Her gaze sharpens. "Can you, indeed? And what will you ask in turn of an old mendicant?"

...looking closely, there's... a notable absence on her forehead. Much as Alice and the daughter of Solomon from earlier today both have Keys there, this woman... doesn't have a Key there.

"Hmm. Well, what can you offer me? Sage advice? Book recommendations? Introductions to interesting and helpful people?"

She relaxes infinitesimally. "Alas, I am a fool, and have read only one book. And those who know me generally consider it to their detriment, and are disinclined to be helpful to those I introduce."

She inclines her head, and slurps some more noodles. "Mathangi Mantra ten Meti is my name - Mantra short for 'Murder the Gods and Topple their Thrones'. Thus I add you to those whose detriment it is to know me. If you like you may call me Maya."

"I like your name, Maya. If you like, you can call me April. Is there a specific reason I'm supposed to find it to my detriment to know you? So far I'm in favour of the experience."

(She does spare a glance at Sid to gauge how impatient he is to get to wherever they were actually meant to be going, and also whether he looks like he might have any Cultural Context on offer.)

Maya smirks. "You have known me thus far for half a minute, under the ideal conditions: nonviolent, sedentary, well supplied with noodles. Under any other circumstances I am sure you would find me less agreeable by far. After all, I strive in all ways to emulate my teacher, though I am only an imperfect student."

Sid was looking somewhat impatient, until Maya introduced herself (specifically the words "ten Meti"), at which point he stopped that. He is now looking decidedly neutral.

That's certainly evidence in favour of a hypothesis.

"I think my teacher would be pretty mad if I decided to emulate him in all ways, but hey, if it works for you."

Maya snorts violently. "Mine as well. I suppose it is my revenge on her for dying."

"That's fair! Condolences. Mine's not dead, just very, very far away."

"...farther than your Magus Gate can take you? Far indeed."

"It's a long story and I'm technically on my way to something moderately important right now. Maybe I'll tell you some other time."

She'd lie, or do the misleading thing, but she likes Maya. Sue her.

"I won't keep you," Maya says, inclining her head. "I imagine we'll meet again."

"Looking forward to it," she says cheerfully. "Be seeing you!"

All right, let's get back on track.

Indeed. Sid bows to Maya as they leave.

"You do seem to attract unusual happenings," he comments.

"If I guessed which one book she's read, would I be right?"

"Yes. And, probably, who her teacher was."

"She did introduce herself with a certain name attached."

"Indeed. She might be able to teach you the operation of your Key of Kings, but... she was not lying, when she said that her acquaintance is often to the detriment of those who make it. Less due to her own actions, and more because she has made some very powerful enemies in her time."

"'s a shame, I really like her."

"Indeed."

They approach a vast sphinxlike devil, with a golden burial mask where its face might be. "This is Preem Praman Nand, who calls himself Lord Androsphinx of the Gilded Cage," Considers (Sid?) explains before they're in its earshot. "The devil we seek to meet is his slave. Will you seek his audience?"

"Well, that depends. Is seeking his audience the polite thing to do in this situation, and is it likely to get me what I want?"

"Yes, and no. Diplomacy will get you nowhere unless you have something to offer him, and I do not think you have anything to match his price. Exceed it, yes, vastly, but not match it. I would recommend a skulduggerous strategy, but I confess that being an angel I have no knowledge of subtlety."

"...sorry, wait, how is it that I can vastly exceed his price but can't match it?"

The angel taps the stone in her forehead.

"You do not possess the finesse to utilize your Key to do things that are casual for royalty but incalculably valuable to those around you; indeed, that is why you are here. The only object of barter you have is your black glass, which he has a surfeit of already, and the Key itself... which would be significantly greater than any price he might name."

"Is there any hope of, say, showing up asking to learn how to use my Key, and promising one casual-for-me incalculably-valuable-for-him favour for after I learn it?"

Sid considers.

"It is possible. You may also wish to consider how much you desire to perform such a favor for Preem Nand... but like anyone else, he will be hungry for the power you will be able to wield."