<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/xVuUOzt.jpg)</div><br/>The Marchioness smiled slyly into the screen,<strong>"My such wise questions.  I'm sure you know I value a contestant who has a quick and inquisitive mind.  As I am sure you know, many of the contestants who find their way to other counselors find themselves locked in a competition for the favour of that counselor.  I am no exception.  However while my fellow counselors prefer to have their charges meet on a contest of strength and guile on arena floor, I prefer those to show mental aptitude.  You will be locked in a contest of intelligence that also tests your ability to resist sexual stimulation, and she who can finish her charge the quickest, shall gain my favor."<br/><br/>"As to that favor, I shall grant a bit of fae magic, the manipulation of light and shadow, color and sound.  Not the most desireable of gifts by most estimations, but a flexible gift that a sharp mind can apply to many situations to gain advantage."<br/><br/>"As to the loser..." </strong>She paused,<strong>"In the past I have kept especially delicious losers who I found desireable by my side, taking them to my realm to serve me for the rest of their lives.  But I have also in the past released them, un aided, into the second level, bound with geas to never raise a hand or act against the victor, but otherwise unencumbered."</strong><br/><br/>A small light ticked on in the corner of the monitor to show that a second contestant had now tuned into the Marchioness.  She glanced up for a moment and sighed slightly,<strong> "I hope that I see you at my chambers then soon contestant, but I must move on, one last question or comment before I go and I shall answer."</strong>