The Patina realizes that maybe the Rust isn’t quite up to their standards.
The Patina realizes that maybe the Rust isn’t quite up to their standards.
Cast:
- Marathon Messenger is played by Penn Van Batavia. She's an indie TTRPG designer who just launched a new game, Wasmannian, a solo RPG about bees, wasps, and otherness in a binary world. You can find Penn on Twitter at @acquiredchaste.
- Cassidy Shard is played by Sydney Whittington. She also edits the show. Find her on Twitter at @sydney_whitt.
- Emma Blackwood is played by Cameron Robertson. Find her on Twitter at @midnightmusic13 and on Instagram at @reading_and_dreaming. Cameron is also a player on Tabletop Squadron, a Star Wars Edge of the Empire actual play podcast.
- Birdie Foundling is played by Kit Adames. Find her on Twitter at @venusvultures. Kit is also a voice actor and writer on Elevator Pitch Podcast, a queer genre-hopping anthology podcast.
- Our GM and narrator is Nick Robertson. Find him on Twitter at @alias58. Nick is also the GM for Tabletop Squadron. Nick can also be found as a player on the Orpheus Protocol.
Music & Sound Credits:
- This podcast features the musical talents of Dora Violet and Arne Parrott. You can find Dora at facebook.com/doraviolett. You can find Arne at atptunes.com.
- old radio Channel search sound effect by Garuda1982. Link & License.
- Motorcycle ride by roman_cgr. Link & License.
- Fireworks, Close » Fireworks, Standard, A.wav by InspectorJ. Link & License.
- Työ Work » Tukinuitto, uitto / Log driving, men rolling logs to the water, splashes, clatter, sounds of water by YleArkisto. Link & License.
- Easy - Easy by Crowander. Link & License.
- The Fancy and the Talent by Doctor Turtle. Link & License.
- The Circles I Went Round In by Doctor Turtle. Link & License.
Art Credits:
- The official artwork for this podcast was created by Rashed AlAkroka, who can be found on Instagram and Artstation @rashedjrs.
Find Us Online:
- Our Website
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- Join our Patreon
- Join our Discord
A Knight of Shreds and Patches Transcript
Season 2 Episode 35: Business Sense
Transcript by Cameron Robertson
Intro:
[hurdy gurdy music begins]
Nick: Welcome, listeners, to A Knight of Shreds and Patches. An immersive actual play podcast. This episode features the talents of –
Penn: Penn Van Batavia as Marathon Messenger.
Kit: Kit Adames as Birdie Foundling.
Cameron: Cameron Robertson as Emma Blackwood.
Sydney: Sydney Whittington as Cassidy Shard.
Nick: Nick Robertson as GM and Narrator.
Sydney: Hello listeners, this is your editor, Sydney, with today’s messages:
Thanks for hanging out with us today in this nonphysical space, that we may exist as players and characters in your mind’s eye. We’re glad you keep hanging around, and as a reward, you have our express permission to imagine literally every character in the show as hot. Yes, even Modem. My condolences. And if you need even more characters to include in your mental pin-up calendar, consider backing our Patreon, which gives you access to bonus episodes, campfire conversations, and other fun rewards.
We also wanted to extend our congratulations to Rob Stith and their grand release of The ORPHEUS Protocol! The ORPHEUS Protocol is a tabletop role playing game in which players explore a world of eldritch horror, occult espionage, and shadowy paramilitary engagement, which you may have also heard of in the podcast The ORPHEUS Protocol, where Nick features as a player and I have also made a guest appearance or two. A link to the release can be found in the show notes.
And with that, we wrap up today’s announcements and head into Season 2, Episode 35: Business Sense. And so...
“Join us, for now our tale to yours attaches
To carry hope: a Knight of Shreds and Patches.”
[hurdy gurdy music ends]
[electronic beeping]
[robotic powerup noise begins]
Distorted Robotic Voice: Power restored. Systems online. Reconfiguring audio connection.
[robotic powerup noise fades to radio frequency static]
[over radio]
Cameron (as Emma): Last time on a Knight of Shreds and Patches, we made a deal with Kelsey for a wild amount of money to stick with the Rust for 2 weeks or so. I - I think this is going to be a long 2 weeks… [angry] They don’t even - [sigh] They don’t even fucking know Mikey’s name and he died just a few hours ago and they just don’t seem to care and I - how do they not care? I care. [deep breath][probably crying] I didn’t know Mikey. I didn’t know the men I killed. I don’t know their history. I don’t know who they were, but they were people and they died today. I - I don’t know why this fight started, but I know we helped end it and… I don’t know if that makes us good and I don’t know if what we did was right. I don’t - I don’t know if any of these men were in the right, but everyone deserves a goodbye…just like Wyatt said.
[radio static]
Episode Start:
Nick: The Rust and the Patina quickly find themselves falling into a travel routine over the next few days. The Rust has plenty of transportation thanks to their tank and the two motorcycles in their fleet, and the rig, as always, easily holds all of the Patina. The Rust takes a surprisingly sedate pace on their journey as the two groups head to the southwest. Kelsey sends out scouts ahead of the group, usually Mr. Fitzgerald but occasionally others. The Patina is free to speak with members of the Rust at any time, but the actual members of the Rust rarely begin these conversations first. They're mostly kept busy with various orders from Kelsey. As the groups continue onward, they find themselves frequently stopping as work presents itself.
The first job of note begins well outside a small town beyond the forest, where the ground has begun to level out into wide plains. The plains are broken up by hills and stands of trees, but as you continue west, continue to get bigger and bigger without obstruction. And in one of these larger plains, you are contracted as a group, both the Rust and the Patina, to collect a herd of bison that a nearby town wants to keep as a food and livestock source. How does everyone contribute to capturing these bison and putting them into a large pen?
Sydney: Cassidy is going to go out the farthest, like all the way around to the backside of the herd to be able to locate where they need to approach from to start getting them moving in the right direction.
Cameron: Emma is providing guidance as she has herded herds of cattle before and while not quite as large as bison, the same general concepts can be utilized.
Nick: So Emma, you're giving general strategy to the groups about what they should be doing?
Cameron: Mhm. Like this is how we should go about this safely because these suckers are like 2000 pounds apiece. [laugh]
Penn: Marathon has picked up a cowboy hat along the way here and a bandana and is suckling on a piece of straw, listening on her watch as she helps direct the bison up close and personal using Emma and Cassidy's guidance.
Nick: Okay, based on what everyone is contributing, Emma, can you please roll me a Classical Knowledge check on how well you're able to guide everyone else's strategy to be effective with this? This is going to be hard.
Cameron: Can I have a blue die for a farm girl knowledge?
Nick: Yes, you may.
Cameron: Thank you. And then I'm gonna flip a Story Point, which makes my dice pool a yellow, two green, one blue, and three purple.
[dice rolling]
Cameron: A success and two threats.
Nick: Nice. So Cassidy you're providing overwatch and making sure that from the far side these bison don't get away from the direction they're supposed to go. Marathon you are in close, helping with keeping the herd going the right direction and keeping them from changing their minds on the direction. Emma, you are helping with the herding and have given a good amount of knowledge to everyone else. As you were working on this, the Rust also is contributing with herding these bison and they are doing it very loudly. Birdie, what are you and Teno doing to contribute to this job?
