>>5391890Once you finish up with the cleaning, you let Jack know that you’re heading out to the woods for a quick boost.
To avoid risking a forest fire, you haul a couple buckets filled with tap water along.
When you reach a suitable clearing, you set up a bonfire and set it alight with Fire Bolt.
After stripping down to your skivvies, you force yourself to lay down in the fire and let the comfort of the blaze wash over you.
> (Debuff Removed! Flesh Wound.)Upon re-dressing yourself, you’re struck with a sudden bout of curiosity and switch on Magesight; intent on examining your magically fueled bonfire. The picture is hard to quantify, but it’s almost like your deep dive into Delrio’s corrupted essence has allowed you to better refine your ability to see through glamours and other magic-based tricks.
> Spell Improved! Magesight: - Magesight - Able to see the magical energy within objects / people and see through magical illusions.It’s that heightened sense of awareness that alerts you to the abrupt appearance of a familiar presence.
> “Long time, no see, Set. Where the hell have you been?”You do your best to keep your tone level, but it’s hard to keep the frustration from coloring it. After the Squad snapped you up, you didn’t hear hide nor hear from Set at all. Not a message, not a meeting, not a single shred of support.
And judging from the lack of his telltale hangdog smirk, Set realizes the enormity of his blunder as well.
“Hey, kid. You’re looking well. Before you say anything, I-“
> “Seriously? ‘I’m looking well?’ That’s all you’ve got to say? Jesus, Set.”“Sean, you’ve got to believe me; I would’ve helped you if I could, but it just wasn’t possible!”
> “Why not!?”“Because, that would’ve just made things worse! You remember that possessed guy, the one who you shredded like lean beef? He had a master, one whose power blows me out of the water. If I had intervened, his patron would’ve had been able to do the same; and he’d be able to bring a lot more to the table. All I could do was try to observe and hope for the best. I’m not asking you to forgive me, I’m just asking for a chance to make it up to you; as a sign of good faith, that favor you owe me? Consider it repaid.”
Damn, he must really feel bad to willingly give up leverage. Maybe he’s serious about mending fences.
> “What’s your angle, Set? No offense, but this seems a little too good to be true.”“No tricks, I promise. You remember that roadtrip I brought up a long time ago? I think now would be a good time for it, you obviously need some time away from work, and it’ll give me a chance to pay you back for being such a kickass Avatar.”
You could use a vacation, but you better feel him out a little bit first.
> “Can I bring a few buddies along?”“Sure, the more the merrier.”
> “Then you’ve got a deal.”“Fantastic! You’re gonna have one hell of a time, kid; that’s a Set guarantee! I’ll need some time to get everything set up, but it’ll be worth the wait.”