To The Fountains (C 2.2, E 2.2)

Location: Downtown Archipelago
Time: evening



Canary and Edmund / Syd,

The sun hangs low on the horizon as The Refuge motors past decaying buildings that dot the Downtown Archipelago. The sky is full of dark clouds, purple like fresh bruises, and the occasional thunder rolls along the seas. You're only a few blocks from The Fountains, but the crew seems wary of a possible ambush. Each spire and roof seems to hold threats.

Until this tense moment, what have you talked about with Canary, Syd? Did you share with her your sudden life changes?

Canary, how have you asked your erstwhile crew to prepare for any trouble coming?

What do you do?

It's a balance, really, traveling through the canyon like this. Slow and safe in the water means vulnerable from above... or go fast and risk the hull, but you're a much harder target to hit and to prepare for.

I'm in the pilothouse here, I've been trusting Argyle on the wheel in open water, but here, high risk. I'm in control.

I have Dinero keep the guns loaded and at hand... just the presence of the machinguns can keep a lot of trouble from happening in the first place. And the others standing port and starboard with his eyes open on the water, rooftops and windows. About as best as we can be, really.

Syd, going to take time to get used to that, is free to stay on deck or below if he wants to stay out of sight.

I'll have to find a chance to talk about... things. With him. I knew things were getting rough at the Tower. I should have been there for him.

I was rather enjoying the ride until a sudden shift in mood fell over Canary and her new crew. Suddenly, the looming shadows of decrepit buildings seemed to whisper silent threats.

The conversation on the way over had been pleasant. I was able to inform her that I'm going by Syd for the time being, in a meager attempt to not announce my identity. I inquired about the new crew - being a little traumatized from her last crew - but they each seemed more interested in following their new captain's orders. I was just finishing explaining what I was after out at the Fountains and how I was looking for Lever for some medical equipment.

I had barely finished that sentence when Canary lifted a finger to hush me. Clearly aware of the potential danger we were in before I was. I crouch and sidle in toward the edge of the pilothouse, never taking my eyes off of Canary. At least out here, keeping my attention on the Captain will likely be my best means of success in whatever is to come.

Edmund.... no... Syd looks nervous. Even more so than is deserved.

Sure, this is a dangerous place, but most times everything is fine. There's not a lot of boats that will mess with me, and any that might, I can usually outrun. Especially here. So while we proceed with caution. Caution makes us safe.

"Hey... Syd," I loud-whisper over the rumble of the engine, keenly aware that he's been staring at me, "gotta say I'm surprised to find you out on the water. Away from the tower... I like it."

The light rain outside dapples off the waves and seems to connect the sky and sea below. A rumble above crackles into thunder with a snap of lightning. The rain picks up as the dark clouds come to settle above.

Canary's voice tethers me back to the present, "Ms. Canary, for as many things as there are out here that rip me from my comfort zone, I'm finding there are just as many, or more, that I find inspiring." I shudder again as we drift into the looming shadow of a waterlogged building, the intensifying rain adding to the ominous atmosphere. Though I can't say I don't miss my place in the heights of the Tower, I too am surprised to find myself out on the water and dare I say enjoying it.

"The company helps significantly," I smile. I glance over at her crew, the very familiar form of Dinero drawing my attention, "How did you come to be in charge of these gentlemen? I seem to recall you sailing solo aside from a rather unpleasant fellow."

I follow Syd's glance. Dinero, especially, must be a sight.

I shake my head and shrug with a smirk, "dren happens..." I chuckle, "I'm just as surprised as you are. Pickup a stray here and there and suddenly we're a crew!"

A pause.

"Least I hope so... this is all new to me. But it feels all right... who says a sailor need be alone..." I turn to look at Syd, "right?"

Eyes wary through the rain, the crew works and watches for danger as you sail ever closer to The Fountain. Through broken and fallen buildings, you can just barely see the lights of the building to the east.

"Forgive me if I'm overstepping, but you've had quite the reputation for being a lone wolf so to speak. Does having this crew truly feel right to you, or are you just making the best of the hand you're being dealt? I'm directing the comment at the crew, but the fact that I keep pulling Canary into my personal messes weighs on my mind.

His blunt question makes me pause. And he's not really wrong.

