OF WHAT BEFELL OUR COMPANY UPON OUR DEPARTURE FROM THE RED GAZE'S HANDS (after battle)

Your... transformations... I must say, I haven't seen anything like it before.

That enough demonstration for you, you twit?

... Fine. I'll admit, you've got some skill.

Ooh, they're not half bad! We always welcome cooperation with fellow Fixers who can carry their own weight.

Hey, I recognize you. I saw you guys busily chatting away back at the WARP train platform. My name's Romero, by the way.

You just sat there and watched as your men were out here fighting?

Yeah, but the fight was already underway when I got here. And I doubt I would've been able to talk them out of it. Besides, I had a feeling that you guys could hold your own against my men.

So please allow me to ask for your understanding. They're not bad people; they're just on edge. Anyone would be after what they've gone through in their struggles against the Bloodfiends.

You have my understanding. Hunting entities such as those who lie beyond the ken must plant seeds of doubt in many a heart of men.

Right. And I do agree with them, at least partially. The bar set by P Corp. and the Hana Association for Fixers participating in this contract is... shockingly low and indiscriminate.

If it were up to me, I would've set a more strict set of conditions.

His friendly smile faltered slightly as he gestured around the empty lot.

Look around, over there by the command tent. Just one look at who we're working with, and I'm sure it'll become plenty clear that they don't know what they're walking into. They should've hired only the professionals to take on this contract.

<Around the command tent...?>

We all simultaneously turned to look at the large, noisy tent.

Wow. Chat, is this for real? There was a huge brawl by the entrance! It's real amateur hour out here, guys. Can you believe that I gotta stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these idiots for the contract...?

What... the hell is he doing?

In the distance, we saw some guy running his mouth and striking several exaggerated, dramatic poses at a tiny device - most likely a camera of sorts.

... I... no, we have all had experience with someone like him in the past.

<That guy reminds me of a certain someone...>

... He's taking pics like that guy, Siegfried.

He ran around for a while, visiting every corner of the empty lot, trying to get every detail in the frame...

... and suddenly started striding toward us in an annoyed gait.

Hello, yes, you guys over there!

H-hast thou called upon us?!

Do you mind loitering around somewhere else? Shoo, you're getting in the way of my viewers, guys.

But... you're literally in our way. Guy.

He whipped his attention back to the camera as though he was pretending not to hear what Ishmael said, or as if he decided that her words weren't worth entertaining.

Oh, you wanna know where I am? Hold onto your seats, guys. I'm at the Backstreets of District 16. Yep, where P Corp. is!

Oh yeah. Remember the P Corp. 150 Vintage Semi-permanent Canned Ice Cream unboxing & review livestream? Yep, the very same. Unfortunately, I'm not here to eat ice cream today.

So I've been meaning to ask... who's that fella even talking to? The heck's he doing?

I think he's talking to his 'viewers' who are watching his show...

It appears that he is the host of a certain show. It has been reported that, in certain parts of the City, a new culture of "livestreaming" via those cameras has been on the rise.

What a rude piece of work. Don't let him get ya down, kiddo~

What... what a...

H-huh...?

Sob... what a glorious day it is...

Behold! This man is Sir Camille of Cinq Association West, his name honored as one of the 'Top Ten Up-and-coming New Generation Fixers' featured in the October issue of 'Fixers Monthly', one of the big three Fixer Magazines of the City!

I know we say this every single time, but most people don't know what - Haah, nevermind.

How?! Have ye not hearken'd when I shared this news of grave significance aboard the bus?! Hath none of you heeded mine words!?

Are you mad? Why would I listen to you when I can nap instead?

Such haranguing over a winding path... is oft a cause for sickness on the road, Miss Don Quixote.

The grumbling Sinners clearly existed outside Don Quixote's world; she was breathing very heavily, a look of admiration clear on her face.

Heeugh... I for one did not imagine even in mine wildest dreams that I should be shaking hands with Sir Camille in person...

... Of course, no one 'shook hands' or exchanged the simplest pleasantries with Camille just yet.