You keep chatting about the matter at hand.
"So, my best and only option to return back to normal is to go and have a meeting with the boss-lady of the Cartel? How could you arrange such a meeting in the first place? Would she even accept to meet with me?" you ask in quick succession. This are really important: you future as a normal or a tiny depends upon their answer.

"En relación a la primera pregunta, Sí: como te dije antes, es tu única opción. Solo el Cartel tiene el conocimiento de cómo, si es siquiera posible, devolver el tamaño a un achicado. En relación a la siguiente pregunta, la jefa del Cartel es...una joven ambiciosa e innovadora. Ella, entre otras cosas realmente inusuales, permite a nosotros ir y charlar sobre problemáticas que les afecten: normalmente problemas relacionados con la venta y los servicios de los achicados. Ella de forma pública presento la metodología de cómo organizar una reunión con ella. Y por última, la respuesta de tu tercera pregunta es: sí, ella aceptaría reunirse contigo. No he tenido jamás necesidad ni intención de reunirme con ella, pero una amiga mía si lo ha hecho. Y si acepto reunirse con ella, dudo que tenga mayor problemas en reunirse contigo...especialmente si le digo que tú entraste "a la antigua", como a veces he escuchado referirse a aquellos que llegan y son achicados por ello."("In relation to the first question, Yes: as I told you before, it is your only option. Only the Cartel has the knowledge of how, if it is even possible, to restore size to a shrunk one. In relation to the next question, the boss of the Cartel is...an ambitious and innovative young woman. She, among other really unusual things, allows us to go and talk about problems that affect them: usually problems related to the sale and services of the small ones. She publicly presented the methodology of how to organize a meeting with her. And finally, the answer to your third question is: yes, she would agree to meet with you. I have never had the need or intention to meet with her, but a friend of mine has. And if I agree to meet her, I doubt she'll have any more trouble meeting you...especially if I tell her that you came in "the old fashioned way," as I've sometimes heard those who come in and are shrunk by it are referred by."), the woman answer, in a calm manner. Probably, this is normal around this parts. At least, normal enough to be able to arrange a meeting with the Boss of the Cartel, and expected to be accepted.

Silence ensues, as you try to grasp the nature of this. After a few seconds, you just sigh, and say:
"Okay, please, ¿can you arrange this meeting?"
"Por supuesto. Pero tendrás que esperar hasta mañana en el mejor de los casos. Entenderás...que ella es una mujer...ocupada."("Of course. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow at best. You'll understand...she's a...busy woman."), the woman answers, smiling.

Wait until tomorrow at best? What would you do until then?, you think to yourself.
When she notices you thinking, the woman gives you the potential answer. She says:
"Mientras tanto, podrías estar en cuidado de nosotras, o al menos, de 1 de nosotras. Así, estarías a salvo, y podríamos organizar actividades si la situación se alarga."("In the meantime, you could be in the care of us, or at least 1 of us. That way, you would be safe, and we could organize activities if the situation drags on.")
"That...sounds nice. Wait, do you mean, any one of you both?", you ask. Does she mean to be willing to let her daughter take care of you?
You could most certainly count upon the woman to keep you safe but the girl... no so much.

You look into her, and the girl, upon hearing her mother's words, slightly blush, and smile a little. Perhaps she found it nice that her mother, despite everything, might be willing to trust her.

You look worried at her, and the woman notices this. Smiling a little, she says:
"Sé que ella no te trato de la mejor manera cuando se conocieron. Pero, como te dije, ella es una buena chica. Creo que deberías darle una oportunidad a ella para mostrártelo."("I know she didn't treat you in the best way when you first met. But like I told you, she's a good girl. I think you should give her a chance to show you.")

Allow her a chance? On one hand, giving her a chance is fair: you've barely interacted with her. On the other...

Your hesitation is clear in your face. The woman sighs, and says:
"Si lo prefieres, podrías irte por tu propia cuenta. Eso impediría que tengas la reunión, pero tal vez prefieras eso a tener que potencialmente e lidiar con mi hija. No puedo asegurar que estaré siempre contigo después de todo."("If you prefer, you could leave on your own. That would prevent you from having the reunion, but you might prefer that to potentially having to deal with my daughter. I can't guarantee that I'll always be with you after all.")

That sound perhaps a bit extreme, but hey, is a possibility.
Then, the woman continues speaking, saying:
"Por último, podrías preferir que nosotras dos cuidemos de ti de forma conjunta. O en cambio, yo podría contactar a una de mis amigas. Creo que cualquiera de ellas no tendría problemas en cuidar de un joven como tú en tu estado actual."("Lastly, you might prefer that the two of us take care of you together. Or instead, I could contact one of my friends. I think either of them would have no problem taking care of a young man like you in your current state.")

So, either being taken care by both of them in equal matter, instead of a primary caretaker. Or to meet a friend of hers.
All good options, so you decide to tell her:
"Very good, all of them are options. I'll think a tiny bit upon which one I would prefer to do."
"Perfecto, tomate el tiempo que necesites. No son decisiones ligeras después de todo."("Perfect, take as long as you need. They are not light decisions after all."), says the woman, looking happy.

As you think, you noticed something very silly: after all of this, you still had not presented yourself! Feeling a bit embarrassed for this, you look up to the woman, and say:
"Oh, I just noticed I had not introduced myself. I'm Denis, nice to meet you."

The woman giggle a little: she just noticed as well of you of this matter. After this, she answers:
"Me llamó Maria. Me alegra de conocerte, Denis."("Maria called me. Nice to meet you, Denis.")
"Yo me llamo Lucy...si es que querías saber."("My name is Lucy...if you wanted to know."), says the girl, in a somewhat hesitant tone. Perhaps she's afraid that you would prefer not to be near her, and choose to leave.

Lucy, and María. You finally know the names of the women you have been interacting in this whole matter.

Your two potential caretakers, if you would prefer that route of action.
197 views
·
May 29, 2023