Scouting

There’d been no small amount of chaos and uproar once Camila and I had parsed the legal jargon.

But it could also be the fact that this Mr. Schroeder had called first.

Just an email. The first tentative contact made to report a mistake.

Was all he had needed.

“Hunter, yes? Good of you to call, now child,” said a thickly accented voice. A man’s. Clearly in a position of power and versed in using it. No other conclusion could suit such a flippant, whimsically disingenuous tone.

It took all my strength to hold back an outright growl. “Can I help you?” Ground out of my throat instead, fist gripping the table.

“Video call for one. So if you would be so kind as to turn the phone from your ear herr.”

“Like a crystal ball.”

And if the man now on his screen, so prim in dark red with rose pink accent, caught the slip he didn’t let on to it.

Instead continuing to correct my own error.

There had been no mistake.

If it so pleased me all expenses for the round trip, accommodation, and any other charge from competition would be covered.

Equipped with the Schroeder brand’s cards and duel disk Hunter Wilde would be some new life breathed into the company image.

“Now I assure you this is not a risk. From what I hear you have some skill yet, and not to mention made an astounding connection. I won’t try to buy your eye with the newest and shiniest cards.”

The man… didn’t seem to be looking down on me. Not in that moment when he sipped a drink put back off screen.

“I can certainly agree there is some… mysticism present in here Pegasus’ delightful game so attachment to certain card types or characters is only natural.”

And not through the whole exchange.

Mr. Schroeder always placed Hunter right at his eyes.

"Yes, of course. I meant no offense in that aspect at all madam."

"Camilla is fine," she redirected coldly. "We're both adults after all."

Or, I could only speculate, that she hoped so.

That was another thing that pricked uncomfortably in my mind. Shroeder did appear quite young no matter how he clearly intended to present.

"Assuming you do believe in me and my skills, not even getting into how you might know I'm anything special," his prime suspicion for a leak of information such as that was Keji of the store. "And you're serious about riding company money on me..."

Could that be some means of guilt to put me in a corner? Controlling and prodding at my willingness to do what would inevitably be asked of me after. Plus, he was in the same business as that Seto Kaiba.

Whom he somehow doubted, quite distastefully myself as Ms. Noceda for this figure, was the type for partners.

Also, like, it would be cheating I was almost certain.

"Guess what we're both trying to ask is how am I supposed to pay you back if your investment goes belly up."

"Ahh, sharp. Appreciated herr child. Yes, nothing is for free. Well, not truly. I can tout generosity all I want but the fact is that you are absolved upon delivery of my terms. No if or but about it, no matter the circumstances you may find yourself during or after."

We shared a look. Camilla already fearing the worst. I'd not told her then about even applying to enter.

"Mama, I really didn't-- lie."

I'd not told her what my plans would have been to get halfway around the world.

I would have lied to her, saying that the entry process permitted paying my travel expenses. But Schroeder shot that idea dead in the boiling water.

"Hunter, mijo," she whispered, gaze trained warily to the man on the camera. "I know, why you wanted to do this. I am not mad, but, ayy you should have told me. Let us figure out something for you together if it was so important to you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

She sighed, turning back to Schroeder. "Well, what did you have in mind?"

"really now, don't treat me with such suspicion. I assure you I am not a cruel man. In fact, from the start I respect you quite a bit. You are clearly a protective, dutiful Mother with a good boy," indicating me with a beat of his head as if it were something that needed repeating.

"Then no more non-sequiter. Just state your terms. If they don't harm my son or myself then I'll consider it."

"Of course," and that calculating, savvy eye trained upon me. Gauging my reaction and seeking my opinion over another's. Namely, the reasonable, responsible adult.

Certainly odd in this human world. But then again, not unheard of even in mundane, run-of-the-mold school. Treating me as an equal, a friend.

"Now, I offer at all because you are clearly in some financial strain. Many companies do, I've set a link to various affiliates and colleagues of mine which have many similar programs for gaming tournaments or even schooling and other higher or specialized service, but, that is more supplementary than anything even if I think it would highly interest a single-parent household."

