Random 98

This was going to be painful, wasn't it? "Spread out on different worlds. I've met some, but take my word for it; it's never been something I planned. There is... one whose childhood I was around for a few years relative to that world. I was convalescing, and eventually my reputation caught up with me.

"Now, aside from that last example, none of them really hate me. I think they're amused, up until it turns out they've got the curse, too. But then again," Sebastian said soberly, almost cheerful in his dread that this might get Sylvie to reconsider her priorities concerning him, "the sorceress granddaughter that I referred to earlier really has trouble with her tricks and cantrips."

Midara he wasn't going to even mention.

"The curse being your job, more or less?"

"More or less. And divine interventions." He blanched at some memory.

She squeezed his hand and leaned against him for a moment. "Good we're trying to get at least you out of it." Not that she liked the thought of anyone being somebody's puppet, but it was easier to keep apart when she had never met them personally. "Hmm... And it sounded like at least Auker thought we were ruining your reputation." She liked that thought.

He was about to answer affirmatively at the attempt to loosen the reins, but ended up laughing at the rest of her words once they hit. "I really love that thought," Sebastian spoke softly, leaning gently back at her. "I only know I think it's high time I deserved to be let off, especially... well, remember what I said concerning worries about who might replace me. That's just it. There are at least three children I know of, all grown up, and one granddaughter already several hundreds of years old by her own reckoning."

"Competent enough candidates, but it's not a fate you'd wish on them?"

He smiled, blinking rapidly. Being understood was a bit too new for him. "Exactly. I know... well. I could tell you about them. The only one I think really competent to deal with this... thing is Helmine. The one who hates me. She doesn't exactly like anyone, I gather."

Sylvie slowed down, eyes going wide. Slowly she said, "I think I may have met her. Briefly. At the Cross'd Roads."

"What?"

"Well, her name was Helmine and she looked rather like you. We only exchanged a few words. She had just left some army. I think it slipped my mind because that chicken-thing came back twice as big as before that day."

"Ch-- Hel--, ah, er." Sebastian looked properly taken aback and had to swallow. His mouth was suddenly very dry. "Well, she did look like me the last time I saw her," was all he managed to offer, looking worried.

"And the coincidences just pile up," Sylvie muttered, then, louder, "You're afraid of her?"

Recovering from the surprise, Sebastian shrugged. "I am. She's tough, ruthless. The last I saw of her before she bade me "fuck you and goodbye" was breaking someone's teeth. Several times, with that thing she calls a 'rifle'. That was after she shot the man in the food." A wince. "...by accident, when he was trying to rob her, thinking her and me too drunk."

Sylvie gave the half-elf a thoughtful look. "One family, clearly."

He winced again.

"Sorry. But, well, Kaisre... And I suspect what you said to Montmore that shut him up wasn't exactly a compliment. Hm. Speaking of him, I wonder if we could suggest Montmore instead. He could have excitement, and other people's scientific interest. And a secular agent suddenly working for gods..."

"I only do it in self-defense. She did it out of spite. One shot to the foot would have been enough, but to go about smashing his face in until the poor lad was no longer recognisable..." Sebastian protested, but went on to answer her arguments in any case. "You'd be surprised what I said to Montmore, but I agree he'll find it good for his career if he works with us on this. And a secular agent working for gods... that's revenge enough for me." He grinned, slightly.

"So, what did you say?"

He repeated the way he had said it in that unknown language, then provided a translation: "A red calf was never fast, and a fast calf was never fat. I did tell him I'd be out of here faster than he could say that."

"Ah, I see." She chuckled, and then fell silent. Don't borrow trouble, there's enough already.

He patted her side. "Worry later, act now. And the first, I'd think, is tea," he said, nodding at the street on which Fortuna's shrine was. "And waking up Auker."

"Yes. Or at least worry about current things. Family, later."