Back on the Luofu, a minor bit of course correction was required to ensure that everything proceeded according to the script…
A certain purple haired Stellaron Hunter had to rendezvous with Blade, and fast. But if she didn't make this quick detour, it would all be for naught. The whole script would be off, and they might as well forsake the entire timeline at that point.
This was more of a maintenance area of the city-ship adjacent to the docks. Tons of mara-afflicted about, both roaming the docks and sneaking through the more industrial bulkheads and winding corridors below.
"Hello?" A cheerful voice echoed through the maintenance halls.
Right on schedule.
"Where did that Diting go?" March 7thasked. "It shouldn't be wandering around in here. It's not safe."
The bionic dog had maintained its trail on Kafka's scent all this time. It was meant to hunt down Bladie, but Kafka had used the old scent as a lure, then sent it on its way with a false lead. The Diting would be back at Stargazer Nagalia by now, safe and sound. Just bait to lure a certain cheery someone here for a quick chat.
Strawberry-shorbert hair disappeared down a hallway that doubled back on itself.
Perfect.
Kafka slunk in behind her target. Poor March didn't notice anything until she arrived at a bulkhead door, strategically closed in advance.
"Listen...might not want to make any sudden noises or try to run. March 7th, right?"
March flinched and turned around but did not shout or panic. Technicolor eyes went wide.
"You're that stellaron hunter." March's voice strained, trying to shout for help but unable to work up the willpower to get her voice to cooperate.
"Kafka. Miss Kafka, if you're feeling polite." Kafka held a gloved finger up to March's cheek and grinned. "You shouldrelax and listen to what I have to say."
The young woman's eyes and brow were furrowed, defiant, even as her body language loosened up. She was falling under persuasion; though March would vehemently disagree with that assertion, at least for now.
"Now, there's something I'm going to need you to do…" Kafka began.
"I'm not going to… f-fall under your spell like Caelus has," March said. "You Stellaron Hunters are… pure evil…"
March 7thstrained against imaginary bonds. Of all those who fell into Kafka's web over the years, March here was one of the less receptive. Such a strong will in the preppy amnesiac. Still, nothing a few minutes of persuasion shouldn't be able to mollify.
"Oh? Caelus is a… special case. He and I are, well, connected by fate. Believe it or not, I don't want to abuse his trust more than necessary. And I have no ill-will towards you, a fact I hope to prove during our chat here. Just need to ask for a few favors."
The rose-haired girl gave no response. She was no closer to breaking out of Kafka's psychological suggestion. Just needed a bit more convincing.
"Listen, I'm going to talk for a bit, and you just have to sit there and soak up what I have to say."
March's brow furrowed, but her strained resistance died down.
"Now, I'm trying to help Caelus. There's a pathway that will lead him towards an ideal future, but it is very narrow, and he needs some help getting there.Don't you wantto help Caelus too?"
With her frown softening, March nodded slightly.
"Y-yes…" March's face adopted a neutral, even pensive, expression. "Yes, Kafka."
Kafka smiled. "A few more minutes of privacy and you and I could be best friends forever."
March blushed, then nodded.
The harder they struggle, the further they fall. Kafka was quite pleased with her progress so far. Now to persuade the young woman to lead Caelus where he needs to go.
"Alas, we must get you back to your friends soon. Yanqing won't track down himself and besides, he's got a role to play in the script as well. I'mgoing to give you some instructionsand you're going to forget we had this conversation. But when the time comes, you'll still lead your crew where they need to go, as if you thought of the idea yourself. Sound good?"
March nodded again, more earnestly this time. Her lips formed a slight Mona Lisa smirk as she soaked in Kafka's persuasive personality.
"Now, there's an area in the next district that is crawling with Mara-struck. It will be a tough battle, but you'll have to lead your group right into the thick of it. Think of all the loot you'll get. And there's a nice photo op just past this room. You can do that for me, right?"
The persuasion took hold. March 7thclosed her eyes and hummed out a response.
"Very good. Now…"
There was sound from the corridor. Footsteps were heading this way. Kafka put a finger on March's lips to hush her. The Stellaron Hunter would recognize that gait anywhere. She waited until the footsteps stopped right around the corner. No doubt her little mark was trying to spy on whatever was happening.
"Why don't youcome out and see me, Caelus?"
There was a shuffling sound of feet behind the corner. Sheepishly, Caelus stepped into view.
"No…" he said, though he took his place beside a now-pliant March 7thanyway.
