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Fateful Meetings - Meeting the Maiden

The building was huge, well not huge but pretty large. Sam paused flicking light auburn hair over her shoulder as she does the multitude of braids she tends to keep it in click lightly as small charms of various types braided into each hit one another. Nodding slightly she eyed the map and headed off toward the apartment.

Upon first sight Sam wasn't particularly imposing she stood several inches shorter then most females. However a look of confidence graced her face today and the sunlight shown off of the silver piercings along each of her ears and the one in her nose. Entering the building she headed up the steps keeping an eye for who each tenant is before coming to a stop at a door.

Today she wears a loose shirt of some light airy material that laces up the front, a long coat covers the shirt and runs over a pair of worn jeans, from the jeans a pair of thick dark boots can be seen. Piercing catlike eyes peer over the door and the number upon it, pausing to run long fingers over the numbers she nods to herself in satisfaction. Her appearance is clean if somewhat eclectic or even exotic.

Doing a quick calculation out of habit she makes note of the quickest exit out of the building, below on the sidewalk a man and a woman wait for her. The man a tall quiet blond is reading a paper and successfully not bringing attention to himself while the female another blond appears to be getting sick in the nearby bushes; catching a glimpse of the two out of the window Sam sighs to herself and then finally knocks on the door.

The resident of the loft jerked awake. Blearily, she looked around and finally stared at the clock. "Huh," she slurred, tapping her fingers on the table. It was just after four in the afternoon- "Four in the afternoon!" Kyrie was up in the next second, straightening her jeans and layered shirts (a pink t-shirt under an aqua tank top, bright and childish colors that she really liked) and then her strict bob cut before dashing to the door and throwing it open.

She stared at the woman. "Uh, Sam, right," she said, fiddling with the keychains dangling from her jeans. "You're the one with the dagger. That Mr. Fauste recommended." (Sometimes he sent people her way for a reduction in the fees for the materials she provided.) "You wanted me to assess it?"

Kyrie Cross was very young for a resourcer, but she was good at what she did. Apparently being midway through her senior year of high school didn't upset her working hours at all; from what the casual observer could tell, she wasn't even much concerned with graduation yet. "Come in. Do you like tea?" She stepped back from the door and over to a small kitchenette area where hot water had been bubbling for a good while. The water got poured into a crystal teapot, and a small metal ball (probably full of tea leaves and herbs) joined it.

Rather innocently, she stared at Sam again. "Or would you prefer something stronger?"

Sam walked into the area glancing over the place as she did, she wondered some on what Mr. Faust was up to exactly Kyrie looked young; well not younger then she had been on her first treasure hunt but still young. "Ello there, an' glad ya could see me." She had come with somewhat sparkling recommendations so Sam was willing to give her a try, well sparkling when it came to her line of work.

"An' aye, I have the dagger. Old bugger too..." at the question of drink she thought of the two below and Gia puking her guts out. "Naw, for now I'll have tea, drinks are for when the job is done. So tea is fine."

"So ya live 'ere alone?" Sam was somewhat curious the girl looked...young as noted before and well young was good and all but most times there were parents or guardians about to muck around. She wasn't planning anything of course just a simple appraisal figure out who everyone is sort of thing but it was always good to know these things.

"Um, no problem," said Kyrie, quite uncertain as to what to say. No matter how many times she met a new customer, it never really got old. Each time was like the first time, which did get old, because she didn't like having butterflies in her tummy. "You can sit, i guess..." She sat in one of the dainty white chairs and stared at the darkening water in the tea pot.

She shrugged. "I have a brother, somewhere. My dad and his boyfriend live in Barton. Mr. Fauste keeps this place for me, because he likes to have me close," she explained, having no clue what that would sound like to an older person. "I would be in Durem anyway, but he didn't want my teachers at the dorms to think anything bad about me." With a pout, she continued, "I don't know why they would think bad things about me having a job, usually they encourage that sort of thing you know?"

When the tea looked sufficiently dark, she poured two cups full. "It's just black," she said apologetically. Mr. Fauste liked earl gray, but she didn't, so she kept some only for when he came over. "I have sugar, and cream, and milk, and lemon, and cinnamon if you like that sort of stuff, and powdered vanilla, and--"

It looked like she could go on for days with the list, not even thinking about the job.

