[IC] Demon Hunter: Chicago

[xxrhoo]

Elizabeth watched Anya and the man warily, absorbing the scene and trying to decode what was happening. She itched to get back to Mason's shack, to make sure that Zinx was still there and not starving...or eating her rabbit. That was hers to eat. As she studied the man speaking to Anya, she noticed that he reminded her a lot of Mason, but only vaguely in appearance. His voice, demeanor, and tone was not that of the laid-back man who'd shown her such generosity. Still, it made her ache to see him again. She masked the distress and melancholy that she felt with apathy.

This could be my chance to go, she thought, but the idea was immediately diminished when she realize the room only had one exit. That was past Anya. Then again, why would the vampire girl hold her hostage? Her eyes trailed back to the bowl of soup that was still resting atop the bedside table, no doubt getting cold and spoiled. Quietly and surreptitiously, she lifted the fork of noodles to her lips and ate. It was still warm enough to be enjoyed.

As she ate, she kept her eyes on the two conversing. Even as she watched and listened, her mind wandered: why had she fainted? Was it because of the cold? Hunger? Exhaustion? Or...something else?

Maybe it was planned. Maybe the vampire had a plan. Maybe they both had a plan. She glared in their direction.

[Shikaru]

@Tracyarmav@xxrhoo Anya stared at the man, who was clearly not buying her cover story. She took the paper with her free hand and stared wide eyed at it. Damn. Maybe...maybe he was another Hunter? Those seemed to be springing up like wild-fire after all. She turned around with a sigh, keeping her arm in full pace with her body and holstered the knife. "I see..well..as good a time as any I suppose." Anya spoke nervously, either he was a Hunter to come speak with her, or he was a Hunter coming to kill her for whatever reason.

She sat on the couch offering him a place beside her, "Please, shut the door on your way in mister." She spoke, keeping up the child act while the door was open and there was a possibility of being heard.

Her mind raced with thoughts. How did he get information on her? How did he find her address, down to her very apartment number even? What did he want with her? She'd hear him out before making a decision on whether or not he should live. Something didn't add up. If he had such detailed information on her, he could've simply killed her the moment he opened the door.

"So..what can I do for you?" She spoke, watching him as he entered the room. "Want some tea, coffee, food of any kind?" She was nice to guests, those wishing to kill her or otherwise. It helped with her charm ability, after all.

[Tracyarmav]

Dmitri Pavlovich

@xxrhoo@Shikaru

I move quickly and quietly inside, with the grace of one accustomed to moving and carrying the weight I did. I shuck my coat and lay it over the back of the couch, revealing the holstered weapon, though I make no move to grab it, I nod politely to Elizabeth, though I do not yet know who she is, before sitting where Anya indicated I should, and accepting a small degree of her hospitality.

"Coffee, no cream, no sugar, please. And I imagine that there a great many things that you could do for me, being what you are, for as long as you have. But I came for information, and to seek assistance in relation to your occupation, is it safe to continue, or should I call again when you don't have company?"

I sit, looking at Anya, though I keep my torso turned so that I'm not blocking out Elizabeth, thouhg I don't know enough t about her to be able to include her in the conversation properly, so I am left with being rude to a fellow guest, though Anya would thank me for it if Elizabeth wasn't aware of Anya's special talents.

[xxrhoo]

For the moment that the man spoke, Elizabeth wanted to ask, What are you? but bit her tongue and continued eating. Her spiritual element allowed her to sense a particular aura coming off of the man, but because she could not read him properly, she couldn't tell which. However, she could feel the electric energy coming off of him, and could safely assume that he had some kind of control over the same lightning elements that she did. This almost made her nod, because she liked the idea of someone else being like her.

Although she didn't know if he was yet good-intended or otherwise, Elizabeth felt herself relax as she sat on the bed. She sat the empty bowl back upon the table, and cleared her throat as if about to speak.

"Hello," she started softly, suddenly becoming very aware and self-conscious. "I just want to know if...if you ever knew a Mason, um, Timothy? Mason Timothy. Or-"

She stopped, having about to give away her father's name, in turn inevitably revealing a hint at her own name, which she had not yet given to either of them and didn't plan to. Again, she cleared her throat. "Yeah. Mason Timothy? Do you know him?"

