"Just wondering," said Jerilyn, "why, exactly, are you going to kill me? Am I in your way, or did someone want me inhumed?"
"You are in my way." Teatime confirmed. "That contraption you were riding on. It would be useful for me to obtain."
"Then why don't you just take it from me, and be on your way?"
He looked appalled at the thought. "Then I would be a Thief." He said the word as if it left a nasty taste in his mouth.
"How about I give it to you?"
"Why would you do that?"
"Because...I am a generous soul."
He raised an eyebrow. "That's under question. But I'm not so sure I want to let you slip away now. You know who I am, and if this world was alerted to just exactly what I am that would be very...inconvenient."
"Well, get on with it, then." She spread out her arm in an open gesture, preparing for the knife that would soon lodge itself in her heart.
He tilted his head again, and said, "A guide would be useful."
She felt herself tense.
"Yes," she said, "I suppose one would be. However, I don't see any hanging around here."
"I need to know how this world works, to avoid unwanted attention. You will help me with this, or, and I say this with considerable regret, I'll have to kill you."
"You say it with no regret. And we both know you're going to murder me. Lets not pretend I can do anything to change that."
Teatime's black eye grew darker.
"Assassins do not murder." he said, sharply. "We inhume. And since you seem incapable of thinking for yourself, allow me to do it for you." He said the next words as if talking to someone who was very dumb, or who spoke a different language. "If you help me, you will have more chances to escape."
"Yeah. Right." Jerilyn rolled her eyes, feigning a complacency she didn't feel. "Like I could ever escape you."
He sighed. "Very well. Suit yourself." From seemingly nowhere, a knife appeared in his hand, and he started towards her.
"Alright, alright!" Jerilyn said, backing up and raising her hands. "What do you want me to do?"
