Negotiation

Hearing how this man who is, officially, still not a member talk so casually about beating up a lieutenant of one of the Evolver divisions-the main fighting force of E.S.O.P was a both amusing and annoying to Safir.

" Are you satisfied now?"

" No, I still need to be compensated for the way you imprisoned me. You didn't even tell me anything, just chucked me in there and then immediately brainwashed me, I see the police treat criminals on the street with more care, you know."

Listening to Bultear's blatant extortion Safir smiled even more brightly.

" You are being really difficult, normal criminals on the street cannot breathe fire or shape shift. I think the way we were with you was logical relative to the potential danger you represented."

" So? I'm in no way unreasonable, when you saw that I killed that Krell guy, you didn't retaliate, nor did you imprison me again. Which means you realized something about me that's important to you. So, you need to placate me to get me to cooperate with you, as such I believe a proper cooperation works best when the grievances of the past are resolved before taking the next step."

" Quite the negotiator you are...*haha*... fine, no need to be so serious, we are halfway partners already. Tell me what you want as compensation for these relatively minor grievances."

" Money and a house."

" What?"

" You heard me, money and a new place to live in."

" How much money?"

" Five platinum Koins."

" Impossible, you also want a house on top of that. Do you want to be the one of the elites of Sepurnum?"

" Yes."

" My bottom line; I give you ten gold Koins and after three successful missions you get a house. Do not get too greedy, the pay in E.S.O.P is one of the highest in Sepurnum-on average, regular members get ten gold Koins a month, second to fifth seats get a raise of further ten gold Koins depending on what seat they are. The captains get a massive one platinum Koin per month. You are guaranteed wealth by simply working for us.

" Fine by me."

' He quickly agreed to that... I understand.... he purposefully gave such a ridiculous demand; he knew I was not going to accept. So that when I countered with a lower offer it would be the one, he actually wanted. This way he made me give an offer that I might have rejected had it been from him.'

Realizing this, coupled with the careful and smart way Bultear had been acting, forced Safir to revaluate him.

" I am glad we were able to get to an agreement smoothly. Now the truce has concrete base upon which it stands."

" One more thing Mr. director, we mustn't forget an important thing..."

" That is?"

" I'm not done. We went through all the problems E.S.O.P caused one by one except one, you Mr. Safir."

" Me?"

" Indeed, aren't you the leader? The leader is responsible for the actions of his subordinates, is he not?"

" You need compensation from me directly? If you ask for more money I will lock you up."

" Wouldn't be the first time."

Safir really did not expect for Bultear to be so overbearing but on closer look his experienced eyes could see it.

'Even though he is of importance to me, he has no actual idea how or why. He might have some guesses, but it is not anything concrete. I see it in his eyes and posture, he is not as forceful as in the beginning, he realizes himself that he is going overboard, he might be acting calm, but I see it. He is testing the waters to see just how much how much I am willing to concede and through that ascertain his importance in my eyes. Clever, no harm in playing along.'

" That is indeed true, pray tell, what do you think I should do?"

' He's going along with it? I'm either extremely important to the point that he's willing to bend over backwards to please me, or he saw through me and is in return testing me to see the type of person I am. This is a pivotal moment. I was able to negotiate for the amount of money that I wanted successfully even though he probably saw through my little trick.'

" One single favor, that's all I need."

At his words Safir's brows arched in question.

"A favor.... I can agree to that, no problem. Anything else?"

"No, with this I have no more grievances with E.S.O.P."

"I am truly glad we were able to solve our problems in one conversation, we do have a lot of work on our hands."

"Me as well."

" Later today, a member of the 3rd division will come to pick you up, so that your training can start."

With a move of his hand, Safir stood up and shook Bultear's hand. Bultear's quick steps resounded as he exited the highly decorated room, leaving Safir alone to his thoughts and wine. While thinking he gently took a sip.

' What a clever guy. To think that he would use this chance to both gain benefits and try to gleam clues on me, his situation and the connection between the two. He had no way of knowing my personality, how I would react to his demands, so he used a combination of his instincts, his observations of my body language and the current situation to create an educated gamble wherein he was not too forceful nor too meek. Maybe as he has Evolver ability that helps. A simple janitor...dies comes back to life... the Weeping Heart he gained after killing Krell... now a skilled negotiator and apt at diplomacy.... I wonder what more he has in store for me.'

Finishing the glass of wine in his hand he stood up, walked to the sizable mirror in the center of the room gazing at the bright sun, Safir narrowed his eyes and simply smiled.