36 Phase 29: Questions and missions

Larissa was giving him a sideways look when Colin decided to ask her. "Larissa… do you know what the Journey is supposed to be for?"

"The Journey's End?" Larissa paused. "Isn't it some dangerous fortress that guards a treasure?"

"A fortress? What treasure is that?" Colin asked.

"I've never seen it myself. All I know is that it's said to be 'A Treasure out of this world'." Larissa barked a laugh. "If you ever find it, do let me know."

"Why is an item the End Goal of the Journey?" Colin frowned. "It doesn't make sense."

"Maybe it's not an item." Larissa shrugged. "Maybe it's a piece of wisdom, or a mark on your badge, or makes you king of Nakama World. Who knows?"

"That's what {I} want to know. Who {would} know?"

"Pepper Tourism?" Larissa offered. "They have branches at Granath, the Airport, Forest Village and Hot Sands."

"Hot Sands was destroyed, remember?" Colin pointed out. He should know – he and his Comrades had been there and almost drowned when it was flooded.

"I heard some people were trying to rebuild it. Pepper Tourism would probably want their branch there rebuilt too." Larissa mentioned.

Nami came in just then. "Colin! What brings you here?"

"Katrin, squirrels, and questions." Colin said. "What do you know about the end goal of the Journey?"

"The Journey? The one all Travelers are on?"

"Yes. THAT Journey."

"I don't even know if it really is a Journey. For all I know, it's just a fancy way of describing life on Nakama World."

Colin shook his head. Nami knew less than himself. "Is Michi around?"

"Not tonight." Nami answered. "We finally have some peace without her."

Colin said nothing. He liked Michi, even if Nami did not. He called her.

"Colin?" Michi sounded surprised. "Can I call you back later? I'm in the middle of something."

"Sure." Colin answered.

"Give me about ten minutes."

***

Colin waited and talked to the Breeders about Habitats, on which were suitable for which Comrade, on those they had for sale and how much they cost in Clira or Home Points.

"When we consider habitats, we should consider how big they are going to grow." Nami explained. "Most people get habitats large enough for two or three growth stages ahead, but if you're spending Home Points, you may as well get one that will last the Comrade's lifetime."

"For that reason…" Larissa stepped in. "There's an advantage to having Comrades of similar types. If you get types of Comrades that are too different, not only will they have trouble getting along with each other, their habitats might clash also."

"They might…?" Colin blinked.

"Think about a Salamander. That's a fire-type lizard who lives in magma. Now, what if you got it a perfect volcanic habitat and put it near a Snow Flower's habitat?

"Oh boy…" Colin winced.

"The snow will melt. Your room would get flooded. What happens when magma gets flooded?" Larissa asked idly.

"You're going to end up with a pool of hot water." Nami told Colin. "And neither the Salamander nor the Snow Flower would be happy about that. Your Bubblesaur, on the other hand…"

"Riao!" Fireheart shook her head.

"Mew!" Raiki agreed.

"Relax, guys, we're not going to flood the room with hot water." Colin told them. "Never mind you two, I wouldn't like it myself."

Then a thought occurred to him.

"Would a Bubblesaur be happy in a forest?" Colin asked.

Shiro, Raiki and Fireheart suddenly looked very interested.

Rall and Meek would probably like it too.

Nami thought about that. "Well, he is a saurus. Trees and greens should be okay. I'm not sure we can say he'll be thrilled, but he'll be comfortable, at least."

"What about a Rainduck?" Colin asked.

"Find a pond, or some sort of water." Nami answered immediately. "If you want a forest, maybe make a small pool. The rainduck and the bubblesaur would like it."

Colin grinned. "I should turn my room into a forest."

Nami gave him a doubtful look. "You can try, but it's going to be tricky. Especially with the pool involved."

"I'll get a basin or something." Colin said. "Can it be done?"

Larissa thought about it, and exchanged glances with Nami. "It's possible… but it's going to be expensive."

"Then I better start saving up Home Points." Colin figured. "Do you have any missions for me?"

Nami and Larissa grinned.

***

Ten minutes later, Michi called him back.

"Sorry I'm two minutes late." She apologized. "What's up?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you if you know anything about the Journey's End." Colin replied.

Michi didn't answer for a while. "Colin, that's a really big topic, and some of it is better shown than explained. For example, I can tell you that I got a map piece from an eating contest at Boom City, but just telling you isn't enough for you to really understand. The things you need are diverse and usually far apart. I'll have to go through it in detail. Where are you right now?"

"I'm in Sunshine Town." Colin answered. "Delivering messages for the Comrade Home. I've got four more stops, including the Sunshine Gym and Riverside Home."

"Sunshine and Riverside…" Michi sighed. "Colin I won't be back there for hours. Tell you what. Later tonight, I'll make a stop at Forest Village. If you make it there, then we can talk, but otherwise, you'll have to wait."

"Uh… can't you just tell me?" Colin asked.

"That would be cruel." Michi answered. "Some of the things you need, you can get right now. Why not get them while you're at it?"

"I can?" Colin was surprised.

"Some things, yes. Not all, though." Michi said. "I'll see you later, Colin, and then we can Travel together again."

"That would be great." Colin smiled. "See you later, then."