Confirming Contracts (Mina/ Cecil)

Once more, Cecil had fallen asleep of his own accord at some point. And once more, the blue room and chains appeared before him, Mina sitting in front of him with the exact same expression she had held previously.

"Welcome back to the Velvet Room, Psyche Terrorist. I know that I said you would come back here of your own volition next time we met, however I realise upon the ending of our last meeting that I had not yet fully finished everything I had to say. So, before I begin, allow me to ask. How are you finding your powers?"

...oh, come on! Can he have ONE night without waking up here?!
Sighing, he pushes himself up once more, the uncomfortable weight of chains bearing down on him. Looking up confirms that Mina has once more brought him here, a revelation that doesn't do to much to improve his mood. It felt like he'd lost half he'd sleep the last time this had happened, and he wasn't looking forward to tomorrow morning.

"Better before they started interrupting my sleep..." He lets out a hissing breath through gritted teeth, shaking his head. "Fine, I guess. Not feeling pathetically weak at the moment, and Ankou is being less of a hassle than he used to be. All I need to do now is find a way to keep the people around me from being attacked by demons, and then everything will be goddamn perfect."

"I see."

At this, Mina cracked her neck, before ever monotonously continuing. "Quite frankly, your answer did not matter. I was merely making pleasantries. Regardless, your powers are one reason I summoned you. Specifically, I imagine you have no idea how to strengthen them beyond merely fighting, correct?"

Not bothering to wait for an answer, Mina gestured to Cecil. "Form bonds. Make friends. Real bonds, beyond simple superficial manipulation. Your persona is the strength of the heart, and as such, anything that strengthens your heart would strengthen your powers."

Opening her book, Mina flicked through pages, before stopping. "Tomomi Jomyaku, Nadia Marquee... And I assure you, it is not limited to merely friends. Indeed, any who partake in your life. Even that band you act among, the Platinum Playhouse. All act to strengthen your own heart." Slamming her book closed, Mina shrugged. "Of course, what you do is entirely your decision in that regard. Any questions regarding this topic?"

"Yes, because you're one to be telling me this..." So, mysterious woman in blue spawned from the ether telling him to make friends as she casually dismissed anything he might have said as unimportant.
After she dragged him here and probably trashed his sleep again after forgetting to tell him something last time.
Someone was making a great impression.

"You know, just a couple, that won't just be me griping." He pauses, looking up into the corner of his eye as he tries and fails to get comfortable in his chains. "Actually, no, just one. How do you know about the people around? Where's that info come from? It's one thing knowing about my powers and such, considering that I literally wouldn't and couldn't be here without them, but that seems like a little more than I'd have thought from just that."

In simple reply, Mina held open her book, flipping it to the page on Cecil's persona Ankou, holding it open and showing it to him. Within the pages were a moving image that seemed the spitting image of Ankou, and a list of names.

"This book is to me what a persona is to you, a source of power that helps me do what I must. However, it comes with a few benefits of its own. Such as registering every detail about you for reference. I only hold their names, but every person that impacts your life from the moment you signed that contract... Whether you like it or not, whether your relations are close or full of disdain... They will be tied intrinsically to your heart. Even should you sever ties with them, you cannot deny that they have changed your personality, even if just in a minor way. Interactions are odd in that way, and the same could be true even for those without potential."

After allowing Cecil to take a proper look at the book, Mina closed the book once more. "I do believe I said before that I aim to aid you in more favourable futures for yourself. Unless you truly believe you are going to be able to forget all of your past relations and go alone, then you will have these names involved in your future in some way or another, if not directly then indirectly just through motivation." A light cough, then Mina resumed. "Of course, if my mentioning of their names distresses you, I will make a note to not say it any further. Now, anything else?"

A reasonably long list of names met Cecil's eyes, his eyes running over them. Some he recognises. Several he doesn't.
He spots two names in particular, and averts his eyes with a sad look to his face.

He couldn't bring himself to confront that particular topic any more. And so, his attention turned elsewhere. "...so...what else do you plan to do, other than cut things up and interrupt me sleep to give me lectures?" The jab had nothing behind it, withering even before it was uttered.

Paying no heed to the bitter attitude behind his words, Mina nodded at the lack of any further questions on the topic, speaking up again. "Your way of returning here of your own will. It would be inconvenient for the both of us if your only way to attain access to this room was through my summoning of you in your dreams. Judging from our prior reaction, you may or may not be aware from the fact that there are external ways to enter the Velvet Room. Blue doors, for example, that others cannot see."

Holding out her hand, in Mina's palm was a small key. "This isn't so much of a physical item as a way to access the Velvet Room. That way you can obtain access to our services of your own accord, and if you find a situation that you have a question regarding, we might help you potentially. Provided of course that it would not breach our contract."

Cecil blinked slowly, not reaching out for the key and giving Mina a flat, dull look. "I think I preferred the eccentric one that gave me the wrong idea. They were easier to deal with." For all the nature of her existence was one that worried him, it was impossible to deny the way Mina was grinding on his nerves right now. Right now he was forced to confront an entity that knew everything about him and, when it didn't concern her own work, was proving thus far to be pretty dismissive.
He knew he wasn't being the most reasonable either, but she'd definitely set the tone first.

There was just no way to get comfortable in these chains, he could swear to god...his arms was starting to get pinched between the links. "I'm serious. If I don't end up wanting to use the sword you're wearing or any of the stuff your 'siblings' do, why would I come here? What would be the point? I take responsibility for what I do - including all this complaining right now because I'm here when I just wanted some decent sleep - and you help me with all the nonsense I can't get away from now because a demon was looking for lunch." He raises and eyebrow. "You've not exactly been clear on what you do other than all the supernatural madness that spawns from here...or what I might ask that might constitute a breach of contract. Especially since you didn't really specify many limits other than that these things you offer might have other costs attached."

