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"There's a gazebo in here? A live one?! Isn't that dangerous?" Kalchine says, following Fin to see this wonder.
He casts a frowning, worried look at Quasit but this is not the time for a new stranger to but in when their are old friends around.
"There's a gazebo in here? A live one?! Isn't that dangerous?" Kalchine says, following Fin to see this wonder.
He casts a frowning, worried look at Quasit but this is not the time for a new stranger to but in when their are old friends around.
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"I don't think she's going to make pancakes." Maka replied with frustration in her voice.
”Maybe we should have tried harder to make Viveka come with us.” says Quasit as she wistfully thinks of pancakes.
The warmth of the room (especially after the chilly flight here), her insomnia the night before, generous swallows of plum wine, and the emotional downslope of her catharsis, conspire to quickly render Quasit drowsy. Within 20 minutes, her leaning into Sakitu just spills all the way into sleep, highlighted by the light nicker of her snoring.
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"There's a gazebo in here? A live one?! Isn't that dangerous?" Kalchine says, following Fin to see this wonder.
”Aye, but luckily for us, Selena here is most feared gazebo slayer on Golarion,” Fin quips with a wink…he leaves Kalchine hanging for just a few seconds before letting him know it’s a joke…
"Oh...good, good. Wait, so she's not a gazebo slayer?" Kalchine says, thinking the wrong part is the joke.
"Oh, that makes much more sense. My mentor told me it was some sort of 6 legged snow leopard but all black and with tentacles on it's back and that it looked like it was in a different spot from where it really is," Kalchine says.
"I couldn't believe such a thing could really exist and I'm glad I was right. I'm sure she was just easing me."
As Quasit nodded off, Maka silently checked if Saki had things under control. With that settled, Maka decided that if there were going to be pancakes then she was going to have to make them herself. She wasn't entirely sure how to make them, but she figured she could sort out a batter and fry it up.
Between their own supplies and the supplies they had gotten from Spurhorn, she had managed to find just about everything she needed. There wasn't any syrup, and Maka didn't know how to make any, but there was plenty of sugar. And while they didn't have any actual cinnamon, they still had some cassia bark from the centaur camp, which was close enough. Plus she'd found a mortal and pestle that easily ground the bark to a fine powder. Thankfully they had some butter, cream, and eggs from the supplies they had gotten from Spurhorn, though Maka wasn't sure from what animals.
The first two batches had been a disaster. The first entirely too thick and dry, the second entirely too thin and wet, and both too bland. But the third batch had turned out all right. She had added extra sugar, spice, egg, and cream resulting in a rich but somewhat runny batter.
And for this batch Maka had given up on the fireplace/stove. Electing instead of simply hold the frying pan against the flat of her flaming hand. This let her keep the temperature perfect, allowing her to get a nice browning on both sides. And an extra dusting of sugar and cassia with a quick torching from her fingers left one side slightly caramelized.
The resultant creation was something between a pancake and a crepe, but overall was't bad. The subsequent frying of cured meats went much quicker and easier. By the time Maka was finished, she had made such a mess that Zorka likely wished she had just made pancakes herself. A light dusting of flour, sugar, and grease covered a meter radius around Maka. While a large pile of half raw and burnt mistakes lay in the trash.
"Okay, breakfast dinner is served!" Maka called to the others with a wave. Each movement of her arm shaking off a bit more flour from her coated figure.
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"My mentor told me it was some sort of 6 legged snow leopard but all black and with tentacles on it's back and that it looked like it was in a different spot from where it really is," Kalchine says.
Fin’s eyebrows furrow as he ponders. ”Hmmm…I have heard of such a beast…there are none such in Golarion, at least not that I am aware of. However, there was a very old desert sage, in our Osirion tribe, who told tales of such a creature, back when I was just a wee Elf…a displacer beast, he called it…they inhabited a magical realm called Greyhawk. The old Elf claimed he lived there before stumbling thru a portal that brought him here, more than 500 years ago…but we thought it just tall tales he told to entertain, or scare, children…”
Zilvazaarat is, indeed, awaiting you in the gazebo in the center of the 'garden'. He stands and spreads his arms wide as you approach.
"Ah, friends! It is good to see you. I have brought the items you requested, and I understand you have some very interesting things to trade in return. Come, come! Show me!"
