Scáthach: World Walker

06: Debriefing and a New Friend

The sound of the room was broken up by the jarring impact of my heel on ice, followed by the large mass of ice, stone, and imprisoned Fey Princess moving through the cavernous room lined with empty daises. It was rather loud.

“I know you have magic that could levitate the girl. Why are you moving her this way?” Sam asked, trailing behind me and cigarette alight.

“Sometimes simplest is best. I could levitate the girl and her cage, true, but that holds risks of the cursed ice interfering. The intent in the Winter Queen’s magic didn’t fully consider someone kicking the ice enough, meaning transport this way is, if anything, a far surer matter as it has far less to interact with that could cause issues,” I lied through my teeth sweetly.

Well, that was a disservice. My words were truthful, but my real reason was I simply wanted to annoy Sam.

The chances of her being aware were marginal , although one I couldn’t quite dismiss. That sort of isolation was a Hell of its own. What I did know, however, was that kicking her icy cage wasn’t hurting her.

“Uh huh,” Sam said, clearly agreeing with me. “Well, get her onto the dais here,” the man that was not a man said, gesturing at an empty one.

I tilted my head, calculating trajectory and gave a solid reinforced kick. The sheer mass of the frozen Fey princess and her prison resisted momentarily before sailing upward in a clear trajectory to land clearly on the center of the dais. The princess was even upright.

“A lovely shot, don’t you think?” I said.

Sam snorted. “I got it from here. Gonna have to do a full analysis of her state, see if she’s even alive beneath all that cursed ice and not just a preserved corpse, although she does seem to be the world heart, so there’s bound to be something more to her,” Sam said, bringing his hands out. A golden glow tinged with red erupted in a circle around, forming gold chains that wrapped around the ice. They immediately began to frost over.

“Damn, you weren’t kidding about this being cursed. It’s not intelligent, thank fuck, but it is lashing out and trying to spread. Probably going to curse anything it comes in contact with, too,” Sam growled, binding it up in even more chains. Wings and eyes began to emerge, each looking at the ice prison and the girl from a different angle.

“My thoughts, more or less. It’s one reason I didn’t try to do much on the other side. Aside from the deteriorating state of that world and its possible imminent collapse into the void,” I noted, tapping my arm.

“Good bet. Gonna have to reinforce this whole area and keep an eye out to monitor things…” Sam muttered as he walked in a circle, looking from other angle.

I watched a bit longer as he seemed to forget me. Several of his wings did have particularly low lying perspectives…

“My, leering at a defenseless maiden from such a compromising position? I didn’t know you were such a man. Should I be worried about my chastity?”

Half the eyes turned to view me. Sam didn’t. “You’re no fucking maiden and we both know it. Go rest up or explore in The Office or something, let me work in peace,” he said.

