audio;

[soulcontracts]

[ The voice that snaps over the bracelet is sharp but bored. ]

Required: a number of test subjects for this ridiculous, useless power that I've been assigned. Willing subjects preferable, though this is not set in stone.

Compensation will be provided.




[ .. eventually. ]

Comments

video

[highstakesgame]

Hoh? And what powers do you possess?

Would you happen to be in Loki House?

video

[soulcontracts]

I'd rather discuss the details in private.

[ voice ]

[missbarrow]

[ There is the click of a button pressed, and then audio feed comes in, absolutely silent for a moment.

Until a sudden, surprised voice blurts incredulously: ]

Johannes Cabal?

[ voice ]

[soulcontracts]

[ Silence for a moment. And then he checks the name that appears with her comment:

Leonie Barrow.


Of course.





Instead of responding verbally, Johannes simply sighs. Loudly. ]

[ voice ===>> video ]

[missbarrow]

Cabal, what are you --

[ And suddenly she's on the screen, eyes wide and the shock that resounds in her tone clearly evident in her features as she gapes at the bracelet. ]

But ... You were dead.

Text

[secondborn]

Are you saying if you don't get willing subjects, you'll kidnap some?

[highstakesgame]

My, my. I'm sure you don't want to ruin the surprise, but I would be quite remiss if I were to agree to it without knowing what they were first, would I not?

text: private

[redhourglass]

[oh ho. someone wants to be mysterious. two can play that game.]

You sound like your power requires another person to use. Perhaps mine does as well.

Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement.

text

[bitofajerk]

Next time you want someone to volunteer for something, you mind being a little less vague about it? How about you let us know what your power is first?

private;

[soulcontracts]

[ He's spent enough time tinkering with the bracelets to at least know how to change the permissions on them. That, at least, is pretty intuitive. ]

I'm in Hel's house.

[ video ]

[soulcontracts]

[ Johannes simply lifts his eyebrows, tone dry. ]

Surprise.

Text

[soulcontracts]

What a fascinating inference you have drawn there.

text: private

[soulcontracts]

House?

[ He can be taciturn when he wants to be. Which is usually most of the time. ]

text

[soulcontracts]

Being purposefully vague is a useful tool when it comes to drawing curious minds out of the woodwork.

[ video ]

[missbarrow]

[ Not amused, Johannes, not amused.

She sets her jaw, before narrowing her own brows, frowning down into the bracelet. ]

You are not testing anything on anyone without express permission. Not if I can help it.

[ video ]

[soulcontracts]

[ And still he remains absolutely neutral. ]

Did you not hear my plea for test subjects? I hardly expect people to throw themselves at my feet against their own wills.

text

[bitofajerk]

Also probably pretty useful for drawing people into a trap.

[ video ]

[missbarrow]

You said preferably. Preferably is not a definite, Cabal.

[ She's bristling, and biting down against the inside of her cheek as she holds the necromancer's gaze. Not her favorite person right now, Johannes. Despite that, she can't help but ask. ]

What sort of power?

[secondborn]

It seems like the easiest way to get unwilling subjects, if it comes to that.

text;

[castoffskin]

One should be aware that the inhabitants of this city have lived through a number of hardships

It is unlikely that such a vague question will receive positive answers

The mention of money does not help you here

[Video]

[5thchild]

What sort of powers?

[ video ]

[pratentious]

[ Arthur ... might be keeping an eye on you for that rather ominous addendum there, sir. ]

If you've interest in practising your House power, you might like to try with the Teacher's Council. All willing participants, learning the use of their abilities.

video;

[tracings]

This seems so completely trustworthy and unsuspicious. I'm astounded.

[On one hand, he counts himself as curious, if only because he'd like to know what power is called "useless" -- he thinks likewise of his, but Archer has his own reasons.

None of this, of course, is betrayed in that smug expression of his.]

video; private

[badwolf]

[A lock on the conversation? She perused a few other responses, curious to see if he'd revealed it otherwise. It's worth a shot, isn't it?]

What sort've compensation?

[Because while she's all for getting a hang of these weird power things, she's not going to just sit by and watch someone ... experiment. Willing or not, some of these powers could be dangerous. And if he's not willing to divulge just what sort it is? There's a good chance it is dangerous.]

[ video ]

[soulcontracts]

I really doubt that I'm obliged to say.