Chapter Text
i.
Ashveil is a naturally conflicting and contradictory man, it's just who he is as Lead Hunter and La Mancha. The Aeons know everything about him, therefore he only wishes they would turn a blind eye to his financial problems.
Ashveil usually faced little trouble when putting food on the table for Mister N and himself. But today all of the emergency funds to have run out, and it seems his luck ran the same course as well.
Clients have been scarce lately. And it's not like they're not aware of his existence and expertise, all of the people that have worked with him before just refuse to return. His underworld links should be an essential asset; not a liability, but they are not seen as such by potential returnees.
And thus, with the day about to run out and the Phantasmoon just about to rise, he sighs. It's all he could do. Running errands for the convenience store nearby for free food didn't work out as expected. All he got was just one banana, perfect for Mr. N but not him.
When he enters his office, he sees Mr. N patiently sitting on the floor, hopelessly waiting for something to quench his hunger.
"Didn't work?"
He grimaces as his face expresses disappointment, "Didn't work; but only for me. I got you something."
He tosses the banana down, leaving Mr. N with several questions. "It's all they gave me. Appreciate it." 'Narrator' is used to this side of him, therefore he doesn't question it.
Ashveil doesn't sigh this time as he takes off all his accessories. He's far too used to luck just not being on his side, it's practically what his life is now.
"So what will you do to circumnavigate your hunger?"
"Sleep." He opens the fridge door, "It rarely works, but what else can I do? Watch you eat? That's just going to make me even more hungry."
"You could dumpster dive."
La Mancha grunts to show that he doesn't want to entertain that idea. As unethical or unorthodox he can get, he doesn't stoop that low.
Mr. N shrugs as if telling him, 'well, that's on you' before ravaging the rest of the banana.
Just before he could enter his makeshift bed, his fridge, something starts making noise in his pocket. He makes it out as as his phone, an unknown number was calling. Despite it being very late, if it was a client then, he'd be extremely willing to help out; with money as reward, of course.
He clicks on the cracked screen, and swiped on the green call sign. Out of all the voices to expect, he's greeted by a feminine voice; a fragile, yet corporate feminine voice.
"Good day. Is this Detective Ashveil?"
"Indeed. Who's this lady with an elegant voice that's talking to me right now?"
Mister N cringed at that. Ashveil did not, part of being detective means having charisma to sway and coerce potential witnesses.
"That does not matter to you right now." Her voice didn't falter, remaining completely unfazed. "I have a job for you. Can you get it done by tomorrow sunrise?"
"What's with the urgency?" He joked, "Take your time, lady. Whatever you want me to do, it doesn't come for free. You know that?"
"I'm well aware, detective. Name your price and I'll transfer it to your bank account."
Wait.. what? Not even a bargain? Just.. name your price? That's the first time someone ever said those words to him!
Just how rich was this lady, and even more importantly, what even was this job?
"Your tone and urgency makes it seem like this is quite a dangerous task. What is it?"
"It couldn't be farther from that, detective. All I need was someone with connections to the underworld for this job, and it says here that you're perfect for that."
"Alright. What is the task?"
"Find a friend's pet. It's the world to her." Those words sounded silly, but we're uttered with upmost seriousness.
"-that sounds utterly-"
"Do you want the money or not? Or perhaps, I chose the wrong person for this job?"
"-relax!" He called out hurriedly, "I'll do it. Just— tell me more so I can find it easier."
"The pet is a Warp Trotter named Numby. Warp Trotters have an eye; or nose, for treasure and jewelry. Naturally, this got Numby into serious trouble as one day when my friend was walking her friend, Numby was suddenly kidnapped by a few criminals." He could hear an audible sigh, "She's so stressed she's having a hard time concentrating on anything related to work."
"Sounds bad." A voice of concern had taken a hold of his voice, "Is this also the same Numby that Topaz of the IPC is known for being partners with?"
…
"You're already proving that you were the best option I could've chosen. I hope to not be disappointed tomorrow."
"-This makes you Pearl, right? If you aren't Topaz, and you sound way too soft to be Jade, then.." He is absolutely the cream of the crop in this field, to the point where he could deduce something as difficult as the person on the other line easily. "Whoever you are. I'll contact you when I find Numby."
"Great. You'll receive the money once I see them with my eyes. You will get a bonus if Numby comes back unharmed."
He could tell that this woman, likely Pearl of the IPC, was swimming in credits. It made him see an opportunity he just couldn't pass on.
"-Since you have so much money to spare, can you do me a favor?"
"And what is that?" That same deadpan voice again. If her relationship to Topaz didn't confirm it, her voice was bound to make him recognize it.
"Deposit me just a handful of credits right now. Seeing as you have heaps of it right now, could you buy me dinner? I.. unfortunately, have to go to sleep on an empty stomach today."
"…"
Ashveil could immediately tell when something was stupid and out of line, himself included. It was an impulsive plea for help, he might even call it desperate. "Stupid of me to ask. I'll call you tomorrow. Stand by."
It was her turn to be sympathetic, "Not many clients lately?"
"Yes.."
…
Suddenly, a notification flew down on his phone and on to his line of sigh, It was 1000 credits, plenty for a fancy late night dinner, donated by Pearl of the IPC.
"Treat yourself to something nice." Her tone became soft, somewhat maternal. "I better not see empty hands at the IPC HQ tomorrow."
Abruptly, she hangs up the call. Her voice made him, admittedly, a little bit at ease, so her hanging up kind of stung for a little while. Regardless, he turned to Mister N with a large smile.
"Still hungry?"
"That entirely depends on what you're about to say to me."
He sounded like joy and whimsy had finally taken entered his life, "Let's go have some dinner."