Chapter 58: Meet the Beholders
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Kat was able to calmly wait for Kraks to return with his friends. *I can't believe how much more comfortable it is to have a place to rest my wings. Have I just been putting up with it or are these top-quality chairs?* Kat closed her eyes and simply let her mind wander. She was in no rush and extra time spent enjoying these seats was time well spent.
Eventually Kat's ears picked up the sound the door opening but decided to keep her eyes closed. A few extra moments of relaxation were needed after her hectic last few days. As fun as it was to go shopping with everyone, it didn't give Kat anytime to unwind. *Who would have thought the best place to relax is in hell. Actually is this hell? Is hell real if demons are or would that be a misconception.*
Kraks for his part had returned to his seat with his friends in tow. Looking at the relaxed expression on Kat's face he was unsure if it was best to leave Kat or continue with their discussion. He was the one to break protocol first but at the same time he didn't want to be accused of slacking off. In the end he spoke up first. "Kat, would you like to continue the meeting now"
"Sure thing, these chairs are just really comfortable" said Kat cracking open one eye.
What she saw however surprised her. The room was now filled with six floating eyes similar to the first, though it was hard to tell these all apart. They all had the long mouth full of teeth but two of the eyes were cat or snake eyes instead, sporting a vertical slit instead of a standard circle. Otherwise they looked mostly the same except for one of the normal looking eyes that had a small tie hanging under its mouth.
*Ok how am I supposed to tell these guys apart? The one with the tie is far enough but even the two with the snake eyes look the same. Kraks help me out here.*
"So are you going to introduce me to your friends" said Kat
"Of course first are the twins Xaz'gelen and Vraz'gelen, those are the two with snake eyes" The two in question waved their tentacles at Kat "The one with the tie is called Xoglaxuch" who bobbed up and down in response
"And the last three are Rulrok, Tulvun, and Bob" said Kraks who all tilted their bodies forward slightly.
"Um, how am I supposed to tell the last three apart" asked Kat
"Hmm, I suppose you aren't used to Beholders then. It's quite subtle but I suppose I'll just do this" Kraks waved his hand and a series of beanbags appeared underneath all the beholders. Most of them were the same maroon colour like Kat's but two had unique colouring. They sat under two of the last three and were a dark blue and a grey colour.
"Bob has the maroon seat, Rulrok has blue, and Tulvun has grey. That should make it a bit easier to tell the difference" said Kraks
"I had expected that anyone sent to this office would be more able to distinguish beholders from each other" said Rulrok
"I don't see why that would be the case" replied Kat
"Was that your attempt at humour?" asked Rulrok
"Leave off the poor lass" said Tulvun "She's just barely a rank one. How can you expect her to be familiar with demons outside of her house"
"Bah, most demons should know the difference, why back in my day" started Rulrok but he was cut off by Vraz'gelen "If you had taken notice of the case number any JJ case involves someone who hasn't grown up around other demons. If you actually did your job you'd know this"
"Don't talk back to your elders. Just because you're a higher rank than me doesn't mea-" started Rulrok
"Enough!" said Kraks "I brought you here because it's an interesting case. I expect you to be professional Rulrok. Would you speak to a client like that" Xaz'gelen stuck her tongue out at Rulrok thinking Kraks wasn't looking "And don't even think about it Xaz. I think your all forgetting I'm the strongest demon in the room. Enough bickering"
Rapidly switching tone and turning to face Kat Kraks asked "Do you have any further questions before we go over your case? Just to clarify things?"
"Well, I'm not sure if it's rude to ask but why would Rulrok assume someone sent to this office would know how to differentiate beholders?" asked Kat
"Well, this particular office is only for individual that have certain augments to their eyes. Traditionally these are almost exclusively held by beholders. Not to say that other demon types don't have powers born from there sight, just that the ones that matter for this office are mostly beholder exclusive" said Kraks
"Like what? I mean I noticed there isn't any lights anywhere but that's about it" said Kat
"Well, light sensitivity is actually one. Another such ability is one that lets you see through walls. There are a few others but I'm not sure why you were sent here specifically, it isn't in the file I was given" said Kraks tapping on the glass tablet.
