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

[A_Mi_Manera]

You feel yourself being lifted off your feet.

Jam: We're gonna just dive straight in, hope you don't mind much. It's faster than walking around at a crawl.

Lex: Yeah I getcha... wow this is weird.

Jam: It'll be fine.

Jam leads you down the corridors and alleyways of a dense city made of structures both abstract and familiar.

Jam: Soo.... everything important you think about has to go somewhere right? And here's where it all piles together. Your mind palace as some would say.

Lex: I don't think you're using that term right.

Jam: It's in your mind and kind of a palace right? Close enough.

Lex: I mean I guess.... so why are we here?

Jam: I mostly wanna introduce you to this place since tomorrow we might be tagging out a good amount. Those pardners got some nasty powers and you might need me to step in. This is gonna be your rest area whenever that happens. 

Lex: You uh.... got abilities yeah?

Jam: A few! For example, I can convince people a prop is the real deal.

Lex: That seems kind of weak.

Jam: Not if you're in costume. They might have you go tomorrow in character and they'll absolutely give you some props to work with.

Lex: Okay so uh... what else in case that doesn't work out?

Jam: I can pick up things where you left off if you were to go into shock. Like one of those spare guys you get in a video game. 

Lex: That's kinda nice I guess but uh... unless you can heal me that's no good.

Jam: I can control your adrenaline, that's more than enough I think to save you. 

Lex: That's actually kinda cool I guess.

Jam: It's more than cool, it's a lifesaver in the right situation. I don't really have something absurdly strong like shooting lasers or making cool weapons show up but I think that's plenty enough to work with for now. 

Lex: Compared to everyone else though? Dotty used to be a pretty famous lots of things and Geezer is some kind of magic man. Feel like I'm contributing the least here.

Jam: Don't underestimate how strong you can be with a little fire under you, I can mess with your functions to help you keep in fighting shape and you're not too shabby at scrapping in general so... it works out. Plus Dotty wouldn't have invited you for this if she thought you'd be a bad partner for a duel right? You're fine.  You managed to pin a partner in a pinch no problem, you got the potential.


Lex: When you put it like that, I guess you're right. You're gonna be with me the entire way though, right?

Jam: Absolutely... just no more self doubt stuff. You weren't like that when you came running over to the bus yesterday afternoon.

Lex: Yeah... I don't know what happened.

Jam: Too much in one day, it does it to anyone.... I think it's time for you to wake up now though. I hear something.

You do too, it's knocking on the door.

Lex: I guess uh... I'll see you soon then?

Jam: I'll always be here, see you whenever you need me.




Your eyes open up. You look over toward the doorway. Dotty is there talking to one of the staff, another dopple with a bit of a ratty look to her. You can't make out the conversation particularly well, you're still half asleep. The staff member hands Dotty a pile of clothes. I guess they can't have you using the same outfit however long they need you to. Dotty wraps things up with the crew member and flops onto the bed next to you.

Dotty: Lex, you awake yet.

Lex: Kinda.....

Dotty: We're gonna need to be ready soon. Shower and get dressed.

Lex: What time is it?

Dotty: 6am. Why?

You grumble.

Dotty: Gotta be up early. They promised to cover meals while we're here including breakfast but we have to be at the park by 8.

Oh god you don't think you had a proper meal at all yesterday. 

Lex: That'd be nice.

Dotty grabs your hand and pulls up upright.

Dotty: It'll be fun, we'll make it fun.

Lex: Yeah... give me a few minutes to get ready.