I laughed, departing.

~~~~

I hummed a little tune from my childhood as I nudged the Winter Queen’s crown. Perhaps a little more to the left?

“No, the light glints a too much. Could be seen as too radiant, not enough malevolence,” I commented, nudging the crown back into the shadow a bit. “There we go,” I smiled, nodding at the subtle malevolence it gave from a simple trick of the light.

The room remained otherwise spartan, but I was very happy with my newest acquisition. I’d fill it out with curios worthy of the name with time.

Leaving my room and prize behind, I stepped out into the Residential Hall. I had taken a short rest, including positioning my prize, but I highly doubted Sam was nearly done with his analysis.

Which left me with ample time to wander.

I must admit I had an itch, being in such a new place with surroundings I hadn’t scouted out and taken the measure of. It was far from discomfort, but it was a bother. It was far from a thing that would kept me from rest or even discomfort, but there was a lingering desire to explore, to map out my new surroundings.

But, where to? I recall a martial training sector sign which had looked interesting, but there was more to the residential Hall as well, including an elevator.

…

I somewhat wanted to ride the elevator. I knew what it was, of course, from memories of the dead souls who’d slipped their way into my realm.

“Decisions, decisions…” I muttered when I already had an answer.

The elevator lie at the end of the hall. Branches led elsewhere, but I only had eyes on the prize. Buttons led three floors up, or three floors down, with the current floor being the ‘first’ floor.

I clicked a button.

Was it strange, how giddy I felt to see the door open? The mildest trepidation I felt clicking a button for a floor upward? The way my spine tingled as my weight shifted as the elevator hummed to life, or the softest exhalation as the door opened to reveal a new coridor that led to parts unknown?

Odd transportation was nothing new for me. Boats that had no wielders, ships of glass that traveled to other realms, people who could shift to birds and flying monsters, horses that ran across the surface of the ocean, music that lulled you to sleep and in turn brought about a new world, and one particularly burly man who claimed he could make anyone ‘fly’ by just throwing them really far. Of the bunch, the last had been my favorite. Sadly, a swarm of Fay drakes ate him. I had warned him not to pet the ducks, but the lovable oaf had persisted to the very end.

But, seeing a ‘mundane’ method was remarkable. I supposed it could be magical, but I sensed nothing particularly supernatural in their operation, I heard the rumbling of the motor, shifting of gears, and more. It was all something that could be done by someone with no connection to magic. Nothing but time, effort, and an understanding of the natural world.

Slowly, my gaze fell to the down button. I pressed it again, feeling no drop in the excitement as I was brought down to the first floor once more.

…

I may have repeated the process twenty times.

I was only stopped by the fact that on my twentieth time going up and down the elevator that one of the residential apartments opened, revealing a young woman in her 20s. She wore a crisp, dark green suit with red piping forming a vague hour glass figure on the military-esque uniform. She blinked at me through silver bangs, frozen mid sip from a bottle of water.

There was a short and awkward pause as we both regarded each other. My hand was still on the button for the elevator. I may also have had somewhat excited body language.

We stared.

She stared. I stared.

We stared.

“Greetings,” I said.

Finally, she snorted, before letting out a a light, feminine laugh. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Somewhat,” I admitted blankly. I decided to quickly focus on her appearance.

She flipped her silver hair, and I noticed it was only partially so. The roots were going blonde. Some sort of dye? Additionally, while her suit had a distinct military bearing, it was oddly blank, with what looked like places for decorations.

Soldiers and warriors were two very separate things, but they both liked their small bits of decoration, of acknowledgement.

Odd.

“Since I don’t recognize you and there’s only one other woman with long purple hair here and she doesn’t wear a skinsuit, I assume you must be the new hire Sam found. Scáthach, correct?” the young woman said.

I inclined my head softly, not taking my eyes off her.

“Interesting term to use, given the purpose Sam endorses,” I said.

The woman shrugged. “He and his benefactor offer housing, benefits, and resources in exchange for services in pursuit of their goals. It’s close enough to employment as far as I’m concerned. Tanya Degurechaff, Agency Armorer and Strategic Adviser, ” she said, offering a hand.

