"What the f#!* just happened?" Gwen Delfino asks, mouth agape as she witnesses a horror legend getting juggled, clown-horned, and kicked out a window.
Kari looks back from the window, "Terry is a bad ass." She grins at the teen Terry, "Always a bad ass."
"Both of you ok?" Kari asks the two girls who bravely took on the evil made flesh.
"That's everybody. Let's get the hell out of here," Charlie says. He looks around for the "end" of the board.
While Kari attends to the final two teenagers, Brian asks the rest of the team, "OK, we've got all of the lost teens. Do we have everything we need to leave now, or do we still need Tricks or Treats?"
"Both of you ok?" Kari asks the two girls who bravely took on the evil made flesh.
Gwen looks like she might be sick, but Izzy looks... annoyed.
"Yeah, this is just like... the worst day ever. Or has it been longer? God my parents must be so pissed."
"I think we're okay, thanks, Miss...?" Gwen asks, voice shaky.
Izzy's not grumpy at Kari, merely the situation in which she and Gwen were trapped.
Between the eight of you, everyone has at least one TRICK or TREAT to their name, and with Terry's 'win' on the board, the orange beacon is still lit and illuminating a location that's just a few minutes' walk away.
As you head toward the beacon, there's an abrupt termination of housing that opens up to an over-large graveyard. Rutted roads meander around the
gravestones, mausoleums, and leafless trees. The beacon illuminates one such mausoleum just inside of the archway.
Gwen looks like she might be sick, but Izzy looks... annoyed.
"Yeah, this is just like... the worst day ever. Or has it been longer? God my parents must be so pissed."
"I think we're okay, thanks, Miss...?" Gwen asks, voice shaky.
"Just Kari." She nods at Izzy, "Especially when you trapped somewhere and nothing you does seems to help, that happened to me too." She takes a breath, "A few days and Amelia did say they are..."
"Damn..." Kari thinks as they get everyone moving to the beacon. "Charlie, Brian, we are going to need a cover story for everyone."
"Damn..." Kari thinks as they get everyone moving to the beacon. "Charlie, Brian, we are going to need a cover story for everyone."
Charlie frowns, turns to the kids. "How long have you been in here?"
"I think I've been here like... god I dunno, maybe a day or two?" Izzy scrunches up her nose as she thinks about it.
"It's really hard to tell when there's no sun. There's just that big orange-red moon. And the calendars don't make any sense. And I haven't been hungry yet, so it might have been like three hours for all I know." Eric adds.
"Or five minutes, since it's usually ten minutes between snacks for you," Kyle teases Eric.
"Hey! How else do I maintain this figure?" Eric says, patting his very flat athlete's tummy.
Charlie thinks for a moment.
"Uh...okay. How about this. Gwen, you were mad at your parents for leaving you alone, so you swiped some cash they had lying around and you treated your three closest friends to a trip to One-Eyed..." he shakes his head, "Sorry, Vegas? There are no pictures on social media because you didn't want to get caught. You disposed of the tickets for the same reason. You weren't actually allowed to gamble because you're underaged, so you just ended up hanging around for a couple days." He shrugs. "Best I can do with no physical evidence."
"Or a camping trip in a place with no cell coverage, maybe?" Kari shrugs, "Whichever you think will get you less trouble."
"Those are pretty solid stories. Quick, too. You guys do this often?" Gwen asks with mischief lighting her otherwise very tired eyes.
"See? Feds." Eric says to the others.
"My parents'll probably be pissed about it, but it's so cheap to get down to Vegas these days, it's not a crazy story... and they'll believe Vegas more than they believe camping, for me at least. I hate sleeping on the ground." Izzy says, the only one who seems unsure. But she shrugs. "And I couldn't come up with anything better, so that's what I'll be telling 'em."
"My parents would buy probably anything I told them. If I even tell them anything." Gwen says, shooting for casual and making it most of the way.
"Thanks, you guys," Kyle says earnestly. "I'm sure this will all seem really stupid when we talk about it later," he gestures to his friends, "like, how in the hell do you get sucked into a board game and stuck there? But for now... we appreciate the help."
"Come on," Charlie says, leading the way toward the orange light. "Let's get back to the real world."
Terry wanders near to Eric as the group approaches the graveyard.
"Feds is wrong but close enough for...." Terry trails off as his attention goes to a skeletal tree. "I thought I saw a black cat in one of those."
He turns to Charlie. "Did we ever figure out what that additional monster was?"
"Feds is wrong but close enough for...." Terry trails off as his attention goes to a skeletal tree. "I thought I saw a black cat in one of those."
Eric jerks his head over to the trees, expecting worse than a black cat, but Izzy laughs.
"That'd be the least awful thing about this place." She has her arms wrapped around herself in an unconscious gesture of protection.
As you all step into the mausoleum, you disappear one by one as the game assesses you have at least one TRICK or TREAT on you when you walk into the graveyard. You hear the clanging of distant carnival game bells and whistles fading like a bad dream as you step through the entrance of the mausoleum…
And back into Gwen Delfino's game room upstairs. It's dark outside, and flies have discovered the drinks left out on the coffee table nearby.
"Excuse me for just a sec," Gwen says, moving quickly towards a bathroom just outside in the hall. The door closes, and unfortunately, is not far enough away or well insulated enough to muffle the sobs coming from within.
Izzy and the boys also look relieved to be back on planet Earth. Though Eric and Kyle move away from the game board, Izzy gets to work sweeping all the game pieces into the box, making sure nothing is left behind before shutting the box and sticking it out at one of the now-adults in the room to handle.
"Whoa!" She jumps when she realizes she's not looking at another group of teenagers anymore. "That's crazy, you look so different!" She's kind enough not to call anyone old.
"You said you were old!" Kyle says to Kari, looking surprised. "You look like you're what, in college maybe? Still too young to be a fed I think…"
"But I see now why you reminded me of my principal," Eric says with a laugh and an apologetic look for having laughed when he addresses Brian.
The clock reads 3:33am - a fitting time to step out of a Halloween game and back into the real world.
He turns to Charlie. "Did we ever figure out what that additional monster was?"
Charlie pinches the bridge of his nose. "Don't say that until we leave. It's tempting fate."
The clock reads 3:33am - a fitting time to step out of a Halloween game and back into the real world.
Charlie takes the board game. "We're going to have to confiscate this for Excalibur Division," he tells them.
Sorry, it's Charlie. I'm alive. What does one do with recovered artifacts? Especially ones that are super dangerous but don't seem to have practical mission-related applications?
Izzy gets to work sweeping all the game pieces into the box, making sure nothing is left behind before shutting the box and sticking it out at one of the now-adults in the room to handle.
Kari points the girl towards Charlie.
"You said you were old!" Kyle says to Kari, looking surprised. "You look like you're what, in college maybe? Still too young to be a fed I think…"
"I'm a whole lifetime older," she grins a bit, "but also was trying to keep away from any trapped high schooler horror troupes."
