Crankshaft/Masa Specials and More

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

CRANKSHAFT WINTER SPECIAL 2020/2021 PART 3
CW: Mentions of Death

---

 

After an evening of setup the place is well protected. You and Dotty both end up staying on the couch overnight. 

 

Despite the circumstances, it might be more comfortable than your own bed.

 

That's because you got to share with someone you like.

 

Well....

 

Besides me of course. But I know it's a little different with her. 

 

I mean yeah. 

 

She exists in the flesh and all. 

 

.....

 

It's okay, I'm just teasing. 

 

Anyway.....

 

You're pretty comfortable... it's weirdly dark however. You wonder if you woke up too early...

 

Dotty is awake though.

 

Lex: Morning.

 

Dotty: Morning. You rest okay?

 

Lex: Better than I have in awhile actually? Kinda surprised, usually do bad sleeping away from home. 

 

Dotty: Same. 

 

You're both interrupted by a voice coming from upstairs. Targe shuffles down into the living room quickly.

 

Targe: Glad to hear the two of you are doing good. We got a bit of work on our hands today.

 

Lex: Right now? It's early right?

 

Targe: It's only a little to noon actually. Sky's just that dark right now.

 

Dotty: Really?

 

Lex: Geez....

 

Targe: We're probably going to have to go and help folks out where we can. The worst of the storm seems to have stopped by now but the snow's still going here and again with no sign of a real end. 

 

Dotty: So we're going after Big Summit right?

There was a teasing tone to Dotty’s voice. Targe rolled his eyes.

 

Targe: If it gets desperate enough yeah. Should try to prioritize helping out folks first though. A lot of people are having trouble with the snow.

 

Lex: I mean... most people on this island haven't seen real snow like this. Me included.

 

Dotty: Yeah.. I need some treads too if I'm going out there. You got something I can work with?

 

Targe: I'll figure something out. We gotta have a decent gameplan going on here.

Dotty: Just throw me a job and I’ll get it done.

Targe: We’ll figure that out. Honestly with your kind of muscle though it’ll be a lot of help.

Dotty’s ears perked at the compliment. You couldn’t help but smile to yourself.

Lex: I’m willing to do whatever it takes too.

Targe: I know. We’ll need everyone for this to work out.

Lex: So what are we waiting for?

Targe: Spice actually. He’s busy in the kitchen right now, figured you’d both like a little something before we go out. We’re gonna need all sorts of gear on us to make this work though. Winter wear, cloaks, radars and so on. Prepare for whatever course this takes including a monster hunt if we gotta.

Lex: I’m down for that.

Targe: You’re gonna be doing a lot of lifting as a warning.

Dotty: I’m fine.

Lex: Same.

Targe turned toward the kitchen.

Targe: Spice! You almost done in there!

Spice: I’m just serving quick! Hold on.



After a moment Spice shuffled in with a tray filled with a very gourd-esque brew. Not a single one of you hesitates to grab a mug and take a good gulp.

Dotty: Appreciated. Thank you!

Targe: Mm. It’s really good today.

Lex: Mm! You didn’t have to do that just for us.

Spice: It’s no biggie.  Gotta be a good host for our guests…. Plus, we’re gonna work you both a ton today so think of this as some advance.  So, what’s the plan Targe?

Dotty: Yeah, lay it on us, we’re waiting.

Targe: We’re gonna go through the neighborhood making sure folks are off the streets. Gotta manage any paths that got cluttered by lost souls. There’s gonna be a bunch of those.

Lex: Lost souls? From snow?

Targe: Snow’s hella cursed. Angel signals. Folks from other world are being split between here and their homes right now. Might be influencing them pretty hard right now too. Makes them terrified, might mistake you for something else you know? We gotta calm them down and snap them back to their senses.

Lex: Any chance we could end up like them?

Targe: Normally yeah, but we got some fancy webbing coats. Got them from overseas. As long as you’re wearing them you’ll be safe. They’re made of fiend silk though so try not to ruin them yeah?

Dotty: We’ll be careful.

Lex: No promises, but I’ll try.

Spice: Do we got enough of those for everyone?

Targe: One of us might have to stay behind honestly. We might need a guy in a chair anyway.

Spice: I can get the radios ready.

Lex: Aren’t those unsafe if there’s angel meddling?

Targe: Normally yeah, but we got customs made in advance.

Dotty: I gotta ask, why do you have all this?

