A Rat's Guide to Glory

...do as you were before. Keep working, keep adding to your augments, and take Giano up on her offer to keep an eye out for impressive jobs. The reward does not matter so much as that you can give a good showing.

Weak Urban Legends that you can take with as little aid as possible are your main target. Most of them are former Urban Myths that simply bit off more than they could chew and now get jumped before they can adjust to their new rank. You take Parvati and one or two others but intentionally request smaller groups.

Some of these do take days, one even several weeks to complete; the rewards are less than what you would earn if you focussed on completing more jobs, but money is not as much of an issue in your eyes. You can figure out how to proceed if only you can manage to pass the application, but you need to make a good enough showing for that to happen.

Three months have passed before you know it. It is almost October and you keep on going despite a few close calls along the way. Your coworkers definitely noticed that something is going on, but nobody so much as asked; Parvati already knows and goes along with you anyway. Mind, she also complains at least once a week, though you know this is just her giving her opinion at this point.

It is on the last night of September that you wake up from some noise. The alarm says 3:33, maybe something during Night in the Backstreets. A rustle or a tap that should not be. Whatever it is, you are now awake and kind of thirsty; sitting up is easier than it used to be, your enhanced body producing barely a sound as you slide out from under the covers.

Mai curled up in her own little nest of pillows, dead to the world as usual. She is not as light a sleeper as you, though you still need to be careful not to wake her.

You do not even bother with the light switch while traipsing into the kitchen, familiar enough with the place to not need it. Your augments do their part, too. A glass is grabbed and filled at the sink... then a voice from the darkness makes you jump: "Can't sleep either?"

Now wide awake instead of barely, you have half a mind to cuss at Parvati for scaring you; she sits at the table from the sound of her voice. Who knows how long she has been here.

You shuffle over and feel for a chair instead of letting your annoyance show. "So this is where you were. Something on your mind?"

Parvati does not say anything while you sit down; she can probably see you perfectly well with her own focus on sensory augments, even if all you spot is a faint silhouette in the dark. There is some faint tapping of carefully clipped nails on wood.

"Something like that. I've been thinking for a while now."

This is unusual for her and you both know it. None of you really get up at night beyond a quick toilet break or some water. She is not the type to sit around brooding in the dark. You worry what may be eating at her and make a motion to keep talking.

A disembodied sigh is the first you hear before Parvati speaks and changes the subject: "You told me once that you're still dreaming. Is that still true?"

This is not where you expected it to go and you have no idea when you told her that, but you nod nonetheless. "It is. I haven't stopped."

"How?"

Silence follows her question because you do not understand what she wants to know. Of course it is not easy to hold onto your dream, but you still do it. The how does not really matter to you, does it?

Seeing that no answer is forthcoming, Parvati repeats herself: "How do you do it? How can you hold onto a dream despite it all? I don't understand, all my energy goes into keeping myself alive and Mai safe."

She pauses and you curse the fact you can not see her face. There is nothing in her tone beyond plain confusion, so you have no idea what she is thinking. Parvati does not give you the time to turn on the light either.

"I tried, you know? These last few months I tried so hard to keep up with you, but I just can't. I'm tired and scared. I almost died at least ten times the last month. How can you bear with this, Ciel?"

The more she speaks, the more you realise the signs were there; Parvati gave it her all every day, but she slowly became more sluggish outside of work. Not zombie-esque like Mai but definitely with less energy. You understand the fear that must have been eating her from the inside better than anyone.

You empty the glass you were absently sipping from this whole time and put it down with a click that seems to echo in the silence. It still feels weird to talk about this in the dark, but maybe this is for the best; maybe you can both be a little more honest that way.

"I get it. Please believe me that I understand how you feel. That fear and the exhaustion, I lived the same way. I still do, to be honest." You motion for yourself, all that you are and your aspirations. "I'm not being pretentious when I say we aren't the same. You never said much about how you grew up, but I figure it was okay all things considered. I was born a Rat and had to live at the bottom all my life; the only people looking out for me were my pack."

Grief weighs down your tongue as you think back. Parvati mentioned her parents before and they are clearly dead. There is not much different between her family and your pack, but still. You sigh and allow the words out: "Rat packs are tight-knit because we die if we aren't. But even then Rats keep dying every day. I only had Mu and Arin with me for more than a few months at the time, we were something like family. Then, after they died, I had nothing else left but that dream I somehow clung to. They laughed at me for it and gave me crap, but they still wanted to support me. So I guess I'm doing it as much for them as I'm doing it for me. To show them that it was not all in vain, that their lives had a purpose just like mine."

The lump in your throat loosens some, though it still feels awkward to talk at the silent darkness. Parvati gives no indicator of her thoughts, not even a little noise. So you sigh and keep going: "I don't know how I could hold onto it. I just... wanted it, ever since I met the Purple Tear over four years ago. No matter how bad it got, I clung to the thought that I can still make it come true as long as I'm alive.

