Setting
He settled in before continuing, and said to try and disperse her fears if only in the slightest,The threat does not come from I, but from strange tongued strangers in an all too familiar bar,
We are like each other, living on the edge of our lips between two worlds, both of which claim us as much as we claim them. Reality!
The whimsy dropped soon enough.
, Warren looked around in mock worry,An object exists, that is said to be a crystal, or perhaps a stone. It's regular in the sense that it is an enchanted item, but irregular in the very fact of it's existence. You see, this rock, this chunk of matter, is said to do something that
Warren's hard eyes grew black,Is said to trap souls. Not just any souls,
All souls. There is but one way in, and one way out.
The implications were catastrophic.
The demoness furrowed her brows incredulously. "I can't imagine who ever thought that was a good idea."
He almost laughed,Nono!
That would be the worst idea. I can't even...No. No, no. There is said to be a stone, crafted by a master craftsman long ago, that can trap any one soul.
She tilted her head, "Something in it? Or perhaps you were planning to put something in it. Say... a god! Now, I could get on board having my own personal god in a box."
Warren looked at her still with a smile,I don't think you understand,
It can trap anyone. It can trap me. It can trap the Gods. It can trap even....You.
She shook her head, "Now you're going to tell me someone who I've pissed off lately has it, I just know it."
Warren nodded.Now you see,
The problem is, who has it now seeks to bring down the strongest force in the conceivable stretch of lands from here, from Terra. Who is the most powerful force of Sol? Of the galaxy? Once they are out of the way, who is targeted next?
For a moment he let that sit.
quietly he stated,I would hate,
to see a clever girl such as you lost in the folds of a crumpling umbrella.
She shook her head, "Of course, if what you're saying is true, I'm naturally concerned. But what do you propose?"
He suggested, waving a hand at the mention of heroes. They were foolish, often running off on some imaginary quest for the greater good, falling into a hole at the sight of a damsel in distress.I propose,
I propose the threat be eliminated, and how better to eliminate a threat than to own it?
Inordinate in Xyntha's books, of course, being 'any notable'. Some might call her a coward. Those people usually wouldn't be alive for very long to say that, though, by merit of their being pointedly 'not cowardly'. Other, more long-lived people, would just call her smart.
The woman shrugged, "If he were in Solinus, I'd be able to easily bring the thing in. My influence doesn't stretch beyond the city borders though. I don't think my reputation would be done any good by me sending people out of the city on a quest for a specific rock."
He asked again, and it would be the last time,Are you sure,
You do not seek this stone? Those who know of it are rumored to not live very long. I apologize for the...Inconvenience.
She shook her head, "Answer me this truthfully. Do you think that I would be able to take this rock? You emphasised how it could trap anyone. As a last resort, surely he would trap me?"
Like I said, I know not of who has it, or if it is even had,
Truthfully I think you are in a position you would like to not afford to lose, lest someone else gets their hands on this stone. You could rule more than just this city with it's power, the limits are at the ends of the abilities of the stone.
The demoness allowed a small smile to grace her lips playfully. "One more thing, though... why tell me? Surely I am now your competition for owning it?"
, He twirled his fingers, a black petal forming in the shadows. It floated on the air as he flicked it forth, towards Xyntha.I implore you will have no problem aiding me in trivial matters
A contract, of sorts. I ask a single favor in return for this gift, your allegiance. Not a binding, just a pending favor, in equal to the one I have done for you.
But, Xyntha reminded herself, even the lowliest pawn could become a Queen if they played their cards right.
He made a pinching motion in the air.Lovely meeting you, madam, and I'm sure we will meet again soon. If you ever need me, simply reach for the petal, and you will find it,
I'll arrive.
When he needed her, oh, she would know.
The demoness rose to her feet and took the man's hand with a smirk. "A pleasure doing business with you, Warren. We'll be in touch, I'm sure."
And so the games began. She was already beginning to plot the rumours she would need to start circulating, the idle fancies she would need to express in the presence of those who would try to woo her.
Xyntha loved a good scavenger hunt.