Patina members get comfortable.
Patina members get comfortable.
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.
- Memories in Love (ID 1144) by Lobo Loco. Link & License.
- His Last Share of The Stars 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
- Twitter
- Join our Patreon
- Join our Discord
A Knight of Shreds and Patches Transcript
Season 2 Episode 42: You Can’t Let Yourself Be Distracted by Other People’s Needs
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:
Happy Hanukkah and nothing but mazels in this holiday season! Thanks for being here and listening to us live out our vicarious fantasies, ignoring the outside world and engaging in maximum relaxation, and we hope the opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation comes for you soon too. And if you need something extra to listen to while you’re replenishing your resources, consider backing our Patreon, which gives you access to bonus episodes, campfire conversations, and other fun rewards.
And with that, we wrap up today’s announcements and head into Season 2, Episode 42: You Can’t Let Yourself Be Distracted by Other People’s Needs. 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]
Penn (as Marathon): Last time on a Knight of Shreds and Patches,I told Cassidy how I feel. And I think she took it well, and I'm excited to see where, how she continues to take it, I guess. Um and also, I found out that Birdie has a belly button piercing which is rad, but actually, that is not the point. But yeah, Cassidy is also interested in me and our chemis- there's chemistry there and um, just waiting to see what what she thinks and I'm definitely not nervous about it. I'm staying actually very cool and casual about it. And I'm not worried at all that something might happen, but I am very excited to hang out with her more. And I'm really psyched that I get to hang out with such a smart, brave, funny, gorgeous woman. I mean, I feel like a kid again, but I'm really glad she likes me back. It's been a while since I felt my heart open like that. But you don't want to hear me ramble on about that. Yeah, I - did I say that Birdie has a belly button piercing?
[radio static]
Episode Start:
Nick: Each member of the Patina wakes to a warm and pleasant morning in the spa in French Lick. The breeze through open windows combined with the gentle fans makes getting out of bed a difficult decision but eventually you do. As everybody gets dressed to face the day, Camden finds things to do outside but leaves you all to a delicious breakfast spread in the dining room, and that's where we find the Patina seated around breakfast making their plans for what to do next.
Cameron (as Emma): Y'all, sleeping in a bed was so nice.
Penn (as Marathon): [mouth full] Mm. And these eggs are so good.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I could just stay here for like three more days at least because we don't have anywhere to be.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): I feel like I've had a lot of growth here, you know? [small laugh]
Cameron (as Emma): [snort]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well we keep eating like this, maybe you'll grow outwards.
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh] You only hope.
Sydney: Cassidy chews on that statement for a bit with her next bite.
Kit (as Birdie): Birdie is looking at Emma across the table. She has the trying not to smile face on.
Cameron: Emma is smiling but you don't know if it's because of the interaction occurring in front of her or because she's buttering up a very large piece of fresh made bread - could go either way. [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): So uh, Birdie~.
Kit (as Birdie): [dreading this] Yes Marathon?
Penn (as Marathon): Marathon is holding back a snicker.
Penn (as Marathon): How was um, your night specifically? You know after drying off and such.
Kit: Birdie is very calmly trying to pick through her food and not let her face give anything away, but it's a very bad ruse.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, I was - it was good. It was all right. Um, you know, I~ think ,you know, I think me personally had my fill of this place. It's nice.
Penn (as Marathon): That bad?
Kit (as Birdie): No! No, it wasn't - it wasn't, it wasn't bad. It wasn't. I had [humpf] I'm not [humpf].
Penn (as Marathon): Ooo.
Kit (as Birdie): You know, it's very impolite to ask someone to kiss and tell.
Penn (as Marathon): Was "nice", wasn't it?
Kit (as Birdie): It was -
Kit: [laugh] Birdie is looking at Marathon with the expression of 'stop asking me about this - they could walk in any second and I don't want to be giving you [laughing] the intimate details of my night'.
Sydney: Cassidy has had an eyebrow raised at Birdie and then goes back to eating.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay, look, it was a solid like 8.5 out of 10. It was. It was nice. It was great.
Penn (as Marathon): All right. That's all I needed to know.
Kit (as Birdie): [angry whisper] Okay!
Penn (as Marathon): Thank you Birdie.
Cameron (as Emma): Cassidy, can you pass the jam, please?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Mm hmm.
Kit (as Birdie): You cretin.
Sydney: Cassidy's mouth is full and she passes the dish over to Emma.
Cameron (as Emma): Thank you. I mean, I would support staying.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): Food is really good.
Kit (as Birdie): [uncomfortable Birdie noises]
Penn (as Marathon): Official vote to stay.
Cameron (as Emma): You're making a face, Birdie. You're making the noises.
Kit (as Birdie): [noises continue]
Penn (as Marathon): 8.5 times 2 is uh, -
Kit (as Birdie): [high pitch internal scream]
Penn (as Marathon): - that's what? 17 out of 20? That's an 8.5 out of 10?
Kit (as Birdie): [uncomfortable noises]
Penn (as Marathon): Stay a second night?
Sydney (as Cassidy): If you need to take the motorcycle and go off on your own for a couple of days we can meet back up.
Penn (as Marathon): No you don't have to leave Birdie. Um if Birdie really wants to leave that bad that she's willing to go in the motorcycle, I'm okay with leaving. I mean we don't need to separate, you know.
