stevenehrbar | (no subject)

"Sure, it'll be expensive for you," the demon said after swallowing a mouthful of pasta. "But it always was going to be, wasn't it?"

"That's not the point," the Malakite said, drinking another martini to drown out the pain of letting the her live as he complied with the Geas. Doesn't work well enough. I will get her later.

"Of course it is. Look, everybody gets what he wants. You get Gabriel's sanity back. My Prince gets vengeance and power." She paused. "You know, I've got a Trader on my list. I could make him come and advise you on just how perfect this is."

"Oh, spare me. Look, all it does is trade one set of cruelties for another. Haagenti isn't that much better than Belial. This doesn't work to our profit at all." Except that it does. Gabriel, restored to sanity, can then cauterize that pus-filled lump you call Prince.

She laughed. "Keep trying to convince yourself of that. Really, what am I asking that you of the Oriflamme wouldn't do anyway? I just want it timed so that it'll actually have an effect that will work for both of us."

"Or so you can set us up for a trap," growled the Master of the Flame of Heaven. Though, if it is a trap, it still won't cost us much more than if it isn't. And even if it's intended as one, somebody else might use the opportunity in Hell to strike at Belial.

"Well, now, that is a problem. I can Geas myself to tell the truth if you like, or maybe you know a Seraph you'd like to bring in?"

"And what if you were lied to, just to make sure against those methods?" See what she can say.

She smiled. "It's too bad Malakim don't Fall. You're almost paranoid enough as it is, you'd become a Baron in no time at all." She paused to catch his glare over the tops of his mirrored sunglasses, and continued. "But on the topic, sure, I could be a dupe. But do you really think Haagenti's smart enough that I couldn't see through his lies?"

Interesting. Maybe, maybe he could. But this Baroness was sharp, it was unlikely the dolt could pull it off. "No, not really. Which brings up another problem—except that Belial isn't enough smarter for it to be a real problem. Now, if your boss was Saminga, I'd trust you but write off any chance of success. So, I'll get a Seraph, you give me your Geas, and if you're telling the truth, I'll do what I can do."

"Deal. Oh, and if you like, you can destroy my vessel after the Seraph clears this."

"No." You got a view of my eyes, you know how much I need to do that. And there's no way I'm taking any action that gives you another Geas.

"Isn't that going to cause you Dissonance?"

"Maybe." But if I knowingly let you grab another Geas, that's a surrender to Hell. Better dissonance alone than dissonance and a Geas.

"Hmm. Considering the Barony offer?"

Bitch.