Episode 102 - Decadences

## Decadences

A black background with a white border of small, entangled flowers and leaves, with only the top half on the image possessing a border. Within the border a slightly raised pool of water surrounded by three large geodes (all depicted in white) possesses a Froglin, depicted in red, who only has the top half of their head breaching the surface of the water. Bellow the images but still within the border the words "102.DECADENCES" are depicted in white

### Author

William A Wellman

Nolan has a spa day, Diggory meets an old friend, and Mr. Raven hatches a scheme. The theme of tonight's episode is Decadences.

> ***Content warning**:* *Nolan never wears clothes, Abuse, Violence, Kidnapping and abduction, Death + Injury, Body Horror, Emotional Manipulation, Drowning, Alcohol Mention, Racism towards froglins?*
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## Intro - Petty Niceties

Nikignik narrates to the Dreamers Polly, running down a list of his suit (see Polly), his manual, and his umbrella, that these were the best things he owned. A note of colour in the endless grey offices of The Industry. The gifts were a product of his unique division, as was his appearance. These objects gave him comfort and were likely the beginning of his taste for petty niceties. The offices of the Industry were far behind him, the Grand Crossroads Hotel was a little flame of luxury in a dark world.

Nikignik floats in one of the spas at the Grand Crossroads Hotel, watching as Polly stepped through the doors leading into the room with Ricou Chapman and Nolan Thair.

## Story 1 - The Being With You

Polly sees Nolan Thair and Ricou Chapman into the spa of the Grand Crossroads Hotel, before leaving, telling them to enjoy themselves. Nolan observes that other than he and Ricou, there was only one other occupant in the form of a froglin with its head half poking out of the water of a small jacuzzi. They enter one of the mineral baths, and Ricou comments that he sometimes missed the hot springs from the Shuddering Peaks (see Episode 31 - Anchors), and Nolan agrees with him, but also tells him that he was happy Ricou had decided to come down and be with him (see Episode 95 - Homecomings). Ricou notices the Froglin staring at them and yells at it, Nolan whispering to him if it was Grug or another one. Ricou tells him that he could not tell and did not care. Nolan asks if the Froglins also used to be people who got hallowed, but Ricou tells him that he didn't know, but it was an odd world and they belonged in it, he'd realised that he had no reason to be afraid.

Nolan comments that their house was coming along fine, and Ricou tells him that he'd be putting his focus on insulation to keep Nolan warn through the fast-approaching winter. Nolan tells him that he was being with him and asks what kind of life he wanted with him. Ricou doesn't answer verbally, but there is silent communication between them they they'd find out in time.

### Interlude 1 - No Wealth

Nikignik tells the Dreamers that if they lived in the northern Hallowoods there were many luxuries that were no longer accessible to them. Even the basic tenements of survival were dependent on the few farms and gardens and salvagers that still persisted. Factory-communes and oil-cities still ground out their products years after the means of their production were seized, the only place where luxury truly survived was the Prime Dream. And yet there were moments where the age of scarcity might be almost forgotten, when wealth itself had lost all meaning.

## Story 2 - Are You A Prophecy

Diggory Graves, Percy Reed and Mx Morrell arrive at the Grand Crossroads Hotel on The Museum of Broken Promises (see Episode 100 - Centuries). Morrell states in confusion that it was the wrong Hotel, as they'd been expecting The Resting Place Hotel, though perhaps Barb had done some remodelling. Maybe he'd told them, and they couldn't remember as they'd been rather 'under the table' when they'd last left (see Episode 15 - Cards). Morrell telling them to be wary of Barb's card games but to otherwise have fun, and they [Morrell] enter, while Percy and Diggory stall outside.

Percy tells Diggory that he was scared for him, that if they went on the expedition (see Episode 96 - Horizons) something bad was going to happen and the conversation they'd had with Rothogroth had basically confirmed that. Diggory asks Percy to have faith that Diggory would be okay, as Diggory had had faith in Percy time and time again. That they needed to do this, for themself. Percy kisses Diggory on the cheek and they enter the building, finding Morrell crying (see Episode 83 - Hopes). Diggory's attention is caught by Mort, who they approach and questionably call Barty (see Bartholomew 'Barty' Chum). Mort greets them to the Crossroads Hotel, evidently not recognising Diggory, and introduces himself, asking if Diggory would like to be his friend (see Mort).

