A Demon Among Merchants

[Aveilthé]

It was the first time December really spoke to him after a long time. Fortune blinked several times, as if there was a light in her eyes that burned bright, hurting his own.

"Don't sound so ungrateful, sweet angel," he replied, leaning his head back on a wooden beam, trying to sever the glare between himself and she. "It feels more like you're stuck with me, not the other way around. I'm not ungrateful... but don't worry. I'll..." he gave a wink. "...behave..." A swift beat as she started to leave. "When I feel like it."

He later emerged when the sun's rays were lost to the sky, the distance now showing that it was dusk. This was good. At least he wouldn't burn walking around this strange new place (that would be quite uncomfortable, considering there were holes and tears all over his shirt). He had to admit, now that he got to observe the buildings more closely, these people sure enjoyed shiny things.

Styx confronted him in his own way, glaring at the vampire with much distaste. Obviously Styx knew exactly what Fortune was. The vampire returned the sentiment, jerkily moving his head away. "Try and stop me."

And oh, what sweet, bloody odor that permeated the city... humans were everywhere. His eyes flashed brilliantly in the twilight. There was something else too. He glanced back toward Styx, smelling something... off... about him. He narrowed his eyes, Malphas's words suddenly ringing through his head. But for now, Fortune pushed it out of his mind. He was not so certain that Styx was the same person Malphas was talking about. There was no real proof anyway... not that he needed one to drink all his blood. But Styx didn't need to worry about that. Fortune wrinkled his nose at his offensive stench and walked away.

"So..." Fortune muttered something inaudible in French as he stepped next to December, trying to keep his distance from Styx, before saying, "Which one of us has got money?"

[Kikuyoshi]

"I won't have to try." Styx muttered in a low growl at Fortune's seemingly over-happy attitude to the whole ordeal they had gotten themselves into. December's charge or not, he would make the move to take him down if there was any sign that might put them in more danger or give away their position. Dec could try to stop him if she felt like it.

But for now, only his fingers twitched and he acted on nothing. In a few moments it didn't entirely matter anyways; Styx's attention on the diamond structures that loomed overhead, silently watching and reflecting.

Everything about this city had the hairs along the back of his neck and arms standing on end. As the moved deeper into it's seemingly open depths, he actually had to crack his mouth open slightly in order to breathe. The whole place felt fake. Suffocatingly so.

It was at Fortune's next set of words that he responded instantly, his expression grim and looking upward around them but he pulled out an envelope. "I do. Get what you need....find someplace to stay." His attention then tilted, his glasses sliding down his nose so his eyes could catch December's as he handed -her- the envelope. "I've got something i need to do. I'll find -you-." Meaning, don't follow me.

Whether leaving it in her hand, or tucking the envelope in a pocket, he would leave it with Dec before turning on his heel and slipping into the shadows that didn't have reflections of rainbows casting off into them from the weird substance the buildings were made of. From his sense of direction it seemed as though he might know this city personally? Then again, if one had the keen senses to see in the shadows, they might notice the fact that he doubled back and tried again down a different path.

....so maybe not.

[Felypsa]

There was so much stimulation bombarding December’s senses and demanding her attention that she almost felt overwhelmed. First and foremost, she was taking in the full spectacle of this protected city, the diamond buildings still faintly glittering in the light of the street lamps that lit the way. For whatever reason, they still used gas lamps, and December also noted that many of the people walked about in cloaks and hats and canes.

She also had to pay attention to Fortune. He too seemed to be taken aback by everything, though December suspected it had more to do with the population of Everlin. Her eyes narrowed on him once more, daring him to try to break away from them. But no, there were too many people around for him to risk attacking someone. All the same, she stood tense, Imi cooing softly in her ear. Her little friend was also daunted by the appearance of the city and how strikingly different it was from Escavas, Thor…and all the many other places they had traveled to.

