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The New Adventures of Thundina Seong! Completed May 4
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<blockquote data-quote="Ealli" data-source="post: 3338874" data-attributes="member: 804"><p><strong>Chapter 99: Flowers for Bravo</strong></p><p></p><p><em>Editor's note: The following chapter is entirely fictitional. It was inspired by a comment made by the player of Orning after session 4. He is looking forward to when a headband of intellect +4 can be made for Orning because he's having a lot of frustration from recognizing things, but being unable to tell anyone else due to Orning's limitations.</em></p><p></p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>“By the gods, I thought I had swore I would never again stoop to making a living by working,” Thundina declared as she came in carrying the last pieces of platemail and placing them on the workbench.</p><p></p><p>“Thank you for bringing all that in. And yes, you did. I quite clearly heard you say so back in Thronehold,” Krel replied with a faint smile. “You saw the remnants of Orning’s armor. You yourself declared that it was irreparable. Besides, I think I’ve finally gotten this new formula figured out and a clean slate to work on will be a benefit.”</p><p></p><p>“Yeah, I get all that. Why was I the one who had to slave over a forge making the armor though? I could have been spending our well deserved reward on pampering. I could have been introducing Orning to all the fun that I’m sure he never dared experience back at that Lightbringer monastery of theirs.”</p><p>“Guildhall, not monastery.”</p><p>“Whatever. Question stands, why was I working instead of partying?”</p><p>“Because you’re the only one in Barovia who can work mithril. Are you sure you don’t have a trace of elven or dwarven blood in you?”</p><p></p><p>Laughing, Thundina replied, “You’re welcome. If you need me, I’ll be over in the inn enjoying their finest wine and trying to find a pretty boy with strong hands to help get the soreness out of my shoulders. I’m out of practice with swinging a hammer.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, Thundina, before you go, I have a new toy for you. The red cloak there, exceeds the protective qualities of your current cloak, and let’s you vanish in a puff of smoke,” Krel said while gesturing towards the far bench of his laboratory.</p><p></p><p>Spotting the folded red square, Thundina swept the cloak off the table and onto her shoulders with a grand flourish. “Both! I thought you said you’d only be able to one or the other and wouldn’t be even getting around to it until beginning of next week.”</p><p></p><p>“I implemented my research on the cloak. It went much quicker than expected. Do you know where Orning is?”</p><p>“I think he’s at the inn with that new kitten of his.”</p><p>“There’s something wrong with that cat. It may be young, but it still should be more active than it currently is, I’m worried that it’s not going to survive.”</p><p>“Orning loves it already. They seem to suit each other quite well.”</p><p>“Thundina, that’s not very nice. Anyway, I think I’m done with you for now. Go have fun.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, I will.” Thundina smiled broadly, winked at Krel, and flourished the cloak. Vanishing from Krel’s current laboratory, she reappeared at the inn. Smiling broadly, Thundina spotted Orning with a bowl of stew near the kitchen. Approaching Orning, Thundina noticed that Orning was feeding the kitten they party had found the previous day. “Orning, have you decided you’re going to adopt that cat?” </p><p></p><p>Glancing up, Orning replied, “Good wins.”</p><p>“Have you decided on a name for it yet?”</p><p>“Bravo.”</p><p>“Why am I not surprised? Anyway, once you’re done here, Krel is looking for you.”</p><p>“I’m always watching.”</p><p>Thumping Orning on the back, Thundina said, “That’s what I love about you.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>Orning carried his kitten to the house that Krel had been given permission to use for a laboratory. Knocking on the door, Orning called out, “Bravo.”</p><p>“Yes, come in Orning,” came the reply from inside the house.</p><p></p><p>In the cellar, surrounded by books and beakers bubbling with alchemical solutions, Krel bent over a journal. He gestured Orning closer and pointed at something written down. “See my new formula, this should be much better than anything previously produced.”