Unexpected Commission

What a lovely day! Perfect for an adventure!

...Hey, you! Yeah, you with the blue hair, come here a sec!

Huh...?

Um... hello, little girl. Did you need something?

Excuse me!? Who are you calling little? Ugh, whatever. Just answer me, can you do magic?

Mmm... a little, yes.

That's so great! Ahem... I mean, okay. Listen up, Charon, I need your help with something. It's simple. Just follow my instructions and use your magic.

And your payment... Look, I can give you this much! Bet that's enough to keep you fed for a whole year, huh?

Huh...?

What? Not enough? Fine, I'll throw in more. Just...

Hey there, missy. Didn't anyone ever teach you how to ask nicely when you want a favour?

Whoa...! Wh, Who are you!?

A friend of hers. And a Phoxhunter, for the record.

So what? You're just a Charon! And I'll have you know I'm from the inner city!

Good for you.

Tch...! Fine! If you won't help, I'll find someone else!

You alright, Fina?

I'm fine. Thanks for looking out for me! But... that girl...

She's long gone. I've met plenty of puffed-up Solarians, all bark, no bite.

Still, you've got to be careful. Don't go being kind to just anyone... There are bad people out there.

But when I said I could do magic... she smiled. And I could see it, it was a real smile. Honest, and innocent. Bad sorcerers don't smile like that.

And... she's just a child. When I was her age, a kind-hearted stranger once helped me...

I promised myself then: When I grow up, I'll help any child in need, just like that big brother helped me.

So... I want to find that girl. Ask if she's alright. And if she's really in trouble... I want to help.

Alright. Then let's go together. If anything happens, this big sister will be right there to back you up.

Hehe... Thank you, Miss Unicorn! With you by my side, I'm not afraid of anything!

Alright, let's go. Pretty sure she headed for the square.

It's you... Why are you two following me!? I didn't do anything to you!

You've got it wrong, little one.

Don't talk to me like I'm a child!

Oh... would you prefer I call you ma'am, then?

I...I'm not that old!

Then... what should I call you?

Ugh... fine! I'll be nice and tell you. My name's Cassandra, and you can call me Miss Cassandra, Charon girl.

Very well, Miss Cassandra. I'm Fina, it's lovely to meet you!

Hi there.

Whoa! Who's this scary one with the white hair and eyepatch!? Your bodyguard?

Don't be scared, Miss Unicorn is my friend. We're here because we want to help you. Miss Cassandra, why did you need someone who knows magic? Are you in trouble?

I'm not scared! I just...

...If I tell you the reason, would you really help?

Of course! As long as it's not something bad, we'll do whatever we can!

Um... okay. Actually, it's not me who's in trouble, it's my friend.

His mum died in an accident, and now his dad's gone missing too... He's been really down, and now the other kids at school are picking on him. They say awful things... like he's an orphan, and nobody loves him...

What!? That's horrible!

So... you want to use magic to get back at them?

Nuh-uh! That wouldn't work anyway. You can't even get into the inner city. And those bullies, their families are rich and powerful. If they get mad, we're toast!

Whoa... so the inner city really is a scary place...

The reason I was looking for a Charon who can use magic is... my friend once said he really wants to see a Butterfly Fairy.

...Don't look at me like that! I'm not some silly little kid, I don't believe in that fairy-tale nonsense. But he does. And I just... wanted to cheer him up.

Thing is, I've no idea where to find one... So I thought maybe... magic could summon one.

I see now...

Hmph. Go ahead and laugh. Asking a Charon for help is already embarrassing enough...

Why would that be embarrassing? Wanting to help a friend, that's a sign of kindness. Everyone needs help sometimes. That's what friends are for.

...Huh?

Let me help you, Miss Cassandra. I've got lots of fairy-tale friends, I'm sure one of them can help us call a Butterfly Fairy!

Really...? You'd help me?

Mhm!

Then... how much do you want?

I don't want any money.

What...? That's not how it works. Even if you're a Charon, I can't let you help me for free. If you won't take money, then... what, candy? A doll? A hair clip?

Um... if you really want to give me something... then I'd like you to be my friend.

