Chapter 117: Touching Base.

My discussion with Diana was informative. Not only did we hash out who would lead, even if Diana was reluctant to take the reins. It also confirmed something else. That something had clearly happened during the second event. Something Liche did not want to talk about. And honestly, based on what I heard, I could understand. Something clearly had happened.

After the second event, Liche came to me for training. Probably due to what had happened during the event. Her own discussions with me, about how I could throw myself into danger, how I kept going despite it all, also hinted as to what was going on.

Only, what had happened? Sure, she was shaken, but she only shattered after witnessing the fight between me and that lesser fox during the blood moon. Or rather, my own careless words had been what broke her.

Had seeing me brought to the edge done something? Especially when knowing there was nothing she could have done? That alone shouldn’t have done much, but adding in my own words, my sharp retort. Could that have been the fatal blow?

I knew there was no way Liche could have assisted. Even at her limit, the fox had been too much for Liche to handle, especially without a proper weapon or uniform. I hadn’t expected much from her in the moment. Was it just coincidence? Or… did this event remind her of something?

Of her own past?

Even if it did, even if I was a step closer to understanding her, I was still far from a proper resolution. Worse still, could I even resolve it? I wasn’t sure. I didn’t think it was a problem that could be brute forced, but if I kept my eyes open, I might be able to replicate that moment. Preferably without me dying, of course.

If I could replicate that moment, when she felt helpless with my life on the line, or the lives of people she thought highly of, perhaps I could get her out of her shell… In that way, not only would she get her head screwed back on straight, but she’d also get closer to finding herself. Possibly even awakening her uniform in the process.

There was of course, the possibility that she’d just crack further and become useless. I’d almost say the chances are fifty-fifty, a coin flip. Poor odds, but if I could leverage the odds in my favor, I’d do just about anything.

For now, though, that was a distant concern. Just another task on my list for this event. As it stands, my most immediate concern was getting something to eat.

The mess hall had few people inside. Not counting the staff behind the counter, there were others sitting about, eating a full breakfast. The spread was, basic, but plentiful. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and some fruits. There were even those little boxes of cereal and cartons of milk for those wanting something else.

Getting some food, I looked over the hall and looked for a place to settle down. Conveniently, I saw a familiar face. With her head down, fork in hand and poking at her eggs, was Diva. When I settled in across from her, she looked up and nearly jolted out of her seat.

Her mouth opened and closed, her eyes shook, and it was obvious she was considering fleeing, but after a minute or two, she ended up not doing that.

I didn’t immediately talk to her. I just sat down, worked through my meal. While I ate, I kept an eye on her. Noting how she was notably more on edge compared to when I appeared.

Only after I finished eating, did I speak.

“Have you been doing well?” I ask. She doesn’t immediately respond. Her hands though, flex, as if she was readying to sign, but stops herself.

“I-I’m fine…” She says, unconvincingly. Her voice low, almost inaudible.

“Really? You don’t look fine.” I point out with the bluntness of a frying pan to the face, and she just sinks into herself. “Are you still bothered by what happened during the event?” I continued, ignoring her clear discomfort. Barreling through pretense without a care.

“Ah… no… I’m not.”

“Is that so? Then, what is it?”

“That… It’s nothing, really.” She repeated.

I considered her, before pressing on. “How’s life been? I mean, you said you were working at a voice acting agency, right? Everything going well?”

By her body language alone, I knew it wasn’t, and her words didn’t help. “That… its going fine.”

So, I keep going. “You know, I don’t think you ever told me why you wanted to be an idol. Was there a reason?”

She was quiet and just when I thought she was going to blow me off, she speaks. “My mother…”

“Your mother?”

“Mm… My mother was a singer. She was, popular. A lot of people loved her music.”

“And you father?”

She winces, “He was a musician. He didn’t sing, but… he played instruments.”

“Oh, anything particular?”

“No, not really. He knew how to play a lot of different instruments.”