Sydney (as Cassidy): No what do you mean? Birdie is great at leaving and coming back.
Penn (as Marathon): [panicked gotta keep the group together noises] No, it's
Sydney: Cassidy takes another bite and isn't looking anywhere in particular.
Penn (as Marathon): [freaking out] Birdie you're stay- [mumbles] Cassidy's just - we uh, we're... we're all sticking together right, Birdie? [concerned laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yeah, no, I'm not. I'm not leaving again. You know, um, yeah. Yeah.
Kit: Birdies leaned back from her plate and is just looking at the table.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh, well. [clears throat] The eggs are really good too. Emma the bread looks terrific.
Cameron (as Emma): The bread is very good. I think you already commented on the eggs.
Penn (as Marathon): You know, I did, didn't I?
Cameron (as Emma): Yup.
Penn (as Marathon): Oh, silly me. Anyway. I think I -
Sydney (as Cassidy): What are you guy's plans for day two at the spa then?
Penn (as Marathon): [shaky exhale] Okay, yes.
Cameron (as Emma): Eating bread. That's how far I've gotten so far.
Penn (as Marathon): I was thinking we could play - have you ever played cribbage, Cassidy?
Sydney (as Cassidy): I think I've seen it at a bar.
Penn (as Marathon): Or shuffleboard. Oh, that would be fun.
Sydney: Cassidy looks pointedly at Birdie.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So what are you going to do?
Kit: Birdie just shakes her head a little.
Kit (as Birdie): Ah, haven't decided yet.
Sydney: Cassidy nods and looks back to the others.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I want more hotsprings time so
Penn (as Marathon): Hell yeah morning - we should make a habit - every digestion session.
Cameron (as Emma): So like after every meal?
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah~.
Nick: At this point Camden comes in with a fresh pot of coffee and they look around to the group and smile, especially at Birdie.
Nick (as Camden): Hey can I freshen anybody's cup? Get anybody more food? Marathon it looks like you ate, man maybe 8 - 8.5 eggs.
Penn (as Marathon): [cackle] [clears throat] Yeah, just about that number actually. And I think, you know, I could eat 8.5 eggs tomorrow morning too and that would that sounds actually like just a pleasant night - a pleasant day. You know?
Nick (as Camden): Oh will will you be staying another day? I know you hadn't decided when we talked originally. Cost is the same per night - not gonna upcharge you or anything.
Penn: Marathon looks towards the rest of the Patina in a making a shrug.
Kit: Birdie's face has fallen even more [laugh] and without really looking at Camden or anyone she'll take her cup of coffee.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh. Always on the side of not getting too comfortable any one place, as you guys know.
Kit: And she'll leave the table.
Penn (as Marathon): Dirt. I'm gonna go talk to Birdie, guys. You gu- you make the decision, I guess.
Penn: Marathon scoots up to follow after Birdie.
Nick: Camden steps out of the doorway and lets the two of them go by and gives Cassidy and Emma a look with raised eyebrows.
Nick (as Camden): Well I hope I wasn't pushing the issue. Checkouts not until 11, so you have time.
Nick: They give a friendly smile of communicating they're not going to force you all the leave by a certain time. They're just trying to figure out what the plan is.
Cameron (as Emma): Thanks Camden. We'll let you know.
Sydney: Cassidy raises her coffee and cheers towards Camden and takes a drink.
Nick: Camden shrugs, puts the carafe of coffee on the table and says
Nick (as Camden): Well, I guess I'll go sweep the dirt paths or something. I don't know. Things seem to have gotten a little tense all of a sudden, so just let me know when you have a plan.
Nick: And Camden walks off. You can hear rummaging outside as they dig through a closet and grab some supplies and go to do some basic maintenance somewhere.
Cameron (as Emma): So I'm getting this vibe that Birdie doesn't want to stay another night.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I'm also getting that I'm just trying to decide if the three of us that do want to stay another night is worth that discomfort. It would be nice to be in bed again.
Cameron (as Emma): Honestly, I'm fine either way. I do really like the bed here. It has curtains. It's also very comfortable. And the pillows aren't covered in tumeric.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [surprised laugh] Yeah. We washed it - it took a couple of washes.
Cameron (as Emma): [laughing] It still kind of smells like a spice drawer, you know? Just a little bit. It's not it's not bad and it's not really noticeable until you like stick your face in it. And yep. Uh, I guess we can make a final call once Marathon and Birdie are done talking?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Sydney: And Cassidy looks longingly at the breakfast spread.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [sigh]
Cameron (as Emma): You can eat more.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah but I'm already full. Like it doesn't do me - I'm just going to be uncomfortable if I eat more than this. The only way to eat more is to stay here longer.
Cameron (as Emma): This is sound logic.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well. I guess we'll see. I guess we can leave if we have to. Maybe I can leverage my gunshot wound for one more night. [laugh]
Cameron (as Emma): [soft laugh]
Nick: And as Emma and Cassidy relax at the table having had a lovely meal. Birdie - where does Marathon catch up to you?
Kit: Birdie is sitting out where Emma was waiting for Cassidy to catch up with her last night in one of the rocking chairs, sitting cross legged and just drinking her coffee and looking at her surroundings.
Penn: As Marathon comes up the doorway that opens up into this porch area, Marathon gives a little knock on the doorway.
