It was sure it has exceeded the time-frame The Collector has proposed just by being unfortunate enough to have chrysalised almost immediately after making the deal. It hoped that he would accept a simple apology and it wouldn't have to explain what actually happened. It had already endured enough embarrassment, and it was sure more was to come.

"I apologies for the delay. I encountered an.. obstacle that kept me from completing my task in a timely manner." It would tell him as soon as he emerged from wherever he had been hiding. "I was unable to get an acting role, but Nemean has appointed me as a 'stagehand.' I hope that is sufficient?" It would offer the little card Nemean had given it as proof of it's 'success,' if you could really call it that. It had its part in her play but it doubted Nemean really trusted it in any capacity. Hopefully this would be enough.

"If we are still moving forward, I have decided on the item enchanted with a corrupted spell as my reward. " If the item proved insufficient it could always take the full plunge into corrupted magic, but that wasn't something it could really undo. It was simply the most logical answer. "What is my second task?"

Takes place sometime between major embarrassment and The Show

Fourteen has completed its first task and has come back for it's second. It has also decided on an object enchanted with a corruption spell as its reward.

Part of him was... disappointed, just a little, that Ruse didn't trust him. But part of him was proud, because, damn, that was his kid.

"As I said... I leave nothing out. Good of you to check. But that is the extent of the fine print." The space for signing was still empty, and The Collector tapped it. "All that's left is this."

@Ruse

The Collector tipped his head, regarding the tea with a quizzical stare and perhaps a fresh perspective. "It is tea," he said, after a moment, and those crimson eyes flicked to Audland. "Ahh. Perhaps... those of these caves are unfamiliar with the culture that surrounds business deals. It is polite to offer refreshments. And yes, most drink. I assure you, it isn't poisoned, though I applaud your paranoia." A shrug, and he gestured to it. With the other hand he delicately lifted the scroll, as the claw-mark Audland left singed to smoking black. "Do feel free to have a taste." He paused. Considered. Then launched into business-speak.

"The consumption or sampling of this product confers no contractual obligation. The provider affirms that said beverage is believed to be safe, and will inflict no negative health, psychological, emotional, magical, or other forms of damage or distress, permanent or temporary. The beverage is to be provided at no cost, as-is, and the receiver of the liquid sample agrees that the provider is not bound to any further supply, stipulation or requirement. There are no binding commitments or other requirements for either party." Then he took a sip from his own cup, as if to demonstrate that it was safe.

And he shrugged.

@Audland

The Collector was present, or rather he sort of... appeared when Chaos-Fourteen approached. The apology was met with a tone of amusement as he strode to meet the Valkhound. "...Yes, it took my agents some time to find out where you had gone. I admit to curiosity in regards to the circumstance..?" he added. "Your time ran out, but I will admit I would rather see your second task completed rather than attempt to collect on the initial terms. Stagehand is... ahh, perfect."

He sounded pleased, even, and swept into a brief formal bow before turning away. He withdrew a large, clinking black velvety bag--thick with dust and grime--from his cloak, settling it on the desk that still sat in Canis (likewise collecting dust).

"Just a moment, please. -Do feel free to take a seat." He was likely referring to the oversized chairs and benches littering the area; at least one was probably suitable for V-Chaos-Fourteen.

Glass clinked within the bag, and after a moment, the Collector found what he was looking for. He withdraw a large vial, rather diamond-shaped near the top; the glass was dusty like the bag had been, and the stopper--pure gold, with a thin chain connecting to a golden band around the vial itself--was a little... oily. The liquid within was even more Oily, and that with a capital 'O': the shimmer of Chaos in its sinister rainbow hues was visible within.

"Poison their drinks. If there's a punchbowl, soup, or something similar, so much the better. It isn't deadly, or even unpleasant, never fear. But it should be amusing." He turned, and offered the vial out in careful claws. "A couple of drops will be enough for a wine glass. Half of the vial, for a punchbowl. -That is, a bowl with an alcoholic, fruity drink. Nemean's little soirees are often rather... fanciful, but they lack a certain intensity that I've come to prefer in my gatherings. -I will see you there," he added, and winked.

---

V-Chaos-Fourteen is being tasked with 'poisoning' as many drinks as possible at Nemean's theater event. Those who choose to ingest 'poisoned' fluids will take two points of Corruption, with the accompanying urges toward Chaos, but will also experience vivid (if relatively mild) hallucinations that will last one to three hours, depending on the dose. These hallucinations may be anything from brighter colors and sounds to hearing conversations or music, or seeing interactions, that do not actually exist.

@V-Chaos-Fourteen

lateness is HOPEFULLY not corroborated IC... i procrastinated luna didnt

Luna returned to Canis triumphant, eager to spill the news of her new escapade. She skittered past bones and dust, certain of her destination, and for once, certain of fortune to come - that is, if she could find the second task as easy as the first.

"Collector! I have found! A Lover!" They announced, paw pressed to their bejeweled chest. "Or something akin! We went on a date, which I believe confirms the nature of the relationship. It went... Uh. Splendidly!"

"Now, what shall I do with this lover of mine, for the grand prize I seek?" Luna was willing to do anything. She had no shame about throwing Rena to the wolves almost immediately. Such was the nature of business.