“That’s interesting. So, what ever happened to your mother?” I ask.

“Happened?” She asked, confused. “Why do you think something happened to her?”

“I’m making a guess something happened, since you never did become an idol. Not unless she was the one to stop you.”

“No… she, she actually was the one to help me get into singing lessons and all. My… father, he was supportive as well.”

“Really? And you still didn’t become an idol?”

She didn’t answer, and for the first time looked up and met my gaze. “Why… why are you asking all these questions.”

“I’m curious.” I say with a shrug. She frowns.

“Well, I don’t… I don’t really want to talk about that.”

“That’s fine.” I say, and she keeps looking at me. “Is there anything you do want to talk about?”

“That…” She starts… I could see her jaw working, her eyes look away as she thinks. “Have you seen any of the newest dresses?” her eyes glimmer.

“Can’t say I have…” I start, “But, I have been looking at the new brands of purses and perfumes with the help of a colleague at work. We have plans to maybe go on a shopping tour someday in the future.”

“Really?” She says, almost like she couldn’t believe I was saying that.

“Is it that unbelievable?” I ask back.

“No, I mean, you look so, you are so…” She shakes her head. “It’s just, I didn’t think you’d want to talk about it.”

“Well, if you have insights to share, I don’t mind discussing it. If you want, maybe you can join us when we go? She’s a bit on the older side, but she’s also the head of the sound design department. I think you might get along.”

“I think… I’d like to go, if that would be, okay?” She asked.

“I’m sure it will be, I will be needing your number though.”

She agreed enthusiastically. We exchanged numbers and talked about little to nothing. Mostly just the current fashion, bits and ends. Thanks to Samantha, I was at least somewhat up to date. I’d shopped for a purse on my own, so I had some information, but by now, it was mostly out of date.

When it came to perfumes and scents, well, that was where my knowledge truly shined. Samantha had taken me to teaching me a bit here and there about them, but it quickly became me teaching her.

As a man, rather, not just as a man, but a man of means from a rich family, I knew a thing or two about scents. I wasn’t old enough to make it a focus, but it was one of the few thing’s men were supposed to understand. How to wear cologne, how much was too much, how to apply, how long it lasts.

All of those mattered when going to parties or certain events. Knowledge like that became especially important when it came to rubbing elbows with the elites back at my old job, under my old boss.

There were a lot of small things, like how to properly wear a suit. How to make a suit pop out, without being garish. How the collar should be, the significance of cuff links and all that. A man’s suit was both far simpler compared to a woman’s dress, but also a lot more subtle with what was being presented.

There was a lot of nuance that, at times, a woman’s dress or attire seemed to lack. Though, admittedly, I wasn’t quite well versed in all the intricacies. I could at least say my knowledge of perfumes was up to snuff, surprising even Samantha.

Our conversation proved fruitful and even pulled Diva out of her shell. I couldn’t quiet pry out of her what was happening, but through carefully posed questions and suggestions it became clear what was going on.

Diva was being bullied at work, suppressed. The top voice actress had it out for her, and the management was trying to suppress her. She didn’t say why exactly, but I imagine they were trying to pressure her into doing something. Also, it was highly probable that the top actress felt threatened by Diva’s talents.

Though… this was speculation, and even if it was true, I had no idea where I’d even begin to help her. It wasn’t like I was in a position to provide aid, though… Well, maybe, maybe not. Maybe I could do something if I managed to pull together a project. Emphasis on ‘if’. By this point, I was beginning to think I might not be able to find something to present to the executive…

Not with one month left on the deadline…

Those thoughts aside, by the time we separated it became clear that my conversation with Diva had helped her loosen up. Now once again free, and with a full belly, I considered my next action.

I was inclined to make full use of my time on the boat. After all, there had to be a reason for why we weren’t just dumped into the event. Either because they actually had to travel to this supposed shattered realm, or because the mascots expected us to talk.