What? Why...?

Even though you're kind of grumpy, and not very polite... you're the first Solarian who's taken the initiative to talk to me. If we could be friends, that would make me really happy.

I'm not grum...Ugh, whatever. I don't really get why that would make you happy... But fine, we can be friends.

Just don't go telling anyone, okay? They'd make fun of me at school...

I promise to keep it a secret! So... how do we help your friend? He's in the inner city, right? I can't get in there.

In three days, our school's going to the Galea Theatre for an event. I'll sneak out with him then, meet us in the alley next to The Asphodel.

Sounds perfect! I'll spend the next few days working on my magic, see if I can really summon a Butterfly Fairy!

It's a deal, then. No backsies!

Fina, that was impressive. I was ready to step in if things got ugly, but you handled it all on your own.

Hehe... That's only because you were there for me. You gave me the courage, Miss Unicorn!

Still, best stay cautious around Solarians. I'll come with you when we meet them. You just focus on doing what you have to do, leave the rest to your trusty "bodyguard."

Okay! Thank you, Miss Unicorn! I'd better head home and start practising the spell. See you soon!

There you are, Fina, Eyepatch!

Wow. So polite.

Well? Did it work, Fina? Can you really summon one?

Mhm, look!

Whoa... You really did it!? That's incredible!

Okay, let's run through the ruse. You two pretend to be some travellers who saw a Butterfly Fairy. Bring my friend into a quiet alley, and say it's going to appear there.

Then once we're in position, Fina, you sneak behind and summon the Butterfly Fairy!

"Ruse"...? Don't you mean "plan"?

Isn't that just a fancier word for plan? Anyway, you get the idea. Just remember what we discussed. I'll go get my friend!

Got it, ruse!

That's really not the right word...

Where are we going, Cassandra?

I've got a surprise for you!

Come on, Savio, these two said they've actually seen your favourite...

Huh...?

...!?

Serafina...?

No, no...! You've mistaken me for someone else!

Sorry, Miss Cassandra, I... I just remembered something. I have to go!

Huh? What was that all about? Why did they just run off...?

Fina, are you alright?

I'm fine... Miss Unicorn.

That boy, was he someone you knew?

...Yes. That was my little brother.

Huh? You have a brother?

A long time ago, when I still lived in a big house in the inner city... Savio's mum was my mum too. And his dad was... *sniffles*...

It's okay, Fina. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to.

Thank you, Miss Unicorn...

But... I ran away. I promised to help Cassandra, and I just ran. What should I do...?

Don't worry. Leave this one to me. I'm a Phoxhunter, finishing tough jobs is what I do best.

Okay...! But could you maybe say sorry to Miss Cassandra for me...?

Hmm? Who could that be...?

Fina! Are you home? A pretty girl from the inner city wants to see you!

Fina? Fina, it's me, open the door! Something awful just happened!

I want to help too.

Fina...

This happened because I ran away... And it's also because of me that he... he...

...Alright. We'll search together. Just don't wander too far from me, okay?

You're looking for someone? I'll help!

Me too!

You two kids stay here.

Hey! Don't underestimate us! We're Greedy Gobbler pros, undefeated in Icelake for ten years! We never miss! Now, what does this missing kid look like?

He's about this tall, white hair, green eyes, same school uniform as mine.

Got it. Where did you last see him?

In the alley by the tavern.

Davy and I were stacking pebbles near there just now. I didn't see any kid like that.

Me neither...

Then he must've run off the other way.

Oh! I just remembered, there was a car parked at the junction by the tavern! Mark always sneaks in and honks the horn. If he was there today, maybe he saw something!

Good thinking! Let's go and ask him!

Huh? What's going on? I was just coming to play with you guys!

We're looking for someone.

Wait, what!? You're playing Greedy Gobbler without me!?

No, silly! We're helping this pretty girl find someone, a boy wearing the same school uniform as her.

We think he went missing nearby. Did you see anyone like that?

Oh! A white-haired boy, right? Yeah, I saw him!

I was messing around in the car, honking the horn, and he walked past. The noise gave him a good scare, he nearly jumped out of his shoes! I wanted to say sorry, but by the time I got down, he was already gone.