"Ooo, can you tell us?" said Bob
"Now, it's considered inappropriate to request information on another demons powers without offering an ability of your own, you know the rules" said Tulvun
"Sorry, I've just never heard of a succubus with eye magic that doesn't charm" said Bob
"But charmers do get sent to our office. Most beholders are immune to it, and I know Kraks pretty much is" said Vraz'gelen
This seemed to stump Bob. He got the feeling that Kat didn't have charming eyes and as he'd never had a succubus client come through on account of his lacking defences, he hadn't considered Kat might have such an ability.
"Actually, that would be important to know. I'll trade you information on my power instead. I'm capable of ripping apart magic formations or cultivator arrays with just physical strength" said Kraks
"That's cheating. How can you do that" said Xaz'gelen pouting. Or at least that's what Kat was assuming the action was. Lacking lips made it hard to tell.
"I'll speak no more on the subject" said Kraks fixing his glasses.
"Well, I don't have charming eyes. I don't have any charm powers. Is that what I was supposed to say?" asked Kat tilting her head in slight confusion.
"Yes, thank you. I'd not considered the lacking immunity Bob has, he's new" said Kraks
"No problem" said Kat
"I want you to tell us what your eye powers are" said Xaz'gelen "I'll trade this. I can shoot laser beams from my eye that put people to sleep"
"Well, I'm not certain about this because I haven't had it entirely verified…" said Kat "But I'm pretty sure I have true sight"
"What!" shouted the beholders
"How can a mere succubus possess true sight" said Rulrok
"It's not that rare Rulrok, everyone else has it in this room" said Kraks
"I refuse to believe that a rank one succubus has access to such a prestigious ability without underhanded tactics" said Rulrok
"Now, Rulrok, it isn't really that rare I mean" started Tulvun "It dam well is rare" said Rulrok
And that was when all hell broke loose. The beholders all started to hover out of their chairs climbing slightly higher and beginning to shout over each other to be heard. Kat was sure if she really wanted, she could make out what was being said, but she saw no point. *At this point they were just hurling insults at each other. I thought these guys were professionals.* But Kraks did mutter something that caught Kat's attention.
"Why do I even bother. Try to be the nice friend and bring these guys into an interesting error dispute and they make it about abilities and heritage. I left the Wrath faction years ago to avoid this shit. Do I attract these people?"
*Huh, I can almost here capitalisation in Wrath. Guess a few of the sins are factions or something? System want to chime in here?*
--
No
--
*Well alrighty then.* Thought Kat as she closed her eyes and snuggled back into the couch. It really couldn't be underestimated how comfortable this was even with a horde of angry screaming demons floating next to you.
This argument continued for a few minutes before Kraks slammed his hand down on the desk. Everyone froze. Well Kat stayed relaxed, the beholders all froze and snapped their attention to Kraks.
"Right, now that you idiots have calmed down. I brought you here for one reason. To go over a case. I did this because it's interesting and I'm a good friend but don't make me regret it again or I'll kick you out of my office. Do I need to repeat myself?"
"No Sir" aid the beholders as the floated back down to their chairs.
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Kat was able to calmly wait for Kraks to return with his friends. *I can't believe how much more comfortable it is to have a place to rest my wings. Have I just been putting up with it or are these top-quality chairs?* Kat closed her eyes and simply let her mind wander. She was in no rush and extra time spent enjoying these seats was time well spent.
Eventually Kat's ears picked up the sound the door opening but decided to keep her eyes closed. A few extra moments of relaxation were needed after her hectic last few days. As fun as it was to go shopping with everyone, it didn't give Kat anytime to unwind. *Who would have thought the best place to relax is in hell. Actually is this hell? Is hell real if demons are or would that be a misconception.*
Kraks for his part had returned to his seat with his friends in tow. Looking at the relaxed expression on Kat's face he was unsure if it was best to leave Kat or continue with their discussion. He was the one to break protocol first but at the same time he didn't want to be accused of slacking off. In the end he spoke up first. "Kat, would you like to continue the meeting now"
"Sure thing, these chairs are just really comfortable" said Kat cracking open one eye.
What she saw however surprised her. The room was now filled with six floating eyes similar to the first, though it was hard to tell these all apart. They all had the long mouth full of teeth but two of the eyes were cat or snake eyes instead, sporting a vertical slit instead of a standard circle. Otherwise they looked mostly the same except for one of the normal looking eyes that had a small tie hanging under its mouth.
