kia kaha

Viv let out an exasperated sigh at finally finding her pup safe, also going into a full panic. Considering the people, or lack there of, that were surrounding this event, Vivian realized she was taking a risk with being here with Frankie. However, she also had a hidden agenda of showing him off that he was hers in case anyone tried anything against him in the future. She let out an anxious giggle, still trying to wind down from almost losing her dog. “I wish I could take credit for that, actually, but sadly I cannot. His old PD handler thought he was clever when he was naming the newest liter on the force. I just adopted him after he retired,” she shrugged, as if to say what can you do. “It is Ironic, though because now he lives with an actual doctor,” she joked. “I- uhm, I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Viv,” she added, still a bit flustered as she extended her hand in greeting. “And this little stinker, would be Frankie.”

-

Hemi had not had a need for many pets in his life. With as old as he lived, it seemed depressing to see them live and get attached and then they died. That didn’t stop him from liking them though and he happily gave the dog the pat that it wanted. He continued scratching behind it’s ears while the owner looked relieved. “It’s a clever name,” he agreed. “Does that mean he’s not as much of a puppy as he looks like?” It could have been worse, the dog could have been named cupcake or ruffles or something else that dumb human’s picked for them. “Well at least he’s already functioning, no need to cut him apart for spare parts.” Hoisting the dog into his arms, he took her hand in greeting. “I’m Hemi Te Koha, nice to meet you Viv,” he replied, giving her hand a shake. “I think Frankie is upset that I don’t have snacks for him.”

Where: The Market Square, Stalls Who: Anyone, @vievecorcitystarters​

Vivian had almost been dreading another event, still mentally on the mend from the last one.  She knew not going was not an option, so the blonde decided she’d bring Frankie along with her for comfort. He seemed to be enjoying all the attention as the two perused the different stalls, which elevated her mood significantly. As the vampire stopped to get her and her furry date a snack, she hadn’t even realized Frankie’s leash had slipped out of her hand until it was too late. “Frankie,” she called out, in mild panic. He was normally the most well-behaved pup,  but he was no stranger to chaos. 

Eventually, she spotted him at a nearby bench, charging up to him in relief. “Frank Einstein Ambrose!” she called out to him in her sternest mom’s voice, the recent purchases jumbling in the plastic bag as she approached. “You are in big trouble, mister,” she added, before rounding a tree that had been blocking her view of the other side of the bench. “Oh, uh… hey,” she added with embarrassment as she was caught off guard by the person Frankie had been bothering for pets. .

-

The demon had only come to the Christmas event to show that he was a good part of the community, even if all the deity and their light magic gave him a sense of dread. It matched his holiday spirit if anything. It hadn’t taken him long to tire of the crowds and instead he retired to a near by bench with a cup of hot coffee in his hands. He would never get used to this kind of Christmas. He had spent most of his life in the southern hemisphere during the festive season and much preferred the warmth to the biting chill in the air. The demon couldn’t really be effected by cold but he still wasn’t that fond of it.  You had to put on more layers to appear human which was also a pain. 

He was contemplating heading home when a rather enthusiastic pup came waggling their tail at him. The demon chuckled, leaning down to pat them and it was soon jumping like it wanted to be in his lap so he picked it up and placed it on the edge of the bench. The sound of a woman’s voice drew his gaze and he chuckled at how flustered she looked, guessing that was the dog’s mother. “Did you really name your dog Frankenstein?” he asked. “You know he was a monster right? Not the actual monster, the doctor.” 

“Any witch in their sane mind knows better than to trust a demon,” Kyoko retorted with a small huff, noting Hemi hadn’t asked a question. She saw no reason their conversation couldn’t continue though, curious if he would continue to answer. “Why she wants Eli is beyond me, trust me. Your guess is as good as mine.” She knew Eli could be charming, sure. He had his own ways… She had fallen for him at one time in her life, after all. Still, people changed. For both better and worse. “You might be the more questionable choice in regards to motives, but I’ll admit you seem the safer bet otherwise,” she added, thinking on Eli’s track record with relationships of any kind.  She paused a moment before looking at the demon with a mixture of curiosity and pity. “Does it hurt? Watching them, that is?

