PROFESSOR KIFT & WINSTON

"I don't know about this, I would rather keep my life private you know…" The professor said, as he sat down, chewing on his smoking pipe. He wanted to get it over with now, so he wouldn't be put on the spot later, yet at the same time he wished to be skipped entirely in favor of those who were more open.

Winston attempted to cheer him up while Al Zalam was attempting to sort the sheets of paper, so they weren't in a bundled mess. "Don't worry professor, if things get too uncomfortable, I can answer! Most of them are directed at both of us anyway! It's not like any one them are going to be that bad anyhow!" Just as the ghost stated that, Al Zalam finished organizing the mess.

Question 1: "Winston was adopted, right? What was your reason to want to have a kid?"

The professor cringed. "Oh no, they're already giving me flashbacks, can we stop now?!" In response, Al Zalam smacked him across the head.

"Get ahold of yourself! You're a good fellow! Facing this sort of thing will only help get it off your chest!" Although it was tempting for Winston to scold Al for that, Kift did seem to be snapping out of his usual nervous nature.

He sighed. "You're right, you're right!… I adopted Winston when he was rather young, because I was at a point where I was getting far too old, and didn't see myself having actual children with a woman. Besides, I always felt bad for those without a family, living on their own like I do… And once I passed away, by the time they were old enough, I would hope for them to lead a much better life than I did, or continue my work! I was really happy to have someone I could treat like a son… But then… Well, you know…"

Kift tried shaking it off, mainly because Winston was right there, and he knew he couldn't change the past. He could go on and complain about he's clearly unlucky to be around, but there was a time and place for everything.

Question 2: "Sometimes Winston can touch solid objects, while other times he can pass through them. What gives? Does it also apply to your clothes?"

Winston just smiled brightly. "I can choose what I want to phase through, and what I want to touch! I just don't go touching people, even if it meant shaking their hand, because they often get the chills when I do that. Thankfully, it doesn't apply to inanimate objects! Also, my outfit is part of my spiritual body kind of—"

"Like I said before… Don't think about it too hard!" Al Zalam interrupted. "He can touch whatever he feels like, or pass through other things that may seem dangerous or in the way." Winston pouted slightly, annoyed that his explanation was being cut off short. It was for the better though, because then they'd be there all day.

Question 3: "Winston is just a walking good soul, as opposed to evil ghosts, how did this not make you an easy target for Palethorn, Hamis, or the Soul Demon?"

"Technically yes. I don't think Palethorn acknowledged my presence until the very end, Hamis is harmless despite his brutal skill and power since he's never really killed anyone…" Part of him shuddered at the thought of the last one. "And the Soul Demon technically did target me, along with the rest in the end! I guess he was the smartest one in hindsight." Al Zalam couldn't help but feel weird about the fact that he only stepped in to play as the partner, right as Winston was in danger. It was as if someone had to stand in for the ghost at that very moment.

Question 4: "How come Kift is able to replicate the weapons from Daniel's previous journey so perfectly?"

For once finally, Kift chuckled. "Why, the legends of the Hall of Heroes were written down, describing the properties of their respective weapons! I spent ages, learning about each one along with Monty, and hoping one day to recreate them! Between him, Kiya, and Daniel bringing in chalices so I could power on machines… I finally did it! And it wasn't some cheap, factory brand nonsense either! I made it just like the real deal!" One could tell that he was proud of that, as one that doesn't think highly of himself often should be.

"I kind of wonder how that Stayner Iron Hewer guy would feel about this." Al Zalam said to himself before moving on.

Question 5: "What was working with Monty, Palethorn, and others like?"

