[IC] Since you didn't ask... (Mayadere and raleighallynn)

[Mayadere]

"Demons..." Gin muttered under his breath, "Are very cruel monsters." He was still crouched over the edge of the pillow, though just a few moments after Effy stopped talking he finally moved. He sort of half-leaped onto the massive pillow, causing any cats near-by to scatter, his boots slipping off as he moved over towards her. His face went from angry to blank in a matter of seconds as he drew closer, though quickly it returned with a calm, worried expression. It didn't take him long, he quickly set about attempting to grab the vodka from her to set it aside. He wanted to scream, to punch something, to kill a certain demon, but in the end this was all he could do. It was all he felt like he could do at the moment. Had he realized sooner how much terror she had been put through, he might not have stayed around long enough to care for her as he did now. But it was far too late for that, everyone already knew how attached to her he was... Him vanishing now would be utterly pointless.

"Effy..." Gin starts as he attempts to pull the woman into his arms with a firm but reassuring grab. "Its alright, Effy. You are not dirty. Ever." He manages out, clearly just wanting to wrap her in a tight hug and never let go. "Demons are such horrid creatures. A lot of us are horrid creatures... I am so sorry you got dragged into all of this."

[raleighallynn]

Effy allowed Gin to pull her close, burying her face into his chest. She breathed him in with measured yet shaky breaths. His scent was comforting, even at a time like this. Her thoughts had turned to mush. All she wanted to do was sleep, but something told her that Gin needed comforting as much as she did. Reluctantly, she raised her head and squinted up at Gin; she wished he would stop spinning, it was making it hard to focus. "You're not a horrid creature, though. You're a very wonderful creature with a very squishable face." She pursed her lips as she began to squish his face as if to prove her point. As if remembering she had been trying to comfort Gin, she stopped squishing his face. "I'm so sorry you got dragged into this. This shouldn't be your heavy load thing...Burden? Yeah, that's the word. This shouldn't be your burden to carry."

Effy absentmindedly returned to squishing Gin's face. Her eyes began to droop as she fought off sleep. Sleep meant nightmares, and nightmares meant being Micael's bitch for another night. She was tired of being his bitch.

[Mayadere]

Gin managed a bit of a laugh as Effy squished his face. He gave her a bit of a squeeze and carefully reached a hand up to pat her on the head. "Dragged into this? Ah, dear sweet. I was born into this." He murmurs softly to her, a faint smile hinting at the corners of his lips. It was amazing how such a small thing could make his chest feel so full, how just having his face squished by her drunken, shaky hands made him feel like everything would be alright. And hell, maybe it all would be alright, one day, far off from now. If maybe Micael, the Necromancer, and all the other frighteningly powerful monsters dropped dead. If that happened, then maybe the war with the humans would stop too. Gin could only dream, though. Powerful people don't just 'vanish'.

Gin merely continued to hold onto Effy as she tried to fight of sleep. While he could understand why she didn't like to sleep, she had horrid nightmares, but she needed it. Especially now, she needed some time to recharge. Gin himself wasn't very sleepy, but laying on the massive pillow holding Effy was having the 'I am so comfy despite impending doom' feeling. They were safe here for the time being. And before Gin knew it, he himself had slipped off into a light slumber...

[raleighallynn]

Once Gin was asleep, Effy gently removed herself from his arms. She rubbed her face, letting out a shaky sigh. Gin wasn't going to risk his life to protect her's. She wasn't worth it. The black and white cat stared up at her, mewing softly as if questioning her actions. "Shhh. You'll wake him up." The cat gave her a reproachful look. "Oh don't look at me like that! I'm not going to let him die!" The cat continued to stare. "Stop that! This is what love is, not that you would know...you're a fuckin' cat. Love is pain and sacrifice, and knowing when you have to say--" her sentence was cut short by the felines impatient hiss. "I wasn't going to say goodbye! I was going to say 'see you soon.' What Gin and I have is larger than we are, that's why I'm not going to let him do this." The cat seemed to roll its eyes before turning to strut away.

