Pal's Questionnaire

I have a place outside of Milwaukee Wisconsin. My family got it for me when I was going to school to be trained as a paramedic, and I kept it after. I suppose I'm there because I made friends, and don't really have any pulls to go anywhere else. The world needs people working to keep it moving, fighting these super natural threats, and making sure we don't all die. But I can't really do that. I could join the military I suppose, but the restrictions I'd get from that make whatever benefit I could give the world not worth it.

So Instead I work as a volunteer firefighter, and spend some time researching what's going on in the world, to see If there is anything I can do.

My dad gave me a bunch of money in a trust. I life off of that. I used to use the money to travel, and experience things, but now a days I mostly save, and life frugally. Sometimes I donate it. Spent a lot of my money donating to Macaurther foundation, and a few other places working on nuclear security. Also a few places working on pandemic preparedness. Some to ALLFED. I really hope that last won’t be necessary, but with everything that’s happening around the world. I’m terrified of where we’re headed, and someone needs to stop it. If I were more capable, that would be me.

I think the world is walking a very very dangerous road right now. Nuclear war, engineered pandemics, strong AI, and then all of these terrifying supernatural things going on.

This isn’t sustainable. The threats of the last century are still with us, and as technology advances, and the supernatural combines with it, there are more and more things that could destroy the world. I want to eliminate threats to the world. Make the world safe and keep it safe from the extinction of all life.

People don’t think it can happen. But that’s just because we haven’t seen it happen before, and by definition we won’t see a world ending event until it happens. 

I would kill or die to make the world be safe. I wouldn’t like it, but one persons life can’t be held above that of everyone else.

In college, I was a pretty relaxed guy kind of drifting through life. Wasn’t good at school, but it didn’t really matter, I’d be inheriting my parents wealth, and didn’t really need to work if I didn’t want to. I learned some things, I was nice to folks, but I didn’t really have much direction. Then I read the Precipice by Toby Ord. I got obsessed and started consuming every bit of information I could get. Started having trouble in my classes, but learned a lot. And that I couldn’t really do anything. Never had enough of a mind for knowledge work, and that was what most needed to work on any area that mattered.

i got pulled out or school for a bit. Went to therapy. This was mid pandemic so nobody remarked on it. I got really into reading crypto leaks at this point. I decided that if I couldn’t work in the known treats, maybe the unknown threats would need some muscle behind it. And I had my new path, start training my skills to become someone able to deal with the supernatural.

Mom: 
My mom is ... Very kind. She cares a lot about me and my sister, and she is the parent we both spent the most time with. She is a bit simple, but she loves us. We love her too. She didn't protect us from some of Dad's excesses, and I resented her for that. But she cleaned up after him, and we never doubted that whatever happened she'd be on our side. I think the trip me, her and Ems took to visit our grandparents in Japan after college softened up my opinion of her a lot. She is very sweet, but isn't good at pushing in social situations.

My sister, Ems:
I love my older sister. I don't get to see her much any more. She is a super high achiever. Was always a straight A student, head of all the clubs, then after college she was a consultant, and kept moving up the ranks. She has pretty grand ambitions, and always had the abilities needed to back it up. She was the one that always stood up to Dad when he was pushing me too hard.

My Dad:
Dad isn't really in my life anymore. He's a rich ass and expected me to be perfect. Gave me a bit of a complex for a while. But now I have my trust, and haven't talked to him in a few years.

My childhood was... Fine. My dad had a bunch of money and I never really needed anything material. My mom was a little anxiety inducing, but she was very loving.
Overall, I can't really complain. 

My dad was strict. My sister was always perfect, A's in all her classes, perfect in all her activities (Gymnastics). If she wasn't one of my favorite people I would have resented her.

I wasn't like her. I wasn't a prodigy. I did good in sports, and I did fine in school, but it never really motivated me.

My parents pushed me a lot, and in response, I kind of just stopped caring. 

I made lots of friends, I had a fun time, and I just refused to talk about academics with my family. I fit in pretty well, but didn't really find the anyone that I clicked with.

I kind of felt like people didn't really understand me, like I was putting up a facade.

I've dated people a few times. A few short flings in high school. One longer one in college. It was fun. It was maybe love. I definitely cared a lot about Amy, and wanted her to be happy. 