[Shikaru]

@Tracyarmav@xxrhoo Anya relaxed a little when the man mentioned he needed her for her work, in-fact she was pretty much back to her usual self now. The only un-explained thing was the gun, which, really didn't bother her at all. She smiled and looked up at him, "No it's fine, please, continue." She spoke, standing up making her way over to the coffee maker and putting on a pot to brew. It wasn't every day she had multiple visitors coming to see her, much less a Hunter and someone in need of her services.

She hopped up onto the counter, swinging her legs and tilting her head observing the man. She did still wonder how he found out about her, though, if he knew about and believed in demons and the like it was safe to say he asked another Hunter in the area. Anya tended to keep in touch with several of them and rarely, if ever, did she not know who was one. The girl being the only exception in a while.

"Soo, what information did you need, exactly?" She asked cheerfully. "I know lotsa stuff, though if it's related to me you probably want to know 101 ways on how to kill a vampire or cleanse a house of a demon." She giggled at her own joke.

In truth, it'd been about a month since she had done any REAL work. The last actual fun and eventful thing she could remember was clearing out a coven of rogue vampires responsible for several child abductions, and giving her past she just couldn't let them live. Though, in hindsight if she wasn't turned she wouldn't be alive today, that still didn't mean she could allow others to repeat her past.

The coffee maker pinged signalling the coffee was done, she poured the man and herself a cup. She preferred hers with as much sugar and cream the cup could hold, it was moreso coffee with her sugar and cream than anything.

She grabbed the cups and walked back over to the couch, handing the man his cup of coffee and sipping on her own. She sighed, nothing like coffee a little while after a meal. "Oh! How rude of me, even though you already know my name I never introduced myself formally." She suddenly shouted, the thought hitting her. "I don't think I introduced myself to you either, nor did I asked your name." She spoke, turning to the girl.

"My names Anya, what about you guys?" She grinned, looking between the two, one of her fangs poking out from under her lip again.

[Tracyarmav]

Dmitri Pavlovich

@xxrhoo@Shikaru

I sigh, and rub my temples as the girls talk simultaneously, meaning I hear next to nothing intelligible from either of them. I catch the name Mason Timothy, and Anya's belated introduction, but little else of any value. I gratefully accept the cup of coffee, and look to the girl who'd asked about Mason Timothy, to see what she was willing to offer. I doubted she'd give her name, but Mason Timothy did ring a bell, he'd vanished not to long ago, and he'd had a little girl with him the last few years... what was her name? Lizzy something? Elizabeth was the given name, though he couldn't recall her surname off the top of his head. I'd look it up when I got back to the mansion. I sip the coffee while I wait, it was a tad weaker than I liked it but I couldn't complain. I waited quietly watching Elizabeth, I was certain that was her name now, and wondering how she'd respond.

[xxrhoo]

Realizing now that both the man and Anya were each focused on her, Elizabeth became more uncomfortable. She wished she'd hadn't said a thing, and that Anya would not have asked for their names. Again, her heart rate seemed to speed up, and she felt that if it became any more out of beat today that it might just malfunction. As a nervous habit, she repeated the process of clearing her throat. She could feel the anxiety forming a lump in it.

"Um..." she started again. Could she play off forgetting her name? Maybe from the fall? Oh yes, the fall. How was she not injured?! Getting distracted, she put a hand to her face and miraculously felt no blood or scratches. That was very, very odd. Then again, she had fell into snow.

Focus, she hissed to herself. You're taking too long.

"My name's Liz," she blurted out finally, resisting the overwhelming urge to squeeze her eyes shut at her own stupidity. There she went, probably disappointing her family. She'd given out valuable information that needed to be hidden.

[Shikaru]

@Tracyarmav@xxrhoo
Anya giggled at how annoyed the man was and at how nervous Liz was. "Aww, what a cute name!" Anya said cheerfully. She wondered why Liz seemed so reluctant to share her name with her and the man, seeing as how she freely gave forth the information that she was a Hunter too.

Anya simply shrugged it off, now focusing her attention on the man. "Annd, what about you?" She smiled, looking up at him. The man seemed to be thinking about something, though Anya hadn't the slightest clue what it was. Maybe it was to do with this 'Mason Timothy'? Eh. Personal matters are personal, she guessed.