Penn (as Marathon): Hey uh, Birdie. I just want to apologize for razzing you a little bit too hard there. I got a little carried away. I - yeah. Sorry.
Kit (as Birdie): Um. No, it's - it's fine. I don't really - I don't know. [sad laugh] It's it's not just that, it was a lot of things. I um, I don't want to make everyone feel like they have to leave today if everyone's comfortable, and it's important that Cassidy is comfortable because I want her to heal and feel better soon.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, definitely. But also, you're somebody who has, I don't know, gone through a lot of stuff too - maybe not physically need the healing, but I'm sure - I mean Cassidy isn't one to like, you know, the the babying part of healing. And I'm sure we could convince to the team to hightail if that's what you really needed and I wouldn't ignore what you really need if that's what you really need, you know? Contrary to what Cassidy makes it seem like, we are happy you're here. You just you know how she is. She's just a little, you know, frustrated still, and it's gonna take a little bit and I uh, yeah. And I know that doesn't fix it, but uh yeah, I just want to make sure you're not getting trampled over here. I'm with you if you want to leave. It's it's nice to have a cushy place but yeah, we're we're travelers. That's us. Can I sit in the chair next to you?
Penn: And Marathon has her arm leaning on one of the rocking chairs.
Kit (as Birdie): Uh yeah. Yeah you can. Of course.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah. I don't know, is there - I don't know, any specific reason you wanted to leave? Is it, is it - is it because of Camden? Um, you know, I shouldn't have pushed it. I like pushed you to do that. If that's not your jam.
Kit (as Birdie): No, I it's, I guess it's just like a [self deprecating laugh], call it a hallmark. I just, I mean, Cassidy's right. Can't say she's wrong. I like running away from situations that I put myself and others in. It's not because of Camden. It's not anything else. I just - Camden's too nice. Camden's too nice for me to uh, look - Kelsey is one thing, because
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, mean thing.
Kit (as Birdie): [short laugh] Because, look, I can admit she's a shit person. And even even before that, Elvira - shit person. Sasha wasn't, Sasha knew what Sasha was getting into there, and we'll put it that way.
Penn (as Marathon): I don't like Sasha. But that doesn't mean she's bad. Anyway.
Kit (as Birdie): She's not a bad person, but you know, she, she is used to it, you know? Sasha knew what was going to happen. Sasha is a traveler. We're travelers - we go places, we leave people. That's how it works. Camden is so nice and good and they don't leave here, but they get left all the time and I think just having to deal with being a person that leaves behind a really good, amazing person who deserves to have something more real than what I can give is not something I want to be in charge of. And look, it's just me deflecting again. [uncomfortable laugh] [sigh] I guess it doesn't matter. Cassidy's right.
Penn (as Marathon): You got lots to give Birdie. I understand not feeling like you're ready or enough for somebody like that. Camden does seem like a really settled person and I don't think any of us are at that point, you know? But just because Cassidy is a little, like, thorny, and some and you know, I'm not - I'll be honest, I'm not totally like, I've still got emotions about you like jumping off, but um, we're healing about it. And it's gonna be okay. You're just, we're, we're, we're sticking together. I know, the instinct is to run but the fact that you haven't run when things have gotten kind of messy with us is a good sign, right? Like we can work it out. I know it's hard.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah. Yeah, it's - you're really sweet.
Penn (as Marathon): And you'll find somebody who was really good, you know?
Kit (as Birdie): [hopeful laugh] Yeah.
Penn (as Marathon): Who is also messy.
Kit (as Birdie): [more real laugh] Thank you. I I appreciate you, Marathon. You're a real good person, too. I just, you know, it's weird. I guess I didn't expect you guys to have the feelings you did about me leaving. It's really thrown me for a loop.
Penn (as Marathon): Well, we care about you.
Penn: And Marathon reaches over to give Birdie a loving noogie.
Kit (as Birdie): [squished noise] Thank you very much. Yeah. Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): Mhm. Now when'd you get that belly button piercing?
Nick: The morning air feels good to Marathon and Birdie as they talk about the little things and enjoy each other's company, as we check back in on Cassidy and Emma finishing breakfast.
Sydney: Cassidy has cleared up a spot in front of her, being done eating, and has out a regional map, carried out from the bag in her room, and she's plotting a couple of potential trajectories for intersecting with the projected path of Sasnak, having talked to Camden about previous travelers sightings and listen to the radio in the area about any intel.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So I think it's [long thinking uh], maybe a week and a half to be able to get fully on.
Cameron (as Emma): Sounds good.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Waiting another day or two here doesn't really change because it's doing this part of the arc over here and Sasnak doesn't really turn super sharp so it's kind of very uh,
Cameron (as Emma): Moseying?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Straight lines that only look like curves when you look at them on a big enough map. So I mean, give or take a couple of days, I guess it's close enough that there are people talking about it on the shortwave, so
Cameron (as Emma): That's a good sign.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): I'm excited to see it.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah it's gonna be big and fancy. It was last time, I assume it's still that.
Cameron (as Emma): I am anticipating that. [laugh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. I honestly, I'm just hoping my arm will be healed enough that I can take the sling off. I know I'm not going to be able to do a lot of archery on board anyway, but
Cameron (as Emma): I mean, if it's another week and a half, eh~ [ponders super expert medical opinion]. Yeah, you could probably take it off. I would keep one with you in case it starts to ache and I'd probably stay still sleep in one so that you don't like -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): - twist it when you're sleeping. But you should be fine to just let it hang.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well here's hoping. [sigh] And I'm not healing any faster, [laugh] than I used to.
