C+3.

  Your rage has increased by +1.

  Alastair woke up in his university bed and worked his way out to exit using his best sneaking abilities. He had just exited into the streets, this time abandoning the folio before getting to the gate so that the guard wouldn’t harass him on that.

  It’s early enough I can go work through the first level of the carillion and have some cash and loot for trinkets later.

  Suddenly, a strange notification appeared in his interface, which fortunately didn’t distract him too much. He pulled up his interface and saw a note for party history, which he pulled up.

  Sparks has died.

  What does that mean?

  Flor - Party: Good morning. I’m up, going to get food, then I’ll be at the Monument in a couple of hours.

  Party - Galoots: Who is this?

  Oh, no. Looks like I’m still in a party with Flor and by extension with her teammates. And she’s in with Galoots, now, too.

  Party - Flor: This is Flor. You can see my name right there by my text.

  Party - Galoots: Oh, ur Alastair’s wife. He mentioned you yesterday. You’re going to the Monument today?

  Party - Flor: Wait, who is Galoots?

  Party - Alastair: Flor, I met Galoots at the Monastery yesterday. She helped me work through that challenge.

  Party - Galoots: I’m Galoots. From the Monastery. Can I meet you to go to the Monument? It sounds more exciting than the stupid farms.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Party - Flor: It looks like you already have a party. I’m not sure I’m inclined to wait around for you to get to the city, but how about you join us at the Lighthouse?

  Party - Alastair: Flor, don’t steal my party members. I’m trying to give you space. At least let me have my party.

  Party - Flor: Everyone wait a second. Let me unmute Alastair. Okay, there. Alastair, I muted you. You know why, right?

  Party - Alastair: Yes, but that doesn’t mean you get to steal my party members.

  Party - Flor: I’m not trying to steal your party members. Galoots invited himself to my next location.

  Party - Galoots: I’m a she.

  Party - Flor: She, sorry.

  Party - Alastair: Fine. How about we mute each others’ party until later? I don’t feel comfortable being cut off by you completely.

  Party - Flor: Done. Nice to meet you, Galoots. We’ll meet in person someday. Enjoy your trip to the farms.

  Party - Galoots: Dang it!

  Galoots - Alastair: You don’t have to mute them if you don’t want to.

  Alastair - Galoots: Likewise. But since it’s my wife, out of respect for her, I will.

  Galoots - Alastair: You’ll be here by 7? Are you sure you want to go to the farms?

  Alastair - Galoots: That’s my plan - I may go beat something up at the carillion before I head that way.

  Galoots - Alastair: Your call. The first beer is on me.

  Alastair and Galoots walked to the farm. “Have you been here other than fighting the fire?”

  Galoots said, “Just the once. It was dark, and I didn’t get a good look at the place, other than it being on fire.”

  “So you didn’t meet the two players there?”

  “No. I don’t think I knew there were players there.”

  “Yeah. They seemed annoyed I was in their space. It seems like they have a similar affliction that you do, although they have weed rather than beer.”

  “Oh, like they get high every day?”

  “Seems like it,” said Alastair.

  “Weed was never my thing, but I could see the appeal.”

  “It does a three-hour rage reduction. You know, now that I think about it, they didn’t seem unusually rage-filled, so maybe they are just annoying.”

  Galoots remained silent as they walked on a bit before she said suddenly, “Any idea where those two are from, by chance?”

  “We didn’t get into it.”

  “Did you get their names?”

  Alastair thought back to two days ago. Had it been that short? “No. It was an M something and a T something.”

  Galoots grunted, then went back to silence. It seemed like she was in her interface.

  “What are you doing over there?”

  Galoots blinked, then said, “Just chatting. With my daemon.”

  “Oh, why not bring it out?”

  “She’s shy.”

  “I can call Edith? They can chat. What is her name, anyway?”

  “Asterix. Look. I’m also kinda embarrassed about her.”

  “What? Why? It’s not like you got to select your sidekick,” said Alastair.

  “Yeah. Right. Just let it go. Maybe I’ll tell you later.”

  “Fine. Whatever.” They continued in silence for a bit longer until the farms were right in front of them.