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>>31479494

You and Mica find yourselves on Bell Street again on your way to meet Antonia. Looking for the Inn you think you saw her maybe-butler enter, you say the word out loud to yourself a few times, not sure if you got the pronunciation right. Before Mica can ask you about that. You see the younger man walk back out of the front doors of the inn again.

He appears to wear some sort of uniform underneath his open parka, studded with little gold buttons. The shoulders of his parka prominently display the same crest you saw on Antonia’s other henchmen, A diagonal cross split in half along one of it’s lengths by a symbolic eye.

The young man dabs his forehead with a cloth that he quickly stuffs back into a chest pocket in his parka. He starts to turn to walk down the street, but then stops to survey the street up and down. Clearly unsure as to where he’s going.

He sees you two and quickly walks over to you, as fast as he can without actually running.

“Hello? Do you live here?”

“Yes?” The two of you answer in unison.

“Do you know if there is a h-healer in town. Or maybe an apothecary?”

Lukewater hasn’t had a dedicated cleric or white witch in down for at least a decade. You know there are a few storefronts claiming to sell well being in various forms, but you don’t trust any of them. You think there might be a surgeon in town, he might just be a carpenter.

>[ ] Point the man to one of the quacks down the street.
>[ ] Ask what’s going on.
>[ ] Custom

>>31479515
>>[ ] Ask what’s going on.

>>31479841

“What’s going on?” You step forward.

“I just need someone that can take a look at a high fever! Or someone who can stop one.” He cups one hand in the other as he frets. “Or! Someone who can do both! Yes, both is good!” You subconsciously mimic his side to side movements as he attempts to stand in one spot while pacing.

“Uhm, I know there’s a surgeon in town. One of the elders would know where they stay.” You say, trying to be helpful. The man looks at you in shock.

“Goodness! Milady doesn’t need a butcher! She needs a doctor! Or a shaman! Or whatever it is you have in this backwater town!” He throws his hands up in frustration and goes to start buttoning up his parka.

“We’re not backwater! That’s mean!” Says Mica as she adopts a mockingly hurt face.

>[ ] “If it’s just a fever, I could possibly help.”
>[ ] “The only alchemist in town I trust owns a shop at the east end of Bell Street.
>[ ] “Try that again with less yelling.”
>[ ] Custom

>>31480531
>[x] “The only alchemist in town I trust owns a shop at the east end of Bell Street.

>>31480531
>>[ ] “The only alchemist in town I trust owns a shop at the east end of Bell Street.

>>31480563
>>31480595

“Um, The only alchemist in town I trust owns a shop at the east end of Bell Street.” A very conditional trust now that you think of it. You point down the road. “Whitetread, she might have something.” The man looks down the way over his shoulder as he fiddles around in one of the pockets inside his parka.

“Ah, ok, yes! Thank you! Yes! A thousand apologies!” He produces a few crowns and tosses the coins at you before you can say anything. You only manage to catch two of them, a third rolling in a circle at your feet. You get the feeling this should be insulting for some reason. The man hurries down the street in a half jog now. Mica appears at your side as she stands up from picking up the third crown.

“I’ll bet he comes from North Arcto.” She looks the coin over while speaking out the side of her mouth at you. “The way he says his ‘whys’ and ‘gees’.” She flicks the coin away behind her. “And the wet looking haircut.”

>[ ] Continue to Antonia’s(?) Inn.
>[ ] Follow the probable butler.
>[ ] Custom
>Ask Mica something? [ ] Yes [ ] No

>>31481007
>[x] Continue to Antonia’s(?) Inn.

>>31481213

You pocket the tip because why not, and head for the inn with the big windows. Interestingly, the front doors slide sideways instead of swinging open. A gust of wind coming from the interior catches you off guard when you open it. The inside is furnished very plainly, but in a blank way. White walls, well hidden light furnishings, they don’t appear to be oil or gas powered. No fireplace to be seen but the entire lobby feels well insulated, heated even.

There is a woman sitting behind a counter to the right. She looks up from a book when she hears the two of you walk in. Her eyebrows move up slightly from behind the thick red glasses she wears. She points at the two of you’s feet and then to a scroll hung up on the wall behind her. Mica, apparently reading said scroll removes her boots and places them in a rack you just noticed. Just as you follow suit you see the woman behind the counter produce some plain grey sandals and pass them to Mica, a second pair waiting for you.

“Um, we’re looking for a Miss Cross?” The woman rotates in her chair to face a series of small brass horns and buttons. She presses one of them while looking back to her book, a small chirping sound emits, followed by a few seconds of silence as she continues to read. Another chirp sounds from the array, higher pitch.