Cameron (as Emma): No that's not something that normally speeds up as we age.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah. Well, I'm just going to be as old as Wyatt. And Modem! I could be a hundred and thirty and still be on the road.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah. [laugh] In a hundred years~.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I got I'm sure nothing bad will happen to me in that time. It's not like if that shot had been two inches lower and two inches further in uh, [laugh] I wouldn't be here now.
Cameron (as Emma): Oh, yeah no. Not at all. It's totally fine~.
Sydney (as Cassidy): The more scars I have the scars are protective tissue, see? So if I'm all scars, then I'm invincible.
Cameron (as Emma): Hmm. Okay.
Sydney: Cassidy nods very convincingly.
Cameron (as Emma): I think the more scars you have, the more just like unflexible your body becomes because it's just trying to hold itself together. Can we just agree you're going to avoid trying to get shot?
Penn: Marathon and Birdie start to reapproach the breakfast table from the hallway and they're continuing a conversation
Penn (as Marathon): You said it was oozing? For how long?!
Kit (as Birdie): Well okay, so it was oozing for like half a day, I think before like I caught it.
Penn (as Marathon): [small barf noise]
Kit (as Birdie): And then once I took like my long sleeve off,
Sydney: As you get close to the table, you just hear Cassidy passionately imparting unto Emma,
Sydney (as Cassidy): It's not my idea to get shot! If we get ever pick a fight from further away it's fine!
Penn (as Marathon): Hey, y'all! Sorry.
Kit (as Birdie): Hey guys!
Penn (as Marathon): We'll have to talk about ooze another time.
Kit (as Birdie): [quietly] Yeah good idea.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Welcome back.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah.
Sydney (as Cassidy): So are we saying or are we going?
Kit (as Birdie): We can stay.
Penn (as Marathon): Sounds like we're staying.
Kit: Birdie will set her empty coffee cup on the table and sit back down.
Kit (as Birdie): No rush. No need to.
Sydney: Cassidy has an eyebrow raised in a different way than last time.
Penn: Marathon, from behind where Birdie's sitting down, gives a very cheesy thumbs up.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well Emma you good for another day?
Cameron (as Emma): Uh yeah. [duh]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Cool.
Cameron: Emma is loading up another English muffin with butter.
Sydney: Cassidy puts her map away.
Sydney (as Cassidy): All right, relaxation commence.
Nick: So the Patina spends yet another day relaxing and recuperating after their last battle. Everybody give me one thing that you do while you take this additional day of peace.
Penn: Marathon has invited Cassidy over to the shuffleboard court early in the afternoon. And we see Marathon - it seems like she's cockily talking herself up, and then seems to get more and more desperate as Cassidy continues to whoop her ass in shuffleboard.
Penn (as Marathon): I was supposed to - I was gonna - I was gonna show you how to -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, but you have to put the pucks like over there and then you also have to stop me from hitting them.
Penn (as Marathon): I'm trying hard. Maybe you know what? No.
Penn: Marathon sets down her stick.
Penn (as Marathon): Can you - now this is not how I thought it was gonna go, but can you show me? Guide my hands. This is not a romantic way. This isn't a way where I'm going to learn how to beat you.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh.
Penn (as Marathon): But it could be in a romantic way if you want.
Sydney (as Cassidy): If your goal is to beat me, I don't know if this is going to help.
Penn (as Marathon): Just -
Sydney: Cassidy puts her stick down.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Okay, but you're going to need to pick your stick backup if I'm going to show you.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay. Yes. Okay yes, I thought we were using yours. Okay. Thank you.
Penn: And we cut away as Cassidy begins to guide a very passionate Marathon through the delicate movements of shuffleboard.
Kit: I think Birdie will go and talk to Camden. She'll go and find Camden and maybe it's while they're doing some sort of maintenance and she'll offer to help them with it and insist on helping them with it if they refuse her first offer.
Nick: Camden has partially taken apart a radiator towards the back of the spa. It's summertime, it's not being used. And there appears to be some problem with the line that feeds gas to the radiator and they're trying to seal up any holes that are around it, as Birdie approaches. Camden smiles broadly at you and stands up and stretches. They're down to an undershirt that is clinging tightly to them with just a little bit of sweat from the work they've done so far, but they don't seem to notice, their wavy hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail, and they greet you warmly.
Nick (as Camden): Oh, Birdie - do you need anything that I can help you with? Sorry, I was - I assumed you were taking care of yourselves and figured I'd catch up on some maintenance I needed to do.
Kit (as Birdie): Oh um, no, I don't need anything. I just. I don't know. I just wanted to talk to you, I guess.
Nick (as Camden): Oh, of course. If anything you have sort of a captive audience - I'm not going anywhere. What did you want to talk about?
Kit (as Birdie): Oh, um, I don't know. I just wanted to talk to you I guess. Maybe we could just sit down and I could help you out with this, if you wanted.
Nick (as Camden): Oh, you don't have to do that. You and your friends are on vacation. I couldn't ask you to work.
Kit (as Birdie): I'd like to help. If you'd let me.