Taking a nearby chair Sam flipped it around sitting on it backward, she quirked a brow at the information. Her eyes scanning over the area it seemed Kyrie was something special to this Mr. Faust, she wondered if it was more then business but well looking at the place she could almost bet it was. Wasn't her business though and the kid was young but she looked like she was right on the verge of being old enough that it wouldn't matter.

Nodding her thanks as she took the tea a small smile glimpsed on her face as she heard her listing off all she had. Waiting for her to pause for breath she interjected, "naw, black is fine. Thank ya."

She sighed slightly and from an inner pocket took out a package, "the dirk is in there along with a translation about it. Or rather a translation o' what I hope it is. Need it dated an well anythin' ya can tell me. Thing is enchanted as well if ya are familiar with such things."

She stopped listing the additives she kept handy and took the package almost reverently. "When do you want it back?" Curiously, she unwrapped it and looked at the blade; with an agility normally seen in the aged remnants of black societies or carnival sideshows, she flipped the dagger and caught it by the handle. "It has good balance," she mumbled, looking critically at the design of it before putting it back on top of the wrapping and looking at the piece of paper with Sam's translation on it.

"I can have it done by tomorrow evening, if I skip school," she said to herself, thoughtfully.

The dirk had a slender blade as such weapons tended to, despite it's apparent age the blade was still keened and would easily cut. It also didn't appear to have a bit of rust upon it or other signs of deterioration. When held there is a slightly warm feeling that shoots through the handle. The handle is ornate with the image of a serpent twisting and striking, the eyes of the serpent appear to be deep blue sapphire.

"It fits the description there...but well can't really know until I have it looked at."

Translation

Of the nine the third into creation was a dirk of exceptional beauty the image of the serpent sits upon the handle twisting as if to strike the bearer, the eyes of the serpent are blue. Enchantments against time and wear have been placed upon it and in addition the blade 'thinks' able to recreate scenes of places it has been upon request to the bearer.

Waiting for Kyrie to read the last Sam gestures to the page, "the thinking part...I took it to a psychic. Strange I know, but hold it and ask it something mentally about it's creation...or whatever you like. If it has been there you get a flash image...seriously." She put on her best straight face as she spoke, she didn't need to sound like a loon even if to her own ears that is what it sounded like. "Basically looking for a date, any sort of artist markings I might have missed and well anything else you can tell me about it."

She picked it up again and looked at the blade from all angles. "Okay," said Kyrie, ignoring the hot flash and her instinctual urge to drop the blade. "I don't think you're crazy."

Hello, she thought. Mr. Creepy Dirk Thing that I have to figure out for my job, how were you made? An image flashed into her mind and this time she almost did drop it. "I don't see any markings I know, but I can have it dated by tomorrow, if you want. I have friends at the university."

Sam quirked her brow watching the girl's reaction to the dirk, she was surprised actually the first time she had picked the thing up she had dropped it. Gia refused to go near it and Alex didn't want it in the same room he slept in, even though she had told him over and over again that it isn't going to get up and get him.

"Alright, I'll be back then. I'll likely need your help after that as well. Because I'm going to be looking for it's eight siblings." Sam gestured to the page as she spoke. Her thoughts continued to race as she considered the girl in front of her, she may be perfect for what was needed that is if she could stomach it and finish the job.

"Oh, okay," said Kyrie. Now she had to ask... Steeling herself, she put the dirk down and began to make piles of the wrapping and then the things she needed to keep. "What are you offering for payment, for me doing this?" She always hated this part with a new customer; with Mr. Fauste she could just go the usual and he would usually go yes of course miss cross and it would all be good because he always paid promptly.

Sam rested back watching the girl thoughtfully, "well I have an interestin' proposition if ya would be interested in it. The nine blades are just keys to somethin' bigger, I won't be needin' 'em after the job is done. So I propose a trade of sorts...your 'elp an' I'll give ya over da nine blades once the job is done." It felt right the girl was right for it, plus last she read Seere wasn't a horrid sort.

