[Open]

[spellcollect]

[ Frieren's mind opens up; as before, on the surface it's a calm, smooth pond. She's not quite used to this, so the connection (at first) is a touch tentative and then as she feels her way forward it opens more until she thinks she's finally ready. ]

I have a question for all of you. And you may consider it a simple matter of curiosity; I won't take offense at being ignored.

[ There's a pause, as if she's collecting her thoughts. ]

How many of you are long-lived species? Or long-lived by virtue of who you are? My kind are rare, even in my world, so I can't assume others will be particularly more common here, at the end of the universe.

[ It's an open question. ]

Comments

[spellcollect]

[ The sensation is not so much hatred as it is the sense one gets when they see something unpleasant they're going to have to deal with. ]

Yes; I cannot call them common anymore, but they're a presence in the world.

[ She can maintain conversation with him just fine, but there's a greater sense of distance than before. Almost detached. ]

They're universally cruel beings, interested in conquest and preying on other creatures.

[cutlery]

[ It’s at least no something that seems to bother him in the slightest. He continues along just as cooly and even a little bit cheerfully. ]

Ah, the usual, then… Indeed, it is a characterization I would not disagree with, largely. Presumably, that is why our realm was kept very separate from that of mortals. We are not even uncommon there, but more a matter of myth, in fact! Summoning us is very complicated, so even a very motivated person usually did not manage.

[ The “but” is easy to hear in his tone for the first part, so he continues. ]

All I would take issue with is “universally”. I have no interest in conquest whatsoever. That is an ambition of younger demons. And prey, well… I feed on people, true, but I do not do so freely. I like mortals, after all, so I only take what is given. Overindulgence is not my preference.

[ He chuckles, and there’s the emotional equivalent of a shrug. ]

All at my word, of course, so I shall take no offense if you do not believe it.

[spellcollect]

[ He's from a very different place, as far as she's concerned. The whole idea of a separate realm for demons is admittedly strange to her. But she doesn't see much daylight between him and the demons from her own home. Which is to say he's still something cruel and predatory. ]

I don't.

[ She's rather upfront about that. ]

Demons use speech to lull humans into a false sense of security.

[cutlery]

[ He’s amused at her taciturn responses already, since, really, how novel at this point! He’s so often treated with curiosity rather than suspicion. ]

Well, guilty as charged. I would argue that it is not completely false. More a preemptive measure because my ilk are generally so lacking in manners that a reputation precedes me.

[ A deserved one, at least somewhat… He’s better behaved, but he’s still dangerous. ]

I have been in Kenos long enough that I take no offense should you wish to inquire about my activities here. I do hope my cooking comes at high recommendation, though.

[spellcollect]

That you've been tolerated is problematic.

[ Still cool; there might be anger in there somewhere, but it's more as if she's trying to deal with a particularly persistent pest than anything. ]

I'll have to deal with you, if no one else well.

[cutlery]

Will you, now?

[ His tone is still polite and casual, but there's perhaps a little sharper attention, but it's mostly curiosity. ]

And how, pray tell, would you plan to do that?

[spellcollect]

I'll have to kill you.

[ As casual as if she were discussing the weather. ]

[cutlery]

My, my. That is a bold thing to suggest, and so casually.

[ He's certainly not bothered by it, at least. His tone does shift away from casual and cheerful, but it's still calm and at ease. ]

If you feel you must, then I imagine I shall not argue you out of the position. But it is unwise.

[spellcollect]

No more unwise than letting you live.

[ She has opinions about demons.

Most of them negative. ]

Have you been pretending to be a friend to some of these people?