Author’s note: This is a continuation of last week’s article, which was the third 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.

It has been about four hours since Kyumi walked off the ship and into the NAUTILUS. And aside from being rudely turned away by every person he has inquired as to where he might find a library or museum, not much has happened. Honestly, what kind of elaborately and clearly established civilization does not keep a record of its history? This is the fourteenth denizen he has come across.

“Museum location where is?”

The equine biped gave the traveler a look of pure annoyance. “What did you ask me?”

“I museum or historical catalogue for searching. You where is tell?” Kyumi replied calmly.

“Why do you want to know?”

“History of place about curious. Knowledge of it for documentation needed.”

“Excuse my friend here, he is not the brightest,” entered a third voice, characterized by its fast-paced nature. The owner of this voice was an androgynous looking biped, standing a full head shorter than Kyumi as it placed a hand on his armored torso. “He just gets so lost without me, I knew better than to ask him to run some errands for me. Sorry he bothered so many of you fine gentlepersons.” This smaller figure then started to tug on Kyumi in a plea for him to follow. Under its breath Kyumi heard it say, “Play along if you want to live. And by that I mean stay quiet.”

The two eventually walk into yet another alley, something Kyumi cannot help but understand as being cultural at this point. Turning on its heel, Kyumi now notices it is covering the lower half of its face with a red bandana. It was also wearing simple, synthetic fabrics: a zip-up, ashen gray hoodie and durable denim pants. Visually, it lacks any means of offensive or defensive capabilities, which only begs one question.

“Yo---“

“Are you trying to get your fishbowl caved in?” It asked him immediately.

Kyumi was caught off-guard; he did not even formulate an answer before the thing started going again.

“If you are lacking the drive to keep on living, go ahead and keep on asking dumb questions to complete strangers. Because the thing is, you have the figure,” it motioned to Kyumi’s suit, “but not the reputation to back it. Instead, all you are is a trashcan and nobody respects trash. As it stands, that tin can of yours is just a target screaming ‘SHOOT ME’ and I don’t think you want whatever gooey insides you have spilling out on the floor.”

The thing finally takes a breath. Kyumi takes this as an opportunity to end it and wraps his hand around its face. Instead of continuing its tirade, Kyumi hears a rather muffled, “Point taken.”

Author’s end note: Part four is now completed. Thanks to Charlotte Tapp for sticking around despite her personal circumstances. She is still doing her best to provide art, and you can see it paid off! Again, criticism and comments are encouraged. Next week will be part five, stay tuned!