>Cont.

>>31481796

“Yes?” An older male voice replies, distant and tinny.

“Yeeeeah, we got a uh...” The woman turns the horn away “What’s your name honey?”

“Fera, uh, Walker, Miss.” You say as you get the second sandal on.

“A Miss Walker, looking for Miss Cross, are they in at the moment?” You think you hear Antonia’s voice in the background, only a lot more scratchy than you remember from the banquet.

“Miss Cross isn’t taking visitors right now Ma’am.” The older voice clears their throat to say something else, but you hear a scuffle and a garish metallic sound.

“Walker! I uh, I’m actually glad you’re here.” You hear Antonia’s scratchy voice say. The woman behind the counter picks the horn off it’s mount and hands it to you as it reels out what looks like a scaly black tube it’s attached to. She continues to not look anywhere but her book. “Hello? Walker? You there?”

“I’m here, Antonia right?” You move the small horn from the front of your head to the side.

“We can get to the introductions, *SNRRRCKT* uh, later ok? I just need you to get up here!”

>[ ] Head up to her room.
>[ ] Ask her what’s going on first
>[ ] Custom

>>31481956
>[x] Ask her what’s going on first

>>31482107

“What? Why? What’s going on?” The horn groans agitatedly at you.

“I need you to help me with something that these babysitters can’t! Ok? Please?” You hear her voice indistinctly bark orders at someone else.

“Did you catch a cold? You were fine yesterday.” Mica prods your shoulder as you reply.

“She was spotless last night when I saw her too!”

“Ugh! No, it’s just a, a cough, not used to the thin air up here. I’m fine.” A perfectly timed and horridly wet sounding cough rings through the horn. “Look, if you really don’t have, ugh, the time, send for the Toby kid, or even Lem.” She sounds pitifully weak despite her tenacity.

>[ ] “Alright, we’re coming up then.”
>[ ] “Your servant is already getting something from Whitetread's”
>[ ] “I’ll find the rest of your group then.”
>[ ] Custom

>>31482392
>[x] “Alright, we’re coming up then.”

>>31482438

“Alright, we’re coming up then.”

“Lifesaver, that you are.” There is another metallic sound and then a chirp.The woman holds out her hand for the horn in yours. Once you pass it to her she simply lets go of it and it reels back to it’s mounting along with the other ones.

“Third floor, suite C. It’ll be on the right honey.” The woman turns in her chair as she goes back to stuffing her face in the book.

You give Mica a look before heading for the stairs. She cheerily shrugs. All the doors in the hallways seem to be the sliding type like at the front. The amount of doors in the hallways of the second floor seems to be about half as many in the first. When you get to the third floor, instead of a hallway, there is a common room in the middle with a few tables and chairs, where two of Cross’s henchmen have just exited a room. They pay you a small amount of attention, politely dipping their heads before passing by you to the lower floors.

A seemingly sourceless fire silently flickers in the middle of the room, surrounded by a cylinder of a smooth black metal mesh. Four doors sit at the “corners” of this circular room. You eye them as you head to the door on the right with a large C on it. After knocking, Antonia answers the door herself quickly.

Gods she’s a mess.

>Cont.

>>31482822

Antonia is dressed in a white night gown that’s slipping toward one of her shoulders more than the other. Her long black hair hangs in disarray around her face. She does her best to smile and greet you, but retracts her right arm as she thinks better of it. “Yes! Hi! Come in.” She sticks out of the entry a bit to look down the landing of the stairs.

Mica enters first, her head swiveling about as she takes in the luxurious room. Large windows lie along the outside corner of the suite, surprisingly there are no shutters on the inside. Another doorway inside here leads to a lavatory. Pillows and blankets lay strewn across the floor along with sets of clothing and various camping gear.

Antonia sits at a desk with charts of the local area on it. She lifts a mug of coffee off it that leaves a ring on one of them. “Ok, Fera? Mica? I got those are your names right?” The two of you nod. She takes a sip of coffee, swallowing with visible difficulty, and stares at the two of you before speaking up again. “Someone nicked some of my meds last night.”

“Meds?” You hope this doesn't have anything to do with who you think it might.

“Remember when I mentioned the thin air up here? I hail from the Arctos. It takes a bit to acclimate.”

Arcto, yeah, the half-hidden kingdom. The way she talks you assume lower Arcto.