Fortune’s practical question brought December out of her reverie, and she thought of her own coin with doubt. She had some money, for sure, which Captain Istas had paid up front, but the rest of it would have come after the job ended…and while it was enough to get December through a couple of weeks or so, she certainly could not treat all three of them to accommodations.

That was when Styx intervened, pulling out an envelope which he entrusted to her. December looked from it up to his eyes with a small frown. “I can help out some too,” she told him, not wanting him to take the full brunt of this. After all, she still felt responsible for pulling him away from his original mission. Not to mention she knew that he still questioned the fact that Fortune was in their company…so his offer to pay for the vampire too was a selfless gesture that made December somewhat uncomfortable. Styx was trusting her, after all, and putting quite a lot into that trust.

She hoped she would not have to let him down.

It was surprising that Styx was already going to split off from them, speaking of a task that he “needed” to do. December’s frown deepened, but she gave a nod. Either Styx was not as much of a stranger to this city as they were, or…perhaps he wanted the privacy to communicate to some other party. She did not like that idea. But it was not her right to question his personal business. She gave a nod. “We will see you soon, then.”

Now that she thought about it, Styx had always been mysterious in virtually everything he did. She should not have been too surprised at all. Turning away from him, December looked at Fortune, realizing that it was the two of them once again. Assuming Fortune didn’t try to run off and lead her on a merry chase.

“Let’s find this inn,” she said after a moment. “Or maybe another one. One that is is less…popular.” She eyed him again before striking out for the main road. The diamond buildings loomed on either side of them like monoliths, and December resisted the urge to look up at them. They were just like the skyscrapers of big cities, she told herself. They were just buildings, never mind what they were made of.

They walked along one canal, December watching with slight distaste as people were ferried in gondolas. One gondola drifted by, slower than the rest, and occupied by two people (and the gondolier), who were clearly on some romantic date. The woman took off the man’s top hat and gave him a long kiss beneath the night sky, and December looked away. This city was altogether too happy, too peaceful.

She didn’t like it.

-----

It was very easy to find Haven Inn, the one that the dockhand told them about. The building had at least ten storeys to it and was made of the same diamond-like material as the rest, only it was colored somehow to resemble a deep green. Its name was written on a large sign in front in shining, curving gold letters. Overall, it was an elegant and beautiful hotel. But, as December suspected, it was very popular; she could see bright firelight through the glistening windows, and the sound of upbeat music and joyous laughter flooded out onto the street and neighboring canal.

She could not in good conscience deliberately bring Fortune into that mix. Besides, it looked extremely expensive, and December was not keen on using up all of Styx’s money so quickly. “Let’s keep looking,” she said briskly, reaching out to grab Fortune’s arm and pull him away from Haven Inn. As they walked past it, December got the uncanny feeling of someone watching them, but when she looked, there was no one there. Still, it solidified her gut instinct to move away from it.

“Keep your eyes peeled for something that looks dirt cheap,” December said dryly, releasing his arm once they were safely past the big inn. “And that’s what we’ll call ‘home’ for now.” At this rate, it scarcely looked like there was anything so poor in this gem of a city.

[Aveilthé]

Fortune grimaced as Styx whipped out an envelope full of money. He couldn't help himself as his jealousy piqued. "Bet he stole it." He almost continued until December mentioned she could help if needed. This notion reminded him of all the problems before arriving here and how December procurred that money in the first place. If he weren't so stubbornly indifferent to them at the moment, he would have felt an overwhelming guilt seize him. He had no money to offer. He was the reason they were here, more or less. He was the broken wheel on the carriage.

Styx left then, mentioning something about business which caressed Fortune's interest. He had to share his thoughts to December when Styx wondered off. "He wouldn't tell us where he'll go or why. Don't you find that odd?" After all, what if Styx was about to turn his back on them? Fortune fell quiet and contemplated as they started to find an inn to stay, but he wasn't really looking at them. He didn't care. Perhaps later he'll have to give December the slip and track Styx down to make sure he wasn't going to do anything like give the Fortune away. He was certain that December would try to stop him if he told her he was going after Styx.

