Chapter 191 A Change of Pace, Part 3.

Having lost the battle, but not the war, I slunk away from the battlefield. Away from the tables where the tournament was taking place, and towards a place of refuge. A place where I could lick my wounds, along with all the other losers.

The bar.

It was an open bar, drinks were shuttled out towards the remaining tables, as the surviving players waited for those still playing to finish. Meanwhile, the bar itself was fairly packed, but an opening, a somewhat empty section of the counter called to me.

I slipped right in, settling into place, ready to drown my woes. Only, before I could even give my order, a glass was placed before me. I eyed it, confused, but I was curious as well.

I picked it up, swirled the dark liquid inside. Savored the smell. Took the smallest sips.

“Oh…” I muttered as I felt it work its way down. It was smooth, yet, left a lingering burn. With every breath that passed, that burn spread through my body, warming me up. It wasn’t a drink meant to be quaffed, but slowly taken in, to savor.

“Good choice, isn’t it?” The bartender said, a woman, a sheep. She was dressed nice, with a bowtie, white gloves. In her hands was a glass that she was currently wiping down with a cloth.

“It is.” I agreed. “Haven’t had something like this in a while.” I continue, taking another sip. It was odd how the heat permeated me, loosening me up. I felt hot, but oddly cozy. “Didn’t even realize this is what I needed.” Were the words that left my lips after another sip.

“I’m well aware. After all, you were thinking of something with a bit more punch, weren’t you? Something that might just take you out for the night?”

I eyed her. “I was thinking that, but… admittedly, this is much better. You have good taste.”

She beamed, “Why thank you. Honestly, it was less my taste and more what you needed, rather, what fit you best.”

“Fit me best? Has that something to do with your magic?”

“Yes, no…” She frowns. “Honestly, I’m not too sure. And, really, you’ll get that a lot from other magical girls like me, a sheep that is.”

“How does that work? Sure, I wasn’t able to wield my magic right away, and I’m not exactly proficient in it yet. But, by this point, you have to have some idea of what you can do?”

She shrugs. “A little. Our magic tends to be a bit interesting. Partly because of why we are what we are, and also because of the process Sheep undertook to bring us over. Curious to hear more?”

“Obviously. I haven’t seen a Sheep yet, but most of the stories I here are, not so great.”

“Yeah, I heard about that. Rogue sheep aren’t that common. They usually don’t get far before they self-destruct. That one even got as far as they did, well, everyone was talking about it.”

“Why is that?”

“Simple really… and it leads into my own abilities, and well, how most Sheep abilities work. I may not know much, but I can say, just about every Sheep’s magic involves luck and fate in some way or another.”

I sipped my drink, gesturing for her to continue.

“For instance, my magic gives me a sense of those around me. A kind of, empathy magic. That alone wouldn’t be too special, but there’s a whole other current to it. I can’t really explain it, so, let me demonstrate.”

As she speaks, she places the glass down and pours out a few drinks. As they finish, she places them on the counter. Some drinks are before current patrons, others near empty seats.

I watch but pause as… something changes. A slight shift, that I can’t quite explain. The mood changes, the crowd moves in a slightly different way.

“Felt that, didn’t you?” She said, eyeing me.

I nod, “Was that?”

“Yup. I have an idea of what drink served, when and where will give what effect. This goes beyond simply serving drinks though.” She moves the empty glass beside her just slightly, and I felt another small twinge. Something in the air once more changes, the crowd moves slightly, voices rise.

“It’s, a bit nuanced I suppose? A senior once said it’s something involving Feng Shui, or the art of how things are laid out, or something or other. I can make small adjustments here and there to make larger changes, as if I were using a lever to alter the course of fate.”

“That sounds terrifying.”

“It does, doesn’t it? The problem is, it’s not like I’m omnipotent. My magic reserves also suck, and I’m not physically able. So, I’m not useful for much as I am. Well, unless you need a decorator to exorcise something.” She laughs.

“Is that the cost of being a sheep?”

“Depends, some sheep have vast reserves, some are physically strong. Really, each of us are rather unique. We don’t follow conventional magic rules, but that is in part why we are what we are.”

“That is interesting to know, only, I suppose you’re not just speaking with me out of courtesy then?”

“A little, but also because of just how, central you feel right now. Even though you lost your game, it feels like everyone’s eyes are on you, watching, judging. Made me a bit curious.”

“And this drink?” I asked, presenting the empty glass, which she happily refilled.

“A little bit of work on my end to get you in the mood to talk, that’s all.”

