Conflict! They Were Spirited Away!

Suzuné? What brings you out this way?

Right now? I don't have anything else going on... Sure, I'll go with you.

Your client won't be makin' it...

Renri? What are you doing here?

In a manner of speakin', they've been spirited away.

Wh-What do you mean?

The family that requested your services are wealthy big shots around here, right?

Well, they might have made ripples in the business world, but their whole fancy front is made of papier-mâché. From what I hear, they used to be swimmin' in git 'til a couple of bad ventures left 'em broke as a joke.

But they couldn't kick their lavish lifestyle after growin' so used to it, so they did what had to be done to keep up appearances...

Borrow money?

Bingo. But ya can't keep a noble family like that afloat with just any old loan... So the head of the family stuck his greedy hands into a not-so-licit cookie jar.

One problem. The old man kicked the can before he could pay off the accrued debt he owed to a skeevy organization. So, of course, the ones left behind find out about all this and all hell breaks loose as they try to clean up his mess... But before they could figure out how, the big, bad cookie-collectors jumped in and snatched their property, rights, and bodies.

Sorry, did you say "bodies"?

Two reasons, actually. The first is that the sharks who lent out the money are part of an organization I've been tailin'. The second is that the organization is tryin' to sell the related individuals as collateral for the debt, and among them... ...Is the person you hired me to find. I'm sorry, Suzuné.

Yeah. We finally found 'em. It appears they were employed at the noble house, working as a servant...

In the wind... This organization doesn't mess around... People who get sold off by 'em don't leave so much as a hair behind. That's why they call it gettin' "spirited away."

(My guess is that they sell 'em to another time layer... How else would they disappear like that?)

The one thing on our side is that they're the type to make sure all their ducks are in a row before they act... We should still have time left before they're ready to feed the fish, if you catch my drift.

That also means they must be keeping them all locked up somewhere, right?

Stay cool. The keyword is "somewhere." Macaron's lookin' into that as we speak. But while she does that, we should find out if anyone else saw or heard what went down at the noble's estate.

I'll help in any way I can as well! Hearing stuff like that happening, on top of Suzuné's missing person being involved, I can't just sit still and do nothing.

First, we hit the tavern!

Relax! We'll be there for business only. The only thing I'm hungry for is some answers!

(...Did her stomach rumble as she said that?)

Any leads?

Nothing...

They're all keepin' it under lock and key. Maybe we could loosen a few lips if we ordered a few appetizers to pass around...

N-Not for us, of course...

Renri! I picked up a promising prospect!

S-Suzuné!

Wait, what? You know this person?

It's a...complicated history.

Do you know something, anything at all, about this organization?

Ah, I ain't not so unsure about this...

Don't even think about pullin' a fast one!

I...can't say no to you. I'll tell you. Anythin' goin' on in this city havin' to do with that organization happens through this one gang they got on their payroll. They go by "the Water Wasps."

How'd you find out about this?

You know, after I got kicked to the curb from the Moochelor Pad...

(...Moochelor Pad?)

(...Moochelor Pad?)

...I stuck with that food delivery job. Well, for a bit, at least... ...'Til I met this woman at one of my delivery spots. One thing led to another and next thing I know, I'm livin' with her... Well, it ain't wasn't long after that that I was back to free-loadin'...

Riica called it... The crooked wheel kept turning left.

Hey, you might think I'm bad, but trust me, this lady was far worse... In fact, she's a member of the organization you're after. When they found out we were goin' steady, the Water Wasps came out of nowhere and bagged me...

You've really been through the deep end, huh?

When my senses finally came back to me, I found myself behind bars, in some kind of prison-lookin' place... And lots of others were there too, locked in their own cages, payin' for whatever it was they did wrong.

If you were really in there, then how are you out here now sharin' this sweet story?

I swear to you, I ain't don't got no idea. The leader of the Water Wasps just told 'em to let me go or somethin' like that.

Maybe one of the gang members is actually a friend of yours?

If so, it ain't nobody I can think of... They did make sure to give me a real good beatin', but they let me go after that.

With all the knocks to the head they gave me, I slept for most of bein' moved, but I don't think we was on Eeza... It was like a prison, floatin' in the sky, but also long out of use, like some ruins, so the organization had free run of the place.

Wait... That sounds like Gulfagin!

Huh... It's definitely away from pryin' eyes. It'd be the perfect place to hide whatever they wanted. I think it's a strong contender.

They also told me not to say anythin' about what went on in there, so... ...I mighta just written a death sentence for myself by sharin' all this.

But for you, Suzuné, I'd write a whole damn paragraph.

