We Get To Have You

*Being on the lam makes strange bedfellows, like the fang-a-toofed rhinemaidens of the Kay River's bloody muddy banks. In exchange for some much needed help the gang agrees to rescue that most precious of things, a wife! But with the Witchhunters' callstones now dotting the Cordelian Pastoral, and their newest enemy in possession of an invincible weapon (and a little standard issue razzmatazz), the cards look stacked against them like never before. Perhaps an old friend could help? They definitely have some of those. Tons, probably. Pretty sure.*

## Summary

The party travels down The Kay River. They avoid civilization where they can since they recognize more Callstones like the ones from Froggy Creek in any major town. They are ambushed by mermaids along the way who drag them under the water. Frederick transforms himself into a bony crustacean and dives underwater, learning that the mermaids can speak clearly beneath its surface. They accuse the party of being with the man wielding the unbreakable net, who kidnapped one of their own. Frederick assures them they have no clue who it was, but offers to look for them in exchange for the mermaids’ escort down the river.

The party follows the river before they find signs posted for Mitchell’s Circus. Just off the river, they find Thomas Mitchell, a human in a tall top hat fussing over his traveling circus of freaks. The party remains uncertain about approaching the man fascinated by strange creatures and hybrids, so they assemble various disguises while Cordelia becomes invisible. The party talks to Thomas who offers them a show while Cordelia approaches his locked wagon. It remains locked, but she hears the squawking of Flipcup inside.

Mitchell grows suspicious of all of Cordelia’s noise, so she pretends to be a ghost. The rest of the party insists that they are ghost experts and use this as a ruse to make him more paranoid. He takes them inside his wagon to give them a show in exchange for their services, They find his collection of animals that are all half-creature hybrids, Flipclup and the mermaid included. Cordelia shoves Thomas into a cage and the party forces him to release his creatures. Thomas explains that he used his unbreakable net, a magical net he purchased off a fisherman. It not only captures the creature but makes them obey him for the rest of his life unless he chooses to release them. He insists that all the creatures should be thanking him for their life as fellow showmen, feeling he did nothing wrong.

The party forces him to release Flipcup and the mermaid (and a stick bug with a human face) from his spell. He agrees, just to realize they had conned him as ghost experts. Upon further threats, he releases the rest of his creatures and awaits their thanks for the opportunity. They all slaughter him on the spot. Albee confides in Stirfry that she kissed Bellow while they make their escape.

The party reunites with Flipcup, and while Cordelia and Bellow are speaking in bearowl, Bellow confesses to Cordelia that he kissed Albee. Cordelia quickly becomes frustrated and approaches Albee, confessing her feelings as well and kissing her. She pours out her heart and offers to love Albee anyway she’ll let her, leaving the fawn ultimately confused.

## Trivia

* Flipcup's fate at the circus is very similar to a part of the Sesame Street movie Follow That Bird, where Big Bird is painted blue and forced to sing for their customers.
* The song Flipcup sings for his act is I've Never Been To Me by Charlene.

## Links

* Episode: https://rudetalesofmagic.simplecast.com/episodes/we-get-to-have-you