Conversation and negotiation

Stewart sat in his living room drinking tea and reading a book while waiting for Xio to come ask him questions. (Xio would probably also bring Fors with her to help her escape if I had ill intentions so then I'll get to know another beyonder in Backlund.)

8:34 pm

Just as Stewart wondered if Xio had seen the note or if she decided to leave Backlund thinking that she is a danger, Stewart heard a knock on the door. (It seems guests have arrived.) Stewart thought. Stewart put a bookmark in his half finished book and went to the door, Stewart then opened the door and saw Xio and someone who looked exactly like the description of Fors from the book. (Looks like I guessed right.) Stewart thought while he said with a smile. "Welcome Miss Derecha and Miss Wall, Please come in." Fors hearing this asked. "You know me?" Stewart just smiled and said. "Please sit." Stewart sat across from Xio and Fors and said. "Miss Derecha I know you have many questions and you are on guard since the Derecha name used to hold much weight. The family has also fallen into obscurity after the head of that family was falsely charged."

Xio rolled her eyes and said. "Just tell me why you want the creeping vine and what you want me to help you with. The more you talk like that the more I feel like you're threatening me." Stewart smiled and said. "Alright I like your attitude, the creeping vine is for my potion and I need you to help me build up a reputation as a bounty hunter." Xio looked Stewart in the eyes and asked. "That's it?" Stewart just nodded. "Then why couldn't you just say that in the note?" Stewart glanced at Fors who was looking around and only half listening to the conversation and said. "Well I wanted to use this chance to get to know another beyonder in Backlund. Sequence 9 Apprentice Miss Fors Wall, She also has a bracelet which will allow her to travel through the spirit world with the negative effect being applied by a cure which makes her hear ravings during full moons."

After hearing this both Xio and Fors became serious since the person in front of them knew their trump card this entire time. "I know the truth about both your problems, I know why your father was falsely accused." Stewart said, looking at Xio. "And I know the origin of the ravings you hear, But your problem is not mine to solve, you will gain someone else's help in the future." Stewart said, moving his gaze to Fors. "Alright Let's get back on topic…" Stewart started. "At least tell me who will help me." Fors said, slightly desperate. "That will not do." Stewart answered. "I can get the creeping vine and help you build a reputation as a bounty hunter but how do I know I can trust you?" Xio asked. "Well that's a problem. I can't get my hands on a notary item right now and you don't have prohibit or restriction yet so… that might be a problem since there's no trust between us."

The air became silent as the three people just sat there non knowing what the other was thinking until Fors broke the silence "How about you guys just find a person who can make contracts?" Stewart instantly replied. "I know you're newer to the world of beyonders but you should know that each of the orthodox churches control a different pathway. The church of the lord of the storm controls the sailor pathway, the church of the eternal blazing sun controls the bard pathway and we can't really get help from the MI9 because of Xio's situation." Stewart then paused as if in thought then said. "Here's some lesser known knowledge I will tell you for free as a sign of good will. Some pathways are interchangeable, one case of these being the sailor and bard pathways." This information shocked Xio but Fors didn't seem impressed and asked. "Your point being?" Stewart was slightly shocked but didn't show it. (I guess Fors doesn't know enough about the world of mysticism to see the importance of this information.) Stewart thought while saying. "I would have to explain some other lesser known information to tell you the exact reason but the simplest way to explain it is that beyonders of interchangeable pathways don't get along."

"How about this?" Xio said after processing the information he just obtained. "If you also make a magical item for me on top of telling me the secret to increasing my sequence quicker I will help you." Stewart spaced out for a second thinking. (A magical item is made out of some spiritual material instead of characteristics and it has a certain time limit to its use…) Stewart looked at Xio and said. "Alright I'll make one magical item for you but you have to provide the materials" Xio, hearing this smiled and answered. "Of course, but I don't have the item I want to make into a magical item on me right now so I'll come here and get you to make it tomorrow." Stewart nodded agreeing to Xio Suggestion then said. "Miss Wall I'll allow you to ask one question as long as it isn't lesser known information I will answer your question." Fors responded by asking. "Why did the person who helped me become a beyonder have a sealed artifact with a curse and why would she be a beyonder in the first place?" Stewart hearing this fell into thought. (Fors question seems to be testing how much I know about them, according to how she was described in the book I don't think she could come up with a question like this. This question seems more like Xio's more cautious style.) These thoughts only took a second as Stewart asked. "Xio wanted you to ask these questions if I showed too much knowledge about you two didn't she." Stewart noticed that for a second Fors had an expression of shock which confirmed his guess. Stewart then answered Fors previous question. "Mrs. Aulisa became a beyonder through her deceased husband but I can't tell you anymore since that would not only be lesser known information but high level information as well."