</p><p></p><p>Orning stared intently, nodded, and said, “I’m always watching.”</p><p></p><p>Hearing a faint mew, Krel glanced up to see the kitten nestled in Orning’s arms. “Ah, I see you brought your cat. I think I have a basket around here somewhere that we can make into a bed for it.”</p><p></p><p>Krel pulled out some ruined scraps of fabric from other cloaks which did not take the infusions and piled them into a basket. Orning then gently placed Bravo into the basket and stroking the cat’s grey head said, “Bravo. I’m always watching.”</p><p></p><p>“Right. Anyway, Orning, I need your assistance in preparing an elixir. Could you please stir this pot while I measure in the needed ingredients?” Krel indicated a small cauldron. “Remember how I’ve always been talking about how I was going to make an ornate circlet that’d enhance my focus, well, this is it. If my calculations are correct, on a scale of three to eighteen, this is going to boost my intelligence by sixteen! The best I’ve ever heard any one else ever accomplish would only rate a six on that scale. Being able to make this kind of contribution to magic is why I became an artificer.”</p><p></p><p>Stirring intently, Orning nodded and said, “I’m a Lightbringer.”</p><p></p><p>Working all through the afternoon and late into the evening, Orning maintained a steady stroke stirring the solution while Krel measured ingredients and adjusted heat sources. Slowly, the potion thickened and congealed. Krel gave the next instructions, “Remove the stirring rod now Orning. While we let that dry, we have another project to work on. Over here please, I’ll need you to hold my book on this one.”</p><p></p><p>Once the brew had dried, Krel transferred it to a crucible. Once incinerated, Krel then applied the ashes to a silver mesh circlet and set it aside on the workbench, next to Orning’s armor. After brewing a couple more potions with Orning’s assistance, Krel pointed Orning towards the armor Thundina had brought in and said, “Orning, please go and put on your new armor. It’s there on the workbench. The final infusions for it will require a binding and that requires that you be wearing your armor. I’ll help you fasten the cinches once I make a couple more notes in my journal.”</p><p></p><p>After fastening the leggings and hanging on the main chest piece, Orning looked for the helmet to go with the rest of the platemail, but the only piece of silvery metal headgear nearby was the silver mesh headband just completed earlier that evening. With a shrug, Orning lifted the headband and placed it on his own head like the helmet would have gone. As soon as the headband settled over his brow, Orning let out a terrible scream, “Aaaah. Burning. Good wins!” Then Orning fell over backwards and crashed to the floor.</p><p></p><p>Krel dropped his quill and whipped around at the scream. “What? Orning!?” Krel began, then added, “What?” as he realized that Orning had said “burning” which he had never done before. Reaching the fallen mithril clad figure Krel immediately saw what had happened. Krel attempted to remove the silver headband from Orning only to realize that the circlet had constricted and partially dug itself into Orning’s head. Krel dashed up the stairs and into the foggy night and over to the inn. Glancing around the common room and not seeing what he was searching for he ran to the barkeep and panting said, “Thundina. Where is Thundina?”</p><p>“I think she is retired to her room.”</p><p></p><p>Then dashing up the stairs to the residence level of the inn, Krel reached Thundina’s door and began pounding on it. For a moment nothing and then the door opened a sliver and finally opened fully. Standing in her nightdress, Thundina looked a little sleepy, but still battle-ready, especially as with the door fully open it became obvious that Thundina was armed. Leaning her guisarme against the wall Thundina asked, “Krel! What is it that you’re pounding on my door at this time of night?”</p><p></p><p>“It’s Orning. Something’s happened to him. Please come quickly.”</p><p></p><p>After rushing back to the laboratory, Krel and Thundina found Orning right where Krel had left him. Thundina knelt down to better inspect Orning, “What happened here?”</p><p>“He put on the headband I had been working on, screamed, and fell.”</p><p>“Well, in my professional opinion, he’s out cold. What more do you expect me to be able to do? I’m not a cleric you know.”