Enter the (Ex-)Imperator.

[eumenis]

There's a woman at the edge of the Parklands, knee-deep in grass. She looks like a soldier, one arm a metal prosthetic, a skull-shaped brand marking the nape of her neck, a machete in a sheath at her hip, and possibly other weapons hidden on her person. She's dirty, stained with dust and oil, and tension sings along the lines of her back and shoulders. Like she's waiting to be attacked.

At the same time, though, there's a distinctly misty look in her eyes as she stares out over the field before her. Flowers. Insects. Streams and lakes. Maybe she's hallucinating. Maybe she's dead.

She has one question, though, because beauty is so often a trap: "Is this water safe?"

Comments

[eumenis]

Furiosa is consistently fascinated by what people will extrapolate from the things she does not say. She just mentioned enemies, for example, and boy does she have them, but her interests are not precisely in conquest. War is wearisome; she's had more than enough of it and it bothers her to think that's all she's good for. True, she'll raze Gastown and the Bullet Farm to the sands if she has to, but she'd prefer an accord, and she knows the rest of the widows are more dovish than she is.

So, this may not work, unless she gets truly desperate to save her people. The response, in fact, strikes her as a clear warning sign. A person this interested in helping her conquer might easily take it in mind to do some conquering himself.

Her face shows none of her misgivings, though. She still needs more information before she comes to a solid conclusion. Actually, she smiles, a small, dark, ambiguous little smile as she latches onto the second half of the sorcerer's proposal. "I believe you can do what you say. But tell me what you mean by a contract. I'll make no agreement today, but I'll consider this."

[ixis]

"It is simply a formality, truly. We agree on terms and offer a shaking of hands." Perhaps to be cheeky, he raises his crab-claw instead of his actual hand, giving it a little snap. "Such as where your stipulations and requirements lie, what I will expect in return, and I will expect very little. The joy of the work will be enough, I feel."

He is lying. Contracts with him are like contracts with Satan. Buyer beware INDEED. He gets a lot out of the very act of binding agreement in and of itself. But like he's going to disclose that.

[eumenis]

"The joy of the work? How altruistic of you." The wry smile lingers. She's known too many warlords to take what he says at face value, and she's definitely not going to shake his hand, just wary enough of arcane powers to wonder if the simple act of touching would seal the contract.

No. She's been owned before and isn't interested in going through it again.

"But you haven't given me your name yet, and you have mine."

[ixis]

"Ah! Forgive my oversight." A theatrical bow, along with a twirl of the claw, before he states it. "Ixis Naugus, sorcerer supreme and master of the elements. As you well know by now, I'm sure.

"Were you to desire my work for your base, simply say the word. A business-like handshake and agreement and off I go. Assuming you have portal access back to your world, of course."

[eumenis]

"Ixis Naugus," she repeats. People from some worlds might find that a strange name, but it's downright prosaic next to names like 'Rictus Erectus' and 'Organic Mechanic'. "Well met. You've certainly been enlightening."

She's not offering a hand, having decided shaking in greeting might be inadvisable. "I'll need time to consider your offer. Are you dwelling here, or simply visiting?"

You know, just on the off-chance she wants to see him again. She's in no hurry to take him up on any kind of contract, but just knowing his abilities exist presents some interesting possibilities.

[ixis]

"I will be here at the time. I intend to study this zone further, see if I can discern its nature and properties." Rather than admit he's stuck here. Even if he already did at any point, might as well make it a much more dignified sort of stuck. Stuck with purpose!

"And should you ever need to find me and I am not readily seen or found, simply whisper my name into an open flame. I'll hear you." He gives Furiosa a cryptic grin.

[eumenis]

Technically, Furiosa is stuck here, too, for the moment. She's not going to let that stand, though, and she's definitely not going to admit it to him.

"Whisper your name into a fire?" That's creepy, if it truly works, and yet strangely appealing. "Hm. I'll keep it in mind. Thank you, for the interesting discussion."

She gives a slight incline of her head, a bow of farewell rather than the hand-clasp she's too wary to offer.

[ixis]

He gives another theatrical bow before suddenly bursting into flames. Though they seem very controlled, keeping to just the size and shape he was, though slowly shrinking and rapidly wafting away as dense smoke. Soon, there's just a charred spot on the ground where he stood and a roiling black cloud drifting away with a good deal more purpose than most plumes do.

Show off.

[eumenis]

The slight start she makes as he catches fire and vanishes may just be gratifying if he can see it. She doesn't dodge or hide, though, just watches with visible curiosity as he drifts away.

Show off, indeed, and despite her reluctance to make a deal, she doesn't want to court conflict with him, either. She'll keep him in mind, either way.