Afterparty

[latinumsbetter]

[After the execution finishes and Wendy is dragged down into the Earth by that absolute horrific monstrosity of a creature and Typhon gives his goodbye, Quark will stand there for a long moment in the silence, before announcing, in a voice that wavers while trying to go for neutral:]

The bar’ll be open. Sitting around alone isn’t going to help anyone. [he turns to look at Ferdinand] Ferdinand, you’re with me. I need someone to move the table.

[and, taking Cerejeira’s elbow, he’s going to head out of the Arena. So...post trial, the Eatery’s been moved into bar configuration by Ferdinand and Quark. There’s been several of the extra togas gathered and folded to be used as blankets. There are snacks from the pantry brought out and placed on plates and in bowls and left out to eat. The bar is open, but so is the kitchen, if anyone wants to make something.

Both Ferdinand and Quark can be found behind the bar, the latter attempting to teach the former how to use the replicator he’s now got back there in addition to the other drink components. At least it’s keeping them busy. They’re both there to serve drinks, however.

The door is open.]

Comments

[latinumsbetter]

I hear a lotta things that most people don't. [he reaches up and taps the outside lobe of one of his large ears. He pauses next to her, giving her a look over]

So. This is what the Golden Maiden thing means, huh?

[brokenhabit]

…Yes.

It means you are one of His… eternal servants.

[latinumsbetter]

"His"?

[brokenhabit]

[ ... ]

His name isn't one to be spoken carelessly. Even talking about Him this openly terrifies me but...

He... He is a king among demons. A devil.

[latinumsbetter]

...I don't know what that is, but that sounds nasty. [Hey Leb, that sounds like A Problem]

And you're one of his servants, you said? What does that mean, exactly?

[brokenhabit]

[ She makes a sound like a sigh. ]

It's essentially a slave. Or a trophy, really.

He owns me and can do whatever He wants.

1/2

[latinumsbetter]

[that feels like it almost knocks the wind out of him for a moment. There's Death, and there's God, and now Him? How does this keep happening? (He knows how. He knows why. He knows the universe can be like this, is like this, but rarely this close to home--)]

2/2

[latinumsbetter]

[...he needs to get a hold of himself. Quark rubs a hand over his mouth before he drops it, blowing out a slow breath, both hands going to his hips to steady himself a bit]

Blessed Exchequer, Leb.

Was it--has this been your whole life? Or did something happen to you?

[brokenhabit]

[ She’s already told this story a few times now but unlike most things… it doesn’t feel any easier. ]

Not my whole life, no. But my whole after life, yes.

My… Elise, she…

…She did this. She brought me to Him. Because she wanted her dream to come true.

[latinumsbetter]

[Frinx. He's not as surprised as he could be. After all, betrayals of all kinds have been common in Ferengi culture for years. There's even a couple Rules of Acquisition about not allowing family ties to get in the way of profit. That doesn't stop the way his ears burn at the thought of something like that happening to Leb, though]

She used you to barter for what she wanted and let you pay the price.

[there's a hard edge to the tone of his voice, something like anger]

[brokenhabit]

[ She thinks on it for a moment, considers the way he describes it. ]

…It’s not as purposeful as that. But I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.

She was tricked. That’s what devils do - they promise you things while hiding the actual specifics from you. Prey on the vulnerable and desperate, the kind of people who won’t ask too many questions or think too hard about what they’re being told to do. She thought she was doing something good for both of us. But if she hadn’t been so blind to all the warning signs she would have realized the truth.

…I’d say it’s not too unlike what Wendy and Crito did, but they at least knew what they were doing.

1/2

[latinumsbetter]

Well, neither of them read the actual contract either. Nor did Sayo. On Ferenginar, we call that negligance and willful ignorance.

2/2

[latinumsbetter]

[he sucks in a breath through his nose, reining in his temper again]

...right. So she fell for a con and you got stuck with Him because of it. What was the deal, exactly, and how was it made? Was it a written contract or a verbal agreement?

[brokenhabit]

It... hm.

[ How to describe it...? Probably best from the beginning. ]

Verbal, I believe. But magically binding.

He... has a whole system. He starts by sending a gift of ruby red shoes to lasses with ambitions that make their souls more enticing to Him. If they accept and wear the gift then they're invited to undertake His trials. To get to Him and begin the bargaining they need to bring three gifts that serve as testaments to their will. Proof of their commitment to their goals.

The first is the Tender Flesh, a piece of your mortal body. The second is the Sweetest Nectar, a sample of your own blood. And the third is the Good Company, the one closest to your heart. The object of your affections.

...That's what I was. The Good Company. A complimentary offering just to get a place at the table. I wasn't even part of the actual deal.

[latinumsbetter]

[Quark sucks in a breath through his teeth at that, before his lips purse in displeasure. He folds his arms, thinking.]

If you weren't part of the deal--of this system that he's set up--then we won't be able to undo or find a loophole in whatever agreement was made for you specifically.

That being said, anytime there is a system, that leaves room for negotiating a new agreement.

[brokenhabit]

[ . . . ]

Is it even possible... to negotiate with something pure evil...?

[ She has her Doubts ]

[latinumsbetter]

If it can make deals, it can be negotiated with. [he says that with absolute surety]

In fact, considering his mode of entrapping people is negotiation, I'd say He's even more succeptable to it than if it wasn't.

[brokenhabit]

[ She... has her doubts. A lot of doubt actually. Ozzy is tricky. She knows Elise tried to get him with that "you can have my second born, not my first born" thing and that was bound to backfire.

But more than that... ]

I... I don't know if it's safe for you to even try though...

[latinumsbetter]

Rule of Acquisition number 62: The riskier the road, the greater the profit.

I can handle some risk, Leb. That doesn't mean I'm going to recklessly negotiate, but it won't be the first time I'd be doing so with a dangerous character.