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*III: Second Variety?*
Cádiz! One of the oldest cities in Europe. Also one of the most
picturesque, with sights subtle and enchanting, the city's charms
creeping up on you slowly but inexorably. White mosques with
bright-colored domes between humble houses, elegant in their
simplicity. The pathway on the city's bulwark doubles as a beautiful
promenade, overlooking the crowded center. A center where narrow
alleys zigzag through dense conglomerations, leading to prominent
plazas, broad main streets and well-cultured parks.
Watt and Krikksen walk these alluring alleys. Their horses, after
having their shoes renewed by the town's blacksmith--a guy so big and
fat that he might be able to lift them--are now enjoying a welldeserved
rest in the city's stables. As usual, their unusual outfits draw
plenty of attention. Seemingly oblivious, they plow through the
thickening crowd, cool outward, gleeful inward. This bustling,
vibrant city is quite contrary to the dark, stagnant streets of perdition
they were mentally prepared for.
Their light mood would be disturbed if they knew who was
watching them, quiet and astonished. Two gentlemen that, by an
unprecedented act of will, look only slightly conspicuous.
"By all Jerry's lost picks, that's us!"
"Younger versions of us. Did we really dress like that?"
"I guess we did. Mind you, my junior's bright yellow overcoat
matches nicely with those purple tights."
"But those ultramarine bells on his megapink boots are not
exactly ne plus ultra."
"Really? Anyway, luckily we're incognito so they don't notice
us."
"OK, Watt, let's go in this tavern and discuss this complication."
"Right. And some wine to ease the shock."
The older Watt and Krikksen enter the inn that is filled with
merry people enthusiastically discussing preparations for certain
festivities. They tactfully seat themselves at a corner table near the
back entrance with a good view of the front door, just in case. After
the waiter has brought them a carafe of the local Jerez they begin to
talk business, with Krikksen being concise and Watt wasting the most
words.
"Those junior versions of us must come from a near-identical
timeline with TTT-capacity. Would they be after the same
quarry?"
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