Quoted By:
“I go by <span class="mu-i">Phil Noon</span> when doing this sort of thing.” You respond truthfully while maintaining your anonymity.
“Ah, you’re not one of them.” Lady Steen’s eyes drift towards the old gentleman so slightly. She either has no problems with you using a nickname, or she didn’t get the implication. You’ll assume the former. “And your powers?”
“Invisibility of sorts. I control how light works on me, so technically it isn’t true invisibility like you’d expect if another flame user said it.” You remain truthful. “Additionally, I am quite capable in the culinary arts, and have baked a cake with an assistant in a competition against Gerard Luther that beat him 2 to 1.”
“I don’t often hear men brag about cooking desserts. What an adorable fact only matched by the gentleness of your face.” Lady Steen flirts in response. It’s a genuine sentiment thrown to destabilize you. How calculating! “We have something in common, fellow baker. Though my specialty lies elsewhere.”
“What do you enjoy baking?” You ask.
“Cookies. I can make any person smile with just one bite. You included.” Lady Steen is playfully proud of her abilities.
“Well, my cake would knock your socks off.” You wiggle your eyebrows.
“Under other circumstances, we’d square off, Lord Noon.” Lady Steen has spent enough time dilly-dallying. “You mentioned Gerard Luther, the demons’ favorite judge. Are you the reason he apologized to me? He mentioned a losing bet he couldn’t disclose as the reason for his erratic behavior.”
“I can’t take credit, they are supposed to be heartfelt apologies.” You can’t believe his apology tour reached her.
“Do you understand that you made a powerful enemy?” Lady Steen brings you back to reality.
“Enemy? We’re friendly rivals, I’d say. We even played poker after I kicked his ass. Not that I’m fond of him on a personal level.” You scratch the back of your head.
“How amusing, it greatly pleased me to see his head down.” Lady Steen likes what she’s hearing.
“How do you know each other?” You wonder.
“I tracked him down long ago before we all truly understood the stakes of this game. Luther offered his services to aid Flame Enthusiasts who weren’t too keen on their collaborators. To remove these parasites. He botched the job on a collaborator of mine and cost us greatly.” Lady Steen says in earnest.
“Is your friend fine?” You ask.
“He no longer recalls who I am. He’s healthy otherwise.” Lady Steen buries her melancholy down in her heart. “You have proven your worth. Let’s talk proper business. I’m here for the man inside the cell you came out of and every single one of his possessions. <span class="mu-s">I offer you a 1000 Gor$ in gold to stay out of my way.</span>”
Lady Steen drops a bag of money. You have yet to learn about gold rates, but there are some coins inside. She can’t lie though, so their value should be the one she says!
