Chapter 19: Graemes

Amid sneezes and sniffles, Tonic searches for Curious Rituals of Uncommon Folk and for the Mighty Teaspoon Hammer. Prism searches the seafoam satchel, too. Tonic scratches and itching palm and takes a few deep breaths. “Okay, Graemes’ journal is here, but I don’t see my Mighty Teaspoon Hammer. The closest thing I have is this little thing.” The gnome holds up a small, rounded metal rectangle, with an ornate spoon etched on it.

Petrichor nods, “That is probably your Mighty Teaspoon Hammer. We call that a Utility Knife here. It has a bunch of pieces that fold up small for easy carrying. It looks like yours has a knife, scissors, spoon, fork, and screwdrivers. They are very handy tools.”

The food truck chefs call greetings and wave at passers-by. The festival seems very popular, and many groups are sitting or standing around trying different dishes.

Scratching a neck itch, Tonic looks at Prism and Fen, then opens Graemes’s book. “Let’s see if this helps. Maybe I can find how to get you home. I guess I should find Graemes to finish up why we came here.”

Other residents and guests bustle around the festival. Kids play games, and the place is full of chatter. Several people pause to watch Fen work,, enjoying the art.

Rubbing both hands together, the gnome tries to decipher the journal entries, but is too tired and dejected to make any sense of them. Prism gives a worried frown, and whistles for the Wind Rabbits. Fen jiggles a leg and remains focused on studying rocks and drawing.

Sensing the downcast mood, Prism says, “Sometimes you are trying to keep track of so many things, you lose track of yourself. What do you want? It is good you care for your friends; remember they are choosing to stay with you. We are all choosing minute to minute. So what do you each want?”

Fen eats the last of the tabbouleh and whispers, “I miss my ideas.” while sketching a slide next to an ink stain. The brownie curls up small to keep out the hubbub of noise.

Prism looks at the crutches and says, “If it weren’t for my mobility, I’d really like to stay and explore! Maybe if I can get used to this I will stay a while. For now, I really want to help Tonic”

Tonic feels weirdly hot just as Prism yelps, “Tonic! Your face is all red and rash-y! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” The gnome insists, “just itchy. My neck and palms and lips itch a lot.”

Petrichor throws away their trash, then has to explain the concept of single-use items, and throwing stuff away. Prism and Tonic are confused, and need the idea explained a few times. Tonic scratches at several itches. Prism looks dubious; “So, you make things to only use once, then stuff it in the ground because it doesn't go away, then take stuff out of the ground to make more?” Prism asks. “That seems...odd.”

Prism spots Spindrift, Steam, and Turbine charms hanging off the seafoam satchel just as Tonic realizes it is getting hard to breathe. “My tongue is too thick” the gnome manages to say, while starting to panic.

A festival-goer stops to watch Fen draw, then says with a chuckle, “Well, hello!”