"Might even be some travellin' if ya would be interested in such a thing. An' I know ya may be lookin' for a bit more especially with all that..." From the same pocket she took the envelope a ruby appeared. A rather large ruby that you didn't often see, Sam really wasn't even sure where the thing had come from, but she was pretty sure it had been in that pyramid from a few years back. "You see, each blade needs someone to hold it when they are brought together, so it never hurts to have someone else along." She waited to see the girl's response, she might have the spark in her for it.

Kyrie fought the urge to smile. Yes, this was more than enough, but she wasn't about to say so; Mr. Fauste would yell (or worse, talk reasonably and softly, which she hated so) if she knew she had let someone underpay her again. "That will be good, especially if this is going to be a working arrangement," she said, trying to use her vocabulary. Somehow she didn't think Sam would take her seriously as a resourcer if she said omg yes please!

Rearranging the dirk and the paper again, she said, "I can have these back to you tomorrow or the day after, whenever you have time to pick it up."

Sam smiled slightly and nodded to the girl, yes it was going to work out perfectly she thought of course she likely would need a stiff drink or two of some kind. "I'm not stayin' far from 'ere just down the road in the Towne Hotel. Room 288, I'd like it back as soon as possible o' course. So when ya are done give me a ring an' I'll be over ta pick it up. I have two associates with me so if it isn't me that answers just ask for Sam." She offers a nod after speaking.

"Never did give a full introduction, Samual Marlin - an' yes 'tis a boys name but 'ad it my 'hole life an' done me well enough." She reached out to shake on the deal, she hadn't shared what was all needed for her quest with the others but sometimes such things were a sole person's need to shoulder.

She nodded. "Of course. I'll have it to you again tomorrow." With a more confident smile, she stood up to shake Sam's hand. "Kyrie Cross, but you knew that already, didn't you?" It looked like she was getting ready to show her guest out, but there was a large rattling from the outdoors balcony.

The girl hurried outside and came back in holding an armful of what looked like an overweight shag rug with a red ribbon tied around it. "This is my bunny, Ukagi-kun." She smiled and buried her face in its fur. "Isn't he adorable?"

Sam glanced over hearing the rattling and smiled slightly seeing the bunny, seeing Kyrie with the rabbit was almost too much but she had the plan set in motion in her mind. "He is adorable, and he looks well fed," Sam chuckled slightly. The girl was a strange mix of innocence and intelligence, if she had more time and wasn't on a hunt she might have allowed herself to grow friendly with her.

"Fond of rabbits then?" It was a somewhat idle question as Sam rested in the chair watching the two.

"I love bunnies," she said sweetly, sitting on one of the chairs with her bunny in her lap. "And Ukagi-kun is my most precious bunny ever. Dad keeps my other two and keeps Kres-daddy from skinning them and eating them!" She pouted. "I guess it's time for you to go, is it?" She felt almost sad at it. Sometimes it got really lonely.

Sam smiled and nodded, "if you need anything else for looking up information and resources let me know. I have transportation and a few contacts myself. Right now I better see to my cohorts and make sure they haven't gotten into too much trouble while I met with you. If your interested in the rest of the specifics of what is going on I'll see about talking over the other bits of information I came across as well."

Sam sighed and stood with a stretch as she did, glancing toward the door. Offering Kyrie another smile watching the girl with her rabbit.

"All right," she said, standing up to open the door for Sam. "I hope you have luck in finding the rest of the swords. I have a really good feeling that the dirk is exactly what you're looking for." Kyrie smiled. "Thank you for your patronage, ma'am."

"Thank ya as well, an' I'll see ya again soon." Sam nodded to Kyrie and then stepped out into the hall and started down the stairs. She felt a bit of a pang but then pushed it aside, outside she knew Alex and Gia were waiting or at least she hoped they were unless one of them had gotten arrested again.

It was set in motion now just to finish it.

Sam walked down the street with the look of some annoyance on her face. First the girl had taken off with her dagger and then she had to go and meet with an antique's dealer. She always had found them annoying on many levels they were basically in the same line of work as she was, but just attempted to pretend it was somehow more prestigious.

So you mean you stole this... Sam rolled her eyes at no one as she remembered the dealer and sighed in annoyance, taking a quick shot from a hip flask she felt herself growing more steady at least mentally. She had to get to the demon shop to finish what she had started; she wondered if Edward would know where his girl was if she asked, but considering her plans she was more hoping Edward wouldn't even be there.