*Ok how am I supposed to tell these guys apart? The one with the tie is far enough but even the two with the snake eyes look the same. Kraks help me out here.*
"So are you going to introduce me to your friends" said Kat
"Of course first are the twins Xaz'gelen and Vraz'gelen, those are the two with snake eyes" The two in question waved their tentacles at Kat "The one with the tie is called Xoglaxuch" who bobbed up and down in response
"And the last three are Rulrok, Tulvun, and Bob" said Kraks who all tilted their bodies forward slightly.
"Um, how am I supposed to tell the last three apart" asked Kat
"Hmm, I suppose you aren't used to Beholders then. It's quite subtle but I suppose I'll just do this" Kraks waved his hand and a series of beanbags appeared underneath all the beholders. Most of them were the same maroon colour like Kat's but two had unique colouring. They sat under two of the last three and were a dark blue and a grey colour.
"Bob has the maroon seat, Rulrok has blue, and Tulvun has grey. That should make it a bit easier to tell the difference" said Kraks
"I had expected that anyone sent to this office would be more able to distinguish beholders from each other" said Rulrok
"I don't see why that would be the case" replied Kat
"Was that your attempt at humour?" asked Rulrok
"Leave off the poor lass" said Tulvun "She's just barely a rank one. How can you expect her to be familiar with demons outside of her house"
"Bah, most demons should know the difference, why back in my day" started Rulrok but he was cut off by Vraz'gelen "If you had taken notice of the case number any JJ case involves someone who hasn't grown up around other demons. If you actually did your job you'd know this"
"Don't talk back to your elders. Just because you're a higher rank than me doesn't mea-" started Rulrok
"Enough!" said Kraks "I brought you here because it's an interesting case. I expect you to be professional Rulrok. Would you speak to a client like that" Xaz'gelen stuck her tongue out at Rulrok thinking Kraks wasn't looking "And don't even think about it Xaz. I think your all forgetting I'm the strongest demon in the room. Enough bickering"
Rapidly switching tone and turning to face Kat Kraks asked "Do you have any further questions before we go over your case? Just to clarify things?"
"Well, I'm not sure if it's rude to ask but why would Rulrok assume someone sent to this office would know how to differentiate beholders?" asked Kat
"Well, this particular office is only for individual that have certain augments to their eyes. Traditionally these are almost exclusively held by beholders. Not to say that other demon types don't have powers born from there sight, just that the ones that matter for this office are mostly beholder exclusive" said Kraks
"Like what? I mean I noticed there isn't any lights anywhere but that's about it" said Kat
"Well, light sensitivity is actually one. Another such ability is one that lets you see through walls. There are a few others but I'm not sure why you were sent here specifically, it isn't in the file I was given" said Kraks tapping on the glass tablet.
"Ooo, can you tell us?" said Bob
"Now, it's considered inappropriate to request information on another demons powers without offering an ability of your own, you know the rules" said Tulvun
"Sorry, I've just never heard of a succubus with eye magic that doesn't charm" said Bob
"But charmers do get sent to our office. Most beholders are immune to it, and I know Kraks pretty much is" said Vraz'gelen
This seemed to stump Bob. He got the feeling that Kat didn't have charming eyes and as he'd never had a succubus client come through on account of his lacking defences, he hadn't considered Kat might have such an ability.
"Actually, that would be important to know. I'll trade you information on my power instead. I'm capable of ripping apart magic formations or cultivator arrays with just physical strength" said Kraks
"That's cheating. How can you do that" said Xaz'gelen pouting. Or at least that's what Kat was assuming the action was. Lacking lips made it hard to tell.
"I'll speak no more on the subject" said Kraks fixing his glasses.
"Well, I don't have charming eyes. I don't have any charm powers. Is that what I was supposed to say?" asked Kat tilting her head in slight confusion.