-

“And yet, plenty of your kind end up making deals with demons. So maybe we aren’t so bad?” he replied. Those deals came with a price but if it wasn’t worth it, witches would stop coming to them. Hemi thought Kyoko would have a better idea, given she had married the man and fell in love with him at some stage. The demon huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “Apparently you couldn’t scare her away, kinda wish you went harder with it now,” he chuckled. After Persy had come to his home, looking for a place to hide out, he had thought the relationship was over. In the end, she kept going back to Elijah so maybe he was destined to lose that fight. “Probably will now. I - I admittedly thought that she was going to leave him for me. Apparently kissing only means the opposite. She still ran back to him.” 

Hemi was giving away more than he should have but he stopped caring about two drinks ago. “How long did it take you to move on from Elijah? Did you find someone else in those ten years?” 

Daphne had to admit that she was a little surprised by how respectful he was coming across, but maybe she had been a little judgemental upon first meeting. “Monday mornings work for me, 9AM?” Daphne waited for his confirmation before adjusting her bag, “I’ll see you then, Mister Te Koha.” The vampiress gave a small smile before turning to leave.

-

Monday arrived quickly and prompt as ever, Daphne found herself back at Vicium. She wasn’t sure that it would bring the most pleasant rumours for her to be seen at the club so consistently, but since she wasn’t being charge Daphne could hardly protest. It was closed and so she knocked, waiting patiently in her pink yoga set. “Good morning,” She greeted once Hemi came to the door.

-

Hemi met her at the door, wearing a pair of gym shorts and t-shirt, ready for their lesson. She was surprisingly chipper and prompt for a vampire. Most were difficult to get anywhere on time but Daphne was there bright and early. “Good morning,” he greeted with a half amused grin. “I’m glad to see you’re taking this seriously,” he mused, looking at the pink outfit. Not that he should have been surprised from what he knew of her but she looked like a stepford wife which they didn’t get many of at Vicium. Stepping aside, he let her through before leading her towards the backrooms of the club.

“Lucky for you, I have a gym back here so that’s where we’ll train,” he explained, leading her towards the well lit space. There were various machines and weights around the room but he didn’t stop until they got to a padded part of the floor and signaled that she could put her bag down. “I think I need to figure out what you can do, so why don’t you try and hit me?” he suggested.

˙ ˖ ✶ Hemi  

“I can give you a little look into that world of mine, have you try out some of my things if you’d prefer. Or is this your way of saying you’d like to spend more time with me? Adorable.” Omari teased, and it seemed to be a constant back and forth right now with the two. “But you’re not,” Omari could tell that there was time spent behind those eyes and he laughed softly ashe kept their bodies close together.

Hemi’s lips were definitely a nice distraction from the liquid that now entered his system, the taste was so-so but the action in between them was what kept him so intrigued. “Omari,” he mused. “Didn’t think you’d use my ass to lift me up, my mistake, if I knew that was going to be the case I would’ve come in assless chaps or something.”

-

“Oh you are cute,” he chuckled. “That was my way of finding out if you’re into hot pants mostly.” You could tell a lot about someone and their desires if you know what was in their closet. They had all stepped through a portal in his club after all, those kinds of things were always on his mind. “Are you calling me old?” he asked, feigning that he was hurt by the insinuation. “I’m a young... actually, I don’t really remember. At least one millennia.” 

He nodded in acknowledgement, repeating his name so he’d remember it. “Well Omari, maybe you should wear assless chaps. They’re very welcome in my place of business. Although there might be others who would want to steal your attention away. At least from what I can feel.” He absently gripped his ass tighter when he mentioned it, a grin on his lips.

