Inkstainer makes a deal with kaCHING CASH

Characters in this scene: Inkstainer, kaCHING\_CASH

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

Inkstainer logs on to the Vroom call a few minutes early to center himself. kaCHING would recognize him from the photo posted on OMO; he's well-dressed, a fairly average-looking Asian man somewhere in his 20s, with the background of what appears to be a hotel room somewhere in a very different timezone from the Western U.S..

EmV — 03/11/2021

kaCHING\_CASH is eleven minutes late. She joins the meeting as kC. Her video's off, but she unmutes to say, "Oh *man* I'm sorry. I underestimated how long it'd take to get, uh, to get things right. To get here on this meeting. Stupid—" She's hard to hear, due to the clanking and metallic whine in the background.

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

Ink almost leaves eight minutes in, but instead gets himself a drink, browses the Internet a little, and takes some deep, calming breaths. He's still a little startled to hear the ping of the arrival. "Oh - that's okay, the setup can be, um, complicated. Take your time."

EmV — 03/11/2021

"Sorry. Can I, uh. I guess you wouldn't be okay with me just leaving my camera off? Okay, I kind of, I kind of want to do that."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"That's fine, I just - figured you'd already seen my face, so what's done is done, right?" He glances down, smiling a little. "Posting the picture wasn't the smartest thing to do, so actually keeping the camera off is probably the right choice. In general, I mean."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

She speaks fast, almost in a single breath. "Okay. Okay, okay, good. Sorry, not sure where to go from here. Kinda scared I'll say the wrong thing. Should I have told you that? Maybe I shouldn't have told you that."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"No - no, okay. Let's take a step back." He takes a deep breath. "I really appreciate you having this call with me. I'm Justin, and I'm from the East Coast, so I've never been around the West much. I'm a Warden by trade but I also have a background in binding and sealing, so... nothing too exciting, really. But it's reliable. I, um, don't know if you saw my thread a few weeks ago, but I've just recently left my family and hometown, so I think I might know how you feel about - pressure. Expectations."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Right, cool, thanks. Nice of you to go first, takes a bit off the edge, I guess, maybe? Uh. I'm Leah, don't really have a specialty I think. "I think the name for it is dabbling because there's a lot I don't know. The people who awakened me knew less than I expected them to and they never got around to—but I don't want to get into that right now. Actually, uh. I haven't talked to my family in a while, because I was scared they would learn too much and get in danger. It's sad. Sometimes I think my life is kinda sad. Where was we again? Is this where we break out the icebreakers?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

Justin leans back in his seat, frowning a little. "I didn't prepare any icebreakers, but sure." He laughs a little. "Okay - if you could have any superpower, what would it be?"

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Yeah, but you can't just ask the question without imposing limitations because then I'd go for the low-hanging fruit like omnipotence or something I think. I mean, isn't that obvious? The most OP thing. Omnipotence is technically a superpower, probably, it probably has an entry on the internet superpower wiki? "Actually wait we should trade questions. I'm going to ask you the same question though but what about this, you can't pick anything too OP, huh, what's a good limit. I know, I know, any superpower that doesn't affect more than one person at a time, and you can't affect yourself."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"Okay, that's fair. And I don't think I would - hmm, actually, yeah." "Wait, can't affect yourself? But that rules out at *least* half of the good ones, super speed, flight, turning into animals, invisibility - all off the table." He sighs. "Maybe... knowing how things work when you look at them. It's a mental thing, so it isn't *really* affecting yourself." "Okay, your turn. Would you rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses, or one horse-sized duck?"

