Mandy Pigtail

The Crystal Skull

11/28/2024 11:52pm

"Well, it's not like we can do miracles," the magician said.

@Andrew, the zombie attack survivor, still hadn't said much after I found him in the wardrobe. He was able to follow instructions, and in fact was an excellent ship's hand, and I figure really had been a captain once. Before the attack. But his mind still seemed a bit wrecked.

"We can try him a bit with the tin hat. Here."

The magician shuffled around in a cupboard and pulled out a witch's hat made out of tin foil. He led Andrew to a stool in the corner and put the hat on Andrew's head.

"Let him sit like that a bit."

"Will that clear up his mind?"

"Well, no. But it'll occupy him."

Andrew barely seemed to notice.

"C'mon into the sanctum. We've got business to discuss," the magician said.

The Crystal Skull

8/4/2024 10:43pm

Captain @Andrew, of a ship called The Crystal Skull, has some serious issues. Stress Induced Walking Catatonia (SIWC) from being trapped on a zombie ship and locked in a wardrobe for months no doubt. He's familiar enough with the workings of an airship (even a mail tug) to be a capable hand, but not much for conversation. Also tends to hide in closets when we get within sinffin' range of a zombie hoard.

But we'll get to the magicians before too long. They've got experience with that kind of thing.

The Crystal Skull

4/13/2024 12:10am

I make it a rule not to touch the cargo. But when it's sobbing uncontrollably even I've got to make an exception.

We'd taken on what looked like a wardrobe, but had become something more like a prison, or a coffin.

I'd heard banging and thought it was waste rats from the Zone. They can get pretty big and grow strange appendages. But upon closer examination it was a person locked in a box. Pretty freaked out. Lone survivor from a ship that had been overrun. Locked himself in a closet, and when the ship got scavenged they hadn't taken the time to look inside -- just pulled it and put it on the market. Destination was a consignment shop at the edge of the Madness Zone.

Claims to be one Captain @Andrew, of a ship called The Crystal Skull. He's recovering.

Not sure if I need a deranged passenger. Or crew member. Though running the ship alone hasn't been the best situation.

The Crystal Skull

12/15/2023 9:55pm

"Thanks Mandy!"

"Always a pleasure, Gherkin."

In one door and out the other. Some of my cargo can look a bit familiar, and just proves there's a good market for fine wine, cheese, cured meats out in the Madness Zone. And it's not my job to ask questions. It's what daddy always said. I make pickups and deliveries, that's all.

Zombie weather looking pretty good today. Surges passing high to the north, and the path is looking clear across the wastes to the east. I'm off to meet the magicians.

The Crystal Skull

2/15/2023 11:16pm

"And git!" I holler, knocking the zombie off with a bullhook. Hope he doesn't land on anybody.

There's a scraping sound coming from the other side of the ship.

Oh lord, I say to myself, rushing back to the bridge and taking the wheel. Looking through the windows, it's clear we'd run up against the side the building across the street. I ease away from the building, then up over the street, over the city, and point us towards Garland Patera. It's a clear day and I can find my way.

Ship as small as this one, you still need a crew of two if you want to survive. And while I've been lucky so far, that's not the preferred state.

Not if I want to keep up the family business -- connecting folks what's left in the Madness Zone. Facilitatin' trade, moving the mail.

That's what daddy would have wanted.

And heck, I don't know anything else.