"You…How do you know that name?" Praxis asked, his magenta eyes shone with caution. He was glaring at me, his rosy lips pursed together.
"The answer is quite obvious! Of course I'd know the full name of the person I've been searching for!" I replied, beaming at him with a calculating smile.
"What do you mean by searching for? In fact, how do you even know me? I have never met anyone like you," Praxis asked once more, his arms now crossed. He was clearly weary of me; his demeanor said so.
'Hm, he likely thinks his sister hired me to look for him, and I wished that was the case as well, but sadly it isn't.'
"I know you and was searching for you because you are the key to fixing not all, but at least the majority of my problems!" I assured, nodding my head with the same smile.
Praxis glared at me, cold and calculating. He clearly wasn't having any of it, and he likely would've struck at me had he not been chained to the couch.
"As if, cut the crap!" Praxis spat, teeth bared, "We have never met before, and as far as I'm concerned, no one I know is associated with you, so how would I be the key to fixing your problems, hm?"
He was right, I didn't know anyone associated with the Heartborn family. What I did know was the role Zephyra Heartborn would play in the future, all because of her dear younger brother, Praxis Heartborn.
"It's because of your sister," I started, making Praxis almost burst out in anger at me even mentioning her, but I held up a hand, and he stopped, "Calm down, I have no intention of harming her. It's because of what happens in the future."
'Haa, this may be a mistake saying this, but Praxis is someone I need on my side. Sorry, Hunapo, but I'm going to have to try to meet your expectations here.'
"You see, let's just say I have some insider info on certain things that may lead your sister to the wrong path," I explained, my gaze sharpening and smile widening.
"Lead my sister to the wrong path? Please, my sister knows better than anyone what the right actions to take are, so don't try to fool me with those unbelievable words of yours!" Praxis exclaimed, leaning forward with anger.
"You say that, but do you know why she takes the actions that she does?" I started, Praxis tried to answer, but the cat got his tongue, "It's because of you, and her concern for your safety and freedom. So, if something were to happen to you, don't you think her perspective would gradually change?"
"Wh-? I-...Are you threatening me?" Praxis was leaning back now, a frown on his face. He clearly cared for his sister dearly, and knowing that they were each other's only family, I couldn't blame him.
"No, threatening you is the last thing I want to do. Your safety is currently my utmost priority," I replied, my smile vanishing from my face and being replaced with stoicism with hidden sincerity.
"Ha! Why? Because of what my sister could do? I believe in her, but I doubt there is something so bad it could warrant something like this," Praxis shot back, hitting the nail in the coffin.
"Right, there isn't…Except for one thing," I explained, then pointed at Praxis, "You. You are the one thing that could get her to divert her ways. And so long as she knows you are alive, she will have a sliver of hope and not divert to the side that will spell the end."
"... I do not understand, you aren't making any sense. What are you telling me all of this for?" He shook his head, Praxis' frown even deeper as he looked down.
"Because I want to help you not become that spark. That's why I came here today, to get you out of here and away from the danger of a bad ending," I announced, a genuine smile on my face. I pitied the poor man, especially since I probably sound totally crazy to him.
"So you came to purchase me as a slave so I can do your bidding, and you can use me to manipulate my sister? I've seen lots of others like you back in the demon realm, so sorry, but I'm not going to let that happen," Praxis shot down, reaching for the bell next to him to ring for Kal Natrona to come back.
Not done, I shot out of my seat and rushed to stop him from touching it. Grabbing his wrist and pinning it above him, he looked up at me in surprise. My knee was in between his croach, giving me flashbacks of my interrogation of Octavius, but this time would be different.
"That isn't it!" I shouted, my face full of worry and a frown of sincerity written on me, "I came to free you. While yes, I will technically own you, as long as you stay by my side, I can assure you I will find a way to safely get you home! So, please, just cooperate with me!"
I looked down at him with desperation, knowing that if I can't get him to trust me now, I likely won't ever. Forcing him to go with me is the last thing I'd want, especially since 'force' was the thing that caused his death originally.
Praxis looked back at me with shock in his eyes, pure disbelief in them. Then he looked down, and I released him. I sat down next to him in silence, letting him think it over.
"...Fine. I will cooperate. But you must promise me to get me home safe and sound, no matter the cost," He answered, looking at me with a serious look on his face.
"Thank you, Praxis, truly. I swear on the Andraste name that I will get you home safe and sound, no matter what I must do," I smiled, so bright that Praxis actually started blushing. That was probably the only time I'd ever make anyone think of me as puppy-like.
***
"Wonderful! I'm glad you two were able to get along enough for this successful purchase!" Kal Natrona cheered, rubbing his hands together, "But there is one small thing that wasn't mentioned in his sale deal…"
'Great, of course, he just also had to fit in the 'trashy merchant' stereotype! Probably trying to scam me out of all of my money with this one.'
"Pardon? I thought that it was simply the purchase of him?" I replied, raising my eyebrow with suspicion.
