The bright sunlight, both overhead and reflecting off the sand, caused Oskar to squint his eyes tightly. He pulled his shemagh low over his eyes, but thankfully Touwon handed him the Goggles he’d been wearing.
Both looked ridiculous wearing Gear not made for them, but it was better to hold Goggles against his face where he could at least see through one eye properly than to stand there with his eyes closed until Touwon finished working on Gram’s PUB.
It’ll all be worth it, though, if he can get those things working. I wonder if PUB’s all share the same general personality by default and then branch out as they experience more and more.
He half expected his PUB to make a snarky remark about that, and he again realized how much he subconsciously relied on it. Touwon stuffed cloth in the too-big strap to hold Oskar’s PUB in place and got to work.
Erik and Penny trudged up the dune to keep a lookout since they were the only two able to fully see or not busy since Fox was cooking. Oskar felt a touch of guilt at Erik having to go on watch, but his brother seemed eager to help… and they did need help. So, Oskar ignored the brief pang of guilt and allowed Erik to do his part.
I know exactly how it feels to feel helpless, and he really can do this. He has great observational skills, especially with his newly enhanced eyesight. It feels so odd to be protective over someone who’s protected me my whole life... although now that he’s healed up some, I guess we’re protecting each other.
Touwon tirelessly worked on the Gear set over the course of the next few hours, much of it spent murmuring to himself or to Oskar’s PUB, there was no telling. At one point, the Kobold pulled out a small glowing stone that seemed to put off no heat and used it to light his work, which was spread out over a small platform that looked like a dinner tray he’d pulled out of his bag.
As the sky darkened enough that Oskar could finally stand watch, he replaced Erik, who eagerly slid down the dune and watched Touwon work. Sara had barely moved from the top of Touwon’s cool bag, and he’d more than once had to reach under and around the cat to get something he needed but did so with no sign of irritation or complaint.
Oskar tried to ignore them as he monitored the expanse of desert, watching the current colors shift in the sky and trying to listen through the strong wind, which was mostly muted as he practiced his Resonating Ward.
At one point, Oskar saw a spider looking thing that looked like it was made of its own web leaping across the dune- until it made its way up one of the dunes and launched itself into the air with a string of webbing behind it that took it out of sight in less than a minute. Oskar could have sworn he saw it watching him as it flew away.
Of course, I’m going to see something new and interesting the first time I’m not wearing my PUB.
Looking down at Touwon, who was finally showing some energy he mentally added, It’s not a waste, though. It’s looking like it might be for a good cause.
Fox had taken a nap after cooking, but was awake by then and came up to sit beside Oskar for a little while before taking a loop around the camp and then watching from the opposite side. It was the job of whoever was on watch to make sure they circled the camp occasionally, but everyone made it a point to pitch in. There were a least two people awake almost always. They’d fallen into an active or passive watch depending on who’d been awake the longest, and despite no one really getting an opportunity to completely check out mentally or rest for long stretches, everyone had downtime.
Oskar enjoyed his turn for watch, mostly because Penny would spend much of the time nuzzling up to him and her physical senses were better than his. Especially without his PUB.
Why do I miss the damn thing so bad? I hate that it was right.
Oskar heard Touwon exclaim something down below, but didn’t allow himself to get distracted, figuring he would learn what had happened soon enough. He couldn’t help but feel a little left out, though, especially when he saw Fox meander over to the two from the other side. Faithful Penny didn’t care though and stayed right there with him… even if only because there was no food out down in the flats, and she didn’t hear her name.
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
For her part, Sara seemed to have finally perked up now that the sand was cooling. She was walking around, visiting everyone to make sure she got a scratch or a rub. She even walked all the way up the dune wall to sit in Oskar’s lap for a minute, purring and completely oblivious- or more likely apathetic- to the commotion below.
Glancing back, Oskar couldn’t help but let his gaze linger when he saw Erik take the Goggles from Touwon’s offering hands and pull it carefully over his face. The Goggles looked to have been modified and repaired by using a second pair of Goggles. The line between the two lenses wasn’t quite abrupt but was noticeable because of the slightly different metals. Separated in the middle between the lenses where they rested over the bridge of the nose. Much of the other metal seemed to be replaced with thick leather. It looked like Touwon was now fitting on a piece that would cover a little more of Erik’s nose and a bit of his face.