The strange part was, this was technically the first time I’d ever been on a boat. Feeling the vessel sway lightly was, an experience for sure. It made falling asleep all too easy, almost like it was gently rocking me to sleep.

Not everyone thought the same… On the deck of the ship, I saw another familiar face, only, they were braced against the railing on the side of the ship. They were clinging to it, exactly how I’d imagine a koala hugs a branch, like they were clinging to it for dear life.

The face in question, was Ruth. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, a cap on her head, but her face was unusually pale, almost green.

“Guess the water doesn’t suit you all too well.” I say, stepping up. She looks at me with a frown. Her eyes dart elsewhere, but all too quickly she pauses and ends up hurling over the edge.

I lean against the railing, making sure I’m not in the danger zone and look out over the ocean.

It was seemingly without end, the sun in the distance was nearly at its apex. After a gander over yonder, I looked over at Ruth, who was just finishing up and wiping her mouth.

“Never been good with boats…” She muttered, her voice lacking its usual energy. She looked at me, with clear envy. “Though, you look like you’ve been on a few yourself.”

“Would you believe me if I said this was my first time?”

She laughed, something she quickly came to regret as she was once again hurling over the edge. Once cleaned up, she continued. “Unflappable as always…”

“You think so?”

“Yeah… very little seems to bother you. Not even when your broken, bloody, and looked like you just crawled out your grave.”

Was she referencing my condition when we fought the gold rank during the second event? The tribal leader?

“Is that what you think? That I’m untouchable, unbothered by everything?” I ask.

“It’s what I saw.” She replied back, not quite answering my question.

“To be fair, I was freaking out. Especially near the end there… I’d just gotten hit, the base was under attack, I’d about emptied my reserves. And to make it worse, somebody had to go off and chase after the leader of the invasion.” I said, careful not to put any accusation in my tone.

She bit her lip, “Thought I had him… I just…” She said and hesitated, not just because she felt the urge to puke, but because she had trouble finding the next words. “I felt kind of useless the whole time. You had the stone sentinels or whatever, Faust got the damn burning eye going and Terra was going about reinforcing the walls…”

I didn’t say anything and focused instead on listening. After a moment, a shift, she continued.

“All I was good at was hitting things, and I figured, I might as well take out that guy. I saw… I saw him swoop in like that, take you off the wall, and I really thought he got you. It was, just… It all happened so fast, and I wasn’t thinking…”

“I don’t blame you.” I said honestly.

“We failed because of me. You almost died, because of me.” She answered back, locking eyes with me. “What else am I supposed to think?”

“But I didn’t, right?” I ask. She goes quiet. So, I continue. “And it’s not like you’re the only one that messed up Ruth. I overdrew the ley line, which weakened our defenses and left me open. I should have realized that was a possibility and worked around it. Hell, I should have put basic safeties into the damn pit so it wouldn’t overdraw, I just didn’t think that would happen. If anyone is to blame for what happened, it really should be me. You weren’t the one that nearly killed me Ruth, it was my own stupidity that nearly did me in.”

“But…” She trails off, and I cut her off.

“But what? You should have been there? At my side, taken the blow? Known better somehow, been on top?”

“Yes.” She says. “I should have known better. I knew from the beginning that maybe we should have gone for the portal or at least looked for it. I caught onto what our guide was saying and I kept quiet. The whole reason we were in that mess is because I kept my mouth shut.” Her eyes were fully on me, her sickness completely forgotten.

“Do you really think that?” I asked.

She nods. “I do.”

So, I tell her what Diana told me. How their event went. Her lips were pursed, eyes focused forward. Once I was done, I asked, “Still so sure?”

Again, she frowned, she kept silent. “I don’t know, but… I still should have known better.”

“And why is that?” I asked, honestly wanting to know. “Because you knew something you kept quiet, because you felt responsible for me, for everyone? You said you wanted to be useful, that, that was why you went after the leader, but was that really the case?”

She shifted uncomfortably, and I sighed before continuing.