Walking more quickly then was probably necessary she moved up toward the door of the shop, knocking on it as she did. Taking a moment to straighten her duster and shake out her multi braided hair she then settled to wait for it to be answered. Glancing up she took a look at the sun, it was about four past noon now, not a horrible time to do business she supposed.

He didn't bother to open it; Edward got it on his way past Sam, sparing nothing more than a harried glance and an "afternoon, madam" before hurrying onward. Unlike his partner, he didn't find it necessary to prove his omniscience. By the time they got to him, his summoners should already know that they couldn't hide a thing, not from him anyway.

"Welcome," was his only comment as he settled back into one of the archaic armchairs. Tae-yul knew that this light suited him, making him look more exotic and arrogant (as if that were possible, he thought). "Samual," he added, placing them on a first-name basis from the beginning. Of course; after all, if you couldn't trust your demon summoner, who could you trust? No one.


Sam shrugged slightly as Edward hurried past and entered the shop. Hearing her name she looked toward where Tae-Yul sat, Sam categorized him under 'pretty fella' rather quickly and smiled slightly stepping over toward him. "Aye, seems ya know who I am. And sure with the shop ya can figure out what I've come for." Sam pulled her jacket off and found a seat of her own, without being asked. They were chairs after all, there for sitting. Her eyes flickered over the various tomes and other supplies in the shops before turning back to rest them on Tae.

"Yes. Have you picked a demon?" He had no patience for idiots, and commenting on the obvious made Sam very close to the line between 'neutral' and 'waste of time'. Seems you know who I am indeed, thought the Asian man, without bothering to hide his currently sour mood in expression or tone of voice when he said, "As you're speaking to me, I assume you do. If not, leave."

Sam flickered her eyes over toward Tae a moment her own annoyance from earlier showing as well. Her lip twitched slightly and she rested back in the chair slowly forcing herself to relax. As it went she just ignored the parts that annoyed her, "I have chosen, a demon from the Lesser Key of Solomon. Seere to be specific." Her answer was short and to the point, she added 'jackass' in with 'pretty fella' to her mental categorizing.

"Let me see the contract," he demanded, holding one hand out towards her. It was a demon of the Goetia, which meant that there were specific protocols to be assigned to specific requests. "What is it you want from a Prince of Hell?" No one who wasn't of an equal intellectual level with him really needed anything more than a random monster, in his opinion. As even Edward fell far short...

She held out the contract to him, allowing him to take it still somewhat annoyed. She rested back some again once the paper was gone, "I need it to find eight hidden magical blades. So I can uncover what Nicolas Flamel hide away centuries ago." With his attitude she figured that he was a learned man, and she wasn't going to waste breath and pleasantries on someone of his personality. "The seal they created needs all the pieces together to open it, and I believe a touch of one of the Lesser Key demons as well."

So she wants the elixir of immortality, thought Tae-yul. Well, it was a noble goal; too noble, perhaps, but that was below his place to speculate on. Flapping the scrap of paper, he sighed. "And does the young Miss Cross know what you're doing?" Personally, he didn't care as long as she kept doing her work. "Or is she going to be your betrayed maiden?"

Sam quirked a brow slightly, yeah he was a bit annoying with the whole knowing thing but she had started to warm to it a bit which she was also starting to find annoying. "She's agreed to be a bearer but doesn't know the full extent. So yes the betrayed maiden." She crossed her arms slightly wondering if he would offer some sort of scolding over the whole thing, it would be something she was not in the mood for in the slightest.

And then he only had a few words for Sam as he stood up to collect the book he would need to describe this summoning. "Rabbit companion?" It seemed unnecessary to him; the full effect of his sneer was lost because his back was turned to Sam, but it was clear from his tone exactly how he felt.

Sam just shrugged and let him be hateful, she had a feeling that he sort of wallowed in it and possibly even enjoyed it or had just grown use to it. "She enjoys her pets," was her only comment on the subject. Her eyes glanced to the needed book as he held it, she hoped it wouldn't drag on too much longer and then pondered how easily it would be to get him and the antique's dealer she had dealt with earlier in the same room, amusingly enough she was fairly certain at least one of them would end up mauled.