Though, she was kinda curious to know the story behind the name and who he was to Liz. In-fact, she had a multitude of questions to ask Liz, the main one being why she was passed out in the cold half starved and alone.

Another time, she guessed, after hearing out the man.

[Bishop]

After much research and tracking, all based on the information folder named DMC that he acquired, Bishop had located the current whereabouts of a demon hunter presumed to be a vampire. After following her movement and actions for about 2 weeks, masking his fleshy presence with lightning energy by staying close to electrical objects and keeping a distance allowing him to safely observe, he finally decided to make his presence noticed by arranging a meeting with her when he felt a sharp pain in the chest while starting to cough blood. Giving himself another shockwave to prevent losing consciousness(it was getting less and less effective by the use.) he continued observing the vampire's house waiting for her to return.

After hours of waiting, he saw the vampire coming back to her apartment, but this time she was carrying a little girl in her arms. Curious of her motivations Bishop decided on postponing his introduction awaiting for what would happen. Some time after that a man showed up at the apartment's door knocking, recognizing him as a part of the demon hunting group. "This escalated quickly"- were his thoughts. Taking the decision right there and then, he wrapped a piece of paper around one of his throwing knives, infused it with electricity giving it more speed and penetrating powers and then he threw it through the door, passing everyone inside and pinning it to the wall.

In the paper was written the Cultist Prophecy, where it was taking place, it's date now being 3 months from now and the Demon Hunter insignia(an object given to anyone part of the Demon Hunter's which validates their claim to be part of DMC and is destroyed upon someone other touching it instead of it's owner or other Demon Hunters and it's also destroyed upon the owner dying) molded in the blade's hilt. Hoping that would be enough prove to convince them that this was coming from a fellow Demon Hunter. Now turning away and leaving the apartment behind, Bishop left to fulfill his own personal goal. Time was not on his side, he had to advance quickly...

(The decoded version of the prophecy spoke of a grand ritual taking place, with intention of summoning the wickedest of all demons and hellish creatures.)

[FantasyChic]

@Apollosarcher

Trinity finished her coffee with a satisfying sigh before answering the man's questions. She saw the hint of him beginning to probe her mind so she did the same in turn "I think you know one of my powers already. And if you were to go into my mind right now you'd see an interesting image of you, butt naked, recreating the Boston Tea Party." she stuck her tongue out again. She enjoyed playing with him, it was the first time she interacted with another hunter her own age.

"As for my other powers, I can create and manipulate water. It's quite handy in many situations."

She leaned back, "So what now? Do we go find this 200 year old vampire huntress or do our own investigation? I'm game either way."

[Apollosarcher]

@FantasyChic

David sighs. "You are rather crass, aren't you? I can communicate with the dead, read minds, and see the future. Less practical abilities but I make them work." He sipped his tea sighing. It wasn't as good as what they had back home but it would do for now. "Besides I can give you a few images that might make your cheeks turn red." He tossed back at her, she was the exact opposite of a lady. Then again she was American so he had to give her credit for at least speaking proper English.

David sighed and sat back. "Well it's rather simple." He pulled one papers from bag on the registered hunter in Chicago. "She has a flat not far from here, we should go pay her visit, either that or we can snoop around." He shrugged as he finished the tea. "I got the info on the hunters here from the American part of my family, of course not many of them are here." He shrugged placing it back in his bag looking at Trinity. "So shall we, or should we play the game of who can think the most embarrassing thing about the other?"

[FantasyChic]

@Apollosarcher

She grinned at him "You think you can embarrass me with any image? Please, I am an internet child, I guarentee I've seen more intense things on Reddit." She picked up her bag and got up "I say we snoop around some before we barge in on the lady's privacy. I don't know about you, but hunter or not, she is still a vampire and we can't write off her feeding on the girl. So more information on her would be best."

She gave a wicked looking smile at him "And I'm only crass to people I like, so congratulations. Looks like you're stuck with me."

[Apollosarcher]

@FantasyChic

David walked towards the door. "I was raised with witches in the forests and hills. I can show you things that would your 'internet children' scream and cry." He replied stepping back out heading down the street. "Investigating is a good call, her flat isn't very far." The English men set a quick pace towards the street lived on.

