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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 17:39:41 GMT -5
{Yeah if you could that would be nice, sorry if I'm spotty, I have a lot of reading to do}
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Oct 24, 2016 18:08:05 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 18:08:05 GMT -5
(Rain check, we're going to see someone's new kitten <3 )
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Oct 24, 2016 18:10:22 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2016 18:10:22 GMT -5
{No problem!}
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Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 18:21:37 GMT -5
The past week and a half had been something from a nightmare. It started when the two had set up camp and settled for the night. As always, Vex had made dinner from what she could find and what few ingredients she'd brought along, and Double had began working with the runes again. They'd been about to sleep, when a steel arrow took Vex away and the hunters had closed in. He'd had to leave the runes, the food, all of his supplies, and flee. The worst part, without Vex he had no contract. The hunters had been precise about their strike, as they'd left Double trapped in a human disguise with no way of changing shape to fight back. Two days ago, they'd chased him into the city. He wasn't entirely familiar with these sort of places, as he avoided them if he had the choice. It was too easy for someone in the crowd to be someone dangerous, too full of witnesses to use magic or change shape, and very expensive. He didn't have a real way of getting currency, mostly just cheap tricks to make people think he as paying for goods and services, but he couldn't even manage that now. It had been a few hours since he'd last heard the hunters' footsteps behind him. Frustrated and out of breath, Double retreated down a narrow walkway between multiple buildings. The air back here reeked of trash and something else repugnant he couldn't place. The area was unlit, and with the sun all but sunk over the horizon, it was dark back here. It wouldn't be the best hiding spot - he could tell by the amount of litter people frequented this place as a short cut or something - but he might be able to lose the hunters following this path or lingering here a bit longer. Shafer winced and yelped softly when he hit the ground just outside his apartment, the pain of impact shooting up through his calves and forcing him to his knees briefly. He cursed loudly and shoved to his feet before sprinting off down the street. He didn't really have to run, his brother wouldn't notice he was gone for a solid hour at least. But the adrenaline from the climb down was still pumping through him and he couldn't stop grinning as he pushed past people, still without a real destination. He didn't know why he ran every so often and aggravated his brother beyond belief, he was pretty alright with his life in the city. Subconsciously, he was aware that this was some sort of pathetic attempt to test Sasha's devotion to him. Discover exactly how much the man loved him, how long he'd look for him before he decided to leave the project. And of course, he'd caught Shafer every single time and hugged him until he couldn't breathe and that sort of love was like a drug to the teen. But it was only a matter of hours before Shafer grew paranoid of abandonment once more. So here he was, holding his brother's sweater tight around his body as he navigated his way through endless alleyways. But such inconspicuous travel came at a price and that was occasionally bumping into the shady people that were actually there for a reason other than bratty rebellion. After three close calls, he stumbled upon yet another likely drug dealer. Quite literally. He shuffled down a particularly gross alleyway and almost crashed and burned over some jerk who was damn near invisible in the low light. "Jesus, watch it!" The words were out before he could suppress them.
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Oct 24, 2016 19:44:37 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 19:44:37 GMT -5
(Alright, I'm back and starting replies now)
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Oct 24, 2016 20:14:58 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 20:14:58 GMT -5
Flying DuchmanShe didn't usually traverse caves on her own. There wasn't anything more dangerous, really. These caves had been used for all sorts of things, long ago. Refugees had taken shelter from the American soldiers here, and artifacts from the fights still remained abandoned, including live grenades, dud shells, and other dangerous things with the potential to cause harm. Any other day, she would have gone with a friend. But it had been a bad week. She just wanted to explore and forget the hazards. She held a crank-powered flashlight in one hand, recently wound up. Her other hand was free, helping to pull herself over ledges, moving up and down away from the light near the entrance. Within a few minutes, she was left in total darkness, the only light to guide her being the light in her hand. She wound the crank a few more times when the light flickered before proceeding. So far, there didn't seem to be any sign of anyone using this cave for a very long time. Long before the fighting. If there was anything dangerous in this cave it would be a natural gas pocket or something. She continued on, for maybe the better part of thirty minutes before somethings ahead caught her attention. She lifted the light a little higher, flinching when something reflected the light back into her eyes. She blinked a few times before going forward to where the reflections came from. She slowly approached, starting in confusion and awe at the glassy structure embedded in the rock. _ _ _ _______________________________ _ _ _ AceDouble didn't give much of a physical reaction to the collision, but he gave an irritated glare, examining the stranger who had run into him. Not one of the hunters, but still human, it appeared. Already he didn't seem like much, but no one else seemed to be around. Considering his situation, he might not have another chance where no one might see... He moved quickly, catching the younger male by the shoulder. He kept a firm grip, enough to be sure he couldn't wriggle free, but despite his strength he didn't attempt to do any damage. "You're going to run right into me and snap at me, then just run off? I don't think so." He said shortly, keeping his voice low to avoid any attention from people who might be within earshot. "We're going to have a little conversation, you and I."
