Calling in Favors

Masha stood on the edge of the ancient ruins. Once a place of immense magical power, it now stood desolate against the rising sun. It would serve perfectly. Masha hoped to increase the magical power of her contracts. She had found a form of magic that used contracts in order to create mystical bonds. Those bonds allowed the contract creator to summon the contract signer. Since Masha already created contracts with people, all she had to do was sprinkle a little magic onto it. Then she could summon those that had agreed to serve her. Of course, there would be stipulations otherwise some of them might simply kill her. That wouldn't be fun in the least. Especially since one of her contracts was with a half spider-woman who would use her body, living or dead, as a factory for her babies. Masha shuddered when she thought of what she had had to do for that contract.

A coat was placed over her shoulders. Masha didn't look. She knew who it was. "Lord Caius Frost. It's nice to see you again. How long has it been?" The vampire stepped up beside Masha. "Too long, Mistress. Have you not needed my services? Or have I displeased you in some way?" Masha frowned looking over at the vampire. He hadn't seemed to be a sentimental guy when they'd created their contract. "I don't believe in taking away a person's freedom...much. I'm not your Mistress. I'd rather we be friends who help each other out." Caius didn't twitch but Masha felt as if she was under his scrutiny. It was several minutes before he spoke again. "Very well, Masha. I take it you have had a change of heart since our last meeting." Masha winced at the reminder. When she'd met the vampire, she hadn't been... kind. Of course her violent solution to the problem was what had saved Caius. The vampire had been ambushed by some of his enemies. Masha had come in and slaughtered the ambushers in exchange for Caius' contract. It wasn't her proudest moment but it had brought her to Caius. That wasn't something she could regret. "I decided to let others stop defining me." Caius' eyes twinkled as he looked over. That was the closest she had ever seen the vampire get to smiling.

The clicking noise was the only warning they got. The sound sent shivers down Masha's spine. It was the sound of Acantha approaching. The exiled spider princess gave Masha the shivers. The things she had had to do for their contract... her hand spread protectively over her womb. Never again. She was lucky Acantha had been dumb enough to agree to a contract that heavily favored Masha. "Masha. Why have you summoned me here?" Acantha's breath brushed the back of Masha's neck. There was no way she was going to face the spider princess. Caius had tensed beside her. That was never a good sign. If Masha gave any indication of something out of the ordinary, the vampire would attack. The condescension in Acantha's tone must have set him off. Time to diffuse the situation. "I'll tell you when I feel like it, ex-princess." The barb made Acantha hiss but she stepped away from Masha's back. That allowed Masha to turn, smiling coldly. "You are here by my wish. That is all that matters, Acantha. Do not question me. Ever." Acantha lowered her head. Seeing the top half of a woman combined to a spider's body always made Masha sick. Caius kept looking out onto the ruins. Masha took that as a sign that he felt the same.

Luckily, they were saved from further interaction by a fiery bird descending from the sky. "Fin!" Masha cried out happily. She ran to embrace the phoenix. Aodhfin chuckled as he wrapped a wing around her. "Masha. I brought the psychic as you requested. My mother wasn't happy that I was leaving the flock for you again " Masha grimaced. Aodhfin's mother, Ea, wouldn't even have her only son from her fourth clutch if Masha hadn't saved his life. It wasn't like she was using Aodhfin to protect the flock or provide for it. Ea both coddled and neglected her son. She rubbed her forehead as a beautiful redhead slid off Aodhfin's back. "Don't worry, Masha. I talked Ea down. She's given Aodhfin a week or so to frolic as she put it." Masha ran to embrace Ami. It had been a long time since she'd seen the psychic. Hearing that she'd talked Ea down brought a smile to Masha's face. "It's good to see you, Ami. I can't believe you talked Ea down. The old... bird never listens to me." Aodhfin made a face at Masha. She shushed him before he could say a word. Ami giggled gently looking back at the phoenix. "Thank you, Aodhfin." The phoenix bowed his head, then the two of them went to stand with Caius. It was easy to see that Acantha was holding herself apart. That was alright with Masha.

Masha looked into the sky. With Aodhfin and Ami's arrival, there were only two more to show up. She figured it would be better to start with a small group. Once Dewi and Mercedes arrived they could all descend into the ruins. The two dragons were Masha's proudest achievements. Mercedes was young and had imprinted upon a human. By saving the human, Masha had gotten onto the dragon's good side. A contract had quickly followed. While Mercedes wasn't much at the moment, Masha eagerly awaited when she was older. Dewi had taken a bit more work. They had butt heads more than once. Regardless, Masha had slowly gained the shadow dragon's trust over many missions. Dewi's contract was longer than most of the others as it had various clauses making power equal between them both.

It was another few minutes before the sinuous black dragon swooped down from the sky. Caius cried out, seeing the dragon. Masha held a hand out to him. "Calm down, Caius. I know you're on edge but these are more friends." Dewi landed with a thump. "Friends is a bit presumptuous, succubus. We are allies, little more. I apologize for being late. We were waylaid by the griffons. Damn beasts don't know when to stop pestering us." Masha covered her smile with her hand. Dewi had once felt something close to romantic feelings for a griffon. That tangled mess had been avoided when the griffon ended up dead by her brother's claw. Masha had helped Dewi track her brother down for the crime but Dewi had closed her heart off to anyone since. Probably best not to point that out. Instead, Masha went to catch Mercedes as the young dragon tumbled off Dewi's back.

