2nd adventure: Proxy War

During the 15 to 20 minutes it took for Mihai, Fedler and Fredrick to get back at the beach.


Mihai cannot help himself but feel anxious over the deal he made with Snicker.

"Why are you so worried about it?" asks the voice.

"... If this ever happened again, would you still only charge 5 minutes, or would you start raising the tables?"

"Depends on what you ask for. If you want me to do something more complex, the price will be higher. However, I always try to be fair about it."

Mihai sighs. "Look, don't get me wrong, you've earned it and then some. There's just too much I don't understand. Last mission we did, we dealt with a case of possession that was a horror show."

"Oh, Lavoie. Right."

"You know. So I don't have to explain. I need to know you're not in any way related to the thing that had hollowed her out and took her body for puppet for six months."

"No, I am not. They are different from me. They take without giving anything in return. I have no interest in getting to know them either. Your group is so much more interesting."

"Fair enough. But then, I don't have to worry about some part of me starting to turn into a Fire Aspect if you keep doing this, right?"

"Of course not. Unlike them, I'm new to this place. It's quite lovely, if a little small."

"This place?"

Mihai can almost feel Snicker smile. "This world."

"Where were you before?"

"Oh, getting intimate are we? But we've just met. It wouldn't feel right to spoil this relationship by jumping right into such a serious topic."

"Fine. Just one other thing. You want me to keep my mouth shut about this, and fair enough. But do you expect me to do it for the rest of my life?"

"Of course not. Only until our deal is over. Although, I would personally suggest you never talk about me. Some people just become skittish when you mention disembodied voices talking to you."

“No, I just want to tell Fedler."

"Of course you do; the love of your life, the alluring hunter with the tragic past, and future. I envy such strong emotions."

"Future?"

"All the people dear to her heart are now dead, or gone. She's now a mercenary, going on dangerous missions, and risking her life for a few gold coins. I can only guess as what her future will bring, but nothing I see bodes well." There's a pause. "I'm sorry."

"Well, not if I have anything to say about it."

"I see." It seems to reflect for a second. "You know that? I kind of like you, so if Fedler is ever in mortal danger and nobody is there to help her, I'll make sure to lend a hand."

"Thanks. You know, I also thought of mentioning you to Blackcliff, but if you don't want me to go there, I’ll respect that."
It laughs. "I doubt he knows anything about me."

"Right. Maybe we should just keep from freaking him out then; just thought he might have something useful to bring to the table."

"Anyway, I can't say it won't scare me when you do your thing; prisoner in my own body and all. But like I said, you more than earned it."

"Oh, I've been thinking about it, a lot actually, and I know exactly when I'll hop in."

"Uh.... ok?"

"Oh, you don't want to know? I'll keep it a surprise then."

"Ok fine. Tell me."

"Dinner."

"Wait, what?"

"Dinner. You all make such a big deal out of eating, with these buildings dedicated to it, that I must experience it myself."

"I'll be right in front of Fedler! What did we talk about?"

"You don't want her to notice any change, right?"

"Right. It's more like... look I want to tell her eventually, ok? And I just don't want her to think back when I do and go ‘that time I saw him, it wasn't him’. Look if you really want to try eating so much, I’ll give that one to you for free. Like, I’ll take breakfast to my cabin, and you can hop in. And you can still have your ten minutes otherwise. But if she knocks on the door, I’m back in. Ok?"

"I'm tempted to say yes, but I would take advantage of you. Let me be clear; if I hop in, she would never notice.”

“Well, you might just call it a down payment for the next time I need your help. It's not about her not noticing. I never want to lie to her. About anything. Ever. Even if just by omission. Even if I can totally get away with it, and her never be the wiser."

"A down payment, uh? What kind of help would you want from me then?"

"I don't know. We'll cross that bridge when we got to it. And if then you think you'll want some more, you charge that, minus my tab."

"Okay then, but I want a good meal."

"Sure. We get to the galley, and you can have your pick."

"I take it to my room, and you can have a go. Just... don't stuff me too much, ok? I get full pretty fast."

"Oh, I know. So, we shake on it?"

"Sure. I don't have to swear this time, right?"

"Shaking on it is just another way of saying you swear."

"Ok, just don't send that shiver down my spine again."

"That's actually out of my control. Don't worry, it's just your body's reaction to the connection we make. There are no after effects."

