Quoted By:
Flatfooted. Stupified. Befuddled. Three words you don’t tend to use often, but fit pretty darn well in your current situation… and why wouldn’t they!? Your Ex is here with you in Zoral–that alone is crazy enough–but not only is the Used Car Salesman in your head telling you she’s in the same boat as you, she’s also juiced up on <span class="mu-r">GREATER DEMON</span>!?
Flatfooted. Stupified. Befuddled. It’s not enough that you didn’t even remember how you left things with Liz until a few days ago… you also have no idea how to react to the news now. <span class="mu-r">RED</span> can talk with her… does she know where you are? Is she safe? Is she gonna kick down Umberal’s gates to come get you… or is she just going to chew you out?
There’s too much noise. Too much going on… and yet at the same time you know you can’t neglect the only other human in Zoral, even if she is jacked up on demonic energy!
A weak ‘<span class="mu-i">how</span>’ leaves your lips as <span class="mu-r">RED’S</span> presence hovers in the corner of your perception.
<span class="mu-r">”Don’t fret, Tex–she’s doing just fine… given the circumstances an’ whatnot.”</span> The voice explains in an almost placating tone, <span class="mu-r">”Hell, she’s almost TOO fine! At, uh… taking care of herself, I mean!”</span>
You can’t help but cringe at the devil’s phrasing. Amiable though he may seem, the Archdevil’s honeyed words tend to conjure the image of some greasy sex shop proprietor more than a singing cowboy–like every word has some kind of innuendo slipped in.
So, you continue in a measured tone as you try not to betray your growing irritation, she has the same deal, doesn’t she? When she dies-
<span class="mu-r">”<span class="mu-i">IF</span> she dies!”</span> Corrects the cowpoke, <span class="mu-r">”But yep, same terms, different client! Rules are rules, pard–I don’t make em’...”</span>
Doesn’t he, though? He answers your question with a dismissive laugh.
<span class="mu-r">”I don’t expect ta’ see her down here for a while, though–gal’s the type Death has ta’ take while she ain’t lookin’.”</span> You can almost feel the devil’s eyes boring into you with a hint of… <span class="mu-i">judgement?</span>
<span class="mu-r">”Took to the whole thing like a horse to hay, actually. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t admire her open-mindedness! You could learn a thing or two, amigo! Maybe snatch up a little more power too-”</span>
You recall very little about Liz, but what you DO know is that she’s anything but squeamish! Just the idle thought of what <span class="mu-r">RED</span> did in the Swoos Lounge still makes your spine tingle… as do some of your follow-up questions:
What happens when a soul gets snatched?
<span class="mu-r">”There… IS something else, actually…”</span> The devil mutters like a kid about to share a bad report card, <span class="mu-r">”For the sake of transparency, mind.”</span>
>CONTD.