Kit: So Birdie started off wanting to follow along with what the Patina was doing and you know, helping to slowly and steadily - and without as much risk - help to herd the bison into their pen. But then Teno tempted her into the idea of using the motorcycle that the Patina had. And so currently Teno is driving the motorcycle on the other side of the herd from Marathon and in order to keep all the bison together, they're circling the wagons around the bison so to speak, while Birdie drops small controlled explosives off the back, generally making a lot of noise, not being the most careful about it. Birdie and Teno are obviously having a little bit too much fun with this.
Nick: And the rest of the Rust is either assisting to herd this cattle with motorcycles or in the tank driving straight towards the herd physically correcting any bison that attempt to go another direction. The loud noises, the violence all around, is clearly terrifying these bison as they begin to funnel into this pen and Emma with your success, the Patina is able to easily hold their own, but with those threats, something bad happens to a member of your group.
Penn: Marathon has been immersed in the buffalo really feeling very one with nature as she's been helping corral these. And as the buffalo start to scramble, her eyes go wide and so does she is she starts getting pushed and bumped by these bison and very nearly trampled as she has to dodge and weave her way out of this stampede into the pen. And on the way out, she's scrambling and she realized she's lost her hat.
Penn (as Marathon): Dirt! My Stetson! No!
Penn: And as the buffalo leaves behind the trampled earth, we see her on her knees, scraped up from the stampede but mourning her trampled, but recently acquired Stetson hat. And Marathon looks up after mourning her hat to see Birdie and Teno laughing it up on the motorcycle.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggling] We're so good at this.
Cameron (as Teno): Herding them is so easy~. But really, really excellent throwing. Excellent throwing, Baby Bird.
Kit (as Birdie): Thank you so much. Excellent driving.
Cameron (as Teno): Oh well thank you.
Kit (as Birdie): I only fell off a little bit almost once.
Cameron (as Teno): Honestly, that was your fault. You lean too far.
Kit (as Birdie): No, that is fair. That is fair. [sudden concern] Wait did Marathe- okay Marathon's fine. Okay. We're good. [cheerful yelling] Hi Marathon!
Kit: [laughing] And she's gonna wave really big at Marathon.
Penn: Marathon looks around at the scorched earth from the explosives and then back at Birdie and gives a soft wave with a little smile.
Cameron: Teno also gives Marathon an enthusiastic wave with just a super bright smile, and then zooms away. [laugh] There is much laughter and joy.
Nick: That evening after Kelsey has divided the considerable pay given to you by these local would be ranchers, these two mercenary companies allied together are making camp. The finally calming herd is lowing in the distance and we see Marathon speaking with Felix, the greasy haired second in command of the Rust, crouched over what looks like a crate of supplies.
Penn (as Marathon): You have an extra hairband, Felix?
Nick (as Felix): Sorry, I don't touch the stuff. Um, like you don't ever see a lion put its hair back before he goes on the hunt, right?
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh] That rocks. Okay. Yeah, I changed my mind about hairbands completely.
Nick (as Felix): It's unnatural. If you're going to show your - [soft laugh on an exhale] pardon my language - your virility, you can't wrap that up. You don't keep a high performance vehicle in the garage. You got to let that fly free, you know?
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, yeah. Hell yeah! You know, Felix, I like you, you know? [laugh in kindred spirit]
Nick (as Felix): Well, that's very nice.
Penn (as Marathon): Yep.
Nick (as Felix): I appreciate that.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah. Um. I've uh, totally turned around my hair and my self image is great. It's a little shaggy. But it's, yeah! I'm a virile machine!
Nick (as Felix): Yeah, you are!
Nick: And Felix looks down at this wooden crate and looks back to Marathon.
Nick (as Felix): Hey uh, speaking of virility - it's a long time out on the trail, right, and sometimes you need something to keep going and you ever had one of these?
Penn (as Marathon): The touch of a woman? Oh -
Nick: He kicks the lid off of the crate and you see rows and rows of cans nestled in hard packed straw, and you recognize what appears to be a case of arena juice.
Penn (as Marathon): [awe] Woah... is that - is that Ultra Black? Is that is that Ultra Black Arena Juice?
Nick (as Felix): Yeah, we picked it up uh, on a black market run we did a while back. They don't make these anymore.
Penn (as Marathon): No they don't! It tastes like, it tastes like a DIY manned in your mouth. Can I - is there any chance I could grab one off ya?
Nick (as Felix): Well, I was thinking you might need one after your close encounter with all those cows, so yeah. You know, consider it a bonus.
Nick: And he scoops what up and tosses it to Marathon.
Penn (as Marathon): Hell~ yeah.
Penn: Marathon catches it and holds it up to a bruise on her head real quick before excitedly cracking into it.
Nick (as Felix): That's basically a sample, you know, because the even the instructions - well the instructions don't say it, but like one one's for starting the reaction and then you have one for sipping.
Nick: And he cracks the can takes a knife and stabs the bottom of it and shotguns the entire thing with some of it dripping down the corners of his mouth.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh, let me in! [all the enthusiasm of a freshman really trying to impress their frat]
Nick: He's stops real quick and plugs it and turns it around for Marathon to also shotgun.
Penn (as Marathon): Nah just pass me the knife.
Penn: And Marathon catches the knife and shotguns her own as well.
Nick (as Felix): Hell yeah. Hell yeah.
Nick: And he finishes his up, crunches it against his head, looks a little woozy for a second and then grabs two more tossing you one
Penn (as Marathon): [refreshed noise]
Nick: and opens this can as well.
Penn (as Marathon): [slightly frantic laughter] It tastes like, like cologne smells like it should taste, you know? Oh my god. I can't - [yelling] Ultra Black! Ultra Black Emma! The hype!
Penn: And Marathon starts spiraling into the hype as she and Felix enjoy some Ultra Black.
Nick (as Felix): My heart has been replaced with a diesel engine filled with hatred and confidence.
Penn (as Marathon): [yelling] Hell yeah! I'm a virile machine! Miss Cassidy! Uh you had some Ultra Black Arena Juice yet?
Nick: Marathon as you're trying to share the hype with your fellow mercenaries, you hear the voice of Kelsey from the darkness somewhere near the tank shout
Nick (as Kelsey): Hey, keep it down. Some of us are trying to get some rest after a long day's work, you junkies.
Penn (as Marathon): Junkie? Obviously you haven't had the joy of this hype. [laughing quietly] Oh my god Ultra Black.
Nick: Felix is looking a little nervous even though he's vibrating in place and he rests a hand on Marathon's shoulder.
Penn (as Marathon): Do you want to wrestle?
Nick (as Felix): No, that's that's okay. Hey, if Kelsey is saying to keep it down, we should maybe just like go for a run or something.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay.
Nick (as Felix): Try to burn some of this off.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, let's go. Let's go wrestle.
Nick (as Felix): Okay, fine. All right. Let's go. You're it!
Nick: And Felix sprints off into this field. As you were running you pass Juliana.
Kit: Without fully sitting up, she grabs her empty water canteen, and launches it and beans Felix in the back of the head with it. Perfect aim.
Nick: Felix recoils from the blow, keeps running for about 10 steps and then it's like he realizes that his head hurts and he trips and tumbles before regaining his feet and running into the night with Marathon.
Penn (as Marathon): I'm gonna beat you!
Nick (as Felix): Maybe so but I'll get you in the wrestling round.
Penn (as Marathon): [cackle] Good luck.
Nick: Nobody sees Felix and Marathon until the next morning.