I huffed. A small exhale really. Is that what this feeling was? Like I was being swaddled in a silk web. The open seat at the bar, the drink. Like a moth drawn to a flame I’d went right for it. Seems I kept walking into traps tonight…

“Well, you got me.” Was my response. I was too tired, too annoyed to fight too hard. That, and this drink was exactly what I needed.

“Just like planned, right?” She laughs lightly, “And now that I have you in my clutches, surely you have a question, concern, something you’d like to get off your chest?”

An odd thing to ask, but… well, whatever. I didn’t feel like we were heading in a bad direction, whether that was intentional or not.

“The event, why are we here? Is this really a vacation, or is there more?”

“Of course there’s more. Sheep doesn’t like doing anything simple.”

“And what is that ‘more’, exactly?” I press.

“Mm, to start with, this is also a chance to train newer sheep, like myself. A few of our seniors are overseeing the big events, like the poker tournament, and well, navigating the ship. Which is a whole thing, trust me.”

“I wasn’t aware of that, what else?”

“Well, it’s also a chance for everyone to meet and check on each other, especially other factions, but I’m sure your well aware of that.”

I nod along. “I am now.”

She nods. “Well, it’s also a chance to earn Sheep coins, though… You’re probably wondering why that’s important?”

“I haven’t really thought about them. Sure, other coin types have multiple uses, but it’s not like I’ve collected enough of these Sheep coins for me to start questioning their purpose.”

“Oh? How old are you, rather, how long have you been in the city?”

“Coming up on a year, why?”

“Ah, that explains it. You recently finished your final tutorial… Huh… yeah, I can see why you’ve got so many eyes on you. Someone like you talking with and engaging with one of the faction leaders, wowza. You really do have a lot of star power!” She practically swoons.

I roll my eyes. “Can we get to the point?”

“Right, of course. Well, event coins aren’t just for spending at the casino, though, admittedly, those are actually a kind of, ancillary use for them. Using coins, you can exchange for a whole lot, improve your membership at the casino, or even gamble.”

“I’m well aware of all that.”

“Were you aware that there are five levels in the casino? With the fifth level being reserved for Sheep magical girls only?”

“I was not… And the others?”

“Can’t say, it’s better for you to find out yourself. I will say that the second level grants you access to the request board.”

“Request board?” I repeated, drink long forgotten.

“Yes, it where you can take up specific quests or objectives that need to be done. We Sheep, act as almost, I’d like to say fixers, or if you know anything about computers, we bug fix.”

“That is an interesting analogy… care to explain?”

“Well, as I said, we all have a very specific set of skills, as sheep that is. We’re well suited for dealing with certain, uh, issues. Issues that I’m not exactly allowed to expound on, only because just talking about them tends to cause issues.”

“I’m not sure I have a frame of reference for that” I say, “Care to elaborate?”

“Think, uhm… things beyond comprehension?” She says, unsure, and seeing me not quite getting it, she presses on. “Like, do you know how I became a sheep? I will tell you first of all, it really wasn’t by choice, not really. No.”

“No? Then, were you just kidnapped like we are?”

“No, not like rabbits. More like, well, I’ll just say it. I was working late manning the counter at the local bar. No big deal, job I’ve done for years, even with it being the middle of the night, it wasn’t uncommon to get visitors. Which is why I didn’t think twice about serving a guest that came in.”

I nod, but… “Is that it?”

“No… Just, well, I thought he’d asked for an order. Turned out he didn’t or really couldn’t. You could say wires crossed, and well, some boundaries were, kinda…” She motions with her hands, having her fingers intertwine and wiggle about. “Blurred, I guess?” She finally says after the little hand show.

“Anyway, at that point, I probably should have freaked out, left, ya know, I’d probably have been fine, Sheep said I would have, but well, I was a little interested yeah? So, I talk with this, uh, person. Goes how you think it does, more people, not people show up, I serve them, life goes on, or well, it seems like it.”

“Seems like it?”

She shrugs, again. “Hell, if I know, but apparently, I’d manned that bar for… I don’t know, years or something by the time Sheep found me? Asked if I wanted to stick around and wither, or if I’d like to give something else a go. And well, here I am? I guess?”

“That… was incredibly uninformative…” I sigh… “So, what, you fell through the cracks or something?”

“I guess? Everyone has a different story. The only common denominator is that we stuck our nose into something we really shouldn’t have. Not everyone is like me and comes out mostly fine, some people get really messed up, and that’s partly why we all get free lodging at the Celestial Fleece. That, and we aren’t necessarily bound to a singular city, at least, initially. We can choose to set down roots if we want, but usually it’s because a city is old enough to need a minder.”