Targe: We run a shop on the side. We get a lot of witching gear in and out. There’s a demand for it with a lot of kids you know? Hell, that’s when Spice and I got into it.

Lex: That’s when I got into it too….

Dotty: You gotta tell me about your witch phase at some point you know.

Lex: We’ll get to it!

Dotty: You better! I feel like there’s a lot of stuff you never talk about.

Lex: Same, I wanna know more too.

Dotty: I’ll be honest, I just don’t remember shit.

Spice: Hate to derail but I gotta point out something quick, look out the window.

You turn over. There’s a vague figure in the dark fumbling through the snow. They seem confused in their movements.



Dotty: What is that?

Targe: Lost souls, like I said.

Spice: They got a certain flame effect to them. Some of them are people from another world nearby. Others are wandering ghosts.

Dotty: No offense but uh….. Kinda reminds me of you. With the fire thing.

Spice: None taken.  There’s admittedly a little bit of overlap….

Targe’s face tried to shake off a frown.

Dotty: Is it too personal or…

Spice: I mean I don’t mind talking about it. Truth be told is I’m not really alive. Not in the sense that everyone else in the room is. Just a walking body with a soul glued to the neck.

Targe: Makeshift necromancy.

Spice: Technically a type of undead! Think we mentioned this a little before.

Dotty: Vaguely? Something about head exploding?

Targe: We messed with magic we weren’t particularly ready for. It’s my fault really but… what’s done is done.

Dotty: Shit… I’m sorry.

Targe: Nah, it’s alright. You’ve been hanging with us for awhile, fair enough to ask.

Spice: I don’t mind honestly though. Means I’m spooky all year long you know?

Lex: It’s a killer look. Kid me would’ve probably done it on purpose given the chance.

Dotty: Lex….

Lex: I’m kidding.

At this point the wandering lost soul seems to be stuck in a bit of a rut. It’s fumbled around in the same circle for a while now. It looks over at you here and now. There’s a gut feeling. You’ve got an idea.

Lex: You don’t think one of these ghosts could tell us something potentially useful right?

Targe: In theory. Like what though?

Lex: Like… what dragged them out here?

Targe: Maybe. If we get some kind of description we can put together some theories and work from there.

Lex: I’m going out there.

Spice: You might wanna wait.

Lex: There’s one right there, don’t wanna wait til it wanders off.

Targe: It’s freezing, wait for us to get you some proper gear going.

You hurry over to the door.

Spice: Lex, please don’t.

Targe: For real, just wait while I get you ready.

Targe starts going up stairs.

Lex: I’ll be quick about it, promise! I got a weird hunch about this one.

You quickly march outside. The air is colder than you’ve ever felt before in your life

Spice: Lex no-

Dotty: It’s alright. I got her back.

Spice sighs.

Spice: Please don’t do anything too reckless yeah?

Lex: I’ll play it safe!



You approach the ghost. The light leaking from the house makes it clear they’re some kind of construct, though perhaps not a model from around here. It’s shivering and possibly injured.

Its eyes widen at seeing you.

???: Y-You’re here to help me right?

Lex: Yeah. You don’t look like you’re doing too hot.

???: No…. I’m really not.

Lex: Let me help you out.

???: That’d be really nice right now.. Having trouble staying awake...

Lex: How long you been out here?

???: No idea, feels like forever….

Lex: Well get you warmed up in a sec.

???: Please...

You grab the construct’s hand. He’s physical, not really a ghost. He gives a squeeze in return.

Lex: You from around here?

???: No…. I’m pretty far from home actually.

Lex: From off island?

???: Different island. Got sucked up by a storm I think.

Lex: You know what did it?

???: Not really sure. But I’m glad you’re here now. It’s been a long time so…

???: I can’t promise I won’t get a little emotional.

Lex: You can let it out as much as you need to. We’ll get you warmed up….

???: I know…

???: I’m sorry it’s like this…

???: I’ve been keeping everyone safe since you’ve been gone though.

Lex: Oh?

???: As best I can anyway. Promised I would.

You wonder what he’s going on about.

???:  Hasn’t been the same without you though.

Lex: I’m sorry.

???: It’s okay. Your hair’s different I think but I kinda like it.

Lex: Thanks!

???: Everyone said you were a goner but you’re okay…

Lex: A goner?

???: Mmhmm… thanks for proving them wrong though…

???: I feel like you’re the only friend I really had so…

???: You coming back for me means the world…

The construct loses consciousness. You scurry to drag him inside.

The poor thing...