A Scripta

The door opened on its own volition as Masonry and Keen Frost stood aside and watched it.

"I think he does that to intentionally scare people," Mase said, and stepped inside. Frosty watched the door close behind them, turned, and came face-to-face with a shade. He gulped, the shade merely stared.

Meanwhile, shades converged on Masonry. Frosty watched as small cuts appeared on his shirt, blood seeping through. "Mase!"

"It's okay, his spirits don't like me."

"'s cuz yer strange to 'em, mate."

With a wave of Womby's hand, the shades disappeared with howls. Frosty shivered involuntarily. Womby had changed since the last time they saw each other, when Womby handed him the fiery jewel that caused his soul to burn, that caused him to almost kill Mase, that accelerated his radiation poisoning. Then, Womby looked always slightly distracted, as if listening to distant voices - which he was. Now he looked stronger, more in-this-world, standing in the doorway dressed in robes and his feet bare.

"Hey there, Frosty. Heard 'bout the charm. Sorry 'fer the trouble."

Frosty shrugged.

"But ya came out stronger fer'it. What c'n I do fer ya both?"

Masonry said, "We need you to find someone for us."

"Finders 'r over in Skyway City, there's a whole block of 'em."

"He's over in the Rogue Isles. We thought maybe one of your spirits could look for him."

Womby's eyes narrowed. "Spirits ain' bloodhounds."

Frosty looked down. Womby glanced at Frosty, then looked again at Masonry. "'s fer Frosty?"

"Yeah," Frosty said. "My guardian. He went to the Rogue Isles. I don't know why."

"I c'u'd fin' that out fer ya, if ya want."

Frosty nodded.

Masonry said, "But we really want to know if he's alive or not. He's worried sick."

Womby turned to Masonry with a hard glare. "He c'n speak fer 'imself."

"No, he's right," said Frosty. "I do want to know if Old Man is alive."

Womby looked from one to the other. "Since i's fer you, Frosty, I'll do it." He thumbed toward Masonry. "Not fer yer boyfriend, 'ere."

Frustrated, Masonry muttered, "What the hell have I done that so many people hate me?"

Glancing at Masonry, Womby shook his head. "C'mon upstairs, Frosty. Bring 'im if ya wanna."

They went into the warehouse and up a set of stairs to a second floor. On the landing was a collection of a hodgepodge of items, from bits of tech to the shoulders of a clockwork Prince. There were long staves that Life Mages used, and some dusty robes, hats, and belts.

He went into his work area. This was mostly a large space, with one area in the corner near the windows that had a desk, and shelves full of all sorts of jars, boxes and books. He brought them over there, cleared books off a chair, and motioned Frosty to sit down. Masonry stood behind the chair, like an alabaster statue.

"So tell me 'bout yer guardian, there."

~~To be continued on Keen's blog or a reprint here of his FF posting~~