A jovial, portly man with a stupid haircut approached the group just then, momentarily distracting Fortune as the he waved folded pieces of paper in front of them. "Tourists?" he smiled, shoving a beautifully hand-drawn map of the city into Fortune's hands. "Err...," said Fortune, feeling his mouth water involuntarily. That was not a good sign. He turned to December, wordlessly giving her the map. The man's face fell after looking Fortune up and down, blinking and walking away in silent bewilderment. Fortune would have to change clothes fast before others got suspicious of the blood on his shirt... and perhaps snag a meal on the way.

He grumbled in response to December's nagging about finding a cheap inn, not really in the mood to find anything in this grand place... except find some food. In reluctance, he peered at the buildings which nearly blinded him as the city lights reflected off of their outrageous, glistening facets. Remarkably, he was able to find something that fitted snug between two buildings that, though beautiful in their own way, looked like dump-heaps compared to everything else. Truly though, if the buildings were in Escavas, the citicens would feel rightly impressed by their structures.

"That... that place there." You didn't really need a map to tell you that the building looked both modest and cheap, though while coated in diamond-plating like the rest of the ridiculous city, it harbored features that perhaps the owners didn't have enough money to model in something fancy. It was a one-story building, perhaps enough to house a few families. A large sign, hand-painted and framed in lustrous stone, said "Inn of the Dancing Horse--VACANCY." The bar next to it was undoubtedly a building extension to the inn, and looked as empty as can be. Not a popular hang-out, it seemed.

[Kikuyoshi]

Everything about this city was baffling and downright unnerving to Styx as he wandered the streets around town. His senses usually picked up on a few secrets here and there while he'd walk around a city...dirty alley ways that hid lowlife who he could get to talk.

It was too clean here. And it smelled entirely too human.

Such a thing was fine for anyone else, but for someone who needed the blood of a vampire to survive it spelled out disaster to someone like him. If December and Fortune were going to stick around this place for a while, Styx might have to duck out on his own sooner than he planned.

He was mulling things over quietly as he walked the streets, his eyes once more hidden behind his shades but no less sharp in taking in the buildings that surrounded him. Everything about this place screamed at his instincts to get out and not linger here....but he chalked it up to the fact that he would more than likely be cut off from any source of blood except what was in Fortune's veins. And to hell with sucking on anything that came out of that man.

Finding what it was he was searching for...the only other challenge would be getting inside. Silently but quickly enough it wouldn't stir up suspicion, Styx circled the hospital...and followed his nose. All he smelled was human, but for what he was after right now he settled on the fact that that was fine.

Sinking into shadows, he moved with them and slipped into what looked like a storage unit door that connected with the main building. Moving around inside would be a little trickier....but it could be done.

---

His footsteps were a little heavier when he exited the building some time later, his mind musing on whether or not he should have grabbed a bendy sippy straw from the cafeteria on his way out.

Next was re-locating December, something that was oddly much faster than it had been locating the hospital. Her scent was unique and quite honestly not something Styx tried to dwell on for too long in usual circumstances. It made him weak...the smell of her making him light headed as though it weakened the air and made it hard to breathe.

Could he explain it away? Nope. So, he ignored it instead.

[Felypsa]

No sooner had December mentioned that to Fortune than a man appeared, as if sensing their need. He shoved it into Fortune’s hands, and the mercenary shot her companion a glance, as if knowing that his reaction was hunger. Disgustedly, December took the map from him and opened it up, peering at the lavish drawings in an attempt to decipher where they were. Only then did she realize how hard her heart was pounding. That had been a close call. It would be so easy for Fortune to feast on any of these people just walking by, all innocence…

She closed her eyes a moment, reeling herself in. She almost wished she had not been present when Fortune made his deal with Malphas. It had caused her to see the part of him that still struggled to be more than what he was. She wished she could harden her heart against him entirely, but that had been the part of him that had always caught her sympathy. It was easier to try to destroy someone if you had no hope for them at all. But Fortune…there was hope for him.

