Previously in NWC-
Reno spends the majority of his time practicing his magic. He's finally able to make a small amount of water which drives him to double down on his training. Reno decides to expand Medusa's play area and teaches her new words while he's at it. They celebrate Medusa's accomplishments and decide to call it a night...
With the day coming to a close, the party begins their nightly ritual and quickly call it a night. The next day consists of Reno dribbling water everywhere and Medusa happily playing in her new play area. Luna picks up coaching Reno, trying to help him produce a greater volume of water. This would continue for a couple more days before Reno is finally able to make a consistent stream of water. "It's cool that I can make this much water, but it's not exactly what I had in mind when you said I'd be able to cast magic. It's more of a part trick, don't you think?" Reno holds his hand over Medusa who had her mouth open and was drinking the water Reno was making. The water had finally tuned into a constant stream with enough volume to fill a bottle in a couple seconds. "I feel more like a faucet than anything."
"Do not fret, Reno. You're making leaps and bounds in terms of progress. As I told you before, it would normally take someone years just to be able to use the spell. You're already making this level of progress in less than a month, which puts you ahead of 99 percent of people with the same level of experience as you. Now that you're able to produce a somewhat significant amount of water, you should begin envisioning the water under some level of pressure. This will allow you to shoot the water further. Do not be discouraged or upset if it does not work at first. This is an intermediate technique, so you shouldn't expect yourself to learn it immediately."
"Envision the water under pressure, got it. So, like a hose that you pinch to spray people with it to piss them off." He holds his hand out and begins to imagine the mana in his body passing through a confined space. Reno was expecting nothing to happen, but to his surprise the water moves further for a second before returning to dribble down his hand. "It's kind of working already!" He continues this process for the remaining two days until CeCe shows up. The group had lost track of time and was surprised to see her. "Hey, CeCe! It's been two weeks already?"
"I know what you mean! Time was flying by so quickly! I just couldn't wait until I got to see this adorable face!" CeCe playfully pinches Medusa's cheeks. "Speaking of which!" CeCe withdraws a small pouch filled with what appear to be small color rocks. She pulls one out and gently hands it to Medusa.
"Muh?" Medusa inspects the rock, unsure of what it is.
"It's candy! You eat it!" CeCe shows Medusa by eating one herself. "Your dad said you love sweet!"
"What part of I am not the father do you guys seem to not understand?"
Medusa licks the candy before her eyes light up and she ends up eating it whole. "Muh!" She happily waves her arms and smiles widely.
CeCe tosses the bag at Reno and smiles. "It's all yours. Consider it part of the down payment for your services! I have some paperwork I need some people to fill out before we start preparing, but I'll be back tomorrow!" CeCe takes her leave, smiling and waving.
One of Medusa's vines slowly creep towards the bag in Reno's hand. He pulls it away just in time. "You are out of your mind, girl." Medusa smiles innocently, slowly wriggling her vines. The group decide to call it early for the day and begin their own planning. They sit around their fire and begins plotting. "I don't exactly know how far this place is, but I can already tell you it will take multiple days. I'm hoping Medusa continues ton behave on the trip, but there's no telling. She handled meeting CeCe pretty well, but it's not the same as going for a multi-day trip. What do you think, Luna?"
"Personally, I believe using those candies you got would serve as an excellent source of motivation for Medusa to remain behaved."
Reno looks at the bag and then to Medusa who was playing in the clearing. "Kind of like dog treats? That's not a bad idea." Their planning session quickly turns into less of planning and more of discussing anticipation as the day closes. They all head to sleep after a bit, preparing to wake up early to begin the preparations. After being freed from Medusa's prison in the morning, the party is ready. CeCe meets them in the usual spot a bit after they show up.
"I hope you guys are ready, because this is going to be so exciting!" She pulls out a list of things they need to pack. "First things first! Spare clothes, which I always keep on me."
"All good there."
"Perfect! Next, something to keep us warm at night. Do you have a tent or sleeping bag?"
"I have blankets and a Medusa."
CeCe gives Reno a confused but amused look. "If you're comfortable with that, then I'll leave you to it. After that we'll need food and water. You have water bottles, right?"
Reno smiles and waves a finger in front of him. "I don't need it. I've got something better!" Reno crosses his hands in an 'X' shape and begins shooting a weak stream of water from his hands.
CeCe cracks up. "Pfft, okay! That works I guess, just don't forget to pack food! Finally, any other equipment you want to bring that you think will be helpful."
"I've got a sword, but that's about it."
CeCe looks slightly concerned but continues to smile. "You should have told me, I could have gotten you some armor at a discount… it's too late now, I suppose."
Luna catches on to CeCe's hesitant and does her best to quell her worries. "If the worst comes, then we always have Medusa. She may look innocent, but she's capable of immense firepower if she chooses to."
CeCe glances over at Medusa who smiles happily at her. "Okay… I'm trusting you guys here." They go over the list one more time and decide to separate to get the things they need. "I hope you guys don't mind, but I'll be staying with you tonight so we can leave in the morning! I'll be back with some proper camping equipment in a couple of hours and we can have a fun little campout before we leave!"
The group separates, addressing what they consider to be the top priority. Reno returns to the barn to pack clothes. "What do you think Luna? Do you think a week worth of clothes would be good? We only have the one bag… maybe we should buy another one?"
"I think a second bag would be wise, but you have to take in account the fact that you will be carrying everything you bring."
"Damn, you're right. Carrying around that many clothes is gonna' get annoying on its own, let alone a second bag." As Reno is thinking, Medusa places a vine on his shoulder, causing him to look over at her. "What's up, Medusa?"
Medusa smiles with a cocky grin and points to herself with a vine. "Muh." Her eye twinkles as she makes this declaration.
"You are so wise, Medusa, (What the hell is she even saying?)" He turns back to try and figure out a plan before Medusa taps his shoulder again. He sighs and turns around. "Yes, Medusa?" He manages to hide the irritation in his voice.
"Muh!" Medusa points at herself.
"Yes, Medusa, I see you. You're cute, but I'm busy with something right now. We can play later, okay?" Reno turns back to speak to Luna but Medusa gets frustrated and taps his shoulder with more force. "Medusa, what?!" He turns to face her. Her face is drenched with growing frustration.
"Medusa!" She points to herself again and then at the backpack that Reno was packing.
"No, Medusa. You cannot ride in the backpack." He turns back around and shakes his head with frustration. Medusa's annoyance boils over and she wraps her vines around his arms, pulling him into the air. "Medusa! What are you doing?!" She makes herself taller and then pulls Reno to her back, wrapping her vines around him and turning him into a human backpack.
"Medusa!" Medusa huffs with annoyance as she holds Reno.
"Ohh! You want us to get you a backpack so you can help us carry things!"
Medusa puts him down and waves her arms happily. "Muh!"
"That would help lighten your load as well as give us the ability to carry more emergency supplies." Luna nods her head approvingly. "Great idea, Medusa!" Medusa sways happily as a result of Luna's praise.
"That takes care of that. I guess I'll go buy us another bag and some food." Reno heads to town, quickly reaching his destination.
TO BE CONTINUED...