Steven
The nameless man who rested against the window appeared to be in a moment of rest — though, honestly, he usually did —, his eyes apparently closed or perhaps squinted upon a glance from afar. His arms still folded and his posture now leaned in the windowsill again, he only briefly raised his gaze to meet the form of the one who emerged from the room beyond the great statue. A brow slightly raised, and he appeared lightly amused, his head further raising as she continued to approach.

*`Tap, tap.`*

His right-hand's index finger tapped against his left arm, rested atop it in a tucked position. A deeper glower manifested on his face as she questioned, his hidden lower-face's expression likely that of a slight frown. *Again and again, how many questions could she have? What a tiresome individual.* The man wordlessly grumbled in a breath, turning back to stare out the window as she further questioned. For the moment, he couldn't care less about what she wanted. She could certainly wait for him to continue resting a moment or two.

*`Tap, tap...`*

```diff
- "Mmm..."```
_ _

From the corner of his eye, he peeked at the silver blade revealed from the defender's chest, yet would continue in his moment of contempt born from his characteristic laziness and his notion of displeasure towards Tabby, herself. The blade's form was interesting, but what was even more interesting was her statement on *How she acquired it.* 

*`On second thought, this might be a topic worth delving deeper into,`* The man thought, finally turning to face the tabaxi.

```diff
- "Well... Whatever."
- "So you've slain the knight of the Eclipse... Or, merely, you've further given yourself to the depraved nature of a pilferer..."
- "..."
- "Nay, on second thought... No matter the deftness of one's hands, none could wrest that blade from that beast without first laying it to rest."```

He dismissed his former assumption. Though he assumed Tabby to merely be a fool who had found her courage bolstered to a foolish degree by the call of the Vektet's inner wealths, now it seemed clearer that she was stronger than she appeared, even if only by a slight margin. She had to have had *Some* Strength to escape the `Embrace of Sol` in the first place...

```diff
- "Well. Regardless of the case... You ask for knowledge I possess, yet you still refuse to venture according to 𝘰𝘶𝘳 plan, hmm?"```

Nonetheless, the stranger made familiar to Tabby due to their similar circumstances seemed scornful of her digression from the plan he had endued her with. All he asked was for her to kill a single, infirm old beast with poison, and she was now attempting to slay an entity she had no business with. Yes, perhaps his initial observation was right... Even if she did possess strength, she was still a fool emboldened far, far too much by the prospect of *Pilfering.*

_ _

All of those who venture into the Vektet are the same, in that regard. He could chuckle lightly at the irony of the thought, if it weren't for his anger against her insubordination.

```diff
- "Though, it wouldn't matter whether I told you or not... The question of if you could replicate the nature of the Eclipse Knight's crimson enchantment would be the same... 𝙣𝙤."
- "Lest you find yourself a person capable of replicating the fine strokes of an artist's brush after one sly glance... To do so without any former context would be... Mmm... Impossible."```

*`Tap, tap.`*

```diff
- "And, right... Right... I am not opposed to slaying that monster behind those two thick slabs of stone, but for you to slay it...? Mmm..."
- "You'd be better off challenging the Root-Crown."```
Jonathan
The cat holds out the vial, fiddling with it between her fingers as if playing dextrously with the blade of a knife — something she's obviously done before, wielding a dagger herself. "I didn't say I was going against our plan. I said at first that I needed to make preparations. What good to you is a spell-caster without her spells?" She crosses her arms and ceases fiddling, sliding the vial into a pocket on her belt and picking up the sword, it of course still glimmering with the remnant of Arcane Weapon.

She holds the fine metal up to her eyes, examining it in greater detail. "The knight attacked me and another adventurer; I took it from their paws once the battle was over and done with." *The Knight of the Eclipse, huh?* She twiddles around with the sword, deciding to make a presentation on just how good her memory is. 

**Keen Mind** Activates as she mumbles aloud. "Yes... Somebody good enough to memorize the exact footwork and slashes of a skilled swordsman... If only there were someone capable of doing... That." She swings at the air, taking careful consideration to not aim at the unnamed person giving her the insight she requested, *Swinging the blade as Otaaraa did*, the only difference being the sparks of electricity dancing across the fine edge.

**Keen Mind.**


You always know which way is north.
You always know the number of hours left before the next sunrise or sunset.
**You can accurately recall anything you have seen or heard within the past month.**

"Is that to your liking?" She swings again, showing that air what-for. After all, the sword is also a weapon Tabby is proficient in, even more so when magic energy courses through it.

"I will-" *Swing* "- of *Course*-" *Swing* "- do what we agreed on." She stops swinging, deeming her showmanship to her standard, glancing back over. "I just need time to prepare my inventions." The defender, ever helpful, stands and does nothing — it can't speak, obviously.
Steven
```diff
- "Well. Well well."```

