#ringmasterthedemon

“So? What did you find Ringmaster?”

“Well I looked into it, but without my guaranteed payment my memory is a little hazy ....”

“Thank you. Your imp’s made some new friends, don’t think she intends to answer your call.”

“First time she’s resisted it. Perhaps I left her alone too long, I’ll have to have someone sort it.”

“Not to be ignorant but... why one imp? There’s plenty out there that you can effect.”

“In a tower every nut, bolt, and girder is important to hold up the structure. Now what happens when a bolt falls out of place?”

“... its in risk of falling down?”

“Exactly. Now imagine that tower is my authority, and that ‘one imp’ is the bolt that’s fallen out of place. All the other bolts will bend and start to think they can fall out of place too. It’ll cause a chain reaction.”

“So you want to bring her back in to keep your hold?”

“If she’s cooperative yes, if she’s not... well I’m always hungry. Speaking of... don’t ever ask for payment up front again Ringmaster, or it won’t just be imp on the menu.”

“Right. I’ll keep that in mind, uh... anything else?”

Seeing his little girl the way she was, hanging from a simple iron cage was more than enough to enrage James. With little warning he charged Ringmaster. Caught off guard for a moment Ringmaster jerked before he leaped up, over James as he let the young man crash into the chair he’d just been sat on. Rolling his single eye Ringmaster strolled to the cage, popping open the door as he took the doll from it.

“Well I knew you were impulsive, suppose Carlos wasn’t kidding when he said you had more... violent tendencies these days. Such a shame... your soul was much more delicious without it. Suppose I’ll make do with the next best thing.” With that his chest began to crack open, a long lolling tongue emerging from the cavernous maw he’d created, ready to drop the motionless soft doll into oblivion.

“DON’T YOU TOUCH HER!!” James bellowed, this time he didn’t miss as he slammed into Ringmaster. The demon grunted as he stumbled, dropping the doll which James snagged. He could feel it; Hannah’s life thrumming still inside despite this spell. This wasn’t an illusion, this truly was his child.

The room however began to darken, mirrors rising from the checkered patterned floor to form a circle as Ringmaster stepped back into one smugly. His claws lashed out and as James avoided one another shot out from a mirror behind him and struck, tearing at his shirt and skin as he gave a pained cry. Stumbling forward he clutched Hannah close he could feel the floor ripple and start to warp.

“So... I heard you have a grudge.”

“I have a lot of grudges tubby, you’ll have to be more specific.”

“Well you and I have one thats similar I heard. You were on the surface even as a demon right?”

“Mmmm I was. So many fresh souls for the picking, its so dull down here....”

“What if I told you I wanted to get even with our mutual grudge? They know I’m looking for blood, so an extra hand might be good. I mean you’re no overlord but you’ve caused a ruckus before right?”

“You made them aware you’re out for payback... what a stupid move on your part. It will make them more cautious. Who is this ‘mutual’ grudge? I don’t usually degrade myself by allying myself with muck.”

“They’re expecting me, but not you. I don’t care how it gets done long as I get to see him suffer for it.”

“And ‘Him’ being?”

“Does the name James Smalley ring a bell?”

“........”

“Thought it did. Best way to crush him I find is by dealing with the one thing he loves most.”

“So this is where you were hiding?”

“PFFFFFF!!”

“Surprised dear?”

“Dear lady Ebony, how could I assist you today?”

“You could assist me by giving back what you took.”

“What I... took?”

“James.”

“I... you know him?!”

“He’s my SON.”

“N-Now Lady, first off I had no idea and secondly he and his people have wronged me!!”

“Only because you were foolish and I could hardily care less. I know you already ate him.”

“Well I-”

//from the stream! Featuring a few muses

“What is it...”

“We’ve prepared dinner.”

“Mmmm fine....”

“Are you alright sir?”

“I was just thinking about my prize, it was such a rare find....”

“We could still go get him for you?”

“Maybe, but there is a lot happening in that realm. Without my physical form in that world it would be difficult. I’ll need a new one constructed.”