Chapter 19 - 18 - What’s Right
Blue eyes fluttered open as Taika returned to the waking world on Friday morning. Their arrangement had persisted – both herself and Pacifica hugged their Maestro from either side, whilst holding hands to keep him in place. Being so close to not one but two people was nice, she couldn't help the joy in her heart.
It didn't take too long for Shouri and Pacifica to rise from their slumber as well. A small tussle ensued as the two Resonators wanted to remain in bed for a bit longer and enjoy their Maestro's warmth; however, the Maestro in question protested, as nature called.
With that out of the way, it was time for food. As had become the norm, Shouri and Pacifica went to fetch breakfast while Taika had control of the room.
"What are we going to do about getting more people for this hunt?" Pacifica wondered aloud as they trod across the dew-sodden grass to building B.
"Good fucking question," the Maestro grumbled.
"Let me give it a shot," requested the otter.
"Go nuts," he replied, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. He knew inaction wasn't really an option if they did want to take it down, but in the same respect talking to people (especially without Taika's rhythm) was a monumental task.
Pacifica was no shy otter and immediately accosted the first person they saw as soon as they walked in.
"Hey!" she shouted.
"Oh hi, can I help you?" the poor random Maestro asked.
"There's a big Scherzando in the mountains north of here, wanna hunt it with us?" the otter laid it out bare.
"Uhh, no thanks, sorry." And with that, they rushed away lest they be forced to continue the conversation.
"That could have gone better," Shouri commented.
Pacifica waved off the negativity. "It's okay, they were probably just busy – we'll get the next one for sure." And she began her search for their next hapless victim anew.
To no one's shock, Pacifica made a name for herself, bothering nearly every Maestro they came across with the same request. Not a single soul even entertained her request. It was all quick dismissals followed by them shuffling off before she could protest.
"COWARDS! THEY'RE ALL COWARDS!" Pacifica shouted at the early morning sun as they returned to their room with breakfast as their consolation prize. "I DON'T EVEN HAVE A FORTE SPELL YET AND THEY'RE ALL THROWING IN THE TOWEL!" she roared in Shouri's general direction.
The Maestro was discouraged by their lack of progress in recruiting people for the cause. Nobody wanted to help? He understood Cera's irritability last night with the whole situation. Adding it up, it made sense. A social butterfly like him being unable to get any other people on his side for this task certainly spoke volumes.
"I guess we'll update Taika on our progress," Shouri mumbled.
"HA. HAHA. UPDATE, SURE." The water Resonator hoped people heard her. Even someone as kind and patient as Pacifica had red buttons and breaking points.
Black fox ears wilted at the news. "N-not a single person?" Taika asked for clarification.
"Not a single fucking one! Cowards, the lot of them!" the otter continued her earlier tirade. She glanced at Shouri, who had finished breakfast while she had made her report.
She jumped onto him, sitting on his lap while supporting herself with an arm around his neck. "Not like our Maestro, the bravest of them all," she commended.
"Hardly – if we can't get more people, we're not going. I dunno how hard Cera can carry us against a big Scherzando," Shouri said, shooting a bit of an annoyed glance at the clingy otter.
"H-how strong are they really? They can't be that bad." Pacifica chuckled, though nervousness invaded her throat.
"They're horribly strong. When they say big, they're not kidding. I've read they can be as big as buildings." Shouri kept his gaze trained firmly down as he spoke. "It usually takes a team of four powerful Maestros to beat them. We're like half a Maestro in that count." He gritted his teeth in frustration.
Both Resonators wilted, Pacifica to the point where she slid off their Maestro's lap and onto the floor. "I don't want more people getting hurt," Pacifica muttered.
"It's not fair," Taika whispered, fists balled up tight and trembling from emotion.
Shouri's eyes fell onto the article he had been reading on Pacifica's tuner.