As Effy turned to leave, she smacked into someone. "Jesus fuck..." was all she could manage to say as she glanced up at their host with a sheepish grin. "You're back early. I was just going to get some water....:"

[Mayadere]

Flauros stares down at Effy, his icy blue gaze narrowed. His hair was short enough to not shadow his face, but it seemed to have one anyway. A frown was set firmly onto his features. "They are not just cats." He starts. "The beasts that dwell here are not just 'cats'. Some of them have human form, some of them are spirits of the departed, some of them are guardians. They love and feel just as you do, they understand how you feel." Flauros carefully pulled the bag off of his shoulder, carefully extending it out to Effy with a clawed hand.

"Humans are such confusing creatures. You want love, you will kill for it, sacrifice for it, and in the end mess it all up anyway. You merely going into the holding pen to be slaughtered is not going to save anyone, especially not him." Flauros would point a clawed finger over towards the still unconscious Gin. "He is a very lonely creature, you know, his kind is." Slowly he leans back against the door, raising his cleanly shaven chin a bit. "Since they can be anyone or anything, they don't fit in anywhere or really belong. Its a constant search for that 'place' where they fit. He use to change faces a lot before he met you." Flauros was silent for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh.

"I am not going to watch him revert back to that, nor watch him die because you decided to run off and become someones eternal fuck-toy. Go sit yourself back down and seriously consider just what you would be doing if I left you walk out this door." Flauros merely remains leaving heavily against the door, effectively blocking any possible exits. Gin had yet to even twitch, obviously having fallen into a rather deep sleep. "Just because you are so willing to throw yourself away to 'save' him, consider the fact that a life without you might as well mean he is dead too."

[raleighallynn]

Effy hated when other people were right. On her way to the couch, she grabbed the bottle of vodka off the floor. She settled onto the couch with a sigh, the black and white cat joining her. His looked was clear, and was to be taken as 'I tooooold you, you were being stupid.' With that be began kneading her chest, purring loudly. Effy let the cat be, turning to Flauros. "If you care about Gin so much, why were you so awful to him when we first got here? You can't care about someone AND hate them. It's one or the other." She almost regretted speaking her mind, but she quickly swallowed her doubts. The cat glanced at Flauros, it was obvious he was on Effy's side for this one.

With another long, drawn out sigh, Effy unscrewed the top of the bottle. For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to drink, though. "Flauros, what are you? I'm sorry if that's not the PC way to ask that question, but I don't know any other way to ask."

[Mayadere]

"Sometimes hate is love, there could not be one without the other. They are merely different sides of the same coin." Flauros nodded as Effy and the feline as she found herself on the couch, back with her bottle of Vodka once again. He was quiet for a few moments before pushing off of the door and moving to one of the chairs. He grabs it and pulls it away from the large pillow where Gin and several of the cats now resided. He sets it near the couch before he plops down with a soft sigh.

"What am I? I am many things. As to which of those things you are asking about, I could be any of them." He lets out a rather breathy sigh before leaning back in the chair, tossing a glance back towards Gin for a moment before looking back towards Effy. "But since you asked, I will grant you with the gift of knowing." Without much warning, the mans face contorts in an unusual, slightly horrifying way. His once icy blue eyes would change immensely and within just a few moments his were nothing more than a blue flickering flame. Now when he spoke fangs were visible.

"I am Flauros, sixty-fourth of the seventy-two Spirits of Solomon. A duke of hell, if you will." He dramatically waves a hand over his face and all within that one moment, the eyes of fire were gone, along with the fangs and horrid contorted look. "But you, unlike most others, have nothing to fear from me."

[raleighallynn]

Effy pushed herself into the arm of the couch, making a mental note not to ask questions such as that ever again. Why couldn't everyone just be a werewolf or a vampire? Those creatures she could deal with. Kinda. As if needed courage to ask more questions, she took a giant gulp from the bottle. "So, what does it mean to be a duke of hell? Are you a demon like Micael? Because if that's the case, I would rather sleep in my car...but I would take your cat with me, because I don't like to sleep alone." She shrugged an apology. She turned we attention to the cat, wondering what he was. Nothing was as it seemed anymore.