Sydney: The camera pulls away from watching Felix and Marathon recede into the darkness to the small fire that makes up the center of the Patina's camp currently with just Emma and Cassidy sitting around it as the pieces of the moon drift higher in the sky. And Cassidy looks over at Emma shaking her head going
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh~ these people are not the best of influences.
Cameron: Emma has had anxious energy - like has not stopped moving, but she finally sat down when Cassidy made her but her leg is bouncing and she looks like she wants nothing more than to be pacing back and forth by the fire but she's trying to stay still so that it's quiet and nighttime and everybody else can sleep.
Cameron (as Emma): [sigh] No they're not. MmMn.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I went up in the tree to go find the cattle and then they just started setting bombs off which I guess -
Cameron (as Emma): [annoyed in farm girl] Those were not cattle!
Sydney (as Cassidy): They're -
Cameron (as Emma): [slightly manic laughing] They're not fucking cows! Those were bison! How how do they not realize how dangerous that was? Just like setting off explosives?
Sydney: Cassidy shrugs with a 'seemed like a bad idea but I don't know any better either' expression.
Cameron (as Emma): I mean, a cow if you piss it off as dangerous enough it's like, I dunno, if it's a big chunky one like 1000 ish pounds, maybe slightly more. These are like twice that! If one of them decides it doesn't like you, you're probably dead. I am shocked that a motorcycle did not get headbutted into next week.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Well look at that.
Sydney: Cassidy reaches into her pocket and pulls out the currency for the job in a couple of clinky pieces.
Cameron (as Emma): [sigh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): I mean a couple of these and they could buy a new motorcycle anyway.
Cameron (as Emma): True. But I think the person's probably going to take the hit worse than the motorcycle does.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): Machines you can fix. Trampled humans, not as easy.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I'm glad Marathon only lost her hat.
Cameron (as Emma): [sigh] I don't know if I've ever had a situation where just want to like call my dad and have him yell at someone before.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [laugh]
Cameron (as Emma): But this is - we are there. We have found the situation.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I mean, if you need to burn off some anxious energy,
Cameron (as Emma): [sigh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): - there's a couple of other people out for a run right now.
Cameron (as Emma): I, I - I can't. Cassidy I can't. [laughing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): [laugh]
Cameron (as Emma): Oh my gosh.
Penn (as Marathon): [yelling from a distance] We're lions! Lions!
Sydney: Cassidy just shakes her head as she goes back to pondering the fire.
Nick: After the successful job, the Rust moves on slowly giving everybody a chance to rest before continuing at their normal travel pace with the Patina sticking close in case there's any more bandit trouble. And after a few more days of travel, you find both an obstacle and another job opportunity. There is a river that needs crossing. Finding somewhere where you could safely get all of your equipment across would be difficult. Luckily, you've been heading towards a bridge that Kelsey knows, but when you get there the bridge is damaged to the point of being unusable, large pieces of it are missing. It was a stone and wood structure - most of the wood is gone, most of the stone needs reinforcing - and Kelsey negotiates a contract to repair the bridge to earn pay, and also clear the way for you to continue your journey. This is a project that is a lot bigger than herding some cattle and will take multiple days of work. How does everyone contribute to their new job?
Penn: Marathon is still recovering a little bit from being beat up by the bison and then also wrestling with Felix and is staying back and just carrying heavy supplies to the people working on the bridge trying to make sure that they have everything in the right piles.
Sydney: Cassidy has - even with the bridge being unusable, it is not impossible to a sufficiently stubborn person willing to climb -and makes the trek across the pieces of it to be able to set up a contraption to be able to move supplies across to the other side. Lots of pulleys.
Cameron: Emma is trying to make use of her mechanical know how to assist with rebuilding this bridge in a sturdy fashion, but it's mostly she has seen bridges before and knows what they should look like, but that's what she's going off of.
Kit: Birdie is trying to be helpful by helping to move stuff across by using Cassidy's contraption that she sets up. She's trying to be helpful at the very least, but she keeps getting distracted because she's half flirting with Kelsey. [laugh] So things are not properly secured in the contraption sometimes.
Nick: Many of the village's tools are lost to the river, which everyone is quick to assure you Birdie was unavoidable in a job like this.
Kit: Oh, yes, of course.
Nick: Cassidy will you roll me a hard Survival roll as you set up this gantry and harnessing for the construction project to see how much that helps with the progress of this project overall?
Sydney: Can I have a blue for having Emma help with the mechanics aspects?
Nick: Yes.
Sydney: So then I am rolling, a yellow, two greens, and a blue against three purples.
[dice rolling]
Sydney: Three successes and an advantage.
Nick: Nice. So the way that this job goes - Cassidy, you are able to essentially build a flexible bridge out of roping and scaffolds that allow everybody to move easily back and forth as they are rebuilding this bridge. You try to stay out of the way of Birdie and Teno, who appear to be sticking pieces of construction material wherever seems artistically appropriate. Birdie is flirting with Kelsey for a big piece of this job and Marathon you at least can't help but notice that Miranda, Deathstalker as the Rust calls her, is seated on the banks of this river with a sketchbook supposedly drawing up construction plans but looking fairly lost and wistful as Birdie seems to be having the time of her life with Teno and anyone else who will engage in trying to have fun while rebuilding this bridge.
Penn: As Marathon passes by carrying a impressive arm full of lumber, she just says
Penn (as Marathon): You just gotta go talk to her.
Penn: And continues walking past.
Nick (as Miranda/Deathstalker): What do you know?
Penn (as Marathon): [sigh into a 'oh no' noise]
Penn: And Marathon accidentally drops a pretty hefty log at Miranda's feet.
Penn (as Marathon): Oop, sorry. Sorry.
Nick: She gives it a shove with one foot and it rolls down the hill into the river and begins to float away.
Penn (as Marathon): What? No! Fu- dirt!
Nick: As this job continues over a few days, the work goes faster than the members of the Patina expected. The bridge is put together very quickly. Even with out a ton of planning, it looks fairly sturdy. And before you know it, Kelsey is receiving a another bag of currency from the leader of this town, and you all are driving over this bridge through town and continuing on your way. You all can't help but notice though, as the rig rolls along this bridge, a worrying groaning noise as though the bridge can barely support the weight of the vehicle and if anyone looks behind them as they're driving away, bits of stone are already falling into the river from this bridge as you continue onward. And after yet another successful job, these two allied groups make camp yet again. And the chores for the evening completed, dinner had, we see Cassidy and Juliana, the spotter for the Rust, having run into each other as they patrol the perimeter of the camp.
Kit: Juliana gives a nod.
Sydney: Cassidy nods back.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I see we're checking the perimeter.
Kit (as Juliana): Yup. That's a - that's a nice piece you got there.
Sydney (as Cassidy): The rifle?
Kit (as Juliana): [annoyed] No. Yes the riffle.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I got a lot of nice hardware, but thank you.
Kit (as Juliana): Show you mine if you show me yours.
Sydney: Cassidy raises her eyebrow with a smirk. Does Juliana have her gun with her?
Kit: Yeah, it's strapped around her back with a very nicely taken care of leather strap.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Sure, let's go find some light.
Kit (as Juliana): All right.
Kit: Juliana does a head jerk in the direction of Juliana's tent in which Mr. Fitzgerald is also sleeping in that area, but there's a small fire going in which they should have plenty of light. And as soon as they sit down, Juliana takes out a scarf and will lay it down in a rectangular shape about the size of her rifle and will put the rifle on it. It's obviously very, very precious to her.