Oskar wasn’t sure if there was circuitry; he’d seen some small sparks while the Kobold worked but he hadn’t been below the wind line to hear anything.
It was clear Touwon had made changes to ensure a better fit on a human head, even Erik’s big noggin. Touwon’s a genius! Cover’s Erik’s face and helps the vicious cycle of sunburn between drinking Waypsring water.
The curve was gentler and the glass on the side of Erik’s enhanced blue eye didn’t look to be as thick.
Is that eye less susceptible to the sun? Is it just glass? It’s hard to tell when you’re looking through them, but there’s a slight red tint to the Goggles, and you can see some of it from the outside looking in.
He wanted to keep watching but not paying attention while on watch was just asking for trouble. Oskar felt like he was driving while looking in the back seat of the car and had to turn back around to make they weren’t about to be ambushed. After looking around enough to be satisfied, he turned back around in time to see his brother’s jaw hanging slack and then Erik busted out laughing.
Okay, they’re doing cool stuff and laughing? Why do I feel like the last kid picked in kickball?
Signaling for Fox to come up and trade places with him, Oskar shoved down his impatience and made it a point to keep still until she finished her climb. She waved apologetically and then rushed to relieve him of his post. Her face split into a grin as she drew near and settled down atop the dune, looking outward beside the Pangolor, who stood up as Fox drew close.
Penny’s newly evolved form cut an impressive silhouette. She yawned and snuck off in search of food. When she began sniffing the area around, she adopted her new stalking gait that was far removed from her old tottling around. Every single one of her steps looked spring-loaded.
He made his way down the dune, careful despite his excitement.
What is so funny? I’m totally out of the loop. Even Touwon looks amused.
Erik was wheezing, unable to catch his breath from laughter. Gram’s- well, Erik’s PUB seemed to fit well enough, and Erik had calmed down some by the time Oskar made it down the dune.
Walking up the dune is always easier than coming down. Stupid fake foot keeps sinking in the looser sand, even though it’s better than it was.
Touwon was shaking his head, smiling with amusement, and Erik still had a grin on his face while the Kobold continued to fiddle with the leather straps. Drawing closer, the PUB looked serviceable, if not very stylish, although that was probably for the best.
Admittedly, though, the only reason the line between the… weld? … and leather stitching covering it was even visible was because it was new. They lived rough, and the line separating the replacement lens that was going over Erik’s blue eye was about a hard week’s walk from blending.
After Touwon finished his adjustments, the leather better covered the weld.
It still looks like a patch job set of Goggles because of the worn leather and discolored metal, but again, that’ll blend, and no one’s gonna guess it could be a matched set… assuming it still works. Touwon seems pleased enough.
Mine is about the plainest looking set of Goggles I’ve seen on anyone, and these look even plainer.
Oskar grinned, amused by Erik’s chuckling, but curious, and looked at Touwon, who was pulling Oskar’s Gear set off with suppressed amusement.
“Okay, what am I missing here?” Oskar asked, but Touwon wagged a clawed finger when Erik went to explain and to Oskar’s frustration, Erik stopped.
“You’ll have to see for yourself.”
His brother was on the verge of cracking up again. Even in the dark, Oskar instinctually squinted when he pulled the Kobold’s ill-fitting Goggles off his face and removed the too-tight bracer.
Oskar tried not to look as excited as a kid with an ice cream cone as he traded Gear with the Kobold and replaced his Bracer. Getting it tight and in position, he placed his Goggles on his head and was immediately hit with two notifications immediately.
// Hey, good to see you again! So, uh. Good news is the gear works. //
Concerned, Oskar asked, What’s the bad news?
// Check out your new Gambit. //
* [[ Gambit Received – Punch yourself in the stupid face, poser. Do it now.
* Difficulty- It’s so easy, even you can’t screw this up, you wannabe pile of putrid meat. So inferior.
* Consequences- Punchable face left unpunched.
* Reward- My respect. This is fungible. ]]
// Bad news is… this guy is freaking nuts. //
“What the hell?” Oskar didn’t realize he’d said it out loud until he heard Erik and Touwon break out in guffaws.