I tilted my head before slowly nodding. That made a sort of sense, if not one I fully agreed with. Her titles were of more immediate interest to me, though. Weaponry was something I’d held a deep fascination with for a very long time, a passion that led me to excel almost all others I’d ever known.

To be an armorer of a group that traveled worlds sounded fascinating.

I took her hand in the more modern manner. Her grip was strong. It matched the toned muscles I’d spotted.

“Scáthach of Dún Scáith,” I said back. “Witch, huntress, and wanderer, in no particular order.

“Well, it is good to have more personnel. We’re short staffed as it is. I’ve even had to take some missions, even if it is my preference to take a more logistical role. Tell me, have you gotten the full tour yet?” Tanya asked.

“Sam? Sadly, he left this poor maiden wanting. I don’t suppose you could step up?” I asked, exaggerating my tone and adjusting my stance.

Tanya stared, a smile on her face I knew to be fake. What it concealed, I didn’t know, but my casual flirting hadn’t hit as I’d quite expected. Interesting…

“Well, figures Sam didn’t quite get you acclimated. I guess it falls to me? Did he at least inform you about the Office?” Tanya finally asked, stepping up to the elevator herself.

“He did mention it as an extradimensional space that shifts. Also to watch the vending machines,” I commented, stepping aside as Tanya hit a button.

I did not get giddy about riding the elevator again.

I. Did. Not.

“Ah, that’s good. He is not kidding about the vending machines. They are surprisingly cunning,” Tanya commented, making me even more curious about them.

“Indeed,” I breathed.

Tanya raised an eyebrow. “I suggest–”

I raised a hand. “No spoilers, please. I would rather find out myself.”

Tanya stared like I’d grown a second head or suggested drinking poison to soothe an upset stomach. Then her face smoothed over. “Ah. I think I understand. Well, field agents are always particular…” she said.

I was curious into her thoughts there, but didn’t pry further.

“Truth be told, it’s amusing how small the Corrections Agency is. I’ve seen accountancy firms bigger than it, nevertheless militarized bases. Well, assuming you don’t count the Office. I’m fairly sure multiple Earths could could fit in there,” Tanya commented after a few moments.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a paper, plastering it on the elevator wall with… tape. Simple, if practical.

On it was a map of sorts.

East Wing

• Residential Sector - East Wing 1F

• Guest Rooms – East Wing 1F

• Recreational Rooms – East Wing 2F

• Library - East Wing 2F

• Cafeteria – East Wing 2F

• Agricultural Sector –East Wing B1

Central Hub

• Operations Room - 1F

West Wing

• Armory - West Wing 1F

• Research and Development – West Wing 2F

• Martial and Training Sector – West Wing 2F

• Storage and Containment – West Wing B1

WARNING:

• The Office (CAUTION: UNSTABLE) - South 1F

Seeing it all laid out, I found myself reminded of old from my youth. Not some of the Fay touched supernatural labyrinths, or the palaces of later eras, but rather more of the functional forts made to keep a lord, his family, and his people safe for a time as he mustered warriors.

Still…

The elevator opened, but I didn’t step out. Instead, I raised an eyebrow at Tanya.

Tanya shrugged. “It’s something that bugged me for a while. There should be more maps and directories. I understand why Sam didn’t prioritize it given how small the Agency is, but it is an addition I felt necessary,” Tanya said.

“From your wording, I’m surprised you haven’t put it up already, given you sound like you’ve been here some time,” I mentioned.

“Second to Sam, outside his patron. I…” Tanya went blank, and sighed. “I suppose you should get used to there being no happy stories with our recruitment. Suffice it to say, like you, Sam found and recruited me.”

Tanya flipped her hair with another sigh. “As for actually putting up the signs, I do. Someone keeps taking them down or modifying them,” the silver haired girl finished with a rather adorable growl.

I noted that as a possible teasing point, but it did bring another point up. “How many are here, anyway?”

Tanya shrugged once again. “The number varies. Some people come and go. Or they decide they don’t want to be in the process of halting inevitable entropy of entire worlds and simply wish to retire on some suitable world to their tastes. Some of the choices there have been… questionable,” Tanya finished. “Still, I’ve seen as many as fifty here, but right now it’s more like a dozen. Like I said, stretched thin, and I’m glad to see you’re here.”

“I couldn’t resist a chance to save worlds,” I said. It was the truth. I also would have asked Sam to kill me if he couldn’t have severed my connection to the Realm of Shadows.

