He will think about it

Evan knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. And the first thing going through his mind was ‘All these hours playing a wizard and pretending to negotiate with demons, gods and spirits, turned out not to be a waste of time after all. So who’s the delusional idiot now, sis!? ‘

The second thought was ‘Way to have your priorities straight! Now think. These ancient entities are usually big on politeness. The nice once because the like to reward niceness, and the evil ones because they are just waiting for a pretext to punish arrogant idiots. ’

“I…” he began, swallowed then tried again in a firmer voice “I am grateful for your consideration, honored lady. I truly am, but I have to admit I am a bit overwhelmed by your presence and the revelation of my legacy. So might I ask for some time to compose myself? I’ll seek out your lamp again, in an hour or so if you please.” He was actually pretty proud of how nice and formal that came out.

Inara had watched the young man with a bemused expression al throughout his little speech, but her eyes narrowed dangerously at his last words “I know that one! Oh, mighty djinn, ” she simpered, sweet poison dripping from every syllable “, I can scarcely believe someone as great as you could fit himself into such a puny lamp. If you are truly as powerful as you say, you could surely crawl inside it again, while I go get a cork. ”

Oh crap! Evan had screwed up. He felt all colour drain from his face, as he realized just how royally he had screwed up. “I didn’t….. That wasn’t…. ! ”

“Oh I know. ” Inara said with a dismissive wave of her hand, and just like that she was all sultry smiles again “Or at least I am pretty sure. I can’t actually read your mind right now after all. But you can be fairly confident in your educated guesses, if you know someone’s desires inside out. So no insult was perceived. ” once again she dissolved into purple smoke and reappeared beside Evan, putting a hot arm around his shoulders and pressing her breasts against his upper arm as she murmured into his ear “But, this felt like a good opportunity to clarify a few things. “ her grip on his shoulder felt gentle, but somehow Evan got the impression that it would take a Kryptonian to pry her hand of him ”I really liked Kyrios. And I see the same potential in you. The same hunger. He was the last Master I was truly… “ her free hand caressed his thigh ” …fond of. So I will offer you the same deal I gave him. I swear on my lamp, if you can prove to me that you are a man after my own heart by your fifth wish, I won’t screw you over if you wish for the magic you crave. Even if you ask for spells to heal the sick, delight the depressed and other boring goody-two-shoes magic. I’ll give you enough magic to equal Giovanni Zatara and his daughter. Or even surpass them. ”

Evan knew the offer was just there to tempt him into making these first five wishes. But that was the thing about temptation, just because Evan recognized it, didn`t mean he didn’t imagine himself standing side by side with two of the greatest magician alive. He had wanted to be a wizard so badly it had broken him a bit when he had to put that dream aside, and now he couldn’t be just any wizard. He could become THE wizard.

And the worst thing was: Evan was pretty sure the offer was genuine. Promises and oaths were more than just words to a lot of magical beings. And breaking a promise made on something as integral as her lamp was bound to have some consequences even for someone as powerful as Inara. Wouldn’t it?

“Yes. Breaking that oath would be…inconvenient.” Inara said as if she read his mind. “That is a genuine carrot. “ her hand gave his thigh one last squeeze before withdrawing ” But there is also a stick. Because I know how hard you try to cling to being a good boy. So you are probably thinking you are somehow honor bound to ‘do the right thing’.

And I bet if you raised enough of a stink you could call one of these superheroes for help. And maybe, just maybe they would manage to drive me of. But here is the rub: Even if I am stuffed back into that bottle by **** and sealed again, you will still owe me wishes. And since you won’t be able to make them I’ll get to inflict some new fun penalty every night for the rest of your life.

But if you want to raise the stakes like that, I won’t stop you. Taking on the League might be an interesting challenge, and I am genuinely curious if you are willing to make a heroic sacrifice. Or a knee-jerk reaction you will regret very very fast.

You are smart enough to know long words like ‘moral relativism’ and ‘Utilitarianism’ after all. So I bet you can think of a wish or two that will spread the vices and sin I love, without betraying everything you stand for. Wrath is a sin after all – if a boring one. But nobody complains when some hero is overcome with righteous wrath at lowly criminals and beats them up in a bat-themed costume.

So ” she slipped away from Evan “think about that. I’ll be back.”

And with one last wink, the ifrit started drifting towards the door. Much to Evans relief.

That relief only held for a few second s though as it suddenly registered that the Inara leaving him, meant there would be an Ifrit roaming the museum.

“Wait! Where are you going?” Evan called out, in a sudden panic.

“Miss me already? How sweet.” Inara gave him a coy look over her shoulder “ Don’t worry. Right now you are the only one who can see and hear me, and I won’t get up to any mischief. Well aside from a bit of voyeurism. But you are not the only one who has some things to think about, those memories of yours explain a lot in hindsight. Oh, and I might add public indecency to the mischief list. ” she put a finger to her chin in thought “Actually…., if you masturbate in the middle of the street but no one can see it, is it still public indecency? Guess I’ll have to find out! ” and with that she flew straight through the wall.

Only to stick her head back through a moment later “Oh, and Evan. You might want to steal that lamp. Or leave it up to chance which colleague rubs it after you. Your choice really. Have fun!”

And with that Inara was gone. Leaving Evan a lot to think about.