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>>44546883
[1/3]

Several weeks have passed since Miss Sedere arrived on the scene. The town had finally gotten together to dedicate themselves to the building of this port. They had it in the mind that once this port was finished, ships would suddenly come and bring all kinds of business and trade to the town of Ohlendorf’s Drift. You had to admit, you also had that inkling of an idea poking and prodding in your head. It was infectious. It was hope.

“Here, give me that!” It was getting to the point that even miners were skipping work to come help build the port. The Windsors had the lead in directing the construction of the free-floating port. You yourself are manning the rudder on the makeshift barge holding a wooden piledriver. Miss Sedere stated that there was a need to actually drive home the pillars into the ground so that they’d actually stay put. But as you got further from the town, that necessitated spending some wood and rope on building boats just for building the port. Wyborn and Dafne were busy smashing a wood pillar into the ground, water sloshing up everytime they smacked the wood.

“Hey, Miss Sedere?” asks Dafne. Miss Sedere looked over from her notebook at Dafne. “How come water is coming up and splashing us even though we’s doing nothing but hitting the wood?”

“It’s called water displacement,” you say. She tilts her head, confused. “You know when you put ice into a cup of water and the level of it rises?” She nods, slowly, still confused. “Think of it like that. Water isn’t something that disappears when something goes into it, it simply moves around it. Some certain materials also do soak up water as well, but this wood here is simply displacing the water everytime you smack it with the piledriver.”

“Ooooh…” Dafne squints, cocking her head. “So like… water doesn’t like having things in it?”

[1/3]

>>44546903
[2/2]

Miss Sedere sighs, a bit frustrated. “Yes. Water does not like it when things are in it, and endeavors to not touch the thing if at all possible. If you have a cup of water and-” She sighs again, slapping her forehead. “Why am I explaining water displacement theory to a child?”

You look at her, surprised. “You haven’t explained it to me yet.”

“Nor me either,” says Muck as he sits on your shoulder.

Miss Sedere knocks her head gently against the support. “Mercy.”

You walk over to her, smiling proudly. “Ah, don’t worry, Miss Sedere. We’ll… yeah! I mean, come on, we’re making good progress!” You motion over to the port, which is no more than twenty meters away now. “I bet we get this bridge done tonight! All the pontoons are finished too which means we’ll have this port done in no time.”

“It took me two days to explain why pontoons float,” she mutter. “And two more days to explain why air doesn’t sink.” She sighs deeply. “I’m sorry, I must seem condescending. You are doing a lovely job.” She smiles, very tiredly. “It’s just so difficult working with er… I don’t teach a lot so I’m not good with people who are as…” She places her hand on her chest, trying to find the right words.

“You saying we’s stupid?” asks Dafne.

“No!” Miss Sedere immediately blushes, shaking her head. “Absolutely not! You’re not stupid, you’re just- er. You’re-… slow.”

“She’s saying you’re stupid, Dafne,” Wyborn states.

“Shut up, Wyborn!” Dafne slaps Wyborn on the back, squealing in anger.

> “Maybe you just need a break. I’ll treat you to a spot of lunch.”
> “Work sets you free, Miss Sedere. We’ll get through this.”
> Other

>>44546925
>“Maybe you just need a break. I’ll treat you to a spot of lunch.”

>>44546925
>“Work sets you free, Miss Sedere. We’ll get through this.”

>>44546925

> “Maybe you just need a break. I’ll treat you to a spot of lunch.”

> “Maybe you just need a break. I’ll treat you to a spot of lunch.”

“Maybe you just need a break, Miss Sedere.” You smile happily, crossing your arms. “If you’d like, I can treat you to a spot of lunch. I caught myself a nice Salmon this morning and I have leftovers you know.”

She groans, rubbing her head. “I suppose we can. Mister Windsor, Miss Daufine, are you two good to go on without us?”

“Sure am!” declares Dafne. “Unlike Wyborn here, I’m actually respongable!”

“Responsible,” mutters Wyborn.

“Re-Whatever!” yells Dafne.