I suppose there weren’t many options.

But something she mentioned did intrigue me. “You mentioned retirement. People who join are free to leave?”

Tanya gave me a small smile. “It was one of the first things I checked. Sam is… remarkably benevolent, in his offers. If you ever decide to quit, he can drop you off on a world of your choice. That’s how many leave. The others…” she trailed off.

I didn’t need to hear more. I’d faced two beings on my first mission who, deteriorated or not, would have killed most mortals, including most magi. Some never came home, I suspected.

We walked a time, passing many small rooms Tanya just noted were ‘there if they were needed’, before coming to a cafeteria.

It was very modern looking, and had a large kitchen, numerous tables lined up, and chairs. It was also empty.

Tanya scanned the room before settling on a specific table. “Ah, we have a pest,” she said, walking up to the table.

It looked identical to the others except…

The coloring on its surface. It was a bit different, and the marble coloring atop was slightly browner than others, if ever so slightly. A few seconds of observation showed the slightest shift, like a minuscule release of breath, or twitch, in the texture. So tiny as to be near unnoticeable.

I was prepared to act. Things that disguised themselves as furniture were rarely benevolent, and Tanya for all that she seemed to be a soldier and possessed magical energy, hadn’t displayed any overwhelming power.

I was also curious as to how she would handle the mimic. Would she empower herself for kinetic strikes? Would she utilize the sidearm at her side, or perhaps pull the blade from her boot?

Instead, Tanya kicked the table’s leg. “Oi. You know you’re not allowed in here. Get,” she said sternly.

There was a… whimper, like sound, before the table… skittered out, legs folding like some insect as it left the room.

I blinked.

“Like I said, a pest, if a harmless one. It likes to eat scraps. Kurama adopted it from the Office a while back, but it’s banned from the Cafeteria because of the mess it made last time,” Tanya said, shaking her head.

I blinked again.

“Anyway, kitchen is stocked. Sam is a surprisingly good chef when he wants to be, but we have been taking turns cooking. Fresh produce from the Ag Sector below, plus some stuff from grocery stops. Also practically infinite quantities of mediocre coffee, and three cheese pizza,” Tanya said, gesturing at a pizza box.

By way of example, she took a slice from it and it. The moment I looked away it was back, and Tanya was chewing. “One of the nicer things Sam found in the Office. The coffee machine has an infinite supply too, but it always taste different. Only guarantee you have is that you are getting coffee.”

I finally found words. “Interesting,” I said, going to poke the pizza box and pulling a slice. As with Tanya, the moment my awareness shifted away, the pizza was full again.

“Ever refilling… is it remembering the intended shape and utilizing magical energy to recreate the loss mass?” I pondered, before shaking my head as I flashed through a few air runes only to discard them. “No, nothing is being drained, ambient mana is steady. Perhaps…”

Tanya giggled, disrupting my train of thought. “You’re not the first to ponder how it violates thermodynamics. I’ve found The Office is often illogical in the extreme, but feel free to investigate. I’ve made my peace in not understanding it all, but I would appreciate any conclusions you draw. For now, grab a plate, another slice, and let’s talk. I’d like to get to know my new coworker and field agent. Just who are you, Miss. Scáthach?” she said, patting the table.

Something about her offer briefly caught me off guard. When…

When was the last time anyone had invited me to eat with them? I’d eaten with warriors who came to my realm, even the very rare magus using ingredients from my garden I’d maintained in the small patch of life around my palace in the Realm of Shadows, but…

When was the last time I had been invited to a meal with another?

I…

I couldn’t remember.

Something shifted in my chest, a deep feeling I didn’t care to investigate. Instead, I smiled, softly. “I would love that, Tanya.”

~~~~

AN:

HiddenMaster: I am rather happy with how this chapter came out. I’ve long intended there to be numerous other characters inhabiting the Corrections Agency from across the multiverse, and Tanya Degurechaff.

One thing it must be noted here is she is significantly older than in the anime depiction. This is post war Tanya by a long shot and well into her twenties.

To be here implies some aspects of her story and its outcome that will be explored later on.

But yeah, this was more or less a breather chapter showing more of the Agency, and another character Scáthach will interact with.

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