This is a joint post between Bronze and Dorym

It occurs just after the return from the Butcher’s catacombs 

“You could have waited, Raven.” Zybexia scowled from her perch on the desk. The comely imp sat provocatively, legs separated by the corner of the wood. Infernal was a harsh tongue and her tone only served to make her words more menacing. 

“For what purpose Bex? That misshapen blob of a creature was cutting through our ranks like baatorian greensteel through a dretch.”

The imp sighed with frustration. “To allow me a chance to bargain. Souls are in short supply and I don’t intend to stay like this forever.”

“You won’t. I promise. But this group is hands off. These are my friends. Understood?”

“Excuse me?” She hopped off the desk, landing hard into his lap.

“Ugh.” He groaned from the unexpected impact. A deep breath later he responded. “Off limits, Zybexia. Am I clear?”

“Well look who decided to finally grow up?” She sneered. Her face was a breath away from his. “Fine Xa’raven. Just you remember who matters most.” She nipped his lip drawing a trickle of blood.

“I will. How could I forget Bex? You’ve always…”

Tap..tap..tap.  

Zybexia looked at the door, rolled her eyes, and became a raven once more. She fluttered to the window sill and waited.

Raven stood and moved to the door. He slid the bolt to the side and opened it. “Hey Rainer.” He stepped aside. “Come in.”

The bronze dragonborn hesitated, eying the room with some caution before entering. Once inside, his eyes set on the bird and he paused.

“Here.” he said, handing a leather bound tome to Raven. “It’s one of the books we recovered from the catacombs. You mentioned you would like to read it when I was done.”

“Thank you. But did you read it? I wouldn’t have expected you would be finished with it so quickly.”

“It’s surprisingly a quick read.” Rainer said not breaking eye contact with the bird.

“Is everything ok?” The warlock asked.

“Yeah. Fine. Just… Can we talk?”

“Sure.” Raven closed the door behind them and sat on the edge of the bed. What troubles you my friend?”

“How long?”

“How long what?”

“How long have you been in league with devils?”

“For as long as I can remember. I mean… I was born in Malbolge after all?”

Rainer shifted his gaze from the bird to Raven. “So you were serious when you said you were from Malbolge?”

“I haven’t lied to you yet my friend.”

Rainer nodded his head in understanding. “I will admit I didn’t believe you. That aside, I have grown fond of our little rag-tag group. They are my friends…”

Raven cut in “Do you not consider me your friend as well Rainer?”

“I did until I saw you commanding an imp.”

“Did you happen to see what Bex did? What I asked her to do?” The black bird bristled as Raven’s face washed with disappointment. “She saved Dunkle’s life. Is that not the act of a friend? Would you rather I had let him die to continue the masquerade of her being a bird so as not to upset anyone? I had hoped by now that I had proven myself to everyone, that her secret was safe to reveal… Perhaps I was wrong to think I could find acceptance here…”  

“Yes…she saved Dunkle’s life.” Rainer said thoughtfully. “But was it out of friendship or self preservation? Devils are known to provoke a certain level of untrustworthiness. All I ask is that you continue to prove yourself worthy as we all must do.”

“Devils, my friend, live by stricter adherence to law more so than any other beings you could meet. Failure to do so is…” His eyes set on his familiar. “Met with rather extreme decidedness. As for her… I’ve known Bex all my life. We’ve been friends…”

The bird cawed before transforming into her imp form. “Friends? Did I hear you right?” She challenged.

Raven blushed. “Ok… More than friends sometimes.”

She cocked an eyebrow over her squinted glare.

“Fine. There is no one closer to me.”

“Better.” She said smugly, crossing her arms.

“She’s protected me, mentored me and cared for me my entire life. I guess that’s what allowed her to hear my call from this goddess forsaken place… how she was able to find me. And this was the cost.” He motioned to her as she resumed her perch on his desk..

“And what was that cost exactly?”

“She wasn’t always an imp you know? She’s been cursed and forced into that shape as punishment for something that wasn’t even her fault. Hell is less forgiving than the places I’m sure you’re accustomed to.”

“Insinuating that Bex was something more powerful only stokes my concern. It means she has something to prove. I will leave you with this. I will not be party to damning souls. Continue to be the friend you have shone yourself to be and I will have no quarrel with you.”

