Dima Messages Nerys, [ Good of you to lend him your voice. ]
And, looking at Moloch, he speaks: "Unfair, ungracious for him to leave you in this way.
"Speaking generously, he may only have gotten cold feet; some men seek power, only to find themselves swiftly overwhelmed, able to think of nothing save escape." Dmitri doesn't, really, believe that's what's happened here. Still, there's something... paining, almost, in Moloch's account, or in the manner of his telling. (Something of agreements broken painfully; of accord severed without regard for the other party.) (Something of abandonment.)
"Less generously— Some men take without thought, and without care for what they'd mangle.
"Whatever's happened, if Seddum draws breath, he will be found. What you've shared will go a long way toward locating him— And it helps to know something of what we can expect to find." ('We,' he said. Not precisely intentional, but it's so easy to believe Faolan might come along— And, yes, even the thieves.
...Gods. If Seddum is uncommonly eloquent, Sen might prove a necessity.)
Turning to Nerys: "What is the bounty you offer?"
And, Messaging Faolan: [ Forgive my 'we,' please; of course I won't bind you to the task. I would— If you find yourself willing, your aid would be invaluable. But it's no minor request, I know. ]
<.>
Faolan doesn't react to the 'we' immediately. He only stares down at Moloch, feeling pity, feeling kinship. He'd - like to see the creature reunited with the warlock who summoned it, if only to give closure. (Or maybe - to give reunion?)
(Stupid. Putting his cast-off wishes on some bystanding demon.) (Does he wish it? To reunite with Fedir?)
He glances at Dmitri and answers without thinking. [ Of course I'll help. ]
(...Does he wish to see Fedir at all, when there's someone closer at hand who -) (Stop it.)
For its own part, Moloch gives no sign that it heard Dmitri at all.
Nerys, only a little worse for the wear, considers Moloch before answering, "This has dragged on for some time now. Moloch is pining, I think. In its own way. And a pining demon is bad for business."
[ As is the odor. ]
"Well; bring Seddum back here in one piece and we'll offer, oh...five hundred gold and perpetual access to the Market. Perhaps if something here catches your eye, we can see our way clear toward reserving it for you, to be included with the bounty."
The golem buzzes and Nerys hums, "If you're sure-
"A boon from Moloch, as well. I can't imagine what that means, but it's likely valuable in its way."
<.>
He isn't surprised by the swiftness of Faolan's agreement (though he can't say whether his unsurprise is because of some intrinsic quality in Faolan - sensed by Dima - or because of Dima's wishfulness). He does feel a spark of pleasure at Faolan's apparent certainty, and, yes, at the thought of further travels with this man. (They could achieve so much together, find an existence that has, perhaps, been denied to them both.)
(It's a hazardous believe to entertain; perhaps unfair to Faolan.
Still. Dima can't help brushing against the thought, and thinking on the life it could bring.)
Dmitri knows the answer he means to give to Nerys. Still, before speaking, he Messages Faolan: [ I find the terms and payment agreeable. I'd like to solidify the guarantee of an item from the Market; otherwise, I'm inclined to take the offer as it stands.
Do you find anything amiss in it? ]
<.>
Faolan gives Dmitri a puzzled look.
[ Do you really think I'm the person to ask about ulterior motives or potential hazards in a promise, Dmitri? ]
He smiles ruefully and shakes his head. [ No. I don't see anything amiss - except that this warlock might not want to be found. ]
<.>
A glance downward, a shaking of his head that turns to a nod. [ Whether he wishes to be found is no matter; I am, when I put my efforts toward a cause, an unfailingly tenacious man. ]
He thinks to say that missing one man's piss-sheened motives, one man's hazards - or even the motives and hazards of multiple men - says nothing about Faolan's judgement overall.
He's also fairly certain that'd be an ill-advised approach.
So Dmitri nods to Nerys. "I'd like a guarantee on one item from the Market; I won't name a threshold for its value.
"Given that guarantee, I find your proposition entirely agreeable, and am prepared to contract myself to seeking Seddum Madin."
<.>
Nerys is watching Moloch still, nodding along with Dmitri's words. When he does look back up, he nods again. "I'll have a contract for you in an hour, give or take. if you've found something to your tastes, we'll add it. Choose three items or services, if you can. We'll select the most suitable in value for the return of Seddum."
