Infinite Consortium, Monday

[deathsmajesty]

"Well, aren't you interesting," Liliana said, holding up an elaborate mask from the week's delivery. Its near twin rested on the counter in front of her; waiting for its own in-depth examination. "You're fascinating because you're ancient," she murmured at it, tracing her finger along the worn bone of the mask proper before picking up the other. "And you're fascinating because you're new. But you both have the same candlewax on you." She laughed, low in her throat. "Someone in Kessig is being very naughty indeed."

The rest of the shipment was off to the side, completely ignored, while Liliana took notes on what she was able to gather from the masks themselves. Eventually, the masks were placed in the display window, but Liliana continued to ignore the rest of the items still in the crate. Because now she was curious and why do any of the work she was supposed to do, when she could while away the hours playing detective instead?

Comments

[totalwildcard]

Had Harley come in for anything in particular? Hard to say, considering even her greeting of, "Hiya, Lilia--" got cut off by a, "Oooo, masks! Neat!"

Well, at least she'd tried.

[deathsmajesty]

In Harley's defense, though, these masks went pretty hard.

"Hello darling," she called. "Interested in what is almost certainly a cult ritual mask or two?"

[totalwildcard]

"Depends on what the ritual's for," Harley said, like it was now just a given that that was what the masks were all about. Also, she was padding over for a closer look. "'Cause if it's sacrificin' virgins for something? Hard pass."

[deathsmajesty]

"Couldn't tell you," Liliana said. "Though I think it's a more of a general 'mask used for rituals' than a specific one. Though it does make whoever is wearing it stronger and tougher, so I could be wrong."

[totalwildcard]

"What, like they start thinkin' they're all big and strong just 'cause they're wearing a mask that covers most of their face?" Harley asked. "Because I knew a guy like that once. And he got 'sploded into a fine flesh mist for it."

[deathsmajesty]

"No, I mean it magically enhances the wearer physically," Liliana said. "Though do tell me all about this fine flesh mist. How? What happened?"

Was it replicable?

[totalwildcard]

"Oh, my associate stuck a hand grenade on him, and then I dropkicked him off a pier," Harley told her easily, like it was a normal thing to say. Then she tilted her head thoughtfully. "Though I guess realistically speakin' there were chunks, too."

And then righted it again.

"But mostly mist!"

[deathsmajesty]

Ooooh, this sounded promising.

"What's a grenade?" Liliana asked, a question that certainly couldn't lead to anything bad happening ever.

[totalwildcard]

"It makes things go boom!" Harley replied, eyes shining - right before going into what some might have termed a surprisingly technical and surprisingly accurate description of what a hand grenade was and how it worked.

Hey, she knew her shit! She'd fucked a lot of places and people up over the years!

[deathsmajesty]

"Fascinating," Liliana breathed, after Harley's explanation came to a close. "I must say, this plane has a truly staggering number of ways to murder people in lieu of just using magic to do it. And you can just get these anywhere?"

Because that's exactly what the Multiverse needed: a Liliana with grenades.

[totalwildcard]

Harley shrugged. "If ya know where anywhere, sure!"

She'd lived by Gotham underworld rules for way too long.

[deathsmajesty]

"Hmmm..." Liliana mused. "Something for me to consider further. A girl can never have too many methods of disposal at her, well, disposal."

It felt like a sentiment Harley could get behind.