Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Freddy
3 scenes, 189 lines
1. Shade Power
68 linesShadow Decree: Tearoom
Hey boss! Ooh, you got them! Very nice shades! Limited edition, too!
Ha ha! You betcha! Hey, Poker Face, how'd y' like 'em?
......
(Freddy feels aggravated when he sees that Leon refuses to look at him.)
Stop obsessing over that darned notebook! Check these out.
How about you give me a moment of peace and quiet?
You're looking at one of only 50 of the finest limited-edition sunglasses ever manufactured in Grandis.
I spent five hours bidding on a computer!
(Freddy thrusts the shades into Leon's line of sight.)
You're looking at the king of Esper fashion!
King?
(Leon's mouth curls into a sardonic smile. He casually tosses a copy of the "Gyrate Fashion Weekly" magazine in Freddy's direction.)
You should read more. It'd help you look less ignorant.
What's wrong with you? Come on, you can't deny how good I look!
(Freddy catches the magazine thrown his way and flips it open nervously.)
How can you compare me to this trash...
Oh. Wait. Who's that?
(The title jumps out of the magazine like a jack in the box: "An Exclusive with Grandis' Ultimate Sunglasses Expert"igniting Freddy's bad mood.)
"Grandis' Ultimate Sunglasses Expert"? What a load of crud!
Unky Chai? I'll be the one who decides whose got the most "shade power"!
You, boss! It's definitely you! No one else wears 'em like such a boss!
Let's find this Unky Chai and beat it out of him! Get him to admit you're number one!
(Leon realizes that, far from dissuading Freddy's burgeoning ego, the magazine has only added fuel to the fire of his impulsive aggressiveness.)
Hold on, what does "shade power" even mean?
(This thought-provoking question brings the conversation to a sudden halt. Shocked, Freddy and the other Shadow Decree member look at Leon.)
Poker Face, you really have no idea? Come on, let me explain it to you.
Mr. Leon, "shade power" is how cool you look with a pair of shades on.
"Power" because wearing a cool pair of shades makes you look way more impressive. You know, it lets you call the shots.
What a load of crud...
We're wasting our time talking to this weirdo. Anyway, I'm going to have it out now with Unky Chai!
(Leon looks on as Freddy leads his underling out of the room, chest puffed up and head held high. A helpless victim to his teammate's unreliable temperament, Leon has no choice but to get up from the sofa in pursuit.)
Gyrate: Unky Chai's Fortune Shop
Hey boss, this is Unky Chai's pad.
Finally.
What the hell are you thinking? We don't need any trouble!
Stupid idiot!
Unky Chai! Oh, Unky Chai! Where are you?
What's that racket?
(Freddy hurriedly uses his claws to adjust his shades when he sees Unky Chai.)
The name's Freddy. You're Unky Chai?
That's right, I'm the boss.
(Unky Chai raises his right hand, elegantly adjusting the shades sitting very comfortably on his cool face.)
......
......
(They study one another from across the room. The tension rises fast till you could cut the air with a knife. Leon grips his rifle tensely.)
(Leon readies himself for combat when Freddy and Unky Chai suddenly burst into a fit of laughter. The atmosphere cools instantly, and they give each other a very strong, manly handshake.)
Ha! I lose. You win, Unky Chai!
The road is long, oh young one.
You got it. But I'll be back! I'll be back!
???
(Leon isn't quite sure what just happened, but he's relieved that there wasn't a fight.)
Shadow Decree: Tearoom
What the heck just happened?
......
Why the long face?
How about you give me a moment of peace and quiet?
......
(Sigh) You were right. I was arrogant.
???
I admit it, you're never gonna find a cooler pair of shades than Unky Chai's. I'm going to have to do some real work before I can compete with him.
(Leon falls quiet as he watches the sadness spreading across Freddy's face.)
There's a difference?
What? Are you blind?
You really didn't see it? When Unky adjusted his sunglasses? Honestly, you couldn't have asked for a cooler shot.
And don't forget his eyes, those eyes. And that devil-may-care nose...
That's alright. I just gotta keep working at it. I'll be the "Shade King" of Grandis one day!
......
2. Bad Hair Day
64 linesHazlitt: No Man's Land
(After the mission, Leon and Freddy prepare to return to the Shadow Decree.)
......
What are you looking at? You wanna go right now?!
Your hair is messy.
And I'm warning you, hands off my hair!
......
I can fix it!
(Freddy and Leon are unusually quiet. Instead of squabbling, Freddy painstakingly tries to smooth out his hair. His clumsy attempts only make it messier.)
Darnit! I literally just washed it and it's still like this! There's something wrong with the shampoo the Decree gave us!
I don't know if it's the shampoo.
Watch yer yapping, Poker Face!
If it's giving you that much grief, why don't you get it straightened out at a beauty salon?
...!
No need to thank me.
We can settle this later!
Wealthy Area: Chloe's Fashion Studio
(Freddy aggressively opens the salon door to the terrified cry of a store clerk.)
Chloe! Come over and fix this!
Greetings, sir. Do you have an appointment?
An appointment? Of course I, uh, have one.
I was told this is the best beauty salon in Grandis. And it's urgent!
I'm sure you will be quite satisfied with our range of services.