"Yes, thank you. I'd not considered the lacking immunity Bob has, he's new" said Kraks
"No problem" said Kat
"I want you to tell us what your eye powers are" said Xaz'gelen "I'll trade this. I can shoot laser beams from my eye that put people to sleep"
"Well, I'm not certain about this because I haven't had it entirely verified…" said Kat "But I'm pretty sure I have true sight"
"What!" shouted the beholders
"How can a mere succubus possess true sight" said Rulrok
"It's not that rare Rulrok, everyone else has it in this room" said Kraks
"I refuse to believe that a rank one succubus has access to such a prestigious ability without underhanded tactics" said Rulrok
"Now, Rulrok, it isn't really that rare I mean" started Tulvun "It dam well is rare" said Rulrok
And that was when all hell broke loose. The beholders all started to hover out of their chairs climbing slightly higher and beginning to shout over each other to be heard. Kat was sure if she really wanted, she could make out what was being said, but she saw no point. *At this point they were just hurling insults at each other. I thought these guys were professionals.* But Kraks did mutter something that caught Kat's attention.
"Why do I even bother. Try to be the nice friend and bring these guys into an interesting error dispute and they make it about abilities and heritage. I left the Wrath faction years ago to avoid this shit. Do I attract these people?"
*Huh, I can almost here capitalisation in Wrath. Guess a few of the sins are factions or something? System want to chime in here?*
--
No
--
*Well alrighty then.* Thought Kat as she closed her eyes and snuggled back into the couch. It really couldn't be underestimated how comfortable this was even with a horde of angry screaming demons floating next to you.
This argument continued for a few minutes before Kraks slammed his hand down on the desk. Everyone froze. Well Kat stayed relaxed, the beholders all froze and snapped their attention to Kraks.
"Right, now that you idiots have calmed down. I brought you here for one reason. To go over a case. I did this because it's interesting and I'm a good friend but don't make me regret it again or I'll kick you out of my office. Do I need to repeat myself?"
"No Sir" aid the beholders as the floated back down to their chairs.
Kat was able to calmly wait for Kraks to return with his friends. *I can't believe how much more comfortable it is to have a place to rest my wings. Have I just been putting up with it or are these top-quality chairs?* Kat closed her eyes and simply let her mind wander. She was in no rush and extra time spent enjoying these seats was time well spent.Eventually Kat's ears picked up the sound the door opening but decided to keep her eyes closed. A few extra moments of relaxation were needed after her hectic last few days. As fun as it was to go shopping with everyone, it didn't give Kat anytime to unwind. *Who would have thought the best place to relax is in hell. Actually is this hell? Is hell real if demons are or would that be a misconception.*Kraks for his part had returned to his seat with his friends in tow. Looking at the relaxed expression on Kat's face he was unsure if it was best to leave Kat or continue with their discussion. He was the one to break protocol first but at the same time he didn't want to be accused of slacking off. In the end he spoke up first. "Kat, would you like to continue the meeting now""Sure thing, these chairs are just really comfortable" said Kat cracking open one eye.What she saw however surprised her. The room was now filled with six floating eyes similar to the first, though it was hard to tell these all apart. They all had the long mouth full of teeth but two of the eyes were cat or snake eyes instead, sporting a vertical slit instead of a standard circle. Otherwise they looked mostly the same except for one of the normal looking eyes that had a small tie hanging under its mouth.*Ok how am I supposed to tell these guys apart? The one with the tie is far enough but even the two with the snake eyes look the same. Kraks help me out here.*"So are you going to introduce me to your friends" said Kat"Of course first are the twins Xaz'gelen and Vraz'gelen, those are the two with snake eyes" The two in question waved their tentacles at Kat "The one with the tie is called Xoglaxuch" who bobbed up and down in response"And the last three are Rulrok, Tulvun, and Bob" said Kraks who all tilted their bodies forward slightly."Um, how am I supposed to tell the last three apart" asked Kat"Hmm, I suppose you aren't used to Beholders then. It's quite subtle but I suppose I'll just do this" Kraks waved his hand and a series of beanbags appeared underneath all the beholders. Most of them were the same maroon colour like Kat's but two had unique colouring. They sat under two of the last three and were a dark blue and a grey colour."Bob has the maroon seat, Rulrok has blue, and Tulvun has grey. That should make it a bit easier to tell the difference" said Kraks"I had expected that anyone sent to this office would be more able to distinguish beholders from each other" said Rulrok"I don't see why that would be the case" replied Kat"Was that your attempt at humour?" asked Rulrok"Leave off the poor