Tim’s Eleventh Trade

“I already know what I want,” Tim said, tapping his dainty left foot, “If I’m going to be giving them their power, I’m going to need their loyalty.”

“I get your point,” old woman Justice said, “if they’re loyal to you, then they won’t turn on you at the first chance they get. It’s a bit tricky, though, since I’m not sure they have any loyalty to anyone worth trading.”

“What do you mean?” Tim was not having it, his voice came out a bit shrill as his frustration leaked out. He was tired of being treated like something beneath the immortals, looked at like an insect, insignificant, a nobody. Even in his old life, despite all his unhappiness, people, for the most part, treated him respectfully.

The immortals never did, he thought to himself. In fact, to them he was less than an insect! He was a meal! His ire rose to the surface as he stared daggers at the pair who had tried to kill him.

“These two do their own thing, bow to no-one. Of my sisters, they’re probably the least loyal.”

“What about to your Father?” Tim asked, trembling slightly while remembering his encounter with the old man.

“What little they have for him,” Justice snorted, “you saw them try to weasel their way out of his command. And besides,” she leaned in, “it’s good policy to never take anything from Him. He’s in a different league than the rest of us. But these two? They’re really only loyal to themselves.”

“I’ll take it,” Tim snapped his fingers, “the power for the loyalty they have to themselves.”

“Very interesting idea,” Justice was waving her hands, considering the trade, “Yes, it could work. Normally the power would outweigh many things, but it looks like their self-loyalty has some heft! I might even have to counterbalance the trade a bit.”

“What do you mean, counterbalance?” Tim asked, but it was too late. Justice was already punching a smoking fist forward, then waving both hands over her head, and finally then announcing, "It is done! The trade is complete! What do you skanks think of my Timmy now?”

Tim looked across the room to the formerly proud avatars, only to find them on their knees, looking at him with utter adoration in their eyes.

“See what I mean about their loyalty having some heft?” Justice said with a snicker, “All these two thought of was serving themselves, fulfilling every whim, every craving. They don’t think that way about themselves now, only about you.”

“Tim,” Desire said, her cigarette vanished, “is there anything I can do for you?”

“Anything at all?” Lust echoed, “We can make you feel very good, if you’d like. Or we can make someone else do it, too. It’s up to you.”

“Have you gotten your power back?” Tim asked.

“It’s your power, really,” Lust said, “how would you like us to wield it?”

“Don’t you have, like, normal things that you have to do? Give teenagers boners in class and stuff like that?”

“Of course,” Desire answered, “Thank-you for trusting us with our former duties.”

“Do you think you can help Gary out? Make his thing with that woman more permanent? Or if they’re a bad match, something better?”

“I promise to not let you down,” Lust said to Tim, gazing at him with puppy dog eyes, “Now I hope I’m not being too forward, but now that my senses are restored, I can’t help but notice the waves of infatuation tying your sister to yourself.”

“I’ve felt it as well,” Desire agreed, “it’s still growing.”

“Well turn it off,” Tim said, “That’s exactly the kind of mess I don’t need right now.”

“Absolutely, sir,” Desire said slowly, “We will both attend to her. Unfortunately, her seed of need became activated in the shameful time where we tried to…”

“Kill me,” he interrupted.

The two immortals in their knees whimpered.

“I can’t imagine doing that again,” Lust said, “My entire purpose for being is to please you. Hurting you seems so…”

“Horrific,” Destiny finished her sentence, “I would rather cut off my own hand than bring harm to you.”

“But your sister,” Lust continued, “we could quell her fire, but the seed has taken root in her soul. It will regrow.”

“And stronger,” Desire agreed, “While we return to our duties around the world, perhaps our sister could assist you with her.”

“Just go,” Tim instructed after a deep sigh, “and don’t forget Gary. And if I want you for anything…”

“We will be at your beck and call,” Lust said with a hopeful tone.

A metallic smell filled the room and the twins vanished. Tim rounded on Justice.

“Will they keep their word?” He asked.

“You hold them on the palms of your hands,” she cackled, “I never thought I’d see the day!”

“Good. Now what did you mean by ‘counterbalance’?”

“Maybe you should take a look in the mirror.”