After the instance in the park some months ago, Daphne couldn’t deny that she needed to learn a new form of defence. She had a natural strength that she wasn’t using effectively and she needed to learn. “Alright, one negotiable favour.” Daphne agreed, pleasantly surprised that a demon was giving her a choice. “When is a good time for you to start?” She asked.

-

A favour from a vampire was a valuable thing to have, especially at the moment in the city. He would normally shake on a deal but he had a feeling Daphne wasn’t the kind to back down from a favour. “Well probably not right now as the club is about to open and I need to be around for that,” he answered. “You’re a busy woman, likely busier than me. Why don’t you tell me a time that works for you. I like during the day but I know that might not always work for you so I can be flexible.”

“ As they should, I´m fucking hot.” Self confidence was one of her many attributes, the fallen deity lacked any sense of shame when displaying how fabulous she believed herself to be. If anyone had a problem, it was their own to deal with. “ I have trust in you, darling. Make me proud!” Throwing a few kisses in his direction she watched Hemi go in search of a prey.

Where had she seen that blonde deity? The nurse from the sanatorium. Mercy was her name. A rather overdramatic name, from all the names she could have chosen. It was a name that only a young and innocent being would pick. Way over those times when she made it a game to watch and lure young deities into darkness, Layla cared little for her former species. Now she was finally free from her past ghosts and would not get entrapped in the webs of madness once again.

Distracted by a dark haired man that had an uncanny resemblance to that idiot husband of hers, Layla missed the first part of the song. One that she didn´t recognize but everyone one else seemed to. Using magic to control his actions, she found little resistance, definitely not Samael, and ordered him to turn around. After making sure that it wasn’t him, not even at the expense of his life would be caught in the costume, she clapped at the performance. But the best part  was that slap. Layla would have set him on hellfire, but that was her.

“ I´m sorry…” She tried to stop laughing and couldn´t. Taking a deep breath, Layla continued. “…for your face. I really am.”  With a grin she moved closer to inspected his jaw. “ Not broken, you were lucky.” Bringing over a bottle of cold beer from the bar Layla handed it over. “ Keep it close to your jaw, it won´t hurt as much until it´s mended.” Demon regeneration at it´s finest.

Chuckling she appears to consider the dare for a few seconds. “ Had you given me more time I could seduce one into doing that during a sex game, but tonight seems unlikely. Unless I am allowed to cheat?” Hemi didn’t say she couldn’t create an illusion with the scenario he described. That would have been cheating and defeated the purpose of the game. “ No? Ah well, truth it is then."Collecting the glass with the truth punch from the table Layla took a sip preparing herself to play politician with her answers. ” Ask away.“

-

He slipped into the seat beside her, taking the cold beer from her hand and resting it against his jaw. It took a lot for him to get hurt but a deity would be the thing that gave a sting. Rolling the bottle back and forth against his heated cheek, he tried to grin before cursing under his breath. “It’s not broken but that might even leave a bruise,” he muttered. “Worth it though, I think she might come visit me at Vicium now.” It was unlikely but it was fun to imagine. 

“That doesn’t make me happy, it makes me sad for you.” Daphne replied, though her voice remained soft rather than taking on a patronising tone. “Then I suppose I’m correct in asking for a defence…” The vampiress replied, not wanting to strike up a further debate at that moment. “I could pay you, or perhaps there’s something else that interests you?” Daphne asked. “I don’t believe that Vicium is all that you are, is it Mister Te Koha?”