Just enough to make this frustratingly complicated.

December pulled herself out of her reverie when Fortune spoke, indicating a much smaller building that was dwarfed in comparison to all the elaborate skyscrapers surrounding it. She nodded, folding up the map, which could still be useful later. “Let’s go,” she said briskly, giving no indication of what she had just been thinking about. Imi, though, cooed sympathetically in her ear, as if she could guess. December ignored her too.

They entered the Inn of the Dancing Horse, and December immediately knew it had been the right choice. The bar portion was barely populated, with just a few people hidden in the far corners of the place with cowls obscuring their faces. December might have thought that their robes indicated they were part of some secret cult, but she didn’t care enough to connect the dots at that point. She just strode up purposefully to the tavern owner. “I need three beds,” she announced.

The bartender rubbed the glass he was cleaning and blinked at her, as if astonished that such a well-together woman was striding into his seedy joint. “I got two rooms, two beds in each,” he said after a moment, once he had recovered from his shock. December frowned as that suddenly created a new set of complications. Normally, one would expect that the girl would have one room to herself, while the gentlemen shared the other. But in their…unique trio, December could see that leading to pure trouble.

On the other hand, giving Fortune his own room was out of the question. She needed someone to keep an eye on him. And, honestly, she was the best person for the job. She let out a sigh. “The price?” she asked, fingering Styx’s bag of gold. The man told her, and the price was very reasonable, even for two rooms. “We’ll take them,” she said. This was better, anyway, she thought. Styx would want his own room, for sure…

The bartender took their coins, bit one to make sure it was real, and then pulled out two keys from beneath the bar. “Up the stairs, the two last rooms on the left,” he told them. December gave a stiff nod and then turned to Fortune. “You’re staying with me,” she said in a tone of voice that left no room for argument. “Styx will have the other.” She refused to blush even the slightest bit at that. At least there were separate beds. That was all she could ask for.

That done, she deigned to sit at a table, gesturing for Fortune to do the same. “We’ll wait for him to get here first,” she said, looking at the menu. There wasn’t much to eat—just light snacks—but December was famished enough to not care about specifics. She called over an order of half a loaf of bread with some cheese and a cup fo ale to wash it all down. She didn’t bother ordering anything for Fortune. This was not the kind of food he wanted.

[Aveilthé]

It couldn't be helped. Fortune made a strange noise of exasperation at being told they were going to share a bedroom together. It was an appalling idea, torturous, like nails digging deep into his chest. He kept quiet, glaring at December at the corner of his eye. How could she? In the greatest contempt he ever felt for her now, he grudgingly followed suit.

He watched her eat with mild jealousy and distaste as they settled into the bar room. For some reason he could not bring himself to talk to her. Not like he really wanted to anyway. He had to think, and think fast, because if he was to give her the slip, he'd have to do so cleverly and carefully so that she wouldn't be suspicious of his own actions. He knew for a fact December would go out of her way to stop him if he so much as told her his plan.

Not only this, but he had to find a way to find the mysterious vampire-killer. But under their current predicament, finding this guy was like finding a needle in a haystack. He might have to wait for some time.

What he didn't realize was that his fortunes were about to change for the better.

"Go now," said a voice. Fortune blinked at looked at December with a bewildered stare. December couldn't have said it, it had such a masculine voice. A familiar voice. Fortune understood that it was a voice speaking into his own head...

Wait a minute... Malphas?

Fortune parted his lips as if to respond, and closed it again quickly. "He is here. In this city. Before your eyes... all along..."

"Be right back," said Fortune to December calmly. "I need to stretch my legs for a minute..."

And just like that, Fortune lifted himself off of the chair and strolled away. He was certain that this act might not fool December, but he had to leave now.

Once outside, he walked as if he were heading towards the bedrooms, but suddenly veered off. The mind of a hunter flashed in his eyes as he began sprinting off in pursuit of Styx.

