<span style="font-style: italic">At last...</span>Conquest thought with an inward sigh of relief as the gentle hum of the tattoo gun started up again, and the feeling of needle in skin took hold. Now that War had gone off to find that other ADD asshole of his ("asshole" used in the...loving way she could muster), she had time to herself. Much needed time to herself as more plans formed. Plans that would need her utmost concentration and focus.<br/><br/>Concentration and focus she couldn't muster if tensed and frustrated at the lack of time to herself; Of all the gods she could have formed with...she formed with them: ADD fucktard, bulemic douchebag, and emo twat.<br/><br/>...And then Mathias entered, breaking that blissful silence...Famine and Death shortly behind him.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Of course,</span>she thought angrily, covering herself up once again as she shifted and waved the tattoo artist off for now.<span style="font-style: italic">Why would I need personal time? Not like I have to deal with emo, greedy bastards, and the ADD jackass kept on a leash. Why would I need personal, alone time from all of that? Clearly no one got that memo.</span><br/><br/>As Mathias had already asked how they were, she merely declined her head in the smallest of nods, greeting the pair while she tried to keep bay the annoyance at this next interruption.<span style="font-style: italic">Deep breaths…</span>Conquest cautioned herself.<span style="font-style: italic">Just keep your patience…Everyone around you has a disability…They need the extra guidance.</span>“I take it you’re here about the reports?” she finally broached, tone patient and even, despite how twitchy her eye felt at the lack of peace.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8040FF">"Astute as ever Conquest." Famine spoke, joyvial in tone. He walked up to her seat and handed her the scroll of information he had written up. "I believe you'll find your army of flesh will be well fed for quite some time, loath as I am to aid the effort." He chuckled at his own jest.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death nodded slightly to Mathias, though he hated that rat. Mathias was Conquest's boy, and the best spy in the kingdom. He had been a thorn in Death's side ever since he had aligned with Conquest, and Death would like nothing more than to see him rot. However, he remained polite, better to stay on Conquest's good side while Famine gave his report.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Astute as ever…</span>she repeated to herself as she accepted the scroll with the one hand, the blanket carefully draped to keep herself covered.<span style="font-style: italic">Because that’s what you think of when you think of me…You act like I was born yesterday…</span>But, she kept the comments to herself, scanning the report and managing a half-laugh at his joke. “I’d rather have the ‘army of flesh’ well as a whole, so I appreciate the effort, Famine…”<span style="font-style: italic">I know how much you’d rather be hoarding your pile and watching it rot.</span><br/><br/>“And you, Death?” came her next question, attention turning to him briefly before going back to her scanning. “How’s the death toll at the moment, your jaunt through the outer ring included.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death sighed internally. <span style="font-style: italic">I'll kill that rat. I can't go anywhere without somebody trailing me.</span> "Indirectly? Our Third Quarter is going according to schedule. As for my jaunts, it is within our...agreement." <span style="font-style: italic">Even though I'm technically killing them all anyway</span>, he added on mentally. </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias steps up to stand nearer Conquest so he can skim the reports over her shoulder, doing his best not to wrinkle his nose from being so close to Famine.  He skims over the reports, trying to tell if the numbers match what his reports indicated the taxes should have brought in. <span style="font-style: italic">I hope this is enough,</span> he thinks to himself.  <span style="font-style: italic">If rations get much slimmer I fear there will be rioting in the outer ring and that's the last thing we need right now.</span>  He adresses the two immortals in front of him. "I don't suppose either of you have heard anymore of these rebels?  I've managed to find many of bolder groups, but their leadership remains hidden." </span><br/><br/>“It being within our agreement was never the question,” she answered offhand, tossing an assessing gaze at his person before returning to the scroll without so much as an outward second thought. “Merely wanting to know how things are holding up as a whole. That is also within the agreement, you understand.” The last was added with a sweet sort of smile, another glance thrown at him, tone even, holding just a touch of the condescending overtones she was famous for.<br/><br/>As Mathias asked the next question, she found herself curious as to the answer, tuning more fully into them and closing the scroll out of habit. One thing she’d have to talk to the human about, however, was reading over her shoulder;<span style="font-style: italic">That</span>pet peeve was one she didn’t see diminishing any time soon.