06-12-2017, 03:11 PM
As her fairy companions accepted the Faustian deal — eager at the chance to attain power and glory — and went on their own merry way, Tamsin continued to stare at the application form she was handed. She was somewhat taken aback by the fact that anyone could apply for the event. During the event that she had participated in, individuals were specifically sent out personalised invitations. But it appeared that, at least in this world, access to the event had become much less exclusive and more free-form.
Thinking about her past experience reminded the maid of the invitation she had received at that time. It was very distinct — aside from the title and signature, it was blank, completely void of any sort of content. Yet, that lack of words spoke volumes to her even then — it meant that the sender was well aware of the fact that she would follow her master to the very edges of the universe, if need be, and that she required no further persuasion or incentive to come with him to the event. With the written equivalent of silence, the mastermind behind the competition displayed a frighteningly firm grasp of their personal relationship.
But that was then. In this place, her employer — the Namek who was ever eager to prove himself superior to his father, the man in who's name she fought — was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, despite the fact that the event ultimately did not claim any lives, the servant still found her Dante's Abyss experience to be harrowing. As the reality of her present situation finally began to settle in, she felt uncomfortable even standing near the sign-up station of yet another such competition. To her, the promise of fame meant nothing, and she was none too eager to play any part in such a bloodsport again.
Yet, the fickle hand of fate ensured that circumstances would press her to seek out this place knowingly, even eagerly. Because as overwhelming as her fear and hesitation were, her curiosity was greater still. She needed an answer. She needed to know if he was here. And in the absence of other leads, she was willing to seek out even a source she dreaded — the very man that had sent her that blank letter so long ago.
'Um...miss? Are you alright? Was there something about the terms and conditions that was unclear?' came the voice of the station attendant, who had long since finished processing the applications of the small companions the maid arrived with.
This brought the maid out of her thoughtful stupor and she looked up with a confused stare: 'What? Oh, no, no, you...you were quite clear. It's just that, um....could I speak with Damon Dukes, please?'
'I...beg your pardon? Who?' the woman responded with her own perplexed glare. For the silver-haired girl, it was already a thoroughly disheartening response.
'D-Damon Dukes. H-he is the organiser of this event, is he not?' the servant continued with her inquiry, hoping in vain that she merely wasn't understood correctly.
'I'm sorry, but...to my knowledge, there is no one currently employed at Syntech that goes by that name. Are you certain you didn't make a mistake?'
Tamsin looked dejected. Had she really made a mistake? Was it really possible that the fact that this event mirrored the one she had attended in her own world to such a great degree really coincidental? Still, she had to admit to herself that the competition she attended had occurred in a different time and space entirely — much could have changed since then. And even if it hadn't, she never met Damon Dukes personally, knowing only what she was able to gather from the two letters she had received from him. For all she knew, the name 'Damon Dukes' could have just been an alias.
After pondering through the possibilities, the servant addressed the employee once more: 'U-um...I see. In that case, may I be able to speak with the director of your company?'
Caught somewhat off guard by this request, the woman asked: 'Is...there something you aren't satisfied with? Do you wish to file a complaint?'
'N-no, no, I....I am merely in need of information.'
'I am sorry, miss, but the director is a very busy man, particularly at this time. If there's anything you need assistance with, I am certain I-'
'PLEASE!' Suzaku suddenly burst out desperately, startling the Syntech representative. Her neurosis had begun to undermine her composure. 'It's important that I speak with the director! He is the only one who can answer my questions! You have to let me speak with him, please!'
Quite taken aback by the strength of the plea and the despair in the girl's voice, the woman raised her hands defensively: 'Miss, please, calm down...I....' Sighing, she rubbed her forehead before looking at the maid again: 'Do you have a communication device of any kind?'
'H-huh? N-no, I....I do not. B-but you have some means of communicating with your company headquarters, do you not? Please, it...it won't take long,' the silver-haired girl responded, persistent in her request, though she looked embarrassed and apologetic about her outburst.
Resigned, the woman responded with a nod: 'Alright. I can't give you any promises, but...I'll check to see if I can get in touch with him.'
Tamsin bowed deeply in gratitude: 'T-that is all I can ask. Thank you kindly.' Shaking her head, the Syntech employee left her post to look among the equipment she had at the back of the station.
Despite her usually patient nature, Tamsin rubbed her hands nervously as she awaited to see if the attendant would be successful. She felt her chest tightening as her sense of unease continued to mount. She was not certain what outcome she feared more — not getting the answer she was hoping for or not getting an answer at all.
In this tension, minutes seemed to drag on endlessly. But eventually, the female employee returned, holding out what appeared to be a phone. 'You're in luck, miss. I've managed to reach the director and he has agreed to speak with you. But please, keep it brief.'