But things still felt so shallow. We dated for a few years, had some discussion about getting married and having kids, then I had my freak out. After that she pulled away, and I haven't talked to her much since. I think I would do better by her if I were able to do it again, I've relaxed a lot since then, and feel more... at home with myself. 

I think I would get along with her better if she knew Moonstone. Being her feels like an important part of me that I never felt I could show her.

I guess this is just standard issues with vulnerability. I've done some work internally for that, but not enough, and being constantly thrown into danger isn't great for that.

I'm terrified that the world is going to end. 

I don't really have anything keeping me from being happy. I'm fit, have money, am pretty okay with my family. The only thing that could realistically derail my life is something which derails everyone's life. 

Everyone keeps ignoring the risks that we are in! We look at the news, and find demigods running around, doing whatever they want. How long before one of them find a way to set back the entirety of humanity! That's just the supernatural risk! Nukes, AI, pandemics. We are constantly at risk, and we need people that can deal with this, and protect the world.



I suppose I have another fear. That I won't end up mattering. That there isn't really a me. That my life won't have any meaning. Pretty much my whole life I've been overshadowed by my parent's expectations. A lot of who I am was in response to that, a lot in reaction against. Who am I? 

Sometimes I'm moonstone. I like being moonstone. When I'm her, pain doesn't matter, discomfort doesn't matter. I'm sure of myself, and the person I am. 

I am a badass, and unstoppable. I'm going to keep the world safe. I need to get better and grow, but I owe it to you her to stay alive. To me.

To be the best Moonstone I can be.

My sister used to give me stickers whenever I did well in school. There were a bunch of different ones. Whenever I did well on a test, or (more frequently) did well in some athletic competition. She would buy them with little bits of her allowance from the cornerstore. 

They were pretty little flowers and bees, and smiley faces. I saved them in a box in my room and didn't use. In high school my dad took them from me during one of our arguments. I failed an exam or something. I wasn't "living up to his expectations". I didn't for most of high school . 

My sister got them back. She saved it in a laminated sheet of plastic. I keep it in my room. Looking at them makes me feel safe and loved. It reminds me that my sister is proud of me, and that makes it more important to me than anything else I own.

I don't really have any problems.

Life is pretty great for me except for the risk of dying every month from the contracts I go on. The anxiety about the impending doom of the world isn't great, I guess. But that's the life of a hero.

Shit.

Pascal is also a little annoying, I guess. He should really come with a mute button.

Well, at least he distracts me from thoughts of some demi-god making a zombie plague I guess. Or some mad scientist pulling the moon to earth. Or some crazy person making a breed of super animals to kill all of us.

Oh! This girl at the gym was looking at me, but I'm not sure if it's because I was wearing a pink workout shirt, my new earrings, or if she was interested in me. If she was interested in me, how do I subtly explain to her that sometimes I become a magical girl? Or that I like it better that way sometimes.

Gender is weird, this is all weird, I'm going to not think about it!

Oh boy!

Wake up. It's 5 am. Time for a morning run! I try and get somewhere between 4 and 8 miles in, keep myself fit, keep my cardio up. Then it's hitting the Gym! Some days I'm listening to my audio books from the morning run, others I just need some toons to lift too. Usually if I had a nightmare, it's just toons. Don't want to think about it or have any time to think at all. I like a mix of pop, and songs from musicals. Next to normal hits so hard, and Waitress is phenomenal.

Then I head back home. I take a nice long time to shower myself of. Then I make myself some eggs, some toast, a bowl of strawberries and sometime other seasonal fruits. 

If I'm on call, I head in to where I'm on call. Read up on the news, get anxious. Sometimes I call folks, play boardgames with other people on call, that sort of thing.


If I'm not on call ... I uhh. Used to not do much of anything? Sometimes I go to fun events, but a lot of it was spent trying not to think at home. Now I spend that time training instead. To be the best Moonstone I can be.

Well, I used to be brought out to functions with my parents a lot. I had a bunch of nice suits, and tuxes, and I learned what I needed to wear to look nice when working in those spaces. I'm glad for that, because that's a good skill when I need to convince people of something or impress people. 

But it's not really me. I much prefer more casual clothes. Well-fitting t-shirt, sweatpants and Jeans make me feel secure. Takes only a few minutes to get ready, and most of the people I want to like me will like me just as much.


