Less Risky Message Delivery Takes on Animal Procurement (with Mixed Results)   To finance the operation, the franchise pooled 150 gold coins into the endeavor, entrusting its execution to their interns, Shaesira Misttop and Flynnan Reedshadow. These two halflings—brimming with a mix of ambition, trepidation, and questionable ethics—set out into the wilderness, ready to prove their worth.   The plan seemed straightforward enough: capture small, combat-ready animals and deliver them to their unsavory client. Armed with simple nets, bait, and the occasional clever trick, Shaesira and Flynnan scoured the nearby woods and meadows.   ---   The Good   To their credit, the duo displayed surprising ingenuity. Shaesira’s quick hands and Flynnan’s nimble feet allowed them to outsmart a particularly feisty weasel and a pair of unusually aggressive squirrels. These creatures, though small, exhibited the scrappiness needed to survive the underground fighting pits.   ---   The Bad   Unfortunately, success was not without its pitfalls. The interns soon discovered that capturing wildlife is a far cry from an easy gold coin. Their efforts to secure a feral raccoon led to a chaotic chase through a muddy creek, resulting in Shaesira taking an unexpected bath and losing her favorite dagger in the process. Meanwhile, Flynnan’s attempt to wrangle a badger ended with the badger firmly in control of the situation—leaving the halfling with a bruised ego and several holes in his trousers.   ---   The Result   After days of sweat, scratches, and more than one argument over whose idea it was to agree to this gig, Shaesira and Flynnan returned to the franchise headquarters with a meager collection of small animals. Their client, unimpressed with the quantity (and somewhat skeptical of the quality), reluctantly paid them a mere 50 gold coins for their troubles.   Despite falling far short of their financial goals, the LRMD franchise learned several valuable lessons: first, shady dealings in animal procurement are neither as easy nor as profitable as they appear. Second, always factor badgers into risk assessments.   ---   Final Thoughts   While the venture may not have been a resounding success, Shaesira and Flynnan’s tenacity and creative problem-solving bode well for the future of the franchise.