[IC] New Crobuzon & the World Beyond

[Crozar the Sunspot]

Crozar says, "If you want my opinion, it seems aggressive.  That could be just the thing needed to keep you safe until we get to the ziggurat and beyond."

"You mean my pet rat could be just the thing to keep me safe?" She asks skeptically.

Crozar nods and says, "When travelling through a Torque zone, anything that you can find that is normal to you is a useful thing to have to judge the weirdnesses you will encounter against.  And you never know when a sudden bite or scratch can be just the distraction needed to throw off an attacker's train of thought or action."  He watches the rat for a moment and adds, "Also, as you said, you wouldn't leave him caged, and it is my experience that loyal pets will follow their owners unless they have something that prevents them from doing so.  Most likely, he will follow you anyway, so you might as well keep him close for control and comfort."

"I'm afraid once we leave the vicinity of my home, Whiskers and I will be as susceptible to the Torque as the rest of you.  The only reason why we haven't dissolved into the chaos is because of the giant circle of protection I've placed on the property.  I've arranged the squash and vines in such a way that uses them as the outline of a protection circle.  The vines have been fortified again and again over the decades I've been trapped here.  That's not to say I haven't been affected by the Torque at all.  In fact, much of my trouble walking and climbing stairs is caused by the Torque.  So, while I suppose Whiskers might come in handy in a pinch, I'm not sure if it's even fair to bring her with me when she could just stay in the circle and be protected with lots of food."

"If you think she will stay there, you are likely correct." Crozar responds with a nod.