Yeah Pascal, I know. But... Okay fine

I suppose ... It would be nice to go out somewhere as moonstone. Maybe try on some nice sun dresses and skirts. Do some makeup and eyeshadow. Just.... be her for a while around other people. If I could be her for as long as I wanted, I would like to spend a few days doing that a week. Just living my life as her.


No, I'm not going to talk about it pascal. Too many things going on, I'll figure out my brain and gender stuff later.

Me and Ems will probably do something. That's usually how we spend our birthdays. For her birthdays, I spend the day helping her with her activism things, and then in the evenings, we read, or dance, or do whatever her hobby of the month is.

For my birthdays we usually do something physical until we have tired ourselves out, and then have cake and watch a kid's movie. 

I suppose cake won't really be a thing I want any more. Since I can't taste it. Maybe I'll get it back at some point eventually.

But. If I'm alive, I'm going to spend the day with Ems. Maybe I'll invite Sammy along. Invite some firefighter friends to.

I'd like to introduce Ems to Moonstone before my next birthday. Or. Introduce myself? Stop hiding myself from her?

That scares me more than the thought of fighting more monsters for some reason.

I should have done more to save Lod. He was a bit of a dumbass. And he didn't actually die. 

But got his leg bitten off while me and Johnny ran. I don't think there is much that I could have done, but maybe if I'd had more command over the situation he would have followed us when we ran. He could have floated down, then pulled us out of the river. Hell, we could have figured something out. 

It was just stupid. If I'd had more control over the situation. If I'd been as strong then as I am now. If I've been more in control of the situation....

That was the main contract I went on where someone other than me took the brunt of an attack. And I

There are more I've made mistakes on. I wish I could have stopped He Bifu.

I wish I had been able to hit that fucking clown.

Probably there were some other mistakes I've made.  

Pascal gives me my powers. He wants me to save the world and protect the innocent. To do that, he gave me the power to become Moonstone. I.... I think Moonstone was some part of me that always existed. Or wanted to exist. Or ... something.

With each contract, Pascal gives Moonstone more of her power ... More of our... my power. 

She... and I become powerful with each job, and we become better at being a hero.

Some of Moonstone's power comes from channeling energy through the stone that shares her name. Not sure why Pascal needs the contracts, or the harbingers. But for some reason he does.

With each job Moonstone becomes better at being a superhero. She kicks butt, takes hits, and moves fast.  

I think I might eventually have some of her powers in both forms. Or... I might slowly become her. I'm... not sure. Pascal is always vague on the subject. 

"Pascal! Pascal stop it"

Pal swats at the air, as he sets up his phone camera.

"Yeah yeah, I know you have a lotttt of opinions on this one, but quit it. "

Pal turns to the phone.

"What's up Journal? Anyway yeah, I'm not into that sort of thing. I guess before this annoying little mini god over here decided to choose me as the champion."

Pal scratches the back of his head.

"I suppose my Dad was kinda into cristianity for appearances, and my mom was into it. But it just... never really clicked with me. Now there are a bunch of supernatural things going around, and I don't think any of it was predicted by the major religions, so... Probably they are all at least a little wrong. But maybe a bit right too."

Pal frowns.

"Shut up Pascal! I don't need to hear about your world tree or your multiverse, or you dreams of a collection of extra dimensional beings theories."

Pal rubs his eyes, and goes to take the camera down and go on a run. Pascal is being particularly irritating today.

Pal sets up the camera carefully. This one felt serious.


"Okay. So. I guess I'll start with the big one. Or... at least the one I talked about before."

Pal looks around his apartment.

"I kind of thought I would be useless before the contract. Yeah, I am fit and strong and shit, and I did good work as a fire fighter.. but the world was in constant danger, and I couldn't really do anything to help..."

Pal clenches his fist.

"But... now I'm a super hero. Now I can save people from the super natural. And there is at least one avenue of risk that I can pursue. I can help my life has a meaning."

"But..."

Pal sighs. And then she becomes Moonstone.

"I guess this was the bigger thing." Moonstone smiles, looking down at her hands . Flexes them.

"It feels so good to be me sometimes... To be a girl. To be Moonstone.... I think I had something.. before... But I ignored it."

Moonstone leans back. Thinking.


"I always wanted to be a girl. Or. I was a girl sometimes... I don't know if it's all the time... This stuff is hard. But. Being me. Being her. It revealed something that I didn't know about myself. And I love being able to be... Myself now."