What!? Which way did he go!?

Towards the city gate. I couldn't believe it, he actually went off on his own! Inner city kids sure are gutsy...

City gate... you mean the gate to the inner city?

Nuh-uh. The main gate. No way I'd stare at the inner city gate, I'd get in trouble.

Oh no... that's way too dangerous. What do we do...!?

Wait, I know! We'll hire a Phoxhunter to take us outside the city! I hear they'll do anything, as long as you pay enough!

Miss Unicorn is a Phoxhunter! And a really amazing one!

Really!? You are? Then can you help me look for Savio? I'll pay you! Please, Eyepa, Uh, I mean, Miss Vita!

...Alright. For Fina's sake, I'll take the job.

Then let's...

Not this time. It's dangerous beyond the gates, and I can't watch over all of you.

Aw... fine. We don't know the area anyway. Guess we're benched for this one...

Ok Fina, you should also st...

...

Okay Fina, will you come and help me?

Yes! I'm ready!

Searching blindly won't help... Cassandra, can you think of anywhere Savio might go? Why would he even leave the city?

Umm... maybe he went to look for butterflies. A few days ago in class, the teacher said they live near Lamenting Lake. He wouldn't stop asking about it...

Why's he so obsessed with butterflies? Is there a fairy tale behind it or something?

It's because of something that happened when he was little. He told me the story a bunch of times... One day, his mum and dad disappeared. He was scared and cried a lot.

Then the Butterfly Fairies came. They played with him, kept him company until his parents came home.

I think... maybe he believes if he finds them again, they'll bring his parents back...

...

There he is...

Not too many of them. But with the boy as their hostage, we'll need a way to draw them off.

I've got an idea!

Huh? What was that?

Boss, look! Over there, two weird lookin' beasts! You think they might be Filthoids!?

You idiot. Those are Geniemons.

Geniemons? I've never seen ones like that...

Neither have I. Must be rare ones.

I heard rare Geniemons fetch a good price! Should we nab 'em, make a bit of extra gold?

Oh? Not a bad idea... You've got a sharp head on your shoulders! Alright boys, weapons out. Let's bag 'em!

Let me explain. I know where your parents went, Savio.

There's a terrifying monster in this world, one we can't see. It's called Prejudice. It makes people who should care about each other hate and hurt one another. That's what took your mum and dad.

Then I'll go fight it and bring them back!

You're brave, but you're still young. And Prejudice isn't a monster you can punch away.

Because it feeds on people's doubts and fears. And it's grown strong because so many in this city have fallen under its spell.

But if we choose not to believe in it, if you don't, and I don't, and if we help our friends to be brave enough to fight its spell... then little by little, it'll lose its power.

And one day, when enough people stand against it... that monster will disappear. No one will be taken again.

When that happens... will Mum and Dad come back?

By then, you'll have many friends and a heart full of love and hope. Even if your parents don't return, you'll never be alone, you'll still have a good life.

Umm...

...So does Fina have to wait until then to be my big sister again?

Yeah, I think so... But until that day comes, I can be your friend, just like I'm friends with Miss Cassandra!

Cassandra...?

Um... er...

What is it, Fina?

Cassandra, Savio... would you two maybe... like to come to my tea party?

A tea party? At your house?

Mhm... I, If my place feels too plain, we could go somewhere else instead...

No, I want to come! I want to see where you live.

Count me in! But let's go check in with the teachers first so they don't worry.

Ah, right. And I should grab a thank-you gift from home...

Oh! I need to get the commission fee too. We'll meet you later at your place, Fina!

Okay! See you then!

Since we're having a tea party, I'll pick up some snacks.

But I'm the host, I can't let you spend your money on my tea party, Miss Unicorn...

I'm a grown-up, it's my treat. One day, when you're grown up, you can do the same for someone else.

...Okay! I'll remember that!

Who is it?

What's a MagicMutt?

No no, he's the Great Magician!

*coughs*

You okay? Here, drink some water.

Chirp-chirp, I'm Mr White Bird!

Whoa, he's a big guy for sure...