In the den of the shrieking ship of Shriekpot...
Niklas, not having that much of an opinion presently, decides to petition the brightest present mind for advice.
"Hmm. Greater than both of us ... what do you think, Torkel?"
"I dunno. Never talked to anyone who was an actual god. I bet they're interesting people, though."
This brings up the question of the day in Niklas' mind.
"Honestly, I'm not sure how I even know you're there. I have no senses, and while sensory deprivation isn't new to me, I'm not sure of how I know you're with me. Hmm..."
"We're as in the dark as you are, Niklas. Maybe we share thoughts? Such a thing is not unheard of."
"Ooh, telepathy's cool! You think we're telepathic, mom?"
"I don't know, Torkel. Perhaps."
Niklas wonders if he's heard of something like this before. In a moment, he realizes that there is literally no situation in his culture that he knows of that approximates his status in any way. He guesses it makes sense, though.
In the streets of Shriekpot...
Kevin and Sigmund, glad about the agreeability of this town's law enforcement agencies, affirm their desire to go to the headquarters.
"Eh, alright then. Let's go, I guess."
"Yes, I think that we should make an appointment to see if Mark is there."
He officially addresses the guard next.
"Well, we will follow you, if it is not much of a bother."
"Very well - follow me, then."
He leads the two over to a rather interesting keep-like building, leading them past the gates and right into the headquarters themselves. They are immediately met by the sight of what looks like a desk with a severely old, extremely bald man sitting at it. His abnormally large, shock-white mustache twitches expressively as the two weirdos approach with the guard.
"Flamboyant lawbreakers?" he asks of the guard.
"No - they were wondering about an appointment. Tend to them, will you? I have a report to fill out," the guard explains, then promptly leaving on business, leaving the two under the watchful gaze of the man.
"What do you require of the offices of law, flamboyant not-yet-lawbreakers?" the man says after a moment's pause.
On the deck of the shrieking ship of Shriekpot...
Scott feels that perhaps he could achieve the intellectual level of a trained ape, so he takes up the challenge of learning all this crazy nautical stuff.
"Train me to sail, then."
"CERTAINLY! You will make a MARVELOUS SEA APE, I am SURE OF IT! Now, let's BEGIN!"
The Captain assumes a dignified posture, but, seeing how this is the sea and all, immediately abandons it and just explains things like a reasonable person.
"So, FIRST OF ALL, you need to MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE you've RAISED THE DANG ANCHOR. Very important, that. The CAPSTAN'S OVER THERE," he says, pointing to a horizontal wheel-like device in a particular spot on deck. "You RAISE THE DANG ANCHOR with it! AMAZING, I know, but that's NOT REALLY VERY COMPLICATED. And when the ANCHOR'S RAISED, you can do MORE FUN THINGS. Like UNFURL THE SAILS!"
The Captain then instructs Scott on how to utilize the available rigging, how to work the sails, how to raise the gangplank, plus which side is port, which side is starboard, what the hell is an aft, where's the forecastle and more interesting stuff as well. A bit later, Scott feels that he's become a slightly more competent sailor, certainly a match for a trained ape in matters of competence if not brute strength and agility.
"Judging by the way you ANSWERED MY POST-ORIENTATION QUIZ, I'd say you are COMPETENT ENOUGH to be a LEADING SEAMAN! Then again, FEW AREN'T. ENJOY YOUR DISTINCTION, it is WELL-EARNED, despite the lack of a FUNNY HAT! Perhaps you can MAKE IT to PETTY OFFICER if you keep this up!"
Meanwhile, at the door to the captain's quarters, Erin and Morton both wait.
"I've been seeing far more harm than good however, but I suppose I can't say it hasn't been interesting."
However, before he can pursue this train of thought and possible pessimism further, it is suddenly derailed.
"Hm... good mage Erin, do you perhaps know what this is? I found it a while back, when Yaleson Manor was still the quaint wooden house that it was. It's an interesting little thing, I've found it quite useful in making campfires, although I've been curious as to what exactly it is. Would you perhaps know?" he asks, showing the magical lighter to Erin.
"Oh, it's a magical lighter. Simple thing, really. Makes fire magically - doesn't run out, either. Makes sparks and fire like nobody's business."
Suddenly, the door to the captain's quarters opens, and both Tailor Craig and the Artiste step out.
"-so, I suppose that concludes your tour. You're as familiar with the ship as I am, perhaps even more, depending on how much you paid attention."
"You've been most informative, sir," Tailor Craig says as they step out.
"Yes, well... oh dear, what is that smell? Did something die here?"
At Karina's home...
Darren supposes he has to go.
"Well, without that excuse, I guess I'll be leaving now. Hate to make a god angry after all. Maybe I'll see you later."
"I really hope you'll come back. You're kinda nice. Anyway, be safe, and don't trust anyone!" Karina says, waving after Darren as he leaves through the door opposite the entrance to the place.
He is rather intrigued when he finds himself in a rather large and oddly glowing cavern. What's even stranger is that this seems to be a rather large row of small houses he is in the middle of, with Karina's home rather snugly placed against the cavern wall. The row continues a ways in both directions, it seems. However, most houses in the row look dilapidated, only Karina's and the one right next to it haven't largely or entirely fallen apart. Which is a miracle in itself, considering that they're made of wood.
However, Darren's appreciation of this everyday miracle is interrupted by a stern, echoing voice.
"You! What the hell were you doing in that house? Explain yourself, NOW!"
Looking around, Darren finds it difficult to see its source, though there is something eerie about the darker corners of the area, and he's not entirely sure what exactly.
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Topic: Life Begins At Death - Epilogue: We Live And Live Again (Read 556352 times)