Sydney: Cassidy nods approvingly at keeping it off the dirt.
Sydney (as Cassidy): How long have you had it?
Kit (as Juliana): [sniff] Uh. Coming up on 24 years.
Sydney: Cassidy raises both eyebrows.
Kit (as Juliana): It's an old piece, but she works.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, it looks very well taken care of.
Kit (as Juliana): I do my best.
Sydney (as Cassidy): No sights?
Kit: Juliana gives a shake of her head
Kit (as Juliana): Nah. You got a pretty fancy one there.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I do.
Sydney: And Cassidy unslings her rifle and lays it down on the scarf also carefully making sure it doesn't touch the ground.
Kit (as Juliana): Pretty high tech.
Sydney (as Cassidy): No reason to handicap yourself.
Kit (as Juliana): Learned without one. Sort of just kept up the habit.
Sydney: Cassidy shrugs.
Sydney (as Cassidy): If you can hit things, it's whatever works for you.
Kit (as Juliana): I do plenty good hitting things. Believe me.
Sydney: Cassidy makes eye contact for a second with Juliana and then goes back to looking at the rifles.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I've had mine for 12 years.
Kit (as Juliana): Mm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Got it from a militia I served with.
Kit (as Juliana): Mm.
Kit: Juliana gives the slightest look that she is pleased or impressed with that statement, but it's really just a very slight raise of the eyebrows, so there's no way in telling
Kit (as Juliana): When did you learn to start shooting?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Then. I was uh, I climbed and made maps for years, but didn't have a reason to learn the fight until later.
Kit (as Juliana): Well for 12 years you're mighty good.
Sydney: Cassidy inclines her head regally.
Kit: The very edge of Juliana's lips tugs up into the slightest of smiles and she'll nod.
Kit (as Juliana): [sniff] Well. If ya ever wants some private lessons.
Sydney: Cassidy nods her head a couple of times looking pensive.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I'll consider it.
Kit (as Juliana): All right. When you stop considering and make a decision, just come to me. You know where I'll be.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Next to your sleeping salesman?
Kit (as Juliana): Unfortunately.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, he's got a big horse.
Kit: Juliana tilts her head a little just
Kit (as Juliana): And?
Sydney: Cassidy shakes her head.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I'm more comfortable with engines myself.
Kit (as Juliana): Mm. Certainly less easy to spook.
Sydney: Cassidy gives a thoughtful nod.
Sydney (as Mr. Anderson the horse): [horse noise]
Sydney: Mr. Anderson makes a noise of displeasure that he is being lumped in with those lesser creatures and goes back to chewing on oats in his bag.
Kit: Juliana will lift her rifle off the scarf and pull it back over her shoulder.
Kit (as Juliana): Should get back to patrol.
Sydney: Cassidy nods and grabs her rifle and reslings it.
Kit: Juliana will grab her scarf and shake it off once or twice before heading in the opposite direction of Cassidy. Will toss over her shoulder.
Kit (as Juliana): I'm serious about those lessons.
Sydney: Cassidy gives the sideways head tilt of considering, with the limited use of her offer's face value, but also the other possible readings of her invitation, before watching Julianna leave and turning to walk in the other direction.
Nick: And as Cassidy resumes her patrol alone again in the night, we see Emma and Marathon near the rig preparing to bed down.
Cameron: Emma is sitting leaning up against one of the tires of the rig and has her knees folded in front of her and as her elbows resting on her knees and is just going thump, thump, thump, lightly hitting her head against the wheel as she talks.
Cameron (as Emma): [stressed speed talking] I mean the noises it made when we went over that that bridge is not going to last very long. Like the sections I worked on are probably going to be okay. But that there's going to be pieces that fall from that Marathon.
Penn: Marathon slips a camp pillow in between Emma's head and the tire she's thumping on.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah. Uh [sigh]. I wasn't very proud of the work there, but everybody was shuffling us along. But
Cameron (as Emma): They did it fast.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, I guess. I'm not a bridge builder, though. But yeah,
Cameron (as Emma): [laugh] I mean, I'm not either, but I've been on enough bridges to know they shouldn't make noises like that when you cross them.
Penn (as Marathon): That's fair.
Cameron (as Emma): Hopefully nothing as big as the rig is gonna need to get across it.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah~.
Cameron (as Emma): Cause that was a long way down. [sigh]
Penn (as Marathon): Is um, Bir- is like, what do you know about this Teno? Did you meet them at all?
Cameron (as Emma): I talked to them a little bit. Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah?
Cameron (as Emma): I think they were they were on, I think two crews ago that Birdie was hanging out with.
Penn (as Marathon): I see. I see.
Cameron (as Emma): Like the the motorcycle group, I think.
Penn (as Marathon): Cool. Okay.
Cameron (as Emma): I may just be thinking that though, cause I know there was a motorcycle group and Teno is always on a motorcycle.
Penn (as Marathon): Well, it's just
Cameron (as Emma): But I'm pretty sure.
Penn (as Marathon): - just my body is still recovering, but maybe we could - I was gonna say we could talk to her about throwing explosives around the animals or something, but you know, I dunno - or like, it is what it is, you know what? I shouldn't- Yeah. Yeah. Shouldn't be saying anything. Anyway uh. Sorry.
Cameron (as Emma): Marathon - Marathon you got trampled by a buffalo. I think you're allowed to say something.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah that's all right. But, yeah, no, nothing, I don't want to mess with one of the besties like that, you know? Well, yeah. Yeah let's make the next bridge greater right? Next time.
Cameron (as Emma): [sigh]
Penn (as Marathon): I'll stick behind with ya.
Cameron (as Emma): For the safety of everyone, I think, maybe this group shouldn't fix a bridge again.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, that's fair. Um, the bridge just kind of weighin' on me.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna hear that groaning noise for a very long time. Just like every time I close my eyes.
Penn (as Marathon): But uh, we did get plenty of triangles. So.
Cameron (as Emma): Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): Hooray.
Cameron (as Emma): Yup that is - that is one thing I can definitely say about the jobs we've done is that they have been very lucrative.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, well, cool. Um. I hope your head is feeling alright and that you get some good sleep, Emma. I'm gonna hang out and wait for either Birdie or Cassidy because they're both gone.
Cameron (as Emma): Yep. I appreciate the pillow, Marathon. It doesn't make quite the same thunking noise but it does feel better. [laughing]
Penn (as Marathon): Mhm. Got you Miss Emma.
Sydney: As they're finishing up their conversation, Cassidy walks back into camp and starts putting her gun back in its place on the compartment on the side of the rig.
Cameron (as Emma): All good Cass?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): How was patrol?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Eh, I - perimeter seems reasonably secure. There's not any like sneaky spots for someone to get up. I ran into Juliana and went back to her camp and talked about equipment for a little bit.
Penn (as Marathon): [interested noise] Talked about equipment? Huh? [jealous concern over possible connotations]
Cameron (as Emma): She talked to you?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): She doesn't seem like she does that much.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, she actually ignored me the three times I tried to introduce myself so
Sydney (as Cassidy): I guess you - I don't know. Gotta be, gotta be fancy. You gotta have uh, [sniff] more -
Cameron (as Emma): It's probably the flower crown.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh, yes.
Cameron (as Emma): And the braids. Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah having a gun I guess, probably helps. [sigh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, well,
Penn (as Marathon): Well um
Sydney (as Cassidy): It was it was good uh, she showed me her as I showed her mind situation so
Penn (as Marathon): [each 'oh' said differently] Oh- oh! Oh~. Oh okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [overlapping] She's got a good riffle.
