Ceria-Day Two

The sandwich awaits eating. The lack of thing waits patiently, the spirits say.

Earandil scuttles into the kitchen, grinning and grabbing his sandwich of toast with butter and peach jelly.

He fails to see the lack of thing. It appears to be sitting on the couch. Patiently. For now.

Earandil's eyes ignore said chair, finishing a very delicious sandwich and washing his face, patiently cleaning every bit of the stickiness.

The lack of thing seems to stand and wait a moment, as if asking permission.

Earandil motions at it to speak, keeping his back turned as he dries his hands.

Malachi, at last, reveals himself. "I do apologize for the intrusion, but I feel we should have a proper discussion." He says politely, seating himself on nothing half an inch above the couch. "Our powers are remarkably similar in some respects, I'm sure you can understand. You're power nudges you towards things dark and spiritual, mine nudges me towards a sort of... balance." He comments out loud, as if he's just thinking out loud.

"Very well. I must admit, you're a lot more civilized how you ask than certain people I could name."

"Of course. My focus is nudges me that way. Hers... Technology changes, often suddenly and without warning. But enough of that. I'm here to offer my help. You have been pulled into the viper's nest, so to speak. I have certain skills and contacts that would be quite helpful." Malachi's face is almost completely neutral, not proper emotion showing at all. It's almost serene, in a slightly disturbing way.

"And what, precisely, are your goals and motivations in all of this? I find that no one does anything that does not in some way suit their interests."

"As you know, I am the possessor of the power of Nothing. Like the other, equal powers, it pushes me towards certain outcomes, pertaining to neutrality. I have no hidden agenda that pertains to you. You are a powerful Death mage, and I would be interested in seeing you become a powerful Death Mage." He says, the capitalization of the second Mage being audible. "Death foci always grab my attention. They are so close to my own power, in some ways. But unlike mine, your power is cyclical." That last statement seems rather cryptic, but something tells Earan that questioning it would be a less than good idea.

"Mmm. Neutrality. That word has been somewhat twisted throughout history. What does your neutrality mean in terms of the mounting conflict?"

"With the thaumivores? Eating us is perfectly natural for them. I suspect that should they attack me, I will be forced to protect myself. Of course, outside of my power, a bit of sabotage to prevent such a close quarters combat would be preferred. I am nudged by my power, not controlled. However... If you mean the technopath's little battle with the government... I have no care for that conflict."

"Her fight with the government is not my concern. I do notice you are both truthful and ambiguous with your answers. As for the offer of assistance... what is the price of that assistance? I am open to helping, but unlike some, I won't give everything I am to anyone. The technopath seems to disregard this, as she apparently thinks my free will is not important to me."

"As I said, Technology mages are impulsive and ever changing, and rarely have any social grace. As for my price... A favor here, a spirit called there, and all will be well. I won't force you to do anything you'd rather not." That last sentence resonates with truth, like a vow or something silly like that.

"Very well. I accept, as you put it so well," Earandil States simply, turning to look at the Nothing User with a small smile. Anyone would think that he had forgotten the lack of a response to the question of ambiguity, but he had not.

"Good. I'd offer to shake hands, but that rarely turns out well for anyone involved."

The ring spirit speaks back up. "Huh. Didn't expect that one to show up. Keep an eye on him. Always. Never know when he'll just vanish."

'I shall watch him closely. Right now, I don't have a lot of trust in anyone.'

"Indeed. Do you wish to be shown out, or would you prefer to leave the way you came?"

"Using Nothing means never having to open a door." Malachi simply walks through a wall as if there was nothing there. "I will contact you when I have something concrete for you to use." He says, just before vanishing.


"Kid... This is a royally fucked up situation." The spirit says, stating it as matter of fact.

'Yeah, I know. Did I have a choice?'

As he thinks this, he does a sweep of the room, to determine if any Nothing remains.

He detects no more lack of thing.

"Not really. If I had to bet, I'd stick with the Dark Man. That Kayley is too wild and impulsive. Tell me... Does it seem like everything he says is true to you, as well?"

'She is also too controlling for my tastes. I got that impression, but I could also tell that he was twisting things to suit his purpose.'

With that, Earandil sags back into a chair, resting for a moment after mentally fencing with Malachi.