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"I think horses are kinda terrifying, I went to a horse ranch a pretty long time ago and they told me all kinds of things about how you should like never go behind a horse without telling the horse first. Because the horse can kick you in the head and then you get a concussion and then you die. "Actually I guess that's not too bad considering how much worse stuff magic can do to you. I mean with the horse you'd maybe die fast at least. Or you'd maybe be bedridden in the hopsital for—sorry, is that too depressing? I'd take the hundred duck-sized horses. I go on tangents sometimes. Especially when I'm talking. How about you?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

Justin leans in, nods along, and looks a bit disappointed as soon as she apologizes. "I don't actually know that much about horses, so it's interesting to hear about, you know? I'd really rather not get kicked by a horse, period." He grins. "Don't worry about it. I think I'd take the horse-sized duck, since it's easier to pay attention to *one* thing trying to beat you than hundred little guys. But honestly, I might lose either way if I don't have my - uh, magic. Okay, so... hmm, if you were a wrestler, what would your stage persona be?"

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"A stage persona, I don't know, I don't really follow wrestling? And it's hard to picture myself wrestling to be honest. I imagine buff people throwing tables at each other which is not me. Not sure where the tables came from. Weird mental image. "Really, wrestling, huh. I couldn't beat a professional wrestler in a straight and simple fight, probably, they're like really buff right? So instead maybe I'd be the psycho girl who seems like weak and normal until she whips out a knife. Which is against the arena rules. And then this hypothetical person goes nuts and starts stabbing audience members and I don't know if that really answers your question? Uhh, cute but secretly psycho wrestler, maybe ignore the stabbing part."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

He can't stop himself from laughing out loud. "I'm pretty sure that's against the rules, but also, who's going to tell that to the girl with the knife? Yeah, I don't really follow wrestling either, just have a vague idea of how personas work. Maybe I'd be, like, a professor, and have the shtick of hitting my opponent with a textbook and yelling at them about their bad grades. You know, be the fun bad guy." "Wait, is it my turn or your turn for a question? I think it's still yours, since you didn't ask me to respond, I just... did."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"I'm kinda losing track, to be honest, I'm not sure if it matters that much? Like I've talked to you for about five minutes but you don't seem like a creep or anything. You give me okay vibes. Some people are just weirdos but I don't think you're one of them. Not like this other guy I knew—" She cuts herself off. The background noise reaches a fever pitch, then dies down again. You hear muttering. "Sorry, sorry. What about, uh, this is kinda off-topic but where are you? Is it a hotel room? It looks pretty neat. Haven't been in a hotel for a while."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"Yeah, it's our hotel room. I'm on a trip with my friend and my... our... I don't know what to call her. Other friend? Patron? Anyway - I'm just here since otherwise I'd be at their house by myself, and I don't want to say no to a free vacation." He turns his phone so she can see the room - it's pretty nice, if straightforward, with two beds, a small seating area and a balcony. "But yeah, I just tagged along. Are you outside or next to a road or something? I can wait if you want to go somewhere else."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Kinda hard to explain, I guess. I'll be here for the next couple hours at least. I'm going to Denver. Whoops maybe I shouldn't have told you that, oh well. It'd be better if these stupid—but, okay, guessing you probably don't want to hear too much about my problems. "Wait your friend, is that the gas shaman? Think I saw them on OMO, right? So is the third person the lady, Stirge?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"I mean, I'm open to talking about whatever you want to. If you want to vent, then I can keep quiet. No pressure either way." He shrugs. "And yes, that's them! Octane and I did the junkyard fight with Crazy Bob, and then there's the Lady, who... yeah. They're an interesting pair, but it seems to work. And like I said, she's - sort of a patron, sort of not. Maybe more of an employer. But definitely willing to advance me money, which is pretty great on its own."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Sooo is she who you're planning to get the 350k from? Because wowza. I lurked out on her post and she seemed so legit. Like I think she's the kind of magical wizard who actually gets written into magical wizard storybooks for little kids. As for Bob can I say how glad I am that he didn't kill you horribly or take all your possessions or anything. I might've said that online but I'll say it again. Ritual Incarnates are, I really kinda hate them, I mean maybe I shouldn't but I really despise them. If I could curse here I would. Sorry, am I allowed to say that?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