[Kikuyoshi]

Styx moved quickly but silently and always in shadow, the long length of coat flapping harmlessly at his heels while his pockets bulged with the amount of stolen blood baggies he had recently acquired. They couldn't allow their cover to be blown....well, he didn't give a damn about what Fortune did actually, but if it ended up hurting December he found he couldn't stand for even the thought of it.

It was in his trek through the maze of buildings, following the unique scent of angel, that he found the city garden. As unique and brilliant as this place; rare flowers bloomed under the silver moonlight, their petals sheer and almost glowing a soft rich blue. A few of the fallen swirled as if by magic in a passing gale at his feet when he stepped into the small sigh of a sanctuary.

The sight of them stopped him in his tracks, not from familiarity or alarm, but the sheer oddity and beauty of them made him pause and his mind further slipped into contemplation. It would be here that Fortune would find him if December did not halt him in his search.

Gently his hand reached up to pull away the dark shades that almost always covered his eyes, blinking away the brightness that assaulted his eyes in contrast from having on the wraparounds. What was he doing out here? And not just in this city? What had made him so eager to jump on board with December again when he knew next to nothing on the vampire she was protecting.

~Because you trust her.~ The realization came almost instantly and shocked him at the same time. It had him frowning and he brushed away the hair that had blown into his face. Whether or not he trusted her was no real reason as to why he was sticking around. She seemed to have her affairs under her own control. He should leave now and find his own work.

~You're frightened that you trust her....and so you run...~ His inner voice seriously needed to shut the hell up and he grumbled under his breath. "Do you see me running?" Yes he was arguing with himself but to anyone passing by that overheard could very well mistake it as a challenge.

[Felypsa]

Fortune may have timed his quick exit perfectly at the time that December received her food. Just as she was starting to tear into it, Fortune muttered his lame excuse about going to stretch his legs. December’s eyes snapped up to him quickly as he slunk out of the inn. “Imi,” she said, and the bird took off to keep an eye on him. She wouldn’t go freaking out just yet.

But after a few more bites and a drink of water, the bird came rushing back in, chattering urgently. The cowled ones in the tavern turned to look at the noise, and December was up in an instant. Following her friend, she headed out of the inn just in time to see Fortune’s supernaturally quick form disappear into the night.

This was not starting out well.

Uttering a soft curse, the half-seraph chased after him. Imi was even faster than she was, and if December thought she lost track of Fortune’s form, the bird would chirp meaningfully at her, causing her to turn in the proper place and set her sights on the vampire again.

Where was he running to? Did he think he could escape her so that he could prowl the night on his own? But no…there was purpose and direction in his quick steps. He knew where he was going. But how was that possible, if they had never been to this strange city?

December pushed all thoughts aside. Her sword was suddenly in her hand, as though it had leaped there of its own accord. Even without its inner light, the blade had a sterile, pure glint to it in the cold moonlight. December knew it would not be able to silence Fortune forever…but she sure as heaven could inconvenience him long enough to save the life of whatever innocent he was hunting down.

Oh, if only she knew.

[Aveilthé]

This was too easy. How could this man be so careless? Fortune felt as lucky as his name suggested. That putrid smell of that man was far too unsatisfyingly familiar to the vampire now, but it was good enough to find him... and kill him. His ambition and excitement mounted with each swift dodge of every object that stood in his way, years of fleeing and hunting perfecting each delicate step.

And oh, to think that he was mere yards away from getting his life back. Surely Malphas was watching everything closely. Who knew that with one snap of Styx's neck would be the end of his lifelong suffering.

Soon, Fortune's line of sight was greeted by a rather splendid garden smattered thickly with navy blue hues, a scene he had not pictured to kill his prey. Perhaps if he were to feed from the slender neck of a pretty young woman; it would have been the perfect moment to romance her under false pretenses... but this was not that kind of situation. These flowers would be the last thing Styx would see before he died. This thought brought a curl to the ends of his lips.