He snickered. "The antique dealer," he told her, flicking open the book to the proper page immediately as he returned to his former seat.

Tae-yul stood once more, this time only long enough to pick up a piece of parchment and a ball-point pen. His own name he signed with the brush in sinuous, well-drawn Korean characters; then he passed the contract across to her. "Sign it," he ordered.

"Doubtless you know the sigil of Seere?" Without waiting for an answer, he continued in a tone that brooked no interruptions. Regardless, he drew the circle on the back of the contract with one hand and an old brush pen. "Draw it on the floor. Black ink, surrounded by sea salt only on the outer rim. Only on the outer rim. Wear the sign worked in iron or steel on your chest, shirt, whatever location pleases you but have it visible. Put four quartz crystals in the four directions, and burn sage while reading your incantation. Stand behind the southern stone and do this on a new moon..." Here he paused to check a calendar on the small table where a melted-down taper rested. "Which should be three nights from now."

Sam blinked slightly at that and then she realized that he had been reading her mind and wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it. She attempted to think of things that weren't of over importance for a while, and even considered thinking of porn or something else. After a moment she let the idea go and concentrated on the contract.

Giving the contract a looking over she read it before signing it. As he spoke what was needed she nodded faintly with several mental notes. "Thank you." She gave a sharp nod of the head, another pleasantry she supposed but it was what people tended to do.

Tae-yul rested his chin on his knuckles and stared at her for a moment before smirking and putting the contract away in a small drawer in the table and locking it up. He didn't even flick an eyelash at her thank you, just gestured with his free hand at the door. "I wish you luck," he said. It was always an ambiguous sentiment from the man; you never knew when he wanted you to have good luck or bad.

"Annyonghi kasayo." He waved Sam out the door. Doubtless, he thought as he straightened his chima, he would never see her again.

Sam was rather sure she didn't care for the man and was more then happy to be up and on her way out. The information needed securely tucked away, she was already planning as she went along. Her mind going over the various things that needed to be gathered and considering the best spot to start the entire thing.

She did however remember to wave her own farewell as she stepped out the door. Tugging her coat back on she moved along the sidewalk a determined and somewhat stubborn look on her face as she went.

Sam paused in front of the shop looking up at the small antique's place with an annoyed look she braced herself before stepping inside. She absolutely despised the man that owned the place, hopefully she thought to herself it would the strange little shop girl he kept on rather then himself today.

"Ah, the treasure hunter. Good day," a drawling nasally voice spoke to her from the direction of the counter. He had spoken treasure hunter with a tone of disdain in his voice. Pale skinned with small bits of wispy black hair combed over his forehead he looked like something repugnant and sickly, Sam supposed it was something that one would find in the bottom of a swamp or stagnant pond. When she had been thinking of the antiques dealer around Tae-Yul it had been this one, she was fairly greatful he didn't have the same apparent powers as the Daemonologist.

Deciding it best to ignore the man at least for now Sam moved over toward the shelves, from his spot behind the counter the dealer grew quiet usually she came to sell something to him not buy. After sending Alex to the occult shop for the needed items it came out that the place didn't have the seal of Seere in any form let along steel or iron. Luckily for herself and likely Alex also she remembered seeing such an item here in the antique shop; it had caught her eye as she had just set to planning her current course of action.

Reaching out she picked the fist sized symbol up out of what appeared to be some sort of junk box of strange and unusual items. Turning slightly she ran the edge of it over the corner of a shelf rubbing off years of aging. With a soft smile she looked down confirming it was indeed steel. Such a rare item she wondered if perhaps it once had been used for something similar to what she had planned. Walking up toward the counter she laid it down and looked to the dealer with an emotionless gaze, the quicker she got this done with the better.

"Interesting choice for one such as yourself, you have plans for this it of junk?" The man's nasally voice filled the air causing Sam to curl her nails as she attempted to keep her temper. It was none of his damn business what she wanted it for...but she also just wanted out and knew hitting him would not be good at all.

"I thought it was pretty and just couldn't live without it," there was fake sweetness in her voice, heavy and almost dangerous.

"Hrm, pretty...you do realize this is a symbol of a demon?" The antique dealer eyed Sam as he spoke.