That was close. If it were anyone else such an unsubtle suggestion wouldn't have worked. The best forms of persuasion played to things the subject already wanted. And Caelus most certainly wanted to see Kafka more often. Didn't take psychological suggestion skills to notice he couldn't keep his eyes off her.
"Kafka… please. Leave her alone. Take me instead. Just don't turn my friends against me."
The look on Caelus's face was one of hurt, worried for March more than his own safety. Kafka felt a tinge of… something. Guilt? Embarrassment? - in the pit of her stomach. An atrophied moral compass was trying to fire off some warning. Poor Caelus wasn't supposed to even know her powers were at work.
You've done this hundreds of times, Kafka. You've done it to dear Caelus here more than once. Don't balk now. You're a professional!
"Just chatting with an old friend, Caelus," March said, oblivious. "I think you'd really love to meet her."
"I bet." Caelus looked away, as if he were aware of where this was going.
"I'm sorry, Caelus. I was hoping to simply borrow March for a second. No harm will come to either of you. Promise. Now that you're both here though, the instructions should take for you both."
Eight minutes of persuasion, and Kafka's two new friends were standing before her as docile as if they were chatting to an old chum in the parlor car. March gave a content sigh, soaking in the subliminal commands she wasn't going to remember when she left this hallway. Caelus stared at Kafka reverently, like a devoted worshiper would a painting of a saint.
"Now, what was it that you needed to do?" Kafka asked.
"We have to lead Mister Yang and the others into an ambush," March said. "A horde of Mara-struck is dead ahead."
"… and we won't remember this conversation even happened," Caelus added.
All suggestions had stuck. Excellent.
Oh, this Mara-nest wasn't directly related to their meeting. It was just the butterfly effect; clearing this room would mean less Mara-addled to cause problems later. Kafka wouldn't send poor Caelus there if it weren't necessary to achieve an ideal future. Besides, the Trailblazers were resourceful. They could handle it.
"Wow," March sighed. "You're so persuasive, Miss Kafka."
"Oh?" Kafka pointed a gloved finger at March's chin. "What was that about not falling under my spell? You seem quite happy to be under my thumb now."
March nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"
Caelus, too, let out a content sigh. "It just feels so good to listen to what you have to say."
"You were already an expert at following directions." Kafka winked at him, then pretended not to notice his blush.
It was a pity Elio didn't want more recruits. Kafka could raise a small army with this power. The only barrier was time.
"Back on script: And why do you need to spring this trap?" Kafka asked.
"For the glory of the Stellaron Hunters!" March said with the trademark zeal she gave to every endeavor.
Kafka raised an eyebrow. She hadn't done anything to instill that much loyalty in the young woman.Curious. Dear March here must be a real people pleaser.
"Might want to maintain your previous disgust for the Stellaron Hunters, Miss March. At least in your waking mind. And you, Caelus?" Kafka smiled as she turned to her favoritepersuasiontarget.
"So that we can meet again. As destined." he said, eyes closed and cheeks rosy.
Perfect response.Even the keenest minds were putty if Kafka could just spend some quality time chatting with them.
"You've both been very attentive listeners," Kafka began. "I'm glad you find me so persuasive. Now, there'll be just a few more suggestions for the two of you, then I'll send you on your way."
They'll be none the wiser. Caelus was destined to go down this path, just needed this one little push. No reason to feel guilty about manipulating the poor vessel if it will result in better outcomes for him.
"First, whenever I tell you toListenin the future, you'll both find it slightly easier to fall into my web."
"Yes, Miss Kafka," the pair said in unison, tension leaving their bodies all at once.
A common suggestion. Hardly foolproof, but every little smidge of lessened resistance could help in a pinch.
More footsteps – out in the main room, past the maintenance halls. The pair had been following their Diting all alone, but someone was bound to notice their absence eventually.
Best make this quick.
"March, dear." Kafka moved to her rose-haired, cheerful subject. "This Mara-struck ambush will be difficult, but manageable.Pleasekeep your shields up on dear Caelus. Can you do that?"
"Yes." March nodded along.
"Caelus is…" Aeons, she couldn't believe she was going to say this, but its not like her guests would remember. "Special. To the mission. And… to me, as well. I care for him, and I don't want him to get hurt. Please look after him."
"Of course, Miss Kafka," March said, smiling.
More footsteps, closer to the maintenance halls.
It wouldn't do to have a conga line of persuaded targets leading out the door. A diversion was in order.
"Would you kindlygo provide a diversion for Mister Yang, March?"
"Yes ma'am." March 7thgave a salute, with gusto, then marched out the door.