</p><p>“I know, but our cleric has gone on a retreat for a couple days. We can’t leave him here. Can you carry him back to the inn? We’ll put him to bed.”</p><p></p><p>After she pulled off the main pieces of Orning’s armor, Thundina lifted him and carried him back to the inn. Meanwhile Krel fetched the sleeping Bravo who hadn’t left his bed of cloaks since Orning placed him there. Krel figured that seeing his cat would be comforting to Orning when he awoke.</p><p></p><p></p><p>The next morning, Krel and Thundina were discussing what could be done for Orning over breakfast when Orning came down the stairs clutching his head.</p><p></p><p>“Good morning, Orning,” Krel called out. “I see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”</p><p>“Head hurts,” groaned Orning.</p><p></p><p>Thundina’s eyes went wide. “I thought you were joking or something.”</p><p>Krel responded, “That’s a whole nother phrase. I think maybe the headband is positively affecting him as well.”</p><p></p><p>Once Orning joined Krel and Thundina, Krel followed up, “Orning, do you remember what happened?”</p><p></p><p>Orning shook his head and said, “Good wins.”</p><p>“Well, I think you had better stay close to me today. Or rather, I had better stay close to you. I don’t think I’ll be getting much work done today.”</p><p></p><p>Over the next several days, Krel stayed close to Orning while Orning’s vocabulary expanded. Finally, Orning asked Krel, “I have come to believe that something is wrong with Bravo. Any other kitten of his age should be able to follow and chase a toy, but as soon as one is out of Bravo’s sight, he no longer has any interest in it. I have repeated this experiment several times and replicated the results. I wonder, could we formulate some device like my own headband for Bravo.”</p><p></p><p>Krel considered a moment, “I do not know if a cat’s physiology would react in the same way. Plus those components are extremely valuable. To experiment in this way, I don’t know, it’s just not worthwhile.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah, but Krel, not all of the ash was used in the making of this headband. I estimate that sufficient quantities remain that only the base silver circlet would be required. I believe that I can acquire one in relatively short order.” Orning replied.</p><p></p><p>“There is one more potion that would be required. It will take at least three days to make all the preparations for this. I have other tasks which need to be completed to have the all the equipment in place for the next mission. I’m sorry Orning, it’s not going to happen.”</p><p></p><p>“I have actually been looking over your journal. Do not look so shocked, it was a very simple password on your chest. I have some ideas that will boost the effectiveness in a couple instances, and reduce cost in materials and time in a couple other instances. We can work on this together. All I ask in exchange is that we equip Bravo with a headband.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>Three days later, Bravo too had a little silver mesh sunk slightly into his head. Orning brought Bravo to Thundina to ask her, “Thundina, Krel and I are going to be doing some intense calculations. I will be unable to properly care for Bravo today. Would you please watch over and play with him today?”</p><p></p><p>Thundina shrugged her shoulders, “Okay. But how much longer are you and Krel going to be tied up with this work? I’m getting bored here, it’s time that we get back to adventuring. I was not meant to sit around all day, at least not in a place like this.”</p><p></p><p>“Just a few more days, Thundina. You will appreciate the tools once we have completed our work.”</p><p></p><p>Later that afternoon, at the house where Krel, and now Orning, were working, Thundina arrived. Hopping down the stairs, she burst into the laboratory.</p><p></p><p>Orning turned as she entered, “Thundina, I thought you were going to be with Bravo.”</p><p></p><p>“I was. He fell asleep, so I thought I’d come visit you.” Poking her head over a bubbling beaker, she took a breath in. “Phew, that stinks. What is it?”</p><p>“It is half a Cure potion; a new formula that maximizes its strength.”</p><p>“I hope that you can do something about that smell before you ask any of us to choke that down. Does it taste as bad as it smells?” Thundina begins to dip her finger in before Orning grabs her wrist.