-

Hemi didn’t need her sadness, not at this stage in his life. He hadn’t fought someone else’s war in a long time. “Yes, I suppose you are. If you’re not going to use your natural defense, you need to learn a new one.” It was never a bad thing to have someone owe you a favour. Demon’s loved dealing with this kind of things and Hemi was no different. “I don’t need your money, Ms Montagu.” It was a good play to poke at his pride because the demon was guilty of that. “There is more to me than this club. How about you owe me a favour?” he suggested. “One that you can say no to if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“Your expertise in shadow magic is no excuse for a witch running to you… If anything it’s an insult to those of us with experience with it who could have taught her as well,” Kyoko retorted with a soft huff. “I’m not, no. My feelings for him aren’t simple, but we’ve both moved on….” She paused a moment, gaze raking over the sea of people. “Hmm so you know she’s bored with him, Mr. Te Koha? Or do you simply wish she was bored with him?”

-

An amused smirk spread across the demon’s lips, listening to the little rant. Was it so bad to come to him that she was this angry or was she angry about something else? “I bet I’m still better than your best experts,” he replied. It was disappointing because he had been certain that was why she had come back. seemingly wanting to cause trouble but that wasn’t the case. “Maybe it’s wishful thinking but tonight proved that she doesn’t want me, she wants him.” His gaze narrowed across the crowd but he knew that they’d already left together. “Apparently he’s more charming than he appears.”

“I’ve read about your involvement in several wars throughout history. While I don’t usually applaud men and their need to point a sharp object at something in order to get their point across without bothering to first use their intellect, you are successful at what you do.” Daphne softly cleared her throat.

“I know I could, but I don’t want to.” An odd stance for any usual vampire to take. “I haven’t taken part in multiple peace rally’s for nothing.” Daphne was aware that she was starting to sound like she was just hurling argumentative comments at him, and so she softened, “Given recent events I would just like to know how to defend myself a little better, if you have the time and the patience for me.” Daphne paused, “And if there’s something you’d like as payment?”

-

Admittedly, the demon was impressed that she had done enough research to know that about him. Most just made assumptions but Daphne was correct in her research. Hemi had spent most of his life controlled by a coven to act as a soldier for their conquests. “You’ll be happy to know that I didn’t have a say in most of those wars. I was more of a tool for murder.”

It was odd that Daphne wouldn’t just attack back like a vampire should instead of using the skills she already had. “There’s a difference between defense and a need for peace. You can’t fight for peace if you’re dead,” he replied bluntly. It was admirable, albeit strange, that she fought hard against her nature. The demon perked up at the mention of payment, curious as to what Daphne might have to offer him. “I’ll teach you. I am curious as to what you would offer as payment though? I don’t think you deal in the same things I do.”

“You’re a demon, but you’re also a good person. You’ve always been honest with me, even if it’s a little crude sometimes.“ It was his constant genuineness that led her to trust him so much. "I don’t care what they think.” Even her friends wouldn’t be able to change her mind about him.

When he put it like that, she immediately felt embarrassed and defensive. “That’s not… She knows him better than I do.” The things she had said had rung true to how Elijah acted, making it all the more easy to believe her. Persy dropped her gaze. The fact that she didn’t know if she could trust Eli was enough to make her anxious. She was quiet for a few long moments before she spoke again. “I had a husband a long time ago and he… he used me to give him kids and be his trophy wife. He also did a lot worse than that. I don’t think he would but… what if Elijah is just like him? He was power hungry too.”

-

He chuckled, shaking his head. Only Persephone would see him as a good person when he was built to be anything but. “That's just because I don't lie. The truth is more fun, even if it causes issues.” At least people knew where he stood because he didn't bother hiding behind lies and deceit like other demons did. “Is that so?” he asked. From what he knew of the witch, she cared deeply about what people thought, maybe to her own detriment.

She watched as Hemi stood up and returned with a bottle of champagne. “ If I didn’t know any better I would say that you just want to see me naked.” Granted that her current attire left little to the imagination. Nudity wasn´t an issue, but the champagne sticking to her skin would be discomfortable. Still not enough to stop her from having some fun.“ That´s easy. Watch how I bring up the temperature in the room by a few degrees." 