So far, so good. Caelus stood there, face placid and contemplative, waiting to have thoughts given to him as well.
"And you, Caelus." Kafka cupped his cheek and looked into his surprisingly warm golden eyes. "I'm going to give you some more words of encouragement and seal them with a little gift. You won't remember anything we said here, but your subconscious will remember the instructions, and you'll internalize this encouragement and let it drive you to our next meeting."
Caelus nodded.
"Know thatI will never use this power to hurt you or your friends. Not knowingly. If Elio said the best possible future for me required bad things for you… well, I don't know what would happen then. But I'm confident that the script we follow now will lead to a positive experience for you. What do you think of that?"
"I'm… glad." Caelus swayed a bit, as if he was sleepwalking through a pleasant dream.
"Good." Kafka averted her eyes. "Now, if you head into this Mara-nest, our next, fated meeting is assured. I can't wait to meet on less…antagonisticfooting."
"Me neither," the persuasion-smitten Caelus admitted.
The Stellaron Hunter paused.Well, maybe he really is smitten.
"Oh, Caelus," Kafka muttered despite herself. "I think I'm developing a soft spot for you, Hot Shot."
"I like it when you're soft," Caelus said breathlessly, without missing a beat.
"C-caelus." Kafka exhaled, caught off guard. "That's… very sweet."
He's just saying that because he's under persuasion. He thinks you're the most interesting thing in the galaxy right now. And what if there was something? He'dwind up corrupted, heartbroken, and probably both.
"Don't catch feelings" was classy criminal 101. First rule in the book. And Kafka didn't rack up one of the highest bounties in the universe by getting sloppy. So professional was she, that the Stellaron Hunter didn't even entertain the possibility of whether that was something she'd want.
None of that meant she had moral scruples against playing with the younger man. "Don't grow a conscience" was the second rule in the book, after all. Still, she meant everything she said about not wanting him to get hurt, eagerly anticipating their fated meeting, and developing a soft spot for him.
… which only made the best way of sealing these subliminal suggestions into his memory that much more awkward.
Kafka buried these reservations away.He's just a mark. One that's basically defenseless against your persuasion so long as you don't blatantly order him to do something insane. Just do what needs to be done and get on with it.
"Okay, Caelus. Got to run. It's time for that gift."
An enthralled Caelus looked on, curious, attentive, and eager to listen.
Truly, what Kafka wanted most in an interpersonal relationship was a bit of equal give-and-take. And with the power of persuasion, any potential beau or belle or what have you would wind up with their personality filed down. Made compliant. Making others listen was second nature now, barely even had to try.
This is neither the profession nor skillset for a soulmate.
"Be sureto hurry along, just as soon as I give this present to you," Kafka grinned, getting back into her role. "Don't let it get to your head; would've done this to March if there'd been time too, honestly. Physical contact is just the best way to solidify the command. Ah, not like you're going to remember anyway."
Caelus nodded, and awaited the gift that would seal this subliminal pep-talk into his memories. Kafka cupped his chin in her hand, tilted his head to one side, and leaned in…
"This way!" March said, charging off into the unknown despite Mister Yang's warnings.
Caelus followed close behind. He knew in his gut this was the correct path that would take him exactly where he needed to go.
"March, get down!" Welt cried.
Mara-struck swarmed in from every direction. They'd walked right into a den of possessed soldiers.
"How did this happen?" March drew her bow.
"Did we take a wrong turn?" Caelus asked. He was so certain this was the correct path mere moments before.
What had made them both so sure? They were supposed to be trying to rendezvous with Dan Heng. Or were they hot on Blade's trail? They'd passed by the dock's maintenance tunnels. And then… what?
Caelus's cheek had a warm glow to it. He touched the spot, before reaching for his lance. It was a strangely familiar feeling, with an accompanying scent of pleasant, airy perfume he couldn't help but savor. He briefly felt as if there was a blot of grape flavored lipstick on his cheek, but his hand returned nothing. Someone had told him to wipe it off before continuing onwards. But when the heck would that have happened?
Could we have been…
Mara-struck charged. Suspicions left his mind as he focused on combat.
"Caelus, watch out!" March summoned a shield to Caelus's location.
"Be more careful, you two," Welt said as he caught up.
There was somewhere Caelus had to be, and these Mara-struck were in the way. It was as simple as that.
Kafka (pointing sternly): Down, Boy!
Caelus: Arf!
... actually, looking back at it, 'our plucky hero and heroine get mind-slaved by a hot older dom lady in a back alley' is a saucier chapter premise than was originally intended. Lol.