"Ah, yes, that is how we would usually do it, except for this time. You see, we are trying a new sales tactic, a two-in-one deal if you will!" Kal exclaimed, spreading his arms with glee.
"...This 'two-in-one' deal better be worth my time," I said coldly, glaring at him and making it seem like I could turn him to ice if I so pleased.
"Hahaha, I can assure you it is worth it!" Kal assured, guiding me from in front of the door of Praxis' room to another slightly off to the side, and opening it, "You see, the other 'item' he is being sold with is this lovely little fairy here!"
The fairy that I saw when I opened the door was rather small, making me think of a pixie more than an actual fairy…compared to Lorenzo, at least.
'Now I'm kinda glad I brought Lorenzo along, especially if I'm forced to but this fairy in order to get Praxis.'
The fairy was a woman who had light purple hair styled with two braided buns, complementing her opal eyes and purple, see-through wings. She had long pointed ears like Lorenzos, and her skin had a silver shine to it.
She wore a black sleeveless dress with blue lace on the shirt, detached black lace sleeves, and a silver corset. She looked quite unhappy as she was placed in a gold cage with a chain around her small ankle, likely keeping her in her smaller form.
"Hm, poor thing. How could you keep a fairy chained up like this?" I started, a light bulb going off in my head on how to get this 'deal' at a lower price.
"P-Pardon? Whatever do you mean, good sir?" Kal asked, actually taken aback. He clearly didn't know what I was getting at and was shocked that I would suddenly say something like that.
'Sorry, but I'm not some rich snobish prick who likes to partake in such slave deals as you may think!'
"I'm surprised you don't know! If you keep a fairy chained and caged up like this, stuck in their small form, it could be detrimental to their health!" I exclaimed, the fairy looking at me with confusion, but I winked at her, and she seemed to get what I was putting down.
"Cough cough! He-He is right! I have been feeling unwell as of late!" She stuttered, scared of what might happen if she made Kal Natrona angry, but still understanding that this was my attempt at helping her.
"O-Oh! I didn't know! We have very few fairy slaves as they are rare to see, but if she is unwell, I don't know if I can sell her to you," Kal exclaimed nervously, his gaze shifting around the room as he tried to think of something.
"No need to worry, I will still take her! At a very large discount, of course," I chuckled, a dark smile spreading across my face.
'Hm, this may just get me enough brownie points with Lorenzo to get him to do all of my chores tonight!'
"Ho? Well then, name your price! I am happy to bargain with any customer!" Kal replied with glee, though it would quickly be taken away from him.
"Then why don't you sell her to me for free?" I offered, smiling with mischief, "After all, we wouldn't want the Bureau of Health finding out about your mistreatment of living products, now would we?"
'Ah, yes, the executioner of all companies regarding the health of others! Truly the best excuse when it comes to scamming bastards like this! So glad the author wrote that bureau into this kingdom!'
"Ar-Are you being serious right now?! You wouldn't possibly do that, would you?!" Kal shouted with absolute shock, in complete disbelief at the thought of me even saying such a thing.
"Why of course! While we're at it, why don't you go ahead and cut the price of Praxis in half as well, hm?" I poked again, using this newfound weapon at my disposal as much as I could.
'He should be thankful I'm not demanding Praxis to be free of charge as well, hahaha!' How generous am I?'
"F-Fine! Have it as you please! I will go get the papers if you would just wait here!" He exclaimed in utter defeat, bursting out of the room in a fit of anger and embarrassment.
The fairy and I were now left alone in the room. I turned back to her to say something, but I almost burst out laughing when I saw her jaw hanging open.
"Y-You…How did you know all of that?! Not even I did!" She exclaimed, her eyes as wide as a fish's as she leaned against the bars of her cage.
"Pfft, please! I made all of that up, I know next to nothing about the health of fae!" I admitted, chuckling at her expression.
"D-Damn, you are good! Talk about the scam of a lifetime! There's no way that scummy slave trader is going to live that one down," The fairy laughed back, letting go and leaning back to clutch her stomach.
"Haha! I hope not! It'll be a good laugh every time I remember that," I nodded along, a satisfied smirk on my face, "Say, Little Miss, I never got your name, care to share?"
"Hm~? Sure, I suppose it wouldn't hurt sharing it with a fellow trickster!" The fury did a little spin, then a curtsy as she put her hand to her chest, "I am the great and lustrous Nari Abelina, now bask in my glorious presence!"
"...Pfft, haha, says the one in a cage!" I poked, laughing at her as her face reddened in embarrassment.
***
Moments later, Kal came back with the papers I had to sign and the new price of Praxis and the free Nari, though he said it with much reluctance.
Now, Praxis, Nari, and I were sitting in the carriage on our way back to the manor. Praxis and Nari were happily chatting away, sharing their experiences of being with Kal Natrona, while I just stared out the window, dissociating and thinking of my next plans.
'I'll probably lay low for a while, stay in the manor while I gather information on Jocasta and Wenora.'