He slowed to a halt, his body still hidden in the dark of the night, paying attentiong to the solitary figure standing still amidst the flowers. Styx spoke into the open night. It was almost as if he knew. In answer to said challenge, Fortune made himself known as he stepped into the faint light that washed over the beautiful garden. Styx would be greeted by Fortune's horrific appearance, the effect heightened considerably by his tattered clothing mixed with strange, menacing shadows playing with the curvature of his figure.

Not to mention his eyes. Those green eyes seemed alive, like fire lit up behind them, to the point of extreme mania. He proceeded softly. "No mistaking it... it was you all along, wasn't it? Oh, I've been so blind.... It seems you've quickly made an enemy of me... how unlucky for you... but I don't think giving you a reason is relevant right now..." A wicked grin spread across his face, filthy dark hair falling over his eyes. The knuckles in his hands cracked as he made them taut and rigid, as if they turned into claws, giving away that he was preparing to fight to kill.

There was no reasoning with him. When someone made up their mind, you just know that they will follow through to see their task to the end.

[Kikuyoshi]

He took comfort in the scene surrounding him, centering himself in that rare calm moment in a way he'd never admit out loud to anyone. But all too soon it was ending. All too soon did a familiar scent reach his nose; one he was repulsed by and drawn to at the same time. Styx at that moment had no need to feed...but the open wounds on Fortune forced him to face the tempting smell.

He didn't realize right away that Fort meant for a fight....he figured the vamp had snuck out and was skulking around looking for his own prey. So when he lifted his gaze to face him, he calmly slid back the shades to his face and arched a brow before digging in his pocket. His hand stopped short however, fingertips just brushing against the plastic baggy of blood. He could sense the change in him without his annoying banter. A frown slowly crawled across X's lips but he didn't back away and didn't start to run.

"What are you blathering idiotically about now?" His cool voice spilled out louder than his earlier words which he had thought for his ears alone. He was almost convinced that lack of blood had made this vampire delirious...but he was fully aware of the dangerous glint in the other man's eyes. Delirious meant irrational actions could be had and the last thing he needed was to get messed up in some stupid mistake.

He more felt than saw the pull of darkness around him even under the dim glow of flowers around him, the soothing calm and cool of the element holding his center as his frown deepened when Fortune continued to advance. With a toss, he flung a red bag of blood at his feet. "Drink it." The command was simple but his tone of voice suggested he still thought that Fortune was out of his bloody mind. "...and shut up."

It wasn't until Fortune would pass a certain distance between them did Styx's muscles tense as if considering the possibility that this man was out to try to mess him up. His eyes never left his stalking figure though his hand reached silently behind himself, touching at the cool metal of his guns. His face was kept neutral and he was as silent as the grave, watching and waiting, his own aura slowly growing into something that would tease the senses, a subtle fear that promised a swift and silent death.

[Felypsa]

Damn the supernatural speed of the vampire. December almost made a wrong turn at one point; he almost lost her, and she would have never forgiven herself. Luckily, Imi put her back on the right track. All the same, by the time December reached the garden, she had no time to admire the beautiful flowers touched by moonlight. She had no time for such things.

She arrived just as Styx tossed the blood to Fortune. The tension between them was thick enough to choke on, and December nearly did. Her eyes darted between the two of them. There was no time to register her surprise that Fortune was staring at Styx like he was going to try to eat him. December knew enough that the mercenary was not the vampire’s natural prey. Why, then, did he seek him out?

“I don’t know what this is about, but you had better stop it,” she commanded, lifting her blade. She spoke to both men, having no idea if perhaps Styx had cut Fortune off. But from the looks of it, it seemed like her fellow mercenary had been minding his own business here, taking a private moment to do…whatever. December’s eyes flickered back to the vampire accusingly.

“Don’t do this,” she urged the vampire. Human prey was one thing, but Styx was a close colleague. “I know that this is an unusual situation, but please. We still need to make distance between ourselves and the Escavans.” The reason to keep the peace between them was weak, but December hoped that they both respected her enough to respect that.

Imi chattered in a way that was both nervous and angry, reflecting December’s own mood.