-

-

You and Miss Sedere hang your feet over the pier, watching as the bridge to the port comes to completion. In your laps are cuts of Salmon with slices of apples and some select cuts of hardtack, the soft cuts. “Isn’t this great, Miss Sedere? Everything we’re building is coming to fruitation so fast!”

“Fruition,” she corrects. “And yes, in just about a month your port is coming along nicely. Even ahead of schedule.” Oh man, Dottie would love to see this! “You know, I mean to ask you something, Mister Halbschwert. You really intend on staying here after the port is done?”

You blink. “What do you mean?”

She coughs. “Well, think about it. With a port comes business. That means gold and silver. That means it’ll attract all kinds of folk, farmers, musicians of the trade, blacksmiths, shipwrights, the whole world and what not. That means adventurers too.” Hm. Where is she going with this? “Did you get much in the way of actual questing and adventuring done before you came upon Ohlendorf’s Drift?”

[1/2]

>>44548011
[2/2]

… Oh. “Well… yes, of course I did! Just.” You twiddle your fingers together, sticking your tongue a bit. “Just um. Well, I didn’t get much profitable things done. I mean, Muck usually chose the stuff for me.”

Muck appears. “Don’t bring me into this.” He quickly disappears again. Damn it, Muck.

Miss Sedere nods. “I like the small town feel of places like Ohlendorf’s Drift. They’re cozy. But, I think you have to accept the fact that once, if, this town booms with the arrival of sailors and trade and commerce… you’re going to be swept aside.” A pit forms in your stomach. “I never was much of a fighter like my mother but she always did tell me that the business of adventuring is cutthroat. It’s a constant competition for glory.”

“I’m not in it for glory,” you state. “I never was. I just want to…” She stares at you, wondering if you are in fact lying to her. You’re not! Of course you left home and crossed the ocean! You wanted to make money, you wanted to… Ugh. “What are you getting at?”

“There are bigger things in life than adventures,” she says. “You might be a small man, but even you can realize that.” She goes back to cutting up her salmon slices, a stern expression creasing her face. “So tell me, do you intend to stay here if the town booms or not?”

> “No.”
> “Yes.”
> “I don’t know.”
> Other

>>44548032
>“I don’t know.”

Honestly, I'll play it by ear. They might need more guards to keep the rougher elements in line if the town grows, regardless of how many former miners take up guard duty. But if the town outgrows me, I'll just hit the road like I always have.

Unless you had some sort of proposal that you wanted to bring up?

>>44548032
>> “I don’t know.”

>>44548032
>> “I don’t know

> “I don’t know.”

“I don’t know, okay? I guess I’ll ford it by feeling for stones. They might need more guards, they might need people to kill a monster or two but… well if the town outgrows me, fine, I’ll hit the road.” You blink, leaning back a little and looking down at your meal. You earned that meal fair and square, like every one before it when you first set foot on Therindel’s soil. The ancestral homeland of all humanity. You bite your lip, continuing to look down at it. “Look, Miss Sedere, I know what you’re trying to do. I don’t think I’m interested being an escort for you.”

“I wasn’t asking,” she says. “But I’ll file that away for later.”

“Look, adventuring ain’t just about personal glory. I mean-“ You hold out a hand, trying to emphasize your point. “What are our kids going to say if we tell them all we did was farm or fish or build things?” She tilts her head, quirking her brow. Oh. Oh. You worded that wrong, oh hell. “I-… I mean, your kids and my kids, I don’t intend on us ever like er- I mean, that’s not to say- You- I…”

“Deep breath,” she states. You take a deep breath, feeling the blood rush to your cheeks. Ugh, how did you embarrass yourself so quickly?

“That was fast,” says Muck.

[1/2]

>>44549005
[2/2]

“Shut up, Muck,” you mutter.

“They’re kids,” says Miss Sedere. “They’ll love you no matter what you do. And don’t underestimate the impact that a good farm system or fishing net or even well-built house can have on a people. Just because you don’t slay monsters or sniff out treasures doesn’t mean you’re useless.” She leans back a little, looking up at the sky. “You know, I once had a student a bit like you. He always wanted to rush right into the life of adventuring. I nurtured him as best I could in the art of besieging castles and fortresses. But most importantly math.”