"Brain? Want to let Amelia know her friends are OK?"
She looks at the group, "If you're going to go with Charlie's Vegas story, I'd look up when the flights can come in so you can arrive back at an appropriate time, in the unlikely case someone checks."
Casually, when the sobs are less noticeable, Kari taps lightly on the bathroom door, leaning against the wall next to it.
Terry pulls his phone out -- visibly relieved it's a phone again -- and says, "We really need to have business cards made." To the kids, in general, "In case anything weird comes up again, don't hesitate to call. 564-867-5309."
Terry tucks his phone away after poking at it for a moment.
Once you check your tablets, all of you have a group message from Abby letting you know that Fenwick was released, but is still on Estate rest for at least another week. She says that she's relieved he's better enough to leave the infirmary, as she was tired of being his snack wench. Fenwick chimes in to suggest that it's the most important work she's done at the Estate since she was first brought on.
Charlie takes the board game. "We're going to have to confiscate this for Excalibur Division," he tells them.
Eric looks giddy at the reference to a division he doesn't know anything about. Now that Kyle and Eric are standing back on Earth, they both seem less terrified, more excited about everything.
"Excalibur Division. So cool." He says.
"Don't be ridiculous, we almost died," Izzy says, hitting Eric on the arm.
"But we didn't! We went to another world or something. Izzy, that's probably the coolest thing that will ever happen to us in our lives."
Kyle is watching their short exchange with something close to a frown on his face.
And Eric's eyes are only for Izzy.
"I'm a whole lifetime older," she grins a bit, "but also was trying to keep away from any trapped high schooler horror troupes."
"I guess that makes sense. We were pretty cliché in there huh?" Kyle asks, grinning a bit himself. "I'm probably gonna take a break from horror movies for a while."
"Just a minute," comes a little voice on the other side of the bathroom door when Kari taps on it. A few moments later, Gwen opens the door with a very brittle smile on her face, eyes red but tear free, as she's clearly done a good job of mopping her face up before reappearing.
"Hey, sorry, just uh… needed to… yep, all good." She stumbles through the explanation as awkwardly as possible.
Zaika laughs. "The down under," she says with a chuckle. "That's a good name for it. But very technically, if you were underground, it was probably part of what we called the Night Vault. It's a lot of… well, it's a world. Tunnels, caverns, seas, rivers, vaults. The roads are technically called the Roads of Sorrow, but… anyway, you didn't need all that. The outside-parts of Ardeyn are more fun, less dangerous. Usually."
She leans against the podium again, poking at her tablet and bringing up a picture of a very large airship, one that looks more like a city with the capacity to float through the air. She scrolls through a couple more pictures that are more personal/touristy - a picture of a hallway filled with stained glass windows and rainbow light, a picture taken from a window inside the Ziggurat as the craft floats over a forest that might as well be an ocean for how it stretches past the horizon, sunset painting the forest in beautiful golden light. A picture of her and someone else balancing precariously on a railing at some edge of the Ziggurat, looking elated and terrified at the same time.
"The Sunflower Ziggurat is currently plagued, which is how I ended up at the Estate. Most people in Ardeyn think it an anomalous structure used for trading, but the truth is that the Estate took it over as an outpost for Agents to keep an eye on things there. But last I heard, no one can stay on the craft until the plague is healed. So that's what I meant by sky baby, I was born on the Ziggurat, in the sky."
"What are cherubs?" She asks, picking up on the look on his face.
"I flew down at Christmas and spent that time with Mom and, once they were around, my much much younger siblings. One summer I was supposed to meet Dad in France, but it fell through and I ended up using the money for my security and first month rent."
Aleph listens closely as Kari explains what boarding schools are, and talks more about her childhood and direct experience with said schooling.
"A pragmatic choice." He says with a smile once she finishes. "Do you have any particularly fond memories from your time there?"
"I mean I've seen studies on the changes in brain structure in humans when we're exposed to things our bodies and minds aren't ready for, as advanced as Ruk is technically, it seems odd that they'd possibly handicap their population."
Aleph nods, looking impressed by the end of her response. "That's absolutely right, on all counts. I was a special case - my knack for healing isn't common. I've known maybe a handful of other Agents or Strange-touched folks that can heal without cyphers, to varying degrees. One person couldn't manage much more than healing papercuts, and still yet, another Agent who could damn near bring back the dead."
"I think most people tend to need to side with a faction by adulthood, which is around 25 years old, to go further into what you read about brains not being quite finished before that age. There are always special cases, and the Quiet Cabal in particular tries to conscript people earlier than 25 all the time, but in my case… the request was granted. I'm sure it at least had an impact on me as far as my love of Earth goes, and I'm sure this extreme prejudice I have against those who would join the Karum is a result of my conscription, too. But I like to think that even if I'd not been conscripted, I still would have stood firmly on the side of not massacring an entire planet's population. Or even just one of those population."
The food arrives, on time nearly to the minute from Dia's estimate. She brings out Kari's food first, the aroma of it preceding the dish itself before Dia sets it on the table.
"The chef, Meric Alsip, wanted you to know that this dish is best eaten in a specific order." She says, then proceeds to point to the five different foods on the plate. The portions aren't stingy, but neither are they American sized.
First, a little pile of colorful leaves with a nearly transparent dressing on them. "Rainbow salad, from Ruk, dressed in lemon-nut vinaigrette." Second, something that looks like purple paste in a decorative bowl, with a ring of crackers around it. "Sunfish caviar from Ardeyn, a first harvest. It's rich, so don't feel bad if you decide you don't want to eat all of it." Third, a small helping of noodles that look like they're coated in pesto, with delicate pieces of chicken nestled in the strands. "Tallarines Verdes, from Peru." The fourth, a whole fish, six inches in length and breaded in something that glitters. "Fetterfish from Harmonious, sustainably grown in a fish farm, rather than cloned or genetically modified." Lastly, a little oatcake square with dried fruits on the top. "And because Meric is a fan of Redwall… Sweet Oatcake with dried fruits straight from the recursion itself."
She leaves, then brings back a plate for Aleph. His plate is laid out the same - five different dishes, to be eaten in a specific order. Dia outlines these as well, as the meals follow the same pattern as Kari's but come from different locations. Salad from Ardeyn, an appetizer from Earth, a noodle dish from Ruk that seems to be sprinkled with fish eyes, a well marinated piece of steak from Ardeyn, and a piece of "imaginary" pie from the movie Hook. Blueberry filling inside, rainbow colored whipped topping.
"Need more to drink?" Dia asks while Aleph takes in the food in front of both he and Kari.
Glad to hear you're alive! I assume that means the kids are okay, too. Katherine will want to log whatever it is you found and probably send it over to R&D. Or secure it away if it's especially dangerous. Do you know where it came from? Comes Sabine's near immediate response.