Nick: They twist their mouth to the side a little thinking. You can see that they're clearly at war with the understanding that you'd be more comfortable helping and their immediate assumption that people shouldn't work when they're at the spa.
Kit: Birdie is batting her eyelashes a little.
Nick: Yeah, sure. Actually you picked a really good time. I'm having a little trouble getting to some of the inner parts and I don't want to take this all apart, so hold these two sections apart so I can see what I'm doing. That'd be great.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay, yeah. I can do that.
Kit: And Birdie will put her hands where they gesture to and will let the moment be quiet if no one talks first.
Nick: Camden works for a bit, then says
Nick (as Camden): Um, what has hands but can't clap?
Kit (as Birdie): A clock.
Nick: Oh, that was a lot faster than I expected. You must have heard that one before, huh?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, one of my siblings on Sasnak has a joke book. It um, we got to just memorizing them eventually.
Nick (as Camden): Oh, okay. Well, I don't normally get to ask people these, so bear with me here.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Nick (as Camden): What has many teeth but can't bite?
Kit (as Birdie): Tee- a comb!
Nick (as Camden): Wow. Okay. Okay. So let's go for some harder ones then smarty pants. What is so fragile that saying its name breaks it?
Kit (as Birdie): [very quick] Silence.
Nick (as Camden): Okay, now I'm starting to get impressed. Okay, one more. One more. This one's really good. I came up with this the other day when I was cleaning out the filters on the spa.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay.
Nick (as Camden): I know a word of letters three, add two and fewer there will be.
Kit (as Birdie): I mean, it just sounds like it's fewer, like few and then if you add two more, it's fewer.
Nick: Camden's shoulders drop a little.
Nick (as Camden): Man I thought I thought that one was really good. Maybe I'm spending too much time alone.
Nick: And there is a mechanical click and the radiator starts to hum a little bit. And Camden says
Nick (as Camden): Okay, you can let go. I think I've got it fixed.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay.
Nick (as Camden): Thanks for the help.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, of course. Um, do you want to hear one that you can add to your collection?
Nick (as Camden): Yeah, that'd be great.
Kit (as Birdie): What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
Nick (as Camden): Um, I don't know. What do you get?
Kit (as Birdie): Frostbite.
Nick (as Camden): Oh, okay.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, it's stupid, but [giggle]
Nick (as Camden): I mean, that's the first one I'm going to start asking people now. I -
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Nick (as Camden): - for some reason, I got hung up on brain freeze and kind of panicked so.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Nick (as Camden): At least you gave me the answer.
Kit (as Birdie): If you wanted to do a zombie and a snowman, you could do brain freeze.
Nick (as Camden): Mm hmm. Yeah. We'll, workshop that one. We'll figure it out.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle] Sorry, I'm not very good at coming up with them.
Nick (as Camden): You were very good at answering them. Quickest I've ever seen people respond on those. It's very good.
Kit (as Birdie): Well, thank you. I try very hard on riddle solving, I guess.
Nick (as Camden): Well and thanks for the help with the maintenance. It's very helpful.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, I just put my hands there and yep.
Nick (as Camden): Hey, I don't want this to be awkward, so I figured I'd tell you since you all are staying another night,
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm?
Nick (as Camden): My doors open if you want it, but don't feel like you have to or anything. I'm sure with all the traveling and things that you do that spending too much time with the same person is probably not a priority and I get it so don't worry about me either way.
Nick: And they smile warmly at you.
Kit: Birdie gets a little twist to the smile that she had and she scrunches in her shoulders.
Kit (as Birdie): You - [sigh]. Camden, you're so nice.
Nick (as Camden): I'm realizing from your reaction, but that came across as really -
Kit (as Birdie): No.
Nick (as Camden): - oh, woe is me. I'm not that - that's not what I meant. I just don't want you to have any, like obligation or not be able to do whatever makes you the most comfortable here. I mean it when I say I'm good. I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything based on me.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, no, I, and I appreciate that. Because I - I just, I appreciate that. I, I guess I it's, it's [sigh]. You know, it's you deserve to be someone's priority. You're so, so [frustrated at the goodness of this human noise] why are you-? You're always like the perfect host. It's just like,
Kit: Birdie's just making gestures with her arms and her hands right now. She's so conflicted because she's never thought about it from this position before. She's never been this torn before.
Nick: Camden sits down on a cushioned bench next to where the two of you were working, and pats a hand on the bench next to them.
Kit: Birdie will move to sit down next to Camden and will continue to ramble. Just,
Kit (as Birdie): You're, you're such a good person and you're so giving and it's, you know, it's really like, I want you to be happy and travel and be and you'll be able to, to [stammering] have your own needs be -
Nick (as Camden): Birdie.
Kit (as Birdie): -you know?
Nick (as Camden): Birdie.
Nick: Camden throws a friendly arm around your shoulder and gives you a squeeze.
Nick (as Camden): What do you do for your mercenary friends?
Kit (as Birdie): I blow people up.
Nick (as Camden): Mm. Explosives.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Nick (as Camden): Interesting. I would have thought you were more of the negotiator type just because of how charming you are. But that that makes sense to.
Kit (as Birdie): I dabble. But you know.
Nick (as Camden): Okay. And you've spent a lot of time learning how to do that the right way, right? That's your job. That's your profession. You're really good at it.
