Welcome to Gaia! ::

However distracted Faustite might have been, his attention was then arrested in whole by Almadel. Faustite had been to space, a number of times, and none of its memories were particularly endearing. He recalled having a conversation about treason with Lysithea and malus. He recalled seeing Castor's war-stricken homeworld. He recalled being held hostage by that Saturn knight. He recalled fighting Tanais in her derelict Wonder before she ran him through. Almadel was there for that one.

So he supposed Almadel was right. He didn't care for space as it was, and likely wouldn't acquire a sudden love for it while traveling with Almadel anywhere. And he was twice as certain that Almadel wouldn't need bodyguards so much as he would need bait — the boy was quick to vanish the last time around, after instigating a ******** think Almadel would taunt them with the idea of going off-world to organize anything. "Albite can't even organize his own thoughts," Faustite admitted for him. He pointed at the boy on the floor, as if that was all the case he needed to make.

Albite would take the trip as a thrill ride. Faustite, however, had other questions that could be answered if they had left Earth.

Albite's squawky bird earned a brief glare of admonishment for its noisiness, but he otherwise preferred to ignore it. It was more a nuisance than its fool owner, sometimes, and that was more trouble than he could tolerate.

"Don't have anything for you, but," and his attention found the table full of wares again. "Don't trade that mirror just yet." There was something so unplaceable and urgent about it.

Almadel looked at the two for a few seconds more and then laughed richly. He sounded absolutely jovial about it all, and the amusement seemed to go a bit deeper than just superficial humor.

“Albite, please. If I could take that, I absolutely would. I hope you don’t think you’re trying to swindle me, though. I know more about those wisps than you give me credit for.” But, Albite was cute, and he already liked Faustite enough that he didn’t seem to take any offense.

“You two are absolutely darling, though. Faustite, for you, there’s very little I wouldn’t do. I’ll hold the mirror, so make sure you come back to see me, soon. As for you,” he looked Albite up and down again; his smile seemed genuine, but it also looked as though he were trying to pull himself back together.

At least enough to feign professionalism.

“I’m still looking for those wisps, or the remnants of them. I’d hoped for something a bit bigger to come out of them, but I suppose it wouldn’t be life if we weren’t given obstacles to overcome. Perhaps one will choose me, but I’m afraid I have to inform you–if you didn’t know already–that you’re probably soulbound with that thing for, well. Either the rest of your life, or until the end of time. I’m not sure how strong the bond is. We’ll have to see. What else do you have to offer me?”

Might be helpful, that mirror. More than knowing what he looked like a thousand years ago. Would others see themselves in a past age? Could he see others, if they were reflected in it? If so, it might be useful to more than just his curiosity.

As he pondered, he listened to the pair banter. Almadel mentioned soulbound for an indeterminate period of time, and it brought Faustite back to the bond between officer and youma. Was that similar? The same, but for Metallia's influence? And what was the benefit of having those wisps wander about untethered, especially when they become like Albite's abomination? These were questions that he wanted to ask, but knew that Almadel's knowledge came with a price; with nothing in hand to provide, he doubted he would get much more than a few teasing hooks to whet his curiosity all the more.

Fatter, huh? Faustite looked put out; Albite lived with him, saw the stupid amounts of food he ate, and had the audacity to tease that his stupid bird would get fat in front of him? Huffing, he trained his attention on their spacefaring merchant.

"So they become things. Might let mine out of the bookcase, then." Thought spoken mostly for himself, a reminder, that may as well be forgotten once they departed Almadel's trading area. His attention kept returning to that soul bond, however; would that mean Almadel was interested in the bonds that form between officer and youma? Should Faustite give up what was left of that bond, in exchange for a different kind of sentiment?

If nothing else, it might imply the impression that Almadel has left over a couple short visits. Even if the merchant had certain mercantile qualities, the burning boy couldn't deny a certain quality of charm to him.

"Be back to see you soon," he said suddenly, turning about to leave. "Albite, meet you back at the office when you finish up." He vanished with the end of his sentence.

"You know firebrand, he's easy come, easy go," casual because he was sure Faustite would be back for the mirror just as he'd promised. Albite was aware, fully, and felt the briefest urge to bow, or curtsey, or something fancy enough to be worth the regality Almadel oozed from every pore with such ease. The creature Albite couldn't name was so much more than a gleaming merchant with wares for trade at this point. Though the Senshi would never be sure if 'friend' was the word, he also didn't think Almadel would trade him n his own for a nickel or dime.

Especially since Albite owed him - kept himself in the black of debt -- He'd have to come up with a far better prize next time! Thought he had the perfect idea for it. If ever the stars aligned just *right.*

"Sooo...Bring back Faustite, but with bells on? Bows? Mmhnn, maybe in a fireproof corset -- like....My boy can pull off a whole damn look if I give him just enough incentive," happily sly, a knowing look that got muddled up as he shuffled Cerbs into something like a holdable position -- he was glad at least that Alm's had noticed his good care of the wispy critter, preened for how much it'd grown, "Not that he'd need it for you, Almondjoy." albite couldn't be gracious without a little tease, couldn't forgo that final urge to bow, even as he retucked Cerb's successfully under an arm; ignoring the chiding pecks n long lingering looks from hungry bird eyes.

"Thank you though -- I mean it -- the second I find a way to really repay you with something just as nice?" Subspace was right there, calling him along with his boy, and Albite moved pulled on it with a backwards glance n tilt, "M'never gonna mind owing you though." Gone through it with one last promising smile.