Episode 14

*Talk Page*

Scypho Backstory

Finally arriving at the fuel station, Scypho helps Pezci get loose from the Mirror's remora's sucker using pressurized water, and then he offers to explain what's up with him and Madam Louv. He used to work for her as her personal guard, but she abused her authority, so he decided to take the Mirror as payback. Later on, Scypho and the Mirror tussle over a rolled paper he'd had in his jacket, and when he gets it back, he shows Pezci it's a map showing their route to the Light Tower. She has doubts about him, but she decides to carry on. When he's ready to leave, she complains she's tired from two days of swimming. He gets a thoughtful look when he spots an open watercar.

## Cast of Characters

* Pezci
* Scypho
* The Mirror
* Madam Louv

## Synopsis

Pezci and Scypho finally get across the trench and arrive at the fuel station. The Mirror is still securely attached to her head, though she seems to be alert again and not dead, after the beating she took from Madam Louv's attempts to claim the Mirror. Several full-sized submarines and smaller personal watercars are either parked off to the side, cruising through the station, or are pulled up to a refueling pump. Mounted on a tall scaffold behind the station's building proper is a sign consisting of giant green letters proclaiming that this is where fuel can be obtained.

In an attempt to get the Mirror to release Pezci, Scypho sprays her with pressurized water at a wash station, and the Mirror releases the remora's sucker with a pop, eliciting a thanks from Pezci. The Mirror bends away from Pezci as Scypho recoils the water line and hangs it back on its hook. He says that he assumes she's wondering what that whole ordeal was about. Brushing out her hair with her fingers, she agrees in typically dramatic fashion that she *would* like to know. Scypho lets her know that normally he'd be stubborn enough not to explain anything, *but*, since she did such a good job taking down those goons, he'll tell her. The Mirror straightens up hurriedly, as if it too is interested in his story, startling Pezci.

He starts out, explaining that the crazy whale lady is his old boss, Madam Louv. He used to work as one of her personal guards. It was supposed to be the best paying job he's ever had, but it quickly became impossible to handle. He recalls hauling stacks of boxes while she was shopping, or moving vats of food fish. He was forced into these ridiculous and menial tasks, remembering scouring fish and washing dishes, and all of it was just for her own sick kicks. Pezci watches fretfully as the Mirror starts extruding a metal chain that it begins wrapping around itself.

But then, as he was cleaning the display glass of her prized mirror, he realized how easy it would be to just take it … so he did! He walked away from the shattered case with the Mirror in hand, even as the security alarms were going off. Now, he says, she's on a relentless pursuit to get it back, but he plans on selling it to the blackfish market dealer for triple the price. The Mirror sways back and forth, totally wrapped up in chain.

With the Mirror shining a golden-red light on her, Pezci agrees that's nice and all, but she wants to know what ***is*** it? The chains vanish and are replaced with wriggling green arms, a miniature replica of the Trench worm's arms, while Scypho thinks about it. He finally confesses he doesn't actually know, but it's worth a ton of money. The Mirror gives him a blue-handed thumbs up. Waving her arms dramatically, Pezci recaps, saying in addition to being wanted for a Key, they also have a crazy, rich, whale lady hunting them down because he stole her magical mirror instead of just quitting. Rolling his eyes, he replies saying that seems to be the situation they're in. Slumping down, she moans she's regretting several choices right now. The Mirror displays a crossed-out image of Madam Louv as Scypho tries to cheer her up, saying he's known Madam Louv for a while now, and he can definitely avoid whatever she throws at them.

He wanders away, fishing around in his jacket, with the Mirror keeping pace with him. Pezci starts thinking she shouldn't have trusted him from the beginning, but she's too scared to take it back now … what if he gets mad? Scypho pulls a rolled up paper from his jacket and shows it to the Mirror with a grin. To his surprise and dismay, the Mirror shoots out a frog's tongue and takes hold of the roll. Still fretting, Pezci wonders what if he hurts her? What if he decides to take the Key and try to get to the Light Tower himself? She tells herself no, to be calm and to focus. In the background, Scypho and the Mirror play tug-of-war for possession of the rolled up paper. Looking at the Key on her hand, Pezci tells herself she can't back down now; it's too risky anyway. Bucking up, she thinks that she can do this. She just has to believe he's trustworthy. The fight for the paper roll ends with Scypho angrily swatting the Mirror away.

Coming up behind her, Scypho gives Pezci a fright, telling her to check it out, that he'd snitched the rolled up paper from the clerk's desk when they weren't looking. She leans over to get a look as he unrolls the paper, announcing that here is his plan. It's a map that vaguely resembles planet Earth, except it shows that the land everywhere is underwater. On this map, Scypho has crudely drawn the route they will be taking. He tells her that if they take the subtrain at the next city to the West, it can take them all the way to the edge of the Great Abyss of Visceral Terror. From there they'll take the subabyssal train towards the Light Tower. Pezci worriedly asks about having to cross another abyss. The Mirror is wrapped in chains again and acting terrified. Tucking the map away in his jacket, he assures her it's either that or going East over the Greater Abyss of Even More Visceral Terror. Nearly ready to weep, she declares this is impossible. Strapping the chain-draped and dejected Mirror to his back, he tells her not to worry, they'll definitely make it. He tells her one of his old jobs was being a navigator for a prestigious ship and crew. Looking hopeful, she asks him if it's really true. Rubbing his chin, he admits they were pirates and he was a stowaway, and he only did it for a week. The Mirror's glass looks like it's been hit by an overripe fruit. But he tells her he has faith in his keen memory, as the hope fades from her face.

He turns away, perhaps to continue the journey, but Pezci yanks on his coat, asking him to wait. She admits she's tired. She's been swimming for almost two days, and she asks if they can just rest. He gets a thoughtful look and glances around. Over by the station house, a watercar sits with an empty hatch. He begins to grin as the Mirror displays a brightly lit lightbulb. Pezci can't understand why he's smiling.

## References

1. ↑ From the author's comment on *Scypho Backstory*