"Luna!" The Collector crooned, clapping his hands together in delight. His crimson eyes sparkled with interest. He'd been here, of course--lurking, waiting--but the moth-creature was one whose return he'd awaited with some of the most exquisite expectation.

Oh, this would be delightful.

He swept to his chair, swinging into it, one leg hooking primly over the other; he gestured to the free one in invitation.

"Splendid. Simply splendid. Now for the second half of your task, which I hope you will find as potentially enjoyable as I do."

He leaned over, with an air of conspiratorial joy.

"Find someone else. Another lover, or someone to play the role. It matters not. What matters is finding your initial new companion: the one with whom you ventured on this... date. Bring this new lover, or actor, or actress, or what have you-" and he waved a hand dismissively, for while it would be most impressive if Luna truly seduced a second, it certainly wasn't necessary. "And spurn the first. We must have heartbreak, and drama. A betrayal for the ages. Mockery, dismissal, belittlement! A tragic scene and devastation. Are you in?" he asked, and caves, he hoped she was.

If she was anything like the delightful, heartless, beautiful terrible little monster he imagined, she'd undoubtedly enjoy this.

Ahh, but if she'd truly grown connected? That would be every bit as interesting.

@Luna

No... It couldn't be... Luna was......

Underwhelmed?

Well, they were expecting a bigger ask, a true sacrifice. They'd given him a treasured possession last they'd met, and this romance was... Uhhhh. Not that, quite yet. Maybe if Luna had picked a better lover, this would be a dramatic breakup. But Rena seemed reasonable. The relationship would just return to the ether they'd plucked it from.

........Renasonable.....

The only trace of this internal conflict was the way their smiled faltered some. "So gracious of you to offer such a... Generous trade!"

Luna's paws met in front of their chest, dextrous fingers tapping. "But I feel... The cost doesn't match the prize? It could be greater, is all. Perhaps a more... Permanent, severing of the union. Greater damage. More drama."

It was her turn to lean in. "I've heard rumour of a Gembound by an altar of five great pillars, and tales of unions bound by magic... Perhaps?"

That was where her knowledge ended. She'd let the Collector do with it what he willed.

Luna feels the collector is underselling here and because she is so nice! is negotiating a higher cost. like a divorce. or ruining a wedding. or both.

He leaned in, resting a chin upon cupped, hairy hand, gazing at Luna with what was probably admiration.

"...Delightful. You. Are. Delightful."

He pushed back, sighing wistfully. "Matron Bolormaa is keenly aware of the true emotions of those present. I am certain you could work around that, of course... perhaps promises and a build-up. I was imagining disparaging mockery and betrayal but it sounds like you have something even more delicious in mind. -Please. By all means." He leaned across the desk again, never breaking eye contact.

"I would so love to see what you are capable of."

@Luna

Hahaha! Yay! Yippee!

"Well. It's not much of a betrayal if it's just begun. It's a mutual experiment, low-cost - if it's drama we want, why not up the stakes? This... Matron need not be officially involved. "

A paw raised to brush their cheek, struck by a (seemingly) sudden thought. "But I find myself discussing this with The Collector. There is magic for that kind of subterfuge, no?"

A brief aside - they returned to the main focus. "In my travels, I have heard, whispered in the shadows - a word. It is called... Divorce."

"I have met none in the caves who've been divorced. This could be brave new ground for these cramped little caves. Surely you would support such an event?"

"Methods vary. I am not a violent Gembound - I outsource that work to my beloved employee." (Who they were already planning on bringing into this.) They fell into another silence. This time Luna stiffened, an epiphany rocketing through their nervous system.

"Speaking of outsourcing."

This could be brilliant.

"What if. Theoretically speaking, you officiated the union."

The Collector stared for a moment, then chuckled. "Well you are devious. Detail this out for me," he replied, leaning back. One hoof went onto the desk as he leaned down to open a drawer behind it. A quill, an inkpot, a scroll were drawn and laid atop it. He dipped the quill and looked to Luna, poised to scribble notes.

"Walk me through your sinister plan."

@Luna

Luna looked down at the scroll, and was struck by the immediate fear a blank page induces in any artist. They had talked a big game, now it was time to put money where their mouth was.

"So. Divorce requires marriage. Which needs something binding. There is nothing more tragic than a deal gone wrong." Hearts? You can break them on any day of the week. The LAW??? Difficult. Enticing. A challenge.

"You," Luna gestured to the notes on the desk. "Deal in contracts. What is a break-up... If not a broken contract? Me and my lover... We sign it in tandem to seal our togetherness in ink... And then I! DIVORCE her! And leave in the arms of another!"

She clapped her paws together. "Better than a minor spat. Something with real consequence, recorded, archived, eternal."

Luna grinned. "Do we have a deal??"

The Collector sat back and steepled his fingers, staring at Luna, entranced by finally finding someone more truly evil than he.

Maybe.

He thought about their offer, for a moment. "...I imagine I could get my hands on a legitimate marriage contract. I of course will not be signing it. And there are few repercussions for breaking it, but it is terribly dramatic. VERY WELL," he decided, all at once, with a dramatic boom to his voice and a break of those steepled hands (to let them sweep grandly out to either side, of course). "Tell me the where and when. I will officiate. -Wear something suitable. Formal," he advised, very solemnly. "I will do the same."

@Luna