The man mused quietly as he witnessed the tabaxi recreate quite the convincing impression of Otaaraa's motion. It was, for all intents and purposes, *Very close* To the real deal, yet no manner of enhanced memory — even *Perfect* — could wholly recreate Otaaraa's sword-style, for even in perfect recreation of the *Motion,* One may still lack the strength to recreate the *Momentum.* Though, still, were she to refine the technique, she may just as well swing the sword the same as the Eclipse Knight, as far as the stranger was concerned.

The man lifted his chin slightly as she continued on in her replication of the sword-swinging. 'Twas no easy feat to copy the refined prowess of a knight; he had to give her credit for at least that much. 

Still, though, she maintained her stubbornness in her digression against the carefully-formulated plan he made. All at the risk of her own life... *If she died, he potentially could lose the last agent he could acquire, necessary towards assassinating the Root-Crown.* Her continued insubordination would test his temper, yet he would not further comment on the subject, either out of simple lack of energy to do so, or due to a potentially more calculated approach towards their negotiations. Nonetheless, he furled his lip and held his tongue, shaking his head in disapproval of the tabaxi's adamancy.

```diff
- "Mmm."```

The man grumbled, tapping his fingers against his arm as she swung and swung.

```diff
- "When I say replicate..."```

The man paused, averting his gaze beyond the window,

```diff
- "I don't just mean the motion, 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳."```

He grumbled, slightly, murmuring something hushedly, before continuing.
_ _

```diff
- "Mmm... Well. It matters little."



- "Still yet, you seek to paint the atmosphere red. The crimson hue... Mmm. I remember it familiarly. Stole away its secrets, too."
- "Mmm, as a pilferer should do - indeed."
- "The secrets I stole away, well... They're not mine to begin with. So I suppose I can spare to share them with one of my ilk."
- "Yes. The Eclipse Knight wielded an enchanted blade... Yes, it remains enchanted, even now."
- "But you misunderstand what it is enchanted with."

- "Ahhh, perhaps I should phrase this as question. Does a blade itself live? Does a blade itself bleed? Does a blade itself swing?"

- "...No. No, it does not..."
- "That blade... It's right and silver. A fine blade, and enchanted no less...
- "...But the only thing special about it... Is that it serves as a vessel. Enchanted, to be an object of prayer. Its might is only as great as its wielder... And its last wielder, as far as I recall, is now dead. Correct?"

- "And I would not presume you know or have heard of the Fifth Prayer of the Eclipse. Mmm, as far as I'm concerned, the beast that wielded that sword was the only one on this entire Floor who knew of it."```

So the man leaned in the windowsill said, his arms folded, and his head tilted slightly upwards, as so to demonstrate his eminence in the conversation between the two. Many cards he held, and continue to hold them he would. This was just one of many facts that he had left, up his sleeve, and he would continue to exploit his surplus of information in the two's temporary alliance, until he could finally achieve his goal... *Escape.*

```diff
- "Mmm... I suppose that would disappoint you... Being drawn to strength as you are."
- "Ahh, but there is another way. Perhaps I could convince you... Perhaps you could be worthy enough, you, being cut from the same cloth as I..."```

The man spoke, his tone shifting slightly in nature, his left hand tapping against his right. His brow eased, and he seemed more welcoming to Tabby, yet still appeared to be contemplating something. It was as if he was weighing out the pros and cons of his next statement, his eyes slightly averted from Tabby herself. 

```diff
- "Ahh, but that method... I would truly have to swear you to secrecy. An oath would be required."```