“Uh huh?” You take a sip from your canteen, giving her your ear.

“That kid still left for adventure anyway,” she says. “I get letters from him from time to time. He always thanked me for the lessons I gave him. And that’s really the thing.” She stands up, taking her lunch with her as she chews on a bit of salmon. “Thanks for the lunch, Hartmut. I should go back to overseeing the construction.” She starts walking down the completed part of the bridge, but then turns around to look at you. “By the way, have you been studying? I did give you that book on the alphabets, I was wondering if you made any progress.”

… uh.

> “Can I just say how beautiful you look right now? I mean, absolutely ravishing!”
> “Sure I have!”
> “No. Not lately.”
> Other

>>44549024
> “Sure I have!”
buuuuut not making much headway. Like hitting my head on a wall.

>>44549024
>“Sure I have!”

Progress has been made!

Just hope she doesn't ask how *much* progress.

>>44549024
>“Sure I have!”

Sort of. A bit. [blush]

> “Sure I have!”

“Oh, sure I have!” You grin, waving her off.

“Spell boat,” she asks.

“Er.” You blink. Damn it, you didn’t make it that far last night. “Um.”

“Neither of those are letters.” She rolls her eyes, smiling bemusedly. “You’re funny, Hartmut.” She points her finger at you, smiling a bit. “I like you. But please catch up on your education. A person who refuses to read has no advantage over one who can’t.” She turns around, a swagger to her hips as she returns to her duties.

Muck appears again. “I hope you never learn to read, that would put me out of a job.”

“Oh, I love you too much to kick you out, Muck,” you say. He tilts his head, his one eye glaring at you. “What? That ain’t sarcastic!”

“It certainly wasn’t filled with love either,” he states.

“Aw, don’t give me that you smoky little bugger!”

-

-

“Closer!” The sun was already setting on the day, but the progress you made was evident right here and now. Being towed closer to the end of the now fully completed bridge was the pontoon port. “Come on! Put your backs into it!” yells a miner. You, Dottie, the kids, and nearly every townsperson tugs on ropes pulling it closer. Miss Sedere sits on the port, ready to signal you all to stop. You hear a sudden crash of wood however. “Stop!” You immediately let go of your rope, fearing the worst. You and Dottie quickly head out of the crowd and step up to the front.

And there tying the now completed port together to the bridge was Miss Sedere. She looks over at the two of you, smiling. She tugs on the last knot, pulling it taut. “Right. People of Ohlendorf’s Drift.” She motions to the modest piers stretching out of the pontoon platform. “You have a port!”

[1/2]

>>44550179
[2/2]

Hats and tools went flying up into the air as people cheered. Hugs and handshakes went all around. “We did it!” Dottie immediately hugs you happily, tightly. You pat her on the back, sighing in relief. “The town’s safe! My home’s saved! Thank you so much!” She gently pushes away, looking in the eye with the most excited look on her face. It’s as if the King himself visited on King’s Day. “Hartmut! You’ve saved this town!”

“No, no,” you say. “I’m just an ideas guy, it mostly all you!” The guards all happily hug and shake hands with Dottie, and she quickly goes around with the lot of them, celebrating. Dottie looks back to you however. “Really, it was!”

Miss Sedere comes up to you, smiling. “The ideas have to come from somewhere.” She taps your head, smiling. “Just be glad it came from you.”

“A feast! A feast in the Town Hall!” yells the Mayor. “Bring your finest fishes and ales! And all of your bread and pork! We are sure to get extra food anyway!” Everyone hurrahs loudly as they begin rushing down the bridge. “Slowly! The bridge isn’t that stable you goons!” She hobbles after everyone, groaning in pain. “Ugh, no one stop to help the old Mayor, why…”

-

-

“You’re leaving?” you ask.