>>31483028

>Mention the sabotage? [ ] Yes [ ] No
>[ ] “Why do you need my help? Your servant was already off to Andrea’s.”
>[ ] “What do we get for helping you?”
>[ ] “What are you doing this far east?”
>[ ] Custom

>>31483028
>Mention the sabotage? [x] Yes [ ] No
>>[x] “Why do you need my help? Your servant was already off to Andrea’s.”

>>31483037
>>Mention the sabotage? [x] Yes [ ] No
>[ ] “Why do you need my help? Your servant was already off to Andrea’s.”

>>31483105
>>31483345

“And you said someone took them?” You take a seat at the desk while Mica wanders around the suite.

“I sure as hell didn’t misplace them.” Antonia sucks down a bit of mucus in her throat while making an awful face. “I uh, oh this feels like shit. I checked everywhere, they were lifted alright.” You lean back in your chair.

“Something similar happened to me last night, I don’t know if it’s the same person but...” Antonia puts the mug down and leans forward, the bags under her eyes shrinking as she squints inquisitively. “Well, there are three groups, and I’ve yet to hear about anything happening to Iori’s party.”

“Figures. That pinhead has been annoying with every breath.” Antonia raises her eyebrows and takes another sip from her mug. You hear running water and Mica squeak in surprise from the lavatory. “Do you know him at all? What’s his deal?”

>Cont.

>>31483533

“He’s the oldest of the captain of the guard’s children. A little overbearing, honestly not much.”

“That’s not a good question to ask Fera!” You hear Mica from the other room. You and Antonia both turn to see Mica peek out of the doorway. “I don’t mean that in a bad way! She just doesn’t speak much to people. Like at all!”

“T-thanks...” You sink in your chair. “Anyway, why do you need my help? Your servant was already off to Andrea’s” Antonia violently coughs, then clears her throat.

“Roy has a NAME!” She stops tensing up. “And he’s not a servant, he’s a dear friend, brother practically.” The girl does her best to posture authoritatively despite the pain she’s in. You simply stare back at her. “And, well, he doesn't know I’ve had this cough for a week now.”

“I don’t follow...”

“Ok, the usual stuff Arctons like me would take to acclimate? It takes a month. And comes with this whole regimen as well. I, I lied when I said I found something that acts faster.” She stands up from her chair. “I heard that you can get by on small doses of endurance salves. Like the kind you use for sprains and pulled muscles.” She starts to pace and kicks a pillow to a far wall. “I had more than enough for the whole trip, and when I got back there would be no problem telling Roy then and getting proper treatment.”

>Cont.

>>31483717

“I still don’t see why he can’t just get you more of that.” Antonia stops, gesturing at you in a quizzical fashion before dropping her hands.

“Because, If this is just a cold and not be going through altitude sickness and detox at the same time. Then I don’t get sent home for another ten years.”

“Oh.” She seems to have gotten in this situation all herself, still, you can’t imagine what 15 odd years of living under the ground must be like.

>[ ] “Ok. What do you need from us?”
>[ ] “This sounds really dangerous, for you. Shouldn’t you tell Roy?”
>[ ] “This sounds risky, you trade in favors?
>[ ] Custom

>>31483731
>>[ ] “Ok. What do you need from us?”

>>31483872

She seems to have planned the rest of this out, just one little hitch to sort out and she can get back on her feet.

“Ok. What do you need from us?” Antonia sighs in relief as you stand up from your chair. Mica appears behind her with a thumbs up. This is only mildly startling to Antonia.

“Again, thanks, so much.” She looks out the windows as she rubs the base of her neck. “If you can get me more salve with these specifications,” She produces a disc shaped container from a pocket in her gown. “and then sneak it back to me without Roy getting any hint of it. I can get my self put back together and handle the rest of this myself.” She hands the container to you. The inside is half full, and contains a yellowy speckled paste. “I think Toby can reproduce more of it after we leave, he just needs the materials.”

“What if he can’t?” Mica speaks up, sitting on the corner of the bed. Antonia folds her arms over her chest as she looks over her shoulder to Mica.

“He can, it’s not a very expensive formula.”

“And if you’re wrong?” You step toward the windows. Soft light from the streetlamps twinkles unnaturally sharply through them.

“Then I acclimate the hard way.” Antonia sweeps her mess of hair back. “I’m young, and no Cross ever died of sickness.”

For just a split second, the girl looked like she wasn’t about to collapse like a house of cards.

“You out of towners are so weird.” You smile.

>>31484178

>[ ] Find Tobias.
>[ ] Speak with Andrea.
>[ ] Find Rory, if she has anything to do with this, the rest of the salve might still be around.
>[ ] Custom

>[ ] Ask Antonia one more thing before leaving? [ ] Yes [ ] No

>>31484197
>>[ ] Find Tobias.