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Oct 24, 2016 21:47:34 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 21:47:34 GMT -5
AceDouble didn't give much of a physical reaction to the collision, but he gave an irritated glare, examining the stranger who had run into him. Not one of the hunters, but still human, it appeared. Already he didn't seem like much, but no one else seemed to be around. Considering his situation, he might not have another chance where no one might see... He moved quickly, catching the younger male by the shoulder. He kept a firm grip, enough to be sure he couldn't wriggle free, but despite his strength he didn't attempt to do any damage. "You're going to run right into me and snap at me, then just run off? I don't think so." He said shortly, keeping his voice low to avoid any attention from people who might be within earshot. "We're going to have a little conversation, you and I." Shafer took a few large steps back until his back crashed into the opposite wall embarrassingly hard. His cheeks reddened at his own clumsiness and he averted his gaze from the other man for as long as possible before the anxiety building up in his chest forced him to look him over and deem how much of a threat he was, fight, flight, or freeze mechanisms on standby. He ended up not getting much of a choice in the end, as a hand was suddenly clamped down his shoulder with a scary amount of strength. He yelped loudly and squirmed away from whoever the hell this was. He didn't get anywhere. He whimpered pathetically as he listened, still absently twisting in his grip and finally lifting his hands to press against his chest, pushing weakly. "Hey, man, listen. I get it, I'm a brat and stuff, please let me go. Or at least don't hurt me. I'll be good, I promise. Oh myyy gosh, can you ease off my shoulder? What the hell do you want?" He worked himself up more and more with every rambled word.
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Oct 24, 2016 22:37:04 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 22:37:04 GMT -5
(Sorry, husband has me watching a show with him.)
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Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 22:42:06 GMT -5
Ahah it's all good. Which show?))
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Oct 24, 2016 22:56:17 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 22:56:17 GMT -5
Double considered his request a moment, but chose to ignore it. He couldn't afford the boy to get himself free and flee. If this was his one chance, he had to think of a way to lead him into a contract without just dropping the reality of magic on him. At least he had the time to drop a lure of some sort and try to guess what sort of contract he might ask for.
"Hush down." He hissed. "I'm not here for trouble, really, I'm looking to get myself out of a bit of trouble. Thing is, it's not exactly a one-man achievement. I'm looking for someone to fill the other half of the job. Pays well if you're interested." He paused before adding. "Anything you could want, really."
(The original Dragonball Series.)
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Oct 24, 2016 23:12:02 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 23:12:02 GMT -5
Shafer's jaw closed with an audible click when he was told to basically shut up, head ducking in reaction to the harsh words. He pulled his hand back and massaged the base of his jaw, as if that one little movement had really hurt that much. It took a few moments for the other man's words to register, and when the did, Shafer was too overwhelmed by the possibilities to be suspicious. His hand fell away from his face as he stood a little straighter and smiled anxiously, actually leaning into his grip now. "Could you pay my rent for the next year?" He tested playfully, as if he thought that request was already entirely outlandish.
