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Apperton Colony - Level 5
Smithing grounds / 22:10
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Abigail takes them down a large set of stairs that thoroughly dive into the lower levels of Apperton. Right next to it is a ramp, built out of granite in order to provide a solid and grippy surface for the carriers can easily traverse between levels without the risk of slipping and falling. The ramp obeys a zigzag-like structure, so the inclination isn't as prominent, and allows carts or contraptions on wheels to transport materials and products.
Once they make it down, smitheries upon smitheries clutter the long hallway ahead. Beyond the massive wooden gates that remain wide, dozens of hard-working smiths produce the equipment that is being sold in the upper levels.
Abigail powerfully stomps her metal boot on the stone floor.
Abigail: "WORKEEERS!!" The clattering immediately stops.
......
"IN THE GLORY OF APPERTON!!! WE SHALL MAKE THESE THE MOST POWERFUL!!!! THE MOST DURABLE!!! THE SHINIEST!! AND THE SHARPEST EQUIPMENT ANYONE HAS EVER COME IN CONTACT WITH!!! TO DESTROY THE INFECTED CURSE THAT HAS UNFAIRLY FALLEN UPON US!!
WHO THE FUCK IS WITH ME!?!"
Workers: "AUUUUUUUGH!!!"
Abigail: "I CAN'T HEAAAR YAAA!!!"
Workers: "AUUUGH!!! AUUUGH!!! AUUUGH!!!!" They chant, some slam their tools against the anvils, others keep waving their hammers and swords in the air, as a deep melodic singing between them all begins. The Call of Never-Ending Brilliance. A poem written by an old soul that watched Apperton take shape over the years. Even Nali began humming it as they walked further into the Hall of Smiths.
Kohen and Orton can't wrap their heads around the complexity of the machinery compared to upstairs. All of those pipes bring every ounce of usable steam down here, letting it condensate and using the water to cool down the tools without wasting a single drop of it. It's such a genius process!!
Since it's still a cruel world outside of the walls, they can't afford to waste a single resource.
Before they could fully appreciate the aesthetic of this place, they face the ending of the underground tunnel. The path branches off left and right, although there is a massive copper statue of an old man straight ahead, holding an umbrella tipped on the floor, with a large book underneath his right arm.
The label below it reads:
"Sir. Nostradamus Hallard. The founder of Apperton city."
This makes Kohen wonder what Abigail's connection to him is, and to this city in general. If her last name is Myrellie, then how does she know about the Royal Families? Are they actually friends? Why is the Warden, arguably the most important figure in the Colony, in such a small office? And why can no one see or disturb the Royal Families?
Something seems fishy.
...
They finally arrive at the end of the hallway to the left, and hidden in the corner is a little shop named "Gardnt's Blackery", plastered across the wall.
Abigail powerfully knocks on the door.
Orton: "That's a strange name for a shop."
Abigail: "Dude's got a few screws loose."
Orton: "Honestly, everyone here does."
Abigail: "What else did you expect?"
Orton: "Good question.."
The door creaks open.
???: "What in the muddafuckin' blades is all this NOISE!?"
A seemingly washed up old man swings the door open. Long leather apron covering a grey cloth shirt, with leather pants that drop down to the shins. Heavy boots detailed with several metal plates.
The wrinkles below his purple eyes are covered by the smoke from the thick copper pipe, embellished with a wooden stem.
He scratches the back of his head.
Startled, everyone observes.
Abigail: "Howdy Gardnt! How's it hanging?"
Gardnt: "T'was great 'fore your fuckass showed up! Fuck you want at this time o'night!?
Abigail: "Be civil man, I brought you a few guests today!"
Gardnt: "..... You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me. YA WOKE ME UP FO' THIS SHIT?!"
Abigail: "I said be civil! These kids have good heads on their shoulders. Give 'em a chance! You'll see what I mean."
Gardnt: "Ya fat assed piece a'meat. FINE!!" As he turns around, Myrellie attempts stomping towards him, but Abigail stops her. "Get in 'ere quickly 'fore I change my mind!!"
Myrellie: "What are you stopping me for?"
Abigail: "He's not a bad person, just has a very awful habit of insulting everyone he sees."
Lily: "That sounds pretty bad to me."
Abigail: "Believe me when I tell you... I've seen him save peoples lives as he was calling them useless cunts, pieces of shit, and-" Myrellie slaps her hand on Abbie's mouth.
Myrellie: "Enough!! We get it! You don't have to say any more!" Abigail pushes it off.
Abigail: "In conclusion, if he was a bad person, he wouldn't even consider saving them in the first place. He has a golden soul."
Gardnt: "YA FUCKING COW!! YOU GONNA WALK IN 'ERE OR NOT!? STOP WASTIN' MY FUCKIN' TIME!!"
Myra: "Ugh...."
They end up having to play Gardnt's riddles, consisting of several questions. Each answer correlates to specific traits of certain weapons.
The rules are simple.
Darker answers. Darker weapon traits.
Lighter answers. Lighter weapon traits.
He states that even members of the Royal Families couldn't get the weapons they wished for, since the given answers portrayed intentions that don't correlate with them. Despite knowing what answers would give specific weapon traits, they still got the wrong ones.
The intentions of each of the partaking members were far darker than anyone could have anticipated. This raises Kohen's suspicions even further.
Gardnt asks the following questions to each of them seperately:
- What do you value the most?
