"Jiraiya of the Sannin, do sit down please," said one of the women. "We have a business deal to discuss."
"I'm just here as an arbiter," said one of the women.
"Pervy-sage. I think we need to get away fast," said Naruto.
"Why?" asked Jiraiya.
"I dunno, I'm just feeling... the Kyubi. The Kyubi is frightened," said Naruto, his voice shifting from nervous to wondering as he figured out where that feeling of dread was coming from.
"I'll admit that's interesting," said Jiraiya. "Anything else?"
"They're not human?" asked Naruto.
"Neither, strictly speaking, are the Sekirei," said Jiraiya, taking a seat. "Need a bit more to go on than that."
"My name is Mystra, I am an essence-fragment of a goddess of magic," said the woman with the midnight-black-blue hair. She indicated the companion on her immediate right. "This is Eilistraee, an essence-fragment of the goddess of good drow and swordskill. Next to her is a representitive of Bastet, goddess of cats and sensual pleasure. And finally is our arbiter, Freya of the Norse."
"Interesting," said Jiraiya. "You ladies already seem to know me, but just for the record - I am indeed the gallant Jiraiya."
"We noticed you come in and decided to summon the arbiter and see if you'd be interested in a mutually beneficial deal," said Mystra.
"I can think of all sorts of deals we might be able to make," said a leering Jiraiya.
"Actually," said the dark-skinned white-haired pointy-eared woman who'd been introduced as Eilistraee, "if you would put aside that particular facade for now - even in a time outside time and space outside space - we don't really have time for that."
"Hmmm?" asked Jiraiya, then half-shrugging. "But the facade is so much fun."
"Regardless," said Eilistraee with some obvious distaste.
"Suit yourself," said Jiraiya finally. "So what kind of deal are you offering?"
"Both myself and Eilistraee are essentially dead in our own realm as of this time," said Mystra. "I had mechanisms in place that this might not always be the case, and one of which is before you. Ellie here had a portion of her divine essence siphoned off and hidden away by a trickster by the name of Erevan prior to her death without her knowledge. Just a small fragment, but perhaps enough."
"Must you use that nickname?" complained Ellie.
"You're looking exceptionally fine for dead," Jiraiya observed.
"What? You believe this?" asked Naruto.
"I'm willing to entertain the possibility that things are presented as being mostly true," responded Jiraiya. "One of the first rules of dealing with higher-level entities is don't believe everything they say, and another is don't piss them off - be polite."
"Nice to interact with someone who understands the basics," said the arbiter.
"So - this deal is?" asked Jiraiya.
"In my case, what I ask is that you accept some magical power and knowledge - and in return spread that knowledge in your own world to those you deem suitable," said Mystra. "If you do so - my anchoring outside of my usual universes will be stronger and my existence more secure."
Jiraiya thought on that and slightly nodded. "I'm not agreeing with the offer, but I see what I stand to gain and what you stand to gain."
"Huh?" asked Naruto. "What do you get out of it?"
"Entirely new and potentially powerful jutsu," said Jiraiya. "Pay attention Naruto."
"What I seek is basically the same as Mystra, plus these," said Eilistraee, spreading her hands and having several forms appear as ghostly images. "A few followers I was able to save from the ravages of my enemy. A refuge in a new world would be good. In return, I would impress upon your swordswoman some of my own skill with the blade."
"If you're just doing something like copying the skill, then I request the same be done for my apprentice here," said Jiraiya, jerking a thumb at Naruto.
"That... would be possible," said Eilistraee.
"Eh?" asked Naruto.
"Kenjutsu skills," translated Jiraiya.
"Oh," said Naruto, thinking that could come in handy.
"Interesting," said Jiraiya. "Not that I'm agreeing to anything at the moment. And you - 'Bastet' wasn't it?"
The lion-woman nodded. "I'm not in their situation. More like bored and looking for distractions. You both have a summoning contract for toads, but it is not exclusive. How about a summoning contract for cats?"
"That could be handy," admitted Jiraiya. "Not that I'm agreeing to such a thing off-hand."
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(Posted Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:52)
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