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Oct 24, 2016 23:26:11 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 23:26:11 GMT -5
The request caught the demon off guard a moment and he released the boy's shoulder, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh. What sort of request was that? Something so trivial had never actually been asked of him. As soon as he collected himself, he cleared his throat.
"I can get rid of your rent for the next hundred years." He replied, still grinning out the corner of his mouth. "But if rent is all you want, then this shouldn't be an issue." Truthfully, the more imbalanced their contract was in the boy's favor, the more magic he could wield. He wouldn't be able to pull much from a contract if he only covered a year of their rent, but considering his situation, any contract was better than none.
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Oct 24, 2016 23:36:15 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 23:36:15 GMT -5
Shafer furrowed his brow when he was actually laughed at, an indignant huff falling from his lips. "Don't have to be a jerk about it..." He trailed off when his voice was easily drowned out by the man's, eyes growing wide and all but glowing with the implications. "Hundred years? You're joking, don't toy with me like this. My emotions are very delicate, I'm just an extremely precious person. Okay but this might not be totally crazy, I don't even know what you want me to do for all this money. Do you want me to kill people or something? Because like. I'm down, but I also have to ask my conscience if it's really worth it. Y'know?"
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Oct 24, 2016 23:43:55 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 23:43:55 GMT -5
"No, no, you don't need to do anything, really." Double replied. He was a bit suspicious that this had been so easy, but then again, if he was going to ask for something as simple as a payment covered, it wouldn't be hard to just set up a simple transition spell to make the rent return to their account whenever they paid it, or to just make the machines register the payments as covered since so many things were done digitally now. "All I ask is that you travel with me for the duration of our arrangement. It shouldn't be too long, a few weeks at most. Even if it takes longer, your end of the bargain will be settled as soon as our agreement is confirmed."
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Oct 24, 2016 23:51:11 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 24, 2016 23:51:11 GMT -5
"I don't have to do anything," Shafer repeated slowly and carefully, eyebrows raised and corner of his mouth quirked up in a condescending smirk. He was gradually convincing himself that this guy was just some deranged homeless man, talking to Shafer for kicks. "Travel with you, honey, you've got to at least buy me a drink or something first, how trusting do you think I am? I've seen Locked Up Abroad, I know how this sh-- plays out. You know what, for that I'll need something bigger--" the native totally wasn't taking this interaction seriously anymore, "--how about you have to be my servant for the rest of my life."
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Oct 24, 2016 23:58:25 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 24, 2016 23:58:25 GMT -5
"What's the drinking age in this era?" Double asked, a little surprised a shrimp like this would be allowed to drink. He also had questions about what what Abroad had been locked up, but that didn't like it would get him anywhere. His smile vanished, his expression creasing with irritation. There was no way he'd make a contract that would trap him somewhere longer than he wanted to be. He doubted the boy was being serious anymore, but if he wasn't, he needed to put a more advantageous timer on that contract.
"What would you say to a year?" He suggested.
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Oct 25, 2016 0:06:35 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 0:06:35 GMT -5
"Like nineteen or twenty one or thirty, I don't know, it's never been something I've taken into consideration." Shafer shrugged, expression painted with apathy towards that particular subject. Truth be told, he didn't even really drink. His brother never let him. However weed was for some reason totally different and just fine. Not that Shafer was complaining but he sometimes had to question that man. He watched the other man's expression diminish into something wholly unpleasant. Wow, he hit a nerve or something there. Interesting. "A year? My loving, willing, beautiful servant for a year... Yeah, sure, why not, crazy dude." He scoffed and folded his arms across his chest dubiously.
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Oct 25, 2016 0:17:54 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 0:17:54 GMT -5
(Quick I need Shafer's last name)
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Oct 25, 2016 0:20:42 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 0:20:42 GMT -5
York))
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Oct 25, 2016 0:29:08 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 0:29:08 GMT -5
(Thanks ;P)
Still not ideal, but with his lifespan a year would fly by in no time, especially if the hunters remained at large. Either way, he had a verbal agreement, now he needed a physical one. He moved his hand forward toward the boy once more, though this time, he stopped short of grabbing him. Under his sleeve, something similar to a tattoo began to emerge. The ink letters moved themselves smoothly down to his hand, dripping off the ends of his fingers and materializing into a physical contract. Whether the boy read it or not was on him.