He also notices the older message from her about the work she was doing while he was gone, the experiment she ran with growing flowers.
"Hey, sorry, just uh… needed to… yep, all good." She stumbles through the explanation as awkwardly as possible.
Kari waves off the explanation with a no big look. She pauses next to Gwen on the way into the bathroom, talking quietly to the girl.
She gives Gwen a piece of paper with her number written on it, "I also know what its like to not have someone to reach out to when it feels like no one else will understand." A shrugs, "There are times when I'm in places with no cell reception, but I'll always get back to you."
A pause, "And I really do not know all of you, but..." she looks at the group and the swirling hormone mess of relationships. "if any of you need help, I'm only a text away."
Gwen looks like she wants to maintain the "I can handle this" facade, but after a hesitation, she simply tucks the paper away into her pocket and nods, fresh tears popping up in her eyes.
"Thank you. I think uh... Kyle and Eric are gonna pretend it was no big thing, and Izzy is probably going to want to pretend it never happened. It was a big thing, and it did happen. I can't really talk to a therapist about it."
She wipes at her eyes. "They are definitely family though," she says with a small, but genuine smile. "Idiot family."
She hesitates again, takes out the paper Kari gave her and puts the number in her phone immediately.
"I'll try not to bug you too much."
With Kari's words of encouragement and offer of a digital shoulder to cry on, Gwen seems more at ease than she did when she disappeared into the bathroom.
Kari pulls out her cell to check for messages.
Kari continues into the bathroom, washing her hands and returning to the game room. She claps her dried hands, "So any questions, concerns, or matters that need to be covered before we move on?"
Charlie nods to himself. "Will the four of you be able to get home without trouble?"
After using his tablet for a few moments, he looks up. "Where did you find this game?"
The answer is fifty times. There are too many variables for me to publish any sort of papers on this, but it's a start. Did I force a change in the same way that fan fiction can change a recursion? Or is something else at play here?
Let me preface this by saying that I'm a layman presently engaging with a brilliant metaphysicist in her area of expertise. With that said, I was under the impression that modifications to a recursion were strictly of a non-diagetic genesis, though this sounds like you've found a way to make that not the case. Can you modify a core reality like Earth or Ruk in the same way? Could we modify Ardeyn like that? Assuming we wanted to, I mean.
How are things on Earth?
Much the same as I left them. I'll be showing you around a little soon.
Glad to hear you're alive! I assume that means the kids are okay, too. Katherine will want to log whatever it is you found and probably send it over to R&D. Or secure it away if it's especially dangerous. Do you know where it came from? Comes Sabine's near immediate response.
Checking on the second question. I'd call this thing fairly dangerous. It traps you inside with some off-brand horror icons and hunts you. I don't know that it has a purpose outside of research.
After using his tablet for a few moments, he looks up. "Where did you find this game?"
"Amelia said you found it at the thrift store, but if that isn't the case, we do need to know where it turned up." She shrugs, "They tend to have a good selection of used books, so it stuck out to me."
Gwen rejoins the group and nods in response to Kari's comment.
"Yeah, I found it in the Goodwill a few blocks away. I shop there a lot. Tons of weird stuff in there."
If Charlie flips the box over, in the tiniest font imaginable, he finds the words "Crow Hollow Toys".
"I've got a car, I'll give everyone a ride," Eric says. Then he looks at the clock. "Um, maybe tomorrow morning. I know my parents are worried, but I think they'd be even more pissed if I showed up at like 3:30am." He wiggles his phone to indicate he was texted or called.
There is activity! She was reached out to by a recruiter who wants to set up time to chat with her about the role. Thought her background was a 'perfect fit' for what the hospital is looking for.
There's also a not insignificant amount of spam that the filter is doing a surprisingly poor job of relocating to a spam folder.
Flattery gets you plenty of places. Is her first response. Then, a minute later:
That's exactly what I'm trying to figure out. The potential for change is... fascinating, but terrifying. It might be that smaller recursions are slightly easier to modify just by the nature of how they were created, and the size of them. It might take bigger minds, or more of them, to affect any change on Ardeyn or Ruk so directly. Earth is constantly in flux - if I plant a flower there, it lives or dies based on the environment, the care it's given, all of that, so it's harder to detect, since the changes don't revert on a Prime world the same way they do in a looping recursion.
The experiment needs care and time. I'd never want to destabilize a recursion this way, but that's precisely what I need to find out, too. I might need to make a trip to retrieve a reality seed and create my own test environment. Because if I can alter a recursion directly that way, what stops a Planetovore from doing the same?
Much the same as I left them. I'll be showing you around a little soon.
I can't wait.
I'd call this thing fairly dangerous. It traps you inside with some off-brand horror icons and hunts you. I don't know that it has a purpose outside of research.
There are Karum agents out there who bring dangerous artifacts to Earth specifically to hurt people. It sounds like this might have been one of those. I'm glad you all made it out safely.
"Crow Hollow Games," Charlie remarks. He then pulls up the Goodwill address and confirms it with Gwen.
The experiment needs care and time. I'd never want to destabilize a recursion this way, but that's precisely what I need to find out, too. I might need to make a trip to retrieve a reality seed and create my own test environment. Because if I can alter a recursion directly that way, what stops a Planetovore from doing the same?
Right. And then there's the moral component. What right do we have to modify the reality of thinking, feeling beings? Or is it a bigger moral question not to, simply because our enemies aren't bound by conscience?
I mean, obviously planting petunias at Buffy's house doesn't really have a moral component. Maybe for the bees? I'm overthinking it.
There's a pause as Charlie's fingers hover over the tablet. I'd like to see your flowers sometime.
There are Karum agents out there who bring dangerous artifacts to Earth specifically to hurt people. It sounds like this might have been one of those. I'm glad you all made it out safely.
Looks like this thing is manufactured from Crow Hollow Games. From what I understand, Crow Hollow is an interdimensional Casablanca. Are they the Karum you're talking about? In any case, I have the address of the Goodwill where the game was obtained. If I put that in the report and flag it for Manners, is that enough for follow up, or is she going to want us to look into it there?
"Huh, sounds like a normal game company." Kyle says.
"None I've ever heard of, unless it's some new indie company." Izzy says. When all three of her friends turn to look at her, she furrows her brow. "What? I like board games."
"Nerd." Eric teases gently.
"Then you'll be happy to know that Izzy and I have been working on making our own board game." Gwen says with a trace of pride. Eric and Kyle both look surprised, while Izzy looks like she wants to crawl into the vent on the floor and disappear.
"That's pretty rad. Uh… it's not a horror game is it?" Kyle asks, trying to pretend the idea doesn't bother him.
"No, definitely not. It's um…" Gwen looks at Izzy, who shakes her head once, firmly.
"We will maybe talk about it when it's done. Maybe." She adds to her head shake.
