Acrathia: *Shakes her head at Henry. Opens her mouth like she is about to say something, but just sighs and shakes her head at him again*

Henry: *gingerly touches his new nose* Say it. I know you want to.

Acrathia: It is nothing you haven't heard before love; either start being honest or remain silent. Honestly I am beginning to think that your ask series isn't going to end because you ran out of questions, but because you could only respond by saying "hee haw!"

Henry: *irritated with himself* I know. I'm an idiot. When you lay it out as simply telling the truth, it makes perfect sense. But then I get in the middle of an awkward situation and I panic and... well, this happens. Why is it this difficult?

Acrathia: Were you under the impression that giving up lying all together would be easy? Henry dearest you are being asked to give up and essential part of surviving in nearly every society. A certain amount of deception is required for dealing with people in everyday life, even if it is a simple as saying "Oh that's interesting" when you're truly thinking 'I would rather set fire to myself than listen to anything else you could possibly utter." Honestly it is probably a good thing that you will ve traveling through the Sidhe soon, minimize the number of people you can converse with.

Henry: *attempting to scratch an ear with his hoof* You're probably right. Maybe I should just stay away from people in general for a while. Especially ones that ask embarrassing questions. *he raises an eyebrow teasingly*

Acrathia: In my defense I asked that question before we became acquainted. *puts a hand to her chest* and I deeply and humbly regre...*stifles a laugh* damn I knew I couldn't keep a straight face.

Henry: *smirks wryly* That's what I thought. At least it doesn't get boring with you around, Acrathia.

Acrathia: *Looks Henry up and down* You continue to baffle me Henry. You have stated more than once that I remind you of Lady Moth, whom you appear to have nothing but contempt for. I bound you to performing a service for me in exchange for information, to which most end up resenting me. I have been quite critical of you and your shortcomings in the past. Despite all of this you claim that my presence is appreciated, I can't help but wonder why?

Henry: *his face becomes serious and his ears twitch in thought* Hell if I know. Maybe you're growing on me. Maybe it's because you remind me of her before she went off on her life-ruining rampage. Maybe it's because you don't pull punches and I'm starting to respect that. Maybe it's none of that, or maybe it's all of it.

I don't know.

Acrathia: I suppose I should not question it too much. I have received more than my fair share of resentment over the years for meddling, and I should just be grateful. I am just left wondering what is different this time? Are you the only variable, or have I changed somehow? Ah but here I am rambling these questions to you, when you just stated that you don't have the answer yourself.

Henry: *perks his ears forward* Well, you know yourself better than I know you. What do you think the answer is?

Acrathia: *smirks at Henry* Its not as simple as you would think. People who come into contact with me tend to either be frightened, seduced, or some combination of the two. This is not a simple matter of my demeanor, personality, or my appearance, it is a curse, a curse that I willingly subjugated myself to, but a curse none the less. In my studies of the arcane a have noted that in some cases two individuals that are cursed will not be effected by the others. This is not always the case, but I believe that is what is going on here.

Henry: I see. I didn't know curses acted that way. Why would you allow yourself to be cursed that way, if you don't mind my asking?

Acrathia: To gain greater access to certain schools of the arcane arts, one must be willing to pay certain prices. At one point I traded the ability to be fully trusted by people to further pursue my research into magic. Though I enjoy complaining to anyone who will listen, I ultimately consider the price well worth it.

Author: Sorry it took a while to get back to you on this one. Work stuff came up, and I had to think of how I wanted to word this post.

Henry: I see. I guess it's true that nothing is free.

Dearshul: No worries. ^w^ It's good to take time with exposition.

Acrathia: Always remember dear Henry: when it comes to magic, you cannot get something for free, but you can always negotiate the price.

Henry: *his curiosity piqued* Does that go for all of the fae?

Acrathia: That goes for everyone. In general the more you understand about magic, the more options you have available to you.

Henry: *considers this* I suppose that makes sense. I should probably keep my distance though. I've already seen what happens when I get too close.

Acrathia: Usually a good decision for humans, considering your last encounter.

Henry: *rubbing ruefully at his nose with the back of his wrist* Let's hope the next one results in fewer animal parts.

Acrathia: Indeed. Well love it appears that I gave you my insufferably vague advice earlier in our conversation. You know, the whole negotiating the price of magic thing. Just keep it in mind if you ever must negotiate with a magical being again. *fades into black and indigo mist*

Henry: *sighs* Right. The price of magic. *furrows his brow introspectively*

Personally, I wish the magic would allow him the chance to amend his statements, so long as he really is intending to be honest and lies either accidentally or for having forgotten a key fact. Alas, I didn't cast this curse, and I doubt I would be able to reverse it without proper permission from a certain author or fairy. *shrugs* You have my sympathies, Henry. *Pats the man's shoulder*

Henry: That would be nice, but I won't hold my breath. Thanks for the thought, man. *smiles halfheartedly*

*Scratches his ears for him* Any time, Henry. Any time.

Henry: *relieved and slightly embarrassed* Heh. Thanks.

I'd repeat myself, but I hear you don't like that too much.

Henry: *raises an eyebrow with a smile* Where'd you get that idea?

The whole "you can say that again" bit from earlier.

Henry: *rubs his forehead with a hoof* It seems my sarcasm is getting rusty.

Join the club. Unless it's blatant, it almost always goes right over my head.

Henry: *smirks* Heh. You and Louis are alike.

Honesty is the best policy.

Henry: Aaand there's the Jiminy part.

Well, while I agree with the honesty thing, I was saying that more as a joke, than anything else. :P

Henry: Fair enough. My assessment still stands, though. *smirks*

Well, I did choose to let my conscience by my guide from an early age.

Acrathia: perhaps his attempt to correct it is why his nose simply became more bulbous, as opposed to becoming a full snout.

That is a distinct possibility I hadn't considered. Very smart, Acrathia. Very smart, indeed.

I'd say, "You dumb-ass," but that would be too obvious a joke.

Henry: *ears swiveling backward* Yeah, I've heard that one a few times.