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Klimt: "You are sure they will be killed? I can't allow this. They are too important. We will not make it far without them."

Peggy: "No, no! They followed the bells, the fools! They're already dead! If you come back, you will die too! I will die, too! Please don't, please!"



Mary scratches her chin.

Mary: "Outpost? Hmm. Oh! You must mean the place beyond the desert, from where the trucks come. Quite a long ways away!

Well. I'm sure you must be quite exhausted, walking all the way up from the stadium. Would you care for a cup of tea? It's not much, but it does wonders on a chilly morning like this."

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Mary almost chokes trying to contain a giggle.

Mary: "Pffffffh- Me? Some sort of evil harbinger? Dear, I don't know your friend, but they're gravely mistaken. I don't resort to violence unless my sheep are in danger.

So, I promise I will not murder and devour you, if that'll put you at ease. Now..."

She pulls a battered old kettle from her cart, along with a lit lantern.

Mary: "It's been so long since I had any non-starved visitors! I'm itching for a good chat."


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Smiling, Mary takes a small bag if dried leaves from her cart, lights a brazier made from an old bucket using the lantern's flame, and starts brewing.

After a few minutes, she hands each of you a cracked, mismatched teacup, while keeping one for herself.

Mary: "Do be careful now, this stuff is quite strong. I wish I had some sugar to offer you, but... It's a bit hard to come by, nowadays."

She begins sipping from her cup, humming contently.

Looking at your tea, you notice it's quite dark, but smells pleasant enough.




Meanwhile, Peggy grows more agitated by the minute.

Peggy: "B-but, if you don't hear any screaming, all that means is they died before getting a chance to scream! C-can't you see the danger?"


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Mary giggles apologetically.

Mary: "I wish I could tell you. I never knew much of botany, and the plants that live now are rather different from the ones that did before the End. I had to try brewing most every herb I gathered, until I finally discovered which were not poisonous. Took a while, I'll say!

For lack of a better name... It's tea. Or, the Mary Special, if you're feeling fancy."


Rosa takes a small sip, while Eigla prudently watches. It IS rather strong, yes, but not too unpleasant. After days of feasting on raw crows and one another, it feels good to taste something that was actually cooked, even if it just involved throwing leaves in a kettle.

Mary: "As for safety... Well, every now and then I get some nasty hoolingans who try to steal my sheep, but they're usually easy to chase off. At night, when the wolves come out, it can be a bit worrysome, though. I generally take my herd back to the pen, and let Mary here stand guard while I sleep."

She pets the giant ram affectionately, and it licks her hand.



Meanwhile, Peggy shakes her head vehemently.

Peggy: "N-n-no! I swear I'll run off! I-If you go after them, I'll run off, and you'll never catch me again!"

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Mary: "Yes. It's a rather pleasant name, if you ask me.
Also, thank you. I know how... Alluring, raw meat can be, but it's also rather crude. There was a certain charm to cooking, back in the day. I can only hope it's not lost forever."


Peggy doesn't answer, but from the sniffling sounds coming from under her poncho, Klimt notices she's crying.

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