“No asafoetida?”
“Taco Bell’s drive-thru is open 24 hours, you know.”
“That’s a myth! And I’d like it to remain as such. The things you humans put in your bodies, I just don’t know nor want to.”
“Hang on, lemme scratch ‘fucking an incubus’ off my bucket-list.”
“Hello, Black Jack.”
“Hello, Malphas.”
“You were looking for me?”
“In my way, yes.”
“You found me. For what have I earned your delightful presence?”
“Oh Malphas, you’re so cute when you’re being a snide bastard.”
“he-he-he-he”
“I’m officially declaring my willingness to be the Ace of Swords in this partnership you are brokering.”
“But you know nothing.”
“Indeed.”
“You’re walking in blind.”
“Indeed.”
“And you are still willing?”
“I am. I have nothing you can’t snatch, Malphas. Your very tell to me reminds me each time we meet. If you wanted to take something from me, you would have taken it by now. You know which games I am a game piece in. You know my nature and the effect I have on the fields I am deployed. You are not careless. You are methodical, calculating, and patient. You know the best way to use my nature is to support it, and by supporting it, I mean supporting me. Shit that goes against me, fails. Not necessarily by my hand, but it fails. Shit that goes with me, prospers. You have a stake in this partnership. You are not going to risk a failure unless you need that failure. And if you needed a failure, you’re going to choose someone other than me. Therefore, it is safer for me to go ahead and agree to this, than not.”
“…”
“…”
“Black Jack. I really like you. You’re not as easy to manipulate as you once were, but playing you is so much fun. Your face is not angry?”
“Malphas. You’re one of the Goetia. You’re a high ranking bastard that has had to deal with one of the most fucked up political spheres since the Universe was created. You have to run with drama-whores, drama-queens, and drama-madams. According to legend, your CEO created you just to take a flaming shit on you and use you and your brethren as scapegoats when he could not take full control of everything as he wanted. Of course you are manipulating me! You’re just using words and gentle enticements instead of beating me with searing hot rods. That’s the game!”
“Oh. Oh my. Yes. Fully aware and you are still agreeing? Yes. Yes, this is good. However, you have arrived too soon!”
“What?”
“The Ace of Chalices has not agreed to the partnership, yet.”
“Does the Ace of Chalices know it is me?”
“No. And I prefer they remain ignorant of you until they make up their mind.”
“Well, that rules out Tumblrites.”
“Hah. Yes. The Ace of Chalices is a non-corporeal being. Usually. They are having their own crisis of faith.”
“Then why the sudden rush for introductions before?”
“Because that is how the game is played.”
“Ah. Okay. Well. Wait too long, Malphas, and I might rescind my offer. And if you catch me when I’m in the Pit, or in the foulest of moods, random shit will happen randomly.”
“Noted. I will take that into consideration. Anything else you wish to discuss, Black Jack?”
“Why ‘Black Jack’?”
“Oh, look at the time! Gotta go. Nice talking with you… Black Jack.”