Author’s note: Yes, I am aware of how repetitive the intro and ending notes are. It gets hard trying to say something new every week. This is a continuation of last week’s article, which was the sixth 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.

Standing on his own for a time, Kyumi contemplates the possibility that he had been abandoned by Vise. As he waits, he keeps an eye out for potential troublemakers. It turns out to be quite difficult to tell who ordinary ruffians are from the bulk of desperate people who live in this dreadful, poverty-stricken place. After two hours of remaining motionless, Kyumi sees Vise return, and perhaps too happy about holding an old napkin in his hand. “Item possess. What is?”

“This, my large, grape-colored friend, is a map!” replies Vise, waving the piece of scrap as if it were a trophy.

“Grape, what is?”

“Seriously? How dense are you in that giant fishbowl of yours? I come here telling you I have a map and you ask me what the hell a grape is?” Vise proceeds to jab his finger into Kyumi’s chest plate. “I. Don’t. Have. To. Be. Help. -Ing. You. But I am! So respect it!”

“Grape new. New important. Important catalogue. Grape must know.” Kyumi retorts. Despite having no eyes he can see, Vise swears he is being glared at.

“Later, I can get you a grape. You can even squish it between your giant metal fingers. But for now…map time.” As he says this, Vise holds up the supposed map up to Kyumi’s dome. The image on it is a rather sloppy interpretation of what this NAUTILUS probably looks like, with red ink marking three locations. Kyumi cannot help but also notice the various stains and phone number in the corner. “Now, I need you to focus on what I say and do not ask any more questions. Please. Unless it is travel related.”

“We where go?”

“An excellent question. We are going to hitch a ride from the Little Druk transit station and make our way to the heart of the NAUTILUS, the Industrial District. We then have to board the monorail leading to Ciassuslon Row, the station in Lesser Swiolf, except there is one problem. Because it leads directly into the Quarantine District, it’s shut down partway through. There is, however, an impromptu station where it stops maybe half a mile away from our destination.” As he spoke, Vise motioned to each key location he mentioned with a pen he pulled from of his pocket. “Got it?”

Kyumi gives a slight bow of his torso again. “Yes, I it got. Vise way lead. I question have. Travel-related. Map no detailed. Vise how this all know?”

“I’ve been running around this place since I was ten-years old, you gotta find your way around somehow. Just because I don’t take the time to write down every detail doesn’t mean I don’t know how to get places. Now come on, people are staring.”

Author’s end note: Part seven is now completed. Another show of appreciation to Charlotte Tapp and all the work she has put into this project. She is still doing her best to provide art, and is working hard behind the scenes. Again, criticism and comments are encouraged. Next week will be part eight, stay tuned!