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]

"Maybe," she agrees.

[from_scratch]

"They will probably tell you I am evil or something. Depending on which angels you get, I suppose, maybe there are friendlier ones."

[ask_nicely]

"I mean - if you were evil you would have already won and got to do whatever you wanted in the solar system. But you didn't knock me out, lock me up, throw away the key and run off. Instead you're - here and comforting me. So I'm really not likely to believe any of them."

[from_scratch]

"Maybe you better gag those mean rumor-spreading angels just to be sure. You know if you let daeva talk they can convince you of anything."

He is obviously teasing.

[ask_nicely]

Adana giggles. "I'll have to be careful, then, now won't I?"

[from_scratch]

"Yes. Ever so careful. Nice neat certifying-exam-passing circles."

[ask_nicely]

"Yeees, because obviously all daeva are only useful for magic purposes and not for actual company as people."

[from_scratch]

"Mm-hm. Funny-shaped magic wands, that's us."

Snugs.

[ask_nicely]

"Certainly, conveniently ambulatory magic wands. That occasionally snuggle."

[from_scratch]

"Magic wands that double as pillows! What a concept."

[ask_nicely]

"What a time to be alive. We have the technology."

[from_scratch]

He laughs and squeezes her. "Ah, what a thing it would be to be mortal and take advantage of such wonders."

[ask_nicely]

She giggles and pats his head. "It's okay, ambulatory magic wand-pillow. You will get to do both magic things, and pillow things."

[from_scratch]

"Hurray! My purpose will be fulfilled."

[ask_nicely]

"Yup!" she agrees. "And I won't even gag you, aren't I nice?"

[from_scratch]

"Very. Although I remind you that you still don't have your revised-jurisdiction license."

[ask_nicely]

"... Mm, yeah. Augh, that's annoying." She sighs. "Guess we should do that, and drop off killswitch lady."

[from_scratch]

"Yep. You wanna steal her ship or replace your door or get a shiny new shuttle?"

[ask_nicely]

"Pass on stealing, I have a friendly demon bodyguard and don't need anything she has to offer. New door, please, I like my tiny shuttle. I'll leave her ship to get towed or stay as space debris."

[from_scratch]

"Sure. I'll have to unclamp her first but I'll keep plenty of air going, okay? Whenever you're ready."

[ask_nicely]

She gives him a goodbye squeeze, then carefully extracts herself. "Okay, ready," she says, once free of comfy demon snuggles. She doesn't want to get in his way.

[from_scratch]

He ruffles her hair and goes to find the controls to make the attacker's ship let go of the little shuttle. There is plenty of air. When he's got the ships separate, he fills in the holes the clamps made in the shuttle and replaces the door on the way back in.

[ask_nicely]

"Thank you very much!"

Adana smiles at him, then goes to turn autopilot back on to get them back underway to Harmony.

[from_scratch]

"You going to resummon me at the station?"

[ask_nicely]

"Unless you particularly want to be gagged for the entire trip there, that's the plan! You can stay here with me or I can put you back now, whichever you prefer."