Quoted By:
€
>Accept the contract.
Conversation is inherently flawed. It’s not as if there were any obligation to speak the truth; people can say whatever they want. In reality, it’s merely another game to play, another system to try to exploit. She may not have had any particular reason to lie about the information she held, but the option was always there if she’d wanted to.
Hermione nods with a pleasant smile, then accepts the offered handshake in a refined manner, the very picture of elegant nobility. Then she finds herself unable to breathe.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. It’ll loosen in a bit.”
Hermione scrabbles at her throat and feels a thin string, looping tightly around her neck. After a few tense moments, the pressure subsides, and Hermione finds herself gasping for air. She still feels the string pressing lightly against her skin, but it no longer restricts her breathing.
“I do apologize. But, you see, I don’t really trust others either.”
The scarlet-haired girl looks up with an intense glare. The blonde just sits back idly, completely relaxed.
“If you’re thinking that this is unfair, I have my own as well.” She tilts her head up slightly, and points at the thin red strings looping around her own neck. “It’s just the nature of my magic.”
Hermione’s eye twitches. “It’s rather poor manners for a guest to strangle their host, who’s made every effort to be nothing but gracious and accommodating.”
She waves her off. “Oh, don’t be too upset. Now our deal is set in stone.” The girl looks at her with concern. “Or, did you really expect simple promises to be enough? How would I know you’d told me everything? How would you know I intended to fulfill your request? It’s much easier to believe things when our lives are on the line.”
The girl’s mindset is strange. Hermione narrows her eyes.
The blonde puts on her friendly smile once more. “In any case, shall we get started?”
“…Very well.” Hermione clasps her hands. “The girl wielding a sword is Lorene. She’s strong, very strong. At this point, I’m uncertain over her magic, but I presume it’s some kind of combat intuition. She’s naturally wary, and seems like an upright person.”
The girl patiently listens, carefully noting every word she says. “Is that all?”
“I do have her contact information.”
The girl sighs, shaking her head. “Well, that’s better than nothing. I was hoping for a little more on her, but I suppose we’ll simply have to make do for now.” She stands, cane lightly tapping against the balcony floor, before looking out at the moonlit city. “It may be a touch challenging, but I’ll see if I can get you Kyubey by tomorrow.” She looks back with a sideways smile. “I do appreciate the cordiality, it’s rather novel. If we’ve nothing more to discuss, I’ll be leaving.”
>It appears the end of your conversation is at hand.