Taking the bottle from his hands, she walked towards the bar. A sultry smile in place the demon jumps onto the bar catching the attention of those that were still sober enough by the end of the party. Seated on the edge of the counter, she crosses one leg above the other the fabric of the dress slipping away and revealing her legs. 

For over dramatic purposes, Layla used magic to make the cork of the bottle pop causing it to produce even more noise. The champagne bottle exploded in a manner that reminds of a volcano, the alcohol coming down all over her torso and making the fabric glue to her body like a second skin. ”Oops, must have used too much force to open it!“ She commented with a grin grabbing another bottle from under the counter. ” Let´s see if this one also explodes in my hands.“  A tease for all purposes, perhaps the guests at the party would be inspired to start a wet dress contest.

Returning to the table she was sharing with Hemi, the fallen deity placed the new bottle on the surface.  She made sure to slide on her way back in a regal manner, not giving the slightest fuck about what others thought of her little performance.” Did you enjoy the show? “ she asks. ” Get a deity to sing the cheesiest song you know with you loudly and at the end of the song you have to kiss the other. Bonus points if the deity normally acts like a  prude.“

-

Hemi easily relinquished the bottle over to Layla, knowing she would make good use of it. If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought this was a burlesque show inside of Vicium and not the Halloween party. The crowd was enraptured by the fallen deity, all eyes on her including his own. It was a dare he got to enjoy as well, his eyes raking in the way the material clung to her curves. Hemi would have to applaud his own excellent choices with this one because everyone got a treat from it. 

As she returned, he gave a round of applause. “Excellent show. I think everyone has a hard on for you now.” Not that she wasn’t used to that kind of attention. “That’s not a dare, that’s a week long challenge,” he remarked. Still, the demon wasn’t the type to back down. He could at least try and make it work. “I think I’ll deserve a prize if I get this to work.” Downing the rest of his drink, he stepped into the crowd, searching for that one deity that Matthew had wanted him to corrupt. She might have known who he was but the night was drawing late and as he saw her swaying, he knew she had been enjoying a free drinks herself.

He stopped one of his guards from the club, giving them the song request before he approached her. It took some persuading to convince the deity to follow him towards the dance floor. As his arms circled around her, a song from The Little Mermaid came blasting from the speakers. The deity looked delighted by the change and he convinced her to sing along with him. Really, he was more embarrassed that he was revealing that he knew the song well enough to sing along. The crowd was singing along by the time the song came to an end, even giving a little cheer as it ended. Hemi took the chance to pull the woman into his arms, kissing her on the lips. It went against his normal rules but he felt the deity lean into it for a moment and he knew he was getting away with it. 

That was until she pulled back and slapped the shit out of his face. After a few choice words back and forth, Hemi wandered back through the crowd, absently rubbing his jaw. “You know, for a deity, she packed a punch,” he chuckled. “I hope you enjoyed that show because that was at the expense of my dignity.” 

His lips, his hands on her body, it all drew her in until her attention was entirely on him and how to felt to be kissing him. Yet, all at once, it was gone. She was left breathless, absently chasing his lips until he spoke. “What?” she murmured, her mind still catching up after being consumed by thoughts of him. She stared up at him, dumbfounded, as the words began to process. There was a spell in the garden. Immediately, she recognised what it was doing, fueling her emotions and enhancing them until she was acting on them. This also meant he knew of the spell and knew what it was doing. Was he doing this out of kindness, or did he not feel right taking advantage of the situation anymore. 

“You didn’t really want to kiss me, did you?” Of course he didn’t. If he had any desire towards her, besides his flirting to make her flustered, he would have said something by now. The Hemi she knew didn’t hesitate to take what he wanted, and he clearly didn’t want her. “I… I’m sorry.” She didn’t know who she was apologising to, but she did know she had to leave. Slipping out of his arms, Persy bit back the emotions filling her like a rough wave crashed against a boat, ready to send her overboard. She wouldn’t dare cry in front of him, so she did the only thing she could and ran to the portal doorway, needing to be as far away from here, and him, as she could be. 