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Fin approaches closer, along with the others, bowing deeply. ”Thank you, Master Zilvazaraat, we’re much obliged. Here is the gear for which you brought us upgrades…and here are some other magical items, some very unique, we’re sure you’ll find useful” he says, as he and his accompanying friends bring forth and present said items, which they had gathered earlier, to the merchant…
Then Fin digs out a couple of bags or so, of gold, gems, and jewelry from his backpack, adding them to the display. ”And here is the balance for said upgrades and the few new items we requested…”
He steps back, giving Zilvazaraat the time and space needed to inspect the payment, anxious to see and try out his purchases but keeping his mien and countenance even…
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"Okay, breakfast dinner is served!" Maka called...
Normally one would have better luck waking a hibernating marmot than the physically and emotionally exhausted rogue, but the aroma of sausage pancakes works on Quasit's subconscious like a fishhook and drags her eyes open in short order.
"Oh!" she says in a scratchy voice, then pushes herself upright and walks like a hypnotized person over to Maka and tenderly grasps the messy but delicious-looking treat with both hands as one would a baby bird. She lifts it reverently to her nose and inhales deeply, then takes a bite and sumptuously chews. It's only now that she notices the powdered state of her friend and realizes that Maka has made these. For her. Quasit smiles around her full mouth and her eyes water a bit.
"T'ag you..." she says through her food and sniffles. Chewing, she leans in and hugs her with both arms. "It's yummy. You're such a good friend."
"T'ag you..." she says through her food and sniffles. Chewing, she leans in and hugs her with both arms. "It's yummy. You're such a good friend."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you like them!" Maka wrapped her arms around Quasit as she returned her embrace. The fire monk was delighted to bring some comfort to her friend, however small. When the pair finally pulled apart, Quasit found herself dusted with flour where she had made contact with Maka.
Zilvazaraat smiles broadly as he looks over all that you've brought him. "Ah, so many fascinating pieces..." he murmurs to himself, looking over the dragonhide armor.
"Yes, this will do nicely! Now, here are the things you requested."
He snaps his fingers and a large chest appears. The mercane unlocks it, opens it, and steps back. "I hope you will find these satisfactory, friends. I believe there is true potential in our partnership. We both profit! You get stronger, and I get richer!"
He laughs at his... joke? "Now, is there anything else right now?"
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Fin admiringly eyes his new bow, picking it up before gathering his other gear, testing its pull, very pleased. Laughing at Zilvazaraat’s joke, he says, ”Aye, my friend, these items are top shelf. This is a match made in Heaven, indeed; if you keep making us stronger, we’ll keep making you richer, you have my word…”
"Now, is there anything else right now?"
Fin shakes his head, a friendly smile on his face. ”Not right now, methinks. We are grateful for your services, Master Zilvazaraat, you are a most excellent and honorable merchant. We hope to be in touch with you again soon, once we acquire our next stash. Till then, m’Lord!”
Fin gathers his stuff and Sakitu’s as the others there gather their own. ”With Sakitu and Maka comforting Quasit, we should take their stuff to them. Bull if you could gather Maka’s…and Kal, would you mind gathering Quasit’s items to take to her?”
He walks back to the main chamber; seeing the girls eating, Fin assumes it is safe to approach. ”Uh, we met with Zilvazaraat; he was very pleased with our payment and gave us all the items we requested in return. Hlao-roo, I have your stuff, when you’re ready. Maka, Q…Bull and Kal have brought yours. Maka, I have the special inks, pens, and needles so, whenever you’re ready, we can get started on your tats…and, if anyone else wants to get the group tattoo, I can do yours as well…”
Maka, I have the special inks, pens, and needles so, whenever you’re ready, we can get started on your tats…and, if anyone else wants to get the group tattoo, I can do yours as well…”
"Yeah let's tat me up!" Maka said excitedly as she began to rummage through her pack. Eventually coming away with the parchment she had finalized the designs on.
"I've got the sketch all done, we just need to position it then use alcohol to transfer the ink to my skin." Finding a good spot, Maka took off her robe and top and laid down on her stomach. "Oh I'm so excited, it's been way too long since I've gotten fresh ink!"
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Quasit wordlessly sits nearby to watch the process of Findurel giving Maka a tattoo, luxuriantly munching away at her sausage pancake.
A small voice inside her told her that they should be putting the keys in the cauldron before anything else, but she didn’t feel the strength to assert anything just now. It felt better to just sit passively for now and watch her friends do things. She looks over at Sakitu and holds out her hand in invitation.