"So I have to know, where are you from exactly your not from Chicago by the sound of your voice." He commented. "I'm from London, though we moved around a lot when I was young." He paused. "Solomon's generally live as protectors of Wiccan's I'm a special case, I'm not assigned to protect anyone."

[FantasyChic]

@Apollosarcher

She merely followed the man "You've obviously never been on Reddit then..."

As they traverses the streets, Trinity recalled her story "I'm originally from Montana, but I moved around a bit and ended up in Arizona at the end. Lived there a few years before I began wandering. Don't really have a 'home' at the moment. I usually sleep where I can, whether it's an unoccupied hotel room or a bus station. Not like hunting demons is paying the bills."

She put her hands in her pockets and walked steadily behind the man, who was rather quick in his stride "What's that life like, being in the line of Solomon? I don't know much, but I know what I heard in school classes and museums. Kind of a big deal guy. I've also always wanted to visit London." she added.

[Apollosarcher]

@FantasyChic

He rolled his eyes, it was true he wasn't very well versed with the internet or for that matter. His family was... Traditional to say the least about it. "It's tough, you learn about about magic from every corner of the earth, you spend time in all part of the world, with Native Americans, African Shaman's, and Monks from all parts of Asia. Then you return home, your magic becomes unique by then special to the person." He told her as they near the apartment.

He pulled out another one of his herbal cigarette's lighting it with the small lighter in his pocket. "Oh no, my family has made quite the fortune even while demon hunting." He sighed stopping near the flat. "What about you, how did you discover your powers?" He asked looking at the apartment numbers before nodding. "She's here."

[Tracyarmav]

Dmitri Pavlovich

@xxrhoo@Shikaru

I grin a slightly predatory grin, as Elizabeth finally spits out Liz as her name... I could play this several ways, but no she wanted the information, and I was willing to trade. As both girls turned to me, I start my spiel, talking a in a low mono-tone that wouldn't carry well, even through apartment walls.

"My name is Dmitri Pavlovich, and I do not exist. Liz, would be short for Elizabeth, your surname I can't recall, but I know where to find your file. Anya Sandrow, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, though I have known of you for some time now. It is my business to know, and do, things that should not be known or done. That said, there is a task that I may not be able to tackle alone. A group of neo-fascist cultists are or have summoned a demon of minor power on the range of such things, but enough power to be a massive throbbing thorn in the organized crime and what's left of Chicago's Police. It seems---"

As the door cracks and splinters, Dmitri jumps up and whirls, shielding Elizbeth with his own body without any conscious thought, the PP-2000 seeming to magically appear in his hand pointed at the door, but the intruding object, a throwing knife partially encased in charred paper, embedded itself in the far wall from the door, and no further intrusion was made upon the home. Still, to Dmitri the message was clear enough, it was time for all of them to be elsewhere. Dmitri kept his gun trained on the door, just in case someone or something else tried to come through it uninvited. The safety was off, and his finger was inside the trigger guard, an experienced shooter, or even fighter, would probably recognize the lethal intent he was directing towards the mysterious source of the throwing knife, which shouldn't have been able to penetrate the door in the first place. His voice now was a distinct, clipped and rapid though it was surprisingly understandable for its being tainted by his light Russian accent.

"Anya, do you have a safe house or fall back point in the city or surrounding lands? We can't stay here. Though you may be in little physical danger Anya, Elizabeth and I do not share your immortality, and I for one have no interest in changing that fact."

[FantasyChic]

@Apollosarcher

As they approached the building, she began telling her own tale "I've always been able to read minds. I never understood how, and I assumed it was a talent most, if not all, possessed until it continuously got me in trouble. My parents didn't like that and when my dad saw the opportunity he booted me out to foster care. My foster parents ended up being demon hunters and that's how I got into the game and where I learned my water powers."

[xxrhoo]

@Tracyarmav@Shikaru

If she was eager to hear the man's name, it didn't show. Elizabeth looked at him expectantly, however, waiting to hear the answer. Perhaps she'd heard Mason mention him at all, though she didn't quite recall hearing the particular names of his connections. She'd remembered seeing plenty of people, plenty of times, but the names didn't stick. She wasn't very skilled at memorizing names. Faces, rather, were her specialty. Once she associated a face, a person, a body, a figure, with good or evil, that was that. It was hard to change her impression. It stuck.

