[ He looks thoughtful, then, ] Well, you can apparently control minds and capture people in-- some sort of void thing. And you're a healer. Any other cool tricks I'm missing?
My own speed and strength are above that of the average human, but I have the ability to boost yours as well. I have some elemental spells pertaining to fire and corrosion, mostly.
Also this.
[ There's a flash of light at her back, and a pair of wings appear. They're an interesting combination of bright orange flame and dripping green acid. She hovers a few inches off the ground. ]
[ For a long while, he just stares, caught somewhere between impressed and intimidated. When he finally lets out his breath, he blinks before looking directly at her. ]
[ he lighting is strange, thanks to her wings, so he probably can't see the hint of color that touches her cheeks. But her expression definitely says that she doesn't get compliments like that often. Or ever. ]
[ Old habits die hard with Peter -- after all, living a life being told that magic was terribly dangerous and not to be trusted meant that he would be slow to trust a being known for her arcane powers; it's only because of this that he's watching her with sharp eyes (and though he wouldn't say so, instinctively he's looking for signs of foul play), and that's how he catches the look on her face. Something-- shy? Surprised? It's the look of someone who doesn't expect praise, certainly.
It's-- oddly human.
His eyes flick down to his feet, ostensibly to better pick out the path, but it's mostly to hide his fleeting look of embarrassment. Embarrassment for what, though, it's hard for him to say. Maybe he feels silly for projecting humanity onto a deadly Siren who burned a man to death earlier tonight through sheer force of will, and who, after a month, will start taking time off of his life. He thinks he can trust her, considering their contract, but Peter doesn't trust anyone. Not anymore.
When he schools his expression into something more neutral, he picks up the conversation again. ]
[ She says it as she drops to the ground, wings vanishing. That wasn't a question she expected, and it shows in the way she blinks at him a couple of times, unsure of how to proceed. ]
... There are many things I could say about him, and none of them kind.
[ Peter shrugs at that, the motion conveying both, "I've been there," and, "That's fine with me." ]
Not like I knew the man. How 'bout start with what he wanted? I mean, you knew I wanted to be-- powerful. [ He hesitates at the word, because aloud it sounds silly. ] What about him?
I think control was what he desired most. The Order keeps the little towns near the abbey on a very tight leash, demanding a tithe in exchange for "protection". Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a desire for the throne, but for my part I just helped to keep the "nonbelievers" in line.
Honestly and truly? I hated him. I was a tool, meant to be seen and not heard. He had no room for my advice and no desire for companionship. But a contract was a contract- he had summoned me, after all- and I could not negate our deal myself.
In the end, I'm glad his hubris allowed me to be rid of him.
Well, learn something new every day. And here I thought I met my quota when I found out that Sirens were more than just a story meant to frighten children.
[ He frowns at that, a mixture of surprise and outrage. ] Of course I wouldn't do that. Did he really--?
[ Well, he doesn't really have to ask that, does he? Although, at the back of his head he thinks, "She could be lying, this could be an act to garner your pity," but that voice is kind of a prick, Peter admits. He shakes his head to clear the thought. When he speaks again, it's clear he's choosing his words carefully. ]
Look. I'm not really in the business of telling folks what to do -- in fact, it's more common that I'm the one getting ordered around. So-- say what you want, do what you want, whenever you want, so long as you're not hurting anyone without my say so. And-- I guess if I ask you to do something, I'm not gonna stop you from second-guessing me. I might not like it, but I'm sure as hell not gonna turn down any advice.
[ Don't forget she's a Siren, though, says the prick part of his brain, and Peter tries his hardest to ignore it. ]
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Also this.
[ There's a flash of light at her back, and a pair of wings appear. They're an interesting combination of bright orange flame and dripping green acid. She hovers a few inches off the ground. ]
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That's-- seriously amazing.
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[ he lighting is strange, thanks to her wings, so he probably can't see the hint of color that touches her cheeks. But her expression definitely says that she doesn't get compliments like that often. Or ever. ]
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It's-- oddly human.
His eyes flick down to his feet, ostensibly to better pick out the path, but it's mostly to hide his fleeting look of embarrassment. Embarrassment for what, though, it's hard for him to say. Maybe he feels silly for projecting humanity onto a deadly Siren who burned a man to death earlier tonight through sheer force of will, and who, after a month, will start taking time off of his life. He thinks he can trust her, considering their contract, but Peter doesn't trust anyone. Not anymore.
When he schools his expression into something more neutral, he picks up the conversation again. ]
Tell me about the last guy. Sophis.
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[ She says it as she drops to the ground, wings vanishing. That wasn't a question she expected, and it shows in the way she blinks at him a couple of times, unsure of how to proceed. ]
... There are many things I could say about him, and none of them kind.
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Not like I knew the man. How 'bout start with what he wanted? I mean, you knew I wanted to be-- powerful. [ He hesitates at the word, because aloud it sounds silly. ] What about him?
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Honestly and truly? I hated him. I was a tool, meant to be seen and not heard. He had no room for my advice and no desire for companionship. But a contract was a contract- he had summoned me, after all- and I could not negate our deal myself.
In the end, I'm glad his hubris allowed me to be rid of him.
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It's too bad he's dead.
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[ So. Very. Dry. ]
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So Sirens have a sense of humor, huh.
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No, I wasn't. But you can still do it, if you'd like.
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[ a beat, then: ] I like you better than him already.
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Well, it's not as though the bar was set very high to begin with.
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[ Well, he doesn't really have to ask that, does he? Although, at the back of his head he thinks, "She could be lying, this could be an act to garner your pity," but that voice is kind of a prick, Peter admits. He shakes his head to clear the thought. When he speaks again, it's clear he's choosing his words carefully. ]
Look. I'm not really in the business of telling folks what to do -- in fact, it's more common that I'm the one getting ordered around. So-- say what you want, do what you want, whenever you want, so long as you're not hurting anyone without my say so. And-- I guess if I ask you to do something, I'm not gonna stop you from second-guessing me. I might not like it, but I'm sure as hell not gonna turn down any advice.
[ Don't forget she's a Siren, though, says the prick part of his brain, and Peter tries his hardest to ignore it. ]
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