He held the contract out to the boy. "By taking this from my hands, you seal our contract."
As the last of the words fell into place, the contract read:
I hereby pledge upon this binding contract one (1) year of servitude to you, Shafer York. Exceptions to this agreement include any order that may induce or prevent the harming of others through action or inaction. I maintain free will, and no order made may cause me to bring harm to myself through action or inaction. I am free to move about as I please, and allowed to retain my secrecy and privacy. In exchange, you will pledge loyalty unto me, and follow my lead until the last of my foes are slain. Upon no circumstance are you required to participate in my activities, but merely to follow. Should this contract be breached by you, Shafer York, the contract will end in the collection of your soul. Should this contract be breached by me, you shall be rendered immune to malice from me for twenty-four (24) hours and allowed to make a retreat.
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Oct 25, 2016 0:36:57 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 0:36:57 GMT -5
Shafer lifted a hand suddenly to signal a time out, collapsing back against the alley wall and grinning like he didn't quite believe what he was looking at. No, he was just going insane. He hoped he was going insane. There was absolutely no way. "There is absolutely no freaking way," he breathed, inhalations coming quicker and quicker until he was full out hyperventilating in the middle of some shifty alleyway in front of a guy who just produced an entirely life-changing contract out of bloody nowhere. Why did these things always have to happen to him? It took a full minute but he managed a quiet, "this is absolutely ridiculous," once he'd calmed down enough to speak. He leaned forward ever so slightly in order to read through whatever this man had just conjured up. Whatever. It wasn't like his life could get any more boring if he passed this by now. He reached forward and snatched the thing from the man.
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Oct 25, 2016 0:46:24 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 0:46:24 GMT -5
The demon gave a grin as the contract activated. Once the boy touched it, it vanished. He'd be able to call it forth any time he wanted to, though since that tended to be something dangerous, he decided to keep that little fact to himself. It the contract itself was destroyed, he'd take a pretty hard hit for it. That kind of magic could be dangerous when made unstable.
"Well, now that that's settled..." Double mumbled, looking back in the direction he'd come from. He still didn't pick up any sign of the hunters, but there was no doubt however they'd been tracking him before would sooner or later lead them back to him. At least this time he'd be ready. Not really fancying being recognized from a distance, he planned to make himself a little harder to find.
As he thought about it, his body began to change. He went from being fairly pale to quite tan, standing a few inches taller than before. Even his clothing changed, switching form dirty and tattered traditional clothing to something similar to what the boy was wearing, though differently colored to avoid being easily noticed. The shape of his face adjusted with his new form, showing sharper cheekbones and a crooked nose. That should throw them for a loop.
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Oct 25, 2016 0:59:50 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 0:59:50 GMT -5
That grin didn't make Shafer feel good. Or safe. "Whaaat the f---!" Shafer yelped out and managed to slide out from between this new guy and the wall in order to scramble a few paces towards the street. He didn't have any intentions of running away. That'd be stupid at this point. But he just needed some distance between them when he did freaky nonsense like that. "Okay, kiddo! A little warning next time. What even are you? And don't say demon, if you say demon, I'll be so pissed. Edgelord, I can see it in your eyes. You're gonna say demon. God!" He turned his back on the creature for a few seconds to physically collect himself. He was talking again before he'd even turned back. "Can we go see my brother for a second, I need to tell him that I'm running away with a goddamned demon. He's going to love this."
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Oct 25, 2016 1:17:03 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 1:17:03 GMT -5
"What other being covets contracts?" Double shrugged. He frowned when the boy started talking about going home. "No, we're not telling anywhere where we're going, and you're not going to tell anyone that I'm a demon." He snapped sharply. "I made that contract for magic and nothing more. The less people who know about us, the better." He paused. Should he bring up the hunters now? Perhaps a decent night of sleep and food would be good, and then he could worry about that mess in the morning.
