[This is a new face in Eithan's inbox for sure. The speaker seems somewhat irritated.]
Your repeated attempts to impress the Spirit faction leave much to be desired. If tossing around fireballs were enough to impress them, three quarters of the Fleet would be be decked out in purple.
Did you even know they set out puzzles as a challenge? Or are those too complicated for you, flamebrain?
Your repeated attempts to impress the Spirit faction leave much to be desired. If tossing around fireballs were enough to impress them, three quarters of the Fleet would be be decked out in purple.
Did you even know they set out puzzles as a challenge? Or are those too complicated for you, flamebrain?
A couple? Oh, please, you're not even trying.
[This guy is so cocky. Belthazar immediately wants to punch him in the face-- but he probably can't reach.]
Have they accepted you yet? If not, I might be persuaded to put in a good word for you... if you promise to stop being so reckless. You could very well hurt someone, you know.
[This guy is so cocky. Belthazar immediately wants to punch him in the face-- but he probably can't reach.]
Have they accepted you yet? If not, I might be persuaded to put in a good word for you... if you promise to stop being so reckless. You could very well hurt someone, you know.
[Wow, okay, never mind. Maybe he won't help this guy after all.]
I'll do anything to keep idiots from abusing magic. Don't confuse it for generosity.
[Actually, he's blushing, so it probably is.]
I'll do anything to keep idiots from abusing magic. Don't confuse it for generosity.
[Actually, he's blushing, so it probably is.]
[Belthazar seems to be mulling this over. He feels like absolute garbage lately, but this is a mission that sounds like it would be fun for him, nice and distracting. Light knows he needs more of that. Also, there are books involved. When will he ever say no to books?]
Where is it? I can meet you outside.
Where is it? I can meet you outside.
[Belthazar receives them and reads them over, not looking at Eithan directly anymore. But then he pauses. Eithan mentions it's a part of who he is, and that makes his lips form into a line.]
You're not a mage?
You're not a mage?
[A demon! Then again, Eithan doesn't look like part of the Burning Legion. There's still a sort of momentary panic, a tightness to his shoulders, before he takes a breath and reminds himself that not all demons are the same. There are demons living on the Fleet who haven't given anyone problems. He had seen some in Exsilium, too.]
... If it is a part of you, then I suppose-- we are not too much different in that respect.
[Look, he's trying.]
I am an elf -- [as if the ears weren't obvious] -- and my kind are nourished by magic.
... If it is a part of you, then I suppose-- we are not too much different in that respect.
[Look, he's trying.]
I am an elf -- [as if the ears weren't obvious] -- and my kind are nourished by magic.
[Usually when he says nourished people don't go directly to vampire. So Eithan gets him to panic for the second time in a minute.]
Ah, um, I--
[He's trying so hard to stay frostbolt but it isn't happening. And here he thought he was actually about to help the guy, but he's terrified, suddenly, of what he might say. Such is the life of someone who actually gives a damn about appearances.]
You mustn't tell anyone!
Ah, um, I--
[He's trying so hard to stay frostbolt but it isn't happening. And here he thought he was actually about to help the guy, but he's terrified, suddenly, of what he might say. Such is the life of someone who actually gives a damn about appearances.]
You mustn't tell anyone!
[Belthazar finally remembers how to breathe when Eithan says that it makes sense, and there's nothing about him going to the network and outing him as some kind of mana vampire. That's the last thing Belth wants or needs right now. Vampires don't really exist in the same context in Azeroth, but Belth has picked up knowledge of them from his interdimensional adventures and many, many books.]
... It appears I've completely misjudged you. When I heard the rumors, I thought it must be some cocky human who has no idea of what he's getting into.
[He bows his head.]
I apologize.
... It appears I've completely misjudged you. When I heard the rumors, I thought it must be some cocky human who has no idea of what he's getting into.
[He bows his head.]
I apologize.
All right.
[The deal is still on, or at least, Belth has to come up with his half.] I can meet you on the planet in a half hour. Will that be acceptable?
[The deal is still on, or at least, Belth has to come up with his half.] I can meet you on the planet in a half hour. Will that be acceptable?
[Belth looks embarrassed, but that's mostly because of his own conduct. He bows again when he reaches Eithan.]
I just wanted to see the inside of this library. My name is Belthazar, by the way.
[It's clear as day now that he has glowing green eyes, but Belth figures his new compatriot won't ask questions. More importantly, he isn't reading Eithan as a real Azerothian demon.
That's good. That's really good.]
Books on terraforming. Is there anything specific about it, or should I grab every single one I can find?
I just wanted to see the inside of this library. My name is Belthazar, by the way.
[It's clear as day now that he has glowing green eyes, but Belth figures his new compatriot won't ask questions. More importantly, he isn't reading Eithan as a real Azerothian demon.
That's good. That's really good.]
Books on terraforming. Is there anything specific about it, or should I grab every single one I can find?
I did. [He's not very good at people, can you tell? Still, the dryness of his tone means that he's prone to honesty, which is a good thing... probably...]
Wait, you were doing this for someone else? [It's Belthazar's turn to shake his head.] You should have mentioned that in the first place.
I'll see what I can find. Wait here, and try not to look too suspicious.
Wait, you were doing this for someone else? [It's Belthazar's turn to shake his head.] You should have mentioned that in the first place.
I'll see what I can find. Wait here, and try not to look too suspicious.
[Belth turns to go into the library, but Eithan is being totally unconvincing. He sighs in a long-suffering way and reaches into his black robes for something. He isn't very nice about throwing the history novel at Eithan's chest, but at least he didn't aim for his head.]
Here, at least pretend you're not a delinquent.
[He disappears through the doors, huffy and stubborn as usual, and he doesn't return for a solid hour. But when he does-- he nearly trips on his way out.]
Eithan! Are you still here?
Here, at least pretend you're not a delinquent.
[He disappears through the doors, huffy and stubborn as usual, and he doesn't return for a solid hour. But when he does-- he nearly trips on his way out.]
Eithan! Are you still here?
[Belth catches himself before he can fall. He's obviously kind of clumsy if his nonchalance is anything to go by. Still, he looks exhausted from what should've been a very enlightening and wonderful experience.]
I'm fine. Here, I have your book.
[He holds it out in one hand. The other goes to his forehead. Maybe he should sit down.]
I'm fine. Here, I have your book.
[He holds it out in one hand. The other goes to his forehead. Maybe he should sit down.]
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