Justin barely manages to hold back the majority of his shock at hearing "350k". "She is... I mean, she's not a fairy godmother, but I respect her a lot. She seems like a really good person. At the very least, she's willing to take me and Octane on a trip even though I'm just the 'emotional support friend.'" "Bob was a piece of work, and if we hadn't beaten him, there may have been a bigger problem than Octane and I losing our stuff. It's completely fair to hate them. And you're allowed to say whatever you want, I'm not your dad. That promise to not swear must be really inconvenient."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"She sounds so nice, I was so surprised because you rarely just meet genuinely nice people you know? But it's like she actually likes helping out. "Honestly I've only dealt with one ritual incarnate ever but it basically ruined my life. As for the swearing, ahaha can I tell you. It's not just swearing, I think for the rest of basically forever I can't, uhh, something like. 'Intentionally or knowingly swear, drink, wear inappropriate articles of clothing', oh and I can't drive a car basically. The drive a car could be pretty inconvenient in the future, I think I'd do really badly if I ever had to live alone out in a rural area."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"You can't *what*? They made you swear to not *drive a car?* Drinking is bad enough, that's a thing that responsible adults do - but driving - do they expect you to never have a job? Or a-" He stops himself, takes a deep breath and calms down a smidge. "Okay. This is a problem. I do know a couple of rituals that might help, I paid for them when I was looking for a solution for myself, but they're a little dangerous. As in, they shouldn't be done alone."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"I mean, no, not like that! I chose to do it, it was my choice. They didn't tie me down and force me to agree at knifepoint like some groups do. It was part of paying off my debt. Shaved off a hundred thousand dollars, just like that, I thought it was a pretty good deal right? "And the other thing is, I'm really good with public transportation. Like supernaturally good. So I figure, if I keep to the cities which will be pretty easy for me hopefully, I can take the subway to work or whatever city people normally do? As for having a job I maybe kinda have a job right now? If working for PFP counts as a job."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"I - okay. Sorry for... getting ahead of myself. I think I understand, you can pay off part of your debt just by making oaths? If you don't mind me asking, what *do* you do for PFP? Roughly, of course." He looks like he has ten times as many questions to ask, but he's just barely managing to hold back the flood.

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Wellllll, it depends! Like sometimes I'm just at a soup kitchen, and sometimes I'm spreading pamphlets and doing some classic door-to-door pitches because people usually like kids, and sometimes I'm delivering stuff, and sometimes I find people in need and help them get—" The background noise rises up again, a loud clanging that lasts for ten seconds. You hear kC yell something indecipherable. "Are we back now? Okay, okay. Actually I tend to handle at least two things at once because it helps with the debt. So I'm not totally sure how to summarize it, I guess you could say I'm running odd errands and stuff?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"Okay, I can see that." He does look like he's deep in thought for a long moment. "So, bouncing between different teams based on what's needed? Are you able to get in any Practice at all between jobs, or does it keep you too busy?"

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Yeah, yeah that's kinda it. I mean, sometimes I can snatch up some free time when I'm on the subway to look through OMO and stuff. And I guess if doing Practice counts, sometimes I use it to like, get a, uh, get a boost for my jobs and stuff like that. I mean it's not like the PFP doesn't know about magic, a lot of them do, so they're usually cool with it I think. I haven't really gotten the chance to do proper lessons or anything for a long time."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

