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“Ah, there it is. Now that you've said please....” He paused for demonic
effect, then went on, “No. It turns out that 'please' doesn't change my mind
after all. Sorry about that.”
“You're very cruel.”
“Habit. We demons, we don't have the greatest of reputations, do we?”
“No.” She began to weep very quietly, trying not to let him see. Ah, but
see it he did, and how he did delight in her sorrow! He loved children's sorrows
almost as much as he loved his gold. “Tell you what,” he said, suddenly bright
and chipper, “I take it back. I will let you watch me turn something into gold.”
“You will!?” she said, daring to hope.
“Yes. In fact, it will give me pleasure. I'll let you watch as I turn you into
gold.”
“Oh. How awful.”
“All a matter of perspective. Now, come, let's go outside and get you
turned into a gold pillar.”
Diavolo led her back outside and had her select a corner of his palace to
hold up. He had her place her feet on a small pedestal, and her head right up
underneath the corner of the roof.
“Now, child, time for you to stipulate your guess. How do you think I
transform objects into gold?”
“I don't...I don't know....”
Diavolo leaned closer to her and said, with an anticipatory grin beginning
to spread on his face, “Well, you must guess something!”
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