Episode 7

*Talk Page*

Fears

When Scypho asks why her tribe isn't helping her, Pezci tells him how the Planifron tribe was eradicated by the maelstrom. She admits she regrets the loss of her armor, and even more the acquisition of the Golden key. After catching the Mirror staring at her, she demands to know what's up with that thing. Scypho refuses to tell her, and when she asks him to tell her about himself, he spews some line about being a simple salesman. She doesn't believe him. Soon, they come upon a very deep trench that triggers Pezci's fear of depths. Calling upon her Planifron heritage, Scypho finally convinces her to try crossing. Just as he starts growing concerned about the bubbles rising from the depths, she decides to tackle her fear and sets out over the trench.

## Cast of Characters

* Pezci
* Scypho
* The Mirror

## Synopsis

As Pezci and Scypho swim away from the city, he asks her how she came by the name Murder Razorfin. She starts to explain she's from the Planifron Tribe, but Scypho interrupts her when he comments that those guys are vicious, saying she should have no trouble going it alone. Pezci quickly refutes that, saying she doesn't want to be vicious. When Scypho expresses surprise that the whole tribe isn't leading some huge crusade to get her into the Light Tower, she sadly relates that her entire tribe perished in the maelstrom. Dismayed by his misstep, he tells her he's sorry, but she says with a rueful smile he doesn't have to be. The Mirror has its own opinion of Scypho, displaying the image of an ass.

She tells him the tribe had hoped the maelstrom would hit them, and they died as they lived, blindly charging into the jaws of death in a blaze of glory. In response to his disbelieving look, she says Planifron usually have short lives. Then she tells him her biggest regret is losing her armor, that it at least made her feel safer. Looking at her hand, she concedes that maybe she regrets letting that Key attach to her more. He asks her if she had any choice, and she flips over to her back with her arms hanging down and her eyes closed, moaning, "Nooooo." The Mirror finds her actions fascinating and pokes out an eyestalk to ogle her.

Shading his eyes, Scypho looks around, saying he thinks they can find a fuel station somewhere around near. Pezci's eyes pop open, and she's startled when she catches the Mirror staring at her. Getting in front of Scypho, she points at the Mirror, startling it in turn, and she loudly questions what is the deal with that crazy thing on his back. He haughtily answers her, saying, yeah, like he's going to tell her, then he says that's still classified info; the Mirror makes a "shot down" face at her. Pezci declares it isn't fair, and that she should know *something* about her travel partner. The Mirror looks like it's thin ice cracking, while Scypho, tight-lipped, asks her what. Fidgeting uncertainly, she asks who exactly is he and what he does. Looking away, he rubs his chin and claims he's a simple salesman trying to survive in a constantly deteriorating world with very little going for himself except some basic wit and an understanding of the cruelty of existence. The Mirror stays blank throughout his speech, while Pezci looks at him, stunned by his line of obvious bull. With a smug look, he concludes with a casual, "that's it." She's thinking that, somehow, she doesn't believe that's all of it.

Changing the subject, Scypho shades his eyes and declares that he thinks he sees the fuel station in the distance. He continues, saying they'll just need to cross this trench. Off in the distance, on the other side of the trench they've come upon, is some kind of building. The trench isn't very wide, but it's so deep that light doesn't reach the bottom, and it has bubbles rising from its depths. Swimming comfortably out over the trench, Scypho calls back, telling Pezci to come on, that it's not that far. Moving forward briskly, it doesn't take long before he realizes she's not with him. He stops and looks back quizzically. Pezci is still back at the edge of the trench, wide-eyed and huddled in on herself. He calls out, trying to hurry her along. She fearfully peeks over the edge of the trench, and the depths loom back at her, bubbles rising from the darkness below. She pulls back, rapidly shaking her head and calling out "no no no."

Impatient with her reluctance, he demands to know why she won't come along. She timorously admits that she's afraid of depths. With the Mirror making a grimace over his shoulder, Scypho is puzzled by her admission and reminds her she's a Planifron; those people aren't afraid of anything. He angrily demands she just close her eyes and keep swimming forward. She wails her refusal, squalling her fear of a monster grabbing her. Pushing her hair off her face, she worriedly asks what if she accidentally looks down? Picking at her fingertips, she fearfully asks what if the water temperature changes? Terrified, she asks what if she loses energy and starts sinking? She turns away from the edge, waving her arms wildly and crying out it's too risky. Out over the edge, Scypho is bemused by her behavior and wonders how she made it this far. The Mirror, though, is looking down into the depths.

Trying to convince her, Scypho tells Pezci he's sure there's no other way around, causing her great concern. Speaking famous last words, he urges her to come on, saying it's not so bad and claiming nothing really happens around these parts. Right then, he notices the rising bubbles seem to be increasing, though he can't actually *see* anything in the depths to cause any worry. All the same, he laughs nervously and repeats that if they just keep swimming forward, it'll be fine. The Mirror doesn't seem to think so, showing a stripped fish skeleton. Still looking down, Scypho worries that it really just keeps on going. Putting up a front of false bravado, he again urges Pezci to go, that the more she lingers, the scarier it will be.

She looks up, totally unconvinced, then she looks back to the depths with tears in her eyes, and she wonders why. She pulls herself to the edge, trembling with fear. Starting to get concerned, Scypho wonders out loud where are all those bubbles are coming from. Finally convincing herself, Pezci closes her eyes and thinks she should just do it, and not embarrass herself. Thinking, "Don't freak out, don't freak out, don't freak out", she slowly swims out toward where Scypho is impatiently waiting.