Pal gets home. It had ben... a long trip. Nearly got cut in half. Took most of a week on the boat for that to be resolved.

"You know, you really should have called for help before charging in."

"Yes Pascal, I know, you've been telling me for 2 weeks now."

Pal sighs as he mumbles to himself. He needs to get home and take a full shower. Get some clean clothes.

Get Moonstone out of her uniform and into a clean one. Sew up the locations where Moonstone's uniform had been deeply cut through.

Pal checks his phone. He messaged Wren this morning ... and a few hours ago

"Should be back tonight. Not sure if you're home haha"
"On my flight!"
"Just landed."

Pal resists the urge to text again that he is back at the building. 

C'mon, act like an adult. She has a full job, and this is short notice. You didn't even ask her to be there. Or tell her that you were almost cut in half.

Pal puts his handle on the door. It is unlocked.

Opening the door, he looks over to the bedroom. It's open.

In bed, under the covers, bundled up with the heat pads he bought is a pale and beautiful woman. Wren. His... girlfriend.

And he was her... boygirlfriend. Something. 

She smiles at him, and his shoulders relax. He smiles. 

Moonstone moves light on her feet.

Across from her is a giant of a man. One she has been on a few contracts on. Including the one they just finished. Now... Now they have fun. 

Moonstone's image flickers with light. Her spectral double overlapping her movement. Moving to cover her blind spots. Be an extra set of arms defending.

Around both of them is a cage. And outside of the cage are the spectators. An audience watching the fight.

Her blood pumps hard and fast in her veins. Her breath is coming fast. She breaths heavily. The man holds and axe, and Moonstone just has her fists. But that is all she needs. She charges forward. Feeling alive.

Finally. Something that I'm good at.

--- Many Months ago ---
Moonstone runs, loaded up with 2 teammates. They are heavy, but Moonstone is strong. She is fast . She runs from what is certain death behind her, carrying the people who need her.

-------

Pal guides a pale and confused woman through airport security. Wren was her name. She was .... really hurt. Pal knows someone who can fix it. Might take a few days. In the mean time she will be in his care... Fuck he feels useless. 

He wasn't good at this part. All this magic power that he... that Moonstone has, and when someone is hurt neither of them can do anything. 

He checks the news occasionally. There are stories. Magical healers make splashes some times. Making real and durable changes. 

He... She.... They are just... A hammer. Something to smash threats with.

--- Now ---

Moonstone makes sure the little girl gets to the airport safe. 

She smiles. She had many more powers now, and none of them made her someone who fixed things. She was always the first line of defense instead. But. When being that meant that she could make sure that other people didn't get hurt. That the people with the power to make real and lasting changes are safe... She was happy to be what she was. A sword and a shield for the world.

"I don't see why I need to think about that Pascal." Pal grumbles. He had just finished his shower after his morning workout.

"I mean.... I really doubt I'd need to like... kill a bunch of people or do something super bad. Like. I could just punch the problem. Even then, the people I punch don't die unless I want them too, and I don't want them too." 

"It's important!" Pascal responds, "You will face many many challenges to your primitive human morality in the future, and you must be well versed in what you believe, and why it is that you believe what you believe." 

Pal snorts "Okay, well. How about this. If that comes up, then I just won't do the bad thing. I'll punch the bad guys, save all the good guys and run away if I need to. It's not like most things will be able to catch me."

"You are being Childish! You won't be able to use your powers to get past every situation. Remember how much you struggled when.."

"When I was getting started yeah, yeah. But I'm not that person any more. Me and Moonstone are strong now. Capable. We can handle it."

// Will answer this a bit out of character, because Pal would have no idea how to answer this question.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp6DUeo2YdQ a Magical girl song. Neither I, nor Pal/Moonstone have seen any of sailor moon, but it seems to be the general consensus that Moonstone fits very well with the entire vibe.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_HjMIjzyMU I need a hero from Shrek 2. Yes it is important that it is from Shrek 2. That is the best version, and best music video that could ever exist for that song. But yes. Moonstone is a hero. Straightforward and direct, without the complications that often come from trying to be a hero in the contract. They have been beaten nearly to death saving other contractors by putting themself in the line of fire, and have protected more contractors than any other of my contractors.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZFNut0RGlQ I vibe with this song so hard when thinking about Pal and Moonstone's energy. Just. Fearless, fast, reckless. Very Moonstone. 