"I wouldn'a chose this..." I glance back at the others, "but playin' the hand I'm dealt. Yeah... best any of us can do in this life... and it ain't so bad having some company on board. Case of a scrap... if that were to happen. Ain't gotta fear so much as on my own."

I turn my attention to the waters ahead, "time'll tell if it's truly right though. Won't it."

You feel the Refuge shift slightly before Foster calls out that he's sighted The Fountains.

The impossible whirlpool that surrounds and protects the water processing plant causes eddies and a tide all its own. There's only one approach, to "the road", a paved road that juts out from the whirlpool where a dock sits. This is where visitors can apply for entry or trade supplies for water.

Folks trade so many goods to The Fountains for clean water that the Fountaineers have it good. Once a year they allow young folk to apply for "apprenticeships" at the Fountains. Work your zok off for the chance of being kept on a work crew.

Syd, who from the docks outside The Tower was accepted into apprenticeship last year? What was Princey's hand in it, if any?

Canary, what's the last haul you brought here and delivered to Dile Santoor Polished and why was it distasteful?

What do you do?

While Canary and the rest of her crew busy themselves with the goings-on of approaching the Fountains, I take advantage of not presently having any demands or expectations and take in the scenery as we approach.

I recall the last time I came this way, about a year ago, bringing a young girl named Gabel to begin her apprenticeship here. She was brilliant, so much so that she was uncomfortable for most Tower denizens to be around. Very few of them can appreciate being around someone who is so evidently superior in a sense. I rather enjoyed our conversations in addition to seeing how others reacted to her.

It is common for elite families at the tower to take turns sponsoring young adults coming-of-age, both to maintain control and connections (at least to some extent) in all sorts of notable locations. While most elite families would seek to sponsor kids from families they could leverage, some seemed to truly want people in places they could make a difference. Gabel was one Princy sought. When Princy went to tell Gabel's family that she could have a future at the Fountains, they practically threw her belongings out the door along with her, but she seemed just as happy to leave. We hosted her in Princy's home for a couple of weeks before the Fountains were ready to take her on. I haven't heard a thing about her since.

I suddenly become aware of just how turbulent the churning waters are and I grip tightly to the nearest support.

Trade comes and goes from the fountains with regularity. Fifty-gallon barrels of water or those big black plastic cisterns. Either way the load-in involves a lot of hands and a lot of effort. The Refuge isn't designed to be a cargo ship, but with a little creativity you can fit a surprising amount of cargo aboard. But water is not my favorite haul, makes me slow... vulnerable.

The Refuge carries a few of those apprentices here in the time before she was my ship, so the Fountaineers have known me since I was just a little thing.

I recently ferried a load of looted clothing, gear, household items... stuff they need to live here from time to time from a band of Sippians who simply wrecked one of those floating fisheries to the waterline and pillaged everything from the wreck. I got called in to do the transfer before the bodies were even cold... personal drek in this load. Stuff I'd seen people wearing just days before. Yeah, I knew the place...

But I can't afford to make an enemy of the Sippian warband... Having thought about it... a lot... I might give 'em a different answer. I shouldn't have dirtied my hands on that deal, but I shut up and took the job. At least Dile Santoor Polished and his team got some new clothes for their backs and furnishings for their homes. At least.

The Refuge comes up to the dock and the crew handles mooring her and securing things. A runner comes up to collect the meager docking fee and asks about your business.

Syd, what do you tell the teenage runner your business is here?

Canary, do you bring Dinero, Foster, or Argyle to The Fountains with you?

Yeah, I want Dinero along, "hey, Dinero. Come ashore. You should see this place! Tower wouldn't last long without it... most of 'em there probably don't even know it!"

The presence of the young aristocrat might improve my standing in the eyes of the people here. The others are welcome to come but I'm not forcing anyone.

As the boy rushes up, collecting a fee from Canary and inquiring about our business, I head up to him wanting to make this as clear and simple as possible.

"Good day to you! My name is Syd, and I'm in need of a couple of medical supplies - sterile transfusion kits to be specific. Won't be long and we'll be on our way."

I take a curious glance at the young man, remembering the abnormally high-tech tools that Kamae had used when they confronted Litch and me back at the Tower. I doubt someone in this position has anything worrisome on their person, but I won't let myself be surprised by anything. Not today.