The man sighed, lightly, before shaking his head. It seemed that he no longer had any interest in following down that method. He and Tabby were only so recently acquainted, after all.

```diff
- "Pay that thought no mind... Carry along in your business."```

He furled his left hand tight, and stared once more beyond the window, uninterested.
Jonathan
"The arcane.." She mumbles, *Arcane Weapon* Dispelling on a mental command. Yes... The arcane. Her gauntlet which wields the brand beginning to shake & *Chnnk*. It was as if the very mention of the magic instilled within the sword was enough to open her mind to the possibilities. Otaaraa is not the arcane component. No. Otaaraa is merely a small subsection of what this can do. She begins to wield it ever-so-slightly different, feeling the tingling of the enchanted course throughout her armor. **Battle Ready** Awakens inside her, allowing her to wield said blade as she did when using *Arcane Weapon*. No, instead of simple *Dexterity* Or *Strength*, a blade like this can be serviced with *Intelligence*. 

She pulls her goggles up, having a moment as she stares at her reflection off of the silver, sparkling with renewed intent, like something that desperately needed power-washing. Absentmindedly, she calls the man's bluff. "If the Eclipse Knight was the only one who knew how to wield the incantation, you sure seem to know a lot more than you let on.."

"The knight is dead, correct. The blade has been taken off of his body. I feel bad about it, but he was not in much of a bargaining mood... I've heard nothing about any prayer of anything in this place." She sighs — this guy and his oaths. — "I told you, **I already have consigned myself to a patron deity**. An oath where you write all the rules will not fly, especially if my Ruler takes offense to the terms. **They are a cruel mistress, not to be trifled with.**" She lets her words serve as a warning to any would-be shenanigans.

_ _
"If you are dead-set on an oath as *The only way*, you will have to take it up with them." Tabby, on cue, pulls out an intricately designed watch — preserved likely by magic. Additionally, she peels the goggles off of her head — both gifts from her godly sponsor. "I am willing to learn the method you speak of, but I am nevertheless too sensible to not have my liege strike either of us down." She holds out the goggles and time-keeping mechanism, both thrumming with an aura that can only be described as forcefully indestructible. It's a wonder that Tabby wears the goggles on her head.

"Also, *Please* Stop calling me a 'pilferer'." She corrects, very relaxed and not at all harsh. It seems the realization that the blade is magical on its own has, at least temporarily, washed away her anger from before. "I am no thief. Everything I gain is through my own work, or fairly from efforts directly related to my actions. I do not steal from those who speaks for themselves, I don't go places with the intent of stealing valuables. I am an *Honest* Cat, making an *Honest* Living doing *Honest* Work."

When Tabby outstretches her hands to offer an accord with her Lord, the Defender, too, steps forward, bearing a small amulet in its hand, though it appears cracked. It too seems to be a watch of some kind, though unmoving with cracked glass. The Defender is part of this deal too, after all.
Steven
```diff
- "Mmm..."```

The man grumbled lightly in response to her response, eyes still set on what was beyond the window. At what he glared was irresolute; perhaps he did not glare at anything, to begin with, or merely he was searching for something to look at besides anything within the church. With a light roll of his eyes, he lethargically peered back over his shoulder to stare at Tabby, his brow raised and his demeanor unenthusiastic to even face her. 

```diff
- "Right, right..."```

He spoke, his intonation with a slight *`m—hmm`* In response to her comment — that he *Must know something more than he let on.* Perhaps, perhaps, and he hadn't been taking too many efforts to hide such, yet for him to reveal what he may know to her was... Unnecessary. For now, at least. Of course, she hadn't yet fulfilled her end of the bargain, and seemed to be quite intent on taking on whatever challenge came her way up until she had to do so. The prospect of freely donating information to her before she had done anything of value for him was—

*`—Eeegh... Revolting.`*

_ _

Another murmur, and another grumble. The man tiredly looked beyond the window yet again, loosening his left-hand's furled grip as he inattentively tuned in-and-out of Tabby's further comments. For now, it felt like he was just weathering her questions until she got whatever answers she wanted, finished up whatever tiresome processes she had left in the church-room, and finally left. So much time, yet so little energy to spare...

```diff
- "Not a pilferer you say... Mmm..."```

He spoke in a slightly scoffing tone. The idea that she, an intruder the very same on the grounds of the Vektet as himself, would not too hold such a title, was insulting. There is no such thing as an honest person — or, such was how the man thought. Indeed, he was a roughened, paranoid, and cynical spirit to the core, his misanthropic nature originated of a time even before he had entered the Vektet. The horrors he had witnessed within its midst only served to compound and propagate such pessimistic beliefs, twisting his soul into an all-scornful and entirely-unbelieving spirit of an abysmally-afflicted nature.