Even if he might have had a reason for keeping them here, Cecil still wished 'Master Long-Nose' had done more with his charges.

Cecil's reactions caused an eyebrow raise from Mina. A reaction she didn't anticipate. As he finished, Mina couldn't help but clap her hands, a low chuckle escaping her lips.

"I apologise in advance but I must indulge myself in saying you are already proving a remarkable guest. I'd never expected a reaction like this. For that, I am appreciative." Shaking her head, Mina's smile fell and she returned to her serious expression as she spoke, voice ever so slightly less harsh. "Beyond the supernatural? Nothing important. And I do not mean that in a dismissive way. I do indeed mean, quite literally, nothing of importance. Without a guest wishing for me to, I have no explicit need to go outside of this room, nor do I have the knowledge or desire to. As for what would constitute a breach of contract... Well, asking us to do anything such as make decisions for you. Judging from your tone, I doubt you'd do something like that, but, please understand that we cannot help you in choosing your path. Only help you along whatever path you choose."

Shrugging, Mina finished. "As for the costs... Well, they vary depending on the service. My service costs a couple of dollars and a moment of your time, but nothing more. Before you ask, no, the dollars don't have any particular value to me. It's merely the act of... Exchange and trade. Were it up to me, it'd be a free service." Another shrug, Mina allowing the key in hand to disappear.

"I get the idea you aren't quite impressed with me. So, before I offer the key again, might I ask why?"

...clapping. She - she was fucking clapping.
What on earth was so funny about all of this?!

That...that was enough from him. Just...swallow it down. Push it deep, crush it, while it away into a place where it cannot rise. The bottle buzzed and vibrated as it was crammed full, but its contents remained firmly sealed inside.
Right.

"I'm being treated as amusement and work piece all in one." He winced as he noticed the bite, and pushed down the feelings further. "If it's not work-related, it doesn't matter...or, well, that's the impression I'm getting. I'm - seriously, why did you think it was fine to ask me about things and then go 'it didn't matter what you said' anyway? That's rude at best...even I know better than that." He sighs. "...do you seriously think there's nothing important you can do that doesn't involve that sword or that book?"

Mina closed her eyes for a moment, taking in everything he said. Scratching at her head a moment, Mina let out a light exhale before speaking. "I see." Was all she said at first, before continuing. "I suppose my lack of understanding is to cause for this distress. My apologies. I was merely attempting to make you more comfortable in the conversation. I take it declaring intention is not a useful part of conversing? Regardless, I am truly sorry for the mistake."

Mina bowed her head low, holding it there for a moment, before standing up once more. "And no. There is little more to me than the sword and the book. I said before, did I not? I hold no purpose of my own. In that regard, any way I can be of use... That becomes a purpose. That's what I can do. And what I do is record and clear doubts. So, yes. I do seriously believe that there is nothing more important I can do. Not successfully at least."

After a moment's pause, Cecil buries his face in one hand, the chains pinching again from the motion. "Jesus long nose, what the hell are you doing here...it's...more the matter of asking me things and dismissing what I say as utterly irrelevant. Before I've even said it, which...is kind of even worse. It doesn't feel great to basically be ignored like that."

He shakes his head, lifting it from his hand. "And the other thing...even if it's only a little more - and I don't believe that - it still means you're more than just those." He gestures toward the book. "You have everything in there already...you know what I was like before any of this...not that I'm much better now..." He shrugs. "I'm pretty sure anything I've got going for me came from Ankou. I wouldn't have anything without them. But that still doesn't mean I'm just that - even if that's not the best thing in my case."
He chuckles awkwardly, and looks away, nearly bringing a hand up to scratch the back of his head before feeling the presence of chains and knowing his hair would get caught in them. "Just...give yourself a chance. I didn't have nearly as much as you did, and I managed to get somewhere. There's a lot more hope for you than me, even if you don't think so."

Mina moved a hand to her chin in thought as she listened to Cecil, eyes closed in thought. Even after he finished, Mina seemed to be contemplating on what to say, or what to even think about it all. Perhaps it was a couple of seconds. Perhaps it was a couple of minutes. Regardless, Mina stood in silence, before finally breaking it with an exhale.

"I... See. I apologise for making you feel ignored. I will say however, it appears we have both made misunderstandings. My book does not hold everything. Quite the opposite. It's akin to a template. It has basic information. Names, and any details I put in there myself. Little more. And regarding giving myself a chance..."

A dry chuckle escaped her lips. "You truly are an interesting guest. Very well. On one condition. Let us make this an unofficial agreement. I will give myself one of these 'chances'. In return, I'd like you to be the one to help me understand what this means."

Cecil seemed alarmed at the correction as to the book's contents. "You - you said it had every detail about me! What else am I supposed to think in these circumstances when you say something like that?!"
...and she had been talking. He'd interrupted.
Damnit, he'd said too much in another way now.
"...sorry. You were saying...?"

After hearing her out properly this time, Cecil nods. "Yeah...I can agree to that. I, uh, think I was going to try to help anyway..."

"An error in my description. My apologies." Mina simply added at Cecil's interruption, seemingly undeterred by the disruption and accepting of the criticism.

As Cecil agreed to it, Mina held out her free hand. Should he accept the gesture of the hand shake, Mina would give him a hand shake, grip deceptively firm, before releasing. There, stood before him, Mina spoke once more, the faintest hint of a smile upon her lips. "Very well. Then in future, please inform me of any errors I make in interaction, and I will act to become more... Hum... Would the word human be appropriate, I wonder? Well, regardless... Are there any other terms you would like to add? Anything that would make it more of a fair deal for yourself."