<br/><br/><span style="color: #8040FF">Famine sneered at the human next to Conquest. "Do you enjoy playing with your food Conquest? Letting it get so close to you, and raw at that." </span><br/><br/>The look in her eyes was brief, flashing through the golden-hued depths and vanishing as quickly as they’d started. “His question stands, Famine. Perhaps you should worry more about things that directly involve you, and not that which has nothing to do with you whatsoever.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #8040FF">"Me? Worry? I leave that to those that trouble themselves with worrisome things." He spoke with a wide grin as always. "As for your rebels, no. My slaves  have had no trouble in their collections." </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00"><span style="font-style: italic">And he asked me not to piss her off?</span> Death stepped in then, his face a mask and his tone even. "There is no word. The bold ones do not know enough and those that do guard their tongues well. I've heard many whispers but no locations." <span style="font-style: italic">Finally. Something the rat doesn't know</span> </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">For his part Mathias mearly smiles, giving no real reaction to the jab, having long since grown used to them, and knowing that Conquests good will could only protect him so much.  He nods his thanks. "Well at least they do not trouble the collectors.  And do not worry Death, give it time.  They will get more and more desperate.  Desperate people make mistakes....and I am very good at taking advantage of other's mistakes." </span><br/><br/>The grin, she wanted to smack off of his face, matching it with one of her own as visions of beating the smug demeanor from his features became prominent. Shoving the scroll down his throat…Stabbing him in the eye with her beloved tattoo gun; Sure, it might damage the gun, but it’d be worth it in the end to get another, no matter the cost… She almost wished the ADD Boy Wonder were in just so that she could get him to do it for her; Save her the trouble of replacing the gun and keep her from getting too close to<span style="font-style: italic">it</span>.<br/><br/>Death chimed in, keeping her from saying something she might later regret, though her eyes remained on Famine’s. Though, with an inward, calming breath, she decided to let the rat go on with his delusions of whom should be worrying, instead nodding and turning her gaze toward Death. “Thank you,” was all she said, making a mental note to ask Mathias about at a later date. “And that, darling Famine, is why the ‘food’ as you called him is allowed to be so close. He’s useful. You could take a page out of his book, no?” she added casually with a light shrug. “Sad day when a human is more useful, worth more, than a horseman… Tsk.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"If you have no objection, Conquest, I believe we should take our leave." Death said before Famine could reply.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The tune he whistled had been jolly and merry, even as he sought out his Monkey for some fun and games. <br/><br/>“Hey!” he shouted and pointed to some poor servant who had been on their way with a tray laden with goods. <br/><br/>“Ye...yes...M'lord War?” the poor sap stammered as he bowed before the God as he approached.<br/><br/>“Have you seen my Monkey?” he asked without yet giving the man the courtesy of even looking at him.<br/><br/>“N..No M'lord. Not since this morning....” the poor poor human trembled before the most unstable of the horsemen. “Errands....I be...believe he was out on errands....”<br/><br/>A loud exasperated sigh left his lips and he placed his hands on his hips while he chewed on his bottom lip in thought. “Now what am I supposed to do? She told me to go and do something, to leave her alone...but I am already bored and....Hey!” suddenly his gazed landed on the poor human, who had the ill timing to look up at that moment. “What pretty eyes you have, all round and ball shaped....” the grin that game to his lips was one that caused the poor human to drop his tray and piss his pants in fear. It was a grin all were warned about and one that they all dreaded. <br/><br/>Piercing screams of pain filled the halls and then there was War reentering chambers and juggling the pretty eyes he had found. “Look what I found!” </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death looked at War with disdain. He found him so...tactless. </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8040FF"><span style="font-style: italic">'Enjoy your little jabs and your little war while it lasts girl'</span> "I assure you Conquest it will be advice I keep close to my heart. Maybe think it over come supper time." He spoke with his hand at his chin, calm contemplation evident, mocking as it was. War made his presense known and Famine kindly acknowledged him. "Oh look, your pet's come to join the party. Perhaps I should take Deaths' advice then." </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Oh look, it is sir “I have a stick shoved so far up my ass Death waves me like an old, broken and unwanted flag.”” War said while he continued to juggle the eyes. “I thought the room felt all bitter, cold and pathetic when I entered. Now I know why,” he smirked.