Marie
"One interested in the business of war. There's a far off land, past Salvainia to the North west. Mentia, it's name..."

*He nods lightly, accepting the cup. The warmth bleeding through his gloves and warming his blackened hands nicely. Then lifting the cup to his lips and drinking the tea, almost shivering at the warmth.*

"The countries been in a state of civil war for quite some time now... And there's no clear winner in sight. My associates and i wish to change that... To end the suffering of those under Mentian rule. To unite the area once more and allow it to prosper... A wonderful purpose, don't you think?"
Wanda
"Ah, the civil war in Mentia?"

*Diao takes a sip from the cup, gently blowing on the hot liquid to cool it down before tasting its flavor. Good, but could be better. She wondered if Meztu experimented in alchemy to make her tea.*

"Don't use honeyed words like that. I've heard similar tones countless times. But this... This is indeed interesting."

*While part of Diao's conscious told her to not trust this individual, the old longing for battle was fired up in her. Horace would be able to see the smallest parts of a smile forming in the corners of her mouth.*

"Tell me, what exactly is in it for me?"
Marie
"Apologies... I have to at least try to sell it though. For you? Well, I can offer wealth. If the future deems us the winner, fame will certainly find you as well. Though all that is to be expected though, no? Someone like you seems like they could use more than all that."

*The elf takes another sip of the tea.*

"Tell me, what is it you desire Diao."
*He'd utter her name as if it was nothing, knowing her name despite the lack of introduction. Smiling as if that little bomb had never been dropped.*
"Im sure there's something i can provide for you. Whether that's just a better life, or something more personal to you. I have many connections and strings i can tug on."
Wanda
"Fame? I don't need fame."

*Diao looks around her, at the simple tent and golems around her.*

"Though a little stability can help. But what I really want is power."

*Diao pulls up the right sleeve of her robe, revealing her thin arms. Barely strong enough to lift a large dog. The left arm is pulled up as well, revealing the bronze arm underneath. It was much thicker, looking as if someone took the arm of a bronze statue and attached it to this seemingly frail woman.*

"There's several possible ways you know my name. As many know, I'm an Artificer and engineer. I create and fix things, and figure out how and why they work. But long ago, I was known as a warrior."

*Diao extends her metal hand to the left, and in it forms a formidable Fangtian Ji, modified with technology and crackling with lightning.*

"I used to be strong. Physically. I was a warrior of the highest caliber, a duelist wielding a weapon just like this one. And I was one of the best, until I was poisoned and had my arm chopped off in a fight. The man who did that was dead, but I was exiled for killing him. So it's really not a bad thing to want power. All I want is some aspect of my former self again. The one that could move, run, truly *Fight*. I've only gotten a fraction of that strength."

*Diao lets go of the halberd, and flexes the mechanical muscle of her bicep.*

"That is what I truly want."
Marie
"Power... I hope you understand that... In your circumstance, that might be difficult."

*Horace pauses in thought for a moment, shrugging by the end of it.*
"But i suppose if that's all you want, we've got a deal. I'll need your cooperation with any training to get you up to shape. Real power can't be gained with some potion or spell. It'll take time and dedication... But im sure you know that."

*The elf smiles lightly, finishing off his tea then. Placing the now empty cup off to the side.*
"If that's all then...?"