Everyone he had known up until this point had only been out for themselves. And so was he. It was only because he was smarter, untrusting of the rest, and crafty that he had survived until today. And this very nature was damned-well going to liberate him from this divine sarcophagus of immortal suffering...

```diff
- "...Heh... Heh heh."
- "...Your sword testifies against that claim..."```

He whispered to himself, a slight chuckle in his breath as he would silently mock Tabby's words. *Not a pilferer, she said. Then whose sword did she wield?*

***That's right.*** If he was selfish and twisted in spirit, then *So was everyone else.*

*`His left-hand's fingers twist and curl, as he continued to chuckle silently to himself.`*
Jonathan
"I bested a Knight who could rend steel into smithereens." She motions to her Defender friend, who... Doesn't show any sign of injury, but that's besides the point.

"If not for the sword here, we wouldn't be making a deal. I turned back to find out where I can re-tune my spells after.." *Well, after my Defender turned into 2 half-robots.*

She refuses to relent. "If you want to make an oath like you've suggested twice now, you are required to speak to the mistress to get anything resembling that. It's like..." She clicks her tongue, coming up a somewhat helpful analogy. "An agent for someone *Important*." How brave of her to make such a statement on her own person!

"If you make a pact with me, you make an accordance with my guardian**S** And the mistress." An odd pluralization to make, seeing as the only "Guardian" Around was present. "If you don't want to make a contract, we don't have to, but *Wouldn't you rather GUARANTEE* Your freedom as much *I* Would like to guarantee your knowledge?" She shrugs, admittedly getting a little annoyed at how long this is taking them; continuing to hold out the amulet, the watch, and the goggles with her automaton to back her up in holding things.

Believe it or not, this guy is not really in control of making demands here. His freedom relies on someone like Tabby, and she is all-too-aware of that. *Take it or leave it..* The cat thinks, holding the vial in her other hand; taking great care to not let it come in harm's way. Tabby is *Honest*, like she claimed.

_ _
*Regardless.. The knight struck first.* Is her mental justification.
Steven
```diff
- "That's right... You're still fresh blood, to this terrible world. Mmm..."
- "You should know, no god can hear you cry within this divine sarcophagus. Oh, and believe me... How hard I've tried."```

His right hand clasped tight, and he grit his teeth, his mouth hidden beneath the half-mask of a bandana that he wore about his face. There was intense frustration and almost a slight tone of fury in his tone of voice as he spoke, raising his gloved right hand from his folded arms and before his eyes, glaring at the concealed back of his hand. His eyes settled into a deep, scowling squint, and a murmur of bitter anger rumbles from his lips. 

The malevolent aura, as subtle as it had become, disappeared entirely, in the moment that he briefly clawed against the back of his hand, as if in longing for something he had once lost. His attention, yet, seemed torn between each of his two hands, his eyes shifting back-and-forth between his right and left, and then to his right again. The stranger shook his head, his restless, gloved fingers still scraping against one another as he tempered his sudden frustration, his body lifting from its rested position as he stared forth at the tabaxi and her guardian, items of accord set forth. He almost seemed to briefly consider accepting in the agreement, his stance suddenly shifting forwards, and yet he stopped himself; his body thrust backwards, and he again grit his teeth.

```diff
- "Your accord... Your guardians... And your mistress... Mmm..."```

The fury born of frustration again reared its ugly head, and he bit back the seething wrath that so spontaneously showed itself. Something, somewhere, within what she said, had lit fire to his spirit, and so he seemed greatly disturbed.
_ _

```diff
- "No... Patron, benevolent or... 𝒎ale𝒗ol𝒆nt can hear you... In the Claw of 𝑮𝒐𝒅..."```

His right hand heats, and he can feel a deep, seething pain, roaring throughout his veins. His very own mana clusters alongside his right palm, forcefully, burning throughout the rest of his tainted body... His tone, alongside this strange manifestation, shifted in slight, his words slowed, as if he choked his speech while it still left his throat.

```diff
- "I've no interest.. In your damned pacts... Your damned oaths... Your disgusting venom will never pierce my veins, you 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒔... Filthy spawn of 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔..."```

His restless, curling fingers of his left hand crept alongside his right arm, clasping it tight, using such a grip to guide his right palm atop and against the sheathed blade of the dagger rested at his hip. His posture eased, the stranger peculiarly calmed by the single motion, as his reddened eyes ease in gaze.

```diff
- "..."
- "Mmm."```

The stranger grumbled, his demeanor instantaneously shifted to his calmed and lazy nature that was present once before. He averted his gaze from the tabaxi, and, with his hand still firmly pressed against the form of the dagger, he glared beyond the window, attention again elsewhere.

```diff
- "In other words... Get lost."
- "We'll talk about... Mmm... About 𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒔... When you actually get something done."```

He nonchalantly cast aside his scathing demeanor earlier, as if it had never happened, wordlessly recanting anything he had said upon the matter up until this very point.