After we told Quatal about her newly decided role in the wedding, we had to wait for her to relay everything we had just said to Astrael, who was standing right next to us during the initial explanation.
"Can Auntie Astra do it with me?" She finally asked, after realising she hadn't heard of her having a role in the wedding yet.
"Actually, I want her by my side." Eve and Astrael were both taken aback by my sudden decision. "I am not so dense as to think we don't have some prior connection, a deva doesn't call just anyone "Lord". You also knew about the puppies and several other things that implied you watched me with some interest."
"I noticed too. Adam doesn't have anyone in this world from his past, well, that still has a physical body at least. He needs someone there for him, and if that someone also happens to be one of few who can cut his legs off if he tries to run... Then all the better." Eve added making Quatal hug my legs defensively as Astrael Laughed at my expression.
With that, I picked up the child and we all headed for the other home.
Everyone was blown away by the absolutely insane amount of food I had prepared, Eve was looking smug because she was well aware it only happened because she got under my skin, but when everyone was done we headed in different directions.
Quatal and Astrael accompanied us to the seamstress' who was completely overwhelmed by the prospect of working with such legendary materials, not to mention finally meeting the feathered serpent in person.
After she finished properly taking the fidgety child's measurements, hissing regularly as she apparently was as fond of the woman as I was, she told Eve her special order would be ready in time without a doubt and I was quickly ejected from the building while they talked wedding dress designs and began measuring Astrael who insisted on a suit if she were standing with me.
With my being ejected, I was still on a short leash because of the terms of the agreement with Eve, so I decided to return to meditation once more, manifesting a small ball of fire to represent the source of my power. "Maybe I could absorb all the power in and expel it at once?" I mused aloud.
'My power is like the sun... What if, I turned it from the sun, to a system, one source into several, circulating power between myself and the next source in the circuit... make it ten instead of one.' The thought made me grin until I opened my eyes and saw a very angry deva standing before me.
"I thought I told you to cease the self-destruction... Do you know of any mortal who can absorb an entire system into their body? Honestly you're so reckless I see why that man is always so angry with you."
I resumed the defeated sulking and sat twiddling my thumbs, literally, until Eve and Quatal emerged and after they told me they think Astrael's warning about what would happen if anyone tried misusing Quatal's skin, we made way to the place the seamstress recommended for processing it.
Our arrival was met with great hospitality, which we were expecting based on the rather unique recommendation the seamstress gave:
"When it comes to processing skins, best there ever was, but I wouldn't trust to keep breathing let alone your daughter's skin, that said, I reckon between the three of you, you can set him straight and put enough fear in him to keep him running in that direction."
"So fear is what he needs is it.. you know what ladies? I think I have just the thing. If you would be so kind, I feel it's time to stretch my paternal legs." I said, fully preparing to vent a lot of sadistic desire.
Within minutes we were in his private office two guards standing behind him, doing their best to seem like they served some kind of purpose.
"An hon-"
"Stop." I interrupted, as my expression froze into a tight malicious smirk. "I don't know if you know this, but I don't like lies, or cheats..." I fell into a pause, monitoring his heart rate so I could time my continuation between them "...However! I find myself in the need of the services of one such man, so..." After managing to catch the perfect time, to make all three men flinch at the sudden increase of volume, I paced in front of his desk.
After giving the second pause enough time to make them sweat, I continued. "...Congratulations, you have earned my the honour of being my latest students in the subject of why greed and self-importance is wrong... Sorry, I assume we are all aware of the unpleasant event involving myself and the old Merchant's guild..."
"Actually, I was busy at the time and I didn't see it. Why don't you make a memory orb for us? To make sure the memories are fresh and to make sure we're all on the same page." Astrael added, clearly enjoying the pantomime and toying with a few mortals clearly undeserving of mercy in her eyes.
"Excellent idea... Oh, this is the latest addition to my family by the way, the deva, Astrael." After a mock introduction, I produced the orb and placed it on the desk. "Now, if you four are ready, please begin at your leisure."
"I don't think-" The increasingly pale man said from behind his desk.
"Clearly not if you choose to interrupt me." I interrupted, voice etched with the chilling tone of someone who was giving the false hope of survival to his victim. "Now, why don't you all touch it together on the count of three..." I continued in a tone of equally chilling revelry. "One... Two... Three!"
As soon as I said the word, abject terror made it impossible for them to resist. A few moments later they all broke from the trance the orb inflicted and they were all looking pale, including the abyssal black bodied deva. "Now, I suggest you swallow whatever tries to come up and pay attention..." I declared with the energy of a showman, pulling the packages of serpent skin from my dimensional space.
"Still with me gentlemen? I said pay attention. In these packages is my daughters skin." I explained making a gesture at the child whose ears were being covered by her mother and eyes blocked by a band of absolute darkness courtesy of Astael.
"Don't let appearances fool those professional eyes of yours, my adorable little girl isn't as human as she seems, rather, she is a feathered serpent and these packages contain a part of my daughter and I am going to trust you with it..."
"Sir truly, I do-"
"Of course you can, I just listened to your receptionist tell me all about how incredible you are, and these shoes. Mwah!" I added the gesture as I began to get carried away, but nearly made myself crack up, luckily Quatal was wearing the shoes in question and I moved over to slip one off, making Quatal giggle in the process.
"Truly, these shoes are divine... Ha! See what I did there, but seriously this ability is incredible. So regardless of any self-doubt... You, will, do this. Not just this, but she is a growing girl and will need more clothes in future and I am giving you the honour of being the exclusive contractor for this task, not just now, but forever."
The news of my coronation was public knowledge within the confines of town, so despite my aggressive and purposefully-transparent threats, this was a big deal for him. Royal dealings were a massive selling point for any kind of worker from skive-cleaner to the person who made the crowns they wear.
"Well I see... If my reputation precedes me, I suppose I will let my work speak for me." He chuckled faintly.
"Splendid! But just so we're clear if you fail to account for even a speck of skin, everything you saw in that orb will become your idea of relaxation. If you violate my trust, and my daughter's flesh in any way, I will force this world to redefine what it means to suffer." for the final speech, I leaned in close, straightening at the end as I disintegrated the table.
Finally I sat down, proposing work rates I truly felt fairly compensated his painfully undeserved talent. Stopping every so often to play with Quatal and drag out their discomfort.
When all the agreements were made I told the ladies to leave while I said a final farewell, instantly putting them on edge again. "I really adore that little girl, but I'm afraid if anything happens to this skin I won't be able to bring myself to hold her like that ever again... I'll let you imagine what will happen if I'm left empty-handed, though your imagination won't even scratch the surface. Anyway! Ta ta for now gentlemen."
As I closed the door behind me, I stuck close to it to listen for a second...
"I don't know what "Ta ta" means but I think it might be the most harrowing thing he said to us today..."
I then swung the door open excitedly. "Oh and please speak to the seamstress about colouration requirements. Now ta ta for real gentlemen." I laughed as I slammed the door behind me, walking through the building with a little extra bounce.