[h3][center]~Chloe and the Archive~[/center][/h3]
[hr]

Scribe Xi was the first of Chloe's guests to sit down at the table, with Collector Delta following suit after making herself a cup of coffee (with cream and sugar, as per her usual preference). [color=gray]"Very well. Let's hear more about your 'lord.'"[/color] 

[color=violet]"I'm assuming you girls are acquainted with what most ignorant fools would call 'Horrors'."[/color] Chloe began, deciding to get right to the point. [color=violet]"I serve one. Well, what remains of one. Poor thing was nearly killed by an ignorant cabal of gods, but he managed to survive - if barely, by using what remained of his power to parasitize his murderer and slowly returning by feeding off of him."[/color] Pausing for a moment, Chloe reached for some of her tea, sighing tiredly. [color=violet]"I'll spare you the details, but I wish to aid and expidite this process, but it shall not be easy. You see, the creature he has parasitized is technically my patron and he is currently fighting my Lord."[/color]

Delta cooly sipped her coffee. [color=gray]"...I see. Two questions I would like answered: the first is regarding how your current 'patron' is managing to fight your lord, and how effective it has been. The second question is about what I noticed last night, in the bar. You briefly communicated with your current patron, but in a way that suggested that the connection runs deeper than mere telepathy. How aware are they of this conversation?[/color]"

[color=violet]"Reasonable questions."[/color] Chloe replied. [color=violet]"At the moment, it's been less about fighting and more about minimizing corruption. He recruited me to help heal him but I'd rather see what happens when he's either fully turned or this horror is revived."[/color] Chloe giggled in a rather amused manner. [color=violet]"As for how aware he is...normally he's constantly watching, but right about now is when he normally deep asleep, though I can't say he isn't entirely unaware. We'll be fine though - he's far too tired, old, and decrepit to really do anything."[/color]

Scribe Xi finished chewing her latest bite of pancakes, and swallowed. [color=blue]"He might not be able to do anything himself, but he could recruit others to help him if he catches on,"[/color] she pointed out. [color=blue]"If he doesn't already have others working for him."[/color]

[color=violet]"Let me assure you,"[/color] Chloe replied with a mildly dark smile. [color=violet]"He does not. I made sure of that. To put your own concerns to rest, however, even contacting me and turning me into a magical girl was quite a strain on him. I suppose he was expecting me to be a good little girl and heal him. Too bad he chose poorly."[/color]

[color=blue]"...good to know."[/color] Xi took a thoughtful sip of her orange juice. [color=blue]"So, how long have you been interested in reviving your 'lord?'"[/color]

[color=violet]"You're fishing for quite a lot of information, aren't you?"[/color] Chloe replied, idly inspecting one of her hands. [color=violet]"Does it matter how long? Just know that I am and I am willing to...help, with whatever you need as payment. As well as information, since that is your entire scheme, isn't it?"[/color] Sitting up straight and smiling, she continued, holding up two fingers. [color=violet]"So lets talk business. I need two things. I can not subdue that dragon myself.  The moment I'd try, I'd lose the benefits I have as a patron and I am no match for such a thing. Secondly, I'd need help finding a way to fully revive my Lord. Souls, so far, seem like a good candidate but they're nothing more than something to stabilize him. What I can offer in return...is well, you get a cranky old dragon to research on and collect information form. He's quite old. I'm sure you could pick his brain easily. Especially useful since he has killed a number of horrors before. And...I'll lend you my services."[/color]

Scribe Xi speared another chunk of pancake with her fork. [color=blue]"Just trying to get an idea of the situation, such as how long you've been attempting this and what you're tried already, before we commit to a deal. [/color]" She placed the syrupy piece into her mouth, and consumed it. [color=blue]"But you make a good point,"[/color] she said.