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Oct 25, 2016 1:24:59 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 1:24:59 GMT -5
Shafer gave a choked sob when his worst fears were confirmed. He was hanging out with a demon for the next year. What kinda anime tween fangirl fantasy did he just stumble into. This totally wasn't his fault, that's just what he had to keep telling himself to get through this. He was impulsive and small and damaged and this was not his fault. "No, you don't get it. My brother's going to throw an absolute fit if he doesn't find me and if I'm gone for a whole year then he'll definitely stop looking. And then he won't want me back and then I won't have anyone. I can't be abandoned, demon, I just can't be." He was very close to hyperventilating again. He tried to think back to those relaxing tactics that one counsellor had taught him a few years ago but gave up almost immediately.
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Oct 25, 2016 1:36:56 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 1:36:56 GMT -5
"What? We're not going to be gone for a year. You're just going to disappear for a few weeks, at most. I'll settle my business before too much trouble occurs." Double replied. "Your year begins now, so this time next year, I'll be on my way and you won't hear from me again. We do need to attend to my side of the contract first, or there will be complication later down the line." He explained. "Now come on, we need to find a place to stay the night. Preferably somewhere with complimentary breakfast."
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Oct 25, 2016 1:44:29 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 1:44:29 GMT -5
"Oh," Shafer's hands dropped away from his chest as he stared unblinkingly at the demon, expression suddenly irritatingly blank. "I see... Uhh alright? Sure, yeah, okay. But if Sasha leaves me, I'm going to be very upset with you." As if there was anything he could do about his apparent impending anger. He shuffled closer to the demon, not looking to be very pleased. "Where to then? I'll just. Follow you, I guess. Gods and what is on my back? Those walls are not clean." He shrugged off his sweater and examined the fabric. Cringing, he frantically rubbed it off onto the cheap jeans he couldn't care less about. He wasn't about to lose his brother's sweater in all this.
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Oct 25, 2016 1:54:55 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 1:54:55 GMT -5
The demon paid little mind to the boy's words, eyes searching for any neon light that advertised a vacancy. He spotted a sign over a few buildings and started heading toward it. As they neared the building, he stopped following the road and started taking shortcuts. He paid little mind to their surroundings, other than listening for the hunters. Within a few minutes, they came to the door and Double headed inside. The clerk greeted him with a nod of the head, though Double didn't return the gesture. The clerk started to ask if he could help them, but Double made a hand movement, similar to the one he'd made when he'd made the contract. Rather than letters and parchment, a light flashed in front of the man's face. He paused a moment as a false memory played in his mind, one of Double requesting a room and paying for it. The man passed over a room key and Double began moving, waving for Shafer to follow quickly.
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Oct 25, 2016 2:02:43 GMT -5
Post by Ace on Oct 25, 2016 2:02:43 GMT -5
Shafer was going out of his mind, thoughts racing to the point where he couldn't even ramble because attempting to keep up with his head would drive him even more crazy. He didn't need anymore frustration, especially considering the fact that his new BFF wouldn't bloody answer him when he asked where he was leading him. inconsiderate, is what he was. Shafer braided his hair at some point on the journey and by the time they reached their apparent accommodations, he was tying the end neatly and giving his most inconspicuous smile to the clerk. Which probably looked very conspicuous. The only smart move he made was quickly chasing after the demon when he was beckoned. "Hey. Hey, demon. What did you just do?"
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Oct 25, 2016 2:10:41 GMT -5
Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Oct 25, 2016 2:10:41 GMT -5
Double scowled when the boy called him demon. "Lower your voice," He ordered. He waited until they reached the room, unlocking the door and checking the hall again to be certain no one had been watching them. As soon as the door was closed behind them, the demon gave a low hiss. "Don't ever call me demon! Are you trying to get me in trouble? Call me by a name and I'll answer, but call me demon and we're going to have a problem. As for what I did, I cast a spell. I made the man think we had a conversation in which I paid him for a room. Those sort of illusions only last a few minutes, so they need to be timed well, or they're a waste of energy."
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