The name, however, didn't ring a bell. Dmitri Pavlovich, she repeated in her head, even moving her mouth to test it upon her tongue. Still, no familiarity. She wanted it to be familiar. She wanted to have a connection to the people she'd loved the most.

As the man - no, as Dmitri continued to speak, she listened intently, trying to memorize information and track what he was saying carefully. She was still but a child, and her mind was bound to wander to things other than official, mature business. It was at times like these that she longed to be but a child again, but no. She bore the burden of the mature at such a young age. She didn't know who to blame.

There was no time to react when the dagger spliced through the door, lodging into the wall. She couldn't suppress her surprised gasp, or the immense appreciation that overcame her when Dmitri seemed willing to use himself as a human shield to protect her from harm. The scene was becoming more confusing and more frightening by the minute. Oh, she had just wanted to go home to her cat and her stew.

Before she could stop herself, her childish naivety kicking in, Elizabeth blurted, "I live in a shack in the woods. There's..." she trailed off, realizing her mistake. Having no choice, she sighed briefly and continued, "There's not many people around and...I don't know how, but Mason shielded it with some...magic. I-I'm not sure."

[Shikaru]

@Tracyarmav@xxrhoo

"Ooh, I see. Want me to slay a group of cultists huh? She spoke like it was a natural everyday occurance. "Point me in their direction and let me at 'em!" She shouted happily, giggling.

"What about this demon though, any more information on i-" Anya was cut short by a knife flying by her at a rapid speed, she let out a high pitch squeak of surprise, a small piece of her hair floating down where the knife cut.

She looked from her wall, to Dmitri, to the door, and finally to her hair. "My door! My wall! MY HAIR!" Anya shouted, pouting slightly. She'd make a mental note to tear apart whoever decided to think they could attack her in her one home, for now she had two squishy humans that needed to be elsewhere for their own safety.

"I..uhh..no not really.." Anya spoke, trying to think. In truth, she didn't have back-up plans. She let what come what may and sort it out then. "I mean..we could..find somewhere?"

And then the day was saved by Elizabeth. "Ooh, ooh. There, let's go there. Magical wards sound good." Anya spoke, beginning to get up and gather her things. "..that is if you don't mind of course, Liz." She finished sheepishly. She wasn't one to impose on others, especially when it sounded like her shack was a last resort.

Anya grabbed her satchel, opened her closet, and crammed a fresh change of clothes in it and slipped on her coat. Yes, she had replicas of her clothes. They were her favorites and in her line of work they got damaged easily. Settling the strap of her satchel on her shoulder she turned to address her new companions "Ready when you guys are." She said with a smile.

She was probably happier than most would be recieving what seemed like a deayh threat. Truth be told she welcomed the challenges every time one was made, which was surprisingly not that often.

[Tracyarmav]

Dmitri Pavlovich

@xxrhoo@Shikaru

I was not thrilled with the idea of moving to a shack, not all of my enemies were magical, still Mason's files indicated that was a very thorough sort of person. So perhaps his wards would deal with them too, but if it did how would Anya and I get through? I'd burn that bridge when I got to it, we clearly couldn't stay here and none of my bolt holes was in any way suitable for the habitation of a small human girl, much less two, and they were even less suitable if I was also using it. I'd have to fix that soon, it was an exploitable weakness I couldn't afford, but I don't have time to address it now.

"Liz, can we drive to your place? I don't relish the thought of walking through snow, ice and flying knives to get to it. And would you rather walk out on your own or be carried out?"

Dmitri would tell Anya to carry Liz, if she needed to be carried. If Anya balked, he'd argue that Anya was perfectly capable of leaving him in the dust and loosing him, even while carrying Liz, while Dmitri would be severely hindered by the awkward weight, light as it was, and would sorely miss the use of his hands. Hopefully that wouldn't be necessary, but that bridge too could be burned as it was reached. Dmitri moved cautiously to the door, peeking through the splintered crack in the top of the door. There didn't appear to be anyone waiting for them out side, though a strange couple was approaching the front door. Dmitri wondered if he'd interrupted a party or something. He stepped back, keeping himself between Liz and the door as he readied himself to launch a two fronted attack on the approaching couple; just in case they proved to be hostile.

"You hosting a party today, Anya, or did you just install a new trouble magnet?"