“Look, I said it already, everyone messed up. There was no good answer. Whether we caught onto the trick or not, we’d still be caught in a bad position. And I’m willing to bet that was by design. All you need to concern yourself with, is that nobody died. And because nobody died, we all have the chance to learn from our mistakes. A chance to not make the same mistake again, right?”

She was quiet. So, I asked again, “Am I right or not?”

“You… are.” She says, both oddly relieved and at the same time annoyed. “It’s just… it sucks.” She finally said.”

“What failing?”

“That, and… thinking I could have done more and didn’t.”

I was quiet for a moment, and for a while, neither of us spoke, the waves continued to rock, the ship moved. Ruth seemed lost in her own thoughts, the swaying of the boat seemingly not bothering her anymore.

Eventually, she did speak. “Have you ever… regretted something? Like, regretted not making a move, or standing up when you knew you should have?”

“One time stands out to me.” I said, honestly. Inevitably, I told her about my own past, more specifically about Alex. Our situation, what I did, what I wish I had done. This eventually turned to me talking about my professor in college, to my master, and I spoke of Him, my old boss, though, I did leave out how I killed him.

At the end of it, Ruth had only one thing to say, “Well shit…”

“Yeah.” I reply back.

She went quiet following that. I followed. Both of us were completely absorbed in the distant horizon and the endless sea. Eventually though, she sighed.

“As you can probably guess, I made my own share of mistakes.” She said.”

“I figured as much. I mean, why else would you be here?”

She actually laughed at that retort. “Yeah, your right on that. Kind of stupid to say it out loud, but you are right. I’ve noticed as much with everyone else, and it can be hard to put it together, but everyone here has their demons.”

I went ahead and nodded.

“Just… I’m worried.” She said.

“About the event? Or?”

“A lot of things.” She said. “I don’t like what they’re asking of us. I don’t like what it implies. But, I’m also thinking, if they are doing this, it has to be for a bigger reason, or there has to be something to it.”

“I don’t disagree.” I said back, “But what else can we do?”

“I don’t know… damned if you do, damned if you don’t right?” She said, “But I just don’t like it. Like I’m being forced to make a bad decision, ya know?”

“So, what do you want to do if not follow their directive?”

“Damn if I know. Best I can say is I want to wait and see, but…”

“You’re not sure that you can make the right decision when the time comes?” I said back.

She didn’t reply, but I knew I had her pegged. She kept quiet, seconds turned into minutes. Eventually, in a small voice, she agreed. It was barely audible over it all, but I could tell it wore on her.

“Does it have something to do with your past?” I asked, knowing what I’d get as a response.

And true to form, “I’d really rather not talk about that…” She said, though she did look guilty. After all, I told her most of my story, but… we both knew I didn’t share the most important piece of the puzzle.

“That’s fine, but if you ever do want to talk, I am available.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…” She trails off, as if unsure what to say next.

“Whatever comes, comes, right?” I say, filling in the void.

“I suppose so…” She says back with a bit of surprise. Her shoulders loosened. “Yeah, I suppose worrying isn’t going to make anything better, but yeah, if I’m ever cornered, I’ll give you a holler, how’s that sound?” She asks.

“Perfectly fine. If your ever lost, don’t be afraid to seek me out.”

She nods. Silence once again reigns, Ruth seems more at ease. She opens her mouth to speak, but only then does she remember where we are. And just like that, she begins hurling over the edge all over again.

We share a laugh as she wipes her mouth. “Urgh… I think, I think I’m going to go lay down… and thanks for the talk.” She says and leaves, leaving me alone on the deck.

I took a moment to go over everything I knew to this point. Diva was settled, somewhat. Ruth was likely back on track. Diana was, shaky, but she’d hold for now. The question now was, who next?

Liche was going to be a problem, but it wasn’t something I could approach now. Joan was likely involved too or knew something, but… approaching either of them now felt like a bad idea. As for approaching others, it was getting somewhat late. And frankly, I’d gotten the immediate problems soothed over.