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Nick (as Camden): Yeah. So think about it this way. You don't - you don't even think about some of the more fine points when you're doing your job with your friends. You're taking care of them. You're doing the thing you've trained and practiced to be good at. It's the same thing for me. I am a professional at making people comfortable and happy. It's a skill that I have. You don't have to think of it as some sort of at my own expense thing. It's a skill that I enjoy doing - sometimes more than others.
Nick: You glance up and Camden's eyebrows are raised a little and they're blushing just a smidge.
Nick (as Camden): But it's - this- it's not a self sacrifice thing for me. I'm good at it, and I enjoy it. And it usually seems to work out and I am going to travel. You've you really helped me figure that out. But let me do my skill. Let me do my version of blowing people up.
Kit (as Birdie): I will say to be fair, blowing people up has nothing to do with like me personally, you know? I'm just saying, from my perspective [sigh], I guess it's just, I've always had to take my life as being the priority because I travel alone. I've traveled alone for so long. And I mean, before that it was just like never anywhere permanent. You always got to look out for yourself, you got to know where your next meal is coming from, you got to know where everything is, and you can't let yourself be distracted by other people's needs. And so you can understand why it might be kind of jarring to meet someone who just wants to do nothing but make other people comfortable and think about other people's needs.
Nick: Camden kisses the top of your head and gives you another squeeze and seems to be consciously not looking at your face for a second.
Kit: Birdie is blushing so hard. She's red from the tip of her nose to the tips of her ears.
Nick (as Camden): So it's a difference in experience and you're not used to it, but let's try let's try another angle here. You came over and you helped me do maintenance and I tried to tell you no and you insisted and I realized it was because you actually wanted to, you didn't feel obligated - it was a thing you wanted to do. It made us both feel good and we were able to do something. Great. Think of my open yet no obligation invitation like fixing a radiator. Oh geez that - this metaphor is dying real fast. Um.
Kit (as Birdie): I thought it was perfect.
Nick (as Camden): The same idea. Okay, yeah, I you can fix my radia- gah. Oh~.
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Nick (as Camden): I was doing really good as wise spa owner and something happened and it's gone - I think maybe we're sitting close enough together I'm distracted now.
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing] I like this better, actually I think everything else you could - [laughing]
Nick: They've dropped to your shoulder and have both their hands covering their face now and with a slightly muffled voice they say,
Nick (as Camden): [muffled] Can we just pretend that I did that right and said nice things. Just look - [not muffled] It's like I said before we're talking in circles. I'm getting flustered now. Oh, I don't - you don't - don't tell me what your plan is either way, but my doors unlocked and you can come over - another bad choice of - you can visit tonight if you want. You don't have to stay all night or you can or don't at all and that's up to you.
Nick: And Camden stands up and literally runs out of the room.
Kit (as Birdie):
I think you did it perfectly.
Nick:
You hear them run into the wall on their way by like they tried to turn around to answer and failed.
Kit (as Birdie): Oo~. [sympathetic ooh/ouch noise]
Nick (as Camden): I'm fine.
Kit (as Birdie): Okay. [to self] Why is this the hardest thing I've ever done?
Kit: [laughing] Birdie, who is just absolutely charmed by people who cannot keep it together in any social interaction - she's going to sleep with them again tonight. That sealed the deal. They were the perfect amount of awkward.
Nick: As Birdie makes a decision about how she's going to be spending her evening we go in to check on Emma.
Cameron: So Emma is in her room. The curtains on her bed are drawn and there are soft snores coming from behind the curtains and she's just taking a nap.
Nick: We see the door of Emma's room swing open silently and the curtains rustle as something has entered the room and climbed onto the bed with Emma. And then we see Shorty, the orange tabby, having found the warmest and most comfortable spot in the spa and he curls up at Emma's hip purring loudly. And we leave Emma's peaceful state to check in on Cassidy. How is Cassidy spending the second day of rest?
Sydney: Cassidy has gathered a couple of small pieces of equipment and has wandered out the front door down the trail on a quest. And 20 minutes later, we see her sitting cross legged in a field of wildflowers with a sketchbook perched precariously on one leg, unable to be stabilized by her still healing arm, as she is doing a detailed sketch of the flowers in their natural habitat. Cassidy is sitting cross legged and a patch of plants that are a couple of feet high with almost could be described as sunburst flower blooms - big round shocks of bright orange flowers. She's just surrounded by - it may be curated nature. It's close enough to this spa that it could be a patch that is somewhat maintained by Camden for pollinators and visual beauty, but it doesn't stop Cassidy from enjoying the sounds of the bees buzzing between the flower blooms and she stops and watches as a hummingbird with its tiny flapping wings sucks the nectar out of a couple flowers before zooming off into the distance. And her sketchbook is blooming with detail of the landscape and the flowers. One page has environment and then the next page has a detailed closeup of the flowers. She flips to a couple of earlier pages just to compare scale. This is her book of tattoo candidates that she holds on to to make sure that she's recording her journey for herself on the canvas that is her body.
Nick: The second night at the spa finds the Patina once again in the hot springs relaxing, letting the heat pull some of the tension out of their muscles. Earlier Camden had brought out a small fire pit and let it burn down to coals and provided sweet crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, and skewers, so the group is able to make s'mores while they relax in the hot tub or with their feet in the water and the Patina just take some time spent together.
