A Word...

[Serenity]

Grayson only raised a curious brow as Alex brought up catgirls and ratmen, obviously knowing he was talking about something specific, yet didn't seem to know what exactly at that moment. However, knowing that the magic knight incident wasn't exactly kept hush, it wouldn't take long for him to put two and two together.

"You're walking on thin wood here, Ravenhurst. Don't start nothing you can't finish. Otherwise, you have none to blame but yourself if things get ugly, and they will. The places and situations my men end up in, well, I can't expect them to be responsible for your safety or any of the people you decide to risk."

At first it didn't seem to matter to Quick if Alex was leaving or not, content with leaving the Noctis leader with that egg to sit on. He began to pour himself another rum before saying something else.

"Tell Neko to keep those cards nice and warm for me would you? In her back pocket preferably so I know where to stick my hand in."

[Alexander]

::Alexander turns back to look at Quick with a smirk.::

"Ah, so finally a bit of truth breaks free from the wall you attempt to hide it behind.

And in exchange I shall share some of my own. Neko is under my care. My request for information was truely that, for I wish to know what she has become immersed in.

You choose not to assist me, and that is fine. To be honest, I did not expect you to. A shame, really, refusing to aide the one man in this town that may have been able to assist you with you...condition.'

::His eye travels to Quick's chest with a knowing look.::

"I do not care for your pursuits of these Cards, but for one exception.

Neko.

You will not raise a hand against her, in malice or theft, not that it would do you much good at this point.

Missives have been sent. Plans already in motion. Should Neko or myself so much as contract a sniffle or lose a shoe, a hefty bounty will be placed upon your head, and that of your men. Enough to turn every man and woman against you.

You leave her alone, and I shall do the same for you. A cease fire, if you will.

Am I understood?

Give Death my regards, when She comes calling in Her favors...

::With that he pauses only a moment to study the reaction to his words before turning once more for the door.::

[Serenity]

Quick only smirked as his little jab at Neko revealed her relationship with Alex to him, an exploit the Captain might make use of in the future if given the opportunity and Neko knew much about how underhanded the Captain could be in his dealings.

Grayson didn't seem to care that Alex knew about his condition, he'd be surprised if the Noctis leader missed that little involuntary light show a few moments ago. He rubbed the area above his heart before pouring himself another glass to gulp in one go.

"A cease fire? Where the hell do you get off insinuatin' we're at war. You come on my boat, put my man in the water for doing his job, and then come in here making threats like you hold all the cards."

Suddenly, Grayson rises from his desk and grabs the end of it before throwing it violently to the side so hard it breaks through the wall and falls into the ocean. All four of his arms were unfolded and looked ready to tear Alex's limbs off at the sockets.

"If there's anyone who should be starting fights here it's me you sunava bitch. Your damned kitten got herself into this mess when she took that card off me and it's no sweat of mine if she gets herself killed over it."

His lip trembled a bit at saying that, alcohol infused anger ridden all over his face.

"Oh she already did," his tone low and dark, "And I only hope you're the one who draws. Now get the hell off my ship."

[Alexander also knows that the curse placed on Grayson is very hard to remove, the only known methods being doing as the Mistress of Death commands, having her remove it voluntarily, or somehow gaining Galena's favor and have her remove her sister's spell.]

[Alexander]

::Alexander stood firm. His expression like something carved from stone, was but a well practiced mask hiding the thoughts and actions beneath. The Captain was a threat, that was sure. And like a wild animal, one show of weakness could send it snapping at you.

But he was not a fool, and he was reaching for the darkness about him. Not calling it to respond, but simply prepping it. Gathering focus should things turn violent.

When he spoke, his voice was calm and cold as usual.::

"Are you quite done with your tantrum, Captain? I am not sure such actions are wise for a man in your...condition. I do not know what Death has asked of you, but I doubt the destruction of furniture was a part of it.

I am not insinuating there is war brewing between our factions. I am actually trying to avoid such. However, if you had even the faintest hope that you actions towards my daughter would go unnoticed or without consequence, then I fear Neko has gravely overestimated your intellect. Perhaps if you had friends or family of your own, you would better understand. I may not hold all the Cards. Only fools think they do. But I do have a few...

