Gem Quest 5

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You are Owne, the 20 year old cart-pusher at the local Mega World Mart, and today is your day off. You'd spent the last few days trying to find a missing dog for a reward, but in the end you were unable to get any help on the matter and couldn't be bothered to go lookin on your own so gave up more or less.

But yes, today is your day off, and you've got some things on the radar. Most notably, Pier Day, for which you've been seeing fliers around town for. You're not entirely sure what it's about, but it seems to be a day about "Celebrating your local pier!" or something along those lines, according to the fliers. You figure it's worth checking out later, but you've still got awhile till it officially starts. What do you do?

>Go for a run, as per usual.
>See if anyone you know is going, or might want to go, so you're not there on your own.
>Head on over early, maybe they could use some help?
>[Write-in.]

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>>707063
>Owne

*Owen, more like.

Well, we're off to a good start!

>>707063
>>Go for a run, as per usual.

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>>707359
A run it is you figure, always have to keep up with your fitness, and try and improve your own records. You get dressed on your new track suit, throw your shoes on, and make your way down to the beach. Ever since your near-death experience with that strange gemstone monster you found, you've been a little wary of the shoreline, but it's the best place to run and you're getting over those fears.

Kicking up sand as you go and maintaining a good pace, you notice various people as you head along the oceanswept side of the island, even a few you recognize who bring up Pier Day later. You say you might go, but that's not on your mind right now.

Eventually passing the lighthouse, you encounter a surfboard lodged in the sand at an awkward angle, and what looks to be the surfer washed up a little ways past it. You can't tell what his situaiton is, only that he's laying face up as the surf occasionally passes across him.

>Approach the guy, see what's up.
>Keep going, none of your business!
>He obviously wiped out, the only solution is to show him how it's done and catch a real wave.
>[Write-in.]

>>707420
>>Approach the guy, see what's up.

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>>709542
You figure to approach the guy, in case he's in trouble or something. As you near though you can see that he's at least breathing, and you think you can hear humming above the sounds of the surf. Still worth checking out though, as you approach and ask what's up?

"Nothing much, just testing the waters man."

Ah right, it's Joshua you can tell now. Local surfing afficionado, from what you've heard he's a pretty famous wave catcher around the world, enough that if you were into the hobby (or is it a sport?) you would probably regard him highly. You're more of a landed sports guy yourself though, so to you he's just a beach bum. You can't for the life of you figure out why he picked here of all places to surf for the last few months.

"Is that normal then? What are you waiting for?"

"The Big One man," he says as he sits up and slowly runs a hand along the horizon, "Mother Ocean speaks. If you listen, she'll tell you when the next one's coming. I missed the last, few years ago, but not this time."

There he goes with the whole mysticism again. It seems harmless enough, but maybe you wouldn't mind it so much if you didn't have to work at a grocery store for a living while he made his money riding waves.

>Wish him good luck, and be on your way again.
>Warn him about possible (gem) monsters on the beach.
>Tell him about Pier Day, you heard your co-workers mention a surf-simulating game setup there.
>[Write-in.]