</p><p>“Please, Thundina, do not touch. Not those books I can see you looking at now. And especially not the jewelry, we need that to finish some of the items.”</p><p></p><p>Before the argument could become heated, a mewing from the stairs is heard. Crawling down the stairs is a grey kitten which Orning immediately moved to scoop up. Scratching Bravo’s head, Orning asked, “I thought you said that he was sleeping.”</p><p></p><p>“He was. I had left him in my room, how do you think he got over here then?”</p><p>“He is a clever cat. Bravo, if you stay, will you stay out of the way?” Orning held Bravo up near his face. “Okay, you can stay. Thundina, do you not have something to do? You will be terribly bored here.”</p><p>“Yeah, yeah. You boys have fun, okay?”</p><p></p><p>A couple days later, Thundina stormed down the stairs to the laboratory. Brandishing the red cloak, Thundina shouted, “Krel! Krel! The cloak, the cloak isn’t working. You said it would poof, it’s not poofing. It’s become a non-poofing cloak!”</p><p></p><p>Turning to the stairs, Krel said with a sigh, “I told you, Thundina, it only works once per day. If you’re attempting to use it more than that, it simply will not work.”</p><p>“I remember. But I didn’t use it yesterday at all, and when I tried to use it today, nothing. Flap, flap, flap; flourish, flourish, flourish, nothing!”</p><p>“Okay, okay, leave it with me, I’ll look at it and see what’s happening.”</p><p></p><p>Before leaving, Thundina went to the other bench where Orning was working. “Hey Orning, hey Bravo.” Thundina said as she scratched Bravo behind the ears. “What new wonders have you invented since last I’ve been down here?”</p><p></p><p>Frowning, Orning replied, “Do you really want all the technical details? Most of this morning, I have spent with Bravo. His pupils are dilated and he has been confused today. Yesterday, I thought I heard almost primitive speech out of him, but today there has been nothing even close.”</p><p>“Orning, you know animals can’t speak.”</p><p>“Normal animals cannot speak. Certain druids have the power to Awaken an animal with human intelligence. The principle is sound.”</p><p>“Neither you nor Krel are druids. You’ve been cooped up in here for too long. You’re having quicksilver dreams. What you need is fresh air. Do you want me to take Bravo out for some fresh air?”</p><p>“A change of scenery could do Bravo some good. I cannot spend all day tending to him, knowing that you are always watching will give me some peace of mind.”</p><p>“Ha! That’s a joke, right? Okay, I will watch Bravo.”</p><p></p><p>Once Thundina had carried Bravo out, Krel brought the red cloak over to Orning. “As I’m sure you heard during her entrance, Thundina says there is something wrong with the cloak. Could you look into what it is so we can tell her exactly what is wrong with it. I expect it is something fairly basic, but we can humor her.”</p><p></p><p>An hour later, Orning raised the point, “This was one of the first in the new formula items you crafted. Could I please see the notes you made while working on it?”</p><p>“Sure, um, the second-to-bottom hide bound journal should have the research notes.” Krel indicated a stack of volumes.</p><p></p><p>Perusing the book, Orning muttered, “Is that right? I think I ought to recheck the calculations from the top.” Finally, Orning reached a conclusion. “Krel, I need you to work with me through these calculations. Here, this simplification, you cannot do that. It is a divide by zero. If we keep it in the long form, see, the calculations indicate an inverted parabolic function over time. The gains are unstable and will not last. Please, find an error in this conclusion.”</p><p>Krel followed the numbers with his finger, “Uh, ah, I see, yes, that was a divide by zero. I cannot find any error in the new calculations.”</p><p>“You do realize the implications?”</p><p>“Yes.”</p><p>“I am going to go find Thundina and Bravo. I am sorry, but I do not think I can be of any further assistance.”</p><p></p><p>At the knock on the door, Thundina answered, cradling Bravo. “Orning, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be in that lab all day?”</p><p>“I need to spend time with Bravo. How is he?”</p><p>“He’s been sleeping basically all day. Kind of reminds me of when you first found him.”</p><p>“Yes. That is why I need to spend time with him.”