PSL; [YOU MAY BURY MY BODY]

[makimavellian]

( me and the devil walkin' side by side )

Comments

[spellbent]

[ The more a Devil looks human, is it? He gives her another once over at that. She really does look perfectly normal, save for her eyes. She gave him a bit of a weird vibe when they first met, of course, but that has more to do with what's under the surface, as well as Warren's own magically-inclined intuition.

This whole thing has just crossed into the realm of absurdity, and for a man like Warren West, that's saying something. He breathes out an amused sort of sound, lips quirking. ]

And I suppose if you end the whole world, there'll be nothing left to control, wouldn't there?

[makimavellian]

[The first of its kind she's seen from him, that expression. Makima can only assume that's promising enough.]

There is that, yes. But more importantly, there would be nothing left to make people happy.

[Or her, really. Selfishly. But there's no need to get into that, not when it doesn't change anything.]

I guess I'm just an idealist.

[spellbent]

That makes you and I strange bedfellows, you realize. I'm not one for idealism. [ Shocker. ] But, I think, so long as your goals don't interfere with mine, this can still be a worthwhile partnership.

You need a foundation of fear to start. That, I can provide.

[makimavellian]

[Very shocking.]

That's all right. I'm not asking you to share my ideals or my goals. It can be a mutually beneficial arrangement still. You use me, I use you.

[She looks pleased at the offer of providing a foundation of fear.]

That's generous of you, Warren. Though maybe you should tell me precisely what your goals are, so I can be sure I wouldn't get in the way? And that I can be of some help. [Though she's almost certain she can be.]

[spellbent]

[ Leans back in his seat, considering. He's less concerned about what he's going to tell her, he has nothing to lose by being honest, but more about... how to explain.

Ah, well, best to begin at the beginning. ]

You recall the creature from my memory? The one that looked like a wolf. It's known as a Summon, a creature that comes from the very source of magic itself. It is also, notably, the only one to have ever existed.

[makimavellian]

[She listens intently, curiously. This is important, after all.]

I do remember it, yes. The very source of magic itself, though? So not only is it rare, but it's also very powerful.

[She doesn't know how magic works in this world, but she cannot imagine anything that originates from the source itself is something to scoff at. And Warren thought it should have been his, didn't he? She recalls that from the memory, too.]

[spellbent]

It is. And the wizard it’s tied to reaps those benefits.

[ He rests an elbow on the arm of his chair, leaning the side of his face against his knuckles. ]

My dearly departed mentor took the secret of its summoning to the grave with him, and the beast itself made its way down his family line. It’s currently in the possession of his grandson.

But more relevant to the matter at hand: You want to control the world. Very well, I have no such ambitions. I want to control magic. If there’s room enough for that in this utopia of yours, then I see no reason why we can’t proceed.

[makimavellian]

That must irk you. To have that kind of magic beyond your possession...

[But it isn't said to needle under his skin. It's quiet, considering; one more nugget of information to take into account. His own goal, or perhaps just a critical piece of it. I want to control magic.]

...I told you, sometimes bad things need to be done for the good of the world. And sometimes... a girl needs to make concessions to do the same. You can have your magic, Mr. West. I am happy to let that be your realm of expertise, and while I'd happily help you in that same realm, I have no intention to be a hindrance, either.

[spellbent]

It does far more than "irk" me.

[ That anger has never really gone away. It just sleeps beneath the surface, ready to rise up at the slightest provocation. That, and he's made the pursuit of that power his life's work. He's obsessed with it.

So her assessment of him was very much correct. He'll do anything to get what he wants. Even make a deal with a Devil. ]

That seems agreeable enough to me. If we're to be drafting up terms, I would like to consider that the first.

[makimavellian]

Oh, the human is the first to start making terms? How unorthodox.

[But she laughs very softly, and it seems sincere. So, she holds up a hand, indicating a “one” with a finger.]

First term: I am not allowed to interfere with your plans to accrue more power in order to reach your ultimate goal of controlling all magic. But I can help you, since that is the overall point.

Sound good?

[spellbent]

Even by your standards, I have to think this situation is far from orthodox.

[ But he listens, and ultimately nods. ]

Yes, that sounds good.

[ Easy enough to start. He can only imagine how these things will evolve from heree. ]

[makimavellian]

Not really. It's not the first time I've made a contract with a human. I did say I worked for the government, right?

