Yes, and it does seem to suit you. I suspect to find you’ve taken up knitting. When you, I’d like a sweater.

That is the question… around four to six individuals? This task will not be easy nor will it be for the faint of heart.

I need a recommendation from you.

I am looking for a few talented individuals for a… mission. Once the dragon is defeated, I’m quite they’ll all be bored out of their minds and need some entertainment.

Unfortunately, you and I are both not suitable for this little side quest.

bsky.app/profile/lega...

Lingo from another realm. But here you are, right on cue… well, almost, but I won’t hold it against you.

Where is my ‘problematic fav’?

There is beauty in everything, even endings.

Then perhaps you should try it and see how it goes.

I would but I couldn’t be in those big open pumpkin patches. I’m a-gourd-aphobic.

Hm.

He definitely prefers not to waste either of their time with pointless suggestions.

A wise man knows that kindness does not always mean niceness.

Perhaps.

Or perhaps answers are not to be found without more extreme measures. What is Gil willing to risk to find what they’re searching for?

Oh, surely it will have the information they seek. And if not, there are only a few hundred more to search.

Ah, he loves learning nothing of use. He has a section of his library dedicated to those books.

Ah, that’s what the pungent aroma was.

Any books they can recommend?

Ah, love is in the air.

“That seems to be the one consistency between worlds.”

“Like a politician taking money directly from a veteran’s pocket.”

“That is definitely a metaphor.”

“I joined a cult once. The Lamb was nice enough but didn’t care for the Goat.”

Anyways…

“Well, I have done my due diligence in warning you. It’s unfortunate for you that you didn’t listen,” he tutted his tongue, stepping away from the dragon. “I’m sure I will be seeing you soon enough.”

“Because there is nothing to be gained from dead worlds. I have seen enough of them to know.” The Sundrinker, the antithesis of everything Zan had been working for.

“I suppose there is nothing I can say to convince you to give up this crusade? Maybe form a cult to meet your needs instead?”

“It’s a perk of the job.” Zan, though smiling, watched the dragon closely. It was going to be a problem, one he didn’t have time to deal with now.

Other forces were at play, ones that worried him more than a petulant being like Sundrinker.

“No, I suppose you saved that for the baker.”

Good to see you having fun.

Don’t forget to change back before returning to your wife.

+ carefully, Sundrinker, lest it be the last one you tread.”

“Making any moves against her could have disastrous consequences. Not simply for you, but for everyone.

And your splashing will draw the attention of much more dangerous fish,” Zan warned, pushing off of the wall, meeting its gaze. “You stand at a crossroads. Choose your path very +

“Funnily enough, that tale is incorrect. It was his mother, age 97, who did him in. Grew tired of her son’s bragging, I suppose… or the bloodshed he left in his wake.”

“I know of them but I did make a point to avoid the Spider. By the time it would have become a problem, the bakery and her troupe had dealt with it,” he muses, eyes studying the surprisingly docile Sundrinker.

“The same will happen to you if you’re not careful.”

+ hummed to himself before looking over at ‘dragon.’

“You are Cairn in this scenario, and the baker is the elderly man... if that wasn’t clear.”

“According to the tale, you would be correct. Cairn, in all his power, bragged too loudly, challenging anyone who dared to take their best shot.

An elderly man, tired of the braggart, walked up behind Cairn and gave him, apparently, a very effective wallop to the skull with his cane.”

Zan +

“Then do so at your own peril.”