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias looked up suddenly at the screams so nearby, his hands automatically going to two of his hidden knives, though not drawing them. Upon seeing War he relaxes for a moment but then stiffens again when he see's what the Immortal is juggling. He says nothing, mearly drawing a slow breath as he forces himself to relax.</span><br/><br/>If looks could kill, War would have died on the spot upon re-entry, and been six feet under after his exacerbating remarks.<span style="font-style: italic">For the love of all the fucks I have to give…</span>came the exasperated thought, eyes narrowed at him, Famine and Death momentarily forgotten. “So glad you could join the party, Dumbass,” she greeted him, slapping one of her overly dramatic smiles on. “Get lost on the way to find your toy, or did those eyes just…happen to fall into your hands on your way back here?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death grit his teeth. Perhaps, if he was quiet, the buffoon would leave him be. Death could hope.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #8040FF">Chuckling to himself, and a voice so condescending it could be felt throughout the room. "I see you have some disciplining to do. Do keep in touch dear sister, oh and make sure they eat healthy." His soft chuckles continued as he wakled from the room, swinging his blunderbuss as if it were a cane.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death moved to follow Famine.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Actually, they did....after I plucked them from his head....” he grinned. “I hear so much whining is there a thin and unhappy baby in the room?” he basically shouted, as he winked at Conquest.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death paused at the door, unable to contain himself. "Are you referring to yourself, you bumbling buffoon?"</span><br/><br/>“Death, keep walking,” Conquest shot out, cutting him off as she grabbed up her blanket, keeping it about herself, hastening him out and slamming the door behind him. Then…slowly…she turned to look at War in a deadpan. “…Have you learned nothing?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I have learned a lot of things....." he stated. "Like, if you kind of squeeze the head the eyeballs will just pop out....just about."</span><br/><br/>A hand moved to knock one of the eyeballs out of the air, listening as it hit the ground and subsequently rolled away to be lost under a table. “You’ve learned nothing except how to make yourself look like more of an ass. Do I need to tighten your leash?” she asked, glaring him down. “Because, clearly you have too much slack.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He frowned and pouted a bit when the fun was stopped and he looked at Conquest confused, “How does me removing the eyeballs of someone make me look like an ass? I mean that is badass and kind of epic.” Arms crossed over his chest as he smiled with pleasure, “Yo Mat, how's it hanging?” he asked the human when he finally noticed him.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias forces a smile. "It goes well, although it appears we will need to find a new servant for the inner ring, And that means more work for me in making sure we don't bring in a rebel spy." <span style="font-style: italic"> Just what I need, more hassle. Why couldn't he have waited a bit longer before doing something stupid.</span>  "Did you dispose of the rest of the body, or is it sitting out there getting bloodstains on my mistresses clean walkway?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"He was alive and kicking when I left him, so I am sure you can find him," War said with a casual shrug.</span><br/><br/>“For fuck’s sake,” she groaned. “Mathias, would you be so kind as to find and obtain the poor bastard for me? If we act now…and clean off the stray, we could manage a shotty reattachment, but a reattachment nonetheless.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias bows and exits the room, giving War a wider berth then he would either of the other immortals.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Nice guy,"War said when Mat left. "All polite and respectful. I like him," he looked to Conquest wtih a slight frown. "I take it you are unhappy with me?"</span><br/><br/>She rolled her eyes then, walking away from him with and seeking out her shirt, annoyed that the tattoo would be once again postponed for completion in the wake of War’s antics. “Whatever gave you that idea?” came the less-than-amused question. “Go find your Monkey or something, for the sake of my sanity.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I thought you would like the eye trick," he continued as he followed after her. "You know, to show off how good I am with my hands," he grinned and waggled his eyebrows at her.