The Ballad of Adler Young, Canto 2.5

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>Adler: What did that scoundrel give Vernier? Oooh, if he's harmed her you'll.....
>Adler: Your Ixies escort Vernier back to the circle. Despite your accomplishments today, your mood has soured with the appearance of Ash. You are really starting to hate that fox.

"What did he give you?" I demanded. "If that villain has harmed you, by Fuma, I'll -"

"He was a perfect gentleman," Vernier insisted. "I am fine, and the thing he gave me I think will be very useful. Oh, some of your bug servants are here. I am going to put the orb away and I'll see you in a few minutes."

>Adler's stomach: Take the opportunity to rumble
>Adler: What the hell? Didn't I eat something not too long ago?
>Adler: Despite yourself, you find yourself hoping whatever Ash gave Vernier, it's something tasty.
>Adler: As you wait for Vernier to get back, you observe Rebecca and your ixies. Some of them have returned to bickering about the merits or lack thereof of witchy fashion. Other Ixies have returned to betting on Burnside while others have lost interest and begun betting on things like falling leaves and racing snails. It is absolute bedlam. Vernier is right. You need more disciplin. Why is betting so sacred to them now? You never heard of it before. Also, whatever happened to that freakish Ixie that wanted you to transmogrify her? Last you saw, she had a seizure and started foaming at the mouth.

The orb went dark and I spent a few seconds pondering where she might have stowed it, when suddenly my stomach rumbled. That was odd. Hadn't I eaten recently? I made a pot of stew, and I gave bowls of it to several characters who visited, and I ate some too ... didn't I? How long ago was that?

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"Is there any stew left?" I asked as I turned toward the others. Nobody paid any attention to me. Rebecca was arguing with some Ixies about the merits of witchy fashion. Some other Ixies were watching Burnside and placing bets. (Burnside herself continued to stand motionless with a horrified expression frozen on her face.) I noticed other Ixies who seemed to be betting on falling leaves, and another group who were racing snails. When did betting become sacred to them? I did not remember it being this bad. I needed to instill some discipline in this unruly gang of Ixies, to keep them focused on their primary duty, which was - of course - to do my bidding.

I also realized it had been a while since I last saw Angela, that poor unfortunate deformed Ixie whom I tried to help by transmogrifying her. I briefly wondered if she was okay, until Vernier emerged from the bushes.

>Vernier: You finally return. The object Ash gave you is a method of communication. You produce a metal drinking mug with a string loosely dangling from the bottom. To use it you must pull the string taught and speak into the mug. It is enchanted.
>Rebecca: "I told you!"

"Are you all right?" I exclaimed. "Are you sure Ash didn't hurt you?"

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"Ash did not hurt me," Vernier reiterated. "And here is the gift he sent. It is an enchanted communication device. To use it, you must pull the string taut and speak into the mug - or, conversely, place your ear against the mug to listen."

"I told you!" Rebecca exclaimed. "That's how it works!"

>Adler: Your eye begins twitching. You really hate Ash. You really, really do.

Blast that fox! I inwardly swore I would get him for this.

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With a sigh, I took the mug from Vernier, held it up, and pulled the string.

"Hello," I grumbled. "Are you there, Dr. Cesawonki? Please respond."