Kahi 2012/01/19 (Thu) 00:40 No. 50824 ▼ File 132693362212.jpg - (125.10KB, 606x480 , interiorish.jpg)
Well, come to think of it, you've thought of another experiment or two to run. But of course, you're lacking in subjects. You need more victims specimens.
Your first inclination is to make Koa collect them, but at the same time you want her keeping a watchful eye on Porphyrion, and she can't do that if she's fishing things out of holes across the countryside.
On the other hand, you've just secured the personal service of some number of fairy maids. Might as well get your money's worth out of them right away. You can send them out to secure more specimens for your tests, and then be free to deposit Koa and Porphyrion in.... you take a moment to consider. Somewhere unimportant. Somewhere where it doesn't really matter, in the grand scheme of things, what they get up to. Australia, maybe? The name of the continent makes you think of grass-skirted savages and convicts shipped off because they weren't quite worth executing. No doubt the cultural climate has changed a little, at least, but you can't think of anything you might want to do or collect there. Probably a safe bet, then.
In any case, the maids should also pick up any notable species.... hm, come to think of it, you had half forgotten about that one Marisa had mentioned the shopkeeper was keeping. He intends to simply dispose of it at some point, as you recall...well, you could think of something to do with it, and it could serve as a control group in some regard if nothing more, but it's not any immediately urgent matter. With the maids handling that, Koa would be freed up to chaperone, if that word could possibly be used to describe the situation, Porphyrion.
You do intend to have her look at the potential soul, or fascimile, that may be present in one of the captured specimens at some point, provided it doesn't slip your mind. It isn't an urgent matter, however, and you've never had the inclination to deeply study how those particular abilities work. You are aware that she can enact a theft during coitus, but you've never bothered to ask if such is required merely to poke at or tamper with a soul or whatever most closely might fit the bill. For that matter, you aren't entirely sure whether she would be willing to enact such an experiment on one of the specimens, if it is. Though, admittedly, you aren't certain that she would reject the thought out of hand, either. You haven't pried too deeply into your servants proclivities, after all. Well, if it comes down to it, and you find that your curiosity must be sated... then that is what coercion is for, you suppose. Koakuma is not, strictly speaking, required to like every duty you send her way. In many cases, that is entirely the point.
But never mind that. You take a moment to consider a change of clothing, then dismiss the thought. No real point to doing so, at this point. You don't have any meetings planned with anyone important, after all, and this won't exactly be the sort of group outing you need to bother dressing up for. Your current attire will be more than suitable.
Porphyrion seems like an agitated puppy, with the eagerness over the prospect of going 'out', and you drag Koa away from her own matters to set her up as the ex-giant's watchdog before actually passing through to your tower. It only takes a few moments after that to prepare a way to.... well, you aren't entirely sure where, actually. Australia, certainly, and one of the higher population centers. You aren't sure of other details. You won't have any problems collecting them, however, when you need to. Once they're happily out of the way, you turn towards other concerns.
That golem is probably following the courtesan everywhere she goes, including outside of her place of residence. You wouldn't care, except that floating stone dragons probably aren't what would be considered 'commonplace' Outside. Which means that the courtesan would be unable to venture into public, and have no choice but to remain indoors, wherever she resides. You are given to understand that humans generally do not consider this an ideal situation.
You can't imagine why, and still don't really care about the woman's little difficulties, but probably better to fix that little snag in the golem's instructions now, in case Tewi insists on visiting later, opening you up to attempts to force you to rework the golem then, instead. Which would leave you with the two unappetizing choices of appearing to bow to their demands, in short being forced to perform your craft against your will, or to refuse and raise tensions all around.
No, better to deal with the matter now.
The courtesan is clad in a significantly abbreviated robe, small cup of wine mid-way to her mouth, as you enter, and her guest seems rather startled at your appearance. You might have bothered to glance through the golem's senses first, come to think of it. No matter. He is clearly a member of Hideo's organization, and you believe you dimly recognize the face. Therefore there is no issue to be concerned with.
You ignore their meeting as you float over towards the dragon, seated in a corner, and begin prodding and working at it with your magic, mumbling refined orders as you tweak little things here and there.
"Pardon, lady sorceror-"
"Yes, yes, a moment and I'll be gone. Don't interrupt me." You say irritably, grip having loosened slightly on one of the tenuous threads of magic binding the whole construct together. One or two more... and there. "Very good. That loose end is neatly tied up, now: the golem should remain in concealment in your home whenever you leave it, and otherwise act as before."
