Campfire Road

The Friend of Man

Jake whines, "Oh, come on."
He sets Corky on his feet on the floor, "I'm in the middle of quest here."

Romon's distaste is clear, "Quest are weeds in life."

Garvin's worry fusses, "Who's there?
"Show yourself?"

Tyres chuckles, "What are you on about?
"Don't you like power ups anymore?"

Corky grabs Garvin's hand and fusses, "That was no love declaration.
"That was loyalty."

Jake makes a face at Dean's amusement.
"Don't poets like loyalty?"

Garvin nods, "Sure, Jake, but it doesn't empower me.
"You've got another Fanolping on you."

Jake questions, "How you know it's on me?"

Garvin explains, "Whenever we hear a chime that's not me, he goes to the source and I go to the Fanolping.
"We're both here so he's here."

Corky deduses, "Jake's verified petagree, so's Romon.
"Humans are not viable for Loping.

"It has to be Tyres?
"How'd we miss that?"

Tyres laughs, "You think I'm a god?
"Thanks... you're wrong, but thanks."

Corky shakes his little hairy head, "There's no other soul here and he's a nearly half witch half YetI?
"How, Garvin?"

Garin turns his head and looks sideways at Tyres, then does the other side.
"It's him alright.

"Why the charade, Nubis?"

Tyres laughs, "Stop, Jake's on the clock here."

Corky questions, "But, Nubis killed himself?"

Garvin nods, "That's when I learned to fear death.
"But ya can't end one Fanolping.
"We grow back.

"Nubis betrayed us to the Giants.
"That'd be like me taking a vow of celibacy.
"He took his life and scared the rest of Fanolping half with him.

"Are you not self-aware, Brother Nubis?"

Tyres laughs, "Really not gonna let it go are you.

"Fine.
"The YetI rebirthed me, but I have to pay my debt to them before I can reclaim my living as a Fanolping.

"We all came to this moment in time for what we need most.
"Let Jake lead us to the finish line, please."

Jake complains, "Ya aren't supposed to keep stuff from your Umboutee."

Tyres laughs softly, "I'm a witch, not a fryker.
"I'll don't need a title to love you."

Corky points at him, "You're not a witch your a neonatal Fanolping.
"How the fuck did you chime?"

Tyres corrects politely, "On point of fact, I did not chime.
"Dean stuck my power as his loyalty aligned with my quest to pay my debt."

Jake questions, "How many hitchhikers do I have here?"

Everyone but the nurse raises a hand slowly.

Jake gives her a wide-eyed look.

She shakes her head, "I just work here.
"I'm almost done and will happily get out of your way."

They put their hands down as Garvin explains, "Jake, we've been waiting on a hero to save Jazapie from my punishment.

"Cawkay felt you as the hero we needed.

"That's our confession.
"They have to give you theirs."

Corky huffs, "It was an honor you wanted."