#kryptoreth

“So I heard this town had some sort of mysterious protector these days, I’m guessing that’d be you?” Anabelle asked, as the bookshop’s owner returned to the back of his store, finally.

The ghost-witch was seated comfortably on his desk, smoking a cigarette that wasn’t much more than an extension of her will. The ghost tended to travel, usually hovering in larger cities, but she liked to stay appraised. 

“You know, Morbius, just because your have a cooler name than I do, doesn’t mean that you’re smarter,” River grumbled, tossing her backpack down onto the floor as the two entered her room. She reached for an elastic from her nightstand, pulling up her carefully curled blonde hair and proceeded to swap her contacts out for a pair of large black rimmed glasses. The transformation was gradual and you could see how she pulled away at her sweet-summer-child public persona and became who she really was - young but jaded with a darkness in her stubborn gaze, whose intelligence and skill didn’t come so much from passion but as a means of survival.

"And to prove that I am, I’m going to help you hack into that research centre database that you’ve been trying to infiltrate. In fact...” she turned her head, a look of utter cunning now in her eyes, “I’ll do it for you before you even manage to finish that coffee.”

The moment that followed was a bit strange, as though River has proceeded to disappear inside of her wardrobe but a proper peek behind the denim and pleated skirts showed a hidden room. Small and with no natural light, but equipment with a vast computer system that stretched her entire desk. Six screens, multiple computer fans to keep the system running smoothly - it was a bit much for an average twenty year old girl.

“You don’t need another companion.”

“Ok, ‘need’ is a strong word.” Sydney agreed when her maker, Eden, scolded her lightly in the car. “A more accurate term is want. But I want one!”

“You already have 3.” She reminded her, as if the blonde had forgotten, but Sydney just rolled her eyes.

“And I’m bored with all of them.” Obviously. Otherwise she wouldn’t want another one.

They weren’t even coming here for Sydney. They were coming for Marcus’s new little progeny, Charlee, to get her first companion. And she looked positively vexed by the whole situation. A basket of nerves normally, the girl looked like she might bolt for home on foot once the car stopped.

The blonde heard her maker sigh and could almost hear her roll her eyes as well, “fine…” She ‘agreed’. Knowing that if Sydney wanted something it was easier just to give it to her than fight her over it. She smiled as the car halted at it’s destination

Their driver came ‘round to let them out before the four head up the stairs to the doors of the gilded building and are immediately greeted by the pudgy mistress of the house, eager to serve her affluent clients of the Cross Clan.

“Ah! Madams and Monsieur Cross, what a pleasure!” The lady of the house, greeted with a deep curtsy Sydney was scared she’d throw her fat back out.

“Madam, it is always a pleasure.” Eden returned with the hint of a smile, tipping her head just the faintest to human. Which was a great gesture from someone of her station. The first progeny of a Great, coupled with her age, Eden was someone revered and admired. To be acknowledge, in anyway, by someone like her in this new world they had made was a great honor. “We’ve come to see you because my brother’s progeny is in need of a new companion.”

“I also might be looking for a newer model!” Sydney chirped beside her maker, having too much fun with this. “I’ll trade you two for a new one. Or at the very least a discount on the new one.”

“Sydney….” Eden cautioned in almost a low growl at her behavior. Though old and powerful she did still have a soft spot for human lives, it seemed; also a monogamist with her companion (bleh!). Having them bartered like actual livestock or refrigerator in her presence always irritated Eden to no end.

“Yes, Yes! We have something for everyone!” The madam assured as she took them off to a waiting room to get the potential buyers specifications in mate and find something suitable.

A few moments later, after being told what they were looking for, the owner returned and urged Sydney and Charlee to follow. “Wish us luck!” Sydney teased at their makers as she pushed Charlee along to go with the madam.

The young girl was taken off to one room, to look for her companion, and Sydney to another to look over her selections. Which, as it turns out, was few. Maybe she had been a little too picky in her specifications, but she knew what she wanted.

Besides which, being selected to be a companion, let alone her companion, was a great honor. She wasn’t going to just take anyone to be hers.

“Please, take your time,” the fat human told her as Sydney looked down the line of boys and girls presented with a discerning eye. The process reminded her of when she had been human many, many years ago and watching her father pick a horse.

She went up and down the line a few times, getting a closer look at a few, before her heels stop in front of a boy. “What’s your name?”

Growing up as an only child was rough for Natalia, especially when her father was in need for an heir. But saw potential in his daughter after her mother ran away. He saw her as a fitful heir to take over the thrown once he passed and the other kingdoms weren’t okay with that. No one believed a woman should be in charge of the most powerful kingdom, which led to the incoming threats on the princess’s life. Her father being the paranoid tyrant he was, assigned her a bodyguard that was to trail her 24/7. Nothing annoyed the woman more than being treated as a child. When the man had walked into the room, Natalia curtsied before him. “While I thank you for you service, I assure you my father is over reacting about these threats. There’s no need for you to watch over me, so you can just return to your previous post.” It wasn’t that she was ungrateful, but she didn’t find it necessary. The princess had proven that she was more than capable of taking care of herself when her father sent her to...take care of his enemies. 

Stepping out of his quarters as he had been charting a course to channel the rough yet high seas ahead as he was favoured by his crew which he had managed to pick up & rescue along the way, those that were deserters or even outcasts  & weren’t accepted anywhere due to their criminal yet rough & troubling lifestyle. Boots would thud & creak against the scrubbed deck as he placed his hands upon his hips, the young captain would stray his blue eyes down the uninvited guests on his ship as he would flip his blonde locks away from the side of his face.” There is no need for an arrest for we may look to be a ship who serves the Queen & the royal navy however we only pose that way so that we can make port to any island her majesty owns.” Lucifer curtsied as he bowed his head & body to mock her as the rest of the crew laughed & chuckled. Lucifer placed his hand upon the handle of his sword sheathed by his waist as his blue mischievous eyes would remain intrigued yet observant on the young miss who had strayed into what seemed to be the lion’s den.

Circulating around her much like a shark that had found it’s prey as he smirked.” Such a lovely dress with an incredibly gorgeous person in it.” He chuckled as he praised the lady for her gorgeous looks while her own people were below deck taking out the goods of food & fabric onto the docks as they were being watched & the ship remained guarded by his own crew. Once the last of the items had been loaded off since Lucifer was feeling politely generous today Lucifer would then order.” Bring up the anchor & set sail to the farming lands., please treat the women with care & try not to be too rough with them.” The crew would cheer as Lucifer took a few steps closer to then without hesitation loop his arm around her own as he would escort the young lady to his private quarters. Allowing her to enter in first before he would then shut the door & lock it.” Are you hungry? I can’t imagine what you people do for food when it runs dry?” He teased as he laughed a little.” Excuse me if I seem out of place but this was my father’s ship, he upgraded to a new one & gave me this allowing me to be in charge of my own crew & ship so all this relatively new to me.” He admitted freely as he walked around her while his eyes diverted down to her rear briefly before turning away as he approached his desk.” I’ve always wanted to claim someone man or woman it doesn’t bother me but I am glad to have found you. We’re going to have so much fun together.” He sounded enthusiastic & excited in his mannerisms & tone.” Now please remove that gorgeous dress of your’s slowly so I can get a good look at you.” Instructing her as he would rest his lower back on the edge of the desk, rolling his own shoulders back as he would tip his head off to the side.