Right. And then there's the moral component. What right do we have to modify the reality of thinking, feeling beings? Or is it a bigger moral question not to, simply because our enemies aren't bound by conscience?
I mean, obviously planting petunias at Buffy's house doesn't really have a moral component. Maybe for the bees? I'm overthinking it.
You're asking all the right questions. The moral component is one I feel like must be tackled at some point, so we fully understand the ramifications of the changes. But I'm not there yet. And you definitely aren't overthinking it. As much as I hate the term, it's the butterfly effect, potentially. New flowers for the bees, maybe their honey tastes different. Maybe that honey is used at a local diner, maybe someone is allergic to petunias, or maybe there are more bees in the area and they sting someone and kill them. Honestly, starting with something as big as flowers might have been a mistake. Too hasty.
I'd like to see your flowers sometime.
There's a slightly longer pause here.
Wow, I don't know what to say. I mean I don't mind, but you're not usually so forward, and the text is cut off without her usual punctuation. And the next several texts are rapid fire.
Wait, you meant Twin Peaks flowers.
Can I unsend a previous text? Unsend unsend unsend.
Yes, whenever you're free, I'd love to show you the flowers I planted in a Twin Peaks recursion. They are just regular flowers. In public. Very pretty. But nothing special with no meaning attached. Very scientific.
I'm fine, how are you?
Looks like this thing is manufactured from Crow Hollow Games. From what I understand, Crow Hollow is an interdimensional Casablanca. Are they the Karum you're talking about? In any case, I have the address of the Goodwill where the game was obtained. If I put that in the report and flag it for Manners, is that enough for follow up, or is she going to want us to look into it there?
Oh dear. Yes, you're right, Crow Hollow features an always-open bazaar with shopkeepers from thousands of alternate recursions. The Karum, however, are a faction from Ruk that have made it their mission to destabilize recursions around Earth, or destroy Earth altogether.
Putting that in the report and flagging it for Manners is enough - the Estate has not yet found a good way to track Karum agents when they've indirectly attempted to hurt someone by way of depositing dangerous artifacts on a Prime world.
"But we didn't! We went to another world or something. Izzy, that's probably the coolest thing that will ever happen to us in our lives."
"If you're lucky," Terry says, giving a quick glance around the room. "Boring lives are safest."
He follows the board game conversation politely, and clearly without a bit of personal interest.
Terry looks at Zaika's pictures with interest. "Is every part of Ardeyn pretty or spooky or iconic? I don't think I saw anything boring or banal there."
"It looks like an amazing place to grow up. I think I would like to visit, but not when there's a plague." Terry gives Zaika a look of sympathy, which turns to chagrin when she asks about the cherubs.
Terry sighs and runs his hand across his forehead and through his hair, leaving it slightly rumpled. "Cherubs are like baby angels that fly around in holiday images. They are weird and kind of religious and also pretty much naked." Terry's face colors a bit at this.
"But it's the first thing I thought of when you said Sky Baby." He shrugs. "And then I thought I just met this person like twenty minutes ago, let's say something innocuous. And that failed. So here we are."
He holds his hand out to Zaika in greeting, and gives his best happy to meet you grin. "Hi, my name is Terry, with a Y, and sometimes my filter isn't what it should be."
Charlie is momentarily distracted by what's on his tablet. Then he blanches and types quickly.
After a moment, still a bit red, he looks up and says, "We're good to return to headquarters."
You're asking all the right questions. The moral component is one I feel like must be tackled at some point, so we fully understand the ramifications of the changes. But I'm not there yet. And you definitely aren't overthinking it. As much as I hate the term, it's the butterfly effect, potentially. New flowers for the bees, maybe their honey tastes different. Maybe that honey is used at a local diner, maybe someone is allergic to petunias, or maybe there are more bees in the area and they sting someone and kill them. Honestly, starting with something as big as flowers might have been a mistake. Too hasty.
Is there someone in charge of ethics at the Estate? Roving philosophers would be so helpful right now.
Wait, you meant Twin Peaks flowers.
Can I unsend a previous text? Unsend unsend unsend.
Yes, whenever you're free, I'd love to show you the flowers I planted in a Twin Peaks recursion. They are just regular flowers. In public. Very pretty. But nothing special with no meaning attached. Very scientific.
I'm fine, how are you?
Oh god.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize how that sounded.Not that I'm not interested. I mean, you're gorgeous.
I wasn't asking here in this context. On IM.
Oh god.
A pause.
Hi, I'm Charlie. It's so nice to meet you for the first time.
Putting that in the report and flagging it for Manners is enough - the Estate has not yet found a good way to track Karum agents when they've indirectly attempted to hurt someone by way of depositing dangerous artifacts on a Prime world.
Are all debriefs in person?
"Sounds like you all are set for getting back to full reality," Kari says looking up from her phone.
"Charlie? Earlier when you mentioned hotel rooms was that something you arranged or just a general statement?"
After a moment, still a bit red, he looks up and says, "We're good to return to headquarters."
She shrugs, "You can do that. I still have the other things we were looking into." She double checks the alerts on her phone, "Or do we have to go back to headquarters?"
She waves to the kids and starts heading to the exit of Gwen's house.
Then she replies to the recruiter for details of the interview - in person or video conferencing.
"If you're lucky," Terry says, giving a quick glance around the room. "Boring lives are safest."
"What's the phrase…" Gwen snaps her fingers in thought. "May you live an interesting life? As an old curse or something?"
She shrugs, "You can do that. I still have the other things we were looking into." She double checks the alerts on her phone, "Or do we have to go back to headquarters?"
Gwen seems to be the only person paying attention to the adults in the room; Kyle, Izzy, and Eric have fallen into a quiet conversation about monsters and board games. She looks back and forth between Charlie and Kari.
Zaika laughs. "You saw like two places!" She taps her device a few more times, bringing up a picture of a topless Zaika, face down in what appears to be a cobblestone alleyway next to an elf woman that appears to be likewise passed out. There's nothing lewd on display, but Zaika is ample enough that there are some… side views.
The picture is a little blurry - the kind of picture that's taken in haste, or while someone is laughing.
"This is probably the most boring location I have a picture of. Just some dirty alley I probably shouldn't have 'fallen asleep' in." She says with an eyebrow raise on the words 'fallen asleep'.
She seems completely unphased about showing the picture to a mostly-stranger.
"But to actually answer your question, I'd ask the same of you: are there any boring or banal places on Earth? What little I've seen of it was all beautiful. I think it's just… that new location shininess."
"It looks like an amazing place to grow up. I think I would like to visit, but not when there's a plague."
At this, she gives a smile that's a little sad. "I'd love to visit when there's less plague, too. It's been a while since I went home."
After Terry gets through his description of cherubs, and then talks about filters, she maintains a mostly straight face, though there's a smile crinkling her eyes and threatening to make its way down to her lips. Although he does notice that her cheeks are a little rosier than before. She holds out her hand.
