"Sounds like our friend is the talk o' the town, SeaTac."
I don't mind takin' a minute to see how Dog does, but my mind is definitely on finding Vignette and Rain. I'm already scannin' around for any sign of 'em.
Not much to do here but follow SeaTac's lead. I make like he did, reachin' out with my hand, openin' the door from the outside. Strange world these folks inhabit, but I'm playin' by their rules right now.
Not sure I want to step in too much here until I get a better sense o' what's goin' on. SeaTac seems to have this under control and seems to know these fellas a bit more than I do.
I nod. "That's correct. Good t' meet you."
Sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways. I tend to find his presence sneakin' up on me when I least expect it. This is one o' those times. That radio- SeaTac don't seem to hear it, but I hear an old hymn. A song called Idumea. It's one o' my fav…
"Honestly, SeaTac, I don't know. Problem is, my people... we don't got a lot o' time. Folks are sick. We need medicine and food fast. So I don't feel I got the time to sit around and come up with a big plan. I'm mostly thinkin' I'm gonna go to him a…
I nod to SeaTac. "Thank you kindly for the information, SueB. I think my friend and I might take a walk over to the motor duel ourselves, see if we can't catch up."
Vignette and I have been on good terms for a while. I like Vignette. Trust her. No …
I smile. "Well, let it always be said that yer one o' the smarter ones walkin' around here, Kites. And let it also be said that me n' the family owe ya."
Rain, huh? I think it's time we head over to Vignette, see what's goin' on.
"Thank ya kindly,…
I squat down to get a bit more on WotCee's level.
"Well, friend, the family is just a bit hungry and sick. That's all. Don't know what's goin' on, exactly, but it seems someone has convinced folks to not help us out with anythin'. It's left us a bi…
I smile warmly. Kites and Wotcee are good folk. "Well hello there, friends. Thought I might come by to get some noodles. Our stomachs are rumiblin' over where we stay. Folks ain't been too forthcomin' with food fer us lately."
As we walk through the stalls I explain a little more about... that fella... comin' to the family. Attacking me, threatening us. Seems he's behind this. Don't know why, but he's got it out fer me.
Ultimately, I'd like to head over to see Vignette, …
"Hmmm. Thanks fer yer time, Barduk. We'll be on our way."
When we're out o' earshot, I say to SeaTac "Maybe we should go see Vin. She might have a sense o' what to do. What d'ya make o' this, friend?
"Well, Barduk, I don't blame you fer not wantin' to go out from the red eyes. That ain't no way t' go. But anyone who tells you to starve out other folks without givin' you a good reason, well, they ain't someone we should be listenin' to."
How cou…
I gesture with my head towards his cutting board.
"Friend, you had that thing about 8 months now. Looks good as it ever did. That's because one o' mine went ahead and made it fer ya. Don't even think we charged fer it. It was a replacement fer yer …
Hmmm. Let me get to the bottom o' this.
"SeaTac, stick with me. Gotta few questions for folks."
I walk towards Barduk and hail him.
"Hey there, Barduk. How goes your trade? You are looking well. It's good to see. Any cuts to sell?"
I yell over to QuePasa. "Que, SeaTac and I are gonna take a quick walk around. You're in charge until I get back. Shouldn't be long. Gonna see what we can see."
I'm sure everyone knows what I'm gettin' at. Something is up. SeaTac bein' here seems l…
Quietly, to SeaTac, I say "Well, sadly, yer lookin' at it. We been a little worse for wear lately.Our business has dried up, no idea why. Got a bad feelin' though. A fella came by not too long ago and made threats against us. I'm wonderin' if he's t…