Before the sun officially rose, Flora was already waiting on me (and breakfast), tapping her foot impatiently. The morning meal consisted of Quail eggs and toast, scarfed down by my dainty daughter. She ran back to her room to get dressed (she desperately wants to show off her new blouse and skirt) while I go over my shopping list one last time...
One, a new set of quills and inks.
Two, Three parchment rolls, preferabbly Elmtree or Icewither.
Three, a new Sprocketdriver as my old one is now dull. Perhaps see if there is a way to sharpen it.
Four, more Cephil Fur and Leather to patch up/repair jacket.
Five, an updated map of the Inner Continent, the Nighe Desert region specifically (since we will be moving there in a few weeks).
Six, rations for the week: Eggs (quail and Albatross), bread, moss, Niflheim Tundra shrubs and Four or Five Chickpoppys, seeing as we had finished off the last one two nights ago. De-feathering them is a nightmare, but Flora is sick of eating grass.
Seven, medicinal herbs, especially Warmgrass and Lichentide.
Eight, oil for clock and compass.
Nine, a Carrier Kraken.
The list was simple enough - I knew where I needed to purchase everything and I was sure there would be surplus: travel through the town slowed significantly during the winter months. The Carrier Kraken is something I have been meaning to purchase for some time now and the mere mention of one caused young Flora to shriek in happiness. She had wanted a pet for some time now and I am sure a cephalopod will "fit the bill," even if it will be spending a majority of the time delivering mail.
My bike was still in disrepair since I crashed it into an Ice Pillar (added Twelve Gears Of Various Size as number ten on my list), so I suggested we walk. Almost an hour later we reached the town of Fimbulthul, ready to spend! It has been over a week since my last visit to Fimbulthul; it is quite a sight to see! I adore that the town sits curved into a close-by mountain (Mount Sigilr, I believe) while still residing on the main travel road. Flora kept tugging me to the Squiddery, but I shushed her, promising we would travel there last so I would not have to lug the beast around.
We initially entered Coolat's Clothing and Linen to purchase material for my jacket repairs. James Coolat was also nice enough to throw in a scant collection of sewing thread spools in exchange for a detailed description of how I crashed my bike three days ago. Words, like the winds, travel fast. Next, I dragged Flora (already bored out of her mind) to the Paper mill where I purchased my quills and parchment. The man at the counter complimented Flora on her new skirt, who smiled and yelled "Thanks!"
The next stop was the Engineer's Depot where gadgets and gizmos keep me from the task at hand. Flora kept me on topic though and we picked up a new 'driver, oil and ordered the parts for my vehicle. The highlight was the store being manned by a Nakika named Jode.
The Nakika have to be the most intelligent creature in Rhiannon, far more ingenious than humans or Irusans alike. They are also known for being the most friendly and this case was no different with Jode, who juggled gears with her tentacles for Flora while taking down my order. We talked for a bit. Jode had grown up on the Inner Continent, but the growing number of tinkerers here had interested her. We spoke of my research as well. Flora and I left our new friend and headed to market.
Quail eggs are far more expensive than they should be.
Our last stop was the Squiddery. Our arms full of food and gear, we entered the store. Ink caked the floorboards. I let Flora decide on our new Kraken as an early present (I spoil my girl). She really liked the Longarm Kraken, the Tiamat Twin-Tentacles Kraken, a forlorn Glass squid and the Muspelheir Red Devil. Personally, I tried to urge her towards the purchase of a Nighe Speed Squid, but the thing was "bloody ugly" (according to Flora) so we settled on the Red Devil. I also picked up a gorgeous mail sash for the creature and a few cans of anchovies.
The walk home consisted of naming the beast. I joked that we shall name the creature so it could rhyme with "cephalopod," but the lady was not having any of it. She decided to name our new Carrier Kraken "Moose." Sometimes I wonder if I had dropped her when she was still a baby.
I told Flora that we must let the squid get used to his new home and we promptly let Moose alone. I will say this, Kraken ink is exceptionally difficult to get out of bed-sheets. The night ended with dinner, playing with Moose (the thing can catch small orbs with such speed!) and story time. I let Flora fall to sleep and set Moose on a perch I built with unneeded parts from my bike.
I quietly went to the garage and went to work on the steam bike. I finished working at about one in the morning and fell asleep not long after.
Sincerely,
Nicodemus Thatcher