"Hi, I'm Zaika, and if you think anything about bodies would bother someone working in the medical profession, I'd invite you to work a shift with me. You'll see so many butts." She adopts a thousand yard stare. "So many butts."
Then she grins. "You aren't wrong, though. When I was born, I had the audacity to come out totally nude."
Is there someone in charge of ethics at the Estate? Roving philosophers would be so helpful right now.
Oh, that'd be amazing. Unfortunately, no. It's left up to us to determine what's ethical. It's… caused problems in the past.
Oh god.
I'm sorry. I didn't realize how that sounded.
Not that I'm not interested. I mean, you're gorgeous.
I wasn't asking here in this context. On IM.
Oh god.
A pause.
Hi, I'm Charlie. It's so nice to meet you for the first time.
So nice to meet you! I'm Sabine, and I know how to talk to people.
A pause.I'm not… not interested either.
But for now, back to the business of altering reality. She doesn't emote over text, but there's a strongly hinted at smiley at the end of this message.
Are all debriefs in person?
That's another thing left up to the discretion of Agents. You're free to log your more cut and dried missions by Estate system. But I'll warn you that if you put off seeing Manners in person long enough, she'll come find you for an update instead. And she has a knack for picking very inopportune times.
Kari finds no mention of Crow Hollow Games on Google.
But! If she uses her Estate tablet, so does find information from the Estate about the Crow Hollow recursion. It's renown for its Glittering Market; an always-open bazaar where shopkeepers from alternate recursions go to sell… anything they want.
After having spoken with Aleph about the Karum, she might be safe in the guess that the board game ended up on Earth via those channels.
The recruiter responds quickly, letting Kari know that the conversation will be a video call with the hiring manager for the role, and she can expect it to last about 30 minutes, at Kari's convenience.
Charlie glances at Kari, then turns to the kids and puts his most comforting I know you've committed insurance fraud smile on his face. "Don't play any weird board games. If you see anything with that label, Crow Hollow Games, call the number Agent Cole gave you." Charlie indicates Terry.
Charlie then leaves the house, tapping at the tablet. When he's outside, he says, "I didn't make hotel reservations," he tells Kari.
Once everyone has congregated outside and out of earshot of the teens, Charlie tells them, "We don't have to go back immediately, but they will want the game back at the Estate. The debrief is preferable in person, though not necessary. And it's 3:30 in the morning here."
But for now, back to the business of altering reality. She doesn't emote over text, but there's a strongly hinted at smiley at the end of this message.
Good idea!
That's another thing left up to the discretion of Agents. You're free to log your more cut and dried missions by Estate system. But I'll warn you that if you put off seeing Manners in person long enough, she'll come find you for an update instead. And she has a knack for picking very inopportune times.
Understood. This seems like a minor mission, but it did include the recovery of a potentially dangerous artifact.
I don't know that I'm going to rush back, but believe me, I want to. Kari's just decided to find a new way to be unpleasant. Always an adventure out here.
"Don't play any weird board games. If you see anything with that label, Crow Hollow Games, call the number Agent Cole gave you."
Eric looks over at Charlie, then Terry, and gives the adults a little salute.
"Thanks, Agents." Eric says with an excited grin.
"Seriously though, thank you." Gwen says with finality, waving to the group as they make their exit.
The neighborhood street outside is absolutely silent; no one is out driving or doing anything at this time of night in Greenlake. Your group does hear a siren in the distance, and one lone dog bark a few streets over.
Understood. This seems like a minor mission, but it did include the recovery of a potentially dangerous artifact.
I don't know that I'm going to rush back, but believe me, I want to. Kari's just decided to find a new way to be unpleasant. Always an adventure out here.
Is there any danger of the artifact activating without someone's intervention? If so, it should probably be taken back here immediately. Otherwise I think you've got some time.
And to his second text:
Well, I'm not going anywhere. And I'm sorry you're dealing with that again. Do you want to tell me about the recent unpleasantness now, or wait until we can see each other again?
Charlie then leaves the house, tapping at the tablet. When he's outside, he says, "I didn't make hotel reservations," he tells Kari.
"Sorry, you mentioned something about the hotel rooms being on the Estate, I wasn't sure what you meant."
Once everyone has congregated outside and out of earshot of the teens, Charlie tells them, "We don't have to go back immediately, but they will want the game back at the Estate. The debrief is preferable in person, though not necessary. And it's 3:30 in the morning here."
Kari waves, "If you need me to go back, let me know. Otherwise I'm going to find a place to sleep and clean-up and follow-up with a job interview in the morning." A pause, "I'm sure that someone will mention in the follow-up, but it sounds like game getting to Earth could have been a Karum initiative, it fits with how they are trying destroy Earth and free Ruk."
She snaps her fingers, "And if the murdered girls in California is still on the task list and we are going to look into that, please let me know. I don't want my side investigation to get anyone dead."
Follow-up will be booking a place and getting a cab or Uber.
Abby takes a few minutes to respond.
No, as long as you've got the details of whatever Earth account you're using logged at the Estate, it'll just kind of be treated like the things you order and eat here
Another minute later;
But maybe keep the ritzy stays to a limit. A couple times a year
"Brain? Want to let Amelia know her friends are OK?"
Brian pulls out his phone, and frowns at it. "It's 3:30 in the morning. Normally I'd say let her sleep, but I'm not sure she's getting any sleep right now."
Brian punches in Amelia's number, mentally preparing himself in case an angry parent answers, wondering who has the gall to call at this hour.
Thankfully, this is 2020 and what American teenager doesn't have their own cellphone to monopolize into late hours and text random people on?
"Hello?" A hushed, but urgent voice answers the phone. "Brian?"
"I'll head back to the Estate and give our report to Ms. Manners, and deliver the game to the... division where you do that. I'll send you what's going on, if anything, via the group chat and we can plan from there."
Is there any danger of the artifact activating without someone's intervention? If so, it should probably be taken back here immediately. Otherwise I think you've got some time.
I'm going to head back now. I don't think this thing can be activated on its own, but it's worrying enough that I'd rather not have it. And I own a Lovecraftian text.
Well, I'm not going anywhere. And I'm sorry you're dealing with that again. Do you want to tell me about the recent unpleasantness now, or wait until we can see each other again?
I really don't want our dates to have a Kari section. The upside is that I don't think I'm dealing with anything again, exactly. It's new! What time is it at the Estate, anyway?
There are a few boutique hotels, as well as motels, in the area that are a landing spot for anyone who wants to stay overnight in Seattle, for anyone who doesn't still maintain an apartment or house nearby.
And there are always Ubers, Lyfts, and taxis available for people who need a ride.
I'm going to head back now. I don't think this thing can be activated on its own, but it's worrying enough that I'd rather not have it. And I own a Lovecraftian text.
Good idea. Being cautious in this line of work will ensure you don't burn out or... well, worse.
