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.