Quoted By:
You’re no expert on the stuff, you begin in a tone that suggests you <span class="mu-i">might</span> be an expert on the stuff, but what if… what if it’s all tied together?
“Like…” Volka whispers with wide eyes, “Like there’s a giant <span class="mu-i">string</span> pulling them all!?”
No, you continue, you mean, like… what if The Cartel brings the bodies to Trier–dead <span class="mu-i">or</span> alive, mind–and he stuffs them into Teksouls somehow?
“It… certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility…” Muses Toppel as she and Tzah-Tzie exchange an awkward glance, “If anyone could manage that, it’d be the Archmage…”
But wait, there’s more! What if all of those Teksouls are his spare lives? What if he can just hop between whichever one he wants!?
The suggestion shocks the squad into stifling silence!
“Hells…” Mutters Volka, shaking her head in disbelief as she shifts her weight from one beefy leg to the other, “I sure hope that ain’t the case! How would we even begin to handle that!?”
“The notes.”
You glance down at the Bard beastie currently sitting in your lap. Sure, you shrug, but they’re gone, remember? The damn Cartel probably took them!
“Trust me, I’m as excited about it as you are,” The Durher sighs as her expression hardens under grim memories, “But think of it this way: why would the Cartel want to steal them?”
Why indeed? Pick one and sh-
“We don’t need to do that again.” Oti grumbles. “We know all too well how smart you are.”
Uhhh okay, RUDE! The Chytree’s eyes flicker.
“I meant it as a compliment–your theory is sound.” He cocks his head to the side. “Did I sound insulting?”
He’s… hard to read sometimes, you sheepishly reply! T-thanks, though!
“If I was a ruthless gangster,” Muses Morook with a wistful glimmer in his eyes, “And I’m not, I’d steal notes on my partner for two reasons: Number One: Someone finding them could harm me. Number Two: They could harm my partner…”
TT’s eyes light up with fresh mischief! “You’re forgetting Number 3, there, Mor…”
This time it’s Volka’s turn to speak up! “OH! It could hurt <span class="mu-s">BOTH</span> of ‘em!”
“Ex-actly!” Praises the performer as Volka’s face lights up with glee!
“... I was also going to say that.”
“Alriiiight! Good thinkin’, Rezzie!” The Skog snickers, giving the haughty Hellion a pat on the head!
You can’t help but brighten up a bit as the rest of the team erupts with praise! They ain’t wrong–if the kook in the Khorrozeh Wing wasn’t speaking crazy talk, whoever stole the notes did so sneaky-like… meaning they didn’t want Trier to know!
You might just be onto something here… assuming you can track those notes down!
So, you begin, bringing everyone’s attention (Obber’s included) back your way, you’ve got a date with The Cartel… question is, <span class="mu-i">how</span> do we track those notes down?
>CONTD.
