209 Vol. 4 pt. 12 Patch 2.0: Prime Real Estate (2/2)
”Couldn't we just find somebody or something magical to stop flooding and winds?” Oleander asks.
Fenrir and Rao look over at him.
”Would that be possible?” Fenrir asks.
”Yeah… but following code is still more important. Have to have something to fall back on if magic screws up, plus we don't have anything or anybody like that right now,” Rao says.
”Fair enough. Well, we'll build the city to try and resist that while hoping we find somebody or something that can help us out with some magic. I really think this spot is too good to pass up, and the hurricanes might not even be that bad. They might not even be hurricanes in the first place!” Fenrir says.
”Maybe. Anyways bro, we've got to go over there to check things out. I'd like to visit the mountain to see what sort of materials we've got to rock with, and I need to make sure the land is good. You don't want to try and build a city on a marsh.”
Fenrir is really tempted to ask why. In previous games, he's built on marshes before and suffered some negative effects as a result, but nothing realistic and there were usually some positives to balance things out.
But, he knows that Rao can sense his curiosity, and he knows that Rao is probably already preparing another rant about how stupid that would be.
”I'm just gonna say this, bro. You don't want another Florida. Nobody wants that,” Rao says.
”Fair enough,” Fenrir says.
All Rao had to say was ”Florida” to prove his point that it would be a bad idea.
Florida is always a bad idea.
And so, The Shoebill sails up the river toward the mountains.
The current becomes too strong and steep once they get close, so they'll have to drop anchor and get onto land.
”Wait!” Fenrir says as he sees Oleander ready to drop the anchor. ”I'll be right back, alright?”
Oleander tilts his head and looks even more confused once Fenrir dives into the water.
Fenrir looks around to see what the anchor would drop onto. Fortunately, there isn't anything but mud beneath them.
Fenrir returns to the boat and gives Oleander the clear.
”What was that about?” Oleander asks.
”Wanted to make sure we wouldn't be crushing any coral or anything,” Fenrir answers.
”There's not going to be any coral this far in the river.”
”You never know. There could have been fantasy river coral.”
”Fantasy river coral?”
”Like I said, you never know.”
”Oh, Fenny. You're never going to change, are you?”
”You sound like a middle-aged housewife tired of my shit, yet also endeared by it.”
”That pretty much sums up our relationship. Cor is my hot young squeeze, and Rao is the pool boy I'm trying to seduce by 'accidentally' changing in front of an open window while he's outside.”
”Bro, what?” Rao asks.
”Unfortunately, he's too obsessed with cleaning pools to notice the treat tempting him.”
”The man likes his hurricanes and pools,” Fenrir says.
”What are you two on about? Rao asks. ”I'm seriously confused.”
Rather than clear things up for the confused Rao, the four men, dog, and honorary dog head for the shore and walk up along the river.
It takes another hour of walking before they even reach the base of the mountain, but Rao lights up when he sees it.
”Think you'll have all the building materials you need?” Fenrir asks.
”Oh yeah, bro. Definitely. Tons to work with here. I can even see some metal exposed to the surface, so between that and those trees, we're set. I'd still suggest building the city up here, though. Looks sturdy, no signs of loose rocks or mudslides, and it'd be protected against winds and storm surge better,” Rao says.
”I'm just… imagining the city being next to the ocean and over the river, though.”
”Listen, bro, if you want it there, then we can put it there. I'm just telling you it'd be safer up here. Either way, it's a game. Doesn't matter to me as long as I get to build my pad and get some cute loli succubi in there.”
Oleander and Fenrir both cover their mouths and look away when Rao brings up loli succubi again.