"One would normally consider 'tying up a loose end' to be removal, or deactivation, of such a thing rather than improving its ease of use." The woman notes, eyebrow gracefully arched.
"Bah. As though I care what you do with it as long as it isn't floating about and sending the peasantry into a riotous stampede." You say, waving a hand dismissively. "Now, if you will pardon me, I have a number of matters to deal with at the moment."
"Of course, lady sorc-" The courtesan says, though you don't bother to remain to hear the whole thing.
What else was there... ah, yes. First, money. For which you need to go to the bank. Which is, by this point, just over there. The goblinoid teller makes a point of sneering and scowling darkly as it inspects your offering of gems, suspicion written over every bit of its face. It finds nothing amiss, of course, and at length exchanges them for golden currency. That will be more than sufficient.
When you arrive at Alistair's home, he is elbows deep in dirt, making the most awkward and barely-effective attempt at garden-tending as you have ever seen. All other things accounted for, the garden is doing well enough, but it's clear that the werewolf barely has the slightest idea what he is doing, and is doing roughly as much harm as good with his efforts. You cough loudly, and he glances up, not seeming to have realized you were there.
Then he stumbles to his feet, knocking dirt off of his gloves and onto his pants. He starts to offer a handshake, realizes the state of his arms in mid-motion, and quickly aborts the attempt.
"I, uh.... I'm afraid I wasn't expecting company." He says awkwardly, wiping dirt from his arms.
"Clearly." You say, pointedly. "I can only hope that you will be more prepared for the meeting tomorrow?"
"The... pardon?" Alistair says, blinking. "I'm... not sure to what you're referring..."
"Merely that I recieved a notice from Albus that, after considering my request, Remus Lupin would indeed be most pleased to meet and hold a conversation with me. Here." You say, arching an eyebrow.
"Is that the case..." Alistair says, something rumbling deep in his chest before he sighs and shakes his head. "And I suppose that it never occured to the man that I might not be prepared to entertain guests. Or that another of my kind might not be welcome here."
"One would have thought that Lupin himself would have brought such matters up." You point out.
"One would." Alistair grumbles. "Although Remus.... one would have to look very hard indeed to find a werewolf any less of an Alpha than he is. A follower, through and through, and outright devoted to Dumbledore. If the man says 'this will be so', then... well, he might have concerns, but he's certainly not going to bring them up, or question his leader's decision."
"I may misremember, but I believe Albus mentioned that the two of you were acquainted..." You note.
"And the man does not pause to consider that just because you know a man enough to nod at him in the hallway, doesn't mean that you will be immediately willing to take him into your own home and lay out a meal on your finest china." Alistair says in response, sighing. "Unlike what popular opinion would hold, not all of us run through the woods in packs of furry brethren. Most of those who do are the sort who are happy with their condition, and enjoy their state, and are a serious danger to all they encounter. Those who find their lycanthropy less than ideal, however... well, we don't tend to get along."
"If Lupin gives legitimate offense, I would be willing to go so far as to impale him upon silver." You offer, trying to both move things along and reassure your hired-hand.
".... That doesn't exactly come off as comforting." Alistair replies. "I suppose it doesn't matter much in the long run, though. You've come to take a look at the state of things, I suppose, before this meeting occurs?"
"In fact, I came because I may have need of a porter today, as I have some purchases to make." You correct. "While I am here, however, it would seem the logical thing to do. I must inspect your tea stocks, in any case."
"Yes, yes. Come in, then. You'll have to excuse the, uh..." Alistair mumbles, as he leads you inside. "The mansion. In general. As I said before, I no longer have the services of a house elf available, and it's really all that can be done to keep the kitchen and a bedroom in a livable state, with everything else to consider... And of course, a cell."
You frown at the heavy curtains of dust and cobwebs draped over the general interior, then turn aside from it. The kitchen, by contrast is... at the very least, adequate, though it barely stocks what would be considered enough to prepare a single meal, and most of the dishes which are not regularly used prove to themselves be slightly dusty as well. But ignoring such unimportant things, the small and nearly empty bin of dried tea leaves is positively depressing. Not at all suitable. Clearly, something will have to be done.
[ ] What do you do?