lass" said Tulvun "She's just barely a rank one. How can you expect her to be familiar with demons outside of her house""Bah, most demons should know the difference, why back in my day" started Rulrok but he was cut off by Vraz'gelen "If you had taken notice of the case number any JJ case involves someone who hasn't grown up around other demons. If you actually did your job you'd know this""Don't talk back to your elders. Just because you're a higher rank than me doesn't mea-" started Rulrok"Enough!" said Kraks "I brought you here because it's an interesting case. I expect you to be professional Rulrok. Would you speak to a client like that" Xaz'gelen stuck her tongue out at Rulrok thinking Kraks wasn't looking "And don't even think about it Xaz. I think your all forgetting I'm the strongest demon in the room. Enough bickering"Rapidly switching tone and turning to face Kat Kraks asked "Do you have any further questions before we go over your case? Just to clarify things?""Well, I'm not sure if it's rude to ask but why would Rulrok assume someone sent to this office would know how to differentiate beholders?" asked Kat"Well, this particular office is only for individual that have certain augments to their eyes. Traditionally these are almost exclusively held by beholders. Not to say that other demon types don't have powers born from there sight, just that the ones that matter for this office are mostly beholder exclusive" said Kraks"Like what? I mean I noticed there isn't any lights anywhere but that's about it" said Kat"Well, light sensitivity is actually one. Another such ability is one that lets you see through walls. There are a few others but I'm not sure why you were sent here specifically, it isn't in the file I was given" said Kraks tapping on the glass tablet."Ooo, can you tell us?" said Bob"Now, it's considered inappropriate to request information on another demons powers without offering an ability of your own, you know the rules" said Tulvun"Sorry, I've just never heard of a succubus with eye magic that doesn't charm" said Bob"But charmers do get sent to our office. Most beholders are immune to it, and I know Kraks pretty much is" said Vraz'gelenThis seemed to stump Bob. He got the feeling that Kat didn't have charming eyes and as he'd never had a succubus client come through on account of his lacking defences, he hadn't considered Kat might have such an ability."Actually, that would be important to know. I'll trade you information on my power instead. I'm capable of ripping apart magic formations or cultivator arrays with just physical strength" said Kraks"That's cheating. How can you do that" said Xaz'gelen pouting. Or at least that's what Kat was assuming the action was. Lacking lips made it hard to tell."I'll speak no more on the subject" said Kraks fixing his glasses."Well, I don't have charming eyes. I don't have any charm powers. Is that what I was supposed to say?" asked Kat tilting her head in slight confusion."Yes, thank you. I'd not considered the lacking immunity Bob has, he's new" said Kraks"No problem" said Kat"I want you to tell us what your eye powers are" said Xaz'gelen "I'll trade this. I can shoot laser beams from my eye that put people to sleep""Well, I'm not certain about this because I haven't had it entirely verified" said Kat "But I'm pretty sure I have true sight""What!" shouted the beholders"How can a mere succubus possess true sight" said Rulrok"It's not that rare Rulrok, everyone else has it in this room" said Kraks"I refuse to believe that a rank one succubus has access to such a prestigious ability without underhanded tactics" said Rulrok"Now, Rulrok, it isn't really that rare I mean" started Tulvun "It dam well is rare" said RulrokAnd that was when all hell broke loose. The beholders all started to hover out of their chairs climbing slightly higher and beginning to shout over each other to be heard. Kat was sure if she really wanted, she could make out what was being said, but she saw no point. *At this point they were just hurling insults at each other. I thought these guys were professionals.* But Kraks did mutter something that caught Kat's attention."Why do I even bother. Try to be the nice friend and bring these guys into an interesting error dispute and they make it about abilities and heritage. I left the Wrath faction years ago to avoid this shit. Do I attract these people?"*Huh, I can almost here capitalisation in Wrath. Guess a few of the sins are factions or something? System want to chime in here?*--No--*Well alrighty then.* Thought Kat as she closed her eyes and snuggled back into the couch. It really couldn't be underestimated how comfortable this was even with a horde of angry screaming demons floating next to you.This argument continued for a few minutes before Kraks slammed his hand down on the desk. Everyone froze. Well Kat stayed relaxed, the beholders all froze and snapped their attention to Kraks."Right, now that you idiots have calmed down. I brought you here for one reason. To go over a case. I did this because it's interesting and I'm a good friend but don't make me regret it again or I'll kick you out of my office. Do I need to repeat myself?""No Sir" aid the beholders as the floated back down to their chairs.
