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"Oh." You hesitate. "What? Really?"
"It'd hardly take very long. I'm uncertain you'd see anything I didn't, but who knows?"
Wow. Did you actually unlock the nice part of him? Does it work like that? "Well, um... indeed. Presumably I will see much more, owing to my, um, keen and perceptive vision."
"Well, then I have no doubt." Horse Face exposes his weird horsey teeth. "Did you go to all that trouble just for this?"
"Uh," you say.
"I'm flattered, to be frank. Using all that power on poor old me, for a simple little— what <span class="mu-i">did</span> you glean, by the by? I'm sure it had to be something."
What <span class="mu-i">did</span> you glean? You were never fantastic at dream interpretation, which is very nearly what that was. "...You need to drink more water. You're dehydrated. And your fingers are gross and dirty."
"Fair enough," Horse Face says. "And, I'd imagine, true on all counts. Shall we?"
—
You ignore Kichima's baffled gaze as you and Horse Face reenter through the swinging doors— she doesn't complain while he leads you down the hallway, at least. He pokes his head into various unlocked doors and eventually locates Lucky in some kind of paltry break room, distinguished only from any other room by its table. His jacket is hung over his chair, and he seems to be picking at some form of jerky. "Hello," Horse Face says.
Lucky's startle reflex is impressive, and you feel mildly fortunate his tomahawk is nowhere within reach. "What," he says, "could <span class="mu-i">possibly—</span> what is <span class="mu-i">she—</span>"
You scowl as Horse Face edges past you, strolls into the break room, and plops down across from Lucky. He leans in and says something: Lucky responds in the same lowered voice, and they engage in a minute of hushed conversation that involves many glances and gestures in your direction. You scowl harder. Finally Lucky stands, shrugs his jacket back on, and turns around to face you. "Garvin has informed me you've brought the newspaper."
"Oh!" You swing your rucksack around and open it up. "Indeed. <span class="mu-i">And</span> a pack of cards."
"How generous. Kindly hand them over so I can inspect them." Lucky's eyes flick to Horse Face. "In the meantime, you may speak to the detainee, though I can't fathom what you think you'll learn this time. Garvin will supervise. You have 10 minutes, tops."
You won't have too many questions, you think. "Well, if you say so. You better give her the newspaper, okay? You can't just steal my newspaper, that's—"
"If they're cleared, I'll have someone deliver the items. We're not cruel and unusual here." Lucky clasps his hands. "I recommend you get going before I come to my senses, Ms. Fawkins."
You don't need told twice. After shoving the newspaper and cards at Lucky, you speedwalk over to the detention cell, which Horse Face does the courtesy of unlocking.
(3/4)
