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

[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.