>[ ] Ask Antonia one more thing before leaving? [X] Yes [ ] No

How many days ago were you missing your medicine?

And I really do want to confront Rory about this. This is life-threatening shenanigans, man.

>>31484323

You continue to look out the window. You can see Roy exit Andrea’s shop near the end of the street. “Mica, do you know where Toby,” you sigh, “where Tobias lives.?” Mica giggles and hops to the window.

“With his mother!” She says, pointing at apparently Andrea’s shop. Right, you thought they looked familiar. How have you never seen him before? You turn to face Antonia again as she walks toward the lavatory.

“Antonia, I was curious, how many days have you been missing your ‘meds’?” You try out that gesture Mica uses.

“I told you, since yesterday.” She ducks behind the doorway to noisily blow her nose. “I opened that tin you have there yesterday morning. Couldn’t use the last bit until I could get someone to copy it. That, and Roy’s been on me like a hawk ever since I got all phlegmy last night.”

“The symptoms come in that fast?” You tilt your head.

“No, I...“She makes an exasperated gesture. “That salve is used to get soldiers up on broken legs so they can carry the worse for wear ones to safety.” You see her rear end come into view as she leans over the counter. “I must have had that cough for a while, just never noticed it until the magic wore off.”

>[ ] “So your plan is to drag your body through a four week hike running on nothing but military grade magic?” [Chiding]
>[ ] “Hopefully this is the tail end of that cold.” [Supportive]
>[ ] “You have any other supersoldier paste lying around here?” [Jovial]
>[ ] Custom

>>31484581
>>[ ] “So your plan is to drag your body through a four week hike running on nothing but military grade magic?” [Chiding]

>>31484692
Sorry for my late replies.

>>31484713
It's no problem.

>>31484692

“So your plan is to drag your body through a four week hike running on nothing but military grade magic?” Antonia stops whatever she’s doing around that corner, and slowly appears in the middle of the doorway again.

“You forgot the ‘and look fabulous doing it’ part.” She wipes a bit of spittle off on a sleeve. Then she smiles wide and confident, chipped incisor and all. Mica gives a small whoop at the proclamation and gently pulls you toward the exit by a sleeve.

You and Mica exit the suite. Mica speaks up as the two of you start to descend the stairs. “I think I might like her more than you now!” You give her a look, not really sure how to take that. “But you’re actually one of my best friends so you win by default!” You stumble as she snatches you in a hug at the landing just before the last flight of stairs.

>[ ] AWKWARD BACK PAT.
>[ ] Reciprocate hug.
>[ ] “Uh, that’s nice.”
>[ ] Custom

>>31484926
> Custom

Pet her head if she's short than us, otherwise an awkward back pat should suffice.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that since we're going to be together for a month or so."

>>31485032

Your arms just sort of, hang in front of you for a bit before you regain control of them again. You turn your head down and to the left slightly as you pat the top of her head tentatively. “Well, uh, glad to hear it.” Your hand pushes some of her hair out of the way as she moves. Just for a split second you see an elongated ear poking through, flicking in response to the irritation. “Especially since we’re going to be together for over a month.”

Mica intensifies the hug and lifts you off the ground a bit. She quickly puts you back down when you hiss at the sore muscles she crushes under her thin arms. “Ah! Sorry sorry sorry!”

“I’m fine!” You lie. “Just a bit sore.” You finish quietly groaning in tiny parts as you carefully head down the last steps. Mica is already putting her boots back on by the time you get to the lobby. Once the two of you have finally given the sandals back to the woman at the counter, you head back out into the bracingly cold morning air.

You know that Rory’s parents are involved with jewelry trade across the ocean. They own a branch of their offices here on Bell Street. But you also know they have a separate residence somewhere in the north half of Lukewater. At least, that’s the side of town you usually spot Rory in.

>[ ] Have Mica wait on Bell Street for Nolan.
>[ ] Bring her with you and head out.
>[ ] Wait for Nolan to show up.
>[ ] Go get Nolan, we got business to attend do.
>[ ] Custom.

>>31485233
>>[ ] Go get Nolan, we got business to attend do.

I think I'm going to have to start taking notes since I'm wondering whether Antonia is a party leader or not. I'm also terrible with names too...

>>31485301
Here!
http://pastebin.com/FCXD4aSd

>>31485339
>http://pastebin.com/FCXD4aSd
Well, ain't that helpful of you. :D

>>31485384
btw This isn't everyone that Fera knows, its just everyone that's been introduced.

