Just One of Those Days

Quote of the Night: “You’re trying to think. That’s cute.”

-Kreshnik

The smell of bleach greets Viktor as he slowly returns to consciousness. Propping himself up as the remembers where he is, he can’t help but feel that he is lucky to be alive. Kreshnik groans and stirs beside him, but Jonas doesn’t move. Viktor stumbles to his feet and tries to scout around the area. Their small skiff is still docked, but the barge and all the medical supplies are gone, along with Kreshnik’s pistol and what little money that they had.

With little choice in what to do, they staunch the flow of blood from Jonas, hoping that the rags and stagnant water used to clean the wounds won’t cause too severe of an infection. They then drag Jonas into the skiff and slowly row their way back to Bankside, trying hard not to look like too easy a target.

Meanwhile, Josiah has decided that if Kreshnik isn’t back by sunrise then he and Firene are leaving. Going through Kreshnik’s home to find any supplies that they can, whey wait throughout the night.

All through the night, Kreshnik and Viktor row down the canals, finally reaching Bankside. They dock the boat, and sell it for a token amount. Viktor begins to haul the still unconscious Jonas to Kreshnik’s house, while Kreshnik limps to the Underground Market to inform The Fish that he has failed to hold up his end of the agreement.

Wounded as he is, Viktor still manages to get Jonas to the house just as dawn comes. Josiah and Firene are just leaving as he arrives. Much to Josiah’s consternation Firene still decides to stay and helps Viktor bring Jonas into the house. Using what little alcohol they have, they try to sterilize his wounds.

At the Market, Kreshnik finds The Fish’s assistant, Selma, who takes him in to see the big man himself, leaving them alone with the Fish’s two enormous bodyguards standing watch over their boss. Kreshnk explains that everything went poorly, and apologizes. Surprisingly, Willy is not visibly angry. Instead, he seems quite accepting of the situation. He dismisses Kreshnik with one more request – that he bring Firene by to see him some time soon. Puzzled and grateful that he’s still alive, Kreshnik leaves. On his way out, he notices Selma talking with a man. Kreshnik stumbles as he recognizes the man’s face – man that beat him into unconsciousness only a day earlier.

Arriving home, he curtly informs Firene that she’s going to see The Fish tomorrow, and then lapses into a deep sleep. Josiah shows the wanted poster and insists that he take Firene and run, but Firene, Kreshnik, and Viktor all refuse – Kreshnik because he promised The Fish, and you don’t fuck with a man like that; Viktor because Kreshnik promised The Fish, and you don’t fuck over Kreshnik like that; and Firene because hopefully the Fish might know why Arclight wants her, and sees little point in trying to evade them forever. During the night Josiah tries to get Firene to leave with him, but she again refuses. Disgusted, Josiah nonetheless remains with her.

By morning, Jonas is conscious – again. As a group, they take Firene to see The Fish. Willy cuts to the chase, showing the group a copy of the reward poster from Folly Hills, and then another one he found in Clearwater Break. The two posters are identical, except that Arclight is offering ten times more money to the people in Clearwater Break to find Firene.

The group immediately looks for a way out. Kreshnik makes a counter-offer. Surely, he insists, The Fish could make more money selling the information of Firene’s location to various Ghostfighters, Lostfinders, and Bounty Hunters around The City?

Willy smiles at the thought. He actually doesn’t need the £2000, that being a pittance compared to what he has at his disposal. Still, he does like the idea of human sport. Seeing as Firene’s protectors are for the most part near death, Willy decides to give them a one week head start. If they are caught before them, well, The Fish won’t lose too much sleep over it.

Shuddering, the group leaves to gather what little belongings they have and get ready to run