Gaueko answers the young miss, saying, "No more yelling, little one. No more yelling. I promise." I suppose that only leaves quiet discussions and random violence then. How fortunate for me. Or not.

Trusting in his promise to Verdi, I offer him a seat and begin an unwilling conservation. The whiskey arrives and Gaueko pours himself a drink. I follow suit and offer the bottle to Lannie and Lucien, giving Lucien a small smile before turning back to Gaueko as he replies to me.

I light a smoke and take a sip of my drink, considering what to say before I respectfully ask, "How does one go about allowing themselves to be cursed? It's not as if I'd received any warning, otherwise, I assure you, I'd have avoided it."

I lean back in my chair as I continue evenly, "And while I appreciate your current offer of a solution, I must respectfully decline. I'd prefer to go with something less... messy to my person and the people around me." I exhale, glancing briefly at my friends, the loyal idiots, before adding, "However, if you'd like to collaborate on a viable solution, I'm more than willing to do so. That's what I think."

I knock back half my drink before quietly asking, "If you believe my father to be the source of the problem, why are you upset with me, the victim in this?"