I smell fire.
We're almost there.
Annie is slightly confused by his answer and how seemingly unfazed he is.
Don't you want to do something about
it?
Fires out here aren't all bad news.
Some are, but I'm gonna guess this one's our campfire.
Annie and Jack walk over a ridge, revealing a view of the small valley
beyond. The large, open bunker door is visible on the other side,
with bushes to the left and right and an open area in front of it that
connects to an old, partially overgrown street. A person is sitting
next to a fire right in front of the door, cooking over the flames.
Is there a word for a terrain feature like a very
small valley?
They make their way across and Jack introduces Michelle and Annie to each
other.
So you join us out here after all?
Yeah, things kinda went south quickly.
They all sit down around the fire and Annie recounts the events of the
recent past while the meal continues cooking.
A noise in the bushes around the bunker entrance gets their attention.
Michelle tilts her head, then turns around.
Is that a dog? There's a dog here!
A medium-sized, brown dog runs out, barks and then runs back into the
bushes. A moment later, it reappears, followed by a guy wearing a long,
dark green coat that has been patched a few times. He holds a long staff,
using it as a Wanderstab? Cane?.
Good evening!
They greet the stranger back and Michelle and Jack invite him to stay.
Gladly. He comes closer.
I'm James, the green wizard of
Siren's Edge.
Michelle, time traveller. Can you show us
some of your magic?
Well, currently no, my staff is broken.
He swings it around and makes some funny noises.
See? Not working.
They all have a laugh and Annie and Jack introduce themselves in a more
normal manner. Michelle asks:
What leads you to the area?
I am searching for... Dora!
C'mere, sit!
The dog stops sniffing the pots over the fire and returns to James.
As I was saying, I am looking for pictures
from the old world like this one...
He shows an old, crumpled photo that, while faded and discolored, still
clearly depicts a nebula and some stars.
... and maybe the means to take them.
I heard there is a quite well-preserved observatory near
Sentinel Shores.
This is a new lead for Michelle and Jack.
Michelle takes the pots off the fire and Jack gets dishes from inside
the bunker.
(Some of) The food is unfamiliar to Annie.
While eating, they discuss their mission.
Copyright © 2023 Jan Danielzick (aka. BodgeMaster) – All rights reserved.