Penn (as Marathon): [overlapping] That's really cool. Good for you Miss Cassidy. Good for you. Yep.
Cameron (as Emma): All right I'm gonna go to bed. Good night y'all.
Penn (as Marathon): Yup. I'm gonna go to bed too and yup. I'm just glad we're all we're all good Patina friends. Okay good night.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Hey Marathon have those bruises from wrestling Felix the other night healed at all yet?
Penn (as Marathon): Uh~ not yet. If um, [clears throat] you want it to you know help me ice them, that would be pretty good but not if you've, you know, spent a lot of energy tonight already you know.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I think you're you're capable of putting ice on. I don't want to interrupt your bed time schedule.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh~ yeah no. Appreciate appreciate cold - the ice will be cold.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Uh huh.
Penn (as Marathon): Yes. Thank you. Mhm. Good night Miss Cassidy. [clears throat]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Maybe Felix will help.
Penn (as Marathon): Nope. Thank you though, if uh [awkward noises] he gave me uh,
Sydney (as Cassidy): What else did he give you?
Penn (as Marathon): He uh, he uh, uh gave me some uh, tips. Uh, Miss Cassidy did you want to- I mean if - you know, if you want to like, you know, how - [clears throat]
Sydney (as Cassidy): I believe in you Marathon?
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, they call me an alpha.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh.
Penn (as Marathon): So
Sydney (as Cassidy): Who does that?
Penn (as Marathon): Um, I'm sorry. That's that was something Felix told me. I should - no, okay.
Cameron: Emma removes her forehead from where she had hit it against the side of the rig, and just shakes her head and walks away and climbs into the back of the rig to go to sleep.
Penn (as Marathon): Hey, you know, you - good night, Miss Cassidy. If you ever wanted to talk about equipment ah, you know, I I'm capable of having that sort of intellectual conversation too, but uh
Sydney (as Cassidy): Marathon you've seen my rifle already.
Penn: Marathon gives like the clock has frozen in her brain for a second.
Penn (as Marathon): Uh- Wha- What di- oh you just showed? Did you just show? Were you just -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yes she was asking questions about my gun. What?
Penn (as Marathon): Okay. Gun crazy. [under breath] Can I see? Okay. [normal volume] Well, that's cool. That's cool. You know, you know what? I had no problems.
Sydney: Cassidy locks up the rest of her stuff into the side of the rig
Penn (as Marathon): [long exhale]
Sydney: and looks at Marathon with an eyebrow raised.
Penn (as Marathon): Um, I may have, can - let's hang out tomorrow and pretend that this conversation did not happen.
Sydney: Cassidy nods and smiles magnanimously.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Of course Alpha. I would never remember any shameful moments.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay. Thank you. God damn you, Felix.
Sydney: And Cassidy goes to her tent to start passing out.
Nick: Marathon as you are trying to recover from this exchange, you hear a rustling in the bushes next to the rig and Jorb Tunnels falls out of the bushes and makes uncomfortable eye contact with you.
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Yeah, the alpha thing didn't work for me either. Felix does have some good tips though, he said, you know, if you keep calling yourself like a lion and like I mean, I asked Teno to like, cook for me and that didn't - it didn't work either, but like, we got close, you know? So you just keep using the Felix method.
Penn (as Marathon): Uh thank you Jorb. Felix method unsuccessful, thank you very much. Okay. Please uh, Jorb Tunnels - it was nice to meet you. I'm going to bed. Please do not overhear our conversations anymore. Huge invasion of privacy. Okay.
Kit: Birdie comes walking back over from hanging out with Teno and indulging in a few libations and she was not walking quite straight and she sees Jorb walking away, is very confused and then sees that no one else is by the rig and she sort of gestures with their hands like
Kit (as Birdie): Where'd everyone go?
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Oh yeah, that's how the Felix method usually goes.
Kit (as Birdie): Not you, Jorb.
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Oh, okay. Yeah, sorry.
Kit (as Birdie): Good night Jorb.
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Good night, baby bird.
Kit (as Birdie): Please don't call me that. It's okay. Never mind.
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Oh-okay.
Kit (as Birdie): It's fine. Good night.
Penn (as Jorb Tunnels): Good night.
Nick: The atmosphere between the Patina and the Rust gets simultaneously more comfortable and more strained as the journey continues. Different combinations of mercenaries get more comfortable with each other and different combinations decide that they don't get along, but you all are united in getting jobs done, getting paid, and sticking together for safety's sake. It's been a little over a week since you joined up with the Rust and you have not seen any hints of ambush or bandits in that time. And it's difficult to stay 100% vigilant when there's no visible threat. In between jobs, the traveling is easy. People talk, get to know each other better, or avoid company depending on what they prefer.
The next thing that you run into is yet another small town. This one doesn't have a herd of bison or a bridge. This one apparently has a bandit problem. Kelsey speaks to the head of this village and comes back with an offer of the villagers wanting you to just hang around for a few days. They've had sightings of bandits and they just want to pay for a large show of force to appear to be fortifying for an attack. They don't expect you to have to actually do anything, but they're willing to pay for you to wait on your journey for a bit and Kelsey takes the job. Essentially the job is to walk around town and look like mercenaries and look as capable as possible. How do you all contribute to that? How do you make the village feel that their money is worth it?
Penn: Marathon has positioned herself - the Rust and the Patina have set up a makeshift combination comm set up in one spot where Marathon has been stationed to help coordinate some of the communications between everybody with her experience in the radio station doing those kinds of things. And Marathon has gotten the Rust's collection of music and is been playing some tunes in between calm announcements.
Cameron: To set it up to look like there is a large force here, we probably have the tank on one side and the rig on the other and Emma is sticking close to the rig and has set up a mini workshop outside of the rig and has begun trying to disassemble the tentacle that Marathon brought her because that looks weird and scary, but it's not any of the actual scary stuff that Emma doesn't want the Rust seeing.
Sydney: Somewhat nearby the rig but a little bit further out, Cassidy has set up a practice range for herself where she has a target and a bunch of like straw figures that she is repeatedly setting up and knocking down with her bow. Visibly using a weapon and using it well but also, it's just good practice for her. Normally she gets her ongoing practice from hunting small animals to supplement their food, but in this case, it's more a display. At one point she does make eye contact with Juliana as Juliana is making the rounds and hits three targets extremely rapidly, and then looks over at Juliana, and then goes to pick up her arrows.
Kit: Juliana watches and gives a single nod of recognition. Since the members of the Patina and a couple members of the Rust are taking the outside perimeter of the town, a couple of members of the Rust have taken up positions around important buildings of the center of the town and Teno and Birdie are hanging out around what could function as the town hall but it's probably just the most visited building in town. So it's the cure all tavern, town hall and doctor's office. And as people go in and out they just will stand there and look as if they're important and well armed flashing weapons and talking about past jobs since they've last seen each other pretty loudly.
But in order to actually entertain themselves as the time passes, Teno has convinced Birdie to play the pocket game, which is where they basically are pickpocketing people as they walk by while trying to up the stakes between the two of them with each round. So Birdie is more keen on taking stuff she can recognize as household objects and then dropping them some feet away from her. She's got a couple of safety pins, she's got a bobby pin, she's got a makeup compact, she's gotten a very thin wallet didn't seem to actually have much in the first place, so she leaves it on a barrel nearby because she felt a little bad about that one, but as Teno pushes her, she does manage to nick a rather nice bracelet off of someone passing by and puts it on.
