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"I just have a hard time getting to sleep some nights! Might be because of the cave time, or the noises in the cave, but it's a struggle!"
"Well, don't worry, I have something that might be able to help! Just don't take too much, alright? Too much might knock you out cold for a long while."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Wow. It was really that easy? Huh.
No matter! Fwhip had everything he needed. Now to play the waiting game.
His least favorite game.
The sheriff was skeptical about meeting Fwhip, especially after all of their previous interactions. But he would go, to be diplomatic if nothing else. He regarded the old sheriff's office Fwhip had made for him with a regretful fondness. That was where Fwhip wanted to meet him, and sat prepared with tea.
"There you are, Sheriff!" He grinned, beady blue eyes staring up at him with adoration as he gestured towards the mug with his tail. "That's yours, have a seat!"
"Well- thank you.." Jimmy muttered and reluctantly sit down, taking a sip of the tea. It was.. a bit of a strange taste. One he couldn't shake while he listened to Fwhip talk. He tried to pay attention, tried to understand as Fwhip went on about the gunpowder trade, and how he and Lizzie could take over with their factories just fine. Jimmy couldn't find it in him to care, at the moment. The only thing presently on his mind was how exhausted he was.
"Sheriff, you look tired." Fwhip pouted. "It's no use trying to fly back or whatever, stay in the tavern for the night!"
"No- no, I really oughta get home-" Jimmy gritted out as he stood up, taking a few shaky steps forward before exhaustion consumed him. And everything went black.
Fwhip hummed to himself as he dragged the sheriff into the gunpowder factory. He didn't say a word as he wrapped the ropes around Jimmy's hands, tying him to the post by most of the explosives, and opened the chest to grab handfuls of gunpowder. The only time he spoke was when Jimmy was starting to wake up, when he leaned in and chirped a cheery "morning, sleeping beauty!".
Jimmy woke up with a searing headache. The room was blurry as he tried to squint and see what was happening. He could see fwhip prancing about the room, leaving a trail of gunpowder as he stepped. He looked to his left, and about a dozen tnt were just sitting there. So was the beginning of the gunpowder trail. Wait.
"Fwhip?" He said groggily as he tried to adjust himself to the brightness of the room. "What's goin' on...?"
"Not much!" The goblin shrugged. "I'm just testing out some new products!"
"New products?" His vision finally came in full as he looked around again. "What the hell are you doing?! You can't do this!"
"Of course I can!" Fwhip chirped. "I'm the law now! Got the badge and everything!"
The badge. The fucking badge that Jimmy gave to Fwhip when things were decent. The badge that Jimmy said to give back when he'd been fired. The badge Fwhip refused to give back.
"That- Fwhip, look-" Jimmy tried to reason, shifting within the ropes to try and get free. "I'm sorry things didn't work out with us- I'm sorry, but could you please untie me- I can't feel my hands!"
"Mmm, sorry! No can do, sheriff!" Fwhip giggled and twirled to face him, tail swishing behind him with glee. "We're gonna do this the right way! Show that where you go, I go!" After all, giving a goblin gold meant pledging yourself to them. And once you gave a goblin gold, they'd love you forever. "You're never, ever getting rid of me!" He gave a toothy, innocent smile, leaning in as Jimmy flinched.
"Y- when you say "never"," Jimmy croaked out weakly. "D- do ya really mean-"
"You sure can try and escape!" Fwhip laughed, almost sounding patronizing as he rocked on his heels. "But I love you means you're never getting rid of me!"
"Who said anythin' about love?!" Jimmy snapped. "I never did! You worked for me, d'ya know how inappropriate it'd be if we dated?!"
Fwhip paused, his tail stood rigid and Jimmy almost regretted saying something at all. "Inappropriate? But- but you gave me the badge, you gave me the gold and I accepted it- that's how this works!"
"Fwhip... I have a partner- you know about him, I've told you about him!"
"What does it matter? That soulmate stuff is all bullshit! You're not in that world anymore!"
"I love him." Jimmy insisted.
"I loved you." Fwhip said coldly. "But clearly, you don't love me. And if I can't have you, why would I want anyone else to?" He giggled lowly as he struck a match, leaving it by the start of the trail by the door. "Goodbye, Sheriff."
"Fwhip- Wait!" Jimmy called out, but nothing was said in response. Jimmy was left alone.
He bowed his head as the hissing of the flame grew closer.
"Lady Law in the Aether above- " He whispered to himself. "Please hear my prayers.." He prayed and prayed to a being that didn't seem to listen, the fire got closer, the hissing grew until it was right near him and-
[SolidarityGaming blew up]