Baggage
Written and Illustrated by Ausha Dao
2
Oh- Shoot-
Weren't expecting to get rained on?
3
The forecast never called for rain...
Here. This will help.
4
You looked super bummed about the rain. So... I figured this might help us both stay dry?
...You're too kind.
5
So, where to, Monsieur Gloom n' Doom?
...Kingscote. Over on Kangaroo Island.
Kingscote? Man that's far. Are you catching a train down at Warnambool Station? I guess I'm walking you there.
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You're going quite out of the way to walk with me. Don't you have somewhere to be yourself?
Not really. I don't have a permanent residence so I just go where the wind takes me most of the time.
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What about you? Are you going heading out to meet up with family?
Kind of. Sorry... That feels a bit too personal. I don't even know your name.
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Savannah Macarthur.
Who might you be Sir?
...My name is Nicholai. ...It's nice to meet you Miss Macarthur.
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Mr. Nicholai...?
Ah- Please, just Nicholai.
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Alright. No skin off my back...
...The rain let up. I suppose that means this is where we part ways.
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Wow. You sound so depressed when you say it like that.
Cheer up won't you? Aren't you going home?
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...Yeah. You're right.
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I'm going home.
OhY-yeah...
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Thank you Savannah-
NICHOLAI!
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...Who's that...?
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I- I'm sorryI need to go!
Huh-? Wait--
DON'T THINK YOU CAN RUN FROM ME NICHOLAI!
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Thunk! 18
OKAY-! LET'S STEP BACK FOR A SECOND--
...And what do you think you're doing?
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HEY-!
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...?
H-HOLD ON A SECOND--!
Thunk!
...Uh Oh.
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Thank you for riding with the Warrnambool via Geelong.
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What the hell do I do with this?
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Jeez...
Rummage
Rummage
Oh- Here we go! Maybe somebody can come get this for him-
Huh-?
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Selkie Rescue...?
There's a number under the sticky...
Hope there's a payphone nearby...
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Oh-
Hello? Who is this?
Is Max there?
You're
speaking to them.
Oh-! My name is Savannah Macarthur. I'm calling because I ran into somebody you know...?
I know a lot of people Ma'am. You're going to need to be specific.
Oh- uh... Blond man heading for Kingscote.
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I think he was running away. Can't really blame him...
Indeed. Is there a reason for this call, Miss Savannah?
Ah- Right Sorry. I was wondering if somebody could come back to Warnambool?
...?
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Well... He left something important behind.
His... Selkie skin-?
Why?
HE LEFT HIS WHAT BEHIND?!?
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...I am going to kill him.
Please don't-
So you've got his skin huh? Don't think that you get to keep NicholaiI'm trying to return it to him.
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You... Want to return it?
I would feel better if it was far from his Ex. I'd return it myself, but there's one issue:
I don't own a car.
...Give me a few days to drive over that way. I can make it out to Warnambool after I get Nicholai settled here. ...Can you tell him something for me?
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That depends on what it is.
I just- I want to wish him well in his life.
I know I'm a stranger to him, but I just...
The last time I saw him, he was terrified. I'll never see him again, but I'd like to imagine he'll be happier, now that he's far away.
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...I see. I'll pass the message along.
Although, I do have a question for you.
You mentioned his Ex-Wife. What happened to her?
Oh- Uh-She- Well-...She was hauled off to jail. For disrupting Peace and resisting arrest.
Oh wow- Wow IThat's hilarious.
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Huh- Oh. I need to go, but we'll continue this conversation later, okay?
...Okay.
You're sure you want to do this?
... Yeah, I'm positive.
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...Alright. If you're sure. Let's get going.
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Savannah...?
Oh-!
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Right, I think this is yours, Nicholai.
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Should I leave you two alone?
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Maybe I'll hit up a pub. While you two talk things out.
...Or make out? Cause if you hug her any longer-
Huh? What are you-?
Max-Please don't-
Nope-! I won't third wheel on your guys' date! You two have fun!
MAX-! End. 41
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