continued - 5/6

* * *

Joe shook his head as the three kids bumped into the staff bringing in his oak barrel as his bathtub. Joe sighed as he realized what he'd almost done then just ignored the wait staff as they set up his bathing paraphernalia. Seriously? I've gotta be careful about what I do. Have to remember their entire survival now depends on me! Joe shuddered as the thought weighed on him and he mulled over what had happened that day.

While he was concerned about how the three were, it had mellowed significantly as he saw how the three had barreled out of the room like pinballs, excitement driving them towards their freedom. His major concern, now, was to figure out how he'd lost himself in the dungeon.

His mind wandered but couldn't comfortably let himself free to explore while the inn staff came in and set up the bath. After they left, he disrobed and settled with a sigh into the bathtub, finally relaxing.

With that, his mind raced through the possibilities of what happened, but couldn't find any real answer, or any significant peace, instead feeling a cold clammy fear shiver across his skin despite the burning heat of the bath. Joe pulled away, his legs retreating into his chest as arms wrapped his legs and head fell to his knees, his fear beginning to overwhelm him. What if I become like that again? What if I suddenly lose my mind and start randomly charging anything and everything around me?

Joe's fears continued to spike, climbing ever upward, paralyzing him in the tub. He didn't know how long he sat in the tub, but soon shivered for other reasons and realized that the water had shifted from comfortably hot, past tepid, and straight into cold. Joe blinked a few times, his awareness returning to him as his shiver reminded him of the present. He took a deep sigh and washed quickly before he vacated the tub, drying himself off and settling on the bed.

Right. So… maybe ask Kukurnal about this? Find out what's going on? Or should I ask the … well maybe Garnedell first? This makes me nervous… donno why… So… don't know what happened. Don't know why. Don't know how to stop it. Don't know how to change it. Don't know the cause. Wow… gee… awesome Mr. Withers!

Joe sighed in frustration and told himself that he would have to talk with Garnedell first. Maybe not go back for awhile? Or… hmm… is it related to PTSD? But I'm not really… Joe kind of dismissed the last idea, but put it at the bottom of the list just to be safe. He sighed again, a deeper cleansing one. Need to get to Kukurnal anyway. Let's look at my gains first.

Joe flipped open his stats and went through what was listed, looking through some things. He hadn't taken the time to look at what he'd gained at the first level of education theorist, but he was able to figure out the numbers simply enough, dividing the total numbers by his current level. That should be thirty if… Joe flipped his page to the current job tab then actually gasped out loud.