In the streets of Wellville...
Kevin heads to another door to try his luck there. He knocks firmly, fully expecting somebody around. However, no such luck. Now that he thinks about it, though, this town really is quiet. It's daytime, and the only thing he can hear is wind whistling through all sorts of places. After a few more knocks on random doors and a stroll down the main street, he concludes that yes, this town is completely deserted. Not a soul around, really.
Okay, so he won't be getting any help here. Guess that means only one thing - he's gotta use his experience gained from his old boss' wartime conferences to determine where Shriekpot is in relation to Emlocke!
Hm... too bad he wasn't actually allowed to attend the wartime conferences. No matter how convincing the costume he wore was. Well, not after the first three times, anyway. However, he does remember one thing. Shriekpot wasn't always called that. Had a different name once, he believes. Unfortunately, it does elude him what it was.
Well, maybe he could just go to Emlocke, then go north? He oughta find it then.
Yeah, this is what he'll do. For sure.
On the shrieking ship of Shriekpot...
Sigmund proposes the idea that, since the work's been delegated, the Artiste can direct his attention to other matters.
"While Erin works here with Niklas, would you want to meet the demonologist? I brought him here just because he would be a nice addition to our group, but I can tell him to leave if you want."
"I'll talk to him in a minute. Right now, this comes first."
Niklas, though, isn't quite ready to stand for the treatment he is about to be subjected to.
"Turn me into a fish and I go recruit the Kraken and sink the boat. If you get my body and weapons back I won't seek revenge."
The Artiste stares at Niklas for a moment and smiles.
"Oh, if I give back your stuff, you won't seek revenge, you say? Wow, that's a relief. Simply amazing, Niklas. Why, I'll go ahead and tell Erin to put you back together right now."
"Um, really?"
"No, not really. Turn him into a chair, Erin. You know, for guests. A non-speaking one, if you will."
"Oh. Okay."
Erin takes a step back from Niklas and thinks. She then shrugs and commences the casting.
[Erin magic roll: 5]
A violent twist and a fiendish shake later, Niklas feels his flesh become plush, hideously comfortable plush! He grows legs, but they are stubby and short beyond belief. His scaly skin becomes upholstery, and he obtains a bit of a wholesome, family-friendly look at last. The horror of it is hardly enough to bear for Niklas, who now lacks the ability to see, hear, taste and smell all at once!
"Not bad, Erin. And timely as well. Fella was really starting to get on my nerves. It's always 'me-me-me' with him, isn't it? I mean, I'm a forgiving guy and all, but I just hate that kind of person, really. Gets on my nerves. And right after I try to meet him halfway, too. Oh well. At least I got a chair out of the deal. A guest chair, sure, but a chair no less. Was a good cook though, gotta admit. Erin, you can go and do your own things now, I'll get someone to bring the chair to the den later. Stay positive, you hear?"
The Artiste then takes his good buddy Sigmund over to Tailor Craig, who seems to be measuring Scott at the moment while Morton chatters next to them.
"It is a pleasure to see that you were mostly unharmed by your expedition, Sir Scott Yaleson, and it bore some fruit, that is always good to hear. Our original goal didn't quite go as well as we had hoped, but such is life, no? We met good Tailor Craig here however during our journey, and that more than made up for it in my opinion, yes."
Scott looks at him.
"So, how long will this take?"
"Actually, I'm quite done," says Tailor Craig, putting away his measuring tape. The Artiste takes the opportunity to strike up a chat.
"So, I hear you've been wanting to see me."
"Yes, indeed," says Tailor Craig. "I've been hearing good things about you, Mr. Artiste."
"Oh, I'm sure you have. So, you're a tailor, you say?"
"Yes, and a bit of a demonologist on the side. I transformed your subordinates with this procedure I've been developing."
"I know that, yes. Bit hard not to notice, you know. So, are you interested in joining our crew? We just got an opening, actually. Can you cook?"
"Um, no. Not really. Enough to survive, but hardly on a professional level."
"How's your eyesight?"
"Rather good, actually. Why?"
"And your sense of direction?"
"Haven't gotten lost in my life, certainly."
"Great. How would you like to be a helmsman?"
"Er, perhaps not. Really, I was hoping to find out more about you. Your subordinates tell me interesting things. That you seem to be some kind of... pseudo-demon creature."
The Artiste nods.
"Yeah... sorry to say, but they were screwing with you, dear boy. I might be a tad harsh occasionally, but I'm certainly no demon."
"Not a demon, a demon-like creature. In a human body."
"Now you're just being silly. Demon-like creature? There's angels and demons, right? The good and the bad?"
"Well, that's what I thought as well, and it's not as simple as good or bad, it's-"
"Shouldn't you know this kind of stuff? You're one of those demon guys, didn't you say?"
"Well, yes..."
"And you still fell for it? Geez."
Tailor Craig seems to slump a little in his robes, a bit of joy taken out of him.
"Sorry to burst your bubble there, buddy. Still, you can be our lookout if you want to."
The tailor considers this for a moment. He then shrugs slowly.
"I suppose? Why not. At least I'll get to see new places."
"Excellent, we've got a cabin all ready for you, too. One of our crew members met with an unfortunate accident, you see."
"These things happen, I guess. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go get my stuff."
"Feel free," the Artiste says, seeing Tailor Craig off. He then turns back to his faithful crew.
"Right, new rule. You guys don't talk about who I am anymore. Not among yourselves, not to anyone I don't specifically allow you to talk about me to. Particularly not to our friend here. I'm just a guy with a funny name now. It was kinda silly of me not to warn you earlier, but still, don't do it. I know, I know, I keep messing up. But you have to remember, it's my first time here for a significant length of time and all. Anyway, until I'm certain this Craig guy's trustworthy, don't even think of telling him anything."
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Topic: Life Begins At Death - Epilogue: We Live And Live Again (Read 565410 times)