hadriel_logs | Duel at the Colosseum

"Until you get eaten for your hubris." That would be an interesting thing to be in attendance for... right up until the dragon took flight and started eating and murdering more people. Gods, he really does have dragon issues, doesn't he? Thanks for that, Chroma Conclave.

"It might be worth asking about when it's over if they're not both dead." He tears his gaze away from the spectacle and levels it on Caedra. "But... Unrelated to that, I hadn't seen you since I first got, er... Back here. I wanted to speak with you again."

He's still mastering the phones. Forgive him. If he wants to talk to someone, he'll do it in person like a civilized person.

Those two don't look like they're dying just yet, which is a shame. If those creatures break free and kill everyone here, she knows she'll just be reborn instantly - but here, rather than in the Abyss, since she can't get back to it. She would love to see what such an event would do to Hope, who would struggle to revive all of these mortals. Caedra would certainly have no intention of doing anything to assist him to regain his power once depleted.

She smiles up at Percy, at his request. She too still barely uses the phones except to tell people she wants to meet in person. It's not unlike a few simple messaging spells she is familiar with - short conversations are the only ones that work and she much prefers being able to read tone and expression anyway. People are much easier to manipulate when she can judge their reactions.

"Well, then speak away. Although perhaps we ought to step just outside of this arena. We can keep watch from one of the archways should things go awry but at least that way we won't have children shouting over us," she suggests. The place is lined with doorways now that so much of what must have been the original structure has crumbled, and she waves for him to follow as she heads to one nearby.

He gives the children one last look of cautious interest to even get even the barest idea of what they're shouting, but what little he can hear sounds like nonsense that's far more confusing than it is helpful. He gives up on it entirely and follows her lead, content to wait that particular situation out.

"I spoke to Keyleth, and she confirmed what you said before- that I have been here, and there doesn't seem to be any way to restore my memories." He crosses his arms over his chest. "So I have no way to corroborate your claim, but I can't fathom why you would just decide such a thing if I didn't make the offer." Whether under duress or otherwise. He doesn't know. And he can't be sure. But backing down on a deal or a promise goes against his nature.

"You should know that I don't give my plans to anyone. If I build you this weapon and the ammunition, then you will have to keep coming to me if it breaks or if you run out of bullets. And if I should leave again, then... well, I guess you're shit out of luck unless there's someone else here who can do what I can."

A beat, barely longer than inhale of breath. "I don't say this to be cruel, but to be cautious. I don't think you realize quite what you're asking for."

Edited 2018-07-14 23:56 (UTC)

"Of course. No, I know it troubled you deeply then, as it seems to now, but you did agree that it seemed appropriate," she replies with a gracious smile. As if self-conscious, she tucks a few strands of hair behind her ear, then shrugs.

All calculated, of course. Gestures that she knows make these people tend to sympathize, for whatever reason. She has studied them, and knows well how to deceive.

"I don't expect plans, or lessons on any true repairs or construction. Nothing beyond basic use, maintenance, and safety. I'm sure you feel responsible for its use and potential misuse, and I'm - I'm glad, truly, that you take such a weapon so seriously."

"They're dangerous and pose a great threat to the world if left unchecked." And it still hasn't struck him yet that other people have them here, and even if it did... Well, that proves his point, doesn't it? "I've set my own on a course I can't correct. I won't do the same to another."

But gods, it's reassuring that she's so... Understanding. He can't be sure why- anyone else might have pulled a Ripley and pointed out that with the knowledge out there and the necessity of it, he might as well just commit. And perhaps needing, especially so soon after Ripley, someone who gets his line of thinking, even when asking of a great favor from him has a part to play.

With that point made clear, he nods. All right. Then onto the next part. "Have you ever fired anything before? Any sort of bow or crossbow?"

He's so serious about this! It's all she can do to keep from laughing at his earnesty.

"A crossbow! No, I haven't seriously. I've tried with a longbow for fun but I can't say I was ever any good at it," she replies with a slightly self-conscious chuckle. The truth, this time. Why bother when she has magic? Until coming to this place she had never seriously considered the idea that it could be taken away from her.