I really don't want our dates to have a Kari section. The upside is that I don't think I'm dealing with anything again, exactly. It's new! What time is it at the Estate, anyway?
We're on the same page, then, but if you need to talk, I'm here to listen.
It's nearly midday here, and the common areas are busier than I've seen them in a long time. People must be getting excited about the masquerade coming up.Translate safely, I look forward to seeing you in person again soon.
Translating alone, it would take you around an hour; you're becoming more familiar with the Estate, but it's still no where near as familiar as Earth. Not yet.
I'll translate back now. Should take around an hour. Want to have lunch?
Director Manners: The Washington Brewers Festival Pod has resolved the situation with the four missing children. Have recovered an Artifact with potential enemy connections. I am at your disposal to deliver a full report.
Charles Speck
"Sounds good. I'll submit a written report before I sleep." Kari starts to walk off, in the general direction of downtown Seattle.
"Do you have any particularly fond memories from your time there?"
"Lots. Great library, an incredible amount to learn. People who were great to be around when it was just them." She laughs softly, "Just didn't like them around their real friends."
"It gave me an appreciation for choosing to be around people who wanted me to be around rather than those that say one thing while not meaning it."
I still would have stood firmly on the side of not massacring an entire planet's population. Or even just one of those population.
"Good to know." Kari says seriously although her eyes are bright. "And I can see a group wanting to claim someone so obviously special as early as possible, happens on Earth for far less altruistic reasons like profit all the time."
"How all encompassing are these factions on Ruk? I mean it sounds like if you hadn't become a part of the Estate your life would be heavily controlled by the needs and focus of the Quiet Cabal. Is that because of the importance of their task or are all the factions as consuming? Your experience seems much more than a job."
"Need more to drink?" Dia asks while Aleph takes in the food in front of both he and Kari.
Kari takes in the multi-course meal with wide eyes, leaning in to smell as Dia puts them down. "Just water for me," a grin, "I'd hate to change Chef Meric's flavors with an off choice."
After Dia delivers both meals, Kari pauses with utensil in hand. She looks at Aleph, "Do you want some of any of my dishes before I start? I know there are people who are uncomfortable with food off a plate that been eaten from."
"Wait a sec--" Terry holds up a finger. He points to Charlie. "You're going back." He points to Kari. "You're going ... to ... a job interview?"
He points to himself and Brian. "We're going to Goodwill. Did I miss anything?"
"I'm going to a job interview tomorrow." Kari clarifies. "As," she pauses, pulling out the wallet and double checking the ID there, "Sofie Higgins."
"Right now, I'm going to go write my report and find a hotel room prior to that, at least for a shower and a change of clothes." She looks at the shoulder where she was stabbed, "And be happy I don't have to scrub blood out of my shirt."
A pause, "Goodwill doesn't normally open until 10am."
The Goodwill in Ballard, the one that's not too far from Gwen Delfino's house, opens at 10am every day. Kari's job interview is a video conference that will require at least a moderately good internet connection, whether via cell phone or computer with a webcam.
I'd love to. See you soon!
Charlie doesn't receive a response from Katherine until just after translating back to the Estate.
So formal! Have you ever considered teaching an etiquette class here at the Estate?
If you have time to swing by my office to discuss the artifact, that would be ideal, but if you're busy, go ahead and take it to the R&D labs. They'll secure it for study or disposal, depending on the effects of the item. Thank you, Charlie. We at the Estate appreciate the work you're doing for the good of all.
There are plenty of nature-y spots nearby Greenlake. You can either walk to the lake (which is only a few blocks away from Gwen's house), which has ample space. At this time of night, there would probably be a few homeless folks out and about - it's still too early for runners. But Kari would be left alone.
There's also the Woodland Park Zoo nearby, which would definitely be closed, but also has outdoor park space near it, along with free wifi from the zoo.
Otherwise, there are several very non-corporate hotels in the Ballard area, mostly those small little boutique type places. In particular is the Ballard Inn, which is surrounded by good places to eat, and is a beautiful historic building with fairly good wifi.
"Thanks," Terry says. "I will do my report after the Goodwill."
Terry also looks at the shoulder where Kari was stabbed and then where Brian was stabbed. "Thank goodness for recursion bodies and recursion clothes."
"This is probably the most boring location I have a picture of. Just some dirty alley I probably shouldn't have 'fallen asleep' in." She says with an eyebrow raise on the words 'fallen asleep'.
Terry's expression changes very quickly to a wry grin. "That looks uncomfortable. I have been in my share of photos like that," he cocks his head to the picture, and nods, once. "I learned how to cut back before cell phones were a thing. Just Polaroids for a much younger me."
He puts his hands together and moves them apart like something going up in smoke. "All gone now."
Terry doesn't hesitate to answer Zaika's follow-up question. "Earth is full of boring and banal places, but they're not on the brochures. Just look for any plaza with a building sign that says PLASMA. I like to live in boring places because they're boring. The Estate is a glaring exception."
"I guess you're right about the new place shiny. I'm sure our next visit to Ardeyn will take us to the dim back alleys of Hazzurium -- or the rolling cornfields. Either/or." Terry looks like he doesn't entirely buy this line of argument, but is willing to accept it for the moment.
She holds out her hand...."You aren't wrong, though. When I was born, I had the audacity to come out totally nude."
Terry takes Zaika's hand and shakes it, even as his face flushes again slightly. "So I was right after all. Now I know what cherubs look like when they grow up. Pleased to meet you again."
Terry holds onto Zaika's hand for half a beat too long, then realizes it, and lets go with a shake of his head. "I will do my best to keep my own butt out of there," he gestures toward the recesses of the infirmary.
Terry gets an awkward and instantly regretted finger guns from Charlie.
Charlie meets Sabine at one of the outdoor tables of the cafe. He looks a bit tired, but not overly so. He's apparently uninjured as well. When he sees her, his face explodes into a sunny smile.
"Hey," he says, awkwardly wondering if they're hugging yet, deciding probably not and sitting down across the table from her. "I'm back. Which you can see by looking at me being here. How are you?"
Director, if you're amenable, I'd like to come by after lunch to discuss the artifact. I'll bring it with me to show you the pertinent parts, both how to activate it, which should be avoided, and the part that I believe will require follow up attention. I appreciate your flexibility in this regard.
Charles Speck
After lunch, Charlie does in fact turn up at Ms. Manners's office with the game tucked under one arm.
"Hello?" A hushed, but urgent voice answers the phone. "Brian?"
"Hi, Amelia," answers Brian. "We found your friends. All four of them. They're safe now. Eric's giving everyone a ride home. They'll call you in the morning after they've had a chance to get some sleep."
"Omigod thank you so much," although she's trying to keep quiet, you can hear her voice break a little in relief. "I've been sooo worried. Thank you thank you thank you,"
"It gave me an appreciation for choosing to be around people who wanted me to be around rather than those that say one thing while not meaning it."