Cameron (as Teno): Sparkly~.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. It's pretty. Could get you one. Friendship bracelets.
Cameron (as Teno): Oh, that would be adorable~.
Kit (as Birdie): I know. Okay, I'll have to look for one though.
Cameron (as Teno): Make sure it's a good one.
Kit (as Birdie): It's not really a town for sparkly things, unfortunately. But I'll do my best.
Cameron (as Teno): It doesn't have to be uber glamorous. Just, you know.
Kit (as Birdie): I know. You're so quality over quantity.
Cameron (as Teno): Enough that it doesn't stand out so much against the rest of my attire.
Kit (as Birdie): Have to keep your sense of fashion going.
Cameron (as Teno): Obviously.
Nick: And on that note, Birdie, why don't you roll me a hard Skullduggery check to see how your theft of the town goes?
Kit: Can I flip a Story Points since she does have Teno there to help distract people?
Nick: You can have a blue die because you have Teno there distracting people and you can flip a Story Point to upgrade it because you don't need a justification for that if you want to.
Kit: Alright, so with the blue die and the Story Point flipped, I'm going to be rolling, two yellows, one green, one blue and three purples. Just two advantages.
Nick: So without any successes, you fail to steal anything for Teno, but I think with the advantages, you're able to wriggle out of it becoming any major problem for you. How do you do that, as you are caught taking something from somebody just outside the center of town?
Kit: Birdie's way of doing the pocket game is much less risky than Teno's game of doing it, because she'll usually have something else in her hand just in case she does get caught. And so she gets caught with her fingers half in someone's pocket of their coat. And upon getting caught, she puts her hands up, and will laugh a little and try and save herself by saying,
Kit (as Birdie): Oops. [laugh] Sorry, I saw that you and your, your uh, your daughter? - were walking around earlier and um I just saw that, you know, she she was looking at something in the window and so I popped something in there for you. I just didn't want it to be like a big deal or anything.
Kit: And so when the person checks their pocket, they'll find that she left a little doll, half the size of someone's palm, obviously homemade. Nothing special, really, but just something cute that a kid would like.
Nick: The person you were attempting to steal from looks suspicious, but you know from experience that most people are conflict averse, and you've given them an easy out to just let this situation go away. So they keep the doll and they leave and it doesn't become a bigger deal.
Cameron (as Teno): Very smooth.
Kit (as Birdie): Thanks. I'm rusty,
Cameron (as Teno): But you lose.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Okay. [mimicking voice]
Cameron (as Teno): I'm glad to see you're putting my fabulous advice and guidance to good use though.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. Because you totally give me that all the time.
Cameron (as Teno): I mean, not recently because we haven't seen each other but back a while ago, yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): I know. I know.
Cameron (as Teno): I taught you that trick of giving them something else and doing the tradesies,
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. I know
Cameron (as Teno): so that you don't get in trouble. It helps balance the weight of the pocket too.
Kit (as Birdie): I know and [sig] and you win. I'll let you have this one.
Cameron (as Teno): [laugh] Well yes because you lost your got caught. This is a very clear win for me.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm just saying oh when the next time.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay, challenge accepted.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Teno): And I still want to bracelet.
Kit (as Birdie): [groan] Okay.
Kit: Birdie is fiddling with the bracelet. And when she manages to look away from Teno for long enough, she does look a little troubled, but not really anything to be noticeable.
Nick: While this is going on, Marathon, can you make me a hard Charm check to see how your DJ skills are affecting the town and any potential scouts from the land nearby? This will be a hard Charm check.
Penn: So I have three purples, two yellow, and one green.
[dice rolling]
Penn: Four successes but three threats.
Nick: Geez. So with those successes - the threats will come up in a second - with those successes, what is it like as you boost morale as you make sure that this town feels secure?
Penn: Not only is Marathon operating in a morale capacity, but she's also still coordinating communications and as she's flipped on the next song, she's checks in
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Emma everything all clear in your corner?
Cameron: Emma looks up from detaching some piece of this tentacle and looks around.
Cameron (as Emma): [over radio] It's pretty empty over here.
Penn: Marathon clicks a couple buttons on the soundboard that they've set up.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Cassidy how about you? Checking in.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [over radio] Everything's good. I'm alive.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Perfect.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [over radio] Also, there's no bandits. I'm -
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] That's what I wanted here.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [over radio] Yeah, just shooting targets.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Thank you, Miss Cassidy and doing great as always.
Penn: And Marathon clicks a couple buttons checks in.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Uh Miranda, how are things going?
Nick (as Miranda/Deathstalker): [over radio] Who is this? Who gave this frequency out?
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Yep, it's Marathon for the third time today, checking in.
Nick (as Miranda/Deathstalker): [over radio] Marathon. I don't think I know a Marathon.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Yep. [boisterous false laugh] I don't even know a Miranda. Yeah. Sorry - I shouldn't have even checked in, but does this stranger on the radio know about any bandits nearby? Have they seen any? As they're supposed to be doing? Maybe not supposed to be drawing Birdie as it looks like you're doing far off in the distance. But
Nick: Does Marathon have field glasses that she's looking for people with?
Penn: Yeah, definitely.
Nick: Through your field glasses, you see Miranda sit up straight and look around wildly to try to see who's watching her. And you're far enough away, she doesn't quite figure out where you're observing from.
Nick (as Miranda/Deathstalker): [over radio] [sigh] Callsign Deathstalker. All clear here, over.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Mhm. Thank you.
Penn: And Marathon, clicks a couple buttons again, and then presses one that's got some tape over it labeled Kelsey. And as she clicks it on, she starts into a check like,
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Hey Kel-
Penn: And realizes Kelsey is already talking and decides to hold off.
Nick: Yeah. And with those threats, the conversation you overhear is one sided from Kelsey's radio.
Nick (as Kelsey): [over radio] Well, look, what I'm saying is that if we were to say very visibly pull out right now, make a big deal out of it, much as we've made you look secure, we would suddenly make you look the opposite. So it might be well within your interests, counselor, to triple our payment. That's all I'm saying. I know you're good for it.
Nick: And there's a long pause as though Kelsey is listening to someone that's off the microphone.
Nick (as Kelsey): [over radio] Look, you can call it extortion. You can call it business sense. Either way, you have put your trust in us and it would behoove you to ensure that we were trustworthy through something like an increased monetary divulgence. Now, I know exactly where you're strong box is and we're very well armed. We could also become the bandits that you fear. Ah~ there it is. I see. Great. Thank you, Counselor. And it's been a pleasure doing business with you. We'll be sure to leave a subtly this evening. Yeah. You too.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] [clears throat] Kelsey, checking in.
Nick (as Kelsey): [over radio] Yeah, this is Kelsey.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Um any bandits uh, you seen?
Nick (as Kelsey): [over radio] Well I was just with the mayor, the counselor, whatever it is this town, so no bandits here, but I did secure payment. They were so happy about us taking care of them they actually threw in a bit of a bonus. Pretty nice of them. I love this neck of the woods.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] [uncomfortable noise] Yeah. Thank you, Kelsey. Over.
Nick (as Kelsey): [over radio] Thank you Marathon. I really appreciate all you've been doing for us. You're you're really becoming one of the team. If you ever wanted to stick around join maybe someone else's payroll, I think you've always got a place here with us.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Thank you very much, but uh~ I'm taken. Thank you. Okay.
