[center][h1]Erisse's proposal to Michael[/h1][/center] Erisse, after some thought and more eavesdropping, decided to go to the bar, buying two strawberry milkshakes with hot fudge and an ice cream float and after taking a seat beside Michael, slid the second milkshake over to him, then said her piece. “You look down in the dumps, conquering hero,” Erisse said in a light tone, intending to joke but not mock. “Seriously, though; you and your friend fought well.” Best not to give away how much she knew, how much she had been eavesdropping on, and instead open up with a series of compliments. Michael looked over to this new girl that had decided to sit next to him, raising an eyebrow. He had no idea who she was, though he assumed she was one of the people who had been watching the spectacle he and Andras made. He then turned his head to face the other direction, as if looking for anyone else she might have been talking to. Of course, there wasn’t. Michael knew full well of that fact; it was just a sarcastic gesture. Turning back to Erisse, he folded his hands together and replied, “Well, thanks. So, what brings you to my little corner of the table?” Erisse decided to imitate the stories she had read and watched, before saying, “I noticed that you and your… friend don’t seem to be enjoying your victories much, if I may be so bold. And also that you’re worried about her, but might not want to show it to her. Am I just guessing, and if so, am I wrong?” “Figured all that out on your own, did you?” Michael asked sarcastically. Sighing, he continued, “Well, you’re not wrong. My ‘friend’, as you so eloquently put it, isn’t exactly doing too well. And of course I worry about her; it’s what friends do. But I also know and trust that she can fend for herself. After all, she’s Andras, the Demon Lady.” “Do you know where she got that name?” Erisse asked next in a smooth tone as she waited for Michael to accept the milkshake. Then she sighed and said, “I’m old enough to know how some relationships work; doesn’t hurt that I read advice columns in my spare time. I think that both you and she - She more than she lets on - are dealing with… Things you don’t want to say yet, things unspoken.” She then smiled faintly and said, “Forgive me for prying, but I think I can help, depending on what exactly you want to do for ‘Andras’.” And with that, she casually conjured up, from pure Mana, a ruby. A mundane, nonmagical ruby, but a ruby nonetheless. Then she made it vanish right in front of Michael’s eyes and then pulled out a rose; a hint at what she thought Michael’s feelings were like. Michael stared at the milkshake. While he was not above indulging himself with one every now and again, he had no idea what might’ve gone into this one before it was handed to him. For all he knew, it could’ve been drugged to make his performance worsen before his next match. So, he pushed it slightly away as he listened on to Erisse. Then came the rose. Michael’s eyes widened as he blushed, then his face contorted with anger. Raising his hand toward the flower, he discreetly drew a fine thin line of ink around the rose stem, directly above where Erisse’s fingertips held it. It would be undetectable if you were not paying attention to it. He then flicked the rose off to the side, which proceeded to snap off like a brittle twig right at the line where he drew it, and it fell to the ground. As if on cue, a person then walked by, crushing the flower underfoot as he passed by. “Listen here. I don’t know what you’re trying, but this isn’t some fairy tale where the guy always gets the girl,” Michael growled. “Andras and I…” He was going to argue further, but hesitated for a brief moment before deciding that it was a bad idea. Any argument would’ve only sounded hollow after that. “Forget it. Just say what you really came here for before my mood worsens further.” “I’m a… Let’s just say I’m a combination of a journalist, historian, recorder and professional matchmaker plus mentor,” Erisse said. “My family has been tasked by our God to ensure that the guy [i]does[/i] get the girl, or the guy gets the other guy or the girl gets the other girl. And one of my Blessings is transforming the hopes and dreams of a person I talked to, who desires something enough and is willing to put in the time, into a magical item, a capital-r Relic, which can provide a boost to their goals.” She sighed, “Thirty minutes of talking about one’s hopes and dreams and you can get a way to fulfill them, free of the usual charges. All I ask in return is that you allow me to record the story, whatever its outcome is. Oh, and keep your eye out for my brother, Kyros, if you ever hear about someone with that name…” Michael raised an eyebrow at Erisse’s proposal. A Relic that would give him a powerup? It sounded too good to be true. Of course, that also made Erisse highly suspicious in his eyes. The ruby and rose trick didn’t particularly impress Michael; he could create his own constructs with his own Blessing. However, a commotion from the arena caught his attention. One of the contenders had been sent flying by the other, smashing a table in the process. From the stunned silence of the crowd, Michael could guess that this was not a normal occurrence, which immediately put Michael on edge. Turning his attention back to Erisse, he asked, “This ‘Relic’ of yours… it won’t have any side effects or anything? Frankly, I don’t believe in this ‘Fairy Godmother’ stuff that you’re trying to be, but it seems I may have to sign a deal with the devil, and if the price is really what you say it is, then I suppose I’m willing to take a chance.” Erisse smiled and said, “No side effects; don’t worry! And thank you, Mr…” “Michael,” Michael introduced himself. “What’s your name?” he asked, extending his hand. “Erisse,” the lady said as she shook his hand, “Erisse Augusta. Nice to meet you.”