“Powerful” is a rather subjective descriptive is it not? I merely stated she wasn’t always an imp.” Raven paused. “Would it surprise you to learn she was once an angel?” He shrugged his shoulders. “And for the record… Devils don’t damn souls Rainer. Mortals choose that fate all by themselves. All too often people just want someone else to blame for the consequences of their own misdeeds.”

“Was she once an angel?” Rainer said with skepticism. “You said she has been cursed and forced into this shape as punishment for something that wasn’t her fault. Did she not choose her own fate? Does she too fall into the category of blaming someone else for the consequences of her own misdeeds?”

“She was indeed an angel.” Raven assured the Dragonborn. “And in this case…”

“You don’t have to explain anything to him.” Zybexia spoke in celestial words. “If he judges you merely by what you are, where you were born… then perhaps he is not the friend you believe him to be.”

“I’d like to think otherwise, Bex.” Raven answered in the common tongue. “And no. This punishment was not her fault. She was cursed with this indignity because I was taken away by whatever fickle powers claim dominion over this place. She bears the consequence of my unexplained disappearance, her penance for losing me. Our queen understood our connection and by design placed this burden upon her to allow her to join me and bring me home. Once I return, she will be restored. I am her curse. So if there is anyone to be blamed… it’s me.”

“Overstatedly harsh but yes. You speak true Raven.” Zybexia half heartedly agreed. “But I don’t see it entirely that way. You’re no curse.” She hopped off the desk and fluttered to his shoulder draping her tail around his neck in a peculiar display of affection. “Burdensome at times, but mine nonetheless.”

“On the contrary.” Rainer retorted in the celestial tongue. “I am judgemental of the company he keeps, not the man himself. Where we are born and to whom none of us can control. But we decide who we wish to become through our thoughts and actions. Raven, so far, has proven himself to be a worthy ally. You Bex however…if I am to believe you were once an angel, you must have done something truly sinister to fall so far from grace. And it is for that reason you have earned my distrust.”

“Is that so?” She grinned. “Answer me this oh expert on piety. Are there none of your kind, or betters, the true dragons, that despite the reputation for malice or cruelty their scales infer, nevertheless conduct themselves with honor and dignity? Surely there are chromatics that perhaps are not so evil as their heritage would infer?” She rolled her eyes with some disinterest. “And believe what you will about me. My past deeds are not as sinister as you might think nor should they be of your concern. We have done no harm to any we call an ally. Can you say the same?”

Rainer looked at Bex evenly. “Dragons and baatezu have as much in common as tanar’ri and baatezu. Unlike the tanar’ri and the baatezu there are true dragons of both the light and darkness and they work together toward a common cause. And you are correct, your past deeds are not of my concern. What concerns me are your actions going forward.”

“Earned your distrust?” Raven said with offense. “Can you recall a single moment since we’ve been together where either of us engaged in behavior that warrants mistrust. If so, I’d very much like to know how we aggrieved you.” He shook his head in disappointment. “I think the mere suggestion that she must have engaged in some malevolent act is unfairly prejudicial. I would have expected better from you.”  

Rainer shifted his gaze to Raven “I’m sorry to disappoint. Now you know where I stand. How things progress from here will be up to you. Can light and darkness work together in this world for a common cause? We shall see.”

Rainer turned to exit the room when he stopped in mid step and spoke over his shoulder. “And Raven…let me know when you are finished with the book. I very much look forward to discussing our findings together.” 

“As will I. I’m curious to know what you’ve made of it.”

Rainer nodded and disappeared into the hall. 

A flick of Raven’s wrist closed the door and a swish of his finger slid the bolt back into place.

“Well what do you make of that Bex?”

The imp smirked. “He has an interesting comprehension of planar affairs, more so than you’d expect from your common dragonborn. I’d guess you’re not the only one with a secret. It intrigues me to consider what his may be.”

“Can we trust him?

“Have you learned nothing?” She glared at him.

“Right… The only person I can trust is you.”

“Good.” The imp grinned smugly. “But I don’t believe he means us harm either.”

“What makes you think that?”

“I’m not sure… He may have his opinion about devils but his calm demeanor and desire to talk lends itself to the idea that maybe I’m not the first denizen of hell he’s encountered.”

“Interesting.”

“Indeed….”