"Oh really, it had incredibly interesting taste. So how much does that little bauble come to?" Sam's voice was still sweet though she imagined much more painful ways for this meeting to end.

The antique dealer's lip twitched and then he spoke, "elven ninety five." A short answer and never had a price been noted with such contempt.

Smiling pleasantly Sam took out her wallet and then a change purse being sure to pay the last bit in pennies as she watched the man's hand twitch slightly as she dropped each coin.

"Thank you so much, may you live in interesting times." Sam continued her smile, adding the old Chinese curse to the back of her thank you and then scooping up the symbol and heading toward the door with the feeling of the greasy little man's eyes boring holes into her back as she fled for the safety of the street.

The dirk had been ready to go for six days. Kyrie had cried herself to sleep in frustration several times over it; Ms. Marlin knew she would know the value of the dirk (which was astronomical) and her vanishing and not even calling (well, she couldn't; Dahlia had crushed her cell phone, too) would be so suspicious! She fingered the edging of the silk wrapping she had procured for the dirk nervously. Hopefully the woman would be... forgiving? No, she couldn't hope for forgiveness. After all, she had vanished.

With a deep breath, she tucked her sleeve edges under her gloves and knocked on the door. There was no question she deserved to be yelled at, especially after getting stuck at home with the dirk. At least she had all the knowledge her commissioner wanted and more, she thought sadly.

There were several long moments and then the door of the hotel room opened up, standing framed in the doorway wasn't Sam but instead a rather tall attractive blond male. He smiled a moment looking a bit unsure, "your not room service are you?" Alex's hair was somewhat mussed and he looked more then slightly confused.

After a moment his hazel eyes went back to Kyrie and he watched her for a long moment, "if you aren't room service...then who are you?"

"I-i'm not room service, n-no sir," she stammered, looking up at him through her bangs. "I'm K-kyr-Kyrie Cross. The researcher. I came to return the- um. The dirk. I'm sorry it's so late, only my uncle grounded me and made me stay at his apartment and broke my cell phone and I didn't have the number because it was back at my apartment and he wouldn't let me go back." Her face showed quite clearly how earnest she was, and how much she wanted him to believe her. "And I would have come here myself but I didn't get to leave to go anywhere but school and maybe just once I went to the convenience store but Dahlia just sits there sometimes and he didn't let me go out all week. I'm really, really, really sorry but you don't have to forgive me because I'm supposed to be more professional than this, right?"

Alex stared a moment the haziness finally clearing as he seemed to figure out what it all meant. "Oh the dirk, yes she has been waiting for that. Sam's in the back room... and well she hasn't been overly happy. She'll be glad your back though," he didn't add, back and didn't run off with the dagger. Stepping back he gestured toward the back room, the area within was rather large it was obvious that the suite of rooms they were using took up a good many rooms of the hotel about half of the current floor at least. The rooms however weren't empty equipment of a variety of kinds was sprawled out over the area, as were maps, and pictures.

The room that Alex had gestured her too had the door slightly cracked open. Sam was settled in at a desk looking over what appeared to be maps of some sort her piercing green eyes on the details. A mug sat by her and she took a drink from it occasionally. After he had gestured her in Alex hadn't moved from his spot near the door, sitting and waiting for the room service apparently.

She looked around for a moment, struck by all the stuff they had. Some of it was stuff she distinctly remembered Mr. Fauste asking for, but somehow she didn't think that it would be polite to begin bargaining for some of it just now. "Um, Ms. Marlin?" Kyrie took a deep, calming breath and knocked on the door before nudging it open a little more so Sam could see who it was.

(As if there could be any doubt; she didn't think that Sam had any companions of her age or particular vocal tone.)

"I'm so sorry it's late. There were... complications?" Yes, complications was a nice word. "So I couldn't... tell you I would be late, 'cause my cell phone..." got crushed "broke."

Sam looked up her eyes flickering over to Kyrie and she did in fact look rather surprised. She stood up in one swift motion and moved over toward Kyrie, "but you have the dirk with you now?" Her voice was flat but had an under tone of excitement. She had really expected to have to have Seere search the girl out and drag her back.