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As Maka partially disrobes and lays down, Fin preps, getting the needles and inks in place, ready for use. He then cleans the area for the tattoo, in Maka’s case, from shoulders to just above her butt-bone, using alcohol. Once dry, Fin uses a slightly wet bar of soap, rubbing those into the areas, just prior to applying Maka’s stencils, to moisten her skin and make the design transfer better. He is very careful when placing the stencils and removing the paper…
”Maka, we’ll do this in two sessions…I’ll apply the black ink first, so that’ll be the planets you have not visited…then I’ll take a little break and apply the fire ink items, the sun, Golarion, Triax, and the flames on your shoulders…sound good?”
Fin puts a little ointment on each transfer design as it helps keep the transfer on longer without accidentally rubbing it off, and it also helps the needle to slide along the skin more smoothly, which is certainly going to be more comfortable for Maka. That being done, with steady hands he starts the line work and tracing for the black ink planets with his finer needle…
…a few hours later, he is done with the black; he takes a deep sigh as he looks over her back, seemingly happy with his work, thus far. After cleaning his needles, he takes a long break along with Maka. Upon their return, Fin does the same with the glowing ink, which takes even longer than the first session…
…and it comes out better than he expected…he thinks Maka will be pleased…
”Mistress of Fire, indeed…hope you like it, Maka, you’ll likely be sore for a while…oh, forgot to ask…where would you like the group tattoo placed? Of course, we can do that any time, so it can wait if you wish…I imagine you’re sick and tired of being poked and written on…”
Kalchine cocks his head and his ears raise as he looks over the unusual merchant. He asks no questions, however and simply thanks the man when he hands over the goods.
He seeks out Quasit and hands over the items she requested almost shyly. "Here are the things Ziggurat brought you," he says.
He sees the food and is glad that Chest Thumper is still in tiny statue form. That means there is a chance that some is left.
He follows the smells into the kitchen.
"Hello, Friends!" a slender elf with thick white hair, sideburns and a beard says, coming from the direction of the kitchen with half a piece of sausage wrapped in a pancake in his hand and a portion of it in his mouth.
"I am a totally normal human from Golarion just like Findurel. I have come to join you on your epic quest," he says.
"I'm ready for my tattoo," he continues, extending his totally never had fur on it wrist.
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He seeks out Quasit and hands over the items she requested almost shyly. "Here are the things Ziggurat brought you," he says.
Quasit had just taken a big bite on her sausage pancake as Kalchine approaches her, so she looks up at him with cheeks like a chipmunk, rolls her eyes and points at her mouth in embarrassment and after some heroic chewing gurgles out a sound that might be a 'Thank You'.
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"I am a totally normal human from Golarion just like Findurel. I have come to join you on your epic quest," he says.
"I'm ready for my tattoo," he continues, extending his totally never had fur on it wrist.
Quasit turns abruptly at this new voice and looks at the stranger with some alarm.
"Who the frick are you?" she challenges, standing up and laying her hand on her sword. Then she squints at the newcomer suspiciously. "Wait... Kal?"
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"Who is this 'Kal' of which you speak? He sounds very wise and handsome but in a subtle way," the 'stranger' says.
"Who am I? Why, I'm um...Fi...bul...uh...mak...um yeah. Finbulamak. That's me. Good old Finbulamak from um...Nidaliax? On Golarion."
”Mistress of Fire, indeed…hope you like it, Maka, you’ll likely be sore for a while…oh, forgot to ask…where would you like the group tattoo placed? Of course, we can do that any time, so it can wait if you wish…I imagine you’re sick and tired of being poked and written on…”
"Oh it looks great!" Maka enthusiasm was clear in her voice and body language as she used a mirror to view her back. Wrapping her arms around Fin, Maka gave him a back breaking hug. "You did such a good job!"
"Let's go ahead and knock them both out. I want to ride the tat high!" Holding out her left arm, Maka pointed to the space below the ornery owlbear at her wrist. "The hut can go right under the owlbear. A little offset so it looks like the owlbear lives in the hut."
"Who is this 'Kal' of which you speak? He sounds very wise and handsome but in a subtle way," the 'stranger' says.
"Who am I? Why, I'm um...Fi...bul...uh...mak...um yeah. Finbulamak. That's me. Good old Finbulamak from um...Nidaliax? On Golarion."