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wan2REH1x9g I love the energy of this song, and also the way it combines 2 very very different things in a way that just works. This fits. Pal/Moonstone has a paradigm from a very different Genre of story than the contract usually has 

5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrgpX-_bFqM Second magical girl song. It's a good one and a classic.

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRJyYfAq2tk Just a very energetic song, with a strong association with fighting. Which Moonstone is all about. There is some element of Gender fuckery with Moonstone and Pal, and this isn't the best song for that, but some amount of contradiction and miss matched narrative fits very well with Pal/ Moonstone's character.

7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDBj0fEnx4 Just another magical girl opening. It's good, and this one I have actually watched the entire show. One of the costs I gave moonstone was based on an idea from this show.

"Gosh, I hope so." Pal chuckles. "That would mean the world would finally be safe. But probably no. There are too many dangers, and.... There isn't much I'm good for that isn't emergencies."

Pascal floats in a circle.  "You are truly dedicated. I'm glad that I picked you, and not one of my other choices. You need to keep going. Keep growing. Unlock all of the powers destined for you." 

Pal smirks.

"Although.... retiring does seem nice. I could get a nice place on the beach, hang out with Wren all day... Go flying at night... I don't need money, It probably wouldn't be to hard to find a way to make myself safe from whatever happens to the world."

Pascal's face drops. "No!!! You have a responsibility! You have the power of my people! You..."

"Relax buddy. I'm messing with you. I already said I wouldn't." Pal shifts to a more relaxed smile "You can stop worrying.

"But uh.... I don't really do that." Pal shrugs.

"I mean. I have gotten a bit angry.

But then usually that's because they did something bad, and then I punch them, and then they are broken and I'm not angry anymore. Just sad.

So. Really a flash in the pan thing. Like when [Spoiler]. I punched that guy, then I stopped being angry, and was sad instead... but luckily everything worked out in the end."

"There has to be more to it then that. You are a human, as much as your powers make you more than that. Humans get angry. They are irrational."

"I mean.... I guess I'm not the biggest  fan of people calling me Peregrin. But that's more annoyed than angry. And I feel made when I know people are getting away with things that are bad. Or when people close to me get hurt... or insulted."

A memory. Coworkers talking about vampire. Feeling uncomfortable.
"But... Then I talk about it with the person, and it usually get's fixed. Or I just... let go of my expectation that it will be?" Pal shrugs. "I can't control everything. Moonstone punches good, and she can run fast, and fly, but that doesn't really fix anything but a specific type of problem. I can't fix the other things. I get anxious about them, but I don't get mad about them."

Pal frowns, leaning back.

"Ems used to get mad a lot about stuff way more than I did.

She worried that I .... umm. Wasn't processing the situations?

Like. When my dad kept ignoring when I did well in school. Because it wasn't straight A's like Ems got.

Or how dad even now will call me Junior. Which. I don't like, but whatever. I just... You can't let it get to you. I can't change any of that, so why worry. 

When I can change it, I'll get mad. Then I'll fix it. Probably by punching the problem."

It is summer again, and Pal is not sure how to deal with it.

In the winter, hiding the way his body had been changing was easy. Sunglasses, a hat, maybe a scarf and long sleeves. Now...

He looks down at his body. Lines trace all over him. His skin is more a faded reflection of Moonstone's skin now than it is his original skin.

Being nearly cut in half a few times didn't help with that.

He had stopped volunteering, saying he had some health issues. He switched to delivery for all his groceries. He wore a mask in public

The issue was his runs. 

Running inside sucked. Running outside without covering himself up was sure to get weird looks.

He didn't really care about that for himself.... but Wren was connected to him now. If he got in trouble, she could get swept up in it too. And he didn't want that. He wanted her to stay safe.

"Shit." Pal scrunches up his face.

"Is... Is that really important? Like. Obviously Moonstone. It's the name that I go by on jobs. Or... For most of the job. The part that isn't just getting there."

Pal rubs his neck. 

"You seem distressed. What trouble you?" Pascal asks into Pal's mind.

Pal let's out a sigh. "I... I mean...." He starts to glow. Moonstone picks up the conversation thread. 

"Name are hard for me. Especially with.... Well. Everything. Gender stuff. I can be me for longer now. And that's great! It's easy. I could probably be me all the time with some effort.... what if that keeps happening. Will Pal just be gone? Will I be a girl full time?"