Lowering his voice, he adds, "I think it's best if we leave Moloch to compose itself. Please don't think I'm hurrying you out of the shop to be rude - but I am hurrying you out."
Faolan is watching Dmitri all the while, wondering if he's meant to understand something about the man's tenacity in relationship to himself.
(It gives him a fluttering sort of excitement, doesn't it? A thrill, to think maybe he's being pursued, maybe he's wanted by this man enough to test the limits of tenaciousness?) (It likewise troubles him - for many, many reasons.)
Noting that Nerys seems to want to attend to the business of his contract with Dmitri, he quickly asks, "The other thing. The possible newcomer?"
Nerys points an emphatic, approving finger at Faolan. "Ah, yes. I'll ask about that, as well. Someone will know where to find your ghost, if they aren't here in the Market."
<.>
At the last bit of exchange, there's a look for Faolan: eyebrows raised, querying, curious, appreciative (approving). Dima doesn't speak to it yet; only notes the exchange, the apparent agreement, and thinks again of Faolan's sensibility, his scope of view for what might be gleaned from a trade, and what's worth asking after.
To Nerys: "An hour, then, or near enough to. We'll find you, and finalize our agreement.
"Thank you, Nerys, for your time. Please extend my thanks to Moloch as well, when the time is right."
Dmitri doesn't linger longer; only bows his head, looks to Faolan, and - if Faolan gives no signs of lingering behind - turns to walk away, and carry on with examination of the nearby booths and offerings. Messaging Faolan as he walks: [ It seems you found precisely the right man for gleaning information. Bound with the Market though he may be, there's much use - and perhaps tentative alliance - to be had with this Nerys.
You and I are in agreement, by the by: While this contract intrigues me, it's the chance of further passage with this Market - with its knowledge - that draws me fastest to the wood elf's proposition.
There is far too much here to be witnessed in an hour, a day, a week. And I'd rather not be rushed in its exploration. ]
Dima feels an itch, a desire to ask Faolan about the tattoo he acquired; about what drew him to the sword. For the moment, he manages to hush his queries. (For the moment.) (He can't say how long his quiet will stand.)
no subject
And, looking at Moloch, he speaks: "Unfair, ungracious for him to leave you in this way.
"Speaking generously, he may only have gotten cold feet; some men seek power, only to find themselves swiftly overwhelmed, able to think of nothing save escape." Dmitri doesn't, really, believe that's what's happened here. Still, there's something... paining, almost, in Moloch's account, or in the manner of his telling. (Something of agreements broken painfully; of accord severed without regard for the other party.) (Something of abandonment.)
"Less generously— Some men take without thought, and without care for what they'd mangle.
"Whatever's happened, if Seddum draws breath, he will be found. What you've shared will go a long way toward locating him— And it helps to know something of what we can expect to find." ('We,' he said. Not precisely intentional, but it's so easy to believe Faolan might come along— And, yes, even the thieves.
...Gods. If Seddum is uncommonly eloquent, Sen might prove a necessity.)
Turning to Nerys: "What is the bounty you offer?"
And, Messaging Faolan: [ Forgive my 'we,' please; of course I won't bind you to the task. I would— If you find yourself willing, your aid would be invaluable. But it's no minor request, I know. ]
<.>
Faolan doesn't react to the 'we' immediately. He only stares down at Moloch, feeling pity, feeling kinship. He'd - like to see the creature reunited with the warlock who summoned it, if only to give closure. (Or maybe - to give reunion?)
(Stupid. Putting his cast-off wishes on some bystanding demon.) (Does he wish it? To reunite with Fedir?)
He glances at Dmitri and answers without thinking. [ Of course I'll help. ]
(...Does he wish to see Fedir at all, when there's someone closer at hand who -) (Stop it.)
For its own part, Moloch gives no sign that it heard Dmitri at all.
Nerys, only a little worse for the wear, considers Moloch before answering, "This has dragged on for some time now. Moloch is pining, I think. In its own way. And a pining demon is bad for business."
[ As is the odor. ]
"Well; bring Seddum back here in one piece and we'll offer, oh...five hundred gold and perpetual access to the Market. Perhaps if something here catches your eye, we can see our way clear toward reserving it for you, to be included with the bounty."