Penn: Marathon is currently assembling s'mores for everybody once they've been cooked, partly because she knew it might be difficult for Cassidy to assemble her own and didn't want to make her feel like she was getting babied and so as volunteered to make s'mores for the entire team, because why not, and has taken the hint from her teammates and along with her tiny red swim shorts, is now wearing a white crop top that is cropped just under the bottom of her chest. Unfortunately, she did not think ahead and had swam earlier. It is a white crop top that is now dripping wet along with her all over the smores.
Penn (as Marathon): Okay, y'all. I got first round of s'mores perfectly browned. And who had the who had the burnt marshmallow again?
Kit (as Birdie): Uh that, that that was ooh [clears throat]. That was me.
Kit: Birdie is trying to accept this s'more without looking straight on at Marathon. [laughing]
Penn (as Marathon): Here you go. And we all look dashing today and I would like to apologize. I did not realize that last night, we are not supposed to- well that it is not customary among teams uh, to uh - it is more customary to wear a top so yes, anyway. Here's s'mores everyone
Kit (as Birdie): [under breath] I wasn't complaining.
Sydney: Cassidy takes a s'more. I don't think Marathon notices, but Emma and Birdie might notice a downward flick of her eyes before she goes back to looking off into the distance.
Cameron (as Emma): [trying not to laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [giggling]
Penn (as Marathon): But, uh, how were y'all's day two? How are we feeling ready to pack up in the morning? Feeling like we need a day three? I'm getting a little antsy, but you know, I'm happy to stay.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah, I think I'm ready to move on.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, it's, it's not free. This is really nice, but
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): I had a great nap today though. The cat came and slept with me.
Penn (as Marathon): Damn, we should make sure you get more naps, Emma. You see my somebody who would greatly benefit-
Cameron (as Emma): My soul is healed.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): I am. Yeah, it was great.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Penn: Marathon pulls out a little spiral bound notebook from beside the poolside.
Penn (as Marathon): Get Emma more nap time.
Kit (as Birdie):
[laugh]
Cameron (as Emma): I like that plan.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah. It's a flipbook. I was thinking, I've got a lot of ideas down for once we get back on the road after this time of rest, relaxation and repurposing.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well, I put a note on my map for this spot to stop at on next time we're in the area. That may be in five years from now who knows? Travels being travels.
Penn (as Marathon): We'll find it. We'll find it. It's look if I think I can talk to some of some of the old radio people on some of these other towns if we need to and we can send out some more specific signals with the equipment they have, but we'll find it.
Kit: When the conversation comes to a more natural lull, Birdie, mouthful of s'more, will look at Cassidy and say,
Kit (as Birdie): [mouth full of s'more] So are you gonna keep being mad at me or we're going to talk.
Sydney: Cassidy looks at Birdie and then takes another mouthful of s'more.
Sydney (as Cassidy): [mouth full of s'more] I mean, we can talk.
Kit (as Birdie): [mouth full of s'more] Wanna talk like this?
Cameron (as Emma): Do we have to talk with our mouths full?
Penn (as Marathon): I like it.
Cameron (as Emma): Y'all?
Penn (as Marathon): Emma I'm- something's happening here.
Cameron (as Emma): Oh, the mouth noises. [pained laughter]
Penn (as Marathon): It helps.
Cameron (as Emma): How does it help, Marathon?
Penn (as Marathon): Diffuses it.
Cameron (as Emma): Hmm. Okay. [so much pain]
Kit (as Birdie): [mouth full of s'more] I'm just - here okay. Hold on. [finishing chewing]
Sydney (as Cassidy): I mean you gotta eat them while they're hot, so
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, yeah, that's fair. I mean, I finished mine. So, we're good.
Sydney: Cassidy takes the last bite of hers.
Cameron (as Emma): [so hecking grateful] Thank you.
Kit (as Birdie): I'm just - I guess I'm just wondering like at this point, what can I do in order to, well do or say, in order to help ease your discomfort, I guess? The reason that you keep kinda [awkward laugh] it's come up quite a bit -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Birdie what's your your long term plan?
Kit (as Birdie): I don't - look, I -
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well we're going back to Sasnak and you're gonna theoretically see your family. Are you going to leave then?
Penn: The jovial-ness of watching these two start to spat has worn off and she's suddenly very alert watching ping-ponging between Birdie and Cassidy.
Kit: Birdie clenches her jaw and looks away and thinks for a second.
Kit (as Birdie): That is a very good question. I'm - I don't know how much they've changed. I know that there's one less of them. I know that I haven't been around them for seven years, they could be completely different people. I, I love them very much no matter what, but I'm my own person now. I can go without them. I'm not planning on leaving you guys. I don't want to. There would have to be some great big reason for me to stay - an emergency, something - but if there's, I can't see myself staying with them, no. I want to - I want to stay with you guys. You're my people.
Sydney: Cassidy shrugs and goes for another bite her s'more to realize that it's gone already.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I mean, I guess that's that's what I'm asking is, if like the Rust was 'okay, that this is this is the the next good offer. I guess I'll take it. I guess I'll get on out of here.' Or, like, if you're if you're saying that you're going to be around unless, you know, big, big bad angry thing happens like that's understandable. We've had members leave before. But I guess my - the point of my question is, should I prepare myself for you to leave again or can I - can we expect you to stay here? And I think you answered that. But there's a difference between casually here till the next thing comes along and wanting to be here. When I know that there is a next thing coming along soon.
