HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (27/?) (Patreon)

"Purpose! Oh glorious purpose!" the Timekeeper chimes loudly.

"Things that are crafted require a purpose! They require a reason! Why must such a mechanism exist if it has no function?" He leans over, grabs the clockwork doll off its railing and thrusts it in your face. "From scrap pieces of gears to an attendant, I have given the meaningless a purpose!" He throws the doll into the back without care. It responds with a clank.

The Timekeeper reels back around, returning to the pocketwatch before him. "This watch's purpose is gone; it can no longer tell time. What is a clock that cannot tell time but a useless hunk of metal? If telling time is not its purpose anymore, it must tell something else..."

You realize that the Timekeeper does not know that the pocketwatch was a navigation tool. You wonder if telling him will aid him in fixing it but can you risk saying it in front of the Baron? The pocketwatch pointed to something in the hotel, at least something that would return you to the hotel. If the Baron knew that it pointed to something otherworldly, he may want it for himself. And with your current condition, there's no saying if you can win against his sharp talons.

"Oh, but, of course." You look up at the Timekeeper who is finishing up reassembling the pocketwatch. "Yes, yes, but— ahhh."

The Timekeeper looks up at you. "This watch wishes to find direction once again. A compass, if you will. If it cannot tell the time, it shall tell the direction." You nod slowly, trying to feign ignorance about its capabilities.

"It requires... a scent, like a dog. Give it something to remember."

You look at Emmett who appears just as confused as you. What does that mean?

"A soul," the Baron says flatly.

You look at him. How will you be able to offer such a thing to the pocketwatch?

"I can help with that." The Baron says while leaning against the bar. "Of course it will cost you, I don't do charity work," he says as he gives you a pan-am smile.

You blink; there's no way the Baron doesn't have some ulterior motive here. But if he has the means to make the pocketwatch work again... The Baron doesn't seem like the person to make empty promises. On the other hand, if you take his help without knowing what the price is, it would be the same as making a deal with the devil. Somehow, you feel that asking him what he wants in return isn't a smart idea...

> Accept his help.> Ask what he wants in return. > Deny his help.

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