Crankshaft Rafflesian: We're Past the Tutorial Thank God!

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The meal wraps up with you inputting very little toward the rest of the conversation. 

Tackle handles the bill. You all plan to enter the park in advance to avoid dealing with crowds while handling the pardner situation.

Being spotted like that two nights of a row fills you with a heavy sense of tension.

You try not to make eye contact with anyone as you exit.

You tag in. The feeling is leaking over pretty hard right now.

Sorry about that. 

You okay?

Little rattled. Don't trust her much.

I don't blame you, she has a bit of a threatening aura.

Between her and Geezer I'm gonna have a field day.

Just sit back for now.

Your internal conversation is interrupted.



Dotty: Hey, you alright?

Lex: Mm?

Dotty: What was all that about? Everyone got weird at the table.

Lex: Something a little private. I wanna wait til we're clear.

Dotty: Nobody's around. Whisper.

Lex: So uh... the other person. Like, the one I mentioned?

Dotty: Yeah, what about them?

Lex: Feeling a little threatened right now. 

Dotty: By who? Geezer? I'll keep him in check if he starts something again.

Lex: Him and Tackle. I don't think either of them trust us more than they gotta.

Dotty: Course not, Tackle is corporate and Geezer's weird. Don't take anything so seriously. 

Lex: I'm feeling really bad Dotty. Like, I'm feeling two people's feelings right now and both suck and I'm not sure anymore who's are who's.

Dotty: We'll get some time to ourselves after we split into teams. 

Lex: You don't think they're going to monitor us?

Dotty: I mean.... probably. I'm more worried about the fact that we're going to do this and the duel back to back.

Lex: Shoot, that's right! You nervous?

Dotty: It's a real fight so... yeah. I have no data on what Geezer can do, and he has the option of a tag partner too though... he might not bother with one so that's good for us.

Lex: You don't got a issue fighting two against one?

Dotty: Nope, I want to live. Besides, I've been out of the dueling game and he's probably still active enough. I'll take any advantage I can get. You could probably kick his ass. 

Lex: I mean he's a knight, I'm still in the minor circuits.

Dotty: Yeah but like, you're scrappy. You've seen the movies, the scrappy underdog wins.

Lex: That's usually the sequels. I'm not expecting anything. You're still in the business.

Dotty: I'm just a glorified referee. I yell at people when they break the rules for a living.

Lex: Yeah but like....

You put your hand by the top of her forehead. 

Lex: You're big. Like really big. You could kill someone with a body slam. 

Dotty: I mean I could! Doesn't mean I want to! 

Lex: Like, you could just sit on someone and that's it, bones broken. I can't do that.

Dotty: Now you're just going to make me insecure. 

Lex: It's a good thing! Like, you're strong! 

You're interrupted by the sliding in of a very sneaky rabbit.



Tackle: You better be strong, today you are both going to work!

Lex: Uh.... Hi?

Oh god she has her arm around us.

Tackle: You talking game plan?

Dotty: Little bit, you need us now?

Tackle: Mmhmm! We're approaching the entrance in a sec. You ever been to Capital Park? Makes the most Capital in the Capital!

Dotty: I've probably been there, can't remember though.

Lex: I was there once as a kid but same boat really? 

Tackle: May as well be a fresh set of eyes then. We're going to hook you up with passes in a sec, I got good news.

Dotty: Oh? 

Tackle: I'm setting you both up with a few extra resources. Management gave the go to spare you a few crew members to help you out. We got Kurt on the radio ready to help if any tech related issues come up. He's one of our creative engineers who works on updating rides for the season. We also are offering you some options. 

Dotty: Show them.

Tackle: Mm. So.... Geezer insists on being there if there's a alpha Pardner. 

Lex: You mean Buckaroo.

She glares at you quietly before continuing. 

Tackle: He's called up a contact for help. Owes him a favor, another knight who happens to be in the area right now.

Dotty: Okay. 



Tackle: Very experienced, slayer of many giant creatures. We're compensating them of course for the their time. It shouldn't have to come to this but... we like the extra insurance. We also have two others who might be of interest for the searching process.




Tackle: The first is a necromancy unit and spiritualist who might be able to track down the supernatural aura around these lizards. As silly as it sounds, a witch is pretty handy on the investigation. Also supposedly she's very pleasant to work with. She might be of help if you've got a ghost in your head especially. The second one....



Tackle: Is a vintage unit who's been around for... well, one of you might have met him a long time ago. Hard to say, I could be making a assumption! Very powerful unit, one of the strongest duelists in the area. A little extra protection couldn't hurt.....


You feel targeted. You can tell Dotty does too. 


You all arrive in front of the park. It's massive.

Tackle: We can bring in one right now. Take your pickings.

Dotty:... I'm having a little trouble. Lex, you wanna help? What do you think?


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