- Who do you hold dearest to your heart?
- What is your greatest objective?
- What is your biggest fear?
- What does death mean to you?
.....
Gardnt: "Well well well ABBY!!! Ya brought a fuck ton o'weirdos this time!! I ain't never seen no kids like them get such a different variety o'weapons!! I'm fucking ENTHRALLED!!"
Abigail: "You can say that again! My sister's raising quite the group of kids, ain't she?"
Myra: "What are the results of the test?" She intrudes.
Gardnt: "CALM YA TITS YA BLONDE COW!! I haven'even finished what I was trynna explain t'ya fuckin retards!"
Orton grabs the man by the face.
"You wanna repeat that..." He digs his fingers into the man's rough cheeks. "You old piece of shit!?"
Abigail flicks Orton's forehead, which lunges him backwards with extreme might. Kohen breaks his fall.
Abigail: "Calm down kid! As I told my sister, Gardnt just has a sharp tongue! He doesn't mean most of the things he says."
Kohen: "Dude... What was that?" He lands Kohen a glare.
Orton (murmuring): "Get off me!" He aggressively pulls away, adjusting his jacket and standing in front of Myra again.
Her eyes gleam at him.
Gardnt: "Retarded fuckin' kids! FINE!! Since I'm bein' a pain in the ass, I'll jus' explain the fuckin' story t'you real quick so you can get the fuck out my shop!"
Orton: "It better be good old man."
Gardnt: "Pfft! As ya've seen from the test, these ain't no normal weapons. That process you jus' went through is part of an ol' tradition back in ma homeland! Iss said that them weapons ya use are linked to yer soul, and who ya're as people. This very air yer breathin' is already a part o'ya, it was this very way many many years ago, even 'fore the virus came to be. The particles that constitute our bein', so called atoms, are simply movin' at higher n'lower frequencies!! Once two o'them frequencies clash t'gether, it means they're s'pposed to!! And yer s'pposed to accept their resonance!"
Myra: "How do you know all this?"
Lily: "More importantly, how is this in any way related to the questions you were asking us?"
Gardnt: "Fuckin' BITCH SHUT UP!! I told yer fuckin' friend ta be quiet so ya should do the sa-" Abigail sends him face first to the floor by slapping the back of his head.
Abigail: "She was just asking a question moron! It's your job to answer it!"
Gardnt: "GAAH!! Al'right AL'RIGHT!!... Fuckin' assholes up my ass all'damn time...
As I was sayin', them questions yer askin' are a test ta see which weapon yer soul is linked to. And ta my surprise, yer gettin' weapons that very few muddafuckas in the story o'this Colony 'ave obtained.
Kohen Alcatraz... A scythe."
Kohen: "How do you know my name-"
Gardnt: "SHHH!!!
Lilith Ketler Reid... Katana."
Lily stares at Kohen in awe.
Gardnt: "Orton Cromwell... Bo."
Orton: "A stick!?"
Gardnt: "SHHHHHHHH SHURRAFUCKAP!!! SHUT!!! THE FUCK!!! UP!!! ISS NOT THAT FUCKIN' DIFFICULT!!! TA BE FUCKIN' QUIEEEET!!! YA FUCKIN' NEANDERTHALS!!!"
Deep breath.
"Myra Stryder. Dual Scimitars."
They aren't sure if these are the right weapons for them.
Only time will tell.
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Warden's Abode
Abigail's Office / 01:25 am
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In the quiet of night, Abigail remains in her office, tirelessly working to meet the quotas placed upon her by the Colony's demands. That's when someone knocks on the door.
Abigail: "Come in." She quietly answers, committed to the papers.
Myrellie: "Abigail. You got a minute?"
She quickly lifts her gaze, exhaling upon seeing her sister.
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Apperton Colony - Level 4
Entertainment District / 01:40 am
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Abigail: "Since when do you take me for drinks Steph?"
Myrellie: "Well, since I won't be staying for long, I figured I'd be nice to you and give you a little break while I'm here. You probably stay in that office way more than you'd like to."
Abigail: "....
Yeah.. I do."
Myrellie: "Are you okay Abigail?"
Abigail: "...."
Sip.
Myrellie: "I know I don't come around often, but I do still care about you. I'll try to see you more of-"
Abigail: "Save it sis. You're not the problem at all. I love you." She slams the cup down. Long sigh. "I'm just annoyed."
Myrellie: "You're annoyed!? That's... so unusual..."
Abigail: "Crazy right? Thank the rich snobs for that."
Myrellie: "I'm listening..."
Abigail: "They're plotting something Steph, and I have no idea what the fuck it is. They've told me to mobilize my forces to that research facility and they haven't come back. They're not sending their personal teams to investigate, which makes me believe they know exactly what they're getting me into."
Myrellie: "But you're the Warden, right? You're the one that ultimately drives this Colony."
Abigail: "I wanna believe that too. I really do. But every resource we have is in their hands, remember?"
Myrellie: "We didn't have a choice back then. Besides, you have the populace on your side, don't you? If you begin a revolution, someone will follow."
Abigail: "Don't be silly Stephanie. We'd be wiped out instantly."
Myrellie: "With you being as strong as you are, how would that even happen?"
Abigail: "You don't get it. I can't mess around with these people. I'm on a whim."
Myra pulls the stool from the table next to them and sits down.
"What if you had a little help?"
Myrellie: "Myra!? What are you doing up this late??"