"I like to hope that, for the most part, that happens because someone is trying to be civil, or polite. Or because they don't know how to communicate effectively. That's pretty common for kids, too. Hopefully that happens less often to you now."
"How all encompassing are these factions on Ruk? I mean it sounds like if you hadn't become a part of the Estate your life would be heavily controlled by the needs and focus of the Quiet Cabal. Is that because of the importance of their task or are all the factions as consuming? Your experience seems much more than a job."
Aleph gets a little more animated at this question/observation, and while still holding Kari's hand, he's bringing her a little along for the ride as he starts gesturing while he responds.
"Factions on Ruk are about as close to mandatory as can be. It's near impossible to make a life for yourself there if you haven't pledged allegiance, or contract, to one of the major factions. So yes, if I hadn't moved over to work for the Estate, my life would have been tied to the Quiet Cabal until whenever it ended. And my general understanding from the friends I still keep in touch with there, and a long history to look over, is that every faction is like that. It's not quite like every day would be Quiet Cabal this and Quiet Cabal that, but… it would have been ever present."
"Just water for me," a grin, "I'd hate to change Chef Meric's flavors with an off choice."
After Dia delivers both meals, Kari pauses with utensil in hand. She looks at Aleph, "Do you want some of any of my dishes before I start? I know there are people who are uncomfortable with food off a plate that been eaten from."
"Same," Aleph says, finally relinquishing the light grasp he'd maintained of Kari's hand to move utensils around and position his plate in front of him. "Water is great. Thanks, Dia. I'm excited to see what adventure Meric planned for us." She inclines her head politely, smiles, and walks away from the table.
"I won't get into details while food is sitting before us, but… I lost any sort of squeamishness about sharing food and all of that a long time ago in my line of work." He says with an almost embarrassed smile. "Eat what you'd like to first, if there's any left over, I'd love to sample it."
He offers the same for his food; whatever Kari's preference is, as he has no particular concerns with sharing food that's been nibbled on or eaten around.
Although the dishes in front of the pair don't look like they'd work at all, tastewise, they do. The tart flavors of the first dish work miracles with the richness of Kari's caviar, which builds on the taste of the Peruvian noodle dish, and so on. It's a symphony of flavors, and Meric clearly makes art of the food he prepares. Aleph is eating with relish; not messy, but also not finding a lot of time to hold lengthy conversations beyond the occasional "oh wow, you really need to try these two things together, I don't even know how to describe the flavor".
The only thing he doesn't eat until Kari's at the same point in her meal is the dessert.
"That looks uncomfortable. I have been in my share of photos like that," he cocks his head to the picture, and nods, once. "I learned how to cut back before cell phones were a thing. Just Polaroids for a much younger me."
"Thankfully, I don't remember the actual discomfort. Only the discomfort of seeing the picture when I was sober, and wondering what sort of monster would call themselves a friend and take a picture like that one." She says this with mock outrage. "What's a polaroid?"
"I guess you're right about the new place shiny. I'm sure our next visit to Ardeyn will take us to the dim back alleys of Hazzurium -- or the rolling cornfields. Either/or."
"I hope not, they absolutely reek of pee. Yes, the alleys and the fields." She says with a chuckle. "But it's something I've thought about a lot. When we see a place over and over again, do we stop seeing what's special or beautiful about it?" She's picked up a pen and is tapping it against her chin in thought. "There was a village I stayed in for a while. It was… quaint. Little cottages, a market open during the day where everyone did their shopping. Boring conversations, lots of routine and repetition. If someone changed their hair a little, it stirred gossip. And if that's more what you mean… then yes, Ardeyn is full of places like that. Places that say PLASMA on them."
"So I was right after all. Now I know what cherubs look like when they grow up. Pleased to meet you again."
Zaika doesn't notice the slightly too long handshake, as she seems to have become flustered for some reason, and her cheeks are definitely rosier.
"I'll get back to you on that when a clever comeback wakes me up in the middle of the night in like, two weeks from now." She says, finally, with a grin.
"I will do my best to keep my own butt out of there,"
She opens her mouth, then closes it with a shake of her head and another smile. "More's the pity for me." Half a second later, "but okay, serious for a moment, do take care." Then, because she can't help herself, "or if you do break your butt, try do it on my watch. Aleph and the others probably won't have as good a time making fun of you for it."
Sabine shows up to the café wearing a yellow sun dress and sandals so minimal that they might as well not be shoes. They look like the sassy response to someone telling her "no shoes, no service". She also does the hesitation before sitting down, mirroring Charlie in her lack of certainty in hug etiquette.
"I'm back. Which you can see by looking at me being here. How are you?"
"I can see you here, yes, and in one piece, too! Which is all I could hope for." She smiles at him, reaching ineffectively for the cloth napkin that's about three inches further to the right than she was blindly grasping for as she maintained eye contact with him. "I'm doing well, thanks! I've been keeping busy with the whole… flower thing," she mumbles the last bit, dropping her gaze and blushing fiercely. She coughs a little and looks back up. "How are you? And the pod, and the kids?"
Very good. See you soon, Charles. Is her only response.
The office door is wide open when Charlie arrives. Kathrine has a holographic HUD up in front of her, and she's rapidly sliding documents around on the virtual overlay. Although she doesn't seem to notice Charlie, she does greet him.
"Hello, Charles. Please, have a seat, I'm just wrapping this up."
True to her words, a few moments later, with a downward sweeping gesture, the HUD disappears, and there's nothing between Katherine and Charlie but the desk.
"I appreciate you making time to see me in person. I'm sure you've been told that I don't require it, but I do very much appreciate seeing my Agents in person from time to time, so I can be sure they're still… well. I'm sure you know why." She gestures to the desk, indicating that Charlie should place the artifact there between the two.
"I'm doing well, thanks! I've been keeping busy with the whole… flower thing," she mumbles the last bit, dropping her gaze and blushing fiercely. She coughs a little and looks back up. "How are you? And the pod, and the kids?"
As she blushes, so does he, though he inhales deeply, trying to catch the wonderful floral scents that come from her.
"I'm good," he says. "The kids are all alive, though probably a little traumatized. They got stuck in a board game with Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees." He sighs, and says with a wince, "The pod is... mostly fine?"
Charlie puts the game on her desk and sits down where indicated.
"This is the artifact," he says without preamble. He quickly explains how it is activated, noting that he's not certain if someone can be compelled or if it has to be of their own free will. He goes over the rules of the game and the various threats encountered therein. "What I would like to draw your attention to is on the bottom. Crow Hollow Games. I recognized the name from my reading, and it could perhaps point to a more sinister origin."
