//------------------------------// // This Is Business // Story: Gidget Chronicles // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Raven stood with a wand drawn and a smirk across his face. Night had fallen across the port. All the girls had gone off to bed except the girl named Silver. She seemed much more alive than she was during the day. No it wasn't the personality, the talking, or even the movements. It was her posture, the very aura that surrounded this woman was strong and alive. Full of adventure and light. It's a wonder a woman of this caliber even existed. *Then again.... That's the same thing I thought about him....* The Mercenary thought. Raven sighed putting his wand away and strolled over to Silver. The young princess was looking at the clear sky mesmerized by the beauty of Onimaks True Blue Moon. It was a rare site, the True Blue, it rarely showed itself unless there was a time of peace. From the moonlight she seemed calm and collective. Raven cleared his throat, "You're the one whose spirit forged the new portal?" He asked. Silver turned to him nodding, "From what I've been told, yes. Star Bright has dubbed my "realm" as the realm of courage," she said. Raven smiled and looked out the window, "Considering what you did, it wouldn't surprise me. You were very courageous," he said. Silver blinked eyeing the man, "What is it you represent fit the sentients?" She asked. Raven turned around and paced, "I honestly don't represent anything. I'm just a very wealthy business man trying to reach across the realms for my own gain. The "light" side seems to have better benefits than the dark do. What fun is there in ruling when you really won't make any pleasure off of your business. It's silly really," he said. Silver nodded, "Business..... Heh. You seem to make the best out of things. So tell me, why didn't you stop us from running your inn? I mean, it is technically yours," she said. Raven laughed, "I was busy when you were having fun. Also when I came to, I saw how much fun you and the girls were having. I didn't want to spoil a good time. Plus you looked really good in my outfit," he said winking with his one eye. Silver blushed and giggled, "Trying to compliment me won't get you very far Reznov~ What is it that you want?" She asked. Raven chuckled, "Want? Honestly regarding the term "Want", I don't really want anything from you. I want to train you and the girls before the final confrontation against Nightwalker," he said. Silver blinked, "And what exactly is it you wish to train me in?" She asked. Raven smiled, "Rest for now. Tomorrow we'll begin the training. Then you will know what it is I will do. However, a fair spoiler to your training, it is a skill and a deadly opponent. This skill is a double edged sword for any who cannot truly master it. Hence why I've chosen you as the one to learn this skill..... And because of..... Other sources," he said. Silver blinked, "Other sources??" She asked softly. Raven chuckled, "To bed with you Princess Tataganay. All will be revealed tomorrow," he said. Silver sighed softly and went to a warm cozy room Raven had given her. Gazing at the moon Silver's eyes filled with tears, "I'm sorry......." she said. The young princess sobbed till she passed out. The night was young, and energies were twisting every turn. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Raven sighed turning the lights to a dim proportion and pulling out a small glass of cranberry juice. A shift in the wind caught his attention, wand drawn forth, Raven turned to see The Lady of Lies. "Fair evening Raven Reznov. No surprise to see you awake at this hour. Tell me, how do you like the guests you have staying with you at this time, hmm?" Quaria asked. Raven smiled taking a sip of his drink slightly shivering from it's bitter taste, "I honestly couldn't be more intrigued. The future set for each of them separately has caught my attention. Ms. Cogsworths and Princess Tataganays most particularly. Both are interesting however one's fate is truly a marvel. The suffering... It's all worth it in the end I suppose..... But the true ending.... That is something not even I can see. I must say my business has stretched to a point I didn't think quiet possible, but I guess I have many to thank for that. I will train the Equestrian Girls, or ponies, whichever. The wolf princess will be no problem either," he said pausing for another sip. Quaria nodded, "I figured as much. What about the Exion, and Ms. Gidget?" She asked pulling out a glass for herself. Raven cracked his popped his knuckles, "The Exion should be healed by tomorrow night. Gidget requires no further training at the present time. What lies ahead for her is going to be more than she could've asked for. I hope she keeps her head on her shoulders for the end. This is a show I'd hate to miss.... Unfortunately I cannot intervene," he said. Quaria drank some ginger ale, "I see... Then maybe there is something I can do in the