With a wry smile he fanned out his hands again. Still ever graceful within his plush seat. "As to your, hehe, predicament I wouldn't wish to overtax your resources no. Hardly efficient so assuming on the probability of your not meeting the minimal requirements your parent or guardian; as outlined, will pay a percentage of incurred fees as direct wire deposits. With negotiated payment plan, the rest, will be through your time, either directly at my beck and call in headquarters, or in one of my stores. How yet, I leave that to you. You would not be paid, but other than that treated as any other employee or work-study student seeking experience and good marks on a resume than anything."

Quite a fair agreement. It eased things somewhat, even if he still came off as intolerably smug. But hey, probably it was a rich people thing. Wasn't like I'd met many nice rich people to compare.

"Now what say you now, Hunter?" he preened, clearly having me on to answer just how he wanted.

I was going to do this. One way or another.

Looking to Mrs. Camilla I could see she was still in thought. And though the man didn't inspire much solace or comfort, I knew well enough to sense lies or malice. And Mr. Schroeder far as I could see, had none.

I signed my name sharp and imposing upon the paper, presenting it proud and with chest puffed in confidence.

"A pleasure."

Like that, the screen went black.

Camilla was, very justifiably, in shock. She didn't like it but... there was little she could do.

However, as she'd reminded, didn't mean she wouldn't have a lawyer on standby once she found one. Taking the afternoon to compose a list on this Schroeder Corp, any and every source she could call to know more.

I honestly couldn't bring myself to worry all too much about things. This human, just didn't measure up if he wanted to be 'tough' of all things. With Mama at my corner, I felt safe to just appreciate luck turning in my favor. Whilst putting together a Duel Disk of my very own, and a small, warm warble nuzzling at my neck.

Chuckling and happily petting at the fairies who tried to handle the tools. Only for their minute hands to slip through without consequence.

Those Duel spirits turned into a constant comfort, fiddling at my insides so that the new experience of flying on a gargantuan tin can with clearly no stabilization systems and only simplistic mechanics off a children's toy to guide it, wasn't so terrifying.

"Deboarding, Domino City now. All passengers remember to take all carry-ons and personal items. We at Tokyo Airway are not held responsible for lost or stolen items."

Humans. Innovative as they were, they really should have left flight to the professionals. Witches, if it weren't clear.

Then again, their cities wiped dirty little villages and horse drawn buggies to the ground.

First the clear blue skies stretched far as the eye could see with a fjord of fluffy, soft clouds, and then a second airport. Bigger and more whizzing components than the last. And a whole new backlog of people!

This 'customs' was rigorous.

Odd runes replaced English signature on each and every surface.

And on his way outside of this singular building he found blaring streets of car horns and nearly got mauled by one wild green metal stallion just taking a step to orient himself.

Flight always gave him air legs unaccustomed to heavy land and oppressive gravity!

At every side, smooshed unto this epicenter were many more buildings. Highway bridges and streets rising to the sky.

It filled my senses it took each and every unused crevice of brain power.

"Woah!"

Including those keeping me upright apparently. Geez. Had I-- no. Nonono.

Have I made a mistake?

The city was so big, I knew no one, and Schroeder only paid for a singular ticket. Nothing Camilla could do about that. Japan's laws around what was considered a "child" differed a lot then those back home.

And like a blow-hardy, annoying fool I'd leapt at the chance to be outside "parental control."

"Enough. Enough sightseeing," I scolded of myself. Though I'd maintained an arm looped around my suitcase I still slapped some reality onto myself. "Now where," the sifting dig at his pockets began to grate quite quickly. Somewhere there'd have to be a note as to where and who to expect for pick-up and transport to his hotel.

Shoot. And he'd made it priority too.

A tap made my hairs stand on end. Wary and already agitated I whirled around an uppercut ready to fight.

"Hunter Wilde?" inquired a man in a tone crisp as a black ironed and pressed suit. His face an immaculate mask of professionalism and disinterest.

