"That's what he said, his exact words. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think he cares if you're willing or not." I said.

"You lie." She said. It did not sound like an accusation. Just a statement of fact. If I had asked what color the sky was she would not have responded in a different tone.

I held my forehead in my hands. "What reason do I have to lie? I'm telling you his words as I heard them god dammit." I said.

"If you do not like my father, I would advise you to voice it. To resort to such underhand tactics is deplorable." She said, her voice as cold as ice.

I began pulling at my hair. "I don't like the man, obviously. How could I after he said what he did? Look, if I wanted to lie I would have came up with a better one."

"You should have." She said, standing up. "He will hear of this slander, and I will expect you to apologize."

I sighed. In hindsight, I should have known what her general reaction would have been. The godfather was her parent figure after all. Of course she would trust him more than me, a random stranger. I hurried after her as she walked off. At least, I tried to.

"It's hard to believe, I know. But can't you at-" Something compressed my lips, and I found that I could no longer open my mouth. Silvana turned around, her silver eyes glowing with murder. She waved a hand, which had begun to glow with a silvery light.

A force knocked me to the ground, and I felt as if a mountain was being pressed atop my body. My half healed bones trembled. "Speak ill of my father one more time, and it will be your last. Do you think I would not dare to kill you, Celestial? Think again, I advise. Think again." An invisible hand began crushing my throat, and despite my attempts to claw at it my hands met only empty air. I began choking, the life fleeing from me as I struggled to breath.

"Stay out of my sight, liar. If I see you..." Her voice trailed off, and the hand tightened its grip. I tried to scream, but what came out was less than a groan. Then it was gone, and my lungs heaved for air. If I had looked at my reflection I would have discovered that my neck was purple, and my face was blue.

But I stumbled to my feet. There was a strength of sorts within me. I knew my words to be true, and that was enough. It was clear that she would not have listened, but not me. Not then, on that day. "I'm not a liar." I said. There was always something admirable yet laughable about the adamant man.

Don't take me for a fool, I knew that my words would result in no good. But I spoke them anyways, because it was the truth, and what good is a man if he would choose relief from pain over honesty? Alas, the price of speaking is being heard. Silvana turned around, and her hands began glowing again. The last thing I heard before everything fell silent was a snap.

I awoke atop a soft bed. It was strange how much time could pass when we are asleep, all without ever realizing it. For a moment I thought that I was home, and it was all just one bizzare dream, but it was not. Silvana gazed down at me with naked rage burning in her eyes. There was not so much as a frown on her face, but anger shone on it, clear as day.

"My apologies, Venerable." She spat out the last word like rotten meat. "I should have exercised more restraint. Please-" The venom in her gaze could have killed an elephant. "Forgive me."

Her head was bowed, but if she meant a word of what she said I would eat a whole pound of shit. I was rather puzzled at her change of attitude until I saw Godfather. He was behind her, that same smile on his face. "Ah, I have forgotten to teach my daughter manners, it seems. Please, on my behalf, do forgive her." He said.

For fear of being poisoned, I did so immediately. "Of course." I said.

Silvana looked at her godfather. "Find some bandages, my dear. You wounded our guest quite badly." She stormed off without a being told twice.

He sat down at the side of my bed as I attempted to rise but failed. My other leg had snapped, the pain was all I needed to find out. Knowledge gained through experience. The bone was twisted at an awkward angle, as if it were a switch that had been flipped to the wrong side.

Godfather looked at me. "So, you've told her." Something glinted in his eye. "Bold move, I must say. Your mistake was assuming that she would believe you. You know her better than I expected. She is a girl who would take a liking to a respectful and honest man."

"That's good to know, but would you get to the point? You wouldn't come yourself unless you wanted something, would you? Out with it." Later I would gain a reputation for loving games of the mind, but I confess that those who hide their intentions lose my trust easily. I, for one, would like the ability to trust myself.

The kindly glow in Godfather's eyes faded. "My apologies, I had not thought you to be so adept at the game. Very well then. Ask of me anything within my power, and it is yours. What Silvana showed you is but the tip of a mountain more vast than anything you have ever seen, Venerable. There are few things a wizard cannot accomplish. In exchange, I would ask only for the knowledge you cannot make use of. A fair trade, no?"

"I'm afraid I know nothing about guns. Even if I did, I wouldn't give a single one to you." I responded.

"Do you doubt my sincerity? The facade is useless, I have seen many attempt it to lesser success. Speak your mind." He encouraged.

It was rather amusing, now that I think back on it. I had fooled a much more skilled manipulator into believing that I was of greater skill than him. All without realizing it. "I don't like repeating myself."

A kindly smile once again appeared on the Godfather's face. He waved his hand. I felt my bones knit together, and strength surged through them. I stumbled to my feet. Pain shot up my leg. It appeared broken, but it somehow was healed. Miraculously, magically healed. I tried flexing it only to be met by a surge of pain. It worked, it seemed, but it was painful.

“Act your part, Venerable, I shall act mine. Take all the time you wish. A deal will be struck, later if not now.”