“Of course,” she says. She packs her books onto the saddlebag of her horse. You can hear the music and the dining inside the townhall. It was a stark mood however even with the happy chanting inside. “My work is done, there isn’t much need for me to stay much longer.”

Dottie as well stands next to you, appalled at Miss Sedere’s sudden departure. “Surely you’d at least stay the night.”

[2/3]

>>44550202
[3/3]

“I can’t,” says Miss Sedere. “I’d prefer to go now to the High City and visit my family there. You two are always free to visit however.” You nod, fine, fair. But not really fair at all! She’s just leaving like that? “I truly am sorry, but… well, this is not my town after all. All I did was push you all into doing it properly. You still would have done it yourself.”

“We paid you to do that,” says Dottie.

“Yeeeeeah…” Miss Sedere curls her lip.

> “Well, farewell then.”
> “Come on, at least for the night.”
> Other

>>44550221
>“Come on, at least for the night.”

A mining town in full swing is a once in a lifetime experience. Free food is also a nice thing.

>>44550221
>“Come on, at least for the night.”

One night of celebration. Come oooooonnnn.

>>44550221
>> “Come on, at least for the night.”

>>44550221
> “Come on, at least for the night.”

> “Come on, at least for the night.”

“Come on, at least for the night. There’s no hurry.” She seems to hesitate when you beg for her. “Look, I haven’t been in town long, but know that you’re missing out when miners are partying. Plus, it’s free food.”

She looks back at her horse, then over at you and Dottie. You both smile, trying to beg for her nonverbally to stay. She sighs, relenting. “Alright. Just for the night. But I will be gone in the morning.” You and Dottie give each other a slap of the hands, then lead Miss Sedere inside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPX3jAJg8iM

The Town Hall is alive with the sounds of fiddles, accordions, and stringed instruments of all kinds blasting out the bad and welcoming in the good. Miners, no longer covered in soot or dust happily eat their fill and brag to each other about how much they contributed to the building of the bridge. In the center of it is a dance floor for friends and family to stomp their feet and kick their legs to the music.

“Mister Halbschwert!” The Mayor walks up to you, smiling. Probably the only time you’ve seen her smile in weeks. “I must say.” Dottie and Miss Sedere look at you proudly, happy that the Mayor is about to give you a compliment. “I guess hiring you wasn’t a mistake after all. It has been years since I’ve seen this town alive with the sound of music!” She pats your arm, nodding to you. “Be a good boy now, don’t squander this.” She hobbles away, happy.

Well, you guess that was a compliment.

But you yourself are happy. The sounds of music being played was pure Therindel. Every human worth his salt knew the universal language of music. Feet too, the tapping of your feet to the beat was already telling you that you were in the mood for a dance.

> Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance.
> Take Dottie in for a dance.
> Join the band in playing.
> Other

>>44551324
>Take Dottie in for a dance.

>>44551324
>Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance.

>>44551324
> Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance

File: dance battle.gif (2.91 MB, 200x155)

2.91 MB GIF

>>44551324
> Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance.

Show off our sick moves

>>44551324
>> Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance.

> Bring Miss Sedere in for a dance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkR79UXPh3M

You take Miss Sedere’s wrist in your hand, smiling at her. “Miss Sedere, how about a dance?”

“Oh, I couldn’t-“ You start dragging her to the dance floor. “Or I could.” Dottie giggles a little, watching you two as you pull her in. The two of you find a place on the crowded dance floor, then find your footing as the music plays. Just for your information, you consider yourself a fine dancer. You had to learn how to dance, considering there was no musical instrument you could learn on short notice back home. You tap your feet to the music, banging the heel of your boots to the tune. You keep your arms high, happily looking at her as you dance circles around her. She watches you curiously, looking at your foot movement.

You stop, then bow to her. “You try now!” She nods, sticking her tongue out as she slowly taps her feet to the beat. Once she’s got a rhythm going, she goes faster, even kicking her feet up as the fiddle strings sing. “See, like that!”