Strongly resisting the urge to snatch the device, Suzaku accepted the phone with both hands, nodding gratefully. Bracing herself with a deep breath, she brought the receiver to her ear: '...H-hello? This is Tamsin Suzaku of Servus. Are...are you Damon Dukes?'
Thinking about her past experience reminded the maid of the invitation she had received at that time. It was very distinct — aside from the title and signature, it was blank, completely void of any sort of content. Yet, that lack of words spoke volumes to her even then — it meant that the sender was well aware of the fact that she would follow her master to the very edges of the universe, if need be, and that she required no further persuasion or incentive to come with him to the event. With the written equivalent of silence, the mastermind behind the competition displayed a frighteningly firm grasp of their personal relationship.
But that was then. In this place, her employer — the Namek who was ever eager to prove himself superior to his father, the man in who's name she fought — was nowhere to be found. Furthermore, despite the fact that the event ultimately did not claim any lives, the servant still found her Dante's Abyss experience to be harrowing. As the reality of her present situation finally began to settle in, she felt uncomfortable even standing near the sign-up station of yet another such competition. To her, the promise of fame meant nothing, and she was none too eager to play any part in such a bloodsport again.
Yet, the fickle hand of fate ensured that circumstances would press her to seek out this place knowingly, even eagerly. Because as overwhelming as her fear and hesitation were, her curiosity was greater still. She needed an answer. She needed to know if he was here. And in the absence of other leads, she was willing to seek out even a source she dreaded — the very man that had sent her that blank letter so long ago.
'Um...miss? Are you alright? Was there something about the terms and conditions that was unclear?' came the voice of the station attendant, who had long since finished processing the applications of the small companions the maid arrived with.
This brought the maid out of her thoughtful stupor and she looked up with a confused stare: 'What? Oh, no, no, you...you were quite clear. It's just that, um....could I speak with Damon Dukes, please?'
'I...beg your pardon? Who?' the woman responded with her own perplexed glare. For the silver-haired girl, it was already a thoroughly disheartening response.
'D-Damon Dukes. H-he is the organiser of this event, is he not?' the servant continued with her inquiry, hoping in vain that she merely wasn't understood correctly.
'I'm sorry, but...to my knowledge, there is no one currently employed at Syntech that goes by that name. Are you certain you didn't make a mistake?'
Tamsin looked dejected. Had she really made a mistake? Was it really possible that the fact that this event mirrored the one she had attended in her own world to such a great degree really coincidental? Still, she had to admit to herself that the competition she attended had occurred in a different time and space entirely — much could have changed since then. And even if it hadn't, she never met Damon Dukes personally, knowing only what she was able to gather from the two letters she had received from him. For all she knew, the name 'Damon Dukes' could have just been an alias.
After pondering through the possibilities, the servant addressed the employee once more: 'U-um...I see. In that case, may I be able to speak with the director of your company?'
Caught somewhat off guard by this request, the woman asked: 'Is...there something you aren't satisfied with? Do you wish to file a complaint?'
'N-no, no, I....I am merely in need of information.'
'I am sorry, miss, but the director is a very busy man, particularly at this time. If there's anything you need assistance with, I am certain I-'
'PLEASE!' Suzaku suddenly burst out desperately, startling the Syntech representative. Her neurosis had begun to undermine her composure. 'It's important that I speak with the director! He is the only one who can answer my questions! You have to let me speak with him, please!'
Quite taken aback by the strength of the plea and the despair in the girl's voice, the woman raised her hands defensively: 'Miss, please, calm down...I....' Sighing, she rubbed her forehead before looking at the maid again: 'Do you have a communication device of any kind?'
'H-huh? N-no, I....I do not. B-but you have some means of communicating with your company headquarters, do you not? Please, it...it won't take long,' the silver-haired girl responded, persistent in her request, though she looked embarrassed and apologetic about her outburst.
Resigned, the woman responded with a nod: 'Alright. I can't give you any promises, but...I'll check to see if I can get in touch with him.'
Tamsin bowed deeply in gratitude: 'T-that is all I can ask. Thank you kindly.' Shaking her head, the Syntech employee left her post to look among the equipment she had at the back of the station.
Despite her usually patient nature, Tamsin rubbed her hands nervously as she awaited to see if the attendant would be successful. She felt her chest tightening as her sense of unease continued to mount. She was not certain what outcome she feared more — not getting the answer she was hoping for or not getting an answer at all.
In this tension, minutes seemed to drag on endlessly. But eventually, the female employee returned, holding out what appeared to be a phone. 'You're in luck, miss. I've managed to reach the director and he has agreed to speak with you. But please, keep it brief.'
Strongly resisting the urge to snatch the device, Suzaku accepted the phone with both hands, nodding gratefully. Bracing herself with a deep breath, she brought the receiver to her ear: '...H-hello? This is Tamsin Suzaku of Servus. Are...are you Damon Dukes?'
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