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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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"I'm sorry sir, but I can't. Please, leave me <strong>be</strong>, <strong>be</strong>fore my mistress <strong>not</strong>ices me<br />

talking <strong>to</strong> you..."<br />

"Your mistress?"<br />

The little man nodded. "Yes... Mistress Vrischika. I am Standish, her<br />

servant... her slave. I committed a crime and was sentenced <strong>to</strong> slavery, then<br />

purchased in the Lower Ward, like many <strong>of</strong> her slaves... most <strong>of</strong> whom she<br />

keeps at her manor. Now please - I <strong>be</strong>g <strong>of</strong> you! Leave me <strong>be</strong>, or she'll<br />

<strong>be</strong>come angered and <strong>be</strong>at me unmercifully!"<br />

"Now Standish, I will <strong>not</strong> have you telling such nasty lies <strong>to</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mers," said<br />

a sweet, prickly voice.<br />

I glanced <strong>of</strong>f <strong>to</strong> the side. She was a demoness, sharp-featured and attractive<br />

though her <strong>appear</strong>ance was somewhat disturbing. Her blue-black skin was<br />

smooth like cobalt, and bright yellow eyes glistened like a cat's. As she<br />

examined me, a small pair <strong>of</strong> bat-like wings unfolded from her back, then<br />

seem <strong>to</strong> settle back in<strong>to</strong> her skin. Her eyes slid over <strong>to</strong> my companions and<br />

her lips pulled back in<strong>to</strong> a cruel, treacherous smile.<br />

"Well, well... a floating, disembodied, prevaricating skull, and<br />

Fall-from-Grace... or whatever it is you call yourself, now. Truly a pleasure <strong>to</strong><br />

see you here. What <strong>do</strong> I owe the honor <strong>of</strong> your visit? I thought that you<br />

rarely trafficked among our kind, any more." She glanced at me for a<br />

moment with the same faint sneer. "Or is your assignment here almost<br />

finished?"<br />

Fall-From-Grace bowed her head and spoke sweetly, "I <strong>do</strong> <strong>not</strong> know what<br />

assignment you are referring <strong>to</strong>, Vrischika, though your presence here brings<br />

with it many questions. Last I had heard you were a standard-<strong>be</strong>arer for the<br />

Company <strong>of</strong> the Vulture. How did you come <strong>to</strong> Sigil?"<br />

She replied curtly, firing a question back like an arrow: "By choice. And you?<br />

Where will your orders take you next?" She suddenly turned <strong>to</strong> me. "You<br />

see, little man..." Vrischika smiled, as if savoring the words. "...the <strong>be</strong>st<br />

temptress is one that can make you buy in<strong>to</strong> the illusion <strong>of</strong> <strong>be</strong>ing both<br />

promiscuous yet virtuous at the same time; a prostitute-priestess, as it<br />

were. Mistress Grace is among the greatest..." She turned <strong>to</strong><br />

Fall-From-Grace. "...are you <strong>not</strong>? You would <strong>not</strong> think that a score thousand<br />

years <strong>of</strong> slavery had left their scars, no?"<br />

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