Laresa sighed. She had been resting comfortably but now something was occurring outside the ring. She wouldn't know exactly what until she was summoned forth to meet her new master. All she ever received were impressions and right now she had the impression that two people were haggling over the price of the ring, her ring.
She sighed again. She often got the impression that her ring found its way to people who needed her. In situations like this, where her very existence could be bartered from one person to another, she felt as if something had gone wrong. Some person in need had lost their opportunity, either selling it off for a pittance or losing it to theft or, worse, death, before they could discover her powers. Those who came to own the ring by buying it often ended up proving to be some of her most depressing masters. Not all, certainly, but most of the worst, qualified.
Money and the ring exchanged hands. Laresa could already tell that her new owner knew he'd virtually stolen the ring, for what he, or 'she' Laresa realized, had paid for it. If the master was knowingly cheating people, the situation was even worse. Unfortunately, the worst masters also tended to be the most careful about the rules. She leaned back and waited.
The wait ended up being considerably longer than she'd expected. Usually masters ended up discovering her within minutes of finding the ring. She waited at least half an hour before she finally began to feel the pull, signifying she was, at last, being called from her captivity. Even before her body formed she received her first impression of her master and the room about them.
They were in a well appointed bathroom. Velvet cushions lay on a soft couch in the corner and the stalls were all meticulously cleaned. A man, her new master, leaned against the wall. One of his knees jutted forward as an expensive loafer lifted, to lay flat against the wall. He worse a light gray, business suit. By the style, Laresa was already guessing she once more found herself late in the Twentieth Century, the Eighties or Nineties.
"Laresa I presume?"
Laresa's mouth was open, prepared to acknowledge her master as customary, when he called her by name. No one had ever known of her before she introduced herself, yet this man knew her name! She stumbled, answering his question. "Uh, yes master. I am Laresa."
"Good. Then I didn't pay a small fortune for a piece of junk after all." His attention turned fully back to her. She felt his surge of lust, one that frequently accompanied men seeing her for the first time. This man held himself in incredible control, the lust suddenly forced away as his mind began to ponder her true value to him.
She studied him as he considered and prioritized his wishes. He could be a handsome man, he was tall enough at around six feet. He was physically fit without being overweighted with muscle. Likely he spent a few days a week in a health club or at some similar activity. Racquetball would be his 'power sport,' rather than golf. His dark hair pressed unnaturally against his scalp, slicked back with some oily substance that seemed to have hardened into a solid shell.
"First, please tell me your rules. I want to make sure I have all of them right."
Laresa had no idea how this man seemed to know so much about her but she smiled and launched into her well known litany. "I cannot bring anyone back from the dead, although I can heal virtually any wound. I cannot change the emotions of others, although I can change memories." His fingers flicked up as he counted off her rules, nodding with each. Failure to understand how he knew frustrated her so she decided to abbreviate her usually helpful list. "I cannot change major historical events." She stopped, withholding the most important rule out of curiosity.
Her Master looked at his three raised fingers before his penetrating gaze fell on her. "Did you neglect one or has the rule about lying to you changed?"
Laresa shuddered. She had hoped that his information had been incomplete. Without knowing the last rule she stood much more of a chance of escaping this very unnerving man. He knew the rules already and was likely to hold fast to them, keeping her in his service for many years. "No, master. That is still a rule. If you tell a lie to me then my ring and I will disappear through time and space."
He was smirking, confident, now, in his knowledge of her. "Good. My name is Randolph Winston Carpenter the Fourth. My friends call me Dolph, but you will continue to call me master." Dolph moved to the door and out into the hallway. A moment before the door closed she saw his finger motioning for her to follow, forcing her to hurry after. The two wandered down the decadently appointed corridor and stopped before a door at the end. Dolph flipped through a ring of keys, attached to his belt by a solid gold chain, and unlocked the door.
Laresa was impressed. Often, she had been asked to create such wealth and splendor for previous masters. Dolph maintained a corner office with an outstanding view of New York City. Bedecking the walls were various paintings and statues, all expensive trophies, declaring his station. In one corner, by the door, stood a meticulous and fully stocked bar. The glasses adorning the shelf behind it were Waterford crystal, and the alcohol was almost entirely imported from around the globe. Against another wall, sat a complete, "L" shaped, leather livingroom set. The final two walls consisted of panoramic windows from floor to ceiling. In the center of the room sat a giant desk, devoid of any personality and clear of work.
Dolph moved over to the bar and poured himself a scotch before moving to the leather couch, facing the door. He looked her up and down leering. She felt the lust blossom in him once more, and once again he repressed it, although less successfully this time. "One thing I'm not clear on. Can everyone else see you or not?"
Laresa wasn't sure which answer would please him more so she simply told the unadulterated truth. "Normally I remain hidden from all but my master. I can, if you desire, make myself visible to all."
He waved her off. "That's quite all right. I'll make sure to tell you when I want you visible." Dolph settled comfortably. Seeing his position, knees spread wide, she knew one request he would soon be making. Sensing his thoughts, however, provided her the knowledge that he had another wish first. "You know what 'd like? I'd like all of one Preston J. Thornton's money, assets and properties."
Laresa was shocked. "Master? I can easily bring you any amount of money you wish. It need not come from a specific person!" She refused to treat him as she had some of her other masters. If he wanted something of her he had to specifically wish for it.. Of course the masters who's desires she anticipated would never have requested such a directed, and cruel, wish.
Dolph was on his feet, his eyes ablaze. "Do you
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