“Alright, alright!” she says. “Don’t rush me!” She laughs a little as the two of you jump and stomp your feet to the song. Around you others are happily laughing and cheering as they dance and whoop to the fiddles and the banjos and guitars. With a few kicksteps, the blood is already pumping and you’re feeling hyped up. You wouldn’t mind retiring to a life of dancing you think. But with Miss Sedere, she clumsily mimics your movements, trying to get a loud stomp from her feet. But she nearly trips.

Nearly, you did catch her. “Whoa, ha ha!” You laugh, wiping your face of sweat. “Careful, partner!”

“Oh please!” she rolls her eyes, sliding her feet and scratching the heels against the wooden floor. Her skirt and jacket billow about as she moves not just the legs, but the entire body. The hips sway, the chest pumps, the legs kick and jump. She smiles, a little smile telling you that she’s enjoying herself.

[1/2]

>>44552591
[2/2]

You look back at Dottie, who laughs at the two of you as she claps to the beat. One of her guardsmen catches her attention, and judging by the slight blush on her face he must’ve asked her to dance. Fair enough. She follows him on.

-

-

You and Miss Sedere rest on a bench, eating up the last bits of dinner. Most of the townspeople have left Town Hall, leaving some stragglers such as you and Miss Sedere to clean up and eat the leftovers. Dottie naps on one of the benches, the guard having tucked her in with his cape for warmth. “I must say,” says Miss Sedere. “I don’t get to dance often, but rest assured, I do know how to dance.”

“You could have fooled me,” you say. She slaps your shoulder, pouting a bit. “Sorry, sorry. Just… well, you had fun, didn’t you?”

“I did,” she says. “Thank you, Hartmut. I’m glad you convinced me to stay the night at least.”

“Well, I have a certain charisma I guess,” you boast.

“No he doesn’t,” says Muck as he rests in a fruitbowl. You glare at him mockingly. “Hey, someone needs to humble you.”

“Of course,” says Miss Sedere. She looks at you, smiling. “You know, you are free to visit me in the High City. I won’t ask you to part with Ohlendorf’s Drift so soon but, if you are ever in the neighborhood. Well…”

> “We’ll see.”
> “I’d love to.”
> “I think I’ll be staying for now.”
> Other

>>44552614
If I'm ever heading that way
> “I’d love to.”
Course you might be asked back to help design more of this works out.

>>44552614
>> “I’d love to.”

>>44552614
>“I’d love to.”

>>44552614

I sure hope we finish that book on the alphabets by then.

>>44552614
>“We’ll see.”

This town's about to change. I want to see it happen.

>>44552614
> “I’d love to.”

> “I’d love to.”

“I’d love to.” You smile, leaning back on the table and looking up at the ceiling. Cold hard wood. “But first, I want to see this town change. I want to see sailors come by. I want to see businesses boom. I want to see Dafne actually read a book. You know, I Just want to see the fruits of our labor actually mean something.”

“I understand,” she says. “Well, you’re always welcome.” She smiles happily, leaning back with you as well.

…

Muck steps in between you two. “So, will you be staying the night then?” he asks.

“Yes, I might as well.” She reaches into her bag, then pulls out a big cloak. “I think I’ll stay here for tonight.” She pats it down on the bench, making herself a makeshift mattress to sleep on.

“Y-… you don’t want to like get a bed or something?” You stand up, ready to lead her on to the tavern where she can rent a room.

“No, no.” She lies on her side, curling up a bit. “I’ve had worse surfaces to sleep on. This is actually very much comfortable.” She looks over at you. “Stay safe, Hartmut.” Oh well. Okay. You look at her as she shuts her eyes and sighs, heading to sleep. Well, you guess you can always say goodbye in the morning then. Oh well. You decide to take Muck and step out in to the cold night air. With the music and cheer gone, all that’s left is the water drifting downstream to accompany.

You and Muck walk towards the newly built port. “So. Is this how you imagined your adventuring would turn out for this town?” he asks.

“Not really,” you say. “I mean, I knew Ohlendorf’s Drift would be a one horse town, I just didn’t think…” You stop, right before the bridge. Muck turns to look at you. “Be honest with me, Muck. Am I really in it for glory and fortune?”