"And now I'm here, a Grade Six Fixer with a shot at Hana Association. It still feels surreal even to me."

Silence descends upon you both like a blanket. There is no more to say and you have no idea how else to address Parvati's question. You have done nothing specific to do what she can not; does that make you a greater person than her? Is it simple chance? Do you deserve it any more than she does? You do not know and the thought makes you a little sick; who decided that you can dream but she can not?

A soft noise tears you from your musings, unidentifiable for how quickly it is silenced. Parvati's voice is quiet when she does speak: "I guess it makes sense that you don't really get it either. This stuff is hard."

She starts shuffling on her side of the table, but the sounds are eventually cut off.

"Can you do something for me?"

"Of course. What do you need?"

"Scoot back. Don't ask... and don't tell Mai."

Your mouth is already partly open but closes when her request registers. You comply after a moment and scoot back your chair; whatever Parvati plans to do, she is your friend and you will do what you can to help her.

The tapping noise of naked feet on the floor and a faint silhouette approaching are all the warning you get before she slides onto your lap sideways, cheek resting on your chest. "Just for a little bit?" she asks quietly and says no more when your arms close around her waist.

"Sure," you agree even as your face burns with heat. You can smell that cheap floral shampoo she uses, feel her weight on your legs and the warmth of her body nestled against you. A dozen questions assault your mind, first and foremost what this makes your relationship. But you push them all back into the back of your mind; now is not the time. This may not mean anything of the sort. Parvati is past her breaking point and needs at least a moment to rest her wings.

So you keep your mouth shut and try not to think anything.

Time passes and the sounds of violence from outside begin to pick up. Night in the Backstreets must be over. You do not really pay much mind to them, trying hard not to fall asleep where you sit. Sometimes you think Parvati may have nodded off, but some quiet shifting and the continuous strength in her arms says otherwise.

"I thought about what to do next," she ultimately says. Her voice is soft and barely audible, but also a bit too close for what you are used to. The thought almost makes you miss what follows: "I spent weeks reading up on these things and asking around. I could become a Workshop-Affiliate Fixer. Get to test new equipment and run errands for the Workshop. Or maybe Tres Association, that goes in the same direction. But in the end I don't really want either.

"Then I thought about just taking an actual secretary position at a Fixer Office, kind of like what you told me that Hana woman does. But that would be too close to my old job, I left that behind for a reason."

She leaves a pause during which you squeeze her gently. All of these roles share the lack of field work, she really does value safety here; yet at the same time she is not desperate enough for it to stop being a Fixer.

You prompt her a little in the prolonged silence: "And what did you decide?"

"Contract Office. I guess the first thought was correct after all." She huffs weakly and nuzzles a little closer. "I can't walk by your side for much longer, not like this. I can't fight every day of my life. I can't dream like you do. But that doesn't mean I can't help you reach wherever you're going."

Your grasp slackens somewhat at that, surprised after all. Parvati leans back and you can hear that little grin out of her voice: "So I'll see about being your legal counsel instead. Who better to keep you from signing a bad contract than me?"

You have no words.

The mere thought of receiving such support is unbelievable; even as partners and roommates, Parvati has no obligation to offer you anything like this. She just did it anyway without even asking for anything in return. You will owe her big time if she ever asks for a favour.

Strangely enough, you do not mind.

Parvati makes a surprised noise when you clutch her tighter. It is the only way you know to express your gratitude. At the same time you can not help but think of her own ambitions, small as they may be.

"I don't think you can't dream," you tell her quietly. "You just don't want anything big. There is nothing wrong with a simple wish to keep your sister safe and happy."

"So you noticed that, eh?"

"I'm not stupid."

She chuckles to herself but does not dispute the point.

At some point you let go and get back to bed, somehow able to fall asleep in moments despite the many fluttering feelings and thoughts.

The next morning starts as always, neither of you seeing any need to talk about what was said. Parvati does announce her intention to start taking classes on contract law at breakfast, though. It was definitely not just an overimaginative dream.

Then you get a message from Giano on the way to work; a simple set of instructions that you follow by approaching Jett the moment you arrive and asking for the 'Prophet of Yesteryear' job. His expression tightens somewhat, the clearest sign of surprise you can find with him.

"That's an Urban Plague."

It is really all he needs to say and you almost recoil from the words alone. An Urban Plague is suicide and should be suicide, but after all this time you trust Giano to have a plan. So you stay in place and nod as if you already knew.

"A Grade 5 from Hana Association will work on it with me."

Jett's brow climbs upward for a moment, then his eyes gleam red. He sizes you up with an augment that you now know can analyse the target and find weakpoints.

"I see," is all he says yet somehow you know he just deduced your entire plan even before he continues: "It will be unfortunate to see you go. How long can I expect to have you here?"