Now, it was better to sit back a little and see if any opportunities present themselves. As for the other, people I’d like to touch base with… Faust felt unnecessary, and Terra seemed mostly fine after everything. Amanda was fine, but touching base with her wouldn’t be a bad idea. Serenity was likely good too. Though, it hasn’t been long since I last saw her.

If one of them approached me, I’d take the chance to talk, but… for now, I suppose I should take the chance to properly explore the ship.

The ship itself wasn’t big. Or at least, that big. Most of the cargo, the shipping containers, the crates, were set on the deck and locked into place with buckles and ropes tying them down. Heavy duty stuff.

I could feel Fathom and my knights as well as my soldiers through our connection, but they appeared to be dormant. The only notable crate was the one that had holes in it. It had clearly been set aside for something live, and I remember hearing the sounds of crows from it, but it was quiet now.

With the main deck more or less looked over, I went to the bridge. Of course, the crew on hand had the stairway blocked off, and part of me was curious to know if this whole thing was necessary.

If anything, knowing how Sheep was, or rather, from my limited experience dealing with them and some guessing. I supposed this whole thing was supposed to be theatrical. A kind of, set up before the big event. Only, why? And who for?

It was a good time to connect with anyone I had questions for or wished to talk to before the event went underway, but there had to be more to it. An underlying purpose. Something that made this make sense.

Of course… it was entirely possible that its purpose was exactly what I was doing now, or it was also possible that there was no grand purpose to this. That this was all done for the sole purpose of entertainment or to mess with us. That couldn’t be entirely dismissed. After all, I still wasn’t sure why I’d been brought here, nobody here seemed entirely sure of the why of it all either.

With the bridge off-limits, I made my way back into the ship depths. Ate a late lunch, connected with Diana and a few others once more as we discussed the coming event and our own thoughts. I ran into Serenity and Amanda during dinner, had a quick talk with them about how they’ve been, and their own thoughts on the coming event.

Everyone was wary of the coming event. Nobody liked what we were being asked to do or seemed very enthused with the idea of conquering or killing people, just because we were told too. I did run into Joan, but she was rather evasive when I questioned her about Liche and what happened during the second event.

After dinner, as I was wandering about, connecting with the other surviving magical girls, I noticed something.

It wasn’t something I noticed immediately. No, it wasn’t until the day came to an end, as the number of people walking the ship dwindled. Only then did it become obvious that I was being followed. Not by a human exactly, which is why I didn’t immediately notice. Nor was I sure when it had started to stalk me.

The stalker in question was a crow. The very same crow I swore Morrigan had on her shoulder when we met. Something about that girl rubbed me the wrong way, and this crow was no different.

From the moment I realized it had been following me; a plan came to mind. It was good, but it was no secret agent. I pretended not to notice it and went to a farther off area of the hull and turned a sharp corner. Instead of going forward however, this time, I waited. The very moment the crow came into sight, I lurched forward, with ice crackling in my veins.

It squawked but failed to evade my hand as I gripped it, the little devil began to thrash and cry in my grip, making a hell of a racket. Only to redouble as it felt my grip tighten. And again, raise an octave as I considered just crushing the damnable thing.

In the end though, sense won out. And there was no way this was a normal crow. “There will be no next time, is that understood?” I said, squeezing slightly to make my point.

The crow, smartly goes quiet. “Now, I don’t know if you can talk or communicate, but when you get back to your master tell them, if they want to talk or get to know me, they’ll need to approach me. Got it?”

Oddly, the bird nods. Rapidly, almost like a chicken going for rice, but I’ll take what I can get. The moment I let go, the crow immediately bolted, leaving feathers here and there. After making sure it was gone, I look down at my shoes and frowned…

Apparently, the damn bird had taken the chance to poop on my shoes… Maybe I should have just crushed it…

With a sigh, I made my way back to my room.