Muck sits down on the pier, looking up at you. “You remember how we met?”

[1/2]

>>44553545
[2/2]

…

“Well, consider this,” he says. “If you truly were in it for fortune and glory, then you and me would not be traveling together at all.” He tilts his head. “Trust in yourself, Hartmut. There is nothing selfish about fortune and glory. I feel your biggest desire is simply a legacy to be proud of. There is nothing wrong with pride in oneself.” He climbs up your body then sits down on your shoulder. “Especially if oneself does live up to the pride.”

“Oh, stop flattering me,” you mutter. He gently paws at your cheek, affectionately. “So what do you think?” You motion down to the port, lit by the soft glow of lanterns.

“It’s well-built.” He looks at you again, with his single red eye. “Real question is, will sailors go for it?”

You hope they do. “Muck. One more question.”

“It’s not what Miss Sedere looks like underneath those clothes, is it?” he asks. You slap him on the head, frowning. “Ow. I am just saying. You’d love it.”

“Do you think I’ve been a good adventurer?” you ask simply and truthfully. Muck blinks, then nods. “Really?”

“You don’t need to ask me that. Do you think that?”

> “Of course.”
> “Not really.”
> “Eh…”
> Other

>>44553563
> “Eh…”

>>44553563
>“Eh…”

I've seen lots of new places, met lots of new people, and participated in the slaying of a lot of dangerous monsters. But sometimes I wonder if there's more to it than that or if there's something I'm missing.

>>44553563
> “Eh…”
> Other
I feel like There is more to do.

>>44553563
Fluff's got it with >>44553776

>>44553563
>> “Eh…”
>>44553776
this

> “Eh…”

“Eh…” You shrug. “Look, I’ve been a lot of places, seen lots of things you know. I just feel like there’s all kinds of stuff I’m missing. Like there’s more to do.”

“There’s always things to do,” says Muck. “In the time we are given on this good green world, we must decide what is worth our time. Some like me have it easier than others.” Yeah, that immortality thing combined with being nothing but a floating ball of magic can give him a lot of options. You sigh, crossing your arms. “Don’t beat yourself up, sometimes things may turn out to be worth it in the long run.”

“I guess,” you say. You place your hands on your hips, looking out to the stars, reflected into the ocean. A brilliant cascade of light against the darkness. The water ripples, making them dance and sway in the light of the moon. You wonder briefly if people could live amongst those stars. Then you push it out of your head. No thank you, sir. You like being on Valaer. “Tell you what, Muck. If it does turn out to be worth it, helping the people of Ohlendorf’s Drift, I’ll eat my hat.”

“You don’t even wear a hat,” he says.

“Whatever, I mean…” You grunt, coughing a bit. “Look, if it does turn out to be worth it. Then yeah, I’ll have you to thank, I’ll have the people here to thank for it too.” You smile a little. “Muck, it’s always been you and me against the world. But I think this time, it’s going to be you and me building a legacy here.”

“Oh, it’ll be all you. Everyone is going to forget the sidekick,” he mutters. You pet him on the head, chuckling a little. “I like that though, a legacy.”

A legacy.

>>44554242
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zPNoTFGHhc

That's it for tonight's chapter of Town Adventurer Quest. The next time I run this will be the final time for this short little mini-series foray into the Magic Shop-verse. Hope you all enjoyed, thanks for playing.

Follow at: https://twitter.com/GermanSchteel
Ask at: http://germanschteel.tumblr.com/

See you next time.

>>44554269
Thanks for the thread, it was a rather slow thread today/

>>44554281
That's more for me being a bit tired. I guess vacationing in North Carol took more out of me than I realized.

>>44554269

Thanks for the run, GS. See you next time!

>>44554296
Well I was thinking of visitor count but thanks regardless.

>>44554269
Thanks for running GS.

>>44554269
Thanks for the fun, Boss.

Magic Shop-verse is always comfy fun.

I find it odd that 4chan says there's 9 posters in here, but there's only about 4 of us voting.

Are the other 5 just lurking or is the count off?