Your face betrays the truth of your words, Quick. To paraphrase the words of another man, 'I doth think you protest too much'. It seems to me that you care more for the fallout from these Cards than you let on. Though I could be wrong.

You protest Neko's actions in taking the Card from you, but think about it. What reason have you given her to trust that you would not abuse it?

None.

My proposal from before still stands. A truce, and offer of cooperation. Shared knowledge and a common goal to see that these Cards are never used for ill.

By anyone..."

[Serenity]

As soon as Alexander brought up that Neko was his daughter, Quick seemed to have calmed down as he stared blankly at the Nocturn Master. In that instance, the Captain seemed to ignore everything else that Alexander was saying as deep thought eclipsed his eyes.

And then he laughed.

"BAhahahaha, your daughter? Hahahahaha." the laugh was so uproarious that he had to catch himself against the wall to prevent falling. Clearly the man was drunk, or really found this fact hilarious.

A minute had to pass before the Captain could clear the water from his eyes and look Alexander straight in the face again.

"You realize she's a Cathian, right? Do you have a tail I can't see or were you so impotent that your lady love sought something warm and fuzzy under the sheets?"

[Alexander]

::Alexander fumed behind the practiced mask he showed the world. The Captain's laughter more than his insults had begun to get to him and he was of a mind to cut their conversation short before it began to break through.

Insulting himself, he could take. The man would just pay for it later. However, making a mockery of his family was another matter.

With a soft sigh to collect his thoughts, he replied back with the same measured tone he had been able to maintain so far.::

"Are you quite done, Captain?

Calling her Cathian shows just how little you know of her. And of myself.

I promise you that I am not one to be crossed lightly. When you come calling to collect on what you no doubt consider you're personal safety deposit box, I will be waiting. And remember...

...it was you that turned me down.

You had your chance. Death may just get you before She intended, nuch to her satisfaction. Assuming it was a barter to spare you from the fate Neko last saw you in, I fear it may have been a wasted effort on your part."


::He turned again to show his back to the Captain and headed for the door.::

[Serenity]

The chuckling soon came to an end as Quick watched Alexander turn his back on him, not bothering with any more smart remarks. The laughter seemingly got him to sober up a bit as his eyes became more focused and teemed with an idea.

"I'd watch out for the rat if I were you, it has a one-up on all of us. I would keep all the cards on your person at all times."

One of the rogues under Quick's command suddenly flew in through the hole her Captain made, "We heard your diabolical laughter, sir, did you kill the...oh."

Quick held up a hand for the young backstabber to sheath the blade she had reached for. "Everything's alright, our guest was just taking off. Weren't you now?"

[Alexander]

::He paused for just a moment as he addressed, first the rogue, then Quick himself.::

"Better men than he have tried, m'lady, and were found...wanting.

"I appreciate the advice, Captain, and will offer a bit of my own.

Becareful the bonds you make, for all to often you'll find youself in a prison of your own design."

::And with that, he stepped out the door.::

[Serenity]

Several days ago...

After an hour of desperate combat, hydra finally collapsed to the ground along with its master who only grinned as his muscles gave way. If Quick wanted to be remembered for anything, it's that he actually did laugh in Death's face.

He felt the chill allover his body as the lich approached him, their bony fingers reaching out to take hold of his soul.

Just as Grayson accepted his fate, he felt an intense cold that immediately turned into a burning sensation on his chest. One of the liche imprinted his hand over Quick's heart and a dark magic began to take hold,

"You are a powerful soul, Quick Grayson, our mistress acknowledges you."

Quick couldn't respond back as he tried to resist the intense pain and not cry out louder than he had to.

"You who seeks the cards of Solomon, the last mortal to inflict great insult on my mistress, must now hunt down they who would draw from the deck. Slay the fool as they draw from the deck then pierce our card, which houses a portion of Death's power, and release it. Only then will your contract be fulfilled, or face an early grave."

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