Noting the poster board held up with his name in elegant rosy cursive I gave a weak nod.

"Good."

It was a trio of security detail who kept onlookers to a minimum, as well as taking the task of his luggage.

"You will immediately be escorted to Mei-Lei hotel to settle yourself in. Consider me your temporary aide and confidant, whatever you may require sir, I promise to provide it."

"Of course sir," I said, "thank you sir." Giving a slight bow in response.

An action he mimicked, as well as indulging to offer his arm to my own as a guide.

Opening the door to the limo; not untraceable or even particularly subtle in the slightest, was just a bit much though.

But also, the vague notion of being treated like an actual Prince, was in ways haha ironic,

and dramatically, tragically ironic. Schroeder, though clearly doting had his own ends.

There was just one more clause to the contract.

Deliver some piece of programming with no knowledge on what or why, without suspicion, to the Kaiba Corp executives. The pair of brothers Seto and Mokuba.

Exactly why it had to be the Quarter Finals.

These ends he'd selected me to carry out for him since I was in the least able position to choose otherwise. Besides, nothing told me of what boss he would prove to--

All that fled my mind once I saw just what Luz had been on about when I told her the big news.

How the sun could shine upon panes and panes of glass. Metal buildings cutting high and powerful. The heat, even in this car, growing expansively to a heavy shroud.

She'd made me promise to get pictures of any and all "highlights."

Her fault really, for not specifying because right now, everything, every minute detail captivated his mind and any lingering mistrust.

My shutter snapped. I was here now, things hadn't gone to all Hell, and on the off chance I would need help, I and a bunch of weird, loud, devoted witches could be more than up to the challenge.

Plus, wings fluttering in my galderstone clued me in to how excited a red cardinal was right now. A rush of pride overflowing to the point of a few stray tears.

Besides the necessary, his escort wasn't a fan of chatting.

Just fine with me. Of course, by no means was that an indicator of an uncaring employee. In fact, such boundaries usually proved just the opposite. His eye was on the objective and the objective of his pay alone.

"Uhh, sir," he said lowly, keeping a respective distance of Cerbos, "pets are not permitted in this hotel, and considering its-- class we'd face an unfortunate incident with exterminators."

I glared, I couldn't exactly help it, I'd already had one palisman threatened and, failed to protect.

"Okay, Cerbos, hide-and-seek time," I hummed in a dulcet, calming manner.

The way he tickled my hair to hide in the awful nest made me smile just a bit.

And the guard's incredulously revolted face just nearly made me burst out laughing.

But there were way too many people in suits. I'd have to maintain an image if I hoped to get the time and privacy I'd need from here on in.

"Well, we're here." I whispered, "any ideas on what to do first?"

Cerbos ducked his head with a hairy leg rubbing in thought.

About food and when the human would stop being a mess of nerves and bitter homesickness.

Okay, I near lost my mind once I actually got a look at the spacious, elegant bedroom. With kitchen, bathroom, dining area amenities!!!

The tub was the size of a literal algae pond back on the Isles or the Bat Queen's own sleeping hole.

There was a cold box--fridge-- fully stocked with drinks, food, treats, and meats.

And a television the size of the entire side wall right at the foot of his bed for easy, lazy viewing. It was way too much.

Sooo, it was lucky for everyone involved once the guard finally knocked saying I should eat something.

"Will you need help to," I read over the options, "pick. Something. Out?"

As my eyes roved the options the Japanese became English in a pulse of red.

And out of my lips came fluent Japanese in return. "Ah! The gyudon looks aamazing, hey do you want some?"

"N--no thank you. Just umm worry about yourself."

I simply shrugged pointing out a few other things.

Which when came to me steaming or bubbling hot and full of flavor.

Neither did the salmon or shogayakai, shrimp, sushi and omlette samplers or onion soup disappoint.

Behind lacy white curtains was a night sky; clear of stars but no less vast and familiar than back home. The moon was in the same phase too.

Mrs. Noceda, may be looking out at that sky from her bed tonight. Thinking about me. But, more likely Luz.