Maka starred at the 'stranger' who had appeared. The mental work to figure out what was going on was clear on Maka's face. Eventually her brain decided it didn't like what was going on. "Wait...what!?" She said with a growl as her fists engulfed in flames. "Is this a witch trick!?"
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Fin nods sagely at the newcomer, only the twinkle in his eyes giving away his demeanor, as he bows. ”Welcome to the tribe, Finbulamak of Nidaliax! Interesting name…your parents must have quite the sense of humor…then again, Fat Sword Hair is a unique name to say the least…”
"Oh it looks great!" Maka enthusiasm was clear in her voice and body language as she used a mirror to view her back. Wrapping her arms around Fin, Maka gave him a back breaking hug. "You did such a good job!"
"Let's go ahead and knock them both out. I want to ride the tat high!" Holding out her left arm, Maka pointed to the space below the ornery owlbear at her wrist. "The hut can go right under the owlbear. A little offset so it looks like the owlbear lives in the hut."
Fin is happy Maka likes the tattoo, returning the hug as soon as he catches his breath. ”I’m thrilled you like it, Maka; it’s by far the most unique one I’ve ever attempted. It looks awesome on you!
“Sure we can do the group one now; shouldn’t take long…I can add a little flame t personalize it, if you wish…”
Fin gets back to work, etching the chicken hut tattoo on her wrist offset to the owlbear, just as she requested…
…finishing it up neatly in under an hour…
”Who’s next?”
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"Who is this 'Kal' of which you speak? He sounds very wise and handsome but in a subtle way," the 'stranger' says.
"Who am I? Why, I'm um...Fi...bul...uh...mak...um yeah. Finbulamak. That's me. Good old Finbulamak from um...Nidaliax? On Golarion."
Quasit removes her hand from her sword, smirks and crosses her arms.
”Uh huh. Tell me, how’d you get into this Hut allllll the way from Nidaliax?”
”Maka, get ready to blast him.”
Maka took a defensive position as flames began to flick from her shoulders. Whoever this Finbulamak was, he got the impression that the wrong move or word would receive a fiery response.
Kalchine resumes his normal form, looking a little sheepishly around his companions as the joke seems to go too far.
He holds up his hands placatingly. "Sorry. I just realized I could do that and wanted to play a little prank. It will be useful when we go to your world, though won't it? We won't have to explain why I look like this," he says, gesturing to his furry body.
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”Sure, I get that.” says Quasit, still with her arms folded. ”But there’s a pretty wide variety of humanoids on Golarian. There’s a broad array of different climates over the planet — you’d stand out as different, but different isn’t all that different, if you know what I mean. And you speak Common, which goes a long way.”
”And who knows if this Hut will even be taking us back to Golarian any time soon? Or ever? We may all look essentially alike to the tentacle people at our next port of call.”
She steps over and gives Kalchine a couple sturdy pats on the arm. ”Don’t worry, I wouldn’t actually have had Maka roast you. I was pretty sure it was you. But you have to understand that we’ve seen a lot of strange and bizarre things, even in this Hut, and most of those surprises have been nasty ones. So we tend to flip into action mode pretty quick when we’re surprised. As someone who’s been in a war, I’m sure you understand.”
”All that said, if you wanna be an elf, be an elf. Fin will probably appreciate it. And I’m sure he’d love to give you that tattoo.”
The shock value of Kalchine’s prank seems to have at least temporarily roused Quasit from her gloomy stupor, and she’s acting more like her usual self. So perhaps the prank was worth it.
He holds up his hands placatingly. "Sorry. I just realized I could do that and wanted to play a little prank. It will be useful when we go to your world, though won't it? We won't have to explain why I look like this," he says, gesturing to his furry body.
”Don’t worry, I wouldn’t actually have had Maka roast you. I was pretty sure it was you.
"And that's why I listen to Quasit, because I didn't know what was going on. I could have blasted you to bits! Sorry about that." Maka scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.
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”Who’s next?”
When no one else steps up, Fin shrugs. After a moment, he rolls up his left sleeve and, after cleaning his wrist with alcohol, he begins work applying the chicken hut tattoo on his wrist, personalizing it with a small bow that’s barely visible…
…less than hour later, he’s done. He eyes it carefully after he’s thru, fairly well pleased with it, thinking, Well, at least if I survive this, I’ll have this l’il reminder that I once belonged to something that mattered…and I’ll remember the friends I had with me that were more like family…
Looking over at Quasit, he asks, ”When are you planning on dropping the keys in the cauldron, Q?”
