The lunch rush finally ebbs and you sit down at a table, exhausted and hungry. A golem brings you a raw salad garnished with cold fries. "I could have made something better with all those vegetables," you mutter. If you're going to be stuck in a cooking game, the least it could do is let you cook.
"You could," a melodious voice agrees. You look up to see a spark-sprite hovering next to you. "True culinary delight comes from creativity, and only sentient beings can be creative. The golems, poor things, have dirt for brains. They can chop vegetables and not much else."
That seems a little insensitive, and you wince, but a passing golem doesn't look bothered at all. It takes your empty bowl and gives you a glass of water, which you gratefully chug. Being a bard is thirsty work.
"But as the golems could not be creative," the sprite continues, "they could not provide entertainment. For that, only you and your fellows would do. And you did it so well!" he adds warmly. Literally warmly — a few sparks fall from his wings for emphasis. "Word spread and I had to come hear you for myself. I was not disappointed, I must say! And as I am a professor of the arcane and mundane arts, I know whereof I speak."
"Thanks," you say, feeling a little better. It's nice to have your art appreciated, even if the professor thinks it's mundane. You made some good tips, too. If only that game currency meant anything in the real world. But who knows when you'll see the real world again...
Your melancholy musings are interrupted by the sprite producing a peculiar mechanical device that's nearly as big as he is. Magical or electrical energy crackles along its wires and prongs. It reminds you of the goblin devices that sent you into the game in the first place. "Hey," you say, sitting up. "Do you know —"
"That the golems are drenched in ancient magic?" the sprite exclaims. "I do! Tell me, do you know anything about the soil they're made of?"
You neither know nor care. You just want to go home. "Uh, not really. Professor —“
“Then further research is needed!" He puts the device away (how? where?) and gestures to you. "Come! You're no longer needed for the lunch rush, so I need you to dig around in the ground the golems came from and see if you find any ancient items of interest. If you can further my research, I shall be most grateful."
You don't want to dig more, but you like the idea of the professor owing you a favor. Maybe then he can help you get home.
There's just one problem: when you go outside, it's foggy and you can't see very well. You cough, waving your hands around to clear the air. It smells like vegetables and dragon spit.
"Sorry!" Stray calls, sticking their head out the back door. "The dragons got a little enthusiastic making steam to sanitize the dishes. Oh, hello, Zzt. Did you enjoy the salad?"
"Terrible," he says briskly. "But the fine entertainment was worth it. Why didn't you tell me your vegetable patch was full of magical residue?"
Stray huffs. "Why should I tell you anything when you're so rude?" They go back into the cafe, slamming the door.
Professor Zzt shrugs and turns back to you. "Nothing to be gotten from them. But I'm sure you'll turn up everything I need."
A new tracking board appears. It seems you have no choice but to accept this quest.
Strawberry Board 2 Grid and List of Goals
Strawberry Collection | Prompt Collection (AO3) | Prompt Collection (Automagic App)
( Board 2 Rules )