D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

Kat pointedly didn't say anything in response to Bodeir's rather passion filled rant, making sure to give him time to calm down. It was clear he felt rather strongly about his wife, both positively and negatively, and Kat could understand the logic behind that. *Truly, if Lily knew she was dying and didn't tell me I would be beyond furious by the end of it. Getting a kid in return is… certainly a bitter taste. I mean… I feel like a bit of a bitch saying this but I'd prefer Lily over any child we might one day have. Granted… a large part of that might be because I imagine we'll adopt, and there's no reason that should result in anyone's death.

Still… I'm somewhat impressed he still loves his son and has clearly tried his best. Or well… that just might be the impression I'm getting but I don't think Bodeir has lied about this. Exaggerated perhaps, but not lied. That's a whole lot of emotions my teenage ass is NOT equipped to deal with. Oh how I wish Lily was awake, then I would have the chance to consult her and see if she shares my feelings on the matter. I think she would…? But maybe I'm weird.

What I'd like to know is what exactly this means for my Contract. Is it appropriate to ask him now? I mean I feel like it has to be. This IS important and I do need to know… but I'm basically asking about work after his rather passionate speech about his dead wife. I can't just jump straight back into work after that right?

But what the heck else can I say? I can't imagine what I'd do if someone I cared about died suddenly like that. Sure I've got experience with all the kids that leave the orphanage but that's really not the same. I might never see them again, but that's a far cry from them being dead… and even Gramps who… is somewhat old… well…

After that talk I had with him… I was going to say recently but I guess it was actually MONTHS ago now. Man time gets weird when you're on the road. Anyway, my point is that Gramps might be sticking around for the kids… but he'll want to join his wife in whatever afterlife actually exists. I'm not sure how sad I'll be when he does pass. It's something that… while he's not rushing towards… he clearly looks forward to. Perhaps giving the old man a chance to rest wouldn't be so bad…

Problem is, that still leaves me with nothing at all allowing me to relate to this guy. I suppose I could point out both of my parents are dead? I don't really want to compete though… and I don't even feel bad about the fact I never knew my parents. Does the son hold a grudge? Does he dislike the fact he never knew his mother or is that something he's gotten over? How much of a teenager is he actually? I don't know anything about elf maturity.*

Dammit. Whatever, let's just try to be… tactful about this. "I see that you've had your own share of troubles. While mine are not so great, I can at least empathise due to the fact that I myself am an orphan. This does not bother me much, but I do understand that only having a male role model instead of a set of parents does change a person. I was raised by the old man who ran the orphanage, I call him Gramps, and unlike many others I was never adopted. Somehow… I sort of became the mother figure in the orphanage, or perhaps big sister? Doesn't matter…

"My point is… while I can't understand what it's like to lose your wife that way, nor can I understand what it is like to grow up like your son I can at least empathise, and use my own condition to try to comprehend it. That being said…" Kat sucked in a deep breath letting the words hang for a moment. Bodeir seemed calm, as Kat eyed him and decided that meant it was safe to continue, "I have to ask what that means for me. As crass as it is to talk about work when you've just given me such a meaningful glance into your own life…

"I AM bound by Contract. So I need to know how this will effect things with your son and my own charge to protect him. As well as how this will change Sue's job, that is, the Escort for your son,"

"I am not offended, it is a very reasonable question," said Bodeir promptly. "I can say that my son WILL be on that boat tomorrow before lunchtime even if I have to drag him their myself and tie him to the mast. I suppose the main concern for you will be just how much effort my son will decide to put towards avoiding you. Perhaps once he is away from our sect, and 'my' influence he will calm down and allow you to guard him as he should…

"Alternatively… he may decide to… intentionally make things difficult. I hope, in such a case, that… Sue you said?" Kat nodded, "I hope that in the case that my son, who I now realise I have not named. Most know it, as my wife decided Bodeir Jr was a good name for him. I… I do not know if I am pleased with the decision but it was the last thing my wife asked of me and I will not gainsay it. Though, do please just refer to him as Bodeir, he does not like to be reminded of the fact we share a name,"

*Oh come on Bodeir's Mum... wife? Both? Both I guess. Still… what the fuck were you doing? I knew people named their kids after themselves but come on. His father is already massively powerful and a cultivator that's clearly known continentally. Bad enough to be in his shadow figuratively you had to pass down the name as well?*

Kat couldn't hide her wince, something Bodeir caught and acknowledge, "Yes… my wife… I question many of her decisions now that she is gone… it is just one of the many that make me question how put together she truly was. Still, I will not speak ill of the dead, especially when such person is my beloved wife. Please, let us return to my son," asked Bodeir, though it was clearly not a question.

"In the case that my son proves to be… difficult… I want you to prioritise his life and your own ability to respond in time. His comfort is… a secondary concern. Your own comfort… well I will simply leave that part up to your own discretion. If you do not feel you can do your job acceptably camping out on a roof, or by commandeering a nearby room, simply kick him out of his bed and stuff him in a sleeping bag or something. Heck, tie my foolish son up if you need to.

"I'll just suggest that… taking a deliberately antagonistic role may make my son decide to cause yet more issues for you. As I said, I won't force the issue, and his life comes first… but please be smart about how things go. As for Sue... I obviously want her to keep him as distracted as possible. The more time he spends staring at her tits, the less time my fool son can spend causing international issues or trying to avoid his protection detail…"

Bodeir gave a few more examples of behaviour he was perfectly fine with herself and Sue engaging in, but really most of it boiled down to 'do what you have to do, try not to offend someone too much an increase the risk of attack' and 'ignore my son if he complains too much' which… Kat thought was… reasonable enough. She did have to ask though, "While I am not saying I am incapable… I would like to ask… if things are so precarious why did you not also attend the gathering?"

Bodeir spat, "Politics. Well, there is also the risk of attack, but mainly politics. If I showed up personally, I'd be saying to our allies that I don't trust them enough to take care of my son. Which of course… I DON'T but at least with an outside contractor such as yourself I can lie about just how strong you are. Even if it wasn't planned… I can imply that I have two Succubi on hand to… keep my son company," Bodeir saw Kat flinch slightly, "Oh don't worry. You don't need to do anything but guard my son. Even if it's blatantly obvious you're a guard, the fact that I can at least imply you aren't is a powerful negotiating tool. That and I'll just say neglect to mention you're Rank 3… maybe fudge a few details regarding what I actually had laid out in the Contract," Bodeir grinned. "I mean… demons are just so much stronger then us right… accidents can happen…"