Weekly Wordzzle Challenge # 180

Still going with the story of Fred Johnson,  Paragon of Virtue. Here are links to the previous episodes.  If you need/want to catch up, click here for the 1st installment, 2nd installment, 3rd installment, 4th installment, 5th installment, 6th installment, 7th installment., 8th installment, 9th installment, 10th installment, 11th installment, 12th installment, 13th installment, 14th installment, 15th installment, 16th installment, 17th installment, 18th installment, 19th installment...

6:00 PM Saturday.  Finally came up with something.... Easier than last week but I seem to be struggling to make things fit into a continuing story. 

Words for this week's 10-word challenge:  parasite, changeable, fertile, chance, gravity, artist, arrival, shaken, fake, music   And for the mini: wonder, wing, flowers, drunk, purpose

My mega: 

On his arrival at Fred's quarters the next morning, McFlash, found Count Psycho sleeping restlessly in the Paragon's big bed and a shaken Fred pacing restlessly back and forth. "It's almost like some kind of spell was broken," Fred whispered quietly to the Healer. "I took a chance and told him that I didn't believe his mother had abandoned him and it seemed to quite literally change him.... and I was sitting across from an innocent little boy. I don't think he was faking it. It seemed very real. He also told me that his father took his purple teddy bear away just before his mother disappeared and that he has never seen it since. Then he began sharing about his mother and he seemed almost drunk on memories, going through a changeable mix of emotions - grief, joy, hope, loss. I didn't think it would be safe for him to be alone, so I managed to magic up a teddy bear  and put some music on and suggested that he stay here for the night. Much to my amazement, he agreed...almost like a child. I wonder, McFlash, is it possible that he has been under a spell of some kind?"  The look of gravity on McFlash's face was answer enough. "It sounds like there is very dark magic at work here indeed. If you are right that some part of the spell has been broken, then the Count is in grave danger. My knowledge of dark magic is limited, but I suspect we are dealing with some kind of magical parasite here, which will not forgo it's purpose without a struggle. It will try to reclaim Psycho's soul. Please contact Paraphrase and perhaps we can even enlist Spark's help. I believe there is some kind of tincture of dragon wing scales and Fertile Fox flowers that is supposed to be a protection against such spells. We must get Psycho to take it, but we must also be sure to take it ourselves."  The Paragon nodded thoughtfully. "I'm going to step out onto the balcony for a few minutes. McFlash, would you please write a note to Confetti and Spark explaining our situation while I try to communicate with Paraphrase?"   Returning a few minutes later, Fred looked at McFlash and said, "Paraphrase compliments you on your knowledge, though she suggests that Fertile Fern makes a stronger potion. She has provided Spark with a supply of dragon scales and dried Fern and has sent some to Bubbles as well. She suggest that we all wear a scale on our person as an extra protection. She also said that we must protect the portrait of Amelia Purist at all costs and that the artist must be found. He goes by the name Purpose Pefidy.  

My mini: 

"Purpose Perfidy, what a name!" Fred muttered,  "I wonder how on earth we will ever find him. He has probably taken flight long ago and gone to parts unknown." "We are in luck there," McFlash replied. "He's a somewhat infamous drunk who spends much of his time at the Four Flowers Inn in the northeastern wing of the Fortress. I suggest that you and I should get Bubbles to watch of the Count and go drinking. See if we can make his acquaintance without rousing his suspicions."

My 10-word: 

The timing of their arrival at the Four Flowers proved fortunate as they chanced on the artist almost immediately. The place really was a dive, with blaring music and a clientele that made the Paragon feel a need to check that his wallet was still in his pocket. Fred found himself repulsed by the man. He could sense that he was a parasite and a man with no scruples whatsoever and a man whose fertile range of changeable expressions reflected not emotions but a remarkable gift for deception. A dangerous man, Fred thought to himself. They had decided to appeal to his vanity... and had come up with a story about the painting of Psycho's mother being a fake. Perfidy was visibly shaken by these words. "If this is true," he muttered, "the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. Take me to it at once."

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Words for next week's 10-word challenge:  scratched, coat, phenomenal, craftsmanship, clean, ship, scattered, waiver, always, my favorite things

And for the mini: chowder, fingers, plunge, sunshine on a cloudy day, regressive

Thanks you for playing.  Newcomers can check here for some guidelines to make the game more fun. There are no rules, just some general guidelines and tricks.