Collector Delta looked at Chloe with a peculiar interest in her eyes. [color=gray]"Offering him to us as payment. This is presuming the method of you 'lord's' revival does not kill your 'patron.' And what sort of services would you offer?"[/color] 

[color=violet]"Hmm...whether or not it kills the dragon is up to however we do It. You'd first need to find a way for him to live without feeding off of the Dragons soul."[/color] Chloe smiled. [color=violet]"As for my services...well. If you accept this deal and I lose the dragon as a Patron...I'll be out of work. I can help you girls with whatever it is you need or want. Information gathering. Taking care of problems your 'Archive' needs. Wouldn't be the first time I've ever done such a thing. As well my Lord would be quite grateful for the assistance. He would probably be willing to return the favor."[/color]

Delta inclined her head slightly. [color=gray]"We would need to confirm these terms with our superiors before formally accepting them. Your terms seem to be equally beneficial to both our parties, so far... however, we would need to know more about the nature of your 'lord,' such as their name."[/color]

[color=blue]"It would help us convince the Council, as well as help us understand how best to go about reviving him,"[/color] Xi said. [color=blue]"No offense, but what you've told us about your 'lord' so far has been vague."[/color] 

[color=violet]"Can you blame me for being cautious?"[/color] Chloe replied. [color=violet]"You are still unknowns. You could help, but you could also use this information to his detriment."[/color] Reaching into her dress, Chloe retrieved one of her crystals. A black hue that seemed to somehow suck in the light around it, as though one was staring into a void. The gem pulsed softly with arcane energy.

[color=violet]"Cxatha. This should tell you anything you need."[/color] She passed the crystal towards Delta and Xi for them to insepct. [color=violet]"A Crystal made with his remaining power."[/color]

[color=blue]"Cxatha,"[/color] Scribe Xi said, as if testing the name on her tongue. She lifted her gaze from the crystal to look at Chloe. [color=blue]"No, you have every right to be cautious. We only met yesterday."[/color]

Collector Delta gently picked up the crystal, and carefully opened her Third Eye.

As Delta observed the crystal, she'd likely immediately wish she didn't take it. The chaotic energy swirled, pulsed in odd rythyms, humming a disconcerting sound as though someone was running nails across a chalkboard. The gem felt warm in her hands. Worse, was the fact that the energy the crystal was giving off was trying to latch itself onto Delta in a seeming effort to drain her of whatever magical ability she had. Thankfully for her, it was not a strong force and easily resisted unconciously.

[color=violet]"Careful. Its the most powerful shard I have. He's trying to...recollect himself."[/color]

[color=gray]"Duly noted."[/color] Delta calmly placed the crystal back onto the table, her expression neutral. [color=gray]"This crystal... should this agreement get approved by our superiors, it is likely that the research and experimentation involved will require multiple samples. Not only to better obtain an understanding of what sources of energy your lord would respond favorably to, but as to ensure accurate results from our findings."[/color]

[color=violet]"Unfortunately,"[/color] Chloe sighed. [color=violet]"It took me three months just to make five, carefully growing them. One of which I've already used, another two I have plans for. If you want more samples it's going to be a little...time consuming."[/color]

Collector Delta was quiet for a moment. [color=gray]"...understood. We can clarify those circumstances when that question is asked. We may also need knowedge of how these are currently being synthesized."[/color]

[color=violet]"Well we'll cross that bridge when we get there."[/color] Chloe replied, standing up. [color=violet]"So, unless you girls have anything else that needs answered...well, you know where the door is."[/color]

Collector Delta rose from her seat. [color=gray]"At the moment, we have all the information we need in order to ask for the approval."[/color]

[color=blue]"Though we should exchange our contact information before we leave,"[/color] Scribe Xi also got up. [color=blue]"Would you rather have call you, or contact you by blog messaging?"[/color]

[color=violet]"Hm, this place doesn't get internet and I do not...own a computer."[/color] Chloe replied, reaching for a piece of paper. [color=violet]"No cell reception either. I do have a phone, however. Here,"[/color] She quickly wrote her number. [color=violet]"Of course, I may not answer immedaitely, but if it's urgent you can usually find me enjoying some time flying."[/color] Showing Delta and Xi out of her apartment, Chloe quickly checked her phone. A reply from Penny. Wonderful. Now she just had to go 'acquire' this new friend she mentioned and today would be going quite well...

The door to the dimensional apartment vanished behind the two girls, leaving them standing in an alleyway. There was an odd scorch mark on the ground and a rusty series of drag marks leading away from it into a wall. [color=blue]"That went well,"[/color] Scribe Xi said. [color=blue]"Let's head back and make that proposal."[/color]

Collector Delta nodded, and glanced at a nearby patch of wall. A moment passed before the bricks fell away, revealing a tunnel dimly lit by torches. They passed through the mouth, and the entrance vanished behind them.