[Aveilthé]

Fortune's eyes were locked tight on Styx, disregarding the bag of blood which fell sickeningly onto the ground with a small splut. He took a step forward, his heavy boot falling on the bag, which tensed under his weight before violently exploding. Yet again, the vampire's leg became soaked with blood from unknown origins, further filthying his overall look. He took another step forward, sporting a rather monstrous grin softly lit up by the faint moonlight. Reasons to kill were left unsaid... did you really need to waste time in telling your victim why you wanted to kill him? However, he refused to let it end without these words; while alluring, were full of great animosity:

"Fous le camps et morte, merde embulante..."

Then, the mad vampire sprang swiftly toward the vampire-killer. He was unaware of December's arrival, currently being blind and deaf to all she said or did.

[Kikuyoshi]

His lips thinned as he pressed them together tightly when Fortune ignored the bag of blood and stepped on it, carelessly spilling the crimson liquid on the garden soil. It looked alien in the soft blue glow that was coming off of the surrounding plants.

It was like the bang from a gun to start a race, because after said bag was punctured, both men reacted instantly. Styx's mind as well was turned off of anything surrounding him right then, and December's presence was overlooked completely. Fortune spat something out in French as he charged, while nimble fingers drew out both guns in a flutter of thick leather coat.

One shot was fired, aimed for Fortune's knee while Styx's other arm drew upward and aimed to backhand him in the face directly with the butt of his gun, a low growl rumbling up from his throat yet he still didn't show off the fangs that were quickly growing longer behind his lips. It wasnt' the first time Styx had been attacked by "dinner"...but it was a surprise that Fortune had sought him out and was now confronting him.

What had changed?

It was then that his eyes caught sight of that unusual blonde braid and the sword that was lifted. Had they conspired against him? Miss or not with that punch, Styx would make a fine job at dodging out of arms reach as his body shrugged out of his jacket, the thing still landing heavy with blood packets. The effort was hardly there to dispose of the thing...it was the painful rip and tear of flesh and shirt that gave him pause, two giant black and bloody wings unfurling from his back; literally growing out of his shoulder blades.

He hated showing them; the rich raven color of each feather weighing on him and mocking him. But if needed to get out of here....away from December...he'd at least take this fight to the sky where only one of these two could follow. Until then, he stood with a silent scowl on his face, guns raised and waiting. An unusual dark angel in the middle of a now bloody flower patch within the center of an unfamiliar city.

Low cover indeed....

[Felypsa]

It was like neither of them even saw her. The bloodlust was thick in the air already, and there was nothing December could have done to prevent this fight.

December watched as time seemed to slow when Fortune stepped in the bag of blood, having it burst over the cobblestones and flowers. And then, time sped up, with the two of them leaping at each other. She winced as one of Styx’s pistols fired off, creating a loud bang that would surely have the city’s authorities running.

Imi had flown up ahead, steering clear of the fight, but December’s gaze was trained on them. She forced herself to stay calm, though her heart pounded in her chest. She had to throw her power against one of them to stop this fight, but which one? She wanted to stop it, not get into a complicated three-way battle.

There was a sudden tearing sound, and December’s gaze snapped over to Styx to behold his mighty wings. Her eyes narrowed and she knew she had to leap into action. Charging forward, she lifted Seraphim and brought it down…aiming for Fortune’s shoulder. She hated to attack from behind, but she really had no choice.

“Calm down!” she bellowed at him, but then swirled around to point her sword directly at Styx too. “You too. Just…let me sort this out.” She had a headache pounding at her temples. Swirling around, she pointed the sword back at the vampire. “You think Styx is your man, is that what this is about? Let me tell you something, Fortune. That demon can’t be trusted. I know he gave you all sorts of lovely promises, but he’s just using you. He will probably toss you out like so much garbage after he’s gotten what he wants.”

Her eyes flashed, the deep violet color dangerously dark. “I have never wanted to hurt or kill you, Fortune, but you always force my hand.”