The golem buzzes and Nerys hums, "If you're sure-
"A boon from Moloch, as well. I can't imagine what that means, but it's likely valuable in its way."
<.>
He isn't surprised by the swiftness of Faolan's agreement (though he can't say whether his unsurprise is because of some intrinsic quality in Faolan - sensed by Dima - or because of Dima's wishfulness). He does feel a spark of pleasure at Faolan's apparent certainty, and, yes, at the thought of further travels with this man. (They could achieve so much together, find an existence that has, perhaps, been denied to them both.)
(It's a hazardous believe to entertain; perhaps unfair to Faolan.
Still. Dima can't help brushing against the thought, and thinking on the life it could bring.)
Dmitri knows the answer he means to give to Nerys. Still, before speaking, he Messages Faolan: [ I find the terms and payment agreeable. I'd like to solidify the guarantee of an item from the Market; otherwise, I'm inclined to take the offer as it stands.
Do you find anything amiss in it? ]
<.>
Faolan gives Dmitri a puzzled look.
[ Do you really think I'm the person to ask about ulterior motives or potential hazards in a promise, Dmitri? ]
He smiles ruefully and shakes his head. [ No. I don't see anything amiss - except that this warlock might not want to be found. ]
<.>
A glance downward, a shaking of his head that turns to a nod. [ Whether he wishes to be found is no matter; I am, when I put my efforts toward a cause, an unfailingly tenacious man. ]
He thinks to say that missing one man's piss-sheened motives, one man's hazards - or even the motives and hazards of multiple men - says nothing about Faolan's judgement overall.
He's also fairly certain that'd be an ill-advised approach.
So Dmitri nods to Nerys. "I'd like a guarantee on one item from the Market; I won't name a threshold for its value.
"Given that guarantee, I find your proposition entirely agreeable, and am prepared to contract myself to seeking Seddum Madin."
<.>
Nerys is watching Moloch still, nodding along with Dmitri's words. When he does look back up, he nods again. "I'll have a contract for you in an hour, give or take. if you've found something to your tastes, we'll add it. Choose three items or services, if you can. We'll select the most suitable in value for the return of Seddum."
Lowering his voice, he adds, "I think it's best if we leave Moloch to compose itself. Please don't think I'm hurrying you out of the shop to be rude - but I am hurrying you out."
Faolan is watching Dmitri all the while, wondering if he's meant to understand something about the man's tenacity in relationship to himself.
(It gives him a fluttering sort of excitement, doesn't it? A thrill, to think maybe he's being pursued, maybe he's wanted by this man enough to test the limits of tenaciousness?) (It likewise troubles him - for many, many reasons.)
Noting that Nerys seems to want to attend to the business of his contract with Dmitri, he quickly asks, "The other thing. The possible newcomer?"
Nerys points an emphatic, approving finger at Faolan. "Ah, yes. I'll ask about that, as well. Someone will know where to find your ghost, if they aren't here in the Market."
<.>
At the last bit of exchange, there's a look for Faolan: eyebrows raised, querying, curious, appreciative (approving). Dima doesn't speak to it yet; only notes the exchange, the apparent agreement, and thinks again of Faolan's sensibility, his scope of view for what might be gleaned from a trade, and what's worth asking after.
To Nerys: "An hour, then, or near enough to. We'll find you, and finalize our agreement.
"Thank you, Nerys, for your time. Please extend my thanks to Moloch as well, when the time is right."
Dmitri doesn't linger longer; only bows his head, looks to Faolan, and - if Faolan gives no signs of lingering behind - turns to walk away, and carry on with examination of the nearby booths and offerings. Messaging Faolan as he walks: [ It seems you found precisely the right man for gleaning information. Bound with the Market though he may be, there's much use - and perhaps tentative alliance - to be had with this Nerys.
You and I are in agreement, by the by: While this contract intrigues me, it's the chance of further passage with this Market - with its knowledge - that draws me fastest to the wood elf's proposition.
There is far too much here to be witnessed in an hour, a day, a week. And I'd rather not be rushed in its exploration. ]
Dima feels an itch, a desire to ask Faolan about the tattoo he acquired; about what drew him to the sword. For the moment, he manages to hush his queries. (For the moment.) (He can't say how long his quiet will stand.)
<.>