The feline shot Flauros a disdainful look. Scolding him for scaring Effy like that. He began rubbing his face against hers in hopes of comforting the clearly shaken girl. He wouldn't mind sleeping in her car with her, either.

[Mayadere]

Flauros lets out a soft sigh as the cat scolds him. "Like Micael? Please, don't be so rude. Unlike him I do not need to revert to cheap tricks and human games." He merely shakes his head, offering a small shrug. "Not all of us are truly terrible monsters as many of you would like to think. As many of us were once angels, merely fallen for one reason or another. Really, falling from grace has never been so simple." He mutters rather bitterly.

"At any rate, if you were to compare Micael and me, I would rank higher." Flauros is quiet for a moment before speaking again. "I will not lie, though. I do find it interesting how a mere human has managed to catch the attention of so many other-worldly beings. Even if it were not for your sleeping habits... I-..." The demon stops short of his words, once again glancing over towards Gin. At this point, the shapeshifter was sprawled out on his back, arms and legs all going in different directions with cats wedged all along his body. Effy could probably see the spark that lit up in Flauros' eyes as he hops out of his chair.

"Off of the topic for but a moment, do you wish to see something interesting?"

[raleighallynn]

Effy didn't even flinch at the mention of her sleeping habits. Unlike most of the girls, Effy was not ashamed of what she did. She also did not try to hide it. "I would rather you finish your sentence, but yes, I would love to see something interesting." Though she said yes, she sounded hesitant. She didn't know how many more "interesting" things she could take.

Effy sighed, glancing in Gin's direction. Despite everything that was going on, he looked so peaceful. She wished she had never left the comfort of his arms. "Flauros," Effy started "you said these cats aren't cats. What is this one? He seems so human." She had promised herself that she wouldn't ask anymore questions, but curiosity ha gotten the best of her.

[Mayadere]

"Oh, that one?" Flauros asks quietly as he slowly moves closer towards Gin. "A guardian. They can take human shape too, but not for very long." He mutters as he comes to a dead stop a mere few inches away from the unconscious shapeshifter. Crouching down, Flauros carefully extends a hand to lightly poke at Gin's chin for a moment before ever so lightly. He doesn't even budge, though a couple of the cats lift their heads to glare at Flauros. Though the demon obviously wasn't done with whatever it was he was doing. Within a few moments he was rubbing Gin's scruffy chin as one would a cat.

And like that, Gin's body would suddenly start to shrink. His skin would start to change color as his bones and muscles start to bend and mold into a new shape. It didn't look pleasant, but it couldn't have been as painful as it looked, Gin in question didn't even make a peep. Within a few moments, a small dog-sized cat now lay where Gin once was, still sprawled out in an utterly lax manor. And similar to how he was in his human form, his fur was short and dark brown, though there were several patches of white along his back and stomach. Most of the cats that had been curled up around his body didn't even flinch, a few of them even got up and moved a bit closer to the still slumbering Gin.

Flauros quickly pushes himself up, grinning towards Effy. "Isn't he adorable when he is exhausted? Bet you never imagined you'd be able to see him do this. He use to stay here quite often as a cat. Probably the only reason he is sleeping so soundly, even though he should be awake talking with us, I bet it would make you more comfortable. Anyway, as I was saying... Are you sure you are not using some kind of magic to draw them to you?"

[raleighallynn]

Effy placed the black and white cat on the couch, going over to pick up the now sleeping Gin cat. He began purring in his sleep as she held him close. She wouldn't admit it, but he was terribly cute in this form. She walked around the room, rocking him gently as if to make sure he didn't wake up. "I'm completely human, as far as I know. Now, I'm not so sure. None of this makes any sense. Why me?" The question was more rhetorical than anything. She kisses Gin'a head, burying her face in his short, soft fur.

