Consequences Of a Busy Day

Seccessus Solum Luciel POV (MC):

My heavy eyelids once more. Luckily, in a room far more decorated than the one the day before. Looking at the gold decorated walls and the high quality wooden tables, I quickly came to the conclusion that I've returned to the Talvit estate.

The smell of the room is quite pungent. Many candles burn giving some herbal scent, my movements are rather sluggish. Perhaps some aftereffects of the treatment the day prior or maybe the scented candles have another purpose.

Continuing looking around the room, I see a familiar red skinned gambling devil fiddling around with some dices and cards. He seems surprisingly focused for someone with a heavy cup of liquor in his hands.

"Ashmodai." I call out towards the seated devil. His head turns at my call as his typical sly smile appears once more.

"My friend, you've quite the habit of being unconscious these days." Ashomdai says, handing the cup filled with liquor over to me.

"Something less strong would probably be more advisable." I respond, not in a reprimanding tone, just one stating facts.

"Do you want something less strong?"Ashmodai asks, not bothered in the slightest.

"No." I reply before drinking the strong liquor. The liquor is clearly not from the Talvit estate, seeing that the taste does not do the amount of alcohol justice.

"Where did you get this?" I ask slightly surprised by the low quality liquor.

"It's one of the cheapest drinks one can buy in the taverns. Taste is quite frankly not the main reason why it gets sold." Ashmodai responds, seemingly analyzing me to some extent.

"Do you like it?" I ask, deciding to make some small talk before I'm going to start asking any meaningful questions.

"The taste? Not really, it just brings back memories." He answers in calm manner.

"That checks out." I respond, knowing that we met in a tavern and quite frankly he would probably still be sitting there if I didn't exist.

A short silence falls between us, I finish the rest of the cup of liquor before starting my interrogation.

"So, what's going?" I ask in calm tone, not showing any sign of impatience or urgency.

"Like you can see, your room has been filled with narcotic candles. We heard that your treatment was successful, but also took a lot out of you."

"Narcotic candles?" I ask, looking for some further explanation.

"They're meant to calm you down, Ergillaz organized it."

"How potent?" I ask wondering if this could be why my movements feels so sluggish.

"The amount of narcotics circulating in this room could probably knock out a smaller fire basilisk." Ashmodai responds, giving me a comparison that doesn't really help.

"So, why are you here, then?"

"I've been roaming taverns since I can remember, believe me when I say that I've experienced every narcotic that exists."

"Your immune?"

"Resistant would be more fitting." Ashmodai replies, correcting my assumptions.

"Is there anything else that I should know?" I ask, looking intently at Ashmodai, making sure that I can spot any lies. Which considering Ashmodai's specialities might be a futile effort.

"Ergillaz told me to give you something, when you woke up."

"What is it?" I ask, my curiosity peaked.

Ashmodai does not reply with words, rather, he walks towards the table where he was seated before. At its side lies a wrapped gift with a message attached.

The message reads as followed:

I've taken care of the situation yesterday. Word will not spread out, and assurances have been made. In the gift, you can find a magically engrave pipe. It should increase the effectiveness of consuming narcotics. It's normal to feel some lingering effects, if you ever feel yourself losing rationality due to pain or any other treatment related symptoms you can use the pipe as some form of medication.

Yes, it can also be used to smoke narcotics and other "fun" herbs. I simply would like to remind you that you're still contracted to fight whenever needed. Being stoned is not a legitimate claim to not fight, and I will severely hurt you if this situation were to ever occur.

Under no circumstances give this to Ashmodai, I packed it up for a reason. Leaving it with him and the places he visits will only decrease its value and allow the possibility of diseases festering upon the pipe.

A steady recovery (don't take too long, it's still unsure when Anima and Ulthris will show up.).

Ergillaz Talvit

***

Having read Ergillaz, his message that contains an appropriate amount of worry and threats. I open the gift wrap in a needlessly elegant manner. The pipe is unveiled, it looks rather simple compared to what I'm used to in this estate. Still, it has its own charm. The wood is sturdy and very smooth lined, the darker brown coloring mixed with grayish white gives the pipe some contrasts without screaming attention. The runes engraved for the enchantment are very small, and one would really have to look for them to notice them. Still, some runic engraftments are being used as a base where the shades have been darkened. I'm not quite sure if that hides the runes better or simply draws more attention.

A pouch of herbs and some other narcotics were also wrapped u in the gift. Its purpose is rather clear, and taking a quick whiff of its scent made it quite clear that they're quite potent.

Looking at my side, Ashmodai eyes glimmer with a child like excitement. He hasn't asked me anything, but it's quite clear that he wants it and is basically telepathically asking me if he can.

"No." I answer in a firm tone, almost like when you train a dog.

"Are you sure?" He asks, trying his best to look like someone who's quite innocent. Simply making me more suspicious about Ashmodai's habits and general lifestyle.

"Orders from above." I reply, shoving the letter in his arms and thus shifting responsibility to Ergillaz.

Ashmodai drops his innocent facade, seeing the words written under the letter. Some quiet curse words can be heard as he mutters under his breath.

"If you don't mind leaving, I'm going to wash up and make my way down." I announce, shoving the still annoyed and distracted Ashmodai out of my room.