Page Seven (it liiiives!)

"Oh. As to that. I haven't the slightest clue. Maybe someone as lucky and imperfect that I might avoid feeling lonely. At least I would have someone to crack jokes with when things go awry," he said in a casual, almost jovial tone... but it had such gravity. "But of course that would suggest companions are an item and I cannot have that. Perhaps I would ask for happiness."

Counting people as objects or commodities wasn't a particularly unusual idea to Red. And when talking about a goddess to whom everyone probably counted as a plaything... well.

He did nothing but listen. If by any chance he was going "awww, woobie" deep down, and we aren't saying he was, that was nobody's business but his own.

"I've heard of gods who in such a case would be likely to turn the one asking into a perpetually cheerful, gibbering half-wit," Nico said thoughtfully. She was frowning, genuinely worried. That was not a fate she'd wish on her worst enemy.

"Why, I think you've just described me," Sebastian said happily and quenched his thirst.

Nico raised an eyebrow. "So you're a minor god? May I ask of what?"

There was a sparkle in her eyes and a smile on her lips, but if it was amusement about a willful misunderstanding or delight about an interesting meeting was anyone's guess.

A smirk. "If I were a god, I would be a minor demigod of small fortunes and gambling. Perhaps with a bit of gardener saint in the mix, if you will." He took another sip. "I was more referring to my status as a perpetually cheerful, gibbering half-wit."

Another smirk. "Is this where I'm supposed to say, 'You seem far to eloquent to be called a half-wit'?"

His expression was one of feigned shock. "Gods, you're right. All my life spent in futile half-wittery..."

"I guess there's worse things than being bad at being stupid."

Sebastian just laughed.

Nico shrugged and returned to her food, which wanted to be eaten before it got cold.

Shii on the other hand was ominously silent. There was a matchmaking light in her eyes, but not that many people would recognize it as such.

"Have you ever met 'er personally?" she asked, finally speaking up again even if it wasn't necessarily a topic she expected an honest answer to in company.

"Frankly, I don't see happiness as being an item either", she added as an afterthought.

"I haven't, no. And I suppose happiness isn't an item: happiness itself does not care to be thought of as an item, though, as it's not alive. One cannot enslave happiness, but one can enslave people - and that's treatment I object to, firmly or ferociously depending on the enslaving party." Sebastian paused to chew on something. "Bothersome, words."

Red looked uncomfortable for a moment, then appeared to decide he was being oversensitive and shrugged it off, continuing to watch the banter. It was more enjoyable without the pressure of taking part in it himself.

When anyone swiped at his employers, they struck at Weft's identity; his very soul. Still. Sebastian probably hadn't even been thinking of him with that remark, and besides, Weft's organisation was really very different to how some bleeding hearts might view it. None of their agents would have considered himself enslaved. They'd laugh at the idea.

Nico was not sure if she should continue, but it was one of those cases where a hypothetical problem had caught her attention.

"One possibility might be asking to meet someone with a compatible personality - I mean so that both of you would likely enjoy each other's company - and see what happens. If there's the choice of either sticking around or leaving, I wouldn't consider it slavery." She raised her eyebrows and tilted her head regretfully. "On the other hand, there are people who would call that objectionable manipulation."

An interesting dilemma indeed.

He blinked a few times, looking blank, and then suddenly smiled lop-sidedly and gave a short chuckle. "I'm not sure the world is ready for a personality compatible with mine." The smile grew. "Maybe. Although some might consider love voluntary slavery... or at least captivity. Or involuntary, depending, I suppose. Whether or not two individuals loving each other is captivity anymore is another matter. Bonding with another person is a matter filled with fetters and locks, yes - and sacrifices of previous freedoms. No, I believe it all boils down to willingness to pay the price for... what?"

"Companionship," Nico antworted automatically. "In a balanced relationship all would, hm, 'pay' equally, which is the only way it can last long..."

Her eyes unfocused and she blinked slowly and raised an eyebrow as his choice of words registered with her. "Or possibly you were talking about the price for renting a dungeon."

He smiled, delighted, and sounded amused. "Not a chance. The cold, the dark and the damp... companionship, yes."

"A dungeon? Whatever for?" Love and freedom were confusing enough concepts, but that line had left Weft completely unmoored.

His tone of voice was still friendly, demure and... yes, utterly unwitting.