Kit: Birdie, thinks again for a few seconds and is sort of working her jaw a little bit.
Kit (as Birdie): I'll say it again, that the only reason I went with the Rust was to get back at them and to do something that I thought was good. There's not another thing to come along that could sway me. I'm not going to go just because things are getting hard, because I'm tired of doing it. I I've never stopped doing it. And you know what? I'm I'm glad. I'm glad that you're raking me over the coals for this because I've been a coward for seven or more years now because I get scared. But you guys make me feel happy and loved. I don't want to go. And I don't think that even if you keep raking me over the coals for this, there's anything any of you could say or do that would make me want to leave - or anyone else for that matter. Is that what you wanted to hear?
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, pretty much.
Kit (as Birdie): If I had my s'more I'd throw it at you.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, but we weren't allowed to be eating them while we had this conversation.
Cameron (as Emma): Well why would you waste a s'more like that?
Penn (as Marathon): I think that means we need -
Kit (as Birdie): Because I -
Penn (as Marathon): - another round, right?
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah, okay.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Kit (as Birdie): I'll take another s'more.
Cameron (as Emma): Yes please.
Penn (as Marathon): Yeah, that's right. Yes.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Birdie, I will refrain from any further coal raking, either figurative or physical, though I really hope I haven't done anything physical.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] No.
Sydney (as Cassidy): I will I will refrain from accidentally knocking the coals over onto you.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Since I'm not cooking because Marathon is doing it right now.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm.
Penn (as Marathon): [sounding very proud] I can cook s'mores.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh] I love you Cassidy.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Happy you're here, Birdie.
Penn (as Marathon): [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): Yeah yeah.
Penn: As Marathon gets up to start on smores again, she comes over. She bends down real quick to give Birdie a little hug from over the top and then pulls away and as she pulls away, she looks down and she's like
Penn (as Marathon): What-? Shoot I did it again, didn't I? Uh~. Gah...
Sydney (as Cassidy): A little bit Marathon.
Kit (as Birdie): [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): Okay, sorry. Let me get my jacket on. I'll get you those smores y'all.
Kit (as Birdie): I don't think anyone was complaining.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah, I didn't hear any.
Kit (as Birdie): Mnm.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Emma you got any complaints?
Cameron (as Emma): I honestly don't care, either way.
Penn (as Marathon): Well, if there's no complaints this time, maybe I'll just keep the jacket off. You know, I could just take the whole thing -
Cameron (as Emma): Do whatever makes you comfortable.
Penn (as Marathon): Is that food safe? [laugh]
Kit (as Birdie): [giggle]
Sydney (as Cassidy): Well it might not be you safe - just make sure the marshmallows aren't like that burning one, just don't get too close.
Cameron (as Emma): Yeah maybe don't rub s'mores on your boobs, but
Penn (as Marathon): Okay, well. I wasn't planning to,
Cameron (as Emma): That's a sentence I'd never think would be uttered. [laugh]
Penn (as Marathon): - but Emma,
Kit (as Birdie): [laughing] That's material for the calendar.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Everyone's into something.
Cameron (as Emma): Huh.
Penn (as Marathon): A visceral image.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Yeah.
Cameron (as Emma): Egh. Eugh.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Or someone's into everything.
Kit (as Birdie): Mhm. Mhm.
Cameron (as Emma): Wow.
Penn (as Marathon): Who wanted the burnt one again?
Kit (as Birdie): Me. I did.
Nick: And the Patina spends their evening together having mended some bridges and aired some feelings and the group heads off to bed.
Cameron: Emma heads to her room to get ready to go to bed.
Sydney: Cassidy heads to Emma's room to get help with getting everything back off and without any feelings entanglements from other people in her hallway.
Penn: Marathon hangs out with Birdie for a little while before awkwardly flitting her eyes over to the other rooms before giving the
Penn (as Marathon): Welp.
Penn: And heading off to bed after noticing Birdie was waiting out a little bit.
Kit (as Birdie): Good night! Don't come down Camden's hall.
Penn (as Marathon): Make it a nine.
Kit (as Birdie): It'll be more.
Kit: Birdie will very happily do a little jaunt off to Camden's room and again hangs the Do Not Disturb sign on the door before shutting it.
Nick: The door to Camden's room clicks closed, there's a moment of silence and then the entire spa is surprised by an unearthly howl as Shorty is scratching at Camden's door.
Penn: We see the door slam as Marathon sprint's outside scoops up Shorty, throws Shorty into Cassidy's room and runs back into her own room.
Penn (as Marathon): [rushed] Have a nice night, Miss Cassidy.
Nick: As you pull Shorty away from the door, the cat sinks its claws into the Do Not Disturb sign and pulls it with it so that you throw Shorty plus the Do Not Disturb sign into Cassidy's room.
Sydney: Cassidy sticks her head out into the hallway holding on to a towel pinned under her sling arm for modesty and looks around not seeing anything, goes back into her room and sees Shorty sleeping on her bed tangled in the remains of a Do Not Disturb sign. And somewhat mystified, goes over to gently scratch behind the back of Shorty's ears.
Nick: Shorty rolls over and bats at your hand but it's soft paw.
Sydney (as Cassidy): Oh I guess I could have respected the sign. Sorry.
[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