When that conversation is over, Charlie pivots to the report. He runs down everything, point by point, from the moment they translated into Seattle. This, of course, must then include Kari's "bizarre and disruptive outburst," and mentions that it's part of a larger and troubling pattern of behavior. "In short, I'm concerned she's not adjusting well to this life, and for whatever reason, her frustration seems to be centered on me. I had not planned to mention it before this mission. There had been two instances that troubled me, and I suppose I was operating on a three strikes policy. As I mentioned, her insistence on hashing out friction entirely caused by her strange behavior, added with some of the other... well, as you say. The consequences of an unstable presence could be dire. I don't think we're there yet, however."
Sabine makes a little eek noise, then covers her mouth and lets out a nervous laugh. "Michael Myers is probably the last anything I'd want to encounter in a recursion. I'm glad the pod is mostly fine," she says carefully.
"I'd be traumatized too, thinking I was playing a board game and ending up in anything Crow Hollow produced," she grimaces a little. Then her features settle into something softer… then curious. "I have a question, and I hope it doesn't offend."
There's a digital menu on the table with a list of drinks and a very truncated, but still overwhelming, list of foods available to order. The menu in front of Sabine has been left untouched so far.
Katherine Manners listens with her full attention as Charlie explains first about the artifact, then about the potential issues arising in his pod.
At the comment about Crow Hollow, she frowns. "A wonderful recursion. And a recursion I badly wish I could ban without consequence. The Karum frequently visit there, finding artifacts and cyphers from all over the Strange, and beyond. It's a hotspot of activity and no matter how many Agents we station there, it doesn't seem to matter. It's nearly impossible to track people who have traveled through Crow Hollow. So yes, it does point to a more sinister origin, unfortunately. Thank you for the full report."
Without asking permission, Katherine pulls the artifact towards her, examines the outside of the box, then sets it to the side. "I'll bring it to the lab myself. Maybe there's something they can learn from it there before they file it away in the "junk no one is allowed to touch" pile."
She clasps her hands together and folds them on the desk, leaning forward slightly. Charlie again notices, especially after his visit with Sabine, just how antiseptic Katherine's office is. How absent of smell, absent of anything personal.
"The nature of the Strange, the Estate… it can be too much for those who end up here, working for us." She says, tone indicating that she's taking his observation very seriously. "Too many options. Too much power. Alienation can manifest in any number of ways. And I have cut off, mind wiped, and banished... a large number of people who couldn't handle it."
She pulls the digital HUD up again, quickly tapping a few symbols that bring up a document Charlie can't read from where he's sitting. Katherine's eyes flick over them, she nods to herself, then closes the file.
"Kari is also fairly young, which can be even more challenging. You take someone who still hasn't quite figured out who they are, and you give them the opportunity to be virtually anything or anyone else?" She'd be peering at Charlie over her spectacles, were she wearing any. "Do you need or want me to send someone I trust with your pod on your next mission? It would be done in good faith; not to babysit, merely to observe. If you decline that option, I trust you'll let me know if the problem becomes unmanageable. I know that you and your pod have not been acquainted long."
"I have a question, and I hope it doesn't offend."
"Of course," Charlie says.
He orders a turkey sandwich and some chips and fruit, then selects a drink that sounds like it's probably alien.
"Do you need or want me to send someone I trust with your pod on your next mission? It would be done in good faith; not to babysit, merely to observe. If you decline that option, I trust you'll let me know if the problem becomes unmanageable. I know that you and your pod have not been acquainted long."
Charlie sighs, weighing the options. "I should say that I don't know if the problem is unmanageable. As I said, I believe the outburst was intended to bury this hatchet she's convinced is between us. She had sensed my discomfort with her, which stemmed from those two previous incidents I mentioned, though why she decided to confront me in front of my coworkers and on a busy street as opposed to a private area in the Estate is frankly beyond me. If nothing else, it points to questionable judgment." He breaks off, his eyes darting back and forth as he makes calculations. "The behavior at the close of the mission was strange, and in a vacuum wouldn't be cause for alarm. However, I think it's part of a pattern. Additionally, she said she was going on a job interview, but never said why, merely seeming to assume we would know why. This makes me think she's looking for a way out. So, yes. I think we should have an observer."
Charlie clears his throat. "I... I don't know who you would choose, and I understand that disclosing this information is unnecessary since you don't have a Human Resources department, but you should not choose Sabine of Summer Meadows. She and I have gone on a date, and we have plans for at least one subsequent date. I have the utmost respect for her judgment, but I believe in this case there is a conflict of interest, and I would not want to put her in that situation regardless." Charlie is bright red, but he manages to keep a poker face throughout.
"What drives your interest in taking on missions for the Estate? You could just be… a traveler." There's no judgment in the question or the follow up comment, merely an intellectual curiosity.
She pulls the menu toward herself, absentmindedly tapping the screen while keeping her attention on Charlie.
There's a little ding noise after they've both placed their orders, and a polite voice says one moment, please. Rather than the immediate appearance of their food and drinks, a small robot on wheels, carrying a tray laden with items, rolls over to the table. The robot has a smooth glass face with no features, rather, there is a flickering cloud of rainbow light brewing behind the glass like a storm.
"Your order," it says politely in the same gender neutral voice as what came from the table moments ago.
In front of Charlie, his turkey sandwich, chips, fruit, and a tall drink that's glowing a violent orange, reminiscent of a volcano about to erupt. There's even a little steam issuing from the top.
"Give your xortzsnchaf approximately one minute to settle before consumption," the robot says to Charlie.
In front of Sabine, the robot deposits a bowl of noodles that are writhing of their own accord; inky black noodles with a generous dollop of vibrant yellow sauce. Sabine doesn't say anything about it, but the look in her eyes screams oh no. She clearly didn't look at what she ordered from the menu, and seems unwilling to send it back. Her drink appears to be milk.
"Would you like any pepper?" The robot asks Sabine blithely.
"N-no, thank you, this will be fine." She says, lips firmly pressed together, forced upwards into a smile. The robot's color cloud flashes a few times, then it rolls back around the corner to the hidden depths of the café's … kitchen?
"Anyway, sorry, back to the question," she says with great cheer, while absentmindedly spearing the noodles in the bowl until they stop moving.
Katherine nods her head at various points in Charlie's lengthy response.
"Getting out of working at the Estate is easy. We have no binding contracts. Getting back in after that? Much more difficult."
"I... I don't know who you would choose, and I understand that disclosing this information is unnecessary since you don't have a Human Resources department, but you should not choose Sabine of Summer Meadows. She and I have gone on a date, and we have plans for at least one subsequent date. I have the utmost respect for her judgment, but I believe in this case there is a conflict of interest, and I would not want to put her in that situation regardless."
Katherine looks surprised, then smiles, just a little, before resuming her professional stoicism.
"I trust Sabine, but I also think her work here is too important to start sending her out on field missions. Put your mind at ease, and thank you for the transparency. It makes our work together easier. No, I have someone else in mind. I would prefer not to say who until you've spoken with them and accepted the choice. They'll reach out to you within the day. Fair?"