"What? No! Everyone has to get one! Bull, you're next. Do a shield with his Fin." Maka dragged Bulvi into place and began to shave his left arm. "Quasit, Saki, c'mon!" Maka gave the others the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.
Selena heads straight for the books and dives in. She quickly moves to making notes and chatting with the familiars. It doesn't take long for the little area of books to become covered in scraps of formulas and symbols.
"I'm glad that it didn't go too far," Kalchine says, eyeing Maka warily.
"I'm comfortable in my own form, of course, but I am me no matter how I look so changing my outward shape to reduce chaos for the group is a useful ability to have," he continues.
When word of putting the keys in the cauldron starts up, Kalchine follows eagerly, excited to see what the process will actually be.
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"Bull, you're next. Do a shield with his Fin." Maka dragged Bulvi into place and began to shave his left arm.
Before going to see the keys added to the cauldron, Fin will do Bull’s chicken hut tattoo, adding a small shield as Maka suggested to personalize it…
…and then he joins the others at the cauldron…
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She looks over at Sakitu and holds out her hand in invitation.
Sakitu happily joins Quasit and watches Maka and the others get a tattoo. To be honest, it looks kinda painful. She leans close to Quasit and whispers. "Are you going to get one? I know that Maka wants everyone to but it looks like it would hurt."
"Quasit, Saki, c'mon!" Maka gave the others the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.
Sakitu shakes her head. "Well, I don't know. I mean, it looks like it hurts doing it. But it does look cool too." Despite her fear of the needle she finds herself intrigued by the design. She is almost ready to step forward when Quasit and Fin suggest using the keys and moving the hut.
"Oh yeah. Let's do that first. Then maybe later I can get the tattoo."
Sakitu shakes her head. "Well, I don't know. I mean, it looks like it hurts doing it. But it does look cool too."
"Well it does hurt, but in a good way. And it releases a bunch of edrenaalaeen like in a fight or good lanet hai."
As the others readied to use the keys, Maka put her clothes back on double checked that her braid was secure. They'd probably have to fight through a bunch more rooms of witch nonsense before getting to leave and see where Cluckers had taken them.
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"Are you going to get one? I know that Maka wants everyone to but it looks like it would hurt."
Quasit nods and shrugs. ”Sure, why not? What’s a little pain? We get stabbed and slashed and clobbered on a daily basis. Tattoos aren’t bad, no worse than a sunburn.”
She flicks her head toward Findurel. ”Come on, look at that face. He really wants this. Are you really gonna tell ol’ Honey Rabbit no?” she asks in her ‘how could you kick that puppy?’ voice.
Quasit nods and shrugs. ”Sure, why not? What’s a little pain? We get stabbed and slashed and clobbered on a daily basis. Tattoos aren’t bad, no worse than a sunburn.”
"Yeah! See, Quasit gets it." Maka said with a toothy grin and a thumbs up.
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Quasit nods and shrugs. ”Sure, why not? What’s a little pain? We get stabbed and slashed and clobbered on a daily basis. Tattoos aren’t bad, no worse than a sunburn.”
Fin's eyes light up. "Awesome! So, Q, I just finished up with Bull, you can go next...then Saki...and then Kal and Selena, if they wish...we can put the keys in the cauldron after the tatts then, if that's amenable to everyone."
Fin sterilizes his needles with alcohol and starts to work on Quasit. "Where would you like your tatt, Q? And would you like me to personalize it with a dagger or a dragon’s fang, perhaps? Or I can do some other item if you'd prefer?" Once she lets him know, he'll swab the area with alcohol and then get to work applying the tattoo. Once he has the chicken hut finished, he'll add the dagger/fang or other item, if she wishes...
...checking it out afterwards, nodding. "Done and done...not too shabby, methinks…hope it’s to your liking…whadda you think, Q?"
Looking up at Sakitu, he gives a fond smile. "Ready, Hlao-roo? It won't take long and I'll be gentle. Would you like me to add a fox tail to the hut to customize it for you? Or you can let me know if there's something else you'd like. Now just let me know where you'd like it..."
Fin goes thru the same prep work as he had with the others, but he goes just a little slower and uses a little more ointment on Sakitu, so she might not feel as much pain. He talks with her a bit while he etches with the needle to keep her mind off things, looking up to give her a reassuring smile after a longer line. He'll add the fox tail, or whatever else she might want instead, if she wishes. "Almost done, Hlao-roo, you're doing so well," he murmurs lightly as he finishes up...