I ain't won't never be able to repay you for all you did for me.

I'll ask a friend of mine in the COA to keep you safe for helpin' us.

Th-That's a relief! Thank you!

Now that we have a lead, it's a race against the clock! I'd say it's time for a good old B & E! If our deduction was right, we need to take the fight to them while those taken are still on board!

(Knowing this organization...) (If the "merchandise" abducted by the Water Wasps get deported to another time layer, trackin' em down will be impossible...)

Our friend in the sky, Synth Hydra, should be able to get us close enough to board.

Well, that answers "the how," so what're we waitin' for?

Huh? How'd you get in here?

Draw!

Renri!

They weren't live rounds! Don't worry, he's just knocked out. We aren't in a position to hesitate even for a second.

Everyone! Come quick!

We found them...

I-I say! Who are you to keep us here?!

Like, I don't know who you think you are, but I won't let you lay a finger on them!

Finally, some good news, looks like we got here in time.

Don't worry, we're not with the bad guys! We've come to get you out of here.

...So I say, but what's with this high-tech door? This is some top-brass security.

We need to hack it. Macaron, you're up!

You got it!

Huh?! Suzuné! That girl...

So the person you were searching for...

She looks just like her... We're in the same time layer, right?

I double and triple-checked her background to be sure... She's the real deal.

Got it! Open up!

That's my partner! I love you, Macaron.

What a coincidence! I love you too!

The Synth Hydra is waiting outside! Quick, let's get out of here before they notice!

What the hell do ya mean "before they notice"? Wise guy, you've got a ship the size of half a village flyin' around!

What?!

...Huh?

What are you doing in here?!

I was 'bout to ask you the same question!

Sorry, you two. I really hoped you'd never have to see this side of me...

No...

Ya shouldn't go pokin' your noses around in stuff like this anyway! Those people are collateral for an unpaid debt. Just leave them be and get yourselves out of here!

That's not gonna happen. The fate that awaits these people if the organization manages to sell them off... You're involved in all of this, so I'm sure you're well aware...

I am...which is why I don't have a choice. Our group is no more than a couple of small potatoes under their potato-mashin' fist. If we don't carry out our orders, we're the ones who get thrown into the oven. We're all out here just tryin' not to get baked!

Ay, Suzuné... C'mooon. How about you just leave them there and think of it as you savin' me! We can put this whole thing behind us.

Look, not too long ago, even one of them moochers o' yours got himself locked up in here, and I let him off easy. Y'know why? 'Cause you and me are pals! So would you do your pal a solid this time? Call us square?

Suzuné...

......

Eh, no way around this I 'spose. You've still got your humanity, which ain't a bad thing.

Well, human nature's got a dark side too. Unfortunately, that's what you're about to see. Use force if you gotta, just stop them!

Let's do this!

Of course! I love you, Suzuné!

Well...we failed! Fall back!

Would ya quit callin' me that within earshot of the others! Leave it at that, and take care o' yourself!

We'd better get out of here too!

You saved us...from that horrible place!

I'm glad everyone made it out safely.

Take some time to catch your breath first, but after that would you be willing to share a little about your experience? In particular, any deets you've got on the organization would be very helpful.

Uhh, quick question...

Can I make a trip to the house first? The innkeepers have been looking after the little ones this whole time... They're probably totally freaking out right now because I'm late to pick them up!

You guys are total lifesavers! I mean that, like, literally!

What? Nothing like that at all! They all treat me super, super good!

Even when all the tea was spilled about the head's debt, they made sure my salary was taken care of before anything! They even looked for a new job for me using all of their connections!

For them...

I actually have a really good eye for people and like reading them and stuff. I found this diary of one of my ancestors, who was also a maid, and learned so much about people from her!

That sounds interesting. What kinda stuff was written in there?

Oh, okay, uhm... "Large, middle-aged men who laugh too loud are actually cowards." "Someone who loves their family too much is probably willing to do ANYTHING for them, even like crime or something."

Hahaha. They're so specific.

Wah! You're back!

I'm here, little ones!

Suzu-neigh, you're so late!

Huh?

So so sorry for making you wait! That's an oopsie on me! I bet you were all super good kids for the innkeepers though, right?!

Ya! Can you make us food, Suzu-neigh?

Suzu-neigh, you said we'd read today!

How about...I read to you while you eat!

Oh, right! That must be confusing.

The kids used to fully call me neigh-neigh thinking I was their neighbor! Now they just add one neigh as a nickname. Cute, huh? My real name is Suzu! I don't know exactly who they were, but my mom said I'm named after someone important to our ancestors.