Chapter 23: A Test
"Let it be known, you were the one who sought us out," Blue Mask said in a distorted voice as they straightened their posture.
They leaned in, the single pink eye glowing through the hole in the mask. "State your request, and the Black Lotus will do their best to fulfill it."
Raelis nodded and cut straight to the point.
"I want a recommendation to the Divine Alchemist. There’s a potion I intend to commission."
A moment of silence followed as Blue Mask leaned back.
"That is no simple favor," Blue Mask replied calmly. "The Divine Alchemist trades in debts, not coin. For us to offer you one of our few standing favors, you’d need to prove you’re worth the price we’d pay."
Raelis tilted his head. "Am I not supposed to be entitled to a single request without question?"
"Normally, yes." Blue Mask nodded. "When it comes to requests that go beyond our scope of assassination, espionage, or material acquirement, we evaluate such requests through a far less forgiving lens."
Blue Mask turned their head, revealing their slender neck for a moment as they nodded at the Black Mask who had let Raelis inside.
Immediately, the Black Mask bowed and left the building, leaving only Raelis and Blue Mask.
Blue Mask turned back to Raelis and continued their explanation.
"By recommending you, we’d be taking the brunt of the responsibilities. If you offend the Divine Alchemist, our standing favors would be revoked. The cost of your misstep would fall on us."