…Fin looks it over and looks to Sakitu expectantly. ”That wasn’t too bad was it? I hope you like it, Hlao-roo,” he says softly as he leans forward to brush his lips lightly against hers…
Looking to their Dragon Legion friend, he says cheerfully. ”Looks like you’re up next, Kal…we’ll try to find a spot where your hair is a bit sparser…might need to shave a small area to apply it…if you want me to personalize it for you, I could add a small paw to the hut that resembles one of Chest Thumper’s?”
He preps up Kal, shaves and cleans a small place of his friend’s choosing, and then Fin goes to work on the tattoo, adding the paw, or something else, if Kal wishes…
…he nods to Kalchine as he finishes. ”I think that came out well…hope it suits you…”
If she agrees, Fin’ll prep and get to work on a spot of her choosing…
…and he’s pretty happy with this one as well. ”Hope it’s to your tastes, Selena…”
After Fin cleans up and puts the tattoo gear away, he looks over at Quasit. ”Whaddaya say, Q, ready to light this chicken coop up? Let’s put those keys to good use and see where we end up…”
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"Where would you like your tatt, Q? And would you like me to personalize it with a dagger or a dragon’s fang, perhaps? Or I can do some other item if you'd prefer?"
"On my bicep, I think." she says, then begins to unbutton her shirt enough to pull her left arm free. "Yeah, a dagger is fine. And... as a tribute to my Dad, could you put a star over the Hut?"
"Done and done...not too shabby, methinks…hope it’s to your liking…whadda you think, Q?"
Quasit commandeers the plum wine jar and sits still and silent for the most part through the procedure, her mind mostly elsewhere, her free arm periodically lifting the jug for a drink.
When Findurél is finished, she snaps back into the present and looks over her shoulder at her new tattoo and nods approvingly. "Very nice. Thanks Fin, I owe you one!"
Looking up at Sakitu, he gives a fond smile. "Ready, Hlao-roo? It won't take long and I'll be gentle..."
"C'mon Saki, you gotta do it. He's Hlao-roo'ing you and everything." goads Quasit as she wraps a bandage around her new tattoo and then puts her shirt back on correctly. "When you get back home, you can show it off and let everyone see how depraved and wild you've become."
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"...as a tribute to my Dad, could you put a star over the Hut?"
Fin’s eyes moisten for just a moment as he solemnly nods. ”Aye, a star for your Dad…t’would be my honor…”
When Findurél is finished, she snaps back into the present and looks over her shoulder at her new tattoo and nods approvingly. "Very nice. Thanks Fin, I owe you one!"
Fin beams. ”No worries, I’m happy you like it…”
”Huh? Wait, I thought YOU had the keys?"
Fin’s face goes pale for just a moment as he does a double-take…before he seems to think Quasit might be…must be…joking…
”Wait-what? You’re pulling my leg, right, Q? You had me there for a moment…uh…you are joking…I think? But…if we have to go back to Spurhorn to get ‘em, we can surely stop long enough for a hot bath before returning, hmmm?”
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Quasit grins broadly.
"Had ya for a second. Yeah, I have 'em. And no more baths for you, your fingers will get all pruny."
She moves to the cauldron, pulls the keys from the Bag of Holding, and drops them in.
"All right Fin, wish hard and we might end up on the Plane of Hot Baths. Here goes nothin'!..."
As usual, once the keys are dropped in and the cauldron is stirred, the Hut swirls and changes around you. Once the changes settle, you find yourself in a perfectly square room with log walls. Golden birdcages hang from the ceiling, rest on shelves, and otherwise seem to fill the room. A few of them are empty, but most have the shriveled forms of tiny bearded men in them. A single door sits in one wall, opposite a cold fireplace. One window looks outside, and a ladder leads up to a trap door in the ceiling.
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As the room stops swirling, Fin regains his bearings, looking around. Seeing the shriveled bearded men in the birdcages, he mutters, ”What the…”
Before doing anything else, he warily moves over to the window and peers outside to see if he can see anything that me give a clue as to where they are…
…then, warily drawing his bow but not raising it, he looks to the cages, asking the little bearded men in rapid succession, ”Who are you? What are you doing in those cages? And where are we?”