Moonstone turns to look at Pascal. "I'm.... Sometimes that seems really nice. But it's not me. I'm not just Moonstone. I don't want Pal to be left behind."

Moonstone clenches her fist. They start to lightly glow. 

"So. I'll figure something out. I don't even know if I'll make it there anyway. But if I do, I'll keep doing what I do now. I'll make the world safe as I can make it."

----
No. No, please. 

Moonstone holds the woman in her arms. Or what is left of her. Half of a beautiful face left. The rest gone. 

She runs. She doesn't know where. Or why. A hospital can't fix this. A Necromancer? There has to be someone. She'll call everyone she knows. There has to be someone who can fix this. Fix her.

Fix Wren.
---
Pal shoots upwards in bed, a glow flashing over his body. Wren startles back from Moonstone, as Moonstone rolls up to be in a standing position in an instant. 

She is breathing hard. Glowing.

"Bad dream?"

It takes Moonstone a moment to process. She is home. She is safe. Wren is safe.

"Yeah... yeah. Really bad."

She hugs her girlfriend. Scooping her up from where she had been laying next to Pal, watching them sleep. 

She was cold. Not ice cold with the heaters, but cold. 

Moonstone holds her for a long time.

"By cover my tracks, do you mean like.... Not having people see my face? And track down my address I guess?" Pal shrugs.

"I mean like. Moonstone does anything of questionable legality. But mostly she saves people. I don't really need to worry about the police.... I do need to worry about people finding me I guess."

Pal leans off the bed, stretching his back. 

"But Moonstone and I have different enough faces that it should be fine? Most of the time now, I'm not even there. Moonstone can move very quick, and fly, and is good at hiding. I just.... Don't be there when it becomes a problem. And don't be myself if I am going to be there." 

Pal frowns.

"I mean. I should probably like... figure out how I'll deal with people trying. In case Moonstone becomes famous, I mean. Wren turned out pretty well, but someone else could do something similar, and track me down.... Probably should start getting locks on the doors and windows."

Pal frowns. 

"Like. What do you mean by gruesome? There.... There is time when that could make sense. "

Blood sprays. Forming into a pool, then rising up into a monster. "Don't make me do this!"

"Sometimes... sometimes there isn't a choice. Sometimes people are mind controlled. Sometimes it is life or death... But. If someone does something for no reason... Then I guess I'd punch them... Then... Well, I'd figure something out. Maybe give them to the police. Maybe some other solution."

Pal absent mindedly cracks his knuckles.

"But probably if someone tries to kill and innocent, or something similar, I would have stopped them in the middle of the act. Then get us out. When you can move faster than most cars, you have a lot of options for slowing things down and getting out. Then.... Then probably if someone was straight up evil, doing evil things I would punch them then take them to jail."

Pal looks at Pascal with a raised eyebrow.

"Uhhhh. Yes I refuse. I'm a hero. Why would I do something evil, even if I'd get magic for it."

Pal relaxes his face and looks at the ceiling.

"I mean... I suppose if the world was at stake.... I could maybe kill someone. I have wanted too once... For Mimi..."

Pal looks over a his T.V. for a moment. He clenches his fist. 

"But. I suppose it's really... I'm a hero. Sometimes you have to make hard choices, but I'll try to make the right one. The one that people would think I should take. That I think I should take. If someone wants me to do something evil, I won't do it. If someone want's me to do something questionnable, but that could save a lot more people than it hurts... then I would probably do it." 

Pal looks over at Pascal.

"Why? Do you have something for me?"

"pfffft." Pal laughs.

"Yes Pascal, I have a favorite Harbinger. Kinda fishing for compliments here aren't you?"

Pascal flies around Pal's head and rolls his eyes. 

"Okay, but after me. Who is your second favorite? Or least favorite"

Pal shrugs. "I guess I really didn't like the first one. It was super scary. All my first few jobs were... But I haven't had many harbinger show up in person since then. A lot of them send letters or send a mail person. But that's pretty much it. A few contracts ago there was a harbinger like you. "

Pal gestures in the air

"Floating, tiny. Cute. Had a very similar vibe."


"You are trying to flatter me."

"I mean yeah. I like you Pascal, you've been with me since the first contract. We've .... We've been through a lot together. No other harbinger can really compare."

"I am not giving you extra magic."

"Damn."