trapped in my own skin.

She was definitely weird. He just hadn’t figured out exactly /how/ weird yet, whether it was nefarious or just some harmless kind. “Just prefer to go by my first name,” he shrugged in answer to her question. “Feels more casual, y'know? Miles is fine.”

He had questions, but he decided to take them slowly. There was a clipped nature to her tone, he thought. It was like she was used to talking down to people, but perhaps he just wasn’t used to people being so matter-of-fact. Most people tried to soften their words, not saying exactly what they meant.

“You new to White Crest or something?” he asked as he started setting up her TV, making sure all the cables were in the right place and that there was power to the outlet. “Something being haunted or possessed or some shit isn’t actually that weird here.” He started connecting the aerial. “So what’s your story?”

Tiaret didn’t understand. After all, her name was given to her by humans and whatever she was called before had been lost to time, as she had no sentimental attachment to it. Why humans cared so much about names and titles, she would never understand it. If anything, her titles were a tool to intimidate those who knew it well. “Mr. Miles.” She tried again, wondering if she had guessed right this time. Humans enjoyed some form of formality with people they didn’t know, right? 

She tilted her head as she watched him fiddle with the television set, going through motions that were otherwise foreign to her. So much trouble from something that was supposed to be simple. At this rate, she was better off reading a book or following Agatha again- though the officer was adamant that she did not like her observing her.

[pm] Depending on the motivation, perhaps nothing. I’ve little use for human money.

I’ve heard more Southern areas get the sunlight you seek.

[pm] If you say so. These are not ordinary humans, they’re spellcasters of some sort. Powerful enough... to stand against a greater demon, if only temporarily.

Dining Out || Tiaret and Lydia

Lydia eyed Christopher, trying to flirt as he leant forward, leaning on his elebow to try to make his biceps look bigger. Lydia huffed. This woman was a danger, one way or another. She knew what Lydia was doing, somehow, which made Lydia all the more nervous, and all the more reason to get her away 

“I don’t like to be watched,” Lydia replied, her eyes narrowed. She turned back to Christopher, sliding her hand up his arm to his shoulder, and she rested her face against him, looking up into his eyes. “Let’s get out of here, away from this creep, hm? Just you and me.” She flicked her gaze pointedly to his lips. “Who knows, I might just make it worth your while.”

He wanted in on the game. He looked from Tia to Lydia, trying to smile slyly, and figure out how to resolve this, like he could dissolve the tension between the two women. Lydia took his hand in hers, and raised it to her lips. A small kiss and a tiny dose of her toxin in him, and he was hers. “Yeah, alright. Whatever you want.” 

“Don’t follow us. Enjoy the evening. I’m sure there are many more acts for you to watch. Some of them might even be good.” Lydia smiled as sweetly as cyanide, before leading Christopher out in to the back alley, ready for her meal. 

Tia missed the days when she was the huntress and every human she encountered was prey in one way or another. She practically salivated at the thought of the darkest parts of their souls calling out to her, like a lure for a very hungry fish. Now... she was the lure. The prey that she belittled and hated with every fiber of her being. They had trapped her in feeble flesh, she had every reason to feel contempt for them.

Perhaps that was the reason she enjoyed watching the hunt of another. It was a feat she didn’t get to partake in herself, all of the thrills came secondhand and not nearly enough. She swirled the man’s drink in her hand, watching with amused eyes as the woman took her meal and stalked away with it. She took a drink once more, this time grimacing at the horrid taste the second time around. Without hesitation, she tipped the glass over and poured it on the floor, watching the liquid trickle and soak into the carpet. Some around began whispering and pointing, obviously disturbed by what she was doing for some reason. Without preamble, she set the glass down and stood, grabbing her purse and walking away as if nothing had happened.

...I suppose I like my hair. And my skin, it’s very soft. 

I don’t dream.

[pm] You don’t have any friends? I get that. I mean- I actually have friends now. Which has been incredible. And weird. Because I spent so long without them. But uh- it doesn’t have to be like that, if you don’t want. I think finding good friends is all about figuring out the ones that you’d put yourself in danger for.

So these demons… the “right” demons you talk about…. They could help me? What would they do? Teach me the language? With like some kind of text or by magically teaching it to me? I don’t suppose you’d know the right demons?

Um….. thanks? You certainly have an…. interesting way of talking to people. Oh. Uh Thank you. I think? I’m glad that you’ve been entertained? I mean… honestly that’s fair. I’m a lot of things and silly and confusing are probably the nicest way you could put it. Usually I get like socially inept or spazzy or lame or worse. Some people would. I have friends that I know would put the same amount of work in if it meant rescuing me. It’s a give and take relationship. 