He nods along, still looking as though he's thinking. "Maybe this will sound dumb, but do you know how to draw connection blockers? Like the one I attached to our messages? I use them... basically all the time these days."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"I know 'bout simple diagrams, I think, and I could do a simple connection blocker probably, but stuff like what you did looks really complicated? And don't you need a power source for that kind of thing?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"Yeah, so what I did with it is I took the most basic blocker, and then I - hang on-" He goes offscreen, presumably rummaging through a bag before returning back on screen holding a piece of paper. He shows it to the camera; it's the original diagram he took a picture of, very lightly faded, and a capped pen which he uses to gesture. "So to set this up, I altered a really basic blocker to have this extra layer here, plus I more or less used a different power source to write each section - see, I drew this section with "lethargy", and then this section with a tiny bit of "bone-deep trust" - not too much, but just enough as a failsafe in case..." His voice is fast, with nearly no room to cut in; he talks on for a bit longer before realizing that he's started to give a lecture. "Um. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to go on for so long."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

She hangs onto every word, but you can't tell because her video's off. At the end, she says, "That was rad! You know so much about diagrams and stuff, it's just amazing. Feel like it would take me years to totally understand that kinda thing. I'll try to remember it I guess, not sure if I'll totally succeed but I'll do my best. How'd you learn that stuff?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"It's all practice! Here, let me draw out a less complicated one for you - I only made *that* one so complex because I wanted to make sure nobody else could see our conversation." He rummages around below the camera and as he talks, his arm moves as if he's drawing something. "My mom made me and my sisters all learn the basic shapes, but I kept practicing on my own with what I could take that wouldn't be noticed, thinking about what might work experimenting until I found my own "style", so to say. It helps that I took the pen as my Implement - eases everything along - but it didn't *teach* me anything." He holds up a sketchbook, on which is drawn a simpler and almost-complete version of the drawing he'd shown earlier. "This one might be easier to copy - it's only got a few tweaks and additions, so it wouldn't be so expensive to power, either."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Oh, wow. I'm not sure if I'd have the dedication for that kinda thing. Practicing on my own and stuff. I'll screenshot that, uh, thank you so much. Man, wish I could—" Another spate of background noise interrupts her. It lasts longer, and you can barely make out the yelling: "*Gah—stupid birds!*" "Okay, back again, back again. Is there a good way to power these diagrams for someone like me? Because I can think of so many uses for these, they could be super helpful."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/11/2021

"Well, there's always Self, but that can be risky. You're urban-based and have some sort of tie to transportation, right? Buses, trains, that kind of thing? You might be able to collect some echoes that form from the sheer amount of *people* passing through." But really, I think the biggest obstacle to you gaining power is that, probably, your obligations and oaths and everything are holding you back from having the *time* to collect these things, the energy to study. That's what I meant when I said potential - there are so many things working together to hold you back that don't have to be there."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/11/2021

"Yeah, that, that makes sense. Like it all leads back to the big question, I guess, I don't get lots of chances to do things. Uhh—are you gonna be able to pay? I honestly don't think they'll say no if you give them enough stuff, but like, you're a cool dude. You—" Several seconds of grinding and clanking. "—don't know if it will be worth it. And what would happen after? They offered me a really good deal but if you bargain out if it they wouldn't be so friendly to me again. Were you planning to host me at your apartment or something?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

He nods. "We'll be able to pay. The Lady is my backer on this, and she has already given me permission to offer. If you're worried about where to stay afterwards, you can of course stay at Sanctuary. The custom, I believe, is a week and a day for anyone, after which you can decide if you'd like to stay. If you end up leaving then we can give you support in finding your own place and become self-sufficient there. The other side of this, of course, is your friends. I'm not asking you to abandon them - even if you're staying at Sanctuary, you can still see them. What it will give you is the space and resources to learn and grow so that you are able to help them, and so we can have time to do research and find solutions for them. I remember what you wrote about Prudence, and if I'm understanding you correctly, it's not likely they'll accept money to free her - we'll need to find another way, the sooner the better."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

"Oh, wow okay. Okay. I, you know, I didn't expect that I'd be allowed to stay at Sanctuary, actually. Like I figured it was for more important people who are in real deep serious trouble, and I'm kinda not doing that badly right now, like probably nobody's trying to kill me or anything, I think? I mean I can kinda make do on my own, you know. I can sleep in trains and stuff, I won't get kicked out. Are you really sure?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

