Balancing the Books

[conjuredskies]

Here’s someone who hasn’t shown his face in public for a while. Felix is sitting on the old Legion desk in his Legion leathers, a small pile of books beside him. For those who get close enough to look, they’re all reference books about Earth, including a children’s encyclopedia and a dictionary. The mage himself still looks a little sleepless, but he’s in far better shape than the gaunt, distracted wraith who showed up for the Halloween party. There’s color in his face, an easy confidence in his posture… and with his hood down around his shoulders, his hair looks like it’s back to its normal black.

Felix draws a deep breath that has nothing at all to do with the letter he’s pretending to read, then folds it and flashes the nearest Nexus-goers a quick smile.

“How forgiving you are you of debts?” he asks. “Those you’re owed, and those you owe.”

Comments

[turningcolors]

"We were not talking about me. I can't hardly imagine a situation where anyone would be saving my life. Nor any reason for someone not to give me a chance if I wished to endeavor to do something. I'm no criminal and not one for taking risks."

At least, no situation in which a human would have to save her life. What could they do that she herself could not?

"Are you implying you're not honest then? That you would repay for less than what you would ask? The scales must be equal if balance is to remain between you and your benefactor."

[conjuredskies]

"But I can use all the chances I get, and so here I am, asking what payment others expect. Yourself included."

He waves aside the question about his own honesty with a smile. "I prefer to deal in favors, myself. Balance tends not to be such a pressing concern, especially when dealing with those more powerful than myself."

[turningcolors]

"Ah, now if I were to save your life, I would ask for your service to my Season. The complexity of which would depend on what I had to do in order to secure your safety. Something simple would require less service than something that put me in danger, for example."

Hazel smiles then, and it's the same sort of proud look Felix has seen before on Other Spirits. She doesn't let her grin pull over her teeth but it is a near thing.

"Work a harvest, host an event to commemorate the dead. Help build a stores to last through the winter. For however many seasons are agreed upon."

[conjuredskies]

Oho. Now it becomes clear who he's dealing with. Felix doesn't obviously tense up, but something about his expression becomes that bit wilier as he reassesses her. Harmless though she may act, this is a dangerous lady. All the more because she likely has terrible powers which don't count as violence in the eyes of the Nexus.

Felix doesn't consider this a bad thing, of course.

"I take it that I have the honor of speaking with a spirit, then? And which season is yours?"

[turningcolors]

"Autumn, of course. Fall. Harvest season."

This human is interesting. No disbelief, no fear, but no arrogance either. If she had to guess, she'd say he was almost pleased to be speaking with her. A curious reaction indeed. Especially given she's outside of her Season.

"I am of Reynard's kind, yes. You know him then?"