end huh? I suppose an order of illusion can change the tide of battle for the sentients," she said. Raven nodded, "If you insist. You aren't bound to fate. Neither am I of course... I just choose to.... Let things play out before I decide," he said. Quaria giggled, "Always the businessman Reznov. If what you see is what you like then I shall be on my way.... Oh! I forgot, here is a gift for you," she said handing him a violet stone. Raven raised an eyebrow, "An augment?" He asked. Quaria smiled leaving towards the man. Raven blinked as she raised his eye-patch. "You'll know what it's for when the time comes. See you round Merc~" Quaria whispered kissing him on the cheek. Ravens left eye flared with emotion. As he was about to say something, she vanished! Raven blushed pushing his eye-patch down looking at the augment, "Interesting events indeed....." ------------------------------------------------------------------ Morning came and the company in arms meet in the lobby to find that the inn itself was deserted! Caster looked around and saw that the windows were covered and the girls were locked. The closed sign was up and flashing. Caster blinked, "It's unlike Raven to close on a weekend," he said. "That's because today is unlike any other Mr. Alin. We have very little time and I have much to take care of regarding your company. First off," he said tossing a purple augment at Caster, "You will be reforging that blade you picked up on The Isle of Night. You will have access to my forge in the back. Gidget, you will accompany him," he ordered. Gidget and Caster were about to reply but Raven held up a hand pointing them to the back. Neither said a word and just went to the forge as told. Raven snorted and turned to the girls as doppelganger of himself stepped from the shadows, "My doppelganger and myself will be training you three in separate a vicinity. The real me will be taking you, Ms. Tataganay, while my doppelganger will train you two, Twilight and Sunset," he said. The girls nodded without any hesitation. Raven nodded and held out a hand to Silver while the Doppelganger led Twilight and Sunset to the basement. Silver took Ravens hand and the two teleported immediately to the other side of town. Silver looked about, "Why are we I'm public.... And why am I in a dress?!" She shrieked. Raven chuckled, "I know you're a master of seduction on your own, but against an entire different entity you have no hopes. I am going to give you something to learn Charm Speak. It's more powerful than seduction. It allows you to enter another's mind emotionally and guide them to do what you ask of them. But be careful what you wish. For the words must be specific otherwise things might not work in the end," he said handing her a small bracelet. Silver eyed the bracelet, it was pure silver with a gem shaped like a heart in the middle. It was sapphire blue. She put it on and felt a warming sensation course through her body. She looked back at the bracelet and the gem had turned hot pink. Raven took a deep breath, "Thank the sentients.... The ability accepted you..." he said. Silver blinked and smiled, "Dear Raven, could you please take me to go get some new clothes to wear~" she said. The warmth from the bracelet filled her words with a calming sensation. Raven flipped up his eye-patch for a moment canceling out the effect, "Already trying to have fun. Heh..... This ability is...." he paused thinking over his words, "It's many for important moments to turn a tide or get information. I created the bracelet, I know how it works, and I know how to avoid its effects. It's obvious you can easily use so training won't be a problem. However you getting carried away might be one. Get a hold of yourself, we've got work to do," he said putting his eye-patch down. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Caster has melted away Slates original blade and had rebuilt the handle transferring Slates conscious into the new one. The blade was forged from gemstone of amethyst and sapphires. Repeatedly Caster melted the blade and solidified it. After using his black fire on the blade it began to glow with a brilliant light. The blades colors overlapped each other. Sapphire and dark violet, as if one color was fighting for dominance. Caster smiled and took the augment Raven had given him and combined it with the handle of the blade. The handle roared in mid air and changed itself giving itself two switches and one button. Quickly and stubbornly Caster grasped the cooling blade and mounted it together with the handle. A shockwave shook the building and sent Gidget and Caster sprawled on the floor. A small vibration caught their attention and the blade sheathed itself with a magical glow. Gidget stood and grasped Slate. The blade was shining silver, but the blue and violet overlaps were now at the edge of the blade. Gidget smiled as she heard Ravens voice, "Now that my dear friends is what I'd call true business," he chuckled.