20
You’re sitting on your bed in tears. Beside you, Sarahsprite pats you on the back with a daintily gloved hand.
How could this be part of His plan? How does destroying the Earth with meteors make any sense? How could killing every person alive ever be for their benefit?
Thankfully James decided to leave you alone after you entered the LAND OF HYMNS AND HEARTHS. You don’t want to talk to anyone right now, especially him.
SARAHSPRITE: Oh heavens me. SARAHSPRITE: Dear, I fear you’ve a number of gentlemen callers. And I must say, their manners are simply dreadful.
You blink back tears and get to your feet.
The door to your room flies open, and a pair of COAL IMPS burst in. You can clearly make out the effects of the prototypings – four arms, rugged stubble, circle-rimmed glasses, spiky hair, and stylish corsets on both of them. They snicker at your distress.
Suddenly your despair turns to rage. How dare they! How dare He!
You grab the novel you’ve been clutching for support and charge at them.
DRAMATIC ARC’D!
The two imps explode in a shower of surprise and grist.
SARAHSPRITE: My word! SARAHSPRITE: Dearest, have you a touch of the vapors? ELIZABETH: I will mope no longer. ELIZABETH: Perhaps this is a test of faith. ELIZABETH: Perhaps this is my forty days lost in the desert. ELIZABETH: Perhaps it was all a lie. ELIZABETH: It doesn’t matter. ELIZABETH: My friends need me. ELIZABETH: And I will be there for them.
You glance through your BadgerBud messages. Steve and Greg both explain how to combine objects; Steve insists you should, while Greg demands you don’t. You debate internally for a moment.
It’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
Bathrobe || Medical Reference Book = HEALER’S HABILIMENT
Your new robe sports the red medical cross on the back and on the lapel. Its pockets are full of first aid supplies that seem to replenish themselves. Your grandmother insisted that it’s never too early to study for medical school when she bought you that book. Thanks to your dedication, you know exactly what you withdraw from your pockets and how best to use it.
If you and your friends are going to encounter more of those demons, you’ll need to be ready to lend aid.
Perhaps not only physical aid.
Cross Necklace && Novel = DIVINE DOORSTOPPER
You now have a hefty tome that can convert the repentant through both inspiring scripture and a solid blow to the head. It fits nicely into your Bookkind Strife Specibus.
Novel || Laptop = E-READER
Now you have a book-sized personal computing device. It’s far more convenient – and you can read your books on it.
You decide to reach out to Steve and see what you can do.
-- phaithfulPhysician [PP] began badgering siliconSwashbuckler [SS] –
PP: Steve. SS: Liz! Are you okay? SS: James was worried about you. SS: And I guess I was too. PP: I’m fine. PP: And I’m ready. SS: Uh. SS: Ready for what? PP: For whatever it is we’re faced with. Whatever this game, or test, or whatever it is. I’m ready to help. SS: Awesome! SS: We still need Tiffany. SS: But no one has been able to contact her since Greg entered. SS: Her BadgerBud says she’s busy. PP: Have you tried calling her? SS: Uh… PP: …That was the first thing you tried, right? SS: Uh… PP: … PP: I’ll take care of it.
-- phaithfulPhysician [PP] ceased badgering siliconSwashbuckler [SS] --