Effy's other cat friend hissed at Flauros, as if angered by his actions.

[Mayadere]

Gin purred rather loudly, contently snuggling right into Effy. He was so soundly asleep at this point it was a bit surprising he hadn't woken yet from all the talking. But being rocked so calmly and just the warm feel of another body was quite the treat for him! Flauros just nods his head lightly, chuckling faintly before he plops back down into his chair, looking at the black and white cat with a snort.

"Don't you get me started, there is plenty of time for that later. Plus, just look at how adorable they are." Flauros gestures towards Effy holding the cat shaped Gin, almost like a parent would to their children during a school event or something. He seemed pretty proud of this on many levels. "Anyway, it is possible you do have some magic in your blood. A few humans do have it naturally, but its rare. What about your parents?" A few of the cats that had been snuggling around Gin mewed softly in protest, but otherwise seemed content to just watch Effy carry him around.

[raleighallynn]

Effy continued to rock Gin back and forth, ignoring Flauros' question for quite some time. Talking about her parents was one of her least favorite things. She loved them dearly, but they rarely saw eye to eye...on anything. "My parents are pretty normal. Hippies from Oregon. They own a health food store. They don't exactly approve of my lifestyle, or Gin for that matter." She sounded bitter. Gin was wonderful, and there wasn't anything wrong with her lifestyle. Minus the fact that she slept with multiple men, but even that wasn't too bad. Things could be worse. Once again, Effy kissed the top of Gin'a head. She held him tighter, almost protectively.

"Shouldn't you be able to tell me what's special about me?" Effy asked.

[Mayadere]

"Darling. Just because I rank high in the world of others does not mean I know everything. I work with souls and sinners, occasionally idiots who manage to summon me but that has not happened in a looong time." Flauros offers a one sided shrug as he tilts his head to the side a bit, leaning back in his chair. "It could be a number of things, though. Some people just naturally attract us, others give off strange pheromones, or the soul of the person. I once met a man who attracted Shades! Poor fellow was terrified until he learned they wouldn't hurt him." That manages a bit of a laugh from the demon, though eventually he shakes his head. "Its more than one that is after you, so it is making me think something to do with scent, possibly. Or maybe body fluid, if you've happen to have slept with all of them. Because I for sure am not feeling attracted towards you in any way, shape, or form."

Gin let out a soft rumbling sound as Effy held him tighter. He lightly rubbed his head against her contently. Slowly though his eyes would start to open, and a pair of vividly bright green eyes stares up at her, a small mew escaping him. Though his eyes close rather quickly and he just flops his head back against her.

[raleighallynn]

Effy grimaced at Flauros comment, but decided it would be best that she not say anything. He didn't seem like someone she wanted to be angry with her. "Yeah, anyway...new subject." She wasn't sure what to say. It was surprising to find someone more blunt than she was. Effy stared down at Gin, smilingly softly. "I like you in this form. You're much easier to manage this way."

A hairless cake poked it's head in through the cat door, and surprisingly spoke. "I am dearly sorry to interrupt this party, but it seems we have uninvited quests." his cold eyes turned towards Effy, narrowing. "The Whore of Babylon is in our living room? Dear lord, the end times are surely upon us!"

Effy stared at him blankly before realizing that the cat was probably more than just a cat. "What did he call me?"

[Mayadere]

Flauros slowly raised a hand, lightly smacking it against his face. "Ah, dear me..." He grumbles faintly. "Now, quiet, the both of you, you can bitch at each other later. And by uninvited guests, do you mean the 'I brought you a gift' kind or the 'I am here to do some things, and not particularly good'? I am honestly in the mood for either at this point. Are they going to come down here or do I have to go up there?" Slowly Flauros pushes himself up, peering towards Effy holding onto the still cat shaped Gin. "And you might want to take yourselves to another room for a bit, depending on who these uninvited guests might be."

