Buguese

Buguese hadn't wanted to touch whatever new magic had been bought to the train. By this point, he knew better than to believe it was more than an ordinary mirror, but still, he didn't want to use any of the conductor's help, and he didn't doubt there could be some kind of catch to using it.

However, he couldn't stand not knowing what was going on in his own world. Finally, he'd decided to give in and give the mirror a try.
"Show me Aqune," he said, really hoping no one was paying attention.

And then, he saw her, back at the castle, chanting as always. It was very reminiscent of how he always used to watch her, although then she was just feet away.
...And of course, if Aqune was still there, that meant they hadn't won the war yet. He knew he couldn't trust any of those inocompetents without his command.

If Buguese was going to play this game (as if he had any other choice, at least until he could gain more allies, like he and Kukaku discussed) he was going to play it by his own rules. He had to wear a uniform? Fine, as long as he could wear his armor over it. It was an important symbol of being a Big Four member, and he never removed it. His loyalty to Mantid was still his pride, and without it, he'd be left with nothing. There were no vegetables or plant life offered in the cafeteria? Then he'd starve, for that was all an Insector's body was made to eat. He was used to going hungry anyway. There was still the convenience store, but he didn't feel comfortable going into a human's store, just to get a salad.

Buguese had wanted nothing to do with the entire election process. For one, he didn't quite like the process. He came from a world of kings and queens and emperors, where power was inherited or taken by force. Sure, it would be convenient to give someone power because they were fit for it, but that just wasn't the way life worked.

But more then that, the whole thing seemed like a farce. This Kaname Ougi, whoever he was, likely was an accomplice of Conductor-san all along. It was probably a pre-determined election from the beginning, given the appearance of fairness, and now all would suffer the consequences as they were given yet another tyrannical ruler. He simply couldn't stand for this.

Even for someone who liked being alone and was generally averse to doing things just for the sake of pleasure, Buguese could sometimes find living on the train excruciatingly boring. His work had always kept him busy.

Useful as his gift from Robo-Ky was, he still couldn't necessarily use it, because he hadn't thought of a safe way yet. Waiting for the train to stop again would be more convenient anyway, because even if he could escape now, they'd still be in the middle of nowhere. But for now, he needed to think of something to do. The arcade cart would be much too loud and annoying, so that was out of the question. He wished there was a roomier spot, so he could train a bit. He hadn't had any time to practice, and didn't want to be at a disadvantage once he returned, if his skills were rusty. Maybe the lounge would do, but there were usually other people around. But thinking about it further, if he accidentally damaged anything on the train, he didn't really care, so his room would do just fine. 

Taking out his sword and retracting the blade, he began to practice swinging at an imaginary target.

By no means did Buguese like the idea of being forced into a gift exchange by the conductor. Nobody forced him to do anything, especially not his enemies. But by saying that there would be consequences otherwise, it was essentially a threat. Not that he was afraid of her at all. The worst she could do was kill him, and in that case, he wouldn't have to deal with the guilt of being here on the train, and not working any longer. But he still hadn't found out exactly what happened to Aqune. Even if she'd gotten back, which was probably the case, as she definitely wasn't on the train, Conductor-san could always do something to her. It was completely unfair that she knew everything about him, as he'd certainly never told her.

To his knowledge, robots rusted in water, and snow was merely frozen water. So Buguese doubted this "Robo-Ky" that he was assigned to shop for would be outside, if he was indeed a robot. He began his search in the lounge.

It didn't make any sense. Buguese had returned to his room, after finishing another search through the train. He wanted to know what happened to those who had been there last week, especially Aqune. Was she safe? Did she somehow find a way out? In that case, perhaps he could find it too. But she would have told him if that were the case, wouldn't she? Regardless, he was certain Conductor-san had something to do with her disappearance. And if Aqune was hurt... no, even if she was safe, the conductor would still pay.

In the meantime, he still had to come up with a plan to get rid of the train, as he and Kukaku discussed. He glanced out the window as he began to contemplate.

Tired of the noise coming from the arcade room, where he was forced to play that ridiculous dancing game earlier, Buguese wandered through the train, looking for a quiet place. He decided not to even bother with his room, in case Ben was around.

What he needed was some time to think. He felt entirely too vulnerable being surrounded by so many enemies, Conductor-san being the worst of them. And now, she found ways to taunt him through programmed games. Fortunately, games that he was easily capable of winning, as he refused to be defeated so easily. But he wished he could simply destroy the dance machine. It had no plug, and somehow was capable of deflecting his attacks. He wondered if perhaps any of the other passengers knew of a solution, though he preferred not to ask for help.

Upon hearing that he was able to write a letter, Buguese had mixed feelings. He found letter writing ineffective to begin with. Messenger Bugs worked much quicker. Unfortunately, he didn't have one, and even if he did, he doubted it would ever reach his home.

As for who to send the letter to, it was obvious that he'd need to get in contact with Mantid. Being his second-in-command, it was only right that he'd explain his disappearance to his leader. But would Mantid even believe him if he said he'd been on a train for this long, abandoning his duties? Even so, it would likely get him in trouble, and cause him to lose his rank, unless he lied. But what to lie about? Even stating that he was taken against his will would still make him look bad, as obviously the top general of the Big Four should be able to escape something like this.

Of course, he could write to someone else too. Thinking quickly, and remembering the fact that only one person would be able to read it anyway, he began to scribble a note.

My dear Aqune,

While I know my absence has likely been a blessing to you, I would like for you to know that I'm alive and well. Whether or not you'd like to believe me, I've been captured and taken to the Outer World. But I will be back, so you had best be continuing your search for the Oracle Keys.
You are not to tell anyone of the contents of this letter, even Mantid-sama, and especially not Hunter Steele.

-Buguese

Folding the letter, he held onto it, smiling slightly.

Buguese had mixed feelings about this New Moon settlement. It was almost like the world that he had always been fighting for, the beautiful Insector world that once existed, before it was stolen from him. But it was that bitterness that made him resent this place. He knew it wouldn't be like this when he returned... if he ever returned. He had heard about this strange cowbell that needed to be retrieved... whatever that was. It didn't matter though. He would find it. He wouldn't even need to rely on Aqune's power to locate it, but his own knowledge.

He wondered to himself what Aqune was doing all this time. Perhaps she ran away and went to live with the Spider Riders. He wouldn't be surprised, knowing the ways that miserable Hunter Steele tempted her away. But chances were she was happy that he was gone, and that thought made him all the more depressed.

Questions filled Buguese mind. Where was he, exactly, and how did he get here. Certainly this wasn't the Inner World. Here, he could see out the window a blue sky, and the sun shone, though it was much smaller than the one he was familiar with.

Feeling as if he needed to be on the defense, he made sure that his sword was still securely placed under his belt. Fortunately, it was. He hadn't any Machine-sectors or other weapons, but he'd have to deal without them for now.

All Buguese knew was the name of his assigned roomate. Ben Tennyson. An unusual name, though perhaps not for an Earthen. But he wondered if this person was an ally or enemy. He decided to head to his room and find out.