At the site of Niklas' melting...
Morton offers words of support to Erin, knowing that negative reinforcement would be silly to try.
"I'm sure it's alright, good mage Erin, the shape he was in prior was too large to fit in the pot anyhow. Whenever you're ready."
"Um, yeah. I hope, anyway."
Erin tries once more, looking over at the now-lesser pile of spherical slag. The slag becomes roughly spherical once more. She then points her finger at the scar on the ground, at which point a small ramp forms from the ground, causing the white-hot chef sphere roll toward Morton and Kevin, the air rippling around it as it slowly approaches. Morton can't help but wonder if that thing is safe to keep in a pot.
In Gunther Gunnarson's workshop...
Mark, currently in the middle of regretting his inability to nap, reflects on the fact that his sixth joint has finally been attached. Two more to go. This guy sure is taking his sweet time. He went to have some tea a little while back, actually.
On the deck of the Second Shank...
Sigmund, after briefly excusing himself, tries to examine the Artiste's knot. He hasn't really examined a living being's knot before, but there do seem to be standard "no fun", "no magic" and "no knot manipulation" knots, a knot specifying the soul housed within and the conditions of its departure and a knot that specifies "access", whatever that means.
"I would really appreciate if you did not mess with those," the Artiste suddenly notes. "Have to uphold a certain balance, you see." Justine looks at him doubtfully, but he just waves off her curiosity.
In Helsvar's village...
Niklas informs the spruce man of the improbability that he will ever be chosen for anything.
"Only guy that could do that for me is that nut priest, but he hates me, so I can't. That's disappointing."
"A nut priest, you say? Perhaps he might be chosen, do you think? After all, one does not simply become a disciple of the unhallowed Nut Gods simply because they like the benefits. At least, not commonly."