(audio). | a deal to make

[fatespoken]

In Marlowe's infamous tale, the scholar and scientist Faust makes a deal with the devil for the price of his soul. He was smart guy, I mean, really, he thought he knew everything that there was to know, everything except for Magic. And for that, he damns himself to hell.

In another version of the story, Faust once again makes a deal with the devil for magic, though this kind of magic is in fact the sexual pleasures of a woman named Gretchen. Restored youth's just a throw-in prize. But in the case of this story, it's uncertain whether the bastard gets stuck in hell-- or whether he's redeemed.

But it's just a story that never happened.

Two years ago, I made a trade with the deities for a horse. Looks like I'm still in one piece?

[ He pauses. ]

Now, how about I cut  you a deal? Anyone who has made a trade, come to The Blue Light tonight and tell me about it. I'll treat you to a drink in exchange. And trust me, I'll know if you're lying to me.

(ooc: Apologies for dropping tags on his last post! ;; My hiatus is over and I should be back up to speed. )

Comments

[candothat]

[Free drink? What now?]

The deities are many things, but devils? The deity I spoke to about trading was polite, gave what I asked, and took only what I said I would trade. Very civil.

[fatespoken]

Do you assume everyone you meet is how they present themselves, Chekov?

[candothat]

Amory, I am not so stupid as to trust blindly. [Which is either a lie or he does a magnificent job of hiding it.] The risk in believing that a powerful being will honor his words was worth taking.

[fatespoken]

And yet, you tell me the Gods who kidnapped us here are polite and civil? Have you ever heard of Trickster Gods?

[ If he were one to guffaw. ]

So you made a deal.

[candothat]

I have heard of them, yes. Have you heard the Russian saying, "Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes"?

[This is said in a light, conversational tone; Chekov isn't trying to pick a fight, not with Amory.]

Aye, I did. It was not a mistake.

[fatespoken]

"Vashe zdorovje," is the only Russian saying I've heard, and the only one that really matters.

[ He isn't picking a fight either; Amory loves verbal parlays, and it has been some time since he's found a good partner. ]

Care to tell me?

[candothat]

I would not say that a toast is the only phrase that matters, unless you intend to only know enough Russian to drink vodka with Russians.

I exchanged my memories of my homeland for the life of a friend. I think that, in a world where lives may be given back, it is worthwhile to make such trades.

[fatespoken]

It's a joke, and anyways, it was the only phrase I learned back when we had those Russian exchange students at my college. Though, I had planned to take Russian.

[ He raises his eyebrows. ]

Your childhood?

[candothat]

Joke or not, I would teach you better phrases.

[But this is no joking matter.]

For a month only.

[fatespoken]

I wouldn't mind learning.

[ And he means it. ]

A cheap price for a life.

[candothat]

First, you should learn swearing.

[That statement and the next are made with the same seriousness.]

I thought so, but I did not want to tell the deity that.