“That… is actually interesting to know.” I admitted, “So, the tasks usually involve what, issues?”

“You can call them anomalies I suppose? Small things, or items that can mess with everything.”

“Everything?”

“Yeah, the weave, fate, whatever the hell anyone likes to call it. I don’t know too much, but I do know Sheep is in charge of making sure we all have a future. No idea how they do it, but hey it is what it is.”

“Are the events involved in that whole, making sure we have a future?”

“Yup, more or less. Which goes back to the purpose of event coins. Event coins, or Sheep coins, actually do serve a purpose.”

She proceeds to pull a sheep coin out of her sleeve.

“To the untrained eye, a sheep coin seems totally worthless. It has no magic to it, it serves no functional purpose. And if you attempt to consume or break them, nothing happens. They merely poof into starlight.”

To prove her point, she does just that. Crushing a coin in her hand, eating it. Each time producing a new coin to show off.

“However, despite this, these coins are by far the most valuable coins! After all, each coin represents and literally is made of luck and fate.”

“So, wait… event coins are, materialized luck and fate? Does that mean, holding onto them would make me luckier?” I question.

“Well, no, but also, yes? A single coin is, well, it’s a spark. It’s nothing in the grand scheme of things. A single strand in a great weave, a single drop of water before a roaring current. A hundred, maybe a cup? A thousand a bucket? They won’t make much of a difference, but once you get past a certain point, it does have an effect.”

“How so? Would I win every hand at cards or something? Could I win the lottery on my first try?”

“Nope! Unlike what most people think, luck and fate are not static, rather, they function like any currency and can be spent. Remember earlier when I said most Sheep tend to get themselves killed? Well, if we overuse our magic, we face severe backlash. Messing with fate and luck too much can cause serious repercussions. Which is why, in their coin form, Sheep coins are inert. But when you consume, or crush them, they create a cumulative effect that carries over until the luck is spent.”

“So, if I use a lot of coins, I can win the lottery then?”

“I mean, maybe? You’d need a lot, more like… Uh, have you ever played a TTRPG?”

“…A what?”

She sighs. “You can think of it as a second chance, though, you’ll never see it. Or really, you’ll never notice it in action. Well, normally, I don’t know why, but you have a sense for fate, so, maybe you will figure it out. Either way, using coins before a big fight, or when you’re prepping to do something big can be a good idea.”

“So, it won’t win me a fight, just… tilt the scales in my favor?”

“Yes, using coins have no serious backlash. However, they remain the main currency for us.”

“Is that because your magic exhausts your fate, and luck to an extent?” I posit.

“Yup. Like most magical girls use the other coins to juice up, or recover, we do the same with sheep coins. Although, like other magical girls we can learn other disciplines and use other magics, but that’s not the point.”

“So, the coins mainly benefit people that leverage fate and luck?”

“Yup.”

“And unless I have an absurd number of them, for the time being, they are functionally useless?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“And the most efficient way to get coins, is what, doing requests on the second floor of the casino?”

“It is the most reliable way of earning coins, especially since events like these are rather uncommon. You will notice that the second-floor request board has a wide variety of missions, but you won’t get into the real stuff until you get to the third floor.”

“So, kiddie missions?”

“Yeah, exactly. Just to get your toes wet. Not many magical girls do them though, as, they tend to have restrictions attached.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but… how does all that work into the events themselves? Why have them in the first place?

“Events are a means to redistribute fate and luck among magical girls, especially among magical girl’s not on the front lines.”

“Front lines?”

“Yes, I won’t get into that, but you are aware of our enemy?”

“I am, entropy, right?”

“Yes. However, Entropy is just the main antagonist, there are countless other enemies to deal with, such as other worlds, cross-dimensional beings, fallen gods, and whatever else that may, or may not rear its ugly head. Or what passes for one…”

She shakes her head and continues.

“Anyway, cities in the backlines are isolated from each other to an extent. Which means they can stagnate if left alone or be left behind. Events are a means to keep cities, and their inhabitants relevant to the grander picture. You can think of it as keeping a pool of water moving to keep it from stagnating.”

“So, it’s just to shake things up?”

“More or less, though, they are planned, or outcomes are planned.”

“As in, there is a direction we’re expected to follow?”

“Yeah, that’s a good way of explaining it. Following that line of thought, a general script is written for an event, but how it plays out is up to the individual actors.”

“Is that why you spoke to me, is it in the script?” I spoke, perhaps a bit harshly, but thinking all my actions were being decided for me, was not pleasant.

