Chapter 2: Quagmire

[Quagmire] (noun): A situation in which if one is at gunpoint to pick a trustworthy friend, one pulls the trigger themselves.

I had fun last night, but I think we're too different after all. Sorry, I hope one day you find someone who wants to be with you.

Today sucked, last night sucked, everything sucked. The stairs felt like they were sucking him down to a new low. To be fair, it was Prin's first time in the warehouse. Different people had different strengths, and it showed in their machinery; down here it was a whole new country of almost exclusively Vehicles and Motors. He asked a local for directions then went off to find Tora.

"You're almost late, mister." Tora tapped her wheel on the ground impatiently. She'd just set aside a column of crates twice her height. She had long legs, a perpetual sneer on her face, and dark blue twintails that whipped in the wind whenever she ran. She was a Motorbike, and Prin's fourth work acquaintance.

"Almost late is on time isn't it?" He opened the envelope in his pocket and handed her the invoices.

"Yeah. Sure. My customers were also almost on time, and then they were almost an hour late." She scowled and speedread the details.

Prin held back a sigh, he was not in the mood to deal with Tora alone. Usually, Sven was the one who eased her bad mood. Cali was the naive one who asked her why she was in said bad mood. "Sorry about that." Was all he could manage.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was a notification from the dating app asking him to rate his experience. A look of irritation flashed on his face. He was fast to erase it, but Tora's eyes were even faster.

"Hmmm… I didn't know you used those kinds of apps, Prin." She grinned mischievously. His ears went red and he shoved the phone back in his pocket. "Can it. Last night didn't go well, that's all."

Her grin softened just a tad. "Aw, it'll be okay. You'll find someone some day." Prin's eye twitched and Tora closed her mouth. They sat on a bench and watched Cranes unload pallets off a truck. "So, did she say why?" Apparently they weren't done with this topic yet. "Just that we were too different." Prin rested his head on his hand. "That's what she texted me, at least."

"Yeah, I suppose it could be any number of things. Your hobbies, your personality, your height, your body, your breath." Tora counted on her fingers. Prin's eyes narrowed. "I don't think it was that big a number." He breathed into his palm and checked the smell.

Her motor whirred as she laughed. "Well, you never know." Prin looked away. "I mean actually I do know." Tora raised an eyebrow. "Hm, what do you mean?" Prin froze, he didn't mean to say that out loud.

A few days ago, a group of climate change activists tied themselves to the warehouse doors in protest. A woman walked up and pestered the group so much that they chewed through the ropes and ran away. This was that same woman. Prin winced, knowing Tora wouldn't let up. She shook his shoulder a few dozen times and barraged him with questions until he gave in.

"If I talk to someone long enough, I hear a "click"." Prin explained begrudgingly. "Then I can print a list of what that person wants in a romantic partner. Of course there's the generic things, like "nice, kind, caring"." Tora nodded, her eyes like dinner plates as she relished in the scandalism. Prin gulped and continued. "But there's also things on the list they won't tell anyone. Secret requirements." Tora leaned back and blinked. She hovered her hand-wheel over the bench momentarily, then changed her mind. "Well, that sounds wild enough to be the truth. That's a pretty interesting power though."

"I left my last workplace because of how the people there treated me for it." Prin sighed. "So do me a favor and don't tell anyone okay?" Tora smiled and gave a thumbs up. "No problem, I won't tell anyone!"

She told everyone at the table by lunchtime. Cali was bouncing with excitement as Prin approached with his tray. Sven acted normal. Tora looked away and whistled to herself.

"Oh ho, wow, your ability is really cool Prin!" Cali beamed. "Ssshhh!" Prin grimaced, looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. He glared at Tora who grinned sheepishly. "Aww come on, it's okay! These two can keep a secret." Sven shook his head at Tora. "Come on, you could be a little sorry you went against Prin's wishes."

"Come on, I don't see the big deal here. I dig up private info about my customers all the time."

"Sven is right Tora, you should be more respectful." Cali nodded at her. Then she whipped her focus towards the recoiling Printer sat next to her. "So, what juicy stuff have you read? Did you see what your date yesterday secretly wanted? Do you know what Nancy Blox is looking for?"

Prin blinked twice trying to digest the information, then he started eating his pasta. "I don't like to pry." He swallowed a big mouthful. The tomato sauce was extra sour today. "I don't share other's secrets, I get confidential documents all the time anyways. Yes, I know what she wanted yesterday. No, I have never spoken to Nancy so I don't know."

She wanted someone muscular, and taller than her. Prin was neither. But he wasn't going to tell any of them that.

"So, have you spoken long enough to us to print a list?" Sven asked. Prin stopped chewing. This was the part he was most afraid of, when people assumed he knew their secrets. Oh well, the Delta branch was near a big shopping mall. It'd be easier to pick up groceries on the way home.

"It's okay!" Cali patted him on the back so hard he nearly spat out his pasta. "I trust you won't tell anyone. You don't seem like the type, and I'm a great judge of character."

"I trust you too." Sven agreed.

"You can read me, I don't care." Tora shrugged.

Prin peered up at all three of their faces. No one seemed upset at him, on the outside at least. His shoulders loosened a little. "Okay… thanks."

"But like, you can help me dig up some dirt on other people right?" Tora flashed a wicked smile. "I think this woman I deliver clothes to is definitely cheating on her husband, I need to know." His shoulders tensed up again. This was the second reaction Prin was worried about. "Enough, Tora. Leave him be." Sven shook his head. Cali went back to shovelling her rice bowl. The other two started talking about people who don't chain their dogs up before delivery people arrive.

Prin was still upset with Tora, but the group's reaction was better than he could have asked for. He went back to his office with a pep in his step. Rhea's expression didn't change when he handed her papers with a smile, but her blinks seemed somewhat friendlier.

His phone buzzed on the table, and the screen lit up with a text message from Cali.

hi prin can u hlep me?? i want to talk to a girl i know