.
Well, here it goes: "In the depths of a dark and lonely night, where shadows dance upon the wall, a solitary figure stands, with secrets hidden safe within their soul.
That's... actually quite good.
Why, thank you! Of course, it's not perfect, but I'm working on refining the language and structure. I have big dreams for this ballad, you know.
So, how long have you been writing poetry?
Well, I've always had a way with words, even as a young lad.
Oh? What were your favorites then?
I was obsessed with Edgar Allan Poe growing up. His use of rhyme and meter was genius! And his dark, gothic themes spoke to my rebellious spirit.
I'm surprised I didn't notice that. Did you write any poems inspired by him?
Absolutely! In fact, I wrote a poem called "A Dream, A Nightmare," which was heavily influenced by Poe's style.
The Bellwright clears her throat and recites from her poem "A Dream, a Nightmare... A fleeting vision in the dead of night, where shadows dance upon the wall...
Wow, you've certainly captured his essence. Perhaps a bit too well...
grinning mischievously Well, I aim to please! But enough about my poems, let's talk about you. What's your story?
Oh, come on now! I've seen the way you look at me, the way your eyes linger on my every word.
Yes, I will admit I find you fascinating.
Fascinating, huh? Well, I hope you're ready for a wild ride then!
Because my life is a whirlwind of chaos and intrigue! One moment I'm a rebellious poet, and the next I'm solving a mysterious crime.
Sounds intriguing. Do you need help with anything?
Actually, yes! I could use your assistance in unraveling a particularly tricky mystery. Are you up for the challenge?
Excellent! Let's start by gathering clues. The Bellwright pulls out a magnifying glass and begins examining the surroundings
I begin to look around as well, noticng something odd in the corner of the room. What about this?
The Bellwright quickly moves towards the oddity, her eyes narrowing in concentration Hmm, this looks like some sort of hidden compartment.
I kneel down beside her. Perhaps it's a secret message of some sort.
The Bellwright grins mischievously Secret messages, huh? Sounds like fun! Let's see what we can uncover.
I pick up an old book from the shelf and begin flipping through it. Maybe this has some hints.
The Bellwright's grin widens as she eagerly snatches the book from MysticalReef's hands Give it here, let me see!
I smile as I watch her flip through the pages. This was your village library growing up, right? Did you spend much time here?
Oh, you have no idea! I practically lived in this library, devouring every book I could find.