Satisfaction filled Caelum like breath, elucidating an interminably complicated mire of conflicting needs and desires stewing within him. For the space between heartbeats, all within was still. The contagion of need ceased to evolve and expand and instead it held itself suspended and he was silent. Blessedly, blessedly silent. It collapsed when he exhaled, the immortal echoes of as of yet unmet needs slithered into his skin churning on; but that moment when Tydus said I'm in drew an X upon the map of Caelum's ambitions so as to mark his achievement of the next rung up the ladder. He was less a spider weaving his web and more a vanquisher ever expounding upon the wishes of his masters. (And though he had many masters, he liked to think very few had ever mastered him. There was a difference, one so significant it actually maintained his sense of self.) "Good," he said. The smile he gave Tydus crinkled his eyes, their dark now backlit with daylight. He gestured to the stack of coins in humble invitation for Tydus to take them. There was nothing but absolute confidence in the svefra's ability evident in Caelum's reply. "I'm very glad you've agreed and I trust I don't need to stress the need for secrecy in these matters. It is still a delicate situation." When Tydus agreed and collected the coins, Caelum walked with him to the door and saw him out with a cork stoppered bottle of spiced rum and seven hundred and fifty gold mizas worth of his hopes and ambitions. He slumped for awhile in the open half of Alements double door, thumbs hooked into the low sling of his belt, watching the svefra disappear into the night. Ledger- 500 gm for potential slave purpose & - 250 gm half payment to Tydus for services = 750 gm deduction. |