Thread: Playing the Game [ Chai & Razgriz ]

RE Along Came Trouble Ariamella Razgriz Gods be damned this was killing him if there was one thing he always hated doing, it was paperwork. Even with the reduced number of missions, he felt like he spent more time writing about what he had done than actually doing the mission itself. What would all this even accomplish anyway? The contract he just signed had already tied him to Stella, this was just unnecessary. Boy, for a society that prides itself on nature preservation, you sure don't mind killing all these trees. the warlock snickered, to which Alexei groaned, You know as well as I do that we recycle everything, Wolfswift. Once a piece of paper's no longer needed, the ink is wiped and the paper's reused. We don't kill THAT many trees...And maybe if you behaved yourself more, there wouldn't need to be so many restrictions on you. Ric just shrugged, or at least the best shrug he could manage considering his current state. Fair point. was his reply. However, he soon got a welcome break when Alexei invited him to share his most difficult experience. And he couldn't help but let out a small laugh when Stella compared herself to a nightmare. This girl really had some spirit. He liked that a lot in a woman. Of course, he could tell her a really shitty story. One that pertained to him quite closely, and explained everything about his power. But no...He would save that for later. She could earn the truth herself if she so desired. Turning to her, he replied, Little lady, you have no clue what a nightmare really is. There are beasts out there that give even the mighty Council a reason to wet their beds...And believe me, I've faced them down. He then turned his head back to Alexei, Even got to save ol' Alexei here once. Alexei's slight grin went away, his face starting to pale a little and Ric's grin just widening, From a will-o'-the-wisp no less. Damn thing nearly led him off the edge of an ice pit. Let's just say it wasn't his proudest moment...Still never thanked me either. Ol' Alex is so mean to me. Letting out a cough, Yes, yes, fascinating story and all. But please, let's get this done. I have a long night ahead of me and I'm sure the princess would like to get home as quick as possible. Ric just shook his head, still smiling so innocently, Eager to see me go? And here I thought we were finally becoming such excellent friends. Nonetheless, it was back to signing and some odd hours later, they were finally done. Each stack representing a different department, ready for delivery. Alexei muttered Liga, thin threads of energy coming up to tie down the papers together all neatly. Well then...I guess that's that, then. Lorencio commented dryly, falling back into his chair with an exasperated sigh. Ricendithas dropped the fountain pen, his free arm coming to rest, That's great and all, but can we go now? I'd like some food that wasn't made by a cooking school dropout. Alexei didn't even bother replying, sitting up and adding with a weary wave of his hand, Alright, now to the next order of business. Lorencio, if you would be so kind as to release Wolfswift from his bonds. The Italian just nodded and raised a hand, its surface glowing with magical energy, the words he spoke resonating with arcane power Servitute exempti fuerant. E carcere emissum. Servire domum Durante. And just like that, the heavy irons that bound Ricendithas to Periculosis were liberated from his cloaked form, chains clanging loudly to the floor as the warlock was allowed full freedom of movement. And the first Ricendithas did was stand up and stretch, bones popping and cracking all too audibly. Ahhhh, that feels so much better. he groaned, rolling shoulders and neck and arms to get the kinks out it felt so damned good to finally be free. Even if it was in protection detail to a princess, he had earned a one-way ticket out of here. Next order... then said Alexei, giving a snap of his fingers a mannequin appeared in the room, showing an impressively crafted set of dragonscale armor. The scales themselves were blacker than pitch, yet possessed a sheen that would make even the best metalsmiths blush with envy. The sword too, was attached to the groin belt in a simple belt-loop, likely made from enchanted leather to keep the blade from cutting itself free. H..How much did this cost you? Lorencio asked, somewhat taken aback by the rather excellent craftsmanship of the items. Ric just grinned, A fair amount, let's just leave it at that. Ric then held his arms out, the pieces floating off the mannequin and disappearing, only to be bound atop his underclothes and hidden by the heavy cloak he wore. There we go. Everything's as it should be. was the warlock's comment, feeling quite excellent even with the additional weighty pieces now affixed to his body. Few, even those with as much wealth as the Council Houses, could afford dragonscale let alone enough to make a full-fledged suit of armor. Lorencio was a little in awe, if only because he'd never seen someone have such equipment usually magic-casters never bothered with armor, since skills of their caliber made them able to deflect physical blows rather easily. So why would he encumber himself like this.... Bah, better a question left for later. Stella looked like she was about ready to fall asleep here in the office. Well then...Is that everything, Alexei? Lorencio asked his old friend, the Russian nodding tiredly, Ya, that's all. The rest is up to me...God, I'm not going to sleep well. And Wolfswift, for the love of all that is good, please don't come back. I REALLY don't feel like going through this arduous process again. Ric then grinned, And miss the chance to get re-acquainted? Come on Alex, you and I both know that once they don't need me, they'll make up some bullshit paper-thin excuse to throw me right back in here. Out of sight, out of mind and all that good stuff. Or just have me sent to Mariana Alexei and Lorencio both grimaced at his crass attitude, causing Ric to put his hands up, Whoa now, let's not do something we'll regret. It's been a long day, so what say we just take some deep breaths and I take the lady home? And I promise, Mister Durante. No touching, no staring, none of that. Lorencio seemed to relax if only a little honestly, it worried him already that his daughter refused to stay in the family mansion. And now that this...this Dreg ...would be by her side, he couldn't help but wonder about certain things. Even if the contract had protections in place, who was to say that he wouldn't find a way around it? Every word, every phrase, every last bit of legal jargon had an exploitable weakness. Even those weaknesses shielded by other phrases, especially those bound in magic, had their own flaws and Lorencio knew better than anyone that all it took was someone to find it. And the whole thing would fall apart. But now he had no choice in the matter at the very least, Wolfswift had one hell of a reputation. That alone would scare off the majority of would-be attackers or bounty hunters. Very well then...Ricendithas Wolfswift, I entrust my daughter's safety to you. said Mister Durante quite seriously, coming over to place a hand on the man's shoulder. I mean it. Keep her safe. Ric just grinned, Not to worry, boss-man. You can rest assured your daughter has my undying loyalty. Both of them knew that statement was full of cheek while Ric seemed to have no qualms about playing babysitter, it was fairly obvious that he wouldn't do it if he didn't have to. But this was his duty now. And he knew that if he was going to keep his freedom, the woman would have to make it to the throne.