"Med supplies aren't kept on the dock," the teen replies. "You'll have to travel inside the plant and talk to Vivel or Dile for that." He points to the water processing planet proper. Dinero happily finishes up his chores and disembarks with the two of you as you walk on the path of dry land that is the road leading up to the plant.

I pay the dock fee and lock down the ship before leaving the ship. I'm not here so much on my own business so glad that Syd has taken the lead there. It makes total sense for me to be ferrying important-adjacent people around. Sometimes people are the cargo.

As we wait for Syd to conclude his business with the dockhand I nod at Dinero's comment, "good. Contacts are everything when you live port to port. Introduce me."

Dinero has value to share too, I want him to feel that it matters.

Dinero asks about Kettle, but finds out she's "inside" from the guards. Once the runner tells the guards at the gate who you're looking for - "Vivel or Dile", and that you're looking for medical supplies, they have a brief conversation over walkie talkie and you distinctly hear on the other side of the conversation the laconic voice of Dile Santoor Polished reply, "Oh yes, lovely. An exchange is acceptable. Bring them to Receiving Room two."

The gate, an electrified fence running off solar power, is opened and two guards usher the three of you into a small courtyard and to a small trailer clearly identified with a sign reading "Receiving Room Two". You're left inside the trailer, which has a small desk, a back room with a toilet, and a small fridge with drinks and snacks the guard tells you to enjoy. Also, there is a stand-up coin-op arcade game, plugged in and making noises, begging you to play.

What is the arcade game?

It seems you'll be playing a bit of the waiting game.

The trailer that is Receiving Room Two is both more and less than I expected it to be at the same time.

The name of the arcade game is faded, "Something-Man", and the incessant wakka-wakka sound is hard to ignore. Something is itching at the back of my mind - telling me that the flashing lights and loud sounds are meant to pull and hold my attention. Frankly, I don't trust anyone here save Canary. And it has been painful to hide my surprise at still seeing Dinero with her - both that he is still around, and also that he seems he is even a little useful. The name Kettle rings a bell, but her identity eludes me for the time being.

I crouch beside the small fridge and take a look inside, "Either of you care for a, drink - looks like water, Coke, or orange juice are the options?" I take a surreptitious glance at lids and bags to see if they are air-tight or for signs they've been tampered/resealed.

It seems odd not pouring it, but I successfully force myself to casually toss him one of the bottles. "Here you go... sorry, I'm bad with names. I'm Syd." I flick my pointer and middle finger from my forehead toward him in a simple salute, maybe I can get him talking about what might be happening in the Tower if I play my cards right.

"Canary, there another OJ in here if you want."

No coffee?

I hide my disappointment and ask for an orange juice, "yeah. OJ." I walk over to Syd and take the offered drink, and one for Dinero. There's a little tension in the air between them, not surprising considering where they're both from but I don't think they personally have beef.

I put the electronic noise distraction out of my mind and while I have a moment with Syd, "medical supplies? Someone need help?"

"Seems like someone always needs help." I walk around the waiting room, idly inspecting some decorations here and there. "Talons are taking care of someone who needs help. Soon." No need to share any more information than that yet. "They're a good group of folks, if a little intense."

I look back to Canary, "I don't think I mentioned it yet - but thank you for getting me here. I was rather surprised and pleased to see the Refuge."

Looking over to Dinero, "Hope she's not being too hard on you!"

Dinero's response surprises me. He wants to work hard? Not just coast by? I want Dinero to stay engaged, but keeping him out of direct fire of my questions may serve me better. I smile at Canary, "Where'd you find him!? I could use someone with that kind of work ethic!"

Syd has that right, someone does always need help.

"He's a good hand," I glance at Dinero with a nod, "you know, having a crew aboard ain't so bad... but I hear you there, Dinero. No blister, huh?" I chuckle with a gleam in my eye as I consider putting his resolve to the test.

"The Talons are good folks," I agree with Syd, "I'll do what I can."

We continue walking along the long path towards the Fountains proper, after a long pause, "and... Syd. I was glad to see you too."

I note the long glance at Dinero. Certainly Dinero's face isn't well know outside the Tower. Maybe Dile here visited the tower for some occasion?