Penn: And Marathon switches channels.
Sydney (as Mr. Fitzgerald): [over radio] So you're saying your bowels have been sticky a little bit lately huh? Fortunately, snake oil is that's one of its lovely properties is it'll help get you moving again.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] I'm getting double feedback. Oh god, Mr. Fitz- stop for a sec - your mics on. Your mics on while you're-
Sydney (as Mr. Fitzgerald): [over radio]Marathon. Hello.
Penn (as Marathon): [over radio] Sorry uh-
Penn: And Marathon has to switch channels again.
Nick: And from there, the next thing we see is the Rust and the Patina after night falls pulling out of the town, being very careful to leave evidence behind that they may be still there or quick to return enough to make this town look well defended enough that most bandits would give it a wide berth. After driving through the night, the group makes camp and while most people bed down quickly, we see Teno and Birdie having a late night staying up and enjoying each other's company.
Cameron: We join Birdie and Teno at a campfire where they're sitting next to each other touching shoulders on a log as Teno is saying
Cameron (as Teno): You really haven't gotten with Marathon? Like she's tall - she's your type. What are you talking about?
Kit (as Birdie): Marathon's like - no. Look, okay, okay, I get it.
Cameron (as Teno): Baby Bird I've seen her arms. I don't like women.
Kit (as Birdie): [said with an acknowledgement of aesthetic appreciation] I know.
Cameron (as Teno): Hot damn.
Kit (as Birdie): I know. But like, one - she's got this big huge crush on Cassidy and everyone knows it. And two - I feel like she's, she's so sweet and so like, I don't know, she's she's like a sibling. You know? Like, it just feels like wrong. I don't know.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): She is my type though. I I I appreciate just from like, a very removed point of view I guess.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay, so if not Marathon, what about Cassidy? You could, you could take Marathon -
Penn (as Marathon): [giggle] Nope!
Cameron (as Teno): - like you're you're adorable. I'm sure you could get Cassidy to choose you over Marathon.
Kit (as Birdie): No. No, no- look look it's-
Cameron (as Teno): Just turn on your Charm.
Kit (as Birdie): It's not - I appreciate that you think that I, and you're so complimentary of me that you think that I'm so amazing and can win over anyone,
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): But I think Cassidy would be even would be even weirder than with Marathon because Cassidy like, whereas Marathon's like that really funny older cousin you have. They, like, you know how like, they take you on like the walk and stuff and you you know, yeah, it was like kind of a thing when I don't know, I don't know where I'm going with that. But like also, Cassidy is like the older sister. I couldn't do that. That's like [shudder noise]. No, I'm, I'm happy with the dynamics that we share. And also, I'm beginning to think that Cassidy might reciprocate a little bit.
Cameron (as Teno): I - hrm.
Kit (as Birdie): I can't read her very well.
Cameron (as Teno): Are you sure you're not flirting with them though? Because I've heard how y'all talk to each other and it doesn't-
Kit (as Birdie): No~!
Cameron (as Teno): - feel very sibling like.
Kit (as Birdie): It's just a friendly.
Cameron (as Teno): [disbelieving] Mmm.
Kit (as Birdie): It's it funny.
Cameron (as Teno): Mmm. Birdie there's enough innuendos that it can be nothing but pretty, pretty hot flirting.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, it's part of like, I don't know. It's like part of like the game I guess with them. is very, it's very, yeah.
Cameron (as Teno): Are you sure you haven't convinced yourself it's a game?
Kit (as Birdie): Yes.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay. Well, continuing down the list, what about your mechanic?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, Emma? Emma is - I again, appreciate from afar, but no. Emma is - She's not - Hm. Emma likes machines.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay.
Kit (as Birdie): And bread.
Cameron (as Teno): [surprised laugh] What?
Kit (as Birdie): She likes machines and bread and that's, you know what? I think that that's, I've gotten just the vibe that that's good for her.
Cameron (as Teno): All right. Okay. Sure. Um.
Kit (as Birdie): She's had like several people try and like flirt with her and she just nothing.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay. I mean, you know, I guess bread and a job that fulfills you can be all you need in life and that's perfectly fine.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Teno): Uh. I don't know if I've ever heard someone described that way though before. [laughing]
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing] I don't I don't know how else to describe it.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay, no, it's, I mean, you got the point across - not interested. All right. Um, well, if you're not interested in any of your crew members, I have noticed you making eyes at -
Kit (as Birdie): [squeak]
Cameron (as Teno): - our fearless leader Kelsey.
Kit (as Birdie): [very high voice] I don't know what you mean.
Cameron (as Teno): And your voice is doing the squeaky thing.
Kit (as Birdie): [gay panic noises] [high voice] Um - [drastically lowers voice] Um.
Cameron (as Teno): Yeah and then you have Deathstalker making eyes at you.
Kit (as Birdie): Who?
Cameron (as Teno): Deathstalker? Miranda?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh! Oh.
Cameron (as Teno): The woman you saved?
Kit (as Birdie): Yes. Yes. Sorry.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Deathstalker is -
Cameron (as Teno): She's drawn some beautiful portraits of you.
Kit (as Birdie): She has?
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): [uncomfortable noise] Uh oh.
Cameron (as Teno): I'm sure she would show them to you who asked, though that might be incredibly awkward for you if you're not interested. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [ugh] Uh. Maybe not.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay, so I'm getting a no vibe on Deathstalker. But Kelsey -
Kit (as Birdie): [the return of the gay panic]
Cameron (as Teno): You know, Kelsey is not attached to anyone.
Kit (as Birdie): [faking a low voice] Yeah. [clears throat] [normal voice] Yeah.
Cameron (as Teno): You're doing a great job there, Baby Bird. This is very convincing.
Kit (as Birdie): Thank you. I appreciate that. Can you just let me have this? I'm very -
Cameron (as Teno): Have this thing with Kelsey? Yes, that's what I'm trying to suggest, Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): You know what? I'm gonna keep it I'm gonna keep it classy. And you know what, if anything happens, it happens. And I'm going to wait until the last second to do it so that it's not messy. Because I'm a very classy like that.
Cameron (as Teno): Darling, I'm sure however long you wait, it will be messy. Take that whoever you wish. [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [sputters] I - mhm. Mhm. Mhm. Well, um,
Cameron (as Teno): And you know if you were if you were really interested, you could always continue on with us and then have more exposure to the lovely lady.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, um,
Kit: Birdie has obviously been playing with the bracelet this whole time and is taking it on and off and on and off over and over again. But she'll look more at the fire than at Teno when they start shifting the conversation towards this.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I uh you know, it's - I've been with the Patina for a while now. Maybe it's, I don't know it's - I mean, I told them like, I think I told you about it, but when I first met them, they were like, no mercenary group I've ever met and you guys are like, kind of what I'm used to working with, I guess.
Cameron (as Teno): We're more fun.
Kit (as Birdie): [quiet laugh]
Cameron (as Teno): Oh, you don't have to confirm that. I'm positive in it myself. That's fine.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] I have had fun. I had a lot of fun with you guys. And you guys are fun.
Cameron (as Teno): Thank you.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] You're very - you personally, Teno, are a lot of fun to be around and I -
Cameron (as Teno): Oh yeah I'm a delight.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] I mean, with how well everything's been going, it's kind of hard to say no, I guess. I'll, I'll think about it. Promise.