</p><p></p><p>The following day Bravo died. Orning and all his close friends held a small funeral for Bravo. Tears rolled down Orning's cheeks as he placed a small bouquet of flowers on top the little grave, all the while repeating the name Bravo.</p><p></p><p>Thundina patted Orning on the shoulders, “I know Bravo was your good friend. It’s going to be alright. He’s gone up to kitty heaven from where he can always be watching over you.”</p><p>“I’m always watching.”</p><p>Tearing up herself, Thundina gave Orning a grand hug. “Oh Orning, don’t go.”</p><p>Orning faintly whispered, “Good wins.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ealli, post: 3338874, member: 804"] [b]Chapter 99: Flowers for Bravo[/b] [I]Editor's note: The following chapter is entirely fictitional. It was inspired by a comment made by the player of Orning after session 4. He is looking forward to when a headband of intellect +4 can be made for Orning because he's having a lot of frustration from recognizing things, but being unable to tell anyone else due to Orning's limitations.[/I] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “By the gods, I thought I had swore I would never again stoop to making a living by working,” Thundina declared as she came in carrying the last pieces of platemail and placing them on the workbench. “Thank you for bringing all that in. And yes, you did. I quite clearly heard you say so back in Thronehold,” Krel replied with a faint smile. “You saw the remnants of Orning’s armor. You yourself declared that it was irreparable. Besides, I think I’ve finally gotten this new formula figured out and a clean slate to work on will be a benefit.” “Yeah, I get all that. Why was I the one who had to slave over a forge making the armor though? I could have been spending our well deserved reward on pampering. I could have been introducing Orning to all the fun that I’m sure he never dared experience back at that Lightbringer monastery of theirs.” “Guildhall, not monastery.” “Whatever. Question stands, why was I working instead of partying?” “Because you’re the only one in Barovia who can work mithril. Are you sure you don’t have a trace of elven or dwarven blood in you?” Laughing, Thundina replied, “You’re welcome. If you need me, I’ll be over in the inn enjoying their finest wine and trying to find a pretty boy with strong hands to help get the soreness out of my shoulders. I’m out of practice with swinging a hammer.” “Oh, Thundina, before you go, I have a new toy for you. The red cloak there, exceeds the protective qualities of your current cloak, and let’s you vanish in a puff of smoke,” Krel said while gesturing towards the far bench of his laboratory. Spotting the folded red square, Thundina swept the cloak off the table and onto her shoulders with a grand flourish. “Both! I thought you said you’d only be able to one or the other and wouldn’t be even getting around to it until beginning of next week.” “I implemented my research on the cloak. It went much quicker than expected. Do you know where Orning is?” “I think he’s at the inn with that new kitten of his.” “There’s something wrong with that cat. It may be young, but it still should be more active than it currently is, I’m worried that it’s not going to survive.” “Orning loves it already. They seem to suit each other quite well.” “Thundina, that’s not very nice. Anyway, I think I’m done with you for now. Go have fun.” “Oh, I will.” Thundina smiled broadly, winked at Krel, and flourished the cloak. Vanishing from Krel’s current laboratory, she reappeared at the inn. Smiling broadly, Thundina spotted Orning with a bowl of stew near the kitchen. Approaching Orning, Thundina noticed that Orning was feeding the kitten they party had found the previous day. “Orning, have you decided you’re going to adopt that cat?” Glancing up, Orning replied, “Good wins.” “Have you decided on a name for it yet?” “Bravo.” “Why am I not surprised? Anyway, once you’re done here, Krel is looking for you.” “I’m always watching.” Thumping Orning on the back, Thundina said, “That’s what I love about you.” Orning carried his kitten to the house that Krel had been given permission to use for a laboratory. Knocking on the door, Orning called out, “Bravo.” “Yes, come in Orning,” came the reply from inside the house. In the cellar, surrounded by books and beakers bubbling with alchemical solutions, Krel bent over a journal. He gestured Orning closer and