### Marketing - Concentrate

Lady Ethel Mallory interrupts Nikignik's broadcast with her 'marketing' segment. She tells the Dreamers that anyone who heard her was obligated to remember when they woke up and respond to her, or else they would be very rude. And if anyone within the San Francisco ruined beach area had blackwater concentrate, to please bring it to her (see Episode 101 - Disciplines). She'd tried just drinking the rainwater, but it wasn't effective enough, and if she didn't get her concentrate, she didn't know what would happen to her. For now, she had a headache and was thirsty.

### Story 2, Continued - Are You A Prophecy

Diggory tells Mort that they would like to be his friend, although they may already be, telling him that he may remember them as Ruth Esther Barnes, as August Palls, as Chancellor Ward, as Evelyn Fry, as Rizwana Mirza. Mort recognises Rizwana's name from his dream (see Episode 99 - Sentries). Percy gets Diggory's attention and point out that alot of the other people at the Crossroads were the same as those who'd come to join the fight against Solomon Reed (see Episode 46 - Teeth). Diggory observes the room, and notices Polly approaching them. He introduces himself as the special manager and asks what had brough them there. Morrell introduces themself to Polly, telling him of how they had been close to Barb.

Polly and Morrell talk while Diggory picks their conversation with Mort back up where it'd left off, asking why kind of dreams he'd been having. Mort tells them (see Mort), and they tell him that they weren't just dreams, but also that they knew others who resembled Mort in appearance, who slept in water and dreamed in visions of prophecy (see Democracy). That they wondered if Mort's dreams were of a significant timing as both Mort and Diggory had died on the same mission (see Crew of the Ruth Esther Barnes). Percy tells Diggory that he was going to leave them to talk and take a look around. Diggory continues to tell Mort that they'd been trying to save everyone, and that Diggory was about to try again, that they were happy they'd met him before they left. Mort asks if he could come, and Diggory tell him that if he wanted to, he could. Mort asks when they were leaving, but is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Polly, who puts himself face to face with Diggory and tells them to stop trying to kidnap his receptionist and get out of his hotel.

### Interlude 2 - Trivial Without Guilt

Nikignik tells the Dreamers that it could be hard for him to treat himself given the nature of his being. He had no need to trat himself, as self-sufficient and self-sustaining where it mattered. He would degrade over time, though he was timeless compared to the Dreamers, and he was content to progress at a slow pace. His idea of a decadence was to spend my time on something trivial without guilt.

## Story 3 - All Things Deadly

Mr. Raven, Mr. Writingdesk and Penny Rescher arrive at their booked room at the Grand Crossroads Hotel (see Episode 96 - Horizons). Raven exclaims to Writingdesk that it was unbelievable, and Writingdesk tells him that it was a nice room. Raven clarifies that he was talking about the amount of "*Indie radiation*" the Hotel was giving off, that they'd "*hit the jackpot*". He exclaims that it was impossible, Writingdesk once again misinterpreting his meaning and points out that the wallpaper had been gone since 17th century France. Raven once again clarifies that the hotel may not even exist, a phantom image or elaborate illusion. They are distracted from their conversation by Penny opening a window - presumably to try and escape out it- only to find it barred. Raven scolds her for this, and Writingdesk reminds her that the forest outside was filled of things that would try to kill her.

Writingdesk points out to Raven that if they any notion in finding CPE's in the hotel they'd have to take Penny with them so they could use her luck ability to their advantage (see Penny Rescher). Penny pleads with them not to use her to trap others. Raven tells Writingdesk that the original signal they'd been tracking (see Episode 96 - Horizons) was at the hotel. Writingdesk tells Penny that they could all agree that they wanted to take a look around the Hotel, but she stands firm that they only wanted to use her to hurt others. Writingdesk tells her that if no one at the Hotel proved dangerous they wouldn't try to capture them, in exchange Penny wasn't allowed to try and run. Penny takes him at his word and accepts, and Writingdesk tells them that the sign out the front of the hotel had announced a card game set to take place that night, that they should hope luck would be on their side.

## Outro - Decadences

Nikignik waxes poetics about decadences, telling the Dreamers that there was such a thing as excess, and it was apparent in the landscape of their kind. Some dreamers dwelled in tents and decaying neighbourhood houses, shelter in the forest and scavenged for food. If they listened to this dream now, he regrated to inform them that true luxury will be forever out of their grasp. So, if they scrounged upon a piece of chocolate, a cup full of coffee, food that was better than scraps, bread without mouldering, they should feel no regret. This was a brief life for them, and they may as well make of it an experience worth remembering, if remember they would at all.