30 - The Place Even Angels Don't Understand

[worldofourown]

[ Karl's face is visible on the Network for all of three seconds. He seems almost creepily calm. But there's a subdued energy stirring around him, full of sparks like a topped-up battery. Matter-of-fact, he switches to a private line. ]

[ Deity Filter ]

I'll be brief. I'm interested in a trade.

[ OOC: Karl is trading for Diva's babbus to be returned to her! This will end well >:3 Any wandering Deities please take note<3 ]

Comments

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

I'll be brief too. I like trades.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

Then you should enjoy this one, "Professor."

It involves the return of someone's children. Born or unborn.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

Why are you mocking my well-earned degrees? It's unbecoming. It almost makes me feel less inclined to help you out of what's, apparently, a jam.

Born and unborn, things done and left undone.

Go on.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

I've never put much stock in degrees. A hazard of living with liars.

I'm told the Deities know everything. So you ought to know, my Queen, Diva, was in the City once before. Carrying children. This time around, she isn't.

I'd like those children returned to her.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

I think we can manage a little trans-dimensional in-vitro around here.

But it'll cost you.

Re: || Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

In-vitro. Foul word. Far too many unpleasant associations.

[ Says the immortal test-subject. ]

I never imagined it wouldn't. Name your price.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

Degrees are unwelcome. "In-vitro" is unwelcome. Is there anything you do like?

Maybe you should name something you'd like to give up.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

Nothing I'd elaborate on. Virtues, vices, weakness and all.

You trade in the tangible and intangible. I'm willing to give up memories. Body parts. Whatever the equivalent payment is.

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

Blah blah blah blah, lip-service, lip-service.

How about body for body, flesh for flesh. It makes for a nice parallel.

I've heard a few things about bits of your anatomy. Not those bits.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

Most conversation is.

So it does. [ He tilts his head. ] Which ones then?

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

Hands, arms, digits--that sort of thing.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

...Arms.

[ A bitter half-laugh. ]

Why am I not surprised? You'd like my arm? And all its tricks and attachments?

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

All the bells and whistles.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

[ He rubs his eyes with a hand. ]

All right. Deal.

I'm used to [ being dissected ] giving up parts of me. Will there be a time-limit?

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

One month.

It seems such a small cost, compared to the nine endured by a woman before she is delivered.

One month.

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

How generous.

And the babies? Will they be delivered? Or will you choose more creative ways to have them brought here?

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

They will be delivered, but she will not yet be delivered of them. Do you follow my meaning?

There are a few complexities remaining, though you may not follow my meaning yet. It's a messy business. Have you ever tried to fax a baby across spacetime? I don't recommend it.

I'm rambling, surely.

The children will not be delivered as children. Not yet. If they are to be children, she will have to be delivered of them.

That is the complexity yet.

That is the offer I can make you: your rather astonishing arm for one month, in exchange for children yet unborn. One hopes.

[ooc: In other words, as per all the stuff we worked out, Diva will have the cocoons, but not the children.]

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

Rambling. Yes. And avoiding a straight answer. Is that part of your job, I wonder?

I'm fine with the arrangement. As long as they are her 'children yet unborn.' Our family doesn't suffer impostors very well.

[ ooc: All righty!<333 /rubs hands together ]

|| Deity Filter ||

[laszlo_jamf]

There will be cocoons involved. Does that tell you anything?

Come by the office to sign the paperwork (while you still can). We'll set up the medical aspect this evening.

[ooc: Okay! As per the prearranged terms...yep, cocoons for the arms. But the rest has yet to be revealed~ Have fun! The trade can go through any time hereafter that you'd like.]

|| Deity Filter ||

[worldofourown]

It tells me no more and no less than I already know. Which is nothing.

[ But beggars can't be choosers. ]

I'll do that.

[ But he won't pretend to like it. ]

[ ooc: Awesome ^^ Thanks so much! ]