06-08-2017, 12:56 AM
Chatterly smiled humorlessly, the expression a mere suggestion in the dim light. "I see. Well, I can't say that comes as a surprise - spend any time at all around King Ghidorah and you'll come away with the impression he's barely restraining the desire to murder practically everyone he meets..."
The smile fled as quickly as it had come. "...Though his being an out-and-out genocidal maniac does put a decidedly urgent spin on our situation. He's growing stronger, and our backup plan is far more expensive than I would prefer... speaking of which, are the potions ready?"
Hezekiah smiled, revealing very yellow teeth. "Been ready for twelve hours, Slick. Four potions o' Giant Growth and a banishment circle. I sent 'em up to the armory this morning. Did you pick out your stooges?"
The agent grimaced at the choice of words, but nodded his assent. "Yes... but we still need time to practice - to train. If it becomes necessary to stop him, we're only going to get one opportunity."
Chatterly clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the floor. The agent began to pace back and forth in front of the wizard, boots tapping softly on the slate tiles, his cloak rippling softly in the dark.
"As it stands, the plan is to continue to use him for as long as possible: ideally, to truly win him over. We've invested a fair amount of effort in getting the serfs and villains to overlook his... peculiarities. Did your mysterious winged benefactor have anything to say about that?"
The bearded mage's wild eyes regarded him impassively. " Said it was doomed. Bug-Lady says the dragon's a psycho. Says he doesn't do gratitude, or loyalty, or empathy."
Chatterly stopped pacing and stared into the dark. "Does he 'do' self-interest?"
Hezekiah was quiet for a moment, gazing into his crystal.
"Belike. If his crazy ass can tell where it lies."
The spymaster smiled, thin and fleeting.
"Capital. We might salvage this yet."
The smile fled as quickly as it had come. "...Though his being an out-and-out genocidal maniac does put a decidedly urgent spin on our situation. He's growing stronger, and our backup plan is far more expensive than I would prefer... speaking of which, are the potions ready?"
Hezekiah smiled, revealing very yellow teeth. "Been ready for twelve hours, Slick. Four potions o' Giant Growth and a banishment circle. I sent 'em up to the armory this morning. Did you pick out your stooges?"
The agent grimaced at the choice of words, but nodded his assent. "Yes... but we still need time to practice - to train. If it becomes necessary to stop him, we're only going to get one opportunity."
Chatterly clasped his hands behind his back and looked at the floor. The agent began to pace back and forth in front of the wizard, boots tapping softly on the slate tiles, his cloak rippling softly in the dark.
"As it stands, the plan is to continue to use him for as long as possible: ideally, to truly win him over. We've invested a fair amount of effort in getting the serfs and villains to overlook his... peculiarities. Did your mysterious winged benefactor have anything to say about that?"
The bearded mage's wild eyes regarded him impassively. " Said it was doomed. Bug-Lady says the dragon's a psycho. Says he doesn't do gratitude, or loyalty, or empathy."
Chatterly stopped pacing and stared into the dark. "Does he 'do' self-interest?"
Hezekiah was quiet for a moment, gazing into his crystal.
"Belike. If his crazy ass can tell where it lies."
The spymaster smiled, thin and fleeting.
"Capital. We might salvage this yet."