planetary

[dark_light]

Over the next week, Isabella gets the alethiometer to tell her that the planets they looked at don't contain microorganisms that know what to do with a human body (although the one with the giant bugs has some multicellular parasites that might be able to make do with the foreign macro-scale features of a human body if they got the chance). "The present", it includes in one of its answer phrasings, which is kind of worrying. But Adarin makes enough progress with his scry in little enough time that it's worth the double-check.

Isabella also hires ticket-takers, gives them little pots of ink to verify the authenticity of the passes she handed out, and opens the Los Angeles - New York route for the employees of her three companies of choice and anyone who shells out a cool fifteen thousand dollars per round trip (ten K for a one-way). This is steep, but it's within an order of magnitude of what people sometimes pay for short-notice first-class cross-country flights - with less novelty and more hassle. Albeit she doesn't supply inflight meals. She expects to have to raise the price when more people hear about it in response to volume and then be able to drop it again.

By the time the thing has been open for a few days she's fired and replaced one ticket-taker and the others have settled into a routine that she's willing to try out leaving unsupervised for awhile.

If Adarin's up for some up close and personal planet shopping and his results suggest it'll go well, anyway.

Comments

[dark_light]

"Completely out of character! I am very serious."

[prodigal_miser]

"Oh, definitely. Why, you're also very somber."

[dark_light]

"I'm no fun at all, it's a wonder you can tolerate my company."

[prodigal_miser]

"Ravishing good looks and the cloud-pine. It's very convenient."

[dark_light]

"Aww, I'm hurt. In an entirely somber serious no-fun non-teasing way, Adarin, I am hurt that you are using me for my cloud-pine and my stunning beauty."

[prodigal_miser]

"Yes. I do that because I am as shallow as a puddle. Your pain means nothing to me, because you see...." He leans in close. "I have a silver star in my gold star book."

[dark_light]

"You monster! You fiend! Villain!"

[prodigal_miser]

He cackles. "I am all of those things! Bwuahahahaha!"

[dark_light]

"Will anyone save me from your wicked clutches?" she asks as they enter the parking garage.

[prodigal_miser]

"Probably not, no. You see, I'm fiendishly evil. So obviously no one will show up to stop me, ever. You're just doomed."

[dark_light]

"What, no heroes? Knights in shining armor? Superman?"

[prodigal_miser]

"Nope. None of those. Sorry. They're on a lunch break."

[dark_light]

"Well damn. I guess I'm pretty stuck, then."

[prodigal_miser]

"Yeah, you are. Be strong, Isabella. Soon my world take-over will be complete and I'll invade the sun. It'll make a lovely vacation spot."

[dark_light]

"How will that help any of my listed problems?"

[prodigal_miser]

"Oh, it won't. But I'm looking forward to it anyway!"

[dark_light]

"Curse you and your projects that make no reference to my needs or interests! Wicked Adarin!"

[prodigal_miser]

"No, my dear. Unhelpful Adarin. The cats have it right."

[dark_light]

"I should have listened to the cats when I had the chance! Woe is me."

[prodigal_miser]

"Indeed. Woe, regret, and some such. Next time, trust the cats. They have it right."

[dark_light]

"But there will never be a next time. I am trapped for ever and always."

[prodigal_miser]

"Yup! And the worst part of all... I'm changing the official food. It's now gummy worms."

[dark_light]

"Nooooooo!"

[prodigal_miser]

He cackles maniacally - the cackles change into honest giggles and then suddenly he can't stop laughing.

[dark_light]

Isabella hugs him.