This seemed to be directed at both Winston and Kift, the latter surprisingly had an easier time answering it, despite how unsure he was of all this to begin with. "I knew Monty since we were young, if anything, I worked with him entirely before we met Palethorn in classes, and eventually occult groups. I was the one who dragged Monty into it, despite his low interest at first. I think he was more interested in selling off anything Palethorn made if it was possible…

"Mander and Dogman were nuisances! They had no respect for any of the equipment we had, plus Mander got into petty disputes with Monty at times! If not for Palethorn clearly being the 'leader' of all of us, we would have been a mess… Despite how selfish and horrible he is, Palethorn was a decent head for our group." It was clear Winston and him weren't on the same page, as the ghost partly scowled as he was remembering things.

He growled a bit. "I didn't like him from the start. Monty I knew beforehand, and was like an uncle kind of. Mander and Dogman were annoying to the professor, but I could kind of tell they weren't bad people, as they did try to keep me away from any kind of dangerous equipment, and were concerned about me before death… Palethorn, I could tell he was never up to any good! I kept spying on him regularly, but it figures only after I die, he betrays a bunch of aliens!" Al Zalam couldn't help but show pity for the ghost, as he kept going with the questions.

Question 6: "When the magic wears out, is Kift going to miss you, Winston?"

A whimper came out of the professor, almost forgetting about that. "Yes, I am… I will miss Winston, along with Daniel and Kiya. But I know I can let go finally, now that Mander, Dogman, Monty, and the Octomator Captain all want to work by my side without Palethorn." He tried his hardest to look on the brighter future that would be ahead, even if it meant the professor couldn't have the child he adopted with him.

Question 7: "Kift sometimes tells bad jokes, did Winston have to put up with those?"

Winston couldn't help but groan, remember it. "Yes, he and Monty were the worst with them! I can see that hasn't changed either…" Kift then felt a smirk form on his face.

"I don't think there's a ghost of a chance of me stopping that habit." He then began trying to contain his laughter, mainly at Winston's reaction.

The ghost began twitching slightly, while Al Zalam grinned. "Goodness, he wanted you to be his spiritual successor, one would expect you to be doing the same!" With that, Winston began leaving the room.

"Seriously?! If I have to hear this nonsense from Monty also, then you can take over! Let me know when its someone else's turn!" Both Professor Kift and Al Zalam kept laughing, even when Winston was long gone by then.

THE SPIV / MONTAGUE

Al Zalam just blinked. "Soooo… Why did you change your clothes to look like some kind of shady man in the park?" In response, the Spiv flinched, remembering what Mander said to him a long while back near the start of all the events.

"I'm a spiv! I figured this is wha' people remember me more as, so it's more appropriate I dress like me ol' side for this small moment!" The genie chose to ignore whatever excuse it was that Monty had for flipping back to looking like a crook, maybe one of the questions would bring that answer out for him.

He lifted a page from the pile that was now perfectly organized. "You realize you have to answer for both yourself now, and then? Or are you going to flip like a coin, just to get certain results? Because that my friend, would be annoying…"

Monty gritted his teeth. "No, now get on with it, mate!" Al did just that, unsure what to think of Monty in the slightest, other than him being odd, and what perfect timing for the first question at hand…

Question 1: "Do you have some kind of split personality? Part of you seems so shifty, but then the other seems very friendly or protective."

"Er… I kinda made the Spiv character so one wouldn't find me so easy. Didn't work out, as Mander and a few still recognize me well enough. Though, yer right kinda, I tend to project a more greedy side onto me Spiv self… And the normal on Monty. Yet sometimes, the latter takes over so easily. Ah well, nothin' t'do 'bout tha' really, mates." Al would have commented further on it, but there was probably no point.

Question 2: "How come you know how to repair shields, armor, and swords?"

He smirked. "I've had me hand in temperin' long ago. Although I nab stuff that's manufactured, and sell 'em off for wha'ever deal I can… I actually look up to Stayner Iron Hewer. I wanted to be just like 'im when I was a kiddo. Funny how it was 'im that pulled me outta tha' demon. I practiced, and learned all I could… But between factories takin' over, and other stuff… I decided to try maybe gettin' slight revenge, while makin' me own profits."