pointed at something written down. “See my new formula, this should be much better than anything previously produced.” Orning stared intently, nodded, and said, “I’m always watching.” Hearing a faint mew, Krel glanced up to see the kitten nestled in Orning’s arms. “Ah, I see you brought your cat. I think I have a basket around here somewhere that we can make into a bed for it.” Krel pulled out some ruined scraps of fabric from other cloaks which did not take the infusions and piled them into a basket. Orning then gently placed Bravo into the basket and stroking the cat’s grey head said, “Bravo. I’m always watching.” “Right. Anyway, Orning, I need your assistance in preparing an elixir. Could you please stir this pot while I measure in the needed ingredients?” Krel indicated a small cauldron. “Remember how I’ve always been talking about how I was going to make an ornate circlet that’d enhance my focus, well, this is it. If my calculations are correct, on a scale of three to eighteen, this is going to boost my intelligence by sixteen! The best I’ve ever heard any one else ever accomplish would only rate a six on that scale. Being able to make this kind of contribution to magic is why I became an artificer.” Stirring intently, Orning nodded and said, “I’m a Lightbringer.” Working all through the afternoon and late into the evening, Orning maintained a steady stroke stirring the solution while Krel measured ingredients and adjusted heat sources. Slowly, the potion thickened and congealed. Krel gave the next instructions, “Remove the stirring rod now Orning. While we let that dry, we have another project to work on. Over here please, I’ll need you to hold my book on this one.” Once the brew had dried, Krel transferred it to a crucible. Once incinerated, Krel then applied the ashes to a silver mesh circlet and set it aside on the workbench, next to Orning’s armor. After brewing a couple more potions with Orning’s assistance, Krel pointed Orning towards the armor Thundina had brought in and said, “Orning, please go and put on your new armor. It’s there on the workbench. The final infusions for it will require a binding and that requires that you be wearing your armor. I’ll help you fasten the cinches once I make a couple more notes in my journal.” After fastening the leggings and hanging on the main chest piece, Orning looked for the helmet to go with the rest of the platemail, but the only piece of silvery metal headgear nearby was the silver mesh headband just completed earlier that evening. With a shrug, Orning lifted the headband and placed it on his own head like the helmet would have gone. As soon as the headband settled over his brow, Orning let out a terrible scream, “Aaaah. Burning. Good wins!” Then Orning fell over backwards and crashed to the floor. Krel dropped his quill and whipped around at the scream. “What? Orning!?” Krel began, then added, “What?” as he realized that Orning had said “burning” which he had never done before. Reaching the fallen mithril clad figure Krel immediately saw what had happened. Krel attempted to remove the silver headband from Orning only to realize that the circlet had constricted and partially dug itself into Orning’s head. Krel dashed up the stairs and into the foggy night and over to the inn. Glancing around the common room and not seeing what he was searching for he ran to the barkeep and panting said, “Thundina. Where is Thundina?” “I think she is retired to her room.” Then dashing up the stairs to the residence level of the inn, Krel reached Thundina’s door and began pounding on it. For a moment nothing and then the door opened a sliver and finally opened fully. Standing in her nightdress, Thundina looked a little sleepy, but still battle-ready, especially as with the door fully open it became obvious that Thundina was armed. Leaning her guisarme against the wall Thundina asked, “Krel! What is it that you’re pounding on my door at this time of night?” “It’s Orning. Something’s happened to him. Please come quickly.” After rushing back to the laboratory, Krel and Thundina found Orning right where Krel had left him. Thundina knelt down to better inspect Orning, “What happened here?” “He put on the headband I had been working on, screamed, and fell.” “Well, in my professional opinion, he’s out cold. What more do you expect me to be able to do? I’m not a cleric you know.” “I know, but our cleric has gone on a retreat