Episode 31 - Anchors

## Anchors

An axe sits upside down with plants growing all over it. Underneath it are the words "31 • Anchors".

### Author

William A. Wellman

Brooklyn has an aside with Marco, Mort makes a new friend, and Ricou waits out the storm. The theme of tonight's episode is Anchors.

***Content Warnings:** Abuse, animal cruelty and animal death (Bert), self-harm and suicide, violence, kidnapping and abduction, death + injury, birds, misgendering, static (including sfx), emotional manipulation, drowning, body horror*

## Intro - Sinking Feeling

Nikignik tells of Barty, who is currently diving during his last moments.

Nikignik is sitting in a silver Dreaming Box.

## Story One - The Roof

Brooklyn checks the notifications for Valerie's box and finds them off, but she decides to ignore it.

Brooklyn reflects on Riot and what Lady Ethel Mallory is doing, as well as the state of the Stonemaids and BotCo.

When Brooklyn leaves her dream, she sees Marco pacing. She asks him to calm down and shows him a way to get onto the roof so he can get some fresh air.

Marco asks if any of this sits right with Brooklyn, and she tells him not to talk about it because he'll be replaced, and she'll be alone. They embrace, and talk to each other about being partners. Then they leave the roof, heading back to work.

### Interlude One - R.V. Ruth Esther Barnes

Nikignik describes the R.V. Ruth Esther Barnes, a ship now trapped in the Hallowoods. He also describes what remains inside, and how it failed.

## Story Two - Free

Mort follows behind Polly and Yaretzi as they traverse the Hallowoods. Polly says that he's not a fan, before telling Mort no offense. When Mort is confused, Polly explains.

He tells of Marolmar, who, according to him, was a great evil. Nikignik interjects to say that they wouldn't call him evil before returning to the tale. He says that Marolmar created machines that created change for change's sake. However, Marolmar is gone now, and Mort is left as one of his creations.

Yaretzi tells him that it's important that he's here and free. She explains that means he can do whatever he wants in life.

Mort asks who the woman he sees in his dreams is, and says that she tells him it's ok. Yaretzi tells him he probably used to know her.

Polly realizes they're being followed by Omen and threatens the bird-creature.

### Marketing - A Little Game

Lady Ethel Mallory threatens Nikignik once again, wondering how they accomplished what they did in Cairo.

### Story Two, Continued - Free

Nikignik tells Lady Ethel Mallory that she is making a mistake, both in mentioning Cairo and in picking a fight with them.

While Polly tries to continue to attack Omen, Mort tells him to wait and crouches by him, introducing himself and asking Omen if they want to be his friend. Polly stops attacking them, disappointed, and asks Omen why they're following them. Omen responds that they're after the book Polly has.

Polly threatens the bird-creature, to which Mort tells him that it's not friendly. Polly responds that Omen isn't a friend, but a thief.

Omen tells them to find Downing Hill if they ever want to exchange the book, and Mort muses on being more than a tool once they start moving again.

### Interlude Two - The Boy in the Corner

Nikignik is sitting in a basement, near Percy and Al, who have both lost hope. Nikignik wants to tell them that someone is coming for them, but he cannot because they don't dream.

## Story Three - Greater Storms

Ricou sits in a hot spring with Nolan. Nolan asks how Ricou came to be what he is, and Ricou tells him of when he was young and went swimming in the black water. He then continues to talk about his time with Barb, and how he served as his watchdog.

Ricou ends with saying that he does not regret spending time in dark places, because no other moment would have led him to this one. He then talks about the storm building over the forest.

## Outro - Anchors

Nikignik ends on a monologue about Anchors, and how they are glad that they anchor us to our reality.