Chapter Text
No job, no home, and worst of all, no safety from The Batter, you thought to yourself as you walked along the streets of the residential section of Zone 2. Word on the street was that The Batter had arrived in Zone 2. He had already ‘purified’ Zone 1 and you knew that Zone 2 was next stop if he took the tram. You knew there was only one way you could survive his massacre. You had to use your collecting skills you had lent the merchant, Zacharie, as leverage for your plea for a favor. You were going to ask the masked merchant to allow you to stay with him.
You pulled your hood up and entered into the mall. An all too familiar chuckle caressed your ears as you entered the mall. “Well, hello, again, my dear Proxy. Are you here to drop off some more of the merchandise you’ve been able to, ah… procure for me?” You shook your head. Proxy. That’s all he had ever called you. You had gotten used to it. In fact, the name was very appropriate to you. In many situations, you were, indeed, his delegate.
“Ah, pity. Nonetheless, how can I help you, Proxy?”
You pulled your hood down, “Monsieur Zacharie, I need to ask for your help.” You swallowed hard and looked into the eyes behind the dark holes of the mask. “I know what is happening. And, I know that I am most likely not going to survive, but I ask of you to allow me to continue be your procurer and move on, to the next zones, with you. I will stay out of the way and you will, of course, always be able to continue your business and I will be able to continue to gather your items. Just, please, sir… allow me to travel with you. You know the course of this… this avatar’s movements. You know how to approach the situation…”You stopped, realizing that, for once, the merchant was silent. “Wha-what is it, sir?”
“I had not realized that you were a female...” he slowly answered and began to chuckle again. “How could I have known? I never allowed you to speak, usually, or you simply did not allow yourself to speak. And, your identity… you kept yourself… so… well hidden.” You simply nodded to him, trying to follow his train of thought. He continued into a truer laugh, “Of course, you wouldn’t have been an Elsen… You’re different. You always have been… I don’t even know your name.”
You stuttered out your name, still confused. He repeated it, leaning onto the counter. You stood taller and furrowed your brows. The masked man began irritating you. “I’m sorry, sir, but I don’t understand how my name and gender mean anything to you. My plea is the same, is it not? I need help. And, you are one of the few people who can read the writing on the wall.”
He paused and tilted his head. “Well, (name), I don’t have a procurer over in the other zones, yet. And, to make new connections like that take time, as you know.” He rested his chin, on his hand. You could feel the grin behind the already smiling mask. No, you could, hear it behind the mask, through his voice. He sat up and chuckled his normal chortle. “It’s decided. I’ll take you on as my apprentice… of sorts. You won’t deal with The Batter, of course. AND, you can fix any masks I may need to be repaired… I think you should wear one.” He rested his elbow in the opposite hand, as if he were thinking. “How about a bird.”
“Too medieval,” you instantly answered. “My hood should be fine, sir.”
“Suit yourself, (name),” he mused. “We’ll see later on. But, for now… I’ll continue calling you Proxy. Fair enough?”
It took you little time to decide that would be fine. He had called you that before, and it was still odd hearing your own name being said outside of your own head. “Of course, sir.”
He laughed and motioned to you where you could stay and place your bedding, once you obtained that, in the same room as him. He dismissed you to gather your things and some bedding for yourself. A sense of dread began making your chest feel heavy. This sense of uncertainty made you ill at ease. Not knowing what will happen, a lack of a plan, and no control made you wonder if you wanted to just face The Batter, himself, just so you could get it done and over with.
No. Your mind softly urged you. You sighed, knowing that your conscience was exactly right. You told the cat who identified himself as The Judge that you would do your best to avoid this... avatar? That's what he referred to the Batter. He may have declared himself on a holy mission to purify the land, but he is not in control. There is another who controls his actions. In this sense, I guess he believes himself completely innocent of any wrongdoings that occur. The Judge's voice echoed in your cranium. He was the second person to notice you. He had helped you in deciding in approaching Zacharie. He assured you the merchant was your best bet.
The night had already fallen by the time you returned to the shop in the mall. Zacharie opened the door from the side of the backroom to allow you in. He simply had the mask held to his face as he held the door open for you.
It was a moment before he spoke. "My apologies, I didn't know when (and if) you were going to return." He finally got around to tying the mask on as you began staking your claim on the opposite side of where his knapsack and other belongings were placed. "I would not do that, if I were you, ma chère. It's not exactly the most warm these nights. It'd be best if you stayed closer to the space heater."
You nodded and began placing your things closer to where the space heater was standing. After laying your bedding out, you showed to him the loot you had scored along the way, including some food.
"Ah, see, this is why you are my Proxy," he joyously declared as he turned on an old, small stove. "You find ways to make sure I can continue on." His voice began showing such pure affections, though you suspected it was from his showman's streak, "I owe you so much, my little procurer... my little scavenger... my little huntress." He hummed and began fixing some food for you both. "I hope you don't mind, Proxy, but I am going to ration our food supply out, until we are sure we can spoil ourselves."
"I don't mind at all, I just haven't eaten in a long time," you admitted. Your blush was safe under your hood and with Zacharie's back turned. Your stomach knew what you were admitting and immediately testified that what you were saying was true.
One of Zacharie's truer laughs trickled out before he answered, "Very well, (name) and stomach. We shall fix that issue."