"Masha!" The dragonet squeaked. "It's good to see you!" Masha giggled, tickling Mercedes under the chin. The young dragon laughed, snuggling up to the succubus. Mercedes' exuberance was infectious. Masha joined her in laughing. Caius seemed a little taken aback, standing where Masha had left him. She looked around with a frown. It looked like everyone was staying in their own little groups. Aodhfin and Ami. Acantha standing by herself. Caius by himself. Dewi standing nearby to Mercedes. It was probably best to get this all over with quickly. Otherwise, these little groups could turn into war camps. Aodhfin was eyeing Caius warily. Ami was watching Acantha. Dewi had her lips drawn back to reveal her teeth. Definitely not wise to keep them all waiting.

"You wanna call them all together?" Masha asked gently stroking Mercedes' stomach. The little dragon smiled toothily then turned toward the group. "Lets go everybody! Follow Masha!" Masha smiled slowly at Mercedes. The little dragon never could follow orders. Perhaps that was a good thing. It meant she'd be a strong willed female one day. Masha spun on her heel and started down into the ruins. There was a specific spot for this ritual. It stood near the center of the ruins. Once it was done, Masha could practice with the magic for a little while. Things, monsters crawled through the ruins always looking for a meal. They would be perfect for practicing on. Aodhfin, Ami, Acantha, Caius and Dewi followed along, each keeping a wary eye on the others. The only thing keeping them here was Masha herself. That was alright. They didn't need to like each other.

The stairs winding down into the ruins were in disrepair. It looked as if some giant hand had smashed them in various places. Masha was forced to give Mercedes back to Dewi. She didn't want to accidentally drop the baby dragon. Another unfortunate part of that was those without the ability to fly were crowded together. Aodhfin had offered to take Ami but she had politely refused. Masha managed to convince Caius to use his magic to bridge each of the gaps. The vampire, while willing to help Masha, hadn't wanted to help Acantha or Ami. The psychic seemed to unsettle the vampire with her knowing smiles. At the bottom of the stairs, Masha gave a sigh of relief. There was a little more room to spread out her contractees. They were halfway to the circle of pillars. That was where the ritual she had found was supposed to be performed. It had a great well of power that the scroll said was required.

A skittering in the ruins sent a sense of urgency through Masha. They couldn't take too long here without drawing the monsters to them. "Alright everyone, lets hurry. I don't fancy facing the monsters here." The others nodded, picking up the pace. Only Acantha stayed at a steady pace. Masha wasn't too worried about it. The spider princess hated being told what to do. The succubus hurried forward with the other two. "Aodhfin, Dewi! You should be able to see a circle of five pillars up ahead. Can you two scout them out? Then choose one to stand on!" Dewi nodded, her lithe body shimmering as she darted forward. Aodhfin hovered closer. "Let me take Ami and Caius with me. That'll speed things up in getting this underway." Masha didn't answer the phoenix. Instead she looked at the two in question. Caius gave a curt nod. Ami smiled widely. Tendrils of flame came down to pick them both up.

Acantha waited until Aodhfin was hidden by the ruins to pounce. Masha sighed as the spider princess knocked her over. Acantha's legs framed the Masha's lower half while the princess stuck her face next to Masha's. The succubus wished she wouldn't. The princess had rotten meat on her breath. "Let me lay my eggs in you again! Then I will allow this alteration in our contract!" Acantha hissed. Masha barely suppressed a shudder. No way in hell was that happening. "That wasn't a part of our contract, Acantha. Let me up." She let the cold fill her. How she hated the feeling though once she had embraced it wholeheartedly. Looking Acantha in the eyes, Masha said icily "You'll let me up and go along with this alteration without complaining or I will tell your sister where you are." Acantha scuttled away quickly. The spider princess didn't wait as she hurried toward the circle of pillars. Masha took her time getting up. She didn't want to be close to the princess anytime soon.

All of her contractees were gathered when she reached the pillars. Some were friends. Some merely allies. Others... well Acantha fell outside every category. Masha stepped into the center of circle of pillars. "Et nos unum sumus" She said without preamble. Blue lightning shot from Masha's chest. It struck each of those standing around her in the chest. Their reactions were different, ranging from Caius' barely moving to Mercedes' shriek and nearly falling off the rock she was perched on. After a few moments, the lightning drew forth from their bodies the contract Masha had made with each of them. The lightning curled around it, gradually turning pink. Only when the lightning was entirely pink was the contract place back into each person. Masha felt a searing pain upon her wrist. Symbols began to appear: A black dragon's head, a sword made of jagged ice, a light blue eight point star, an egg with a little draconian head poking out, Folded wings made of white flame and a black spider's web. Each linked together with a tiny imprinted chain, connecting them all to the image of a scroll. Masha could feel each of them as she rubbed her thumb over the new symbols.

"Thank you all. Apage!" Masha waved her hand with the word. They all vanished with a ball of exploding lightning. It was done. Masha strolled out of the ruins, whistling a happy tune. No monsters bothered her. Perhaps the over abundance of magic had scared them away. That was alright with Masha. Bring the scientists on. Now Masha would have backup wherever she went. She was no longer alone.

WC: 2171