D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

After dismissing the beacon, Kat tried to bring it up again. *I want to see if this is anything like with contracts.* And, Kat was unsurprised to find that guess was correct. As soon as her thoughts brushed the idea, she felt her beacon leap to the front of her mind.

Kat found she could manipulate it in a shocking number of ways. Scaling it up, spinning it around, and even squashing or stretching it to some extent, but that part was limited. The background was also somewhat easily swapped around, which was a little strange but Kat didn’t question it.

Dismissing the mental projection Kat glanced over at Nixilei and found her writing still. *Hmm, should I strike up conversation? It’s a great way to past the time but…* Kat looked at the fey with a pondering thought. *Not really sure that’s the sort of thing Nixilei would like. She seems like she’d either be like Grace and love explaining things, or not interested in speaking to anyone ever… Then again, maybe it’s different for fey. She might look human, but she isn’t.*

Kat was content enough to sit in the quiet. She allowed her gaze to wonder around the sparse room before quickly turning her attention to the central courtyard. It was a nice area, with a simple fountain in the middle of a glass domed room. There were a few flowers around the edges. *I wonder if it’s functionally a greenhouse or if the glass roof is just to keep out the rain.*

After spending a few more minutes trying to determine the answer to her previous question Kat let her gaze return to the room and Nixilei who was still scratching away at a sheet of paper. Kat tried to relax, but her wings were making it hard. Eventually, deciding to at least attempt some conversation Kat spoke up. ”What are you writing?”

Nixilei paused with her pen raised above the paper and slowly turned towards Kat. ”I am currently detailing my preliminary report of the tournament. Normally such things could wait but considering the strange circumstances and the extra time that Thyme added to this round in particular requires me to send this off”

”Oh, I won’t interrupt you then” said Kat

Nixilei gave a wave of dismissal at Kat ”Give a minor amount of additional time and I’ll have finished my report”

Nixilei fixed her glasses and started to increase the rate of her writing. Not significantly, but with Kat’s demonic eyes and hearing it was quite the noticeable increase. After only another minute Nixilei folded up the paper in question and took one of the envelopes from a drawer that was filled with them.

As soon as the paper was secured in the envelope Nixilei slammed her hand onto the back of the envelope. A soft glow was emitted by the envelope, before it vanished before Kat’s eyes. *Woah. I’d think it sleight of hand or an illusion if I wasn’t immune to both of those things… wait does that mean I can never enjoy magic shows ever again now my eyes are too good to miss the tricks?*

While Kat was reeling from her devastating revelation, Nixilei quickly tidied up her stationary and tidied her paper stack slightly before turning to Kat. ”What did you wish to converse with me about Kat?”

*Is I didn’t think I’d get this far an acceptable option?* ”If you don’t mind telling me, what was that report for?”

Nixilei nodded ”I can answer your questions if you promise not to divulge that information in any way”

Kat nodded.

”I Nixilei, so do declare, that any information shared with the demon Kat, shall be considered confidential and not to be spread by Kat until such a time as I give permission. This agreement ends once I acknowledge that it has, or when any sentient entity crosses the threshold of the room in question” said Nixilei

*Woah, that was a rather in-depth contract you came up with so quickly Nix.* ”I agree” said Kat

A single chain shot between the two of them before vanishing. Kat raised a confused eyebrow at Nixilei.

”You would know more than I would about the lacking number of chains we experienced” said Nixilei.

*System?*

User Kat and Entity Nixilei consider this contract to be of low importance.

*Um… ok? Surely there are other limitations, right?*

User Kat is correct. It is simply the most applicable in this situation.

Kat nodded, as that was enough for now. She wasn’t just about to stare off into space with her mind empowered while Nixilei was waiting to talk to her.

”Right, so you were saying Nixilei?” asked Kat

”I was sending off my daily reports to Green’s family. It isn’t a particularly grand secret, and most of the staff are privy to it, though I did have to ensure that at least some precautions were taking when revealing that to someone of your persuasion” said Nixilei

Kat tilted her head to the side ”What do you mean by that exactly?”

”Simply that you are likely to at some point, be summoned by others, and when such a time that comes, I’d like some additional assurance you won’t tell anyone about these details” said Nixilei

Kat rubbed her eyes while thinking on what Nixilei had said. *Well that hardly makes any sense. I mean sure, it isn’t like it makes no sense at all, but if that truly was the case why didn’t you place such clauses in the original contract. *

”I doubt that can be all Nixilei. If it was, you’d have it in the original as well” said Kat

Nixilei nodded, and her lips twitched upwards just slightly. Kat couldn’t be entirely certain she’d seen it if her memory didn’t allow her to go and check. ”This is true. I have some other things I’d like for you to consider while my teammates are away and I’d prefer this didn’t get back to them” said Nixilei

Kat nodded and gestured for the fey to continue. ”Having observed your recent behaviour, and competent performance in battle I’d like to extend an additional offer towards you. I’m sure that Gareth will offer to resummon you for the next round. I’d like for you to also consider Green’s safety to be of the highest priority”

Kat brought her body backwards realising she was leaning forward. Tapping her nails on the side of her horns Kat mulled over Nixilei’s words. ”Why would you like me to do that? Gareth seems more than competent as a defender, even if I never really saw him in action”

”And that is certainly true. I also shall be considering Green’s safety to be one of my top priorities. The main reason I also request this of you is that I may only sacrifice my life for Green’s once, whereas you will simply be banished. In addition, you are much more physically adept than I am at this point in time.” said Nixilei

Kat let her tail free itself from where it was wedged behind her back and let it rest underneath her chin. *Truthfully I’m quite fine with this. She makes a more than valid point about everything. Not sure I exactly like her asking me to sacrifice my life for Green…*

*But at the same time, she is quite adorable. Nixilei is willing to do the same as well, and she isn’t really asking for my death, because from everything the system has told me I can’t die while on these outings. Honestly it’s all very reasonable when I think about it, and I have no doubt that I’d be willing to at least make an attempt even if Nixilei hadn’t said anything… just feels weird that she’d ask.*

Seeing Kat mull over her words Nixilei continued ”Once we have finished with the tournament, I am willing to provide you with an additional reward for this service. Obviously, I cannot offer you a reward on a per defence basis lest you decide it be profitable to lead Green into danger, but I doubt you’d be so crass”

”I accept” said Kat…

And nothing. There was no chains. *Um…*

”No chains?” asked Kat

Nixilei shook her head ”I do not yet know what I will be providing you as payment only that you shall have one. The contract cannot bind us unless all terms are clear. I could make a contract detailing you defend Green for nothing, then pay you afterwards, but I believe that having no contract binding us at all would be better here”

”Ok, I understand” *But not really* ”If that’s how you prefer we go about this arrangement I have no major complaints” *I might have one or two minor ones* ”Is there any more details you wish to provide me?” said Kat

Nixilei shook her head. ”Not as of right now.. We have yet to even be informed of the next venues, so it is entirely possible they will be sufficiently protected in sufficiently defended areas. It is equally as likely that later matches lead us into dangerous territory, so we will have to see”