Al Zalam couldn't help but be impressed by this. "You really should have just set up a repair business of the sort, although I can imagine revenge on Palethorn and other corporations were satisfying… You are as greedy as crow who just likes taking shiny things!" Once again, the Spiv just grinned.

"Crows and magpies don't even collect shiny things, mate. They just play with and drop 'em." Al Zalam grumbled at being proven wrong by a human criminal, trying his best not to say anything more.

Question 3: "Some of the 'Dark Path' dialogue suggests you were meant to be fought at some point. Were you?"

The Spiv's expression went a little dark, as if unpleased at the thought. "Had I tried to fight the demon in the route tha' never happened, I would've been dead in mere moments. I'm good with weapons tha' do their job quick-like, but face it, there'd be no point in chasin' down the monster who kills Planum, Kiya, and Winston. Because I'd be busy tryin' to ensure Kift's safety." His voice trailed off, as if not wanting to continue on the subject.

"Seems like a possibility that in another time, he could, despite what he says… Strange! Again, do not think about our knowledge on the 'Dark Path' too hard!"

Once again, the Spiv growled at the wisecracking genie. "Tha' joke was funny the first time, mate… Amusin' the second… Annoyin', the third. Yer gonna bore everyone." Al Zalam cringed, and turned away from the one that was answering. It was clear that these two were definitely not on the same level.

Question 4: "What exactly do you do with all the money you make in the game? It's not like you pay anyone back, since your steal manufactured things."

"Save it. I'll probably need it one day, even if it's for something stupid. I dunno wha' tha' would be even, but I'm sure in a couple years it'll have a use… Got somethin' t'say, djinn?" He noticed how quiet Al was becoming, as if running out of amusement, which he was.

Right now, Al Zalam wished Winston would come back, but he knew that the ghost didn't want to hear any possible bad jokes.

Question 5: "If you're actually capable of fighting, why didn't you help Daniel like Kiya did a few times?"

A hearty chuckle came out of him. "The Spiv 'ere doesn't 'ave time for nonsense like tha'. If anythin', you should be askin' tha' question to the others. Mainly Hamis, who's the most capable of fightin', but didn't do much other than spend most of the adventure on Palethorn's side, now did he?" The genie sighed, somewhat annoyed.

"You do not have to shift it onto him, my dear friend! You were around for the whole adventure, lurking in dark corners like a… Well, you get the point! It sounds more like you were just more concerned about the gold you had!" He didn't respond, and just had a guilty expression. Al was relieved he finally managed to expose the Spiv this time. It was about to get better for Al Zalam too, mainly because of the next two questions he was reading.

Question 6: "You were aware that Planum liked Palethorn, right?"

Instantly, he tensed up, went to grab the sheet of paper…

… And started to rip it in pieces. "H-hey! You cannot do that to the questions! Just answer!" Al Zalam pulled it out of his hands, trying to keep it away from the Spiv.

"Fine! I was aware, but I tried denyin' it… What of it? I… I'm angry only because he backstabbed her! Mutatin' 'er people and all, along with nabbin' a lot of her equipment, plus tha' airship! Y'don't go betrayin' the lady who likes ya… Sh-she could do so much better, mate!" Al Zalam just increasingly grew smug over the Spiv's behavior.

Question 7: "Don't you think you should tell Planum how you feel soon, Monty? If you don't, some other guy like Daniel or anyone else might take her from you…"

He grabbed at other sheet of paper while Al was reading it. "Don't rip that one too, Monty! It won't help, you know!" The Spiv paused, before moving over with it.

"Alright…"

The Spiv then proceeded to shove it into the shredder, pulling the crank.

"Ah! Don't put it in the shredder either, you madman! Just answer the question for goodness sake!" At that point, the Spiv left the room entirely without another word. Winston finally returned however, which relieved Al.

Hopefully, no one else was going to be a stubborn as Monty…

((Despite both being wisecrackers and getting along decently with Kift, it seems that Al Zalam and the Spiv aren't agreeable with each other… Maybe it's because the former is more, uh, upbeat?))