-

If he didn’t let her go, he knew the magic in the garden wouldn’t let him. His hands clenched at fists by his side as he tried to do the right thing. The sudden change in her expression made it worse and he took a step closer, hands hovering in front of him because he knew he couldn’t touch her again but he wanted to comfort her. “What?” he asked in surprise, his expression shifting from caution to confusion. 

“Persephone,” he said softly, his eyes wide in shock. Her words felt like a slap when she was looking up at him with those big dark eyes of her. For once in the demon’s life, he was speechless, unable to find the words he needed to stop or fix this. It was only once she turned away from him that the spell was broken, his mind speeding up enough to talk but she was already gone. “Persy,” he called, chasing after her. He teleported in shadows from his place in the garden to the portal, chasing her through it as quick as she could. 

Scanning the new space, he realised he was in the library. Calling her name, he searched through the stacks for witch. All he found were spirits and vampires messing around in the book stacks with Persephone nowhere in sight. Cursing himself, he went back to the portal and tried again. This time he was in the ballroom. It was overflowing with the party guests. He could see more costumes, a few more Addam’s family characters but eventually, his eyes landed on her again. 

Her lips parted for him as she pulled herself up, trying to get closer to him. Persy moaned into the kiss, feeling breathless as his tongue searched out hers. Even without the spell amplifying her feelings, she had wanted him to kiss her, always waiting to see if he would whenever he would invade her space and tease her. Now that she finally had him here, kissing her, she didn’t want to let him go even as her lungs ached for air. She didn’t need air when she had Hemi kissing her.

-

They were getting carried away now. The spell was encouraging him to push forward, to take what he wanted but he couldn't do that. He pulled away, breathless and distracted by her swollen bottom lip. The demon was still, contemplating taking that same lip between his teeth again. All he wanted to do was kiss her but that was exactly why he had to pull back. “You're being influenced by a spell in the gardens,” he warned, hating that he was admitting it. 

It was a big question with a complicated answer. Her relationship, her position in the coven, his role as a demon elder, the distrust witches harbored for demons. The most personal reason was she was scared he was just toying with her, that the flirting was simply a tease and he hadn’t meant any of it. She hadn’t been about to ruin what she had if she wasn’t sure. When she was looking up at him, all those reasons felt illogical and all she could mutter was “I don’t know.” Their lips met again, softer than she had thought possible from him and she melted against him, leaning into him the longer they kissed. He made all logic and reason go right out the door, focused only on the feelings overwhelming her heart and mind.

-

It felt right to ask. From the day they had met, Hemi had put some rules in place for himself and now he was breaking them all for her. Whatever reason she had, it didn't seem important anymore. They were kissing again in an instant. His tongue brushed against her lips, wanting to deepen the kiss and taste her. He had dreamed of what she would taste like. It couldn't stay slow forever. As much as the spell was making him be soft, the other part of him that desired her was also amplified.

“Actually… I didn’t,” Kyoko admitted looking rather pleased with the answer Hemi had given. “You see… I can’t for the life of me think of a good reason for a witch who’s on the arm of my husband– the head of the Remington coven… To be associating so closely with a demon elder. After all, you and I both know learning shadow magic hardly requires a demon to master… Unless of course, there is something else going on at these lessons of yours?”

-

“Well then, I’m glad this session is already paying off for you,” he chuckled. It wasn’t really a secret and Kyoko could read into it if she wanted. “Maybe because your husband is boring as shit and real vanilla. I don’t even need to be fucking Persephone to know that she’s bored.” Hemi stopped himself from continuing, knowing he’d likely just insult the woman and her marriage instead of getting the information that she wanted. “But I am the best at shadow magic in the city, I’d show you but I don’t want to get slapped before we have our fun,” he chuckled. It was true though, he had been using the magic since his creation and he was far older than most in the city. “So, are you still in love with Elijah?”