Though now when the demon stood up, he was not slouching over. Standing at his full height he towered above probably even Gin, who was rather tall in his preferred human shape. With his shoulders squared and chin raised, Flauros looked like he was about to go to war and slaughter. Something in his stance just screamed bad vibes as he turned to walk towards the door. Several of the cats were now on their feet, many looking towards the door and a few others darting off into other rooms.

Gin blinked up at Effy, lightly rubbing his head against her once more before attempting to carefully push his way out of her grasp. Things were going on now, and he was awake. He wanted to turn back into a human already, even though Effy had said he was much easier to manage in this shape. He actually sort of liked being held like this, it had been such a long time since he had been in a shape where he was small enough for someone to hold like this.

[raleighallynn]

"Oh no, you are staying right here with me, my handsome little shapeshifter. I think the Duke of Hell can manage our visitors on his own without you." Effy said, though it sounded more like an order. She carried Gin into another room, setting him down on the floor only after she had locked the door behind them. Other cats eyed them suspiciously, curious as to why they were there. All the eyes on her made Effy uncomfortable, sending shivers down her spine. Before long, she was covered in goosebumps.

Ra's stood on the road in front of the church, watching it intently. It was a cute church, but not a very fitting place for a powerful demon like Flauros. "Ah, I see your guardians have alerted you of my presences. Though I must admit that I'm slightly surprised that the shapeshifter isn't with you. Is he taking good care of Effy for me? I hope so, I would hate to have my newest collectable damage before she even arrived." The Necromancer paused long enough to light a cigarette and take a long drag. "I'm sorry, where are my manners? How have you been, old friend. It's been a very long times. 1,287 years, if I'm correct."

An assortment of cats began lining up behind Flauros, some of them morphing into humans or lesser demons. All of them, though, were prepared to fight.

[Mayadere]

"Ah, yes. Such a long time in human years. I barely noticed." Flauros mutters with a faint smile at the corners of his lips, flashing a mouth of fanged teeth. "And your newest collectable, hm? She is a pretty little thing, I will agree to that, but I don't understand anyone's fascination with her. Literally a just meat attached to bones with a pretty, but damaged soul. Other than that though she is just another body among the masses, what is it that drives you all after her? I should just destroy her body along with her soul to end this little game you all are attempting to play." While it might have sounded joking, as he spoke his last sentence about completely destroying her, his icy blue eyes melted and the blue flames arose from his eye-sockets. He was quite serious.

"It is highly pathetic for you all to demean yourselves after a mortal with such a short lifespan. I am even disappointed in Gin for falling for such a thing, and here I thought he would have been smart enough to avoid humans." Flauros sighs loudly.

[raleighallynn]

Ra's waved away Flauros' threat as if it were a poorly told joke. "Oh, please. Destroy her body and soul, but do it out here. I've always loved to watch the life leave a human's eyes as they die. There's something beautiful about it, wouldn't you agree? Though I would think that you would have to kill Gin as well. He wouldn't just sit pretty while you killed the woman he loved." He took another long drag of the cigarette, exhaling an array of different sized rings. "I'm surprised you've been so blinded by your distaste for humans, though, Flauros. You disappoint me. Can you not sense the old magic that flows through her blood? It is far older than either of us. Why we are attracted to it, I have yet to discover...it puzzles me so. Though once I figure out, I will ring you."

Ra's picked up one of Flauros' cats that had strayed to close, its yellow eyes seeming to stare into the void where his soul had once been. "I've always found myself rather fond of cats. They're good company, diligent listeners. Though I've never understood why you're so fond of them. They're exactly like humans you know. When one dies, another is born." The cat leaped out of Ra's arms, hissing all the way down to the ground. "Where is your favorite cat, Flauros? I want to destroy it after you destroy Effy. I'm sure you won't miss it too terribly, you do have a mass of beasts after all. You act as if you are better than Gin, better than all of us, because you do not involve yourself in the affairs of humans...instead you involve yourself in the affair of cats. I can see why you are so superior, Flauros." Ra's grinned. "Now, where is your cat?"