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The former seems more likely. Especially now that I know who's been backing him in this little endeavor.

... jog my memory, friend - but did I ever discuss with you my particular circumstances? Or more specifically, who exactly I am bound to work under because of what I am now?

Yes, you had said he had a source! I was trying not to pry terribly, seeing as I've done plenty of that already. But that seems to be a larger factor than you let on before.

I do not know the who, I confess. Someone important in your line, I am sure.

Being under the Cardinal of Wrath, the one I report to is one of Hell's Princes - Amon herself.

[ Granted, it's in this particular incarnation of her that she apparently took a female form - according to rumor, it was more because enemies wouldn't see it coming, apparently. ]

And I have reason to believe that she is the one manipulating my son into trying to ruin all I had worked for in my past life.

She has her reasons to - I'm not very good at causing trouble like she wants, and what better way to get back at me for being a failure of a demon than to tear apart everything I know using someone I would love under normal circumstances against me?

[ ... he needs a longer drink after that confession. ]

A Prince of Hell. That is quite the title, isn't it. And the influence that must go with that ...

[he has died and gone to gossip rag heaven. it is fortunate that decades of being a good son and being in the limelight have taught him to keep his surprise (and delight) more muted than they would otherwise be in this moment. look, that's juicy and delicious, and he wants another]

That's a powerful motive. That, and the spite together, have woven a terrible mess, haven't they!

[but even he must pause, because the severity is not lost to him]

But what can be done to undo it?

[a pause, a drink.]

If he is truly being used as you believe, she is not likely to stop until she forces some change out of you. And doing that will come at a high cost, of morality and life. Is that it? So getting to him ...

Then again, if he holds that much resentment, he isn't about to shy away from the chance to wreck all you care about in this world for anything!

I have never been my own father's favorite son in any capacity, but I could not imagine nursing such a resentment into so powerful a weapon. What can be done, to stop this son you would otherwise love and this prince of hell who would gladly cause more trouble?

Thus why I'm in such a predicament.

[ Jae downs the rest of the wine, letting out a hum. ]

I'm afraid that the "changes" she wants to force upon me involve either total subservience or death at this rate. And as you can imagine, I'm not terribly fond of either of those choices.

And I'm sure she'd take pleasure in seeing my own son tear me to pieces. It certainly doesn't help that her backing also includes giving him not only a means to gain power, but a means for her to control him.

I can see things ending one of two ways.

[ He holds up a finger. ]

One, they kill me and everything I worked for - allies, friends, my old clan.

Or two, I somehow cut off that source of power, hopefully freeing him from her control and allowing him to be rational enough to actually sit down and listen to reason.

No doubt, friend.

[he has plenty, don't worry. the bottle is just sitting there waiting to be poured]

For your sake, and the sake of all others who are hung in this delicate balance alongside you, I do hope you are able to break their connection.

I hope so too. I already may have some idea on how to make it work, it's just of course the timing that plays a bigger role.

And just what my son might do if he figures out who else is here with him.

[ Potential battle strategy wasn't exactly something he thought he'd be talking about while in a luxury resort on Jeju, but here we are. ]

Who else has he to be wary of? Someone who may change things in such a drastic way?

[ pls refill friend, he'll spill the deets once he has more wine ]

We have allies here, but I fear that Amon might've gotten caught up in being brought to Jeju alongside the rest of us.

[as you wish, buddy. more wine for all]

There is little relaxing in hearing that we have been vacationing alongside a prince of hell, were you aware?

Yes, but one would hope that I would be safe within the confines of my own room.

As would I! And I say that not only because it is also my room. That could go for any room.

Right. Though with everyone who may have been brought here, I'd be very surprised if they didn't somehow ward the rooms to make sure such an event doesn't occur.

Still.

I don't mean to instill paranoia in you, of course - I highly doubt she would try anything right away anyway.

It does seem like the sort of security measure often employed by those who play host to so many. At the very least, something to keep their guests safer than not.

I'm not terribly worried. Perhaps I should worry more, but I do not see myself as much of a target. I have not yet made it a point to enrage everyone I meet.

One would hope.

[ And some more down the hatch. ]

And trust me, I do not try to go out of my way to enrage everyone I meet, despite what my Cardinal entails. I'm quite pleasant to be around most of the time, as you can tell.

[well, it makes him laugh anyway]

I had noticed! It makes it more thrilling, not knowing, doesn't it? The surprise adds to the effect. When will the rage overcome? On whom will this anger be turned?

With luck, against a deserving person. Or a particularly tough scrap of overcooked steak.

I would like to think that my self-control is contained enough that my wrath wouldn't explode on someone undeserving.

Never mind that contrary to popular belief, not all of us are all about fire and brimstone.

We should all like to hope that! Save us all a bit on the clean up bills after the fact that way.

So I have heard! And so I have learned, too. It's less fun to find out that that was wrong. I've been lucky to be able to pass that one along before.

Trust me, I'm not nearly as messy as some of my compatriots, even if I'm angry.

[ And another sip. Yeah, he's feeling better already. Thank god for fae wine that actually does something. ]

Oh? If I may, when have you run into demons?

No? What does a clean anger look like, then, when applied to the kind of person who would use your own blood against you?

[READ THE MOOD, EASAL]

You find them running around magical hot spots from time to time. I have even seen them in Seelie lands, but that is never long lived.

Friend, I'm afraid that would sour the mood too much if I went into gruesome details.

[ That's Jae-being-cordial speech for "please drop it". ]

Understandable, considering your kind aren't fond of the kind of chaos that most demons like to bring about.

I would hate to see the mood soured more than it must be by the topic alone.

[hint received]

We are not well known for it, no. And I do believe we make enough chaos on our own.

[ He nods once as he takes a smaller sip than last time, tapping a finger against his chin in thought once the glass is set back down for the moment. ]

Considering the Seelie and Unseelie have been locked in a stalemate for ... well, as long as I can remember, I'll admit, and still beyond that - I can certainly believe that demon interference wouldn't help matters at all.

We've been quite occupied, you could say! Oh, there have been the odd demon skirmish that pops up here and there. Some devilish workers, given title and purpose. Nothing to ignore or make light of, but nothing so severe as what you've been snared in.

Of course, I would assume that those who would try to interrupt were either brought about by someone else or were trying to get some sort of foothold of their own. I wouldn't have been surprised if that included some from my Cardinal, as well.

Right now, though, I can only plan and strategize to make sure to protect my legacy and to also stop my son from making any more mistakes.

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