Yeah... and don't mess it up! Or you ain't gonna be in business much longer!
Mm. Rest assured that our professionalism is in every way equal to your expectations.
Beg your pardon?
...Never mind. Please, come with me.
(Chloe leads Freddy to a chair and expertly begins the process.)
Sir, is it possible that you've been using a poor quality shampoo?
Yes, it's driving me crazy! It's been a complete mess ever since I started using their cruddy shampoo!
Yes, I can see that you have an amazing head of hair.
(Freddy totally agrees with Chloe's praise. He nods quietly.)
By the way, our salon has just released this new, extremely high-quality shampoo.
This shampoo incorporates the latest follicle technology in a premium formula for the professional repair and care of damaged hair.
There's a shampoo that does all that? Give it here!
Mm. I think it would be a good idea for you to start using it soon. But...
The shampoo is only available to salon members.
I can buy it just by becoming a member?
Yes, you can also enjoy VIP privileges and have your own personal stylist.
That sounds great! I'll make one then.
Which membership type do you prefer? Single service or multi-service?
It's just a bottle of shampoo. I'll get...
Oh! I've just realized: You're the mighty Freddy!
Do you know me?
Your associates and colleagues come to us all the time.
Beauty needs to be well-maintained over the long-term, it's the same for fine hair.
You might want to consider visiting the salon regularly. We can really up your style game, help you look your best for your colleagues and subordinates.
(Chloe finishes fixing up Freddy's fur. He looks at himself in the mirror and nods with satisfaction.)
What great service and excellent hairstyling.
You're too kind, sir!
Seeing as you liked the service so much, how do you feel about a membership card offering our full twelve-suite range of services?
Not a problem!
(While paying, Freddy feels something is wrong as he looked at the prices written on the counter.)
Why does it cost so much?
Did you forget about the shampoo you bought?
(Freddy can't shake the feeling that something is amiss, but he's all-too-eager to just finish paying and get out.)
Shadow Decree: Corridor
(When he gets back to the Shadow Decree, Freddy spends some time showing off his new "haircut" around Leon.)
... You really went?
Ha! What do you think? Handsome?
That's right. Let me show you the special shampoo for members!
?
Look, don't touch! You're looking at the best shampoo the world has to offer, for a pretty price.
(Leon's only response to Freddy's excited exhibitionism is to simply walk away.)
3. Partners
57 linesShadow Decree: Training Ground
Do you know the best part of any mission? The hot bath at the end!
(Leon is busy marking his schedule as Freddy emerges from the shower and shakes himself, flinging water all over Leon and his notebook.)
Watch where you do that, Mad Dog.
Huh? You're one to talk, Poker Face!
(Freddy sees Leon try to rub the water stains off his notebook with his palm.)
What are you writing about anyway?
Nothing to do with you.
If you weren't such a wimp, we could have a friendly "practice match" right now!
Well, there's still 5 minutes before the next mission, right?
Hold on, how do you know when the next mission's going to start?
If you could fit a schedule into that thick brain of yours, then I wouldn't need this notebook, would I?
Screw you!
Then we can wait until after the mission!
Near the Miracle: The Shackled Miracle
(Freddy and Leon are busy installing jamming devices inside the Miracle structure.)
Not a single Miramon. Weird, huh?
I was spoiling for a fight.
The less time wasted, the better. The next mission's coming up pretty soon.
Alright! How's about a little competition to see who can install the most devices fastest? If you lose, you have to admit I'm better than you in front of everyone back at base.
......
Too afraid? Coward!
(Leon ignores Freddy's provocations as he busily installs the remaining devices.)
(All seems quiet in the Miracle, but then a Miramon suddenly appears from an unobtrusive corridor and lunges straight at Leon.)
*ROAR*
!!!
(Without anywhere to take cover, Leon throws his notebook to distract the creature.)
(Before Leon can retreat to attack, Freddy rushes forward.)
Yeah! Finally someone interesting.
*ROAR*
Time for us to have some fun!
*ROAR*
(Freddy looks over at Leon proudly after finishing the Miramon off.)
What do you reckon, Poker Face? You would have died!
......
It's alright, you can hide behind big boy Freddy. Hahaha!
(Leon looks around for his notebook, but can't find it.)
Surely this didn't frighten you?
No, I'm fine. Let's stay on task.
(An hour later, they've installed all of the jamming devices and are preparing to leave the Miracle.)
Oh yeah, Poker Face, didn't you say we've got another mission today? What is it?
Let's see who it is under that hat.
(Leon instinctively reaches into his chest pocket before remembering he lost his notebook.)
......
Oh, right.
(Freddy drops the notebook disdainfully into Leon's hands.)
?
This is yours, right? It nearly tripped me up when I was coming over to save your ass.
Silly distractions don't work on me.
I'm the one who beat the Miracle, I'm the one who beat the Miramon, I'm always the one who beats the Miramon. Ha!
(Leon retrieves his notebook silently.)
Thank you.
What did you say? I couldn't hear you.
Nothing. It's time for our next mission.
Not until you say it again! Clearly! After all, you just called me a "Mad Dog"!
(Leon ignores Freddy's provocation and starts making his way out of the Miracle.)
Hey! Where are you off to?! Come on! Come back here and let's have a proper duel!