In the den of the shrieking ship of Shriekpot...
Niklas tries to explain his current situation.
"You're all talking a bit loudly; I think Bearin made my hearing a tad too sensitive. I don't quite know how I'm communicating with them, but they're here nonetheless."
Erin smiles. "Heh, Bearin. Anyway, are ya-" she says, stopping as she notices Niklas turn to something else that she can't quite see and continue speaking.
"Semi-acquaintances, Torkel. Two of them are due a beating from me."
"Uhm... why, dad?" Torkel asks his father.
Meanwhile, Kevin guesses that his work here, miniscule as it was, is done.
"Well then, I'll go ask Sigmund about the state of the plan. Maybe you could come along if you don't have anything to do, Niklas."
And with that, he leaves for the deck, which, by sheer happenstance, is exactly where Sigmund is heading as well. They meet up on the way and explain the things they know and hope for right now.
"Hey, Niklas has a mouth and ears now. Should we take him along?"
"Surely. Plans that have a certain degree of chance of failure can only be improved be increasing success chances, and in this case this means getting more people to mob the guard. I'm not saying that you couldn't take down that guard, I'm actually more concerned about Scott's overconfidence in these aspects. At least he is properly armed this time. So, well, I will try to convince Niklas."
But first, they head out to the deck to look at what the Artiste is up to. They are rather surprised to discover that Evelyn is up. They'd kind of forgotten she existed by now, actually. She seems to be speaking to the Artiste. Also, she's got some serious bed-head now.
"I have not missed much, then?"
"Well... actually, you have! See those guys who just came here, the ones over at the stairs?"
"Yes?"
"They're actually two of the undead we picked up on the road. Freaky, eh? And that guy talking with the Captain, he's... like... the guy that made 'em like that."
Evelyn looks at Kevin and Sigmund.
"Unusual, yes."
"Heh, you should see the butler guy. He's a desk now."
"Also quite strange. How is that working out?"
"Surprisingly well! Anyhow, why don't you have a drink, Evey? There's plenty to go around."
"Yeah, not like there's anything better to than get drunk right now."
"It smells awful."
"Oh, you won't care at all once you get to proper drinking."
"Hm. Very well," Evelyn replies, looking around the deck for something to drink from. Finding nothing, she ascends to the captain's quarters, returning momentarily with a wine glass. She walks over to the barrel and fills the glass with some of the brew, then helps herself to a mouthful.
[Evelyn endurance roll: 6]
She swills it a few moments, letting the taste set in, then swallows it impassively. She nods calmly.
"Interesting how this concoction seems to weaken the sensation of taste."
"Yeah, I think the tongue just quits after the third round or so. Or was it the fourth? I've lost count, really."
"Rather strong as well."
"Aw yeah, I can attest to that. In fact, I can-" the Artiste begins to reply, but is interrupted by a sudden, extremely loud burp issuing from his mouth. "Erm, I can drink to that," he finishes, raising his mug. The toast is met with approval, and the people resume drinking and chatting with their new companion.
Sigmund's gaze wanders over the others on deck. Scott seems to be looking for something at the docks, and failing miserably, while Tailor Craig and the Captain are still engaged in a conversation about the true nature of fear. Seeing that everything's fine, he heads back to the den, approaching Niklas.
"So, now that you have acquired a new form, why not use it for the first time to murder some folk? You may be able to obtain some exotic blue meat, and maybe some cooking books if we are lucky. You just have to gang up on a guard while I distract the other, then we all gang up on that guard."
However, Niklas doesn't seem to be on board with this for some reason.
"Everything is too loud for now," he says, retreating a few steps from Sigmund. Huh.
"It seems that you are still getting used to hear. Fortunately, one of the guards doesn't speak. He is one of the quietest person I've ever met. He is the one with that blue exotic meat I mentioned before. I hope you consider this proposal. If we get enough money from the raid maybe you can buy a new cleaver for yourself. I know of a place who sells them for roughly twenty copper coins. Just tell us if you change your opinion."
"I actually mean Bearin made my hearing too sensitive, but still. If that gets fixed, I'll join you."
"I see. We will do our little raid at night, so you still have time."
Erin, having heard Niklas' remark, decides to chime in.
"I think ya will get used to it soon enough. I kinda don't wanna mess with the setup I got inside ya, as it's a tad finicky. I'm not sure how exactly to fix it, I mean."
On the outskirts of the City of the Dead...
Darren tries to get this conversation back on track.
"So, the crown! Was there anything else they said about it?"
The two people turn to him once more.
"Um, no. Haven't actually talked to them about it. They're a bit too weird for me."
"So you're as useful as usual, huh?"
"Screw you, Danielle. Screw you."
"Oh, aren't we sensitive. If you aren't ready to put up with some verbal abuse, you shouldn't go around stalking people, that's what I always say."
"You know what, I'm leaving. I don't need this kind of treatment after what I've been through."
"Yeah, go cry about it somewhere else, will you?"
Stephen, rather hurt, mumbles something, then disappears into the shadows. The floating head then looks at Darren, a bit calmer now.
"Sorry about that guy hassling you - he comes here occasionally. He's got a bit of a coping problem, you see."
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Topic: Life Begins At Death - Epilogue: We Live And Live Again (Read 562391 times)