for a couple days. We can’t leave him here. Can you carry him back to the inn? We’ll put him to bed.” After she pulled off the main pieces of Orning’s armor, Thundina lifted him and carried him back to the inn. Meanwhile Krel fetched the sleeping Bravo who hadn’t left his bed of cloaks since Orning placed him there. Krel figured that seeing his cat would be comforting to Orning when he awoke. The next morning, Krel and Thundina were discussing what could be done for Orning over breakfast when Orning came down the stairs clutching his head. “Good morning, Orning,” Krel called out. “I see you’re awake. How are you feeling?” “Head hurts,” groaned Orning. Thundina’s eyes went wide. “I thought you were joking or something.” Krel responded, “That’s a whole nother phrase. I think maybe the headband is positively affecting him as well.” Once Orning joined Krel and Thundina, Krel followed up, “Orning, do you remember what happened?” Orning shook his head and said, “Good wins.” “Well, I think you had better stay close to me today. Or rather, I had better stay close to you. I don’t think I’ll be getting much work done today.” Over the next several days, Krel stayed close to Orning while Orning’s vocabulary expanded. Finally, Orning asked Krel, “I have come to believe that something is wrong with Bravo. Any other kitten of his age should be able to follow and chase a toy, but as soon as one is out of Bravo’s sight, he no longer has any interest in it. I have repeated this experiment several times and replicated the results. I wonder, could we formulate some device like my own headband for Bravo.” Krel considered a moment, “I do not know if a cat’s physiology would react in the same way. Plus those components are extremely valuable. To experiment in this way, I don’t know, it’s just not worthwhile.” “Ah, but Krel, not all of the ash was used in the making of this headband. I estimate that sufficient quantities remain that only the base silver circlet would be required. I believe that I can acquire one in relatively short order.” Orning replied. “There is one more potion that would be required. It will take at least three days to make all the preparations for this. I have other tasks which need to be completed to have the all the equipment in place for the next mission. I’m sorry Orning, it’s not going to happen.” “I have actually been looking over your journal. Do not look so shocked, it was a very simple password on your chest. I have some ideas that will boost the effectiveness in a couple instances, and reduce cost in materials and time in a couple other instances. We can work on this together. All I ask in exchange is that we equip Bravo with a headband.” Three days later, Bravo too had a little silver mesh sunk slightly into his head. Orning brought Bravo to Thundina to ask her, “Thundina, Krel and I are going to be doing some intense calculations. I will be unable to properly care for Bravo today. Would you please watch over and play with him today?” Thundina shrugged her shoulders, “Okay. But how much longer are you and Krel going to be tied up with this work? I’m getting bored here, it’s time that we get back to adventuring. I was not meant to sit around all day, at least not in a place like this.” “Just a few more days, Thundina. You will appreciate the tools once we have completed our work.” Later that afternoon, at the house where Krel, and now Orning, were working, Thundina arrived. Hopping down the stairs, she burst into the laboratory. Orning turned as she entered, “Thundina, I thought you were going to be with Bravo.” “I was. He fell asleep, so I thought I’d come visit you.” Poking her head over a bubbling beaker, she took a breath in. “Phew, that stinks. What is it?” “It is half a Cure potion; a new formula that maximizes its strength.” “I hope that you can do something about that smell before you ask any of us to choke that down. Does it taste as bad as it smells?” Thundina begins to dip her finger in before Orning grabs her wrist. “Please, Thundina, do not touch. Not those books I can see you looking at now. And especially not the jewelry, we need that to finish some of the items.” Before the argument could become heated, a mewing from the stairs is heard. Crawling down the stairs is a grey kitten which Orning immediately moved to scoop up. Scratching Bravo’s head, Orning asked, “I thought you said that he was sleeping.” “He was. I had left him in my