>>31485396
Well, it saved me from going back to archives to look up who we've met so far.

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>>31485424

Anything for a loyal reader!

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>>31485445

>>31485301

The east sky begins to softly glow with shades of pink by the time the two of you arrive at the Rentoup family’s lodge. A handful of brothers are out already, loading shiny new machinery into a wagon to take it back up the river to the mill.

You spot Jake spot you as you walk up. He smiles apologetically and waves. Mica beams beside you, waving back. Which in turn warrants more waves from the brothers that aren't all carrying a several hundred pound boiler. You don’t see Nolan out here however.

Once they have the machine loaded, most of the brothers, and a few of the sisters, including Jake and Rachel head off to the mill. The smiley beardy one, notable for being the widest of the brothers, approaches the two of you.

“Gary Rentoup! Please-tuh meetcha!” He holds out a hand in greeting while grinning and showing off his huge white teeth.

“Fera Walker, it’s nice to meet you as well.” He catches you off guard by holding your hand and kissing the back of the glove on it like you’ve seen city folks do. Mica giggle-snorts when he does the same to her. “Uh, wow, ok.” You pull your hand back quickly. “I wanted to know if Nolan was ready to take his gear to Town Hall.” The great big man stands up straight and scratches a sideburn.

“Ah! Nolan! Yea he’s ready at this point, mostly worrin’ bout what books to take fer the trip!” He comically shields a whisper in Mica’s direction when he speaks about the books.

>>31485634


>[ ] “Can you get him for us?”
>[ ] “May we go inside?”
>[ ] Custom

>>31485649
Option 2

>>31485718

“May we go inside?”

“Of course!” The man starts ushering you to the front porch. “Yer just in time fer the second batch of eggs an’ bakey.”

“Ah, thanks but I alr-”

“YES! Very! Yes! Please and thank you!” Mica bounces up the steps and opens the door herself, dashing in. Gary smirks to himself as he scratches a sideburn again.

“Isshe always like that?”

“Hah, no, not always.” You stop as you realize Gary is about to do that door-openy-thing.

“No, ah mean is she always like that around you.” You think for a moment. All you knew about Mica just a day ago was that she was gloomy and avoided people.

“No, she’s... An entirely different person, around me.” Gary looks at you confused at first, then he seems to understand what you just did.

“Ye got that right!” He smile again and ushers you inside the lodge with a stunningly firm back pat. This is a nice moment so you just chew on the ache from your bruises quietly.

>Cont.

>>31485902

The main room is devoid of any Rentoups. You see Mica just as she finishes looking around at the paintings and mounted trophies. Then she darts off around a corner after loudly sniffing the air. You smell the bacon as well and head for the same corner.

Again you see their huge kitchen, two of the sisters and a brother are busy either cleaning, cooking, or eating. One of the sisters them is about as tall as you are. You decide they might be a mother or aunt when you see her turn around. The older woman has her golden hair in a large bun as she takes her arms out of a sink full of dishes and steaming water. She sees you and cracks a smile as she whistles to the brother, nabbing a bit of food right from one of the frying pans he works on.

“Huh?” He turns from one shoulder to the other as his mother points him to the two of you. He blinks and fishes glasses from a shirt pocket.

“Oh! You two sure are here early.” Nolan says. “I was gonna start more pancakes next, you want in?”

>FULL STOP.

>ARCHIVE http://pastebin.com/G3JFYrv1
>TWITTER @Sojourneyman

Sojourner Quest returns Wednesday 5PM MST.

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Ayo seriously, thanks for stopping by and reading my slow as fug story!

>>31485925
Thank you for running tonight's quest. Seems like there are three people following the quest but as it gets later, they begin to drop off.

Also, three minutes ago I became a Wizard. Feeling so magical right now.

>>31485979
Woe is my time slot.

Really I'd much rather do these in the mornings, but I don't know how many people would be up for that. PLUS it might block some of the few people who ARE reading.

Also, uh, congrats? I think?

>>31486001
Try it this Wednesday or in a weekend day. He response may or may not surprise you. Don't get hung up on writing speed. You're a lot faster than Archlon.

>>31486038
Not really familiar with a lot of the trips around here... But I meant as far as pacing goes. Sure I can crank out paragraphs once the blood is flowing but. Well, SQ is at thread 12 as of tonight and Fera has only now gotten to the morning of the next day.

Believe it or not Only today did we leave my preliminary notes. You know, notes that I whipped up expecting them to last me a thread or two.

>>31486127
Honestly, I need to get back to you on a post quicker. Lol