"At least another few months." You can only make a vague motion. "I don't have an exact schedule yet."

He nods and pulls out a casefile before pushing it over to you. No more is said and you sketch a faint bow before leaving. Jett is already back in his paperwork before the door closes.

Your first stop is Parvati's desk, where you put down the file next to her own work. She glances down at it and then up at you with wide eyes; dropping this on her right after that conversation you had feels scummy, but you do not think you can do it without her.

"One last job?" you ask by way of explanation.

Office gossip may twist this any which way before the day is out, but neither of you cares. Parvati glances back at the file and visibly fights with herself, then her demeanour sharpens. She all but glares down at the papers and nods. "Alright. One more. This better not kill us."

"Here's to hoping."

With that cleared you shoot Giano a message about meeting up; she answers in seconds to step outside and leaps down from the roof once you do. Neither you nor Parvati react beyond a reflexive tensing up and an aborted grab for your weapons. Giano's confident smirk remains in place as she stomps out a half-sized cigarette and seamlessly transitions into walking with you before taking the lead.

"So the two of you, hm? Two Grade Sixs and a Grade Five aren't what is usually sent to deal with an Urban Plague, but it should do."

"How dangerous is it?" Parvati inquires while you take a moment to open the casefile. Giano indulges her and summarises what the papers inside say: the job is to kill the so-called Prophet of Yesteryear, a cult leader with a number of Syndicate members and Fixers under his thumb. He gained notoriety by 'divining' where Syndicates would attack when he was really telling them the target in those divining sessions. Same for the Fixers.

"At this point he pissed off enough people to be named an Urban Plague," Giano explains. "That was last week or so. We know he has a security detail, but not how good or strong they are. Tracking down where he holds his sermons is just about done but will take a few more days."

Your brows furrow in annoyance; you hate cults and this one is no different from the rest, if more dangerous than what you are used to beside the Index.

"How faithful is his following?" you ask instead, only to get a so-so motion from Giano.

"Pretty faithful from what I know. The way our sources tell it, this prophet is charismatic and shrewd. His cult is the same ruse as always though, the members are asked for 'contributions' and pay him handsomely for a few pretty words to assure them they have purpose."

Parvati groans and mutters something about nutters; you do not quite catch what but agree with her anyway. Your friend receives the casefile and glances over it as well before addressing Giano again: "So what's the plan?"

"Good question. I had a few ideas but nothing concrete yet. The job is only about killing the prophet, so Scythe Office felt like a good candidate to do this. Shi Association may take care of it instead if we fail."

"But we won't," you say what Giano just implied and earn an approving grin. "So we need to figure out how well augmented the prophet is and get him alone. Security doesn't matter then."

"Outside of getting around it to begin with," Parvati quips, though she seems to agree. "The better question is how we get that knowledge. Not like we can just go in and ask."

That prompts a thoughtful hum from Giano.

"Well, we could. You two could enter by pretending to be new members and stake out the place once we find it. I'm kind of obvious, so I can't help there." She motions for her distinct white robes, the new golden trim gleaming along her coat. "Or we can sneak around, maybe try buying some of the established members."

"Both of which are just as likely to get us caught and in trouble," you comment. "Though I like them a lot more than sneaking into a sermon. I don't think I can do that." You are not good enough at hiding your distaste and know it; someone will definitely notice.

Parvati nods slowly, an idea clearly brewing in her head as well. "The way you said it, the prophet keeps sending Syndicates and Fixers to the same places, right?" She receives a nod and motions with the casefile. "How about we wait for that to happen again and nab some of them, or follow them afterward to find out more?"

It is a good point, though you do not like being passive like this. Giano nods along either way when Parvati suddenly frowns. "Hold on, the Prophet of Yesteryear is technically leading a Syndicate, right? How does that work for the Fixers attending? Legally, I mean?"

"Badly," is all Giano can offer with a shrug. "I don't know the details about how things are going during these sermons, but I do not see them getting out of associating with Syndicates if there is an investigation."

Which gives you ammunition to use, assuming they care more about their jobs than the cult.

You discuss a little longer how to approach this initial stage, only to eventually agree on what to do after finding the prophet's base.

---

[] Parvati sneaks into a sermon

[] You will capture members of the prophet's following to interrogate

[] Attempt to buy information from the prophet's following

[] The three of you will stake out the place

[] write-in another approach


Two-hour Moratorium. Do not vote for 2 hours!

---

-Parvati's Fixer Grade changes: 7 -> 6 (I forgot to give a message from 8 to 7, but who cares)
-Giano's Fixer Grade changes: 6 -> 5
-Ciel's Wealth changes from "Okay" to "Afloat"

-Trait revealed:
A Taste of Taboo: Parvati enjoys the consumption of human flesh.

-Parvati's goal reworded: "Look after little sister" -> "Keep Mai safe and happy"