"That's fair... they're completely different concepts, but it saves you from having to correct how you aim." He is earnest- earnest like a little white-haired puppy dog fussing over a much larger dog because he is incapable of seeing that the big dog is much more capable than it is. Percy's no fool and he's far from naive, but lacking context here and having nothing but promises he doesn't remember, he doesn't know what else to do. Be wary, but kind, and hope it works out.

He nods, awkwardly. "I'll... Keep working on it. I'm working with limited supplies and no proper workshop, but we'll see."

"Oh, of course! It must be difficult, being a craftsman like yourself but not having the necessary tools for the trade. I'm glad my own work as a writer can be performed anywhere I find myself so long as I have quill and parchment."

Ugh, but it will be nice when she has what she wants so she can stop putting on this ridiculous act. It's certainly easy enough to perform but continuing to be so gracious for too much longer will begin to test her patience. Troubling too is that she may be outed to this man before he has time to finish what he is currently so willing to create for her. Perhaps she will be lucky and he will come from one of those worlds that regards her kind as fictional creatures, making it easy for him to accept others' commentary as born from superstition rather than fact and thus able to be ignored.

"I wouldn't have guessed you were a writer." Honestly, Percy wouldn't have guessed much of anything. She has a tiefling's eyes, but no other traits to speak of that would mark her as anything but human. Likely a quirk of some other world.

"Though that begs the question of why you hang around here?" It's a thought that hits him quickly, an idle one, but one that burns his tongue until he speaks it out loud, like some preternatural danger sense that reminds him of how carelessness is his constant downfall. Just a precaution, then. No suspicion, just curiosity. "It's an awfully dangerous place for someone just seeking inspiration."

Edited 2018-07-23 20:53 (UTC)

"A little danger doesn't bother me. It's exciting to watch. And I do know a little magic, like I said, if things get dire."

It grates against her confidence and pride to act as if she's some sort of amateur caster. She has been taught well, by one of the most powerful creatures known to the multiverse and she's usually quite happy to state that, to generate fear and respect in others. But the act is so well worth it if it's going to result in a new weapon to use - and one others likely won't expect from her.

"That's right. You did say that." It had slipped his mind, because casters, in his experience, rarely downplay their abilities if they have any at all. Percy knows a little magic, but he'd hardly mention it to anyone off-hand. Being able to cast a Hex is not the same as being able to cast a Fireball.

He sticks his tongue in his cheek, awkwardly. "Then... I hope this will suit you well. And that you understand that I am not inclined to give such a thing away for free." And here comes the other shoe. Percy spent a long time thinking this over. "I hope we can come to an arrangement about a favor owed in the future."

"Of course. You had said as much before. It's a lot of work, I imagine, to create such a weapon and I expected some form of payment, though there isn't much to pay with here. A favor certainly sounds fair, for whenever you might choose to call it in."

An easy promise to make, and an easy one to back out of. Caedra picks and chooses which 'promises' she holds herself to purely on what suits her best at the time, as is true of most of her kind. Nobody deals with demons if they know it's a demon they're dealing with. The best outcome often is that the demon reneges on the deal. More often, the mortal, or their friends or family, or their town or kingdom, pays the price in the trade.

Besides, a future favor is nice and open-ended. If she had been a devil instead, it's still a terrible contract to make. All the better.

"It always bears repeating." Always. Too many deals- potential and otherwise- in his life have led to a certain kind of paranoia. His very first deal was made in what he thought was a fucking dream.

Little does he know, this is more of a bad deal than he realizes. So goes the tale and the bad luck of Percival de Rolo. For now, he fully believes he has the upper hand in a battle he isn't even sure is a battle. Sometimes a door is just a door.

But, then again, Vox Machina have shit luck with doors.

"We have a deal, then. Thank you for your understanding and your patience." And that's all that really needs to be said about it. Sparing one last look over his shoulder at the coliseum, as if debating whether to go back and watch that madness, he decides against it and starts walking down the path to get started.

Duel at the Colosseum

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