Luna

  I was on my way to Nil, amused by the fact someone actually pursued Krahinn from Ygdazi to here. I felt bad they clearly ignored Krahinn’s no slash refusal, but part of me didn’t exactly pity the jerk that was Krahinn. Was that bad of me to think? Probably a bit. It still made it highly amusing that the arrogant, cranky Krahinn was someone’s type. till was hilarious to think of Krahinn struggling to shrug off someone after him was an amusing image; maybe he mellowed out a little from spending time here and didn’t go all out in his initial attempt to shake them.

  As I climbed the stairs to Nil, I was happily humming at the amusing situation. I reached Nil’s floor, before all around me went blank in an instant. What? What just happened? All around me was a blank void, that was oddly familiar. Wait… wait a second. This was similar to when I chatted with Lord Dha or Lord Utol. Why? Why did I suddenly find myself in the presence of a Lord? Which one? What was going on? Before I had to wait for too long, I saw a masculine outline manifest itself in the space, excitedly shooting over to me. There was extreme joy radiating off of whichever Lord was currently in front of me.

  “Luna, Luna, my favorite demon.” Dha purred in a loaded tone. What could I possibly do for Lord Dha?

  “That is hurtful my dear Luna; you should have an open mind. You have a Lord personally interacting with you, giving you an opportunity to show your mettle.” Dha lectured softly, sounding almost like he was trying to sell me something.

  “That is the part I am confused by Lord Dha. You have… certain tastes… for entertainment. I have no idea what I can do for you nor what you could possibly offer me that would tempt me to accept entertaining you.” I replied politely, hoping I didn’t offend him. Dha seemed displeased to hear that but not offended. Why was he here? Why did he drag me here?

  “Luna, do not so dismiss the idea so rapidly. You have moxie, drive, a can-do attitude, and a wealth of experience to draw from. You know who to mimic and when in order to get a job done. I believe in you, that you have that drive to get better, the desire to be helpful, and that at-all-costs mentality to avoid the future you know.” Dha rallied, seeming like he truly wanted to inspire me.

  I made sure to avoid thinking of the various terms I would use to describe Dha as he was avoiding what he was after; the fact Dha was not making me guess or playing a game to learn the game he wanted to play meant he truly wanted it and was trying to butter me up. Something I had the ability to influence, or change interested Dha so much that he personally summoned me and immediately appeared to begin trying to convince me to try something.

  “We are getting there, Luna. You seem a bit frigid and close minded right now. Relax. It is a dialogue I am trying to open with you.” Dha tried while gesturing his hands like a stall merchant. I didn’t buy his crap for a second.

  “You summoned me, with no warning, and immediately tried selling me something. You want something and have yet to even approach the why or what’s in it for me. The fact you are still trying to soften me up leads me to believe you know it is a massive ask.” I shot back. Dha was expressionless but seemed determined to try and change my mind.

  “Someone, not to name names, Luna, was hostile immediately. I am trying to make sure you are calm, that you are willing to listen, and that you are ready to show that driven passion of yours for winning wagers and pulling your weight.” Dha continued, clearly trying to hustle me some more.

  “I am sorry Dha. I clearly was unreasonable to be so close minded at the sudden summoning from a Lord who immediately tried selling me an idea like a stall merchant trying to pawn off the fruit about to rot.” I taunted him. Dha for the briefest moment grimaced, seeming furious he was gaining no ground.

  “That’s not necessarily true. For all you know, I could be seeing how you are doing. Checking in. Seeing if you are enjoying the you won from me. You jumped to conclusions all on your own.” Dha pouted, seeming annoyed to be called out.

  “I am sorry Dha, how have you been?” I asked him politely. I could his deadpan stare.

  “Quite well, Luna. And I will even let the lack of calling me Lord What could he possibly want? His lack of playing around but refusing to jump to the point was starting to unsettle me.

  “Lord Dha, I have apparently been rude to you. I apologize. You can dismiss me now for daring to be so disrespectful to a Lord.” I offered him, feeling his chagrin at the comment.

  “Why are you being absolutely no fun?” Dha whined, floating around and rolling in the air like a petulant child.

  “Because someone is trying to trick me or get me to play some awful game for their amusement. This game is so entertaining, or has the chance to be so entertaining, that you are trying to be pleasant but are failing miserably because you don’t have to usually. You are trying to sell me on an idea you have yet to say, so even as a Lord you know it is a massive ask. That whatever you could possibly offer me in return for playing one of your life meddling games is wildly outweighed by the size of what you want. I will give you credit, for as much of a life meddling shiza you can be, you at least understand we aren’t dolls for you to play with.” I snapped at him, being as blunt as possible. Dha let out a long, dramatic sigh.

