The dark-winged woman cast an evaluating look towards Piro as he first spoke, voicing his desire to hear her name, and the reason he gave for it. There was a short moment as she smirked, then starting to laugh, and shake her head.<strong>"If I wanted your soul, I would just drive a dagger through your living flesh, and have my companions gather your pale soul so it can be broken for harvesting illiaster. No, I own your pretty little ass, boy, and if you want it to stay intact you will listen carefully when I talk to you. I am allowing you to live, because you can be useful to me. I am willing to negotiate for improved conditions, if you perform well. After all, such encouragements are just good business."</strong><br/><br/>The Erinyes smirked faintly, but then seemed to consider his request seriously for a moment longer before speaking in a calm tone of voice.<strong>"I have used the name Aneesha for a few centuries, you may refer to me as such if you wish, but keep it respectful."</strong>Her tone was calm but the look in her eyes seemed to suggest she was not kidding about this requirement. She eyed each of them seriously for a moment at the time, then regarding Piro with narrowed eyes as he seemed to have taken up the role of the spokesperson for the group.<strong>"Ask what you wish, I'll answer what I choose."</strong><br/><br/>There was no further promise or permission given, but she listened to Piro's words seriously, then chuckling a moment again as she spoke.<strong>"As long as the production stays good, nobody cares what we 'dregs' do here. I control this place, and the Imp managed to wrest control of the place you are being sent to, when its own master met its end under mysterious circumstances. It knows that if it stepped out, I'd kill it and tie the wards to myself to expand my control. So by doing well you will please me and thus, your importance to me improves. As does your treatment."</strong>She smirked at this time calmly, brushing a bit of hair off her eyes while looking at Naori in turn on hearing her question, a faint smirk crossing her lips.<br/><br/><strong>"While it might surprise the imp and his guards, I doubt it would be big enough surprise to get close enough to strangle the bastard by your bare hands. No, you will get your hands on <em>some</em> gear before setting out, though it will be on loan, and I expect it returned, where possible."</strong>Her gaze watched Naori intently for a few seconds, before turning to look at Piro.<strong>"You will return to me successful, and I shall make it clear you are under my command, for now. As long as that lasts, attack on you is an attack against me. So you will be protected if you remain useful."</strong><br/><br/>Casting a look at each of them, she crossed her arms and hummed.<strong>"Some of what you had with you burnt apart in your fall, other things fell far and wide apart, others were broken, some were recovered both by my people and others. For the moment, you'll have to do with what I am willing to loan to untested mercenaries, but the imp you are to deal with relies heavily on the protections around the soul mill rather than his own might. You will be able to walk right through those wards being alive and not bound by the covenants. So what I will provide is simple. Two pieces of equipment each, as well as a weapon to keep yourself alive. I can toss you a breastplate to use or a chainshirt, but beyond those I do not stock in armor."</strong>She regarded each of them seriously, eyes shifting from Naori to Piro, and looking curiously at Baudhiel and Jia as well.<br/><br/><strong>"I'll allow you a moment to talk, but you make one move towards the outer gate without my permission and you'll find my guards aren't known for their patience and sense of humor..."</strong>She smirked slightly, turning around to walk over to the front door to the tower-like structure, pausing there to speak to a short figure wearing a robe at the doorway, a figure that seemed to dig around in its pockets to pull out a folded document of some sort, which the Erinyes snatched in a quick move of her hand.