Exposition and Future Concerns.
By: Drakin
"I have to admit. If anyone ignored my help and got turned into a puppet I was hoping it would be her."
Tam-Tam was waiting at the end of the building just around the corner as Mila came out the door.
Slipping inside, she greeted the captain warmly, despite Morgna's glower.
"Can we do anything to help Morgana?" Darious asked.
"She'll be ok in time," Tam-Tam shrugged, "The effects will wear off in a few days if she avoids the tainted water. But even another sip will re-establish the effect.”
“Well then we just have to keep her from drinking any more of that water,” Darious noted, to which Tam-Tam gave a mirthless laugh.
“Hah, good luck. Every spring on this island has this effect. Why do you think the tribe settled here?” Darious winced. “I see you get it,” Tam-Tam nodded.
“Yeah, we're in trouble,” the canine captain sighed, “If there's no untainted water on the island then this powder is our only way to avoid being puppets.”
“But wait,” Morgana added, “If everyone here is a puppet, who's controlling them? They can't all just be manipulating each other.”
“Edna, that dragoness that calls herself the 'high priestess', runs most of the tribe, but even she answers to someone else,” Tam-Tam shrugged, “I've never met the real leader, not even most of the tribe know who it is.”
“But then how does she keep from being controlled by the others?” Morgana asked.
Tam-Tam raised an eyebrow as she hefted her bag of powder and gave it a shake. As if to say 'really?'
“Ok,” Darious interrupted to head off any argument, “But then why don't the tribe member resist like Morgana is? She did what we said but protested afterwards.”
“That's the freaky part,” Tam-Tam replied, “After being dosed for so long they don't even remember what free will feels like. I was lucky to be on a supply run and ran out of the island water thanks to being blown off course from a typhoon. It felt... unsettling to wake up one day and decide to do things for myself. I embraced it eventually, but those first couple days I was so aimless I barely even move. Like I forgot how.”
At that comment Morgana gave the gecko girl an odd look. One Mila couldn't pin down. Sympathy maybe?
“We have another problem to consider here,” Darious muttered, “If they think we've all been dosed like Morgana they could order us to do anything and we have to obey like we're part of the tribe. If we even hesitate they might become suspicious.”
“And worse they could force Morgana to tell the truth about us, “Mila worried.
“There's an easy solution to that at least,” Tam-Tam replied and looked at the bat, “Morgana, no matter who asks about it for the next 24 hours you will lie and say we all drank the spring water.”
She blinked and nodded.
Darious tried it then. “Morgana, as your captain, under penalty love being discharged from my crew entirely, I am ordering you to tell me that we did not drink the spring water.” He made his words and tone as serious as he could, giving the full weight of orders to them.
“Of course you all drank the spring water,” Morgana replied and winced, though Darious smiled.
“You did as you ought and I welcome you as my first mate with no charges against you,” he finished making sure she would not think she had to leave the crew due to the spring effects.
“The request for her to lie will only hold for a day, remember,” Tam-Tam added, “By morning tomorrow she won't lie, not unless she's dosed with water again and given the command again.”
“I'd just as soon drink vinegar the rest of my life,” Morgana grumbled.
“Ok,” Mila sighed, “So what now?”
“They'll be coming with your breakfast soon,” Tam-Tam noted, “I should go so we can meet more casually later. Just remember to play along. They won't force you into anything right away, they want you to be happy here and it's much easier for them if they work with you rather than against you. Just answer quickly and truthfully for the best results.”
Tam-Tam finally wished them well and left out of a nearby window. As a precaution Darious and Mila had another glass of water with the powder to avoid dehydration, and finished just in time as a knock at the door signaled the arrival of the staff.
Choice 1: Over breakfast the crew are asked some 'personal' questions to see where they might want to fit in in the tribe.
Choice 2: Surprisingly, Leeko joins them for breakfast, and he's already had some of the water.
Choice 3: Breakfast is... a lot bigger than expected, and the crew is encouraged to eat as much as they want.
Choice 4: The crew are introduced to a 'personal assistant' who will help them with anything they need for the day. In other words, they will be watched the entire time.