"And you're as civilized as ever!" That seems to be their aim, "I know you can show my mates the hospitality I've been telling them about."

I cast my gaze towards Syd, making it clear that he's the one I want impressed.

An eyebrow raises, "is that so?"

Opportunities seem to about lately, "who am I to refuse good fortune, then! Tell me about it over drinks?"

Since it's "civilized", Dile leads the three of you out of the trailer, across the courtyard with a few other "receiving buildings", and through a guarded door into The Fountains proper. He chats amiably about the weather and asks if you heard about the plane crash this morning, all while walking past giant, noisesome machines that churn away at their jobs.


Eventually, you reach a well-appointed office with a working computer, a desk, some chairs, and a comfy couch. Dile serves you all some chilled water in clean glasses before he sits down at his desk.

A potential cure for lung rot! I almost stumble as Dile says it. If there is a medical term for lung rot, I haven't heard it before - it's just always been the boogeyman of ailments. Most people are hardy enough to scrap their way through most infections these days - a couple of days rest and someone to watch over you and your belongings, and you'll probably be fine. With lung rot the "best" solution we've come up with so far is just to sink the poor unfortunate soul before anyone else catches it. Some factions seem to have an easier time with that than others. I've always wondered if some deaths around the Isles that have been attributed to bravado or aggression, have actually been a cover-up for lung rot. I heard a while back that the Rafters actually lost quite a few of their clan to this a few months ago. Though I haven't met a pleasant Rafter yet - I wouldn't wish that end on anyone.

Still, the fountains having a cure for that doesn't exactly put me at ease. I wouldn't put weaponizing lung rot past them if they had the means to cure it.

"That would be most impressive." I cajole.

Two members of mom's crew succumbed to lung rot when I was eleven or twelve. Just seeing these strong adults I looked up to gradually waste away, coughing up death and losing themselves to the disease. A cure for that? Yes, I want the job but that... I can't think of a worse way to go.

"So a dive? Indoors? Dangerous... but I can't say it's not worth the risk," I speak up over the sound of the machines. It's a good thing that I do have a crew at the moment, a solo dive is even riskier. I glance at Syd for some reason, I feel like I should ask questions. Am I seeking his approval? "How reliable is this information? It won't be ruined by the sea?."

I hear Dinero, but don't react immediately. He should be reminding me of this in private, later, not before the job is even accepted... and does he think I don't remember?

I think for a few long moments, cross my arms to think, "if what you say is so, then I think we can get this done." I nod my head to myself a few subtle times, "what's our cut? This isn't an easy job."

I listen carefully, but I don't have to think about the difference, "up front... I got a crew to pay now. Gonna be some expenses, too, 'pressed air, refresh my diving gear..." I make a show of appearing to count in my head but I'm really just trying to figure out how much I can squeeze him for, "not a lot of ships out there would take this job.... make it twelve?"

Canary pushing back for negotiation seems just like her - confident and self-driven - part of the reason Princy likes to work with her. Also, Dinero's eagerness to help acquire the requested items surprises me, yet again. Does he have an auxiliary motive, or does he really want to prove himself this way? To Canary? To his father?

Still, perhaps I can help drive up the price.

I speak toward Canary in an almost off-handed manner, but I'm really trying to plant the seed in Dile's mind. "You were just telling me how your book of business is so full. After all, you've had to take on extra hands." I nod toward the eager Towerkin. "For the risk of not only getting to the lab, but safely acquiring the contents, and not to mention potential long-term effects of interacting with the components - I don't know if it would be wise to risk your steady, ongoing business for a one-time job. The ongoing cut sounds like it has the potential to be a meaningful offer, but if you want the upfront funds to self-invest and cover your crew, I'm not sure twelve is enough."

I nod quietly as Syd helps explain, and helps justify my needs. He sure talks nice, god to have on my side especially in a place like this.

"Fair enough," I nod, agreeing. I'd rather have the cash straight but I'll take it. I start thinking of what to ask for... air tanks, breathers, maybe a couple of spearguns in case of trouble.... "yeah, I'll make a list for the job. Consider it done."

And I glance back at Dinero, "gonna need to know your size." I smile at him, yeah, he's in.

End Scene