"Ugh.... fine. Shake."

Mihai feels a chill course through his spine, but it's weaker than before.

"I'm glad we had this talk," says Snicker, quite happy. Maybe I'll even be part of your group one day; although, the disembodied state might be an obstacle to this friendship."

"Yeah well, we'll work on it,” replies Mihai.

"Now, I have to think how best to use those ten minutes."

"Well, it's a nice island out here, if you're out of ideas."

"You really don't want to lie to Fedler, right? You know what, since we're now friends, I will let you tell Fedler about me. We're on the same team after all."

"Like, now?"

"Anytime."

"Well, thanks."

"No need to thank me."

"Eh... well, uh... cool. Just gonna have to think of when and how."

"Sure thing. Now, I'll try to come up with a few ideas on how best to use those ten minutes."

"Ok."

Konrad and Steve would know that you cannot search for a source of magic like Breeze on such a grand scale as an island.In Breeze's case, you could feel her magic presence if you were a few meters away from her. If you still want to try, you will come up empty.

Mentally - "If Fedler takes it, put it on me instead. Still owe you breakfast, anyway."

A memory of Kira's smug, winking face flashes in his mind. It renews focus on the feeling of betrayal. Of his hatred. Just five minutes...

OOC: I want to see how Snicker responds to this, if at all.

"Understood."

"I could help you find her, if that's what you wish for."

This takes place during the conversation between Snicker, the party, and the Free Feathers squad. Steve just thanked Snicker for saving them from the storm, however it did it.

"You know, I’m curious about that myself,” thinks Mihai.

"Want me to reveal a magician's trick?" replies the disembodied voice.

“Well, it's just... Steve got paired with Zelk. Konrad is with Naomi; and I mean this is Konrad, I place the chances they're banging at over fifty percent here... and I get Fredrick. Just trying to understand here."

"I think she was with the man in rags."

"She was, yeah. So, you moved him here too? Like, could only move groups of people together?"

There's a pause. "I cannot feel the man in rags."

"So he brought her here on his own..."

"I assume so. I don't know what he is, but he's the most dangerous person on this island right now.

"Either way, I don't want to have to fight him. Not because I’m ordered to. Was that the same with Breeze? Couldn't move her?"

"She's a fairy," says Snicker, amused. "That should be the only answer you need."

"Interesting. Hey tell me something, if you hop into my body, she'll probably be able to tell, right? Picking up your thoughts, and all."

"I'm not sure myself, but I'm confident in my abilities."

"I just say that, because it would probably set people's mind at ease, if there was someone who could hard verify. Instead of me just giving my word afterward that I’m really me."

"She might be able to tell the difference, if you ask her to look for it."

"Would you mind if she did when you do? I just want to put Fedler at ease as much as i can."

"Of course. This compromise is more than fair."

"Thank you."

A short time after that, Snicker mentions to the whole party about Breeze who is eating waffles.

"Say... she's gotta be on the ship,” thinks Mihai. "I mean, you couldn't move her. She can fly. The Barracuda was the closest thing when we blacked out, and right now she's eating Waffles."

"You know the price for the answer to this question Mihai,” responds Snicker.

"Ok, ok. And I’ll pay it if need be. Just let me see what everyone else does. But anyway, do you think that breakfast would cover it, or would we go beyond that?"

"Didn't you want to use that solid to keep Fedler from making that deal?"

"You're right, and I do." He thinks for a moment. "I really need to get some time alone with her..."

Mihai can hear snickering. "Really?” asks the voice. “Didn't the two of you have some time alone just yesterday?"

"You know... I kinda assumed, but it's still not nice to know you're looking on stuff like that. It's called private time for a reason, you know. Anyway, I need to break this to her. She won't like it."

"No, she really won't."

"All the more reason I have to do it soon, while I have the nerve."

"You want a good reason to be alone with her then?"

"You got one?"

"No, I can't think of any. Why not let the others think you just want to be alone with her because she's your girlfriend?"

"It's unprofessional. And right now we're still under the gaze of Ms You-don't-need-to-know over there, and I’d be compromising Fedler along with myself. Real funny how you made me go into her cabin to check for you, by the way."

"Eh, you're the one who opened the door," retorts Snicker, who is quite entertained.

"I thought I had a lot on my mind, back then."