[Sothis grunted at the man's calm acceptance of her introduction. It wasn't that she wanted him to fall at her feet in awe or worship - she pointedly disliked worshippers or suck-ups - but surely he could've shown something? A brief moment of 'oh wow'? Some shock at standing before a god? Was it truly such a mundane thing, to encounter a being such as her?!

(Yes, Sothis, here in Kenos it is.)]

Hrmmm...

[She couldn't verbalise this dissatisfaction, though, not unless she wanted to seem like an attention-starved and insecure god, so she let the underwhelmed reaction pass without comment and gripped the edge of her cloak.]

Then by the exchange of our blood will our covenant be sealed: my darkness for your light, and thus bind our souls temporarily. I vow to not harm you or influence you during this exchange, this promise I shall keep, so long as your intentions remain true.

[She drew her cloak across her body, concealing her movements. When she dropped it, her Shard was in her gloved palm, a smooth stone that was speckled with the brilliant colours of a newborn dawn - yet marred by a hot, glowing brand that carried the faintest smell of burning. The trade was well underway.

Just one problem: Byleth was buttoned up like a Victorian nun, so please pause for a moment as Sothis belatedly worked off Byleth's glove by first undoing the goddamn vambrace then yanking the thing off - by which point she was so irritated by the obstacles she just bit the side of Byleth's hand and roughly drew blood.]

Hmph. [She licked the smudge of blood from the corner of her mouth.] Extend your Shard and accept my offering, little one.