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<div>G<font size="2">ood story you have going!</font></div>
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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Jack Moore <jackthefrilledlizard@gmail.com><br>
To: mkguild <mkguild@lists.integral.org><br>
Sent: Wed, Oct 3, 2018 10:14 pm<br>
Subject: [Mkguild] MK Dust VII<br>
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<div>AN: The thing that always amazes me about 19th century uniforms is how elaborate and heavy they were with horse hair coats and big tall hats. They looked like misery to wear.</div>
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<div><font size="2">>>>> They ARE misery to wear. And when war came all that elaborate stuff was instantly chucked away.</font></div>
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<div>MK Dust VII</div>
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<div>As with Giftum, Meridian City was surrounded by a stone wall and a barrier. Each entrance to and from the city was blocked by a gate house with TS Guards checking people out. It took a lot to surprise these guards but Emma was up to the task.</div>
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<div>“You want to go to Metamor Keep?” The guardsman was a pasty white man, swallowed by the blue coat of the state of Meridian. He took of his hat and wiped his brow, his brown hair was pasted to his forehead.</div>
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<div>“As I explained I am a scout and I am leading that gentleman,” Emma pointed to Sebastian, waiting beside the door, “To Metamor Keep.” The guardhouse was a wooden cube that the sun had left dried out.</div>
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<div>No electricity in this one, no fan to cool the three. Just the uncomfortable silence and heavy air as the guard reviewed Emma’s passport. The guard waved Sebastian over.</div>
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<div>“Sir, you want to visit Metamor Keep?” The guard asked. Sebastian smiled and nodded. “Right. I am afraid I must reject your request.” Sebastian’s smile never wavered but Emma could tell he was confused.</div>
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<div>“Metamor Keep isn’t a part of the Ten States.” Sebastian said. “You don’t have any authority to block our travel.”</div>
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<div>“I have the authority to block the movement of people I believe may be a danger to themselves, others or the Ten States.” The guard said. “You’ve informed me you wish to travel to one of the most dangerous locations on Earth, full of Rifters with only one scout for protection. What are your provisions?” Emma gave a small laugh.</div>
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<div>“Uh, a set of temporary barrier crystals, a lot of bullets and everything he” she pointed to Sebastian, “Carries in his bag.” The guard raised a brow.</div>
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<div>“No food?”</div>
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<div>“It’s a short trip.” Emma mumbled. “Besides, he said take him to Metamor. I’m taking him to Metamor.” What she left out was she couldn’t afford provisions. Or her two boxes of bullets were her last two boxes of bullets.</div>
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<div>“We don’t need provisions. And if you’ll just stamp her passport we’ll be good to go.” Sebastian said. The guard glared at him. “What is your name officer?” </div>
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<div>'Why on Earth is he asking that?' Emma studied the officer, 'He looks just as confused as me. If we can’t leave the city, do I still get paid?'</div>
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<div>“I am Officer Kipling of the Meridian City Guard.” The officer said like a drone. “And I am not stamping anything.” Still this didn’t get Sebastian down. Emma had to give him credit, he didn’t let a major set back stop him from smiling.</div>
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<div>“I need you to stamp it so my associate and I can proceed.” Sebastian said. “I appreciate your concern Officer Kipling but we must proceed.” The officer raised a brow. Emma waited to see how he responded.</div>
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<div>“There is nothing in Metamor Keep,” Kipling said, “I’ve been there myself. It’s a ruined city from a thousand years ago.”</div>
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<div>“About four hundred years ago, when Meridian was Midtown.” Sebastian said. “Not quite a thousand. But still pretty far. I mean, back then lutin weren’t extinct yet!” Kipling and Emma both gave him a stare of confusion. “Well I think it’s interesting.” <br>
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<div><font size="2">>>>> Nice little bit of history</font><br>
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<div>'That ain’t going to convince him chuckles,' Emma thought. 'What’s your next track?'</div>
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<div>“You said you went to Metamor Keep?” Sebastian said. “Did you actually enter the city?” Kippling shook his head.</div>
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<div>“Just the valley.” Kipling said, “But I know what Metamor Keep looks like.”</div>
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<div>“I don’t think you do.” Sebastian said. “You see ruins. I see the past.” His grin somehow grew wider. “And I see the future. Metamore Keep is the single greatest city ever founded.”</div>
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<div>“It was, it isn’t anymore.” Kipling said. “Why is it so important?” Emma, already wondering this, listened in.</div>
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<div>“It is to me.” Sebastian said. “I need to be there. I promise you, neither I nor Miss Emma will be harmed. But I...what I want to do requires me to go to Metamor Keep.” Kipling rubbed his forehead.</div>
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<div>“And just what is it you want to do?” He asked.</div>
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<div>“Fix everything.” Sebastian said. “I want to rebuild the world.” Emma’s countenance didn’t show it but now she was more confused.</div>
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<div>'Rebuild the world? The world isn’t broken. The room was still sweltering but' Emma suddenly found herself shivering. 'It’s not broken. Everything is fine. We’ve got the Ten States, the barriers...everything’s fine. How is visiting a city going to rebuild the world?'</div>
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<div>“I don’t know what that means.” Kipling said. “But how does visiting a ruined city help you rebuild anything?”</div>
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<div>“I can’t explain it.” Sebastian said. “I can only promise you it will.” The guard by now was frustrated, both from the heat and the insane caped man speaking.</div>
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<div>“If I refuse I bet you’ll stay here until I arrest you.” Kipling groaned. “I don’t want to deal with you anymore.” To Emma’s shock he waved her over as Sebastian pulled out his passport. “If you get killed, it’s your own damn fault.”</div>
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<div><font size="2">>>>>So Sebastian got thru by being annoying? :) I know people like that!!</font><br>
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<div>“Right…” Emma said, still not believing this was happening. She pulled out her passport, much more weathered and worn than Sebastian’s sparkling new one. Emma studied it, It’s very new...somethings wrong here...ugh don’t think about it.</div>
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<div>“Alright, you two are free to go.” Kipling said, stamping the passports. “Please return in one piece.”</div>
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<font size="2">>>>> A thought Emma is a descendant of Misha and Caroline. I am sure Sebastian is a descendant of someone else but not sure who - yet.</font></div>
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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black"><font size="2">Chris</font></div>
<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black"><font size="2">The Lurking Fox<br>
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