"Ah, welcome back, Ms. Tendo!" A cheerful Scratch called out to the despondent girl. "I see you have returned to our humble little corner in heaven."
Akane just grumbled as she slumped down into one of fold out metal chairs.
Scratch continued, unconcerned. "Why, that was quite an... interesting display, Ms. Tendo. Why, one would have almost thought you failed that Labor on your own!"
"I know I failed!" Akane snapped at the ex-demon. "So stop rubbing it in!"
Sasami appeared with some tea, which Akane accepted. No matter what else could be said about the RRO, Sasami still made some heavenly tea... "What I think Mr. Scratch is trying to tell you, Akane, is that you were railroaded."
Akane looked up at the two. "What?"
Scratch shrugged. "Didn't you think it odd that you were rushed right into these Labors right after death? You weren't given any time to assimilate that your old life was gone. Most of the time, candidates for ascension must spend at least decades as operative for one office or another before being sent through the Labors. You got sent in right away."
"And I blew it. Big time."
"Really?" Sasami looked confused. "I thought you didn't do that badly..."
Akane blinked. "But the points..."
Scratch snorted, and Sasami even growled. "Ignore those points, Ms. Tendo." Scratch said while rolling his eyes. "They are never accurate or biased in you favor. If you tried to keep your points up, you'll get too bogged down to ever complete a Labor. Make no mistake about it... those had nothing to do with why you failed."
"Then why...?"
"Remember what you were supposed to do? Mentor someone who would become a Hero? Well, that was a young street boy living on Coruscant. He would have stowed away on your ship when you left. Instead, you got captured, and he got beat to death in a fight. That is why you failed, Ms. Tendo. Red, carrying the slave collars, all that had nothing to do with it. Even so... all the mistakes you made were those of an amateur. Which makes sense, that's what you are."
Sasami nodded. "But for your sake, you've got to learn, and fast!"
"What do you mean?"
"It's simple. Someone up here has stacked the deck against you, Ms. Tendo. I am sure of it. Someone wants you to fail all your Labors, and so has made sure that you have every disadvantage. And if you fail all your Labors... well, there are usually penalties associated with that. And believe me, Ms. Tendo... some of the gods and goddesses up here know how to make you curse your own existence better than any demon in hell could..."
At that point, Wraith reappeared. "They are ready for you, Akane Tendo. Follow me to your next Labor."
With a determined glint in her eye, Akane followed the indistinct figure.
Sasami turned to Scratch with a suspicious look. "Why are you being so nice? It's not like you."
Scratch smiled again, this time a bit cruelly. "Because win or lose, this is the most fun I've had in eons. And I always enjoyed watching a snowjob more when the victim knows it."
Sasami sighed. And wondered where Akane would be sent next...
(Posted Thu, 19 Dec 2002 01:45)
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