Sigil: The City of Doors

"Unless there is something else you wish to discuss." He said with a raised eyebrow and looked at the three of you expectingly.

She frowned a little, not really understanding why he would react that way to her being with the Godsmen, but the moment passed. Then she was just left considering how to make things most difficult for his schedule, not coming up with anything and deciding that it was petty and childish anyhow. A sigh followed.

"I guess that means we're being dismissed now?"

"And I hope you understand that I am with the Fated; we do not renege on a deal once made." He says and looks to his other children. "Especially when there is something to be gained from it. And my gain is to know what has happened with you three, so you have something over me that I cannot gain thru my own resources or effort." He looks insulted at the accusation. "Godsmen...of [i]course [/i]you would end up there." He rolled his eyes and grunts. "Send me a message once you have established the location and I will make a effort to arrange my schedule enough to join you. I would prefer it before the end of the month, please."

Your siblings just sort of shrug and look at you, your brother looking right at you and rolls his eyes. "[size=85]What a pill he is...[/size]"

She kind of hated this. The whole 'trying to paint himself as the victim here' routine, like *she* had been the unreasonable one. Granted, there were lots of fathers who were far less deserving of the title than he, but that didn't mean he was blameless either! Still, how could she refuse this offer? Especially when it might help her newfound siblings?

"Okay, fine... but just so you know, I'm with the Believers now, and that's how it's going to stay. You can't 'deprogram' me or anything like that. And I want you to answer their questions," she thumbed over to malady and zelos, "You learn what's been happening to them and me these past years, and they get their answers. That's *fair*."

"Yes, yes. And then use the angels to transport them to favorable markets for a massive profit and ability to save on labor costs..." He says, but then pauses. "I was being snarky with that, but if we could [i]actually [/i]make that happen..." He strokes his beard considering. "No, I merely wish to know about the years I have missed out on and would prefer to do so in a more amicable setting. I [i]may[/i] suggest deals, of course, but you are under no obligation to do anything with them. I'll even let you pick the location, if it will put you all at ease, though I would humbly ask to avoid the Lower & Hive wards. That just adds unneeded stress on the guards."

Malady and Zelos sort of shrug, not really sure what to do about the offer. "I mean..." Zelos says... "It's not like we have any leads.."

"Lunch?" She was clearly skeptical that that's all it was, "And then you spring the proposition on them, right? Something like opening up a trade route to the mountain so you can corner the market on silver sea fish imports or something."

She had no doubt that if he attempted to open up trade with any of the non-chaotic celestial planes by himself or via one of their half-siblings, that they'd rebuff him right quick.

[quote=Sings-With-Purpose post_id=6065 time=1692481382 user_id=52]
"See, I *told* you," she throws her hands up, frustrated as she was.
[/quote]

"Well, I am the enemy of your story, remember?" He says with a raised eyebrowl. Your other two siblings look equally as frustrated with him as you are. "We're on Mt. Celestial doing good works, so we're not exactly rolling in money." Zelos says, looking at him dead eyed.

"I gathered you weren't. If you stayed with me, perhaps that would be different. Jink and power offer many opportunities to do 'good works'. Still, I have no interest in the pocket change you have. Instead....I would like to have lunch with you. Yes, [i]including[/i] you, Eidiya."

"See, I *told* you," she throws her hands up, frustrated as she was.

"Still a stubborn child, no matter how young you still look." He shakes his head. "You've already decided to paint me the villain in this tale, so explaining my reasoning for my actions would be wasted of breath." There's a moment's break within his voice, but he clears his throat. "[i]Fine[/i], if you wish for me to play the red dragon for this [i]diluted [/i]tale of yours you tell yourself so that your songs sell a few more drinks at a dive Tavern in the Hive, rather than living up your true potential, then I take the role [b]happily[/b]. It is the price I must pay for having tried to save you from yourself, so I just stand here and twirl my moustache in front of you while I tell you of my evil schemes in a pointlessly long monologue."

There is a long moment of awkward silence between the lot of you before he sighs deeply and looks at your sister. "What is you wish to know, Amalthea."

She looks at Sings and her brother before looking at her father. "You remember my name?"

"I will never forget my children."

"Yes, well...mom's no longer with us...and she never got a chance to explain some things about our heritage or her family. We wanted to know more about her. Is that something you can help us with?"

He nods his head. "I may be able to. It is something I, myself, have looked into some time ago. The question is the cost; Takers do nothing for free, after all, not even for their children, [i]ungrateful[/i] as some of them are. What are you willing to give in exchange for this information?"

"Apologize?" She knew what he was like, but in the years that had passes she'd had occasional doubts. Maybe it had all been her imagination; maybe it hadn't been as bad as she remembered things. Maybe teenage rebellion had clouded her judgements. It would've been nice, if she could've come back to find out everything had just been a misunderstanding, and they could all be a big happy family.

But no. He squashed that idle hope right quick.

"And *what* would I be apologizing for? You literally tried to have me... to have me brainwashed! Couldn't accept I wanted something different out of life than to... to what... what did you even want for me? Be another hells cursed jinktender? Give people a radiant celestial smile so they'll sign on the dotted line quicker?"

She sighed, then took another deep breath.

"No, we're here... because of my siblings. Who you *could've* at least told me about, you know. But... well... they have some questions for you. And I think you owe them some answers."

At that she looked toward Malady.