[center][h2][color=red]Tidings[/color][/h2][/center]
Diana grimaced as she discarded the last piece of her everyday clothing. The latter part of the tournament had been quite a haze, despite her good showing. The vigilantes had tried to scout her, but the whole affair had proved to be quite confusing as her body had not been her own for a while. That... being had used her like a flesh puppet, making her dance to her merry tune. She was glad she admitted she had shown herself too much as she made herself scarce. Eyeing the frilled abomination that was the cosplay dress of the most popular magical girl show, she wondered if the Moira and the comic store boss were one and same.

Speaking of the devil, here he came, barging into the dressing room for no particular reason. Diana did not batter an eyelid until she saw what he was dangling on his hand. "Forget about Descartes-chan, Reddeadelle is the new fad." He said, beady eyes staring from his foggy glasses, and portly demeanor.

"Its nothing but a few straps of leather, that is no proper clothes." Diana droned, unimpressed at his antics.

"This is what boosts sales, Diane" He never got her name right. "And you will need to do it since someone wanted you badly now in the middle of your shift."
He dangled the letter menacingly, as Diana narrowed her eyes and began to dress again. "Some privacy, please." She finally said, ice in her words as her so called boss waddled out of the dressing room. A mysterious letter and a crossed idiotic boss. Nice start for a weekend.
She walked outside, stopping for a second to process the view before her. A fancy limousine welcomed her to go inside. "Well... either Lightbringer is pulling a prank or someone is kidnapping me to do perverted things." At least it was a bit more enticing that the comic store crusty antics, so she made her way inside the vehicle.

[b][color=red]"I didn't imagine you were the type of person who entered a situation like this so… unguarded."[/color][/b] Clara said, appearing from the shade of the inside of the limo. It looked like she had been there from the beginning. [b][color=red]"Take a seat."[/color][/b]

When Diana sat down, the limo would be on its way. It wasn't going anywhere in particular. Through the back streets. Somewhere inconspicuous. This discussion didn't need to be long, but it may not necessarily be quick.

[b][color=red]"…I'm here to make you an offer."[/color][/b]  She finally said as she gazed at the buildings passing by.

"Things are seldom what they appear to be like, lady Clara." She added as she flexed her fingers, daintly illuminated lines of reinforcement being seen. Diana tilted her head as she took to the comfortable seat of the vehicle. "If you could coerce that idiot with a letter it means you are powerful, and if you could hire a limo to impress me it means you are resourceful. I am listening... my previous companion was not as amenable."

Powerful… for a comic shop owner? How amusing. It wasn't even worth watching someone like that squirm. There were so many here like Diana who didn't know their true value, or perhaps they just didn't try to reach it. People like that had always been… a target of interest, for her father, Mephisto. Clara had been the same, once upon a time.

[b][color=red]"We can provide you with all the reagents you require for your spells. Name something, and we will provide it."[/color][/b] She said. [b][color=red]"But… I do have a condition for you."[/color][/b]

"Good, because sometimes those involve human remains." Diana said as she drew a hand through her pure silver hair. "There is always one. Magic teaches you that. And it is good to know those."

Clara nodded.

[b][color=red]"I suppose it's less of a condition and more of a pre-requisite,"[/color][/b] She continued. [b][color=red]"Some rules of magic are more or less true for business as well. There's no deal without a condition, but rather than a deal, I wish this to be a continual trade."[/color][/b]

She explained. In return for providing reagents, they could also offer her a facility for research, storage, or whatever she saw fit. In return, Clara would make certain requests of Diana. Diana could refuse, but Clara would make sure any tasks were within her limits. The conditions were she would be transferred from her previous school, and she would also have to keep up with lessons at her new school like a normal student, on top of whatever Clara requested.

[b][color=red]"We'll give you these benefits if you agree to the trade, but with any trade comes the need for a show of trust. We've sent a package for you to your home, you should find some useful, hard to obtain regents inside."[/color][/b] She said.

"Hm,it's a good offer... although there is something I do not quite understand." Diana said, folding her hands neatly on her lap. "The negotiator." He paused. "You must be aware of my past with Lightbringer, and that he might be a good choice to get me join your side. Not involving me means that you either did not truly know, which is highly unlikely... or the fact that you can't trust Lightbringer... as Mephisto's dog." Diana's expression remained neutral through the entire process. " So whose idea was this... Mephisto or yours?"

Clara's eyes glowed a dangerous red, but only for a moment.

[b][color=red]"That… is not something you need to concern yourself about."[/color][/b] She said coldly.

But then she caught herself, and sighed. It wasn't necessary for her to show that emotion either. Any amount of deception would do just fine.

[b][color=red]"My father is jailed right now, if you haven't noticed. It more or less doesn't matter to him what I do even when he's around, and he's not even in a position where he can make a move, nor will he really need to."[/color][/b] She replied. [b][color=red]"Does that satisfy your curiosity?"[/color][/b]

"It does. Glad to know who is cutting my paycheck." Diana tilted her head, unfazed by the display. "Helps when there are conflicts of interest."  She added. "On another matter, continued cooperation is fine indeed, but concretion is even better... what do you need me to do and when, exactly?"

[b][color=red]"I'll be in contact when you're needed. For now, you may return to your workplace if you so desire, or you can return home. The shop owner should allow you to take the day off, if not, I'll have a stern word with him later…"[/color][/b] She said.

The limousine rolled to a stop outside of the store.

[b][color=red]"I'll assume you'll want to change back into your regular clothes first."[/color][/b] She said.

As Diana exited, Clara left some parting words.

[b][color=red]"Before I would have you enter our employ, you'll be put to the test. You may not know when it will come. It's meant to be that way."[/color][/b]

"I think i will pass. Someone who is not straightforward recruiting is not worth it."
Diana said to herself as she began to walk away towards home.

[b][color=red]"Suit yourself,"[/color][/b] Clara said.

The door of the limousine slammed shut and it sped off. Losing one opportunity wasn't much of a loss if it only cost her a box of ingredients and some time. She'd see it bear some fruit one way or another. She wouldn't know what form it would take, but it would at the very least be interesting. The last rule of the trade, it doesn't end unless you let it end.

[@AtomicNut]