"Honestly, I think that the Lady might be mad at me if I *didn't* offer to let you stay. Just because nobody's trying to kill you doesn't mean you don't deserve a safe place to stay, and - okay, look. Living like that... it can't compare to feeling like you have a home. I slept on trains and benches not too long ago, and now that I have an actual bed, and friends who care about me, it's like I feel alive again. I don't want you to have to go through that. Not when there's somewhere better with its doors open to you."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

"Yeah but it's not like sleeping on normal trains, like I... well, okay, I mean, if you really want to it's probably better anyway, I guess. Uh. Thanks. "I'm not sure what to say now. But I think I trust you. If everything goes well, I think, uh, I'll agree to your promises." The camera feed finally turns on. The room is poorly lit, but you make out a girl no older than 18. She wears a black suit and sunglasses that obscure her eyes, even though she's clearly indoors. Behind her is a window into total darkness. "Hiii," she says. The namecard clipped to her suit reads: Leah Malholtra 7th Sub-Sub Treasurer of Pilgrims For Progress, Inc. Ask Me For Help!

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

Justin raises a hand to wave as the camera turns on for the first time. "Nice to meet you again," he says, smiling. He looks tired but happy. "The next steps are pretty straightforward. Two of the promises only come into effect if the debt does end up getting paid, so they aren't a risk. And the promise that would come into effect now is just to protect both of us, since we both know things about each other. If you're comfortable with those, then after, I'll contact the Pilgrims. See what they say."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

Leah looks down at the namecard, as if just noticing it, and removes it from her suit. Then she smiles back. "Okay. Sure. We'll agree, then? Both of us?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

"Yes. I promise that I will make you the first three of the promises I sent you earlier in either of two situations: one, if you make the second set of promises, or two, if you promise to make them after I make mine." He pauses a few times to make sure that the logic of the statement follows, but the meaning is clear.

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

"Okay, okay okay. Then, in that case!" Her head bobs. "So I agree to the second set of promises, wait, lemme bring them up so it feels more official. If you pay my debt, then I'll listen to your advice and suggestions if the situation allows. And I won't knowingly share critical information about you with those who would harm you, and if I unknowingly share it I'll do my best to make restitution and third, if you pay my debt I'll make a good faith effort to keep in contact with you afterwards with a negotiable cadence slash length of time." She barely pauses throughout the whole thing. Her smile grows wider. "Honestly, I'm like, I'm so happy."

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

Justin matches her smile, then brings them up on the screen to read out loud as well. "For my part - if I pay your debt, it will not make you a slave or servant, either to me or the Lady, and does not mean you have to follow my orders or owe me money or your soul. I will not knowingly share critical information about you with those who would harm you, and if I unknowingly share it, I will do my best to make restitution. I want you to be free, able to help others and keep yourself safe, and I will try to help you learn what you need without it creating debt between us." He takes a deep breath. "I'm really glad this works for you. I'm nervous about what the Pilgrims will say, but I think it will work."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

"I'm glad too. I, you're like a really nice person, you know? I think you're really nice. Uh—" A sharp whine from the speakers as several black birds fly into her and start pecking at her hair. "Ow, ow! Stop!" She leans out of frame. Several seconds later, her camera feed ends. "Sorry, sorry, they've been pestering me for a while but I'll live, don't worry about it. I might have to go now, though, but I don't think there's much else we need to talk about. Guess we can make the other arrangements on OMO or something?"

Sage (Inkstainer) — 03/12/2021

"Yeah, that sounds good to me. And I hope those birds don't bother you all the time." He looks a little concerned, but doesn't press the point. "I'll let you know how it goes with the Pilgrims. Take care of yourself for now."

kaCHING\_CASH — 03/12/2021

"Okay, thanks, thank you, thank you so much. I really hope things go well for you!" She leaves the meeting.