room, how do you think he got over here then?” “He is a clever cat. Bravo, if you stay, will you stay out of the way?” Orning held Bravo up near his face. “Okay, you can stay. Thundina, do you not have something to do? You will be terribly bored here.” “Yeah, yeah. You boys have fun, okay?” A couple days later, Thundina stormed down the stairs to the laboratory. Brandishing the red cloak, Thundina shouted, “Krel! Krel! The cloak, the cloak isn’t working. You said it would poof, it’s not poofing. It’s become a non-poofing cloak!” Turning to the stairs, Krel said with a sigh, “I told you, Thundina, it only works once per day. If you’re attempting to use it more than that, it simply will not work.” “I remember. But I didn’t use it yesterday at all, and when I tried to use it today, nothing. Flap, flap, flap; flourish, flourish, flourish, nothing!” “Okay, okay, leave it with me, I’ll look at it and see what’s happening.” Before leaving, Thundina went to the other bench where Orning was working. “Hey Orning, hey Bravo.” Thundina said as she scratched Bravo behind the ears. “What new wonders have you invented since last I’ve been down here?” Frowning, Orning replied, “Do you really want all the technical details? Most of this morning, I have spent with Bravo. His pupils are dilated and he has been confused today. Yesterday, I thought I heard almost primitive speech out of him, but today there has been nothing even close.” “Orning, you know animals can’t speak.” “Normal animals cannot speak. Certain druids have the power to Awaken an animal with human intelligence. The principle is sound.” “Neither you nor Krel are druids. You’ve been cooped up in here for too long. You’re having quicksilver dreams. What you need is fresh air. Do you want me to take Bravo out for some fresh air?” “A change of scenery could do Bravo some good. I cannot spend all day tending to him, knowing that you are always watching will give me some peace of mind.” “Ha! That’s a joke, right? Okay, I will watch Bravo.” Once Thundina had carried Bravo out, Krel brought the red cloak over to Orning. “As I’m sure you heard during her entrance, Thundina says there is something wrong with the cloak. Could you look into what it is so we can tell her exactly what is wrong with it. I expect it is something fairly basic, but we can humor her.” An hour later, Orning raised the point, “This was one of the first in the new formula items you crafted. Could I please see the notes you made while working on it?” “Sure, um, the second-to-bottom hide bound journal should have the research notes.” Krel indicated a stack of volumes. Perusing the book, Orning muttered, “Is that right? I think I ought to recheck the calculations from the top.” Finally, Orning reached a conclusion. “Krel, I need you to work with me through these calculations. Here, this simplification, you cannot do that. It is a divide by zero. If we keep it in the long form, see, the calculations indicate an inverted parabolic function over time. The gains are unstable and will not last. Please, find an error in this conclusion.” Krel followed the numbers with his finger, “Uh, ah, I see, yes, that was a divide by zero. I cannot find any error in the new calculations.” “You do realize the implications?” “Yes.” “I am going to go find Thundina and Bravo. I am sorry, but I do not think I can be of any further assistance.” At the knock on the door, Thundina answered, cradling Bravo. “Orning, what are you doing here? I thought you were going to be in that lab all day?” “I need to spend time with Bravo. How is he?” “He’s been sleeping basically all day. Kind of reminds me of when you first found him.” “Yes. That is why I need to spend time with him.” The following day Bravo died. Orning and all his close friends held a small funeral for Bravo. Tears rolled down Orning's cheeks as he placed a small bouquet of flowers on top the little grave, all the while repeating the name Bravo. Thundina patted Orning on the shoulders, “I know Bravo was your good friend. It’s going to be alright. He’s gone up to kitty heaven from where he can always be watching over you.” “I’m always watching.” Tearing up herself, Thundina gave Orning a grand hug. “Oh Orning, don’t go.” Orning faintly whispered, “Good wins.” [/QUOTE]
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The New Adventures of Thundina Seong! Completed May 4
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