Really? So demons are more likely to help those that aren’t selfish? Do you know why? Are demons actually… trying to help? Sorry I’m still unlearning years and years of Catholicism I learned from my family. I don’t have a lot of experience with actual demons. Obviously. 

Yeah. Okay. Fair. Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.

[pm] How has it been incredible and... weird? I thought friendships were supposed to be pleasant  There isn’t anyone that I would put myself in danger for. No one deserves it. So far all anyone has done is

Never mind.

They could. But of course, you would need the right summoning, the right offering, Demons, the best ones, could offer you anything that your heart desires. It’s simply a matter of making it worth their while. I might. It depends on what you offer me in return for that information.

I wasn’t trying to be nice. And if you have these... friends, then why should the opinions of obviously inferior beings bother you? And if they are bothering you, why not simply eliminate them all together and solve the problem? That is what is confusing about you. You’re so... enamored with the fates of other things. It’s strange. 

[pm] Did they? That’s awful. How so?

[pm]

What can I say? Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I always trust that people will fulfill their promises to me. 

One way, or another. 

[pm] You’re either naive or very self assured. I hope it’s the latter.

Oh, good! That’s good! Is that…going well for you by any chance?

“Tia,” he repeated. “Cool.” Miles began to wonder if he was really here because he wanted to help, or because his curiosity had got the better of him and he needed to meet the strange person who didn’t know how to work a TV. Maybe it was a little of both.

He was unable to shake the slightly ominous shiver that ran down his spine at the heavy click of the door locking. If she wanted to lure him in, he guessed she’d done a pretty good job. He kept his demeanour casual, making his way up the stairs. “Oof, please don’t call me Mr. Washington.” He could handle Washington, even ‘Wash’, but the Mr. part made him feel old. It was way too formal.

“You sound skeptical about that,” he said, and he supposed he couldn’t exactly blame her. He hadn’t had any real ulterior motive in offering his help other than perhaps a sliver of curiosity, but there were plenty of people who used a helping hand as a cover for nefarious purposes. “I wouldn’t say it’s a habit. I help people when I can. Truthfully, I just ain’t ever met someone who had as much trouble with a TV as you do, so I wanted to see for myself. This town is weird. Maybe the TV is possessed or haunted or something.” He said the last part almost as if it was a joke. 

“Cool,” She repeated to herself, testing the strange word on her tongue. She wondered what it meant. Perhaps some sort of slang, seeing as he said the words so nonchalantly. 

Her brow ticked up curiously. “Why? You just told me that was your name. Or would you prefer I call you something else?” Humans were fickle with their names, weren’t they? They cared so much for titles as if they held more merit than their actual worth. Illusions of power. No, they didn’t know what real power was. 

[pm] I try to stay out of the way if possible. There’s more I can do from a library than out trying to fight a cult or whatever. But… I don’t know. Sometimes you just gotta take that chance even if you’re scared. Especially if it means helping people you care about, y’know? I’m scared of a lot of things, but I’m way more afraid of my friends getting hurt. You don’t feel that way?

Try summoning a demon?? That sounds uh…. dangerous. What kind of trades do demons even ask for. Even if I were to consider it. Which I totally shouldn’t wouldn’t. What could I even offer? It’s not like I have much.

I’ve seen power. In my eyes, it seems to do more harm than good. Not really an attractive feature to me, I guess. But I guess it’s not completely selfless. I want to feel like I have a purpose. Sometimes I feel so useless… like I’m just a waste of space. Helping others could give me that purpose I’ve been looking for.

Yeah. Okay. Fair. Thank you. I’m pretty sure that was a compliment. It definitely scares me, honestly. But… I don’t know. How did you first get involved?

[pm] No. I don’t have friends. At least not the kind I would... care about in that way. I believe in self-preservation first.

Everyone always has something that another could want. Even if you think it infantile or without true value, a demon could always find a use for whatever it is offered. As for the danger, it simply the matter of summoning the right demon. Something that won’t take off your head the moment you summon them.

....I don’t know why I feel the need to tell you this, but if you were useless I wouldn’t feel the need to speak to you at all. I would ignore you. But so far, your conversation has been somewhat entertaining. Though I don’t understand the need for a purpose beyond your own wants, it’s not as if humans people will offer you the same courtesy. I wouldn’t call you useless... somewhat silly and confusing, but not useless.

I’ve tracked men across countries and oceans, I think I could manage to find people within one town.

Where would you be if not here, then?

[pm] And how much would I be required to pay you for these services?

Oh, good! That’s good! Is that…going well for you by any chance?

If you need help finding them, I am very good at tracking. And I always enjoy watching people get their just dues. Just deserved? What is the English again You do not like this town?

Really? You would track them down for me? They may be difficult to find.

[pm] 

Would you like to promise to make the payment at a later date and receive the delivery now? 

Or wait. 

[pm]