Bys waits a moment, then nods sharply and stands. "Me next, then."

"Welcome. I think you understand the give-and-take of relationships and exchanges like this. Everyone ends up better off."

"Sure. You're a professional, looking for some professional benefits. Let's see the contract."

He slides it over. She suspiciously examines it for loopholes, and finds none. She signs.

"It's also personally amusing to be mysterious and refined."

"Identify."

"...Congratulations, Abyssia," he says with a slight smirk. "You are currently rank two, with potential to reach rank five. You are in the 99th percentile of witches. Whoever your patron is - I have refrained from seeking that information - they've invested a good bit. A life of fortune awaits you if you play your cards right."

"Mmh. What would you want for a bit more info about how patron-witch relationships tend to go?"

"Let's get to that in a minute. First, your current invested abilities. Alchemy, rank two. Hexes, also rank two. Consortation-"

"-Consortation?!"

"-Also rank two. As well as Familiarity, the process of becoming closer to the familiar all witches can call. I suggest you summon yours when you get the chance. And finally, the first rank of Divination. What is so alarming about Consortation?"

"It's literally summoning demons from Hell, from the brochure I read. That is not really something I want to be involved with. Risky, distasteful."

"Consortation is not without risks, but there are benefits as well. Inherently it's a trade, something quite beautiful. I do regret that I am not suited for it, sometimes. But if you're morally opposed to advancing Hellish interests at all, ever, even in the minor ways that the lower ranks do, even though Hell is a complex plane with many and varied factions who seek different ends, perhaps it is not for you."

"I admit I don't actually know much about Hell. The reality, as opposed to the myth."

"Hell is a very unpleasant place. Even for the demons. I can recommend a book on the subject."

"Please do." She produces a pen and piece of paper from a pocket.

"A Close Look at the Hespatian Domain, by Helen Dromirus. It covers history, culture, and practicalities in approximately equal measure."

He waits for her to write it down.

"As for your other talents, is there anything you particularly want to learn?"

"I'm actually very fascinated by Alchemy. Being a witch, to me, is brewing potions in a nice cauldron. I'm hoping to learn that. Also, I think you're more likely than most to know a way I can find things to destroy that nobody will be too upset about."

"Ah, yes. The trouble of a Dravir trying to be civilized. I don't have a ready solution for you there, except perhaps arranging to inherit the excess products of classes, or, of course, monster hunting or bounty hunting. Unfortunately, a pacifist would make a poor Dravir."

"I'm not a pacifist. Are monsters much of a problem?"

"Not especially, but there's always a few, here and there. Your other option is simply to redeem Kisses for mana, as unappealing as that sounds. Rank three, which you should reach sooner more than later, is more than good enough to still make a profit that way."

"I'll think about it." Sigh. "So, your recommendations?"

He provides them. One introduction to a band of monster-spotters, one to a 'daemonology for fun and profit' club, and one to an Alchemy study group that meets irregularly.

"Hey, guys. Lenora's up next, last one."

I got a potions club and maybe some monster hunting group to look up later.

Interesting. Monster hunting seems like a useful angle on the destruction. I wanna know what enchantment prep they recommend, and I'll prioritize that in Runes.

She squeezes Lenora's shoulder gently and gives her an encouraging smile.

She matches the contract up against what Sable read. And signs it.

"Identify."

He chuckles slightly

"Oh, you're quite the powerful one, aren't you? An accident of magic, perhaps, but you're already at rank three, with the potential for five. A very high power level. A sorceress, as I think you've found out - with ranks in all four classical elements, though Earthmoving is the one that's strongest, possibly due to the Oread connection. You also have two ranks with potential for more in Witchery, the power of your mothergifts, and in Familiarity, the attunement to your familiar and to other animals. What is it you would seek from me?"

"I'm practically the frickin' Avatar, yeah. Honestly, I want money. I bet I can practice bending on my own, and other disciplines too. My friends might be after neat study groups or new friends or something, but money is power. Bit more literally with Witch Kisses too."