Author’s note: Same news as before, Charlotte Tapp, the lovely illustrator for this project, has declared she is willing to take art requests for content that has to do with the NAUTILUS story. If you wish to see anything in particular, leave a comment below. This is a continuation of last week’s article, which was the ninth installment of this story. Any comments are welcome. This is an episodic story, which means you the audience have an opportunity to influence some things. If there are any events you want to happen or prefer to avoid, do say so. This tale may just go in that direction. Now, back to the story.

Despite the current situation, Kyumi was taken aback by how pristine the Quarantine District actually was. The transition was clearly defined as the buildings closest to the border were in the most disrepair, yet within this section they were maintained surprisingly well. There were a few people here, lying in the street, that took notice of him and his acquaintance. Vise was saying something, though Kyumi was not listening at the moment. He had a goal and he would reach it.

His panicked wandering did not help whatsoever. He did not know this place or how to navigate the district. So, he stops in an open space, believing this would be the most suitable location to gather his bearings. Yet when he stands still, holding a disgruntled Vise, a shambling biped approaches them.

The creature in question was wearing an old hospital gown, sloppily cut and re-stitched to make a shirt, and a pair of loose breeches. On the parts Kyumi could see, deep scars were prominent across its flesh. The face was the worst. It looked as if it was born with five eyes; two on both sides and one in the center, though the pair on the left side must have been burned away long ago. Then it spoke.

“So how did you end up in this situation?” Its voice was raspy, almost harsh sounding. The words themselves did not seem addressed at Kyumi. This was becoming a common theme.

“Hey…did you know bullets bounce?” Vise manages to say through gritted teeth. “Cause I definitely know!”

“And where did you find…this?” the creature asks, pointing at Kyumi.

“I’d say I found him in a dumpster, but he already is one. He’s carried me this far, he’s not going to do anything…well, the worst he’ll do is ask you what a grape is over and over.”

“What is a grape? You still have not explained what a grape is.”

“Do the fruits of my home really matter that much right now?”

“Oh, it is a fruit. Interesting. Could have said that a while ago.”

“Heartsease, I got shot. In. The ass. Could we please skip passed all the introductions and get to the bullet removal? Please?” Vise begs with a mildly annoyed undertone which Kyumi finds amusing. Or he would, if he was not unsure of the bullet wound being life-threatening for Vise’s species. He was making an awfully big deal about it.

“Drama queen. Come on, we need a sterile environment.” It turned and started walking. The way it said ‘sterile’ sounded like ‘stair-aisle’. This was something to catalogue later under the ‘dialects’ section of Kyumi’s journal. “Large one, you may allow him to walk on his own.”

“That’s going to hurt like a bitch.”

“’What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ For someone who says that often, you sure do complain about it.”

As Vise pouts, Kyumi drops him unceremoniously. Granting the current audience with a thud, immediately followed by, “DAMNIT!” A sadistic chuckle emanates from their guide as Vise picks himself off the ground.

The party makes their way to a clinic in the center of the Quarantine District. The shambling being tells them to go inside and leaves them. There is no one they can see as they walk into the reception area. As Vise hobbles up to the front desk, a blue and brown creature wearing an oversized lab coat that envelops most of its body jumps onto it. Its blue eyes stare intently at Vise, who seems to know what it means. Whatever it is telling him, Kyumi cannot hear anything.

“…”

“He’s probably ignoring you. His name is—I don’t know his name…”

“…”

“Hey, big guy, what’s your name again?” Vise asks.

“Title Kyumi Del’Tari is. Name Kuur’Vah Xiir’Saio is.” Kyumi replies.

“Not sure why, but I’m offended by you. Happy now, Heartsease?”

“…” Still no audible sound from this ‘Heartsease’. Wait, didn’t Vise call the other thing Heartsease? Questions for later.

“So now can we get this thing out of my butt?”

“…”

“Very funny. Surgery please?”

“…”

After some silent accord has been met, Vise follows Heartsease into one of the side rooms and Kyumi follows Vise. The diminutive creature stops Kyumi at the door, tapping on the stomach of his suit. He hears nothing from it, but the increasingly frantic efforts to shove him back out make it clear he is not wanted in here. Being courteous, he takes a step back so he is no longer in the way. Only to cause Heartsease to lose its balance and fall on its face. Springing up from the floor, it nods at him before closing the door. Now, Kyumi waits. He’s been doing quite a bit of that lately.

Author’s end note: Part 10 is now completed. Another show of appreciation to Charlotte Tapp and all the work she has put into this project. Again, criticism and comments are encouraged. Next week will be part 11, stay tuned!