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"Grelod..." Aventus ventured as the creature, Rei Ginsei, towered over him, "is she, you know, dead?"

"I did as you asked," Rei Ginsei said, kneeling and baring his fangs in what Aventus assumed was supposed to be a reassuring grin. "Grelod lies dead."

A wave of relief came over the young boy in spite of the unease his savior inspired in him. "That's great! I knew I could count on you."

"Always."

Aventus' stomach knotted painfully, as if he were facing the old orphanage matron again and bracing for punishment. "W-What do you mean, 'always'?"

"You think it was your silly ritual that brought me?" Rei Ginsei chuckled, rising again. His head nearly brushed the rafters, and that bizarre tail swished excitedly. "You made a wish, and my master sent me. I'm always here for you, Aventus."

"I-I appreciate that, sir, but I don't really want anyone else dead. I really don't know if I wanted Grelod dead, if I'm honest, I just...I didn't think..."

Rei Ginsei smiled, finally closing his lips over his teeth. Aventus felt as if he might cry. It was only because he didn't know what else to do. Grown-ups didn't listen to him or the other orphans when they told them about how cruel their matron was. Constance seemed like she could be alright, if she wasn't under Grelod's thumb. Perhaps if he had only waited, old age might have taken care of things without him having to gather grisly items that, apparently, didn't even matter. He should have listened to that part of him that said the Dark Brotherhood - if they even existed - wouldn't have sent something that wasn't man or mer or even one of the beast races. He should have told the creature he made a mistake.

"It's the shock, is all," Rei Ginsei soothed. "I was much older than you when I made my first kill, but soon enough you'll realize you made the right decision. You've done the world a service, dear boy, and the world is full of cruel people. Just remember: I'm but a wish away, and I don't need but a passing thought."

Aventus bit his lip as Rei Ginsei turned and quietly left. He never wanted to see that...that thing...again, and he wondered how hard he would have to work to manage any "passing thoughts".