</span><br/><br/>There was an exaggerated gag, followed by an eye twitch. “Yes…plucking the eyes out of a human and juggling the two of them around shows<span style="font-style: italic">exactly</span>the skill you possess. Silly me for not finding its comparison to be tantalizing.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Come on now," he shuffled so that he was now in front of her. "I know you find me attractive and want me to have that ass of yours," he looked her over and perhaps flexed just a bit more than was needed. "So, why are you fighting what we both know you want?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">At that moment Mathias returned, having found the disfigured man not far off.  There was now a cloth wrapped around the man's face where his eyes used to be.  The man seemed to be passed out, likely from pain and shock.  He was carrying the man in a fireman's carry.  He set him down on the floor and then retrieved the eye from under the table, wrapping it loosely in a handkerchief.<br/><br/>"He's still alive, I found him passed out on the ground not far from where I assume the....extraction took place."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Alright, fine…</span>came a thought.<span style="font-style: italic">You want to have this talk? Let’s have this talk.</span>“What I want?” she repeated, finally lazily meeting his eyes. “You want to know what I want?” A finger traced up his abs, conveniently displayed as he was wont for. “Yes, you’re attractive. You’ve got enviable tattoos, more than enough muscle to keep a girl’s eye lingering, easy on your own eyes…” Her head tilted to the side as her eyes traipsed over him, finger continuing its movements until it eventually reached his lips. “…But your damn mouth…” Her finger dropped, a sigh loosed and she took a step back. “It’s the damn mouth that ruins all of…this…”<br/><br/>Just then, she registered Mathias’s return, stepping around War and grabbing up her shirt, quickly yanking it on before proceeding to search for the missing eye. “Shame, really…” was the last she said on it, with a brief glance in the other man’s direction with a nod. “Thank you, for bringing him.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I knew it!" he exclaimed and came over to join the pair. "Aww....poor guy....he had such pretty eyes...." he said when his attention was caught elsewhere for the moment. "You know, we could just replace the eyes with those mechanical things that we have....right?" he asked Mat, then his attention was quickly drawn to Conquest as he focused back on their original conversation. "So, is it how I talk or what I say that ruins it?"</span><br/><br/>Meandering over, she focused in on the eyeball in War’s hand, holding her hand out for him to drop the other eye into, examining it more closely before debating on whether or not to use the mechanical implements Dumbass had brought up. “Do you really have to ask?” she shot back easily. “You talk like a child, even in the tone you use more often than not. And the things you say, I feel like a babysitter. Kills the whole ‘oh baby, take me now’ thing you think you have going.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"So....if I act more...adult...I could have you?" he asked; the eyeball, the eyeless guy and Mat completely forgotten now. "That is not so hard, I can do that easily," voice confident as he stuck his chest out a bit with some pride.</span><br/><br/>There was no helping the snort at his words. “Oh yes, because I’m a thing to be had,” she remarked easily as her scrutiny of the eye became more focused. “Please, keep wooing me. It’s working so well.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"No, really" he protested. "I am serious. I can be different and then you would like me, right?"</span><br/><br/>“And there’s the child-like quality again,” Conquest said, handing the eye off to Mathias to get a second opinion. “Look…even if it were within your power to behave, to act like an adult and not a child I have to monitor twenty-four/seven…there’s no use discussing the hypothetical chance as it doesn’t exist. You don’t—and likely can’t—act like an adult, so it’s null and void.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I bet you that I can," he stated without hesitation. "I can behave and be more adult like, even you say that it will get me a chance with you then it is something well worth the effort. So, what....two weeks? As a trial run in my behavior, save for of course messing with emo one and emo two? I will try to not taunt them, but you know they are just so annoying sometimes and I just....." his words trailed off in a growl of frustration.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias takes the eyes and does his best to clean any dirt from them using some water from a flask. "I'm no doctor.  But even I know that trying to reattach these would be difficult, and there's always the risk of infection, they've hardly been in sterile conditions since their removal."</span><br/><br/>“I’m inclined to agree,” Conquest remarked with a sigh before roving her attention back to War. “Think you could get us the parts and someone to attach them properly? I’d rather we not lose another one because someone got bored and decided his eyes looked pretty…Yet further proof of your lack of chances to even attempt to ‘have me’.” Air quotes included, as the last was mumbled a bit lower.