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]

"Is the entire station of Harmony dedicated to nothing but irritating summoner certification exams?"

[ask_nicely]

"Well. No. But I am mad at it as a whole because of that one thing."

[from_scratch]

"How dare the entire population of that station. Whoever sells them cabbages and socks should be deeply ashamed," he teases.

[ask_nicely]

She breaks down giggling. "Okay, okay, fair point, but - if I make it seem like gagging a daeva is a good idea in comparison to not and leaving them alone, on account of cool mini black holes, then the idea of gagging daeva becomes a bit more common."

[from_scratch]

"I think it's already pretty firmly entrenched. I don't know, you could have me follow you there and then - make the data stick for my music list to go on? Make you a fetching hat?"

[ask_nicely]

"... What kind of fetching hat?"

[from_scratch]

"There was a fashion in Lutsaci - that's the city I live over - a while ago to make hats and accessories out of abalone and wood together. I couldn't pull it off but you might have the look for it, not that I'm much judge."

[ask_nicely]

"... Sure, why not. And you could make the data stick for the music, because I have to fund a space station, I am hurting for cash."

[from_scratch]

"Sure, no problem."

[ask_nicely]

Smile! "Okay, any other things I should worry about before I put you back to immediately summon you again?"

[from_scratch]

"Mmm, give me five minutes at home to finish lunch? Nothing exactly happens if I don't eat for a while, but it is a really good sandwich."

[ask_nicely]

"Sure! Fine by me. Ready to go back?"

[from_scratch]

"Sure. See you in five."

[ask_nicely]

She nods. Cam is returned to his home and his sandwich.

Honestly she needed the five minutes to add the gagging to the circle, but she will pretend it was entirely based on his preferences. When the five minutes are up - summon?

[from_scratch]

Here is a smiling yet completely silent demon.

He doesn't even wave.

[ask_nicely]

She does, though. "Hi! Sorry about this, I realize that you can't wave or do anything but I will treat you like a person regardless. So, deal that was definitely not planned out in advance at all, if you accompany me to Harmony, make me a pretty hat, and a data stick I will get you music. You up for it?"

Being cheerful about it is about the only way to lessen the horror of the situation. She'll try her best, anyway.

[from_scratch]

"Yes, summoner."

[ask_nicely]

"Cool. And uh - thank you. For this."

He can now leave the circle! She leads him off to a shuttle (an adorably tiny personal one, this she knows how to pilot) and off they go!

[from_scratch]

She is accompanied by a quiet tail-swishing demon.

[ask_nicely]

Adana is pretty sure that it will just be an uneventful trip to Harmony, if rather quiet due to Cam's inability to talk. She sets up the auto-pilot to head to the station, and then looks at Cam.

"Sorry, again," she says, again. "You can't even like - summon a book or something to pass the time, huh? Do you want to borrow one? I've got several here, I'm not sure if you've read them or not."

[from_scratch]

Cam - smiles at her. This is about all he can do.

[ask_nicely]

"Ugh this is so inconvenient," she declares, "Why do people willingly do this? I'll grab you a novel or something. Sorry! So sorry!"

She goes to grab him a novel or something. She isn't sure what he likes, and is pretty sure that he's probably read all of the classics, so - something from a newish author that she is fond of. Book is offered.

[from_scratch]

Cam manages a very quiet, voiceless laugh, and accepts the book.

[ask_nicely]

Well that's about all she can do to make him comfortable, considering. She smiles at him, grabs a book of her own, and then gets to reading. This is just a quick trip, she will keep an eye on the sensors and comm, but otherwise not worry about it. Read, read read.

[from_scratch]

The sensors beep.

The comm flashes.

Cam slowly closes his book.