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  “You are so forling exhausting. Sheesh, some would be honored to have a Lord personally summon them to give them a task. But noooooooooo, you and that fiancé of yours have lost all reverence for us Lords. It is insulting.” Dha shot right back. He positioned his featureless form so that we were face to face.

  “We know how you all act and we are just entertaining drama for you to watch. I am auxiliary to what is probably the most entertaining drama for the Lords right now is why you are interacting with me. It is hard to be more than blunt with you when I know you want me to entertain you like some sort of show pony.” I pointed out to him, containing my annoyance of him being so obtuse the best I could. Dha chuckled, clearly amused I wasn’t just giving him what he wanted. His sadistic streak was not something I was going to forget, nor forgive, any time when interacting with him.

  “Fair point. It is entertaining drama, but now, you have the chance to take center stage. I have an inside woman, someone with insider information and influence, able to make a miracle happen. You have somehow managed to stumble your way into a situation where you can be in the premier seat for Lord centric drama. Make no mistake Luna, you can take the stage for a solo, wild cat performance where we all will be watching with breathless anticipation.” Dha explained to me. He was so animated and energetic it was a bit off putting; the fact Dha was trying to charm and warm me up to whatever idea he had was mildly terrifying.

  “What would be in it for me? What is this worth to you? I know the kind of game you enjoy, so I do not see how that I could somehow pivot to be some drama the seven Lords would all be interested in.” I checked, curious to what Dha would say. Dha erupted in laughter with a smile stretching across his blank form; he seemed almost giddy now that I was asking about the game. In his head this was clearly the path forward to what he wanted.

  “Luna, my favorite demon, you have made a false assumption in how us Lords find entertainment. We do tend to make bets with each other for amusement, to pass the time, or make wagers to get usage from each other. It is one of the methods we use to enact our wills on our .” Dha explained to me. Well, that was information. It was scary to think how much Nyx played those kinds of games to earn to enact her malicious machinations.

  “Could you get rid of the of another Lord? Their usage or limit?” I inquired. Dha let out an irritated sigh.

  “Unfortunately, Nyx and Kron both dislike playing those games or making those kind of wagers. Kron out of disinterest and Nyx out of refusing to let anyone potentially interfere with her favorite show of Scius’s hunting campaigns.” Dha sighed in annoyance. That was disappointing, but not surprising.

  “So, this is a wager between you and the other four?” I probed, making sure I understood what he wanted.

  “No, Andel and I. Sul, Uhm, and Utol do follow along, but once they realize the tide in the game may alter they will be greatly interested. The best part is, I now have an in while Andel has eaten up his recently so he can’t stop me, and importantly you, from turning the tide in my favor. The stars have aligned for this truly golden opportunity that I cannot simply let slip away. The odds of the bet are so lopsided the payout will be huge.

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” Dha told me pointedly.

  “It sounded like you really want this. That this is something you want so badly you summoned me outside of Temple. That means this is either time sensitive or the chance for you to act is a narrow window, meaning if you want me to agree to whatever greatly benefits you, I am in the favorable negotiating position.” I broke down for him. Dha was clearly irritated that I realized that.

  “So, Luna, knowing you have a favorable negotiating position, what would you want?” Dha asked nicely. He wasn't going to play some twisted game?

  If I wanted to ask a Lord for almost anything, what would I ask for? Wait, the hardest thing to earn from a Lord: an . Which was more valuable, increasing my or an ? Dha shifted in front of me, clearly disliking where my mind went for what I wanted in the wager, or game. If I was trying to help him win a bet, he should easily be able to supply me with something that valuable. Time to test the water and see what Dha was willing to give.

  “Dha, how much could you help with improving my ?” I inquired, hoping to gauge Dha’s reaction.

  “To an extent. I am willing to give you an and clean up your a bit. Not a massive leap to the but can give you a little boost.” Dha offered. What? I blinked for several moments, stunned at the initial offer of Dha. Could I do better?

  “What do you want that you are willing to give such a massive concession to start?” I interrogated, trying to figure out what Dha was possibly going to ask me.

  “I am simply giving you the two demands you have to the most practical extent I can; no need for you to haggle me. It is a time saving measure.” Dha stated like last time he was a reasonable being the entire time.

  “Before I possibly begin saying that is my price, what do you want? What do you want from me?” I checked because there was no way Dha wasn’t up to something.

  “I feel that was a fantastic offer. You knew the two things you were torn between and I cut out the waffling and wasting time of agonizing over which to pick or pursue.” Dha deflected, clearly trying to get me to focus on the wrong thing.

  “Dha, what do you want?” I asked again, much more directly. Dha sighed as he realized I was not going to be swayed.

  “See, the bet between Andel and I involves Krahinn.” Dha began as why Dha acted the way he did now clicked.

  “ARE YOU TRYING TO GET ME KILLED?!” I roared at him, knowing Krahinn would react badly to participating in such a wager. why he’s being so generous.