“There are literally books upon books about this power. It’s difficult to narrow this shit down.”
She groans. “Nothing would make Amick happier if I sat my ass down and read some of those books.”
My laughter is purely condescending. It earns me a grip on my hand tight enough that my knees damn near buckle.
“Okay, okay, let’s see. I’m only covering the ones that interest me.”
“Fine by me.”
“I like this ability because it’s one that Chaos can slip through. This power can create contracts or agreements. Both physical and metaphysical.”
“Metaphysical?”
“Yeah, so to an extent, our doors have a metaphysical contract on each of them. We can wield that because of our essence weaved in with all the powers used to make our house. It’s like we all stood at our thresholds and said, ‘No one can pass this threshold without my permission.’ It’s a contract we made with ourselves and the home.”
“Wait, you just said you liked this cause Chaos can slip through. Could you have slipped through my door when I stripped everyone’s permission?”
“Yeah, but that example isn’t a really good one now that I think about it, because technically, any of us could force our ways through each other’s doors. It just comes at a cost. Like it could and would drain our power. For a true contract to work under Accord, it has to have stability. Chaos isn’t stability.
“Yesterday, when Amick had you draw that line and you used Consequence, you could do that same exact thing but use Accord. That would be you creating a metaphysical contract that others have to abide by. I could sprinkle in some Chaos, maybe fracture the line for a moment long enough for me to slip through. That’s me breaking your contract.”
She humphs, then falls deep into her mind. I give her a minute to think through whatever got her wheels turning.
“If that’s the case, couldn’t I put some extreme-ass contract over myself? Like ‘Let no harm ever come to me.’”
My lips curl into a tight smile.
I prefer it when it’s Amick bursting her bubble.
“Unfortunately, no. This is one of those complicated layers of the power. Accord is very literal. Ambiguity weakens and can even completely dismantle a contract in place. Also, self-made contracts are temporary. Eventually, the power in them fades.”
“Valories. It feels like this power is so much more complicated than the other ones I have a grasp on.”
“That’s because it is. That’s why in Amick’s game plan, this one was going to be last in your lessons. Someone grew a little impatient.”
“Yeah, yeah, blah, blah. I’m still happy to have a basic understanding of it. I may be a touch confused, but I’m also intrigued. I bet I can get Amick to teach me how to do a contract.”
“Why does he have to teach you?”
“I assumed since this is under his Designation he’d want to. Are you offering?”
“Hell yeah. I’ll make a contract with you right now.”
“Really?” She smiles a brilliant smile, like this isn’t an awfully dangerous idea.
I guess I didn’t explain that part.
I’ll touch on it afterwards.
“Absolutely. So for a contract to be bound under the power of Accord, first, both of us have to be fully truthful and there must be complete consent on both sides. If not, it’ll break.”
“Okay, well, what kind of contract are we going to make? It can’t be anything dangerous or fucking crazy, Riven.”
Fun sucker.
“Don’t you worry your pretty head about that. What I want us to put in a contract is easily agreeable for both of us.”
“Very well then. Tell me what to do.”