[But she leaves that nugget of information there, just for the sake of moving on.

And boy, wouldn't you like to know how they evolve from here, Warren.]

The next few items I have in mind are relatively small things. I'm sure you'll think nothing of them at all.

[spellbent]

I was referring to the part where you've died and come to another world, mostly.

[ (Chainsaw Man is now an isekai apparently.)

Warren does make a mental note to ask her more about her involvement with the government, since they're moving on already. He arches a brow. ]

And these relatively small things would be what, exactly?

[makimavellian]

[It sure is!! But credit where it's due: yes, that part is odd.

But back to the contract at hand, building it up as they go.]

The first is less a stipulation and more a small change. As proof of our contract, you'll have a small marking on you, somewhere, to indicate your being bound to me. I can't say how it'll manifest until it happens.

[in other words, ramey you can decide on that however you want]

The second is simple. You watch a movie with me, at least once a week, in that big fancy theater of yours. [Of course she was going to squeeze that in after Warren showed her the theater. :)] It can be anything either of us want to watch.

And third? Sometimes, you walk my dogs with me.

[What dogs, Makima.]

[spellbent]

What dogs?

[ He'll get to the rest in a minute. WHAT DOGS, MAKIMA. ]

[makimavellian]

[oh you wanna talk about DOGS more--]

I've decided that I want...

[Ticks them off by the finger, one by one.]

A German Shepherd, a Doberman, and a Chihuahua. To start with, anyway.

[spellbent]

[ He opens his mouth to remark that he wouldn't have taken her for a dog person, but no. It makes sense, actually. Dogs are loyal, obedient. Man's best friend.

Well, he's not about to tell her she can't have them. Lord knows he has the space. ]

So, movies and dog walking. That's awfully... domestic.

[makimavellian]

[Wow rude, what's this callout?]

...What's wrong with that? Maybe I just want company.

[Gosh. Anyway. She tilts her head a little.]

Don't worry. If you agree to those, the last two aren't so "domestic".

[So, does he agree to them?]

[spellbent]

[ Maybe I just want company. It probably says something that this is the thing that makes him hesitate, even if only for a fraction of a fraction of a second. He's a solitary creature by nature.

But, if this means that what she can do is at his disposal, then it's certainly worth a few hours every week. (Famous last words of a man about to be dragged into a Lord of the Rings marathon.) ]

Alright. At least a movie a week and sometimes dog walking. I agree. What are the rest?

[makimavellian]

[Makima is, too. Even amongst Devils, she has her own agenda. Has no connection to those that would normally be considered closest to her by association alone -- the other horsemen. War. Famine. Death. In fact, she thinks the world we be so, so much better without them.

But there's a part of her that still yearns for, yes, just company. He's very lucky she's wise enough not to ask for more. Sorry, Warren. This means you have to deal with the LotR extended editions.]

Great.

[She's pleased.]

The next item... It would ensure my resilience in a fight. No more need to drink your blood to heal me. It's similar to an agreement in my last contract.

[She folds her hands in her lap again.]

Any injury I obtain, whether it be purposeful or accidental, will be transferred to someone... random in the magical community. [Since that is the community that Warren can "represent", much like the Prime Minister represented the people of Japan.] It could be someone you know, or a complete stranger. Anything from a small cut to a decapitation; I will always heal from it, always return from it, because someone else will bear the burden of it. Unwittingly, yes, but that's just how it goes.

[spellbent]

[ Oh, well now. That's an interesting way to ensure one's, how did she put it? One's resilience. No wonder she had been so difficult to kill in her world.

He doesn't even have to think about this one. ]

That's fine by me.

[makimavellian]

[Sure makes you wonder how it got circumvented, huh!]

Really? [She actually does seem surprised by how quickly he agrees.] You don't have any fellow wizards that you'd be sorry to lose?

[None at all? Even the Prime Minister had to give this a little thought.]

[spellbent]

None that can't be replaced.

[ Mildly. He really could not care less about the rest of wizarding society. Even his most valued contacts are not unique in the services they provide. Not even in their lack of morals. ]

[makimavellian]

Ha. Goodness. Then I better make myself irreplaceable to you, too, right?

[She's certain she can manage it. How many demons are willing to work with wizards, anyway?]

[spellbent]

I think you can manage it.

[ They're of the same mind where that's concerned, but it also makes clear that Warren doesn't mind discarding people or things that are no longer of use to him. ]