A Tempting Offer (before battle)
So... What is this splendid plan of yours?
I don't think there were words in this world expressive enough to describe that look on Heathcliff's face.
It was certain that he had very scant expectations for Don Quixote and her plans. But... there was this sliver of hope in his face that, maybe, just maybe... Don Quixote might rise to the occasion for once.
Mmh hm hm...!
It was unclear whether Heathcliff's internal struggle mattered much to Don Quixote, however. She began excitedly describing her plan.
Didst thou, Sir Heathcliff, ever hear tale of the ancient and legendary Fixer of Devyat' Association... The Red Sack?
The Red - what? Like Vergilius?
It is said that the legendary Red Sack carried out his deliveries no matter how terrible the terrain or how arduous the journey to all corners of the City! And with him was his sidekick, Reindeer-Man!
Forsooth! His magnificence hath given away gratuitous gifts for children of the City that he deemed to be 'kind'.
'Tis but common knowledge, Sir Heathcliff. He appeareth on the front cover of the Fixers Monthly every winter!
Don Quixote asked, sounding genuinely shocked to learn that Heathcliff did not know of this 'Red Sack'.
What makes you think I'd ever read rags like that...?
Fie to thee! 'Rags' thou sayeth? Manager Esquire! Surely thou hast heard of this magnificent publication?
<......>
I knocked on my ticking clock head. I didn't really feel the need to spell it out for her.
So none of thee has subscribed to it, then... Mine words fell on deaf ears...
A-anyhow! What matters to thee, Sir Heathcliff, is that thou endeavoureth to make thyself more presentable than anyone else for this occasion, is it not?!
Finally getting to the point, eh? Go on.
Marry, good Sir, a costume most befitting that occasion would be those of the Red Sack and his sidekick, Reindeer-Man!!!
Haah... This isn't going to end well, is it?
What, like those ridiculous Fixers del Atardecer Ardi-whatever?
'Tis not ridiculous! Fie, thou hast not even deigned to indulge mine only wish that we would cosplay Fixers del Atardecer Ardiente together! Thou hast not even given it a chance, indeed! Speak not on a matter thou knowest naught about!
With all that talk of a 'splendid plan', I thought you were actually going somewhere... But it all comes around to that Fixer nonsense again, eh?
Haah... Don't even have the energy to beat the sense into you. I'll get to it later. Five honest hits to the noggin should do it...
When the sliver of hope on Heathcliff's face was beginning to rapidly fade...
... Prithee, share thy thoughts of the Fixers that we have laid our eyes upon thus far.
What?
Embarrassing, were they? Remember! Were they not fancy and impeccably dressed? Close not thy eyes and heart. Speak!
Absolutely embarrassing sods, yeah. That spandex bloke from K Corp.? Looked like he leaped right out of a circus.
NAAAYYY! Lord Siegfried was not embarrassing! I say that his outfit was rather dashing, wouldst thou not agree?! Allow me to regale thee with information concerning the materials of its fabric, so that thy understanding -
<…….>
... Ahm. Excuse me. Huh?! Hie thee hither, Sir Heathcliff! I am yet unfinished!
Haah... Why's the girl so hyper today...?
W-well. Lord Siegfried is... a special outlier, mayhaps. But dost thou not agree that most Fixers are all rather well-dressed and wore honour upon their sleeves?
Honour upon their what? I don't know about that, but I suppose they were quite posh...
Verily! Follow thee I, and thou shalt see thyself dressed as impeccably and impressively as the Fixers are!
I-is that right? Sod it, I know shite-all about clothes or making myself look fancy...
Right, so let's say I go along with your plan. Where are we going to get them clothes? Honestly, everyone was right. Where are we even going to pick up clothes in the middle of a Lake?
Aha! Yet I have thought of that as well!
Recall the events of yesterday. The sirens that echoed across this bus. Dost thou remember?
Now that I think about it, there was a siren yesterday. It went off not long before I announced the close of business for the day.
<But Faust said that that Backdoor volatility wasn't anything for us to worry about.>
Yet I was curious. How, indeed, doth Faust determine which volatility is useful and which is not?! Thus, as all were crowded by the Backdoor, preoccupied with returning to their respective quarters...
I have, secretly and stealthily, availed myself the chance to take a glance at the screen!
<So you took a peep at the screen.>
You know how to read those complex symbols?
Nay, I myself had little hope of recognizing them. Yet, when I looked into them...
... amongst the symbols on that device were a pair of rather particular symbols I could very easily tell apart from the others!
Forsooth, 'twere symbols of the Red Sack and the Reindeer-Man! And next to them was a symbol indicating posh outfits!
... No. It can't be that simple.
Yeah, no. It can't be that simple.
I agreed with Heathcliff. However, Don Quixote remained enthusiastic as ever, as though she was already expecting him to say that.
Dost thou know?
Every so often, certain symbols appear on the numerous doors past the Backdoor.
... Huh?
Every respite, every passing glance... I made sure to watch them carefully!
And 'twas yesterday! When! In the corridor! I spied myself the exact door with the exact same symbol that I witnessed on the screen!
<... Don Quixote, you didn't...!>
'Tis my nature as an adventurer, Manager Esquire! Mine inability to quell the burning adventurous spirit. I prostrate before thee!
Know that I have taken the sneakiest of peeks. Marry, twas naught too foolhardy! I have only taken a small peek!
And if I were to regale thee that what I witnessed from within, that all my deductions and predictions have been proven true...
... could thee find within thyself compassion to spare mine soul?
You absolute muppet, why in the bloody hell do you keep doing what everyone tells you not to?
<Right, Heathcliff. I just don't understand why some people keep doing things that everyone tells them not to.>
... Ahem.
I remember when Heathcliff ignored all warnings and went into the restricted areas past the area of the corridor that we're allowed to use.
... We almost lost Heathcliff that day.
It was a tad different this time, however. Back then, Heathcliff had no idea what was beyond that door.
And this time, we do.
<Are you... suggesting that we call everyone over to explore that place?>
Nay! The three of us will be more than sufficient to handle this task. All tales begin with a party of three, indeed.
<... You're just scared of the 'consultation', aren't you?>
I-I have nary a clue as to what thou mayest be referring to~!
The answer to this predicament was right there. Tell them that it's too dangerous and shove them back into their respective rooms to rest up for tomorrow.
Manager Esquire... that zone... indeed, it appeared to be a place most peaceful to mine eyes...!
'Tis a simple task, is it not? All that we seek to do is to enter there and avail ourselves a few sets of clothes for Heathcliff...
It was obvious that Don Quixote wasn't helping Heathcliff out of the pure kindness of her heart.
Maybe she hungered for an adventure. Or maybe she thought she might be able to do that 'cosplay' of the Fixers she so admired.
But if we can find Heathcliff some nice clothes to put his heart at ease, then...
.......
... maybe I can do something about this before things get out of control. Like it did last time when I just let a Sinner's anxiety stew and exacerbate...
<... Fine. But we're turning around at the first sign of danger.>
Seriously...?
<Come on. You were willing to do it if it meant that you could pick up some clothes.>
... Well, I suppose we'll be okay as long as Clockhead's with us.
Heh heh... Well said. Then, let us reconvene tonight before Manager Esquire's quarters. We shall knock in the following rhythm: Knock, knock-knock, knock. Then, thou shalt whisper a secret code, to which then I -
Just go get some sleep.
... I really hope this won't be a waste of time.
We agreed on a precise time before returning to our respective rooms.