Cameron (as Teno): All right. Just know, I'll be keeping a spot warm for you.
Kit (as Birdie): Thank you.
Cameron (as Teno): It would be fabulous to have you on my crew again.
Kit (as Birdie): I know I am a delight.
Cameron (as Teno): You are. Far, far more so than the rest of this group. [laugh] They kind of bring the energy down, you know?
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. Mhm. We will be able to be delights together again.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm. Juliana really does not like talking with me. [laugh] Juliana probably doesn't actually like me, but that's fine.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, that's, you know, that's part of the it's part of the fun. Group dynamics. I guess.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): You have a very dynamic group.
Cameron (as Teno): And your group seems like a hopeless group of friends who are flirting but don't understand they're flirting and um people who like bread.
Kit (as Birdie): Yes.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): Who are frighteningly noble for the line of work they're in.
Cameron (as Teno): Oh, gross.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] I don't know. It's kind of made me change how I look at things, I guess.
Cameron (as Teno): You want to be a hero?
Kit (as Birdie): [embarrassed noise] I don't know. [laugh]
Cameron (as Teno): You can be Miranda's knight in shining armor.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, god.
Cameron (as Teno): [evil giggle]
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] No, no offense against Miranda. She's a very lovely person who is very beautiful and I'm sure that Dea-Deathstalker will find success. Not with me on day. [awkward laugh]
Cameron (as Teno): Welp. Just think on it.
Kit (as Birdie): I will.
Cameron (as Teno): We've we've still got some time before the group's diverge.
Kit (as Birdie): [sigh] Yeah. Yeah and I still have to get you that bracelet.
Cameron (as Teno): Yes. This is an expectation.
Kit (as Birdie): Of course.
Cameron (as Teno): How can we be friends if we don't have bracelets?
Kit (as Birdie): We have to have something to represent our friendship. Otherwise, it's -
Cameron (as Teno): Exactly.
Kit (as Birdie): Of course.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Cameron (as Teno): Everyone knows that's how friendship works. It's represented through physical objects.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Cameron (as Teno): Mhm.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] Right. I should probably go back. I've been trying to still catch them while they're awake. Feel like Marathon's wanted to talk to me about something but kind of just will say 'th- nevermind' and then walk away, so maybe I should catch her about it.
Cameron (as Teno): Are you sure Marathon’s not into you? [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, I'm very sure. We're besties.
Cameron (as Teno): Okay, because no one's ever fallen for their bestie before.
Kit (as Birdie): Mmmm. [laugh]
Cameron (as Teno): It's never occurred.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] No, she's goo-goo eyes over Cassidy. Seriously, you haven't seen like -you, you've seen, you have to have seen how she acts around Cassidy.
Cameron (as Teno): Yes, but I also saw her hitting on Deathstalker and getting shot down. So.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah... [sympathetic wingwoman noises]
Cameron (as Teno): I just - doubting her commitment slightly.
Kit (as Birdie): I can I can understand that, but, you know, it'll be weird if it was like, in the group. So and also it's like, like, deeply entertaining to me to be able to watch them interact every day and I don't want to mess that up. That's like, that's like my bread and butter everyday.
Cameron (as Teno): Well, I'm glad you have your bread and butter. [laugh] Maybe share with your mechanic.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] Yeah.
Cameron (as Teno): Yeah but go ahead, go go catch them before they go to sleep and Miranda should be coming back from her watch fairly soon. So
Kit (as Birdie): I have to escape.
Cameron (as Teno): If you want to avoid that you can - Yeah, you know.
Kit (as Birdie): Yes. You're right. Okay.
Cameron (as Teno): [sing song voice] Think about it.
Kit (as Birdie): I will. Really.
Cameron (as Teno): All right. Good night.
Kit (as Birdie): Night night.
Kit: And Birdie's going to turn away quickly and walk back to the rig because she knows she can't hide her expressions from Teno as well as she can from the other group members. Birdie walks quickly away from the Rust camp and slows down more as she's walking towards the rig because she doesn't want to disturb anyone. It is a la teenager coming home past their curfew.
Sydney: As Birdie gets close, there's a stirring near the campfire and Cassidy sits up from a pensive session of fire staring as the fire is burning down but isn't quite to needing to be put out because she's waiting up for Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh uh. Hi Cassidy. Sorry, I know I'm coming back late.
Sydney (as Cassidy): No, that's fine. Just making sure everyone's around. Marathon was looking for you - did you get a chance to talk to her?
Kit (as Birdie): Uh no. No-not really, because she's kind of been trying been to talk to me for the last few days, but doesn't really go through with it in the end.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Hmm.
Kit (as Birdie): So I can bring it up with her tomorrow, or - is she already asleep?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): We had a hearty stew tonight. I think everyone's kind of digesting.
Kit (as Birdie): [soft laugh] Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. I know I've been kinda distant with you guys for a bit.
Sydney (as Cassidy): No you got old friend you're catching up with.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Kit: And the bracelet is pretty obviously glinting in the fire.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Did Teno give you that?
Sydney: Cassidy points to the bracelet.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I don't recognize it from historically, I guess.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, ah, yeah. Yeah Teno gave me it. Friendship bracelets and all that.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Well, everyone knows a friendship isn't real unless you've traded friendship bracelets.
Kit (as Birdie): Course. [slightly awkward laugh] I'll let you get some sleep.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Night Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): Night Cassidy.
[hurdy gurdy music swells]
Outro:
Penn (as Marathon): Welcome back to MTR 1153, that was just the end of today’s broadcast and we’ll be right back to the music after this little break. The particulars of the subsequent can be found in the show notes.
This has been A Knight of Shreds and Patches, an actual play podcast using the Genesys game system from Fantasy Flight Games. The show is edited by Sydney Whittington, and features the talents of:
Kit Adames as Birdie. Kit can be found on Twitter and Instagram @ venusvultures. Kit is also a voice actor for Elevator Pitch Podcast, a queer genre-hopping anthology podcast that can be accessed on Spotify and YouTube.
Penn Van Batavia as Marathon. She can be found on Twitter @ acquiredchaste. Penn is an indie TTRPG designer whose most recent work includes Wasmannian, a prompt game about gender and wasps. Check out faer other work at pennharper.itch.io.
Sydney Whittington as Cassidy. Sydney can be found on our Discord server, which is linked in the show notes, and on Twitter @ sydney_whitt. She’s also a contributing editor for the Orpheus Protocol, a cosmic horror espionage actual play podcast..
Cameron Robertson as Emma. Cameron can be found on Twitter @ midnightmusic13 and on Instagram @ reading_and_dreaming. Cameron is also a player on Tabletop Squadron, a Star Wars Edge of the Empire actual play podcast.
And Nick Robertson as narrator. Nick can be found on Twitter @ alias58. Nick is also the GM for Tabletop Squadron. Nick can also be found as a player on the Orpheus Protocol.
This podcast features the musical talents of Dora Violet and Arne Parrott. You can find Dora at facebook.com/doraviolett. You can find Arne at atptunes.com.
The official artwork for this podcast was created by Rashed AlAkroka, who can be found on Instagram and Artstation @ rashedjrs.
You can follow the Patina on Twitter @ akosap_podcast or visit the website: www.akosap.com. To further support the show, consider joining the Patreon at www.patreon.com/AKoSaP, where we’ll be bringing you weekly content including bonus episodes, campfire conversations, and other fun rewards.
Until next time…
…Signing Off