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

[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."

[ask_nicely]

"No? Heh, okay. Fine by me, apparently I am a huge prude and weird for being embarrassed by sex in general."

[from_scratch]

"I'd been under the impression that it was getting more normalized as a conversation topic over time, but you get outliers in any culture, I suppose."

[ask_nicely]

"Hi! My name is Adana Sanders and I'm an outlier!"

[from_scratch]

"Hiiiii, Adana. The first step is to admit that you have a problem." Pause. "Are those still a thing? I try to keep up, but I can't keep up with everything simultaneously."

[ask_nicely]

She snorts with laughter. "Those are still a thing, not to worry."

[from_scratch]

"Cool. You can twelve-step your way to fluently discussing all sorts of racy topics."

[ask_nicely]

Adana giggles more. "Heavens that would be so mortifying, is prudism such a debilitating condition?"

[from_scratch]

"It seems to be affecting your life! You can't tell me where babies come from without somehow becoming insubstantial and sliding through the bottom of this shuttle."

[ask_nicely]

"I can work through it! I don't have a problem!"

[from_scratch]

"Then you are still missing step one. You will take time to make progress. But don't give up! I believe in you!"

[ask_nicely]

"Thanks. I will try to get over my condition. Somehow. And then I can explain where babies come from."

[from_scratch]

"And then I will be enlightened. From my terrible ignorance."

[ask_nicely]

Adana giggles. "Do you actually not know because no one bothered to tell you, or are you just having fun teasing me?"

[from_scratch]

"Nah, I know, I'm just playing with you."

[ask_nicely]

More giggling. She is so giggly, now. "Making sure, I wouldn't want to actually doom a daeva to ignorance about where babies come from because I think it's obvious and embarrassing."

[from_scratch]

"I mean, I suppose you're taking a chance that I have been grievously misled with a myth of some kind."

[ask_nicely]

"... You're just trying to embarrass me. Aren't you."

[from_scratch]

"What gave me away?"

[ask_nicely]

"You obviously teasing me and enjoying this immensely?"

[from_scratch]

"Oooooh, that. I'll have to watch my tells in the future, clearly."

[ask_nicely]

"Yup, you do. For when you are in the very specific situation of having a prudish summoner that is concerned about misinformation about mortals."

[from_scratch]

"Should I not be expecting to see a lot of that situation?"

[ask_nicely]

"Well, obviously it will have to be a different summoner, because I am onto you, mister."