Sanoa: "Looks like each individual one is unique. I don't think you'd need to worry about any more than a handful being cracked, but that would still allow someone to drain mana."

To prove her point, you feel another small bit of mana drained from you.


________________________________________


You keep doing pushups while you do your loud-thinking.

You don't get a reply.


________________________________________


YOU USE YOUR SHORTSWORD TO HACK AT THE TREE, CUTTING OUT WEDGES LIKE HOW TREES ARE MEANT TO BE CUT DOWN.

IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO REACH THE LONGSWORD AND YOU STRIKE IT A FEW TIMES ACCIDENTALLY WITH THE OTHER BLADE, AND THEN WRENCH THE SWORD FREE AND INSPECT IT.

SOME SMUDGES FROM THE TREE, BUT THEY WIPE OFF FAIRLY EASILY AND THE SWORD LOOKS PRISTINE, EVEN WHERE YOU ACCIDENTALLY BANGED IT A FEW TIMES WITH THE SHORTSWORD. THE SHORTSWORD IS PERFECTLY INTACT AS WELL.


________________________________________


Byrnolf: "Hiiiiii!"

The doll stares at Byrnolf.

Byrnolf: "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!



You ripped its spirit out, you try something."

After cleaning and putting away the swords, YOU PRACTICE YOUR SPRINTING

RUN FROM TREE TO TREE, COUNT DOWN EACH TIME, CHECK TIME, RUN TO NEXT TREE, ATTEMPT TO SHORTEN TIME

IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT TAKES SLIGHTLY LONGER EACH TIME, STOPPING AND GOING BACK INTO A SPRINT IS A BIT TIRING

WELL, A BIT OF EFFORT AND YOU CAN MAINTAIN TIME, AT LEAST


________________________________________


You go downstairs and find that the drunkard is gone. The only people left in the tavern are you and the barmaid, the latter busy cleaning vomit off of the counter.


________________________________________


Applying your new security measure and re-casting Captivate, your entire Captivate network is almost instantly obliterated.

Sanoa: "Was that supposed to happen."


________________________________________


The doll waves back at you silently, and with a neutral expression.

Byrnolf: "Yeah, it has ears."

Standing outside of the doll's view, he chucks a random piece of metal across the room. The piece hits the floor with a clatter and the doll turns her head to look over at it.

Byrnolf: "Maybe we need to start with physical gestures. That's probably easier to learn than vocalizing, being a turtle an' all."

Your Captivate network is again wiped the moment you cast.

Sanoa: "Tendrils don't get encrypted, the spirits have a defense mechanism that doesn't necessarily encrypt them, but sort of self-destructs if they're modified."


________________________________________


Jazz: "Well, he's a good customer. Maybe too good of a customer.

Got some official summons too, sounds like he's off to do something important."

The counter is cleaned off, and the barmaid gives you a casual look.

Jazz: "Want a drink?"


________________________________________


You gesture the doll towards you.

The doll mirrors the gesture.


________________________________________


YOU TAKE A BREAK. YOU APPEAR TO BE OUT OF BANANAS SO YOU OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

Grass. Crop fields. Livestock. Villages. Wall. Tan Chirop.

Tan Chirop? Miimas. Looks like she's sort of just wandering around.