♫ contractors

[falsehymn]

❝But I tell you, do not swear
an oath at all:
either by Heaven, for it is God’s throne;
or by the earth,
for it is His footstool;
or by Jerusalem, for it is the
city of the Great King.
And do not swear by your head,
for you cannot make even
one hair white
or black.
All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No';
anything beyond this comes from
the evil one.
—Matthew 5:34-37

Comments

[impacter]

Here I thought you were against the abyss, Dainsleif.

[Aka what the fuck are you even doing down here, man.]

[hjadningavig]

[ He grits his teeth, hearing this, and he tries to control his voice, but this is a situation wherein that is difficult as it is, considering the circumstances. ]

I am...that hasn't changed.

[ ...

Give him a moment, but even that isn't quite enough. ]

I was unaware that matters would turn out this way.

[impacter]

Then what, exactly, did you agree to?

[This is unfortunately his realm of expertise. He is judging every single person in this room right now.]

[hjadningavig]

[ Dainsleif can be handling this a bit better, but considering everything, he has a good reason not to.

He downs a drink, still leveling him a glare. And then: ]

...Sika phrased it as a matter of needing protection just in case, not going around and killing people.

What did you agree to?

[impacter]

A pact, of course. [Says the one covered in said pacts.]

[hjadningavig]

...I see.

It already sounds different.

[ Dainsleif doesn't trust himself to not be on edge in his commentary, but he gives it his best shot, and so he just pours himself another drink. ]

[impacter]

That depends. Did you ask for anything in return? Or just out of the goodness of your heart?

[hjadningavig]

[ He takes another sip, closing his eyes, and then reopening them. ]

...There was still a trade.

Well? What about you?

[impacter]

Of course. A pact requires as much. Requirements of both parties, to be held regardless of ability or future consent.

Cruel, perhaps, but necessary. A demon does not play fair.

[hjadningavig]

[ His eyes narrow when he hears this...which is on a topic that unfortunately is beyond his realm of expertise in personal experience.

But, he's barely in a mood to discuss this further.

So, he simply goes quiet, turning away. ]

[impacter]

[Then Solomon won't press him. He still doesn't look happy in the slightest, especially not knowing what Dainsleif might have at risk. But there was no taking it back now.

Let him wallow in the decision, and come out the other end motivated to do what had to be done.]