[...Damn Kazuya, he hadn't even gotten around to sincerely trying to guilt trip you into it yet! He was legit just bemoaning the fact that all of the quests with rewards worthwhile seem un-doable for a dreamer with his lack of abilities.
This does expedite things, though. Gets right to the point! Elan's eyebrows are raised in surprise for a moment, before he returns to his usual mask of calm.]
Interesting... I have more than a few questions, but let's start with, "how does that even work?"
In exchange for some of your Magnetite, I'll temporarily place a demon into your service. It will obey all commands you give it, save for attacking other people unless it's in self defense.
[Just to cover his own ass if it comes down to irresponsible ownership, or something like that.]
It'll be useful if you want power to complete some of these harder quests on your own.
[That's somewhat of a different arrangement than what he expected. The demon will take his orders...? How is that even possible?]
Interesting... And remind me, exactly what does giving you my "magnetite" entail? I think you mentioned it in the past, but my memory on the subject is a bit fuzzy about the details.
A bit of pain when I pull it from you, but it shouldn't be unbearable, or anything. You'll regenerate what I've taken over time, so there's no need to get worried about anything like that, or any lingering ill-effects.
[There's a definite shift that comes over Elan, an increased tension. As usual, it's subtle, but not impossible to notice. Even though he remains largely pleasant in this interaction:]
I'll stop you right there. Lasting effects or no, I've had more than enough of people pulling things from me for one lifetime.
[His lifespan, his memories, his identity, his fucking nervous system... Blood? There was a lot of blood drawing for testing purposes. Point is, Peil already took enough from him. He's not giving anything else up. Not if he can help it.]
[ The tension isn't too obvious, but he can certainly tell it's there. And his words make him further understand the situation and reasoning he might have for disagreeing.
So he nods, and holds his hands up in a little surrendering gesture. ]
No worries, then. I won't force the issue. If it's something you don't want, then how about you just use me to get what you want from a quest like I said previously? I'm more than happy to tag along on a more dangerous one.
[The fact that Kazuya backs down that quickly does wonders for his standing in Elan's book. He cocks his head curiously.]
Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but why are you so eager to throw yourself into a potentially dangerous situation like that? It'll be even more difficult for you, with me there as dead weight.
[He's... Really not used to being surrounded by people who are just helpful for the sake of it. He'd honestly think Kazuya was a bit of an idiot for this, if he didn't already know better.]
Well you're certainly not lacking for confidence...
[He pauses thoughtfully, eyes flicking back to the quest board again briefly.]
Alright, fine. If you're that serious about helping... I don't suppose the people who gave you that free food guarantee might be needing more assistance that would result in a reward of a similar caliber...?
Anyway, I don't see any flyer for the rat extermination one right now, so I think I may have done too thorough a job last time. It looks like they're looking for more incognito food raters, but that only gets you one free meal, and I don't know if I have it in me to eat at five more places after the portions that they gave me last time...
[But, alright, fine, if Kazuya is really offering to help with one of these harder quests, he might as well get SOMETHING out of it. He looks over the postings again, reading the rewards first and THEN checking what the job involves.]
...Oh? Now this one is interesting: A little search and rescue for a potion that can heal almost anything? They're offering quite a lot of cords in addition, too...
[Elan blinks in surprise. Kind of amazing how Kazuya keeps making this sound WAY too good to be true, and yet he's still probably going to go through with it anyway.]
Well now, that is quite a bargain. I feel so spoiled.... A guy could get used to this.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
This does expedite things, though. Gets right to the point! Elan's eyebrows are raised in surprise for a moment, before he returns to his usual mask of calm.]
Interesting... I have more than a few questions, but let's start with, "how does that even work?"
no subject
[Just to cover his own ass if it comes down to irresponsible ownership, or something like that.]
It'll be useful if you want power to complete some of these harder quests on your own.
no subject
Interesting... And remind me, exactly what does giving you my "magnetite" entail? I think you mentioned it in the past, but my memory on the subject is a bit fuzzy about the details.
no subject
no subject
I'll stop you right there. Lasting effects or no, I've had more than enough of people pulling things from me for one lifetime.
[His lifespan, his memories, his identity, his fucking nervous system... Blood? There was a lot of blood drawing for testing purposes. Point is, Peil already took enough from him. He's not giving anything else up. Not if he can help it.]
So. Thanks, but no thanks.
no subject
So he nods, and holds his hands up in a little surrendering gesture. ]
No worries, then. I won't force the issue. If it's something you don't want, then how about you just use me to get what you want from a quest like I said previously? I'm more than happy to tag along on a more dangerous one.
no subject
Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but why are you so eager to throw yourself into a potentially dangerous situation like that? It'll be even more difficult for you, with me there as dead weight.
no subject
[ The most it could ever end up being is annoying, truthfully. ]
I'm pretty hard to kill, what with being a Demon Overlord, and all.
no subject
Well you're certainly not lacking for confidence...
[He pauses thoughtfully, eyes flicking back to the quest board again briefly.]
Alright, fine. If you're that serious about helping... I don't suppose the people who gave you that free food guarantee might be needing more assistance that would result in a reward of a similar caliber...?
no subject
[ He gives a grin, clearly not lacking for confidence, just as he's said. ]
But we can always ask. I was pretty thorough in the rat removal, though.
[ Hm... ]
There's a paper here that wants you to rate some restaurants for free food, but it's not the same for life deal.
[... Actually, if he's so set on something like this, then does that mean..? ]
Are you capable of cooking on your own?
no subject
He's distracted from his internalized envy by Kazuya's question, glancing back at him in mild surprise.]
Hm? Of course I am. Buuuut let's be real, it can be such a hassle sometimes... So why bother doing it myself when there's a far easier alternative?
no subject
[He's being judgey....]
no subject
Elan laughs in a slightly incredulous way.]
Oh? It's not as if I'm planning on never cooking again... I just want to keep my options open! I don't think there's anything wrong with that.
i dont believe what im writing. just so everyone knows. delivery is the only way to live.
LMAOOOO IT'S TRUE
Glad I have your permission.
no subject
[ His poor tummy.... ]
no subject
Yeah, that sounds like a real struggle.
[But, alright, fine, if Kazuya is really offering to help with one of these harder quests, he might as well get SOMETHING out of it. He looks over the postings again, reading the rewards first and THEN checking what the job involves.]
...Oh? Now this one is interesting: A little search and rescue for a potion that can heal almost anything? They're offering quite a lot of cords in addition, too...
no subject
[ But! It's clearly worthwhile to a normie. ]
I'm more than happy to do it with you, though. You can take my potion as well, so it's a twofer.
no subject
Well now, that is quite a bargain. I feel so spoiled.... A guy could get used to this.
no subject
[Lol. Elan isn't a demon. But Kazuya still likes humans more than demons anyway.
He'll snatch the ticket from the board, handing it to him.]
C'mon. Let's go start the mission, it should be fun.