“Hardly.” She says, laughing my statement off. “If anything, I’m talking to for the opposite reason. The more I talk with you, the more I see, the more I think I understand. You’re like a whirlpool at the center of a raging river.”

“Is that uncommon?”

“Not really, no, all Rabbits are like you, initially. Rabbits are filled with luck, they’re little firecrackers, like those carbonated bubbles in a pop. They get injected into a city regularly to keep things moving, but… it is rare to see a rabbit with so much still working for them. Granted, I’m not that old, so I don’t have a lot of frames of reference, but just interacting with you is a bit of a boon for a sheep like me.”

“How so?”

“Think riding a wave? Or, skirting the edge of the whirlpool to borrow some of the momentum. Course, I’m not doing it for free, I’m giving you information, but this can help me later if I need a little extra oomph for my magic.”

“So, what, your leeching off my luck is it?”

“I mean, putting it like that… I’d more say your exchanging luck for information. What you do with that, that matters.”

“How so?”

“Have you heard the saying, make your own luck? She asks.

I frown, think. “Your saying, I can make my own luck?”

“More or less. If you get a feel for the, well, script, you can play along with it. Kind of like taking an escalator or riding a current to its destination. If you get enough momentum though, you don’t have to follow it to its conclusion.”

“Won’t that expend luck?”

“Depends on the outcome. Luck is earned when fate is thwarted. Event coins, outside the tutorials are earned when you intervene in fate and make your own path forward. Like, right now? Even if I’m not earning coins from talking with you, I am gaining power.”

I worked my jaw. Thought, considered. Looking back at everything I’ve ever done. Some of what the bartender said made sense, but… No… it did make sense. Her logic wasn’t wrong.

From the moment I arrived inside the city, it was like I had hit the ground running. I got a job, got the eye of someone capable. Worked my way into the office, though, with some difficulty. Rather than to say it was all planned…

No, there was a semblance of a plan, but was that luck at play? Subtly altering the course of events so that they’d happen in such a way? I didn’t think that. Rather, the mascots had clearly written up a script for me. A series of events, or perhaps milestones I am expected to reach.

How far did those milestones reach though? For how long did the script go? Was I still in the script? For how much longer would the mascots be pushing events forward? At what point would I be moving under my own power?

I felt like a puppet… No, I was a puppet. A doll, a toy being strung along. Forced to dance to their tune. No, no, forced isn’t quite the right word for it. It wasn’t that I was being forced to go along with it, rather that I was being deluded to go along with it. To simply follow the flow, listen to the script, let it play out…

When had that started?

When I got my talent for dance? When I first started being able to sense the flow? Was that planned? Intended? Was that why Inu intervened? Because it fit the plan?

I had too many thoughts.. Too many burning questions. Yet… “The others, how do they relate?”

“Relate?”

“Rabbits have plentiful luck, but what of the others?”

“Oh, well, Dogs have no luck. They’re stuck in a rut, live as they die. Not unless they decide to do something for themselves and break free, yet…” She goes quiet.

I answer. “Yet, the whole reason they are here is due to that purpose they seek.”

“About, yeah…”

I couldn’t help but think of Grim. How I felt about her, how she seemed like a burning star. Last time I’d fought with her, if it could even be called that, she’d exhausted herself. Even the time before…

Was this relevant? Perhaps, but… I was starting to see a pattern. Was that too planned?

Ignoring my thoughts, she continued. “Foxes have a bit of a spark, but they don’t tend to use it. Tigers, like rabbits have tons of luck, but with how powerful they are, they expend it very quickly, and can quickly fall into deficit.”

I frowned. Is it because we were given so little? Was there a correlation?

The more I mulled over everything, the more my head hurt. In the end, I stood up.

“I’m heading back to my room… and thank you for the information.”

“Of course, always happy to help!” The bartender said, and I left. Not even bothering to ask her name. Rather, for some reason, simply calling her The Bartender fit, as odd as it is… As if she weren’t really a person, but…

I pause and glance back at the bar. Her figure, her face. Features. They were all foreign to me. Like I couldn’t quite grasp it. Glancing about, it was the same feeling I had with every sheep. Focusing on them, I could see them, but gauging any real features was difficult. As if there was a veil over them.

I grumbled… The alcohol in my system was already working in full force. The burning heat pulsing in my veins gave way to an exhausted lethargy I had long become accustomed to. A lethargy linked to over consumption of alcohol.

With a groan, I left. Not wanting to waste another moment trying to pry into this mess. Not because it wasn’t worth my time, no, continuing to dig would probably be worthwhile. No, it was because I didn’t want to deal with it. Not right now. Not at this moment.