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">His face shifted just a bit, but whatever he might have said he kept to himself, “Of course.” The response a simple one, before he stood and went to do as she requested. <span style="font-style: italic"> To think that I can't be an adult. I will show her that I can be mature and then I will have her.....that ass is mine </span> He thought to himself with satisfaction, as he exited the room.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias watched War leave and sighed, dropping a little bit of his formality once the Immortal was gone.  He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "Why can he never wait until he's outside before he does something like this."  He looked at the poor fellow he had brought in.  "Damn shame too.  I don't care what War's mechanics think, their fake parts never work as well as the originals."</span><br/><br/>She didn’t watch him as he left, instead examining the eye sockets more closely, hardly listening to Mathias as she continued to debate whether either eye was worth saving or if he’d be forced to have two replacements; the adjustment time alone for just one implant was bad enough, let alone someone getting both eyes replaced because her dog’s leash was too lax.<br/><br/>“You know what else is a damn shame?” Conquest remarked in offhanded fashion. “When someone doesn’t know their place…” Her tone was casual, voice lower, golden hues finally raising to regard him in a less-than-casual way. “Mathias, you’re not stupid. Wouldn’t have allowed you here if you were. …But it’s also your downfall.” Turning away from the “eyeless wonder” on the table, she gave Mathias her full attention. “Regardless of what I think of the other horsemen, nor what you think, you need to watch how you speak to them, and to me in front of them. Comments like that, however true they are, aren’t needed nor are they productive.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">"I apologize.  I will do my best to mind my tongue in the Future.  But you also know that they would not bother to give me the information I need if it is not asked for directly.  They don't like me.  Famine see's me as an annoyance, and Death sees me as a hinderance to his freedom to do as he wishes."  He takes another close look at the man in front of them. <br/><br/>"I hope that one of War's doctors can pull this off."  He looks to his Mistress again.  "Now, while we have some time alone." He glances at the unconcious body. "Or at least close enough to alone, Was there anything in particular you wished of me to focus on today, or should I just do my best to keep tabs on everything as usual?"</span><br/><br/>“Famine likes no one, except those that call him ‘Daddy’, a nickname I’ve yet to figure out. And Death only likes those that allow him to do as he pleases; It’s one of the reasons I suspect he dislikes me,” she reasoned. “But I understand. Next time, tact. The more tact you use, the less bullshit I have to wade through later.”<br/><br/>That aside, she mulled over his question. “Making sure that War stays on point and gets the parts, and the doctor to assemble them, would be nice. Also, just keeping a general eye on everyone, on their whereabouts as per usual, Death especially. Something about his demeanor in the meeting today left me wary. Before you go though…”<br/><br/>She stepped in a little closer to Mathias, her eyes alight with a cold humor. “If you read over my shoulder again, this man’s eyes won’t be the only ones being tossed around in the air. Understood?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias does his best to keep his calm demeanor, but can't suppress a slight shake in his voice as he nods. "Yes Mistress. I understand."  He swallows and straightens himself out, taking a moment to regain his composure.  "Is there anything else, or shall I get started?"  He looks to her expectantly, doing his best to not imagine what her displeasure can mean for him.  He enjoyed the relatively good life he had only because of her favor.  He could not afford to anger her anymore then he could avoid.</span><br/><br/>That subtle shake was music to her ears, speaking volumes more than his declaration of understanding. “Getting started would be wonderful. Check in with me if you find any new developments or run into any problems?” She didn’t wait for him to reply though, walking back to her chair to get her tattoo finished.<br/><br/>Clearly their talk, and what she thought was worth being discussed, was done.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFBF00">Mathias bowed deeply and made his way out of the room as quickly as he could without seeming like he was rushing.  As soon as he was out of her presence he started cursing himself under his breath.  He had become too complacent.  He pauses just outside to compose himself again before making a stop at his private quarters to change into something more common so as not to stand out when keeping an eye on Death before heading out to complete his assignments for the day.</span>