Certification

[ask_nicely]

It turns out that Adana's space station is not in Bartalamos' jurisdiction. She wouldn't be inclined to care much, except that means that in her new jurisdiction, she does not have a license. Since she is very much a summoner, and would not like to be an illegal summoner - she will take their test. She's fortunate in the fact that this particular government plays fair with foreigners that have summoner's licenses. She does not have to go through the grueling paperwork process, or wait ages in line, or take a test she knows all of the answers to, anyway.

What she does need to do, though, is demonstrate a capability to summon and bind a daeva, securely. Their definition of secure is different from hers. Theirs involves binding a daeva to two phrases and a task. This isn't the kind of thing Adana likes to do to her summons. It's mean, and it feels like she's reducing them to being less than people. There is one that she knows of that's used to it, at least. She doesn't know if that makes it worse, or better. So she will ask, first.

This circle is quite a bit neater than the last one, and is missing the 'no talking' clause. Calling friendly neighborhood demon, want to get summoned?

Comments

[from_scratch]

"Fun."

[ask_nicely]

"Feel free to brag about me to all of your demonic friends."

[from_scratch]

"I don't have that many, actually, but I'm sure they'll be duly impressed."

[ask_nicely]

"Yay! Approval!"

[from_scratch]

"You'll be very popular."

[ask_nicely]

"I'm quite proud. Though even with recommendations I don't think I'll let demons that aren't you off of the 'leash.' Because safety."

[from_scratch]

"Really, if I told you 'summon so-and-so, she's safe, promise', you wouldn't take my word for it?"

[ask_nicely]

"I would summon her, but not much else without cause. I wouldn't gag her or anything, but no randomly summoning people to let them loose on an unsuspecting galaxy. I am a responsible summoner. Except when I'm not, which you just so happen to be seeing a lot of."

[from_scratch]

"I do happen to be seeing a lot of that. But there's nobody from Hell I'm desperate to have around."

[ask_nicely]

"Okay," agrees Adana. "If you have a lover or family member you would like to see or something, I will be happy to summon them, too. Because I'm not a jerk."

[from_scratch]

"Did someone tell you that demons have families?"

[ask_nicely]

"... No, but I was trying not to assume. One of my angel friends has got an angel sister. I kind of guessed it could happen in demons too? Was I wrong?"

[from_scratch]

"Daeva can't reproduce."

This is, as far as it goes, true.

[ask_nicely]

Pause. "Okay, so I am now kind of confused about how my friend has got a sister. Um. Is it rude to ask that? Do you just - come into existence, is there a - I don't know, horrifically tacky golden demon-tree that pops out new demons in sacks?"

[from_scratch]

"They adopted each other, maybe? Also, it's possible my info about angels and fairies is incorrect. There's no tree and no sacks, folks just appear more or less at random - we think typically close to other demons, but if there's a completely independent cluster of demons somewhere else or new demons appearing trillions of miles away, we wouldn't necessarily know."

[ask_nicely]

"Huh. Okay, I'll go with the adopted each other thing, I guess. That's got to be freaky, to just - not exist and then start. Or - wait, do you pop in as babies?"

[from_scratch]

"Nah."

...He can't actually be sure there are no children, but he's sure there are no babies.

"I showed up this age."

[ask_nicely]

She nods. "This line of questioning isn't - weird or bothering you, right? I'm honestly curious, usually daevas are cagey about where they come from. I guess I know why, now. Randomly existing is kind of hard to explain."

[from_scratch]

"I'm not telling you all the details. Maybe later."

[ask_nicely]

"Okay," agrees Adana. "Whatever you're comfortable with. I know I'd be embarrassed as all hell to explain to a daeva where mortals come from."

[from_scratch]

"Ooooh, but I'm so curious," he teases, leaning in her direction. "How does it work, Adana? Where do babies come from?"

[ask_nicely]

She giggles, embarrassed. "I suspect you already know the answer to that one, since you mentioned the 'getting tail' pun."

[from_scratch]

"Yes, yes, ruin my fun."

[ask_nicely]

Adana snorts. "I can explain anyway, if you want to see me turn as red as a tomato and sink into the ground as I do it."

[from_scratch]

"You needn't do so on my account."