C+6
Your rage has increased by +1.
Flor woke at the Brawler’s Rest. The wood beneath her was hard. She swore that she felt aches and pains, but she wasn’t sure if they were phantom pains caused by the hard plank bed or the torture she endured waking in the dungeon yesterday.
She shivered, not desiring to remember her time in that place.
She also suffered something like embarrassment and wondered if that was a dream or some other factor. Having been restrained spread eagle on a rack, without the ability to move or see or complain or fight back, she felt the fear build and time pass. At least she could bide an amount of time by exploring through her interface, checking the menus and submenus for what seemed like hours.
Eventually, she heard fighting. And then, embarrassingly, Alastair was there removing the hood from her head and freeing her hands. Sparks was there also, alongside an impressing-looking…wizard… restraining the keep guards. Flor fell into Alastair’s arms as he freed her. After a few moments, Maelstrom joined the group. Flor prepared to fight her, but Alastair said she was there to help.
The wizard, Fausta, had then said that they would best obtain the cats from the Keep and that he could guide them to the expected locations of each, which is how they ended up petting eleven additional cats that day. Well, Sparks had said she found two of them earlier. {The twelve cats are Shizuka (Japanese bobtail), Hibiki (aka Biscuit Maker – of unknown breed), Makeki (a lucky cat), Tora (American shorthair), Michiko (Persian), Hikaru (Japanese shorthair), Michi (Japanese bobtail), Bakereko (Yokai), Nitame, Yontama, and Hachi who are all various colors of Japanese bobtail.}
Fausta led the way but stopped short of the Main Hall. In a quiet voice, he said, “Again, I implore you to not try to solve this puzzle now. I believe you are too weak to complete the assault now, and although I am powerful, I cannot assist you. Indeed, I will not do so even if you ask.”
Flor, still feeling disoriented from either the poison or the being tied up, looked to Alastair, who was supporting her. He said, “I’ll explain later.”
Fasuta continued, “After one additional cat, the only remaining cat in the Keep is in the Main Hall and only available after you complete the assault. Instead, I recommend you each go back to your point of origin. As I cannot vouch for your safety and rest for the evening, I recommend against sleeping here in the keep. Tomorrow, you must unlock the Interface 3 setting control by petting cats. You must gain enough power to complete the assault. Having reviewed your statuses, I recommend you pursue the cats at Diederick. Then, although I will do so as well, you must find the other players in this game and encourage them to push for completion. We must rescue the player at Inflection Point.”
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Maelstrom said, “Any word yet on a boon provided for doing so?”
“Again, you have my word that I have asked. But time here is stretched compared to the outer world. Therefore, the question is likely still in consideration by the developers and other stakeholders.”
“So, big fat chance of no, then.”
“It has been less than four subjective minutes since you asked the question and I passed it along. Give them at least a game day to process the request. That I am here should encourage you that they recognize the danger and are invested in resolving it amicably.”
Sparks convinced the group of the worth of spending a few coins getting drunk at the Widow’s Siege bar. No one had complained, although Fausta declined.
The group, including Maelstrom, to Flor’s chagrin, made the way down the mountain to the city and then up to the odd resort that was Widow’s Siege. Alastair had exclaimed at the place and cursed their luck not having that as their starting location. Then, they sat around the table served by Barkeep Ja.
Despite his insistence, Flor had discouraged Alastair from staying with her for the night.
And now it was morning. Flor wondered if she had time to get to Ametz to reduce her rage before kicking off the day.
Alastair – Party: Good morning, everyone. Maelstrom and I are on the ship requesting to be let off at the Lighthouse. It should take us the longest to get to the Monastery. We can pick up Sparks along the way and then meet Flor at the Shilgrave south gate.
Although she had switched from the boat to the Brawler’s Rest, Flor hadn’t known was possible to switch starting locations. Although Fausta had said not to sleep at the Keep, she took that as a warning against danger, not as changing her location. That lessened her time, but maybe she could get to Ametz. Self-care was a priority, anyway.
Galoots – Party: Hi, everyone. Sorry I missed the party last night. Glad you’re all safe and recovered. I’ll have a beer ready for you when you get here. What’s the ETA?
Alastair – Party: A bit over three hours, so 8:30-ish.
Flor – Party: Wait for me at the south gate. I have a couple of chores to do, so give me an extra half hour. Unless you want to visit Mida and the Lords while you’re here?
Alastair – Party: It’s reasonable to have those conversations, but we probably have time to chat with those folks after we unlock the next party size and can draw the other players to the party.
Flor – Party: Well, I still need that half hour.
Alastair – Party: That way we’ll maximize the progress to opening the tower for the most people.
Alastair – Party: …
Galoots – Party: I have an hour until the bread is served, so I’ll see if I can find an early morning cat or two.
Alastair – Party: Okay, Flor. We have lots to do today to assault tomorrow, so minimize lollygagging, please.
Flor felt her rage rising. She had felt calm, at least calmer, over the past few days, but with just one day back in her life, Alastair was already contemptible. It would be unfortunate to make Sparks wait, and she still wasn’t sure about Maelstrom, but Alastair could wait for a half hour or longer for her at the south gate.