"Complications...and it's broken," her voice was dry at that and she eyed Kyrie," rolling her shoulders her eyes falling to the bundle that held the dirk seemed to calm her quickly. She would have been angry and upset but the relief she felt wasn't allowing it. "Hand the dirk over and tell me about it, have a drink." Sam gestured to a small fridge in the corner of the small office, the fridge was stocked with cans of various sodas, some teas, and bottled water.

She unwrapped the dirk and offered Sam the hilt; the silver-gray silk was tough for all its airiness, so she didn't worry about getting cut. "The carbon dating," she started, tucking her hands behind her back once she'd been relieved of the dirk. "said it's from the very, very early fifteenth century. Y-you said it might be part of a seal? So I had one of my friends look at it, and he said there's all kinds of charms on there." Nervously, she pulled a list of the spells (on pink cinnamon roll stationary) out of her backpack and held it out to Sam. "I had him write all of them down, too."

With a delicate cough, she added, "The metals are all of pure weight and the sapphires are real, too."

Listening to the information Sam sat down at her desk again looking thoughtful, "fifteenth century", her eyes then looked over some pages written in what appeared to be french just written in exquisite and rather intricate calligraphy. She frowned another moment going through several pages before glancing over to Kyrie again.

"It makes sense but it was somewhat unexpected. I had assumed all nine blades had been created by the same person. But with your findings and looking over what I know it seems that he did not create all the blades, but rather took several blades strengthened their enchantments and then used them with the seal. He had a schiavona according to one source, which is clearly a seventeenth century blade." Sam started looking over the papers again before reaching over and taking the paper with the enchantments written on it.

"The enchantments look correct for the blades in question..." she mumbled another moment to herself before resting back in her chair and then looking over to Kyrie again, "a very good if somewhat tardy job."

She bowed, sending her bunny-shaped backpack flopping over her head in her earnestness to make it clear just how sorry she was. "I really so, so, so sorry it's late, only I got grounded and my uncle and he made me stay at his apartment! He stomped on my cell phone and I didn't have your number because it was back at home and he wouldn't let me go get it because he told me that clearly my friends were bad influences on me so I shouldn't talk to them and I tried to tell him it was work and I really am sorry."

Sam sighed slightly and shook her head resting back, her eyes flickering up toward the windows. "It's alright, though something might have to be done about your Uncle if he keeps along with disrupting your work. Is he your legal guardian?" Her rather brilliant green eyes flickered back toward Kyrie after speaking.

Part of her did feel bad about the whole soul selling thing but the demon hadn't been all that horrible, not yet anyways. She still wasn't sure how she was going to break it to her; though she had a feeling Seere might do it on his own.

Her teeth clenched, although the customer couldn't see. She never frowned when the customer could see her; it was bad business. "Nothing has to be done about Dahlia. He's my uncle, he just stands in for Dad when I need parent signatures." Which made him one of her legal guardians, but she wasn't all up on that law, so she didn't know.

What Kyrie wasn't saying was she'd do her best to get whoever 'did something' about her uncle a severe, sudden-onset case of dead.

She glanced over and watched Kyrie's reaction, Sam didn't really care much about Kyrie's attachments or family but when they started screwing around with her deals that is when she started to get upset. "Alright then, it just seemed a bit strange then." She paused over the notes and then tucked them aside.

"Like I said you did a good job, the other blades will come your way as I get them."

A bunny popped into existence near Kyrie about that moment, a rather cute bunny. And then within the doorway a tall hansome figure appeared partially transparent it turned and looked down at Kyrie with a rather interested expression. "A very pretty maid you are," a strangely soothing voice spoke from the figure.

Rolling her eyes Sam glanced over at the door from the figure and then to Kyrie, "don't get too friendly, I'm trying to work. Kyrie, meet Seere. Seere Kyrie."

"Thank you," she said, glad to be forgiven.

Suddenly, bunny! Kyrie was instantly distracted, cooing and petting the fluffy white creature. She smoothed its long ears and giggled- quiet the whole time, minding her manners. "Thank you," she said again, completely guileless as she smiled up at Seere as if she couldn't tell he was a demon at all. "Is this your bunny, Mister?"

There was a slight flash in his eyes and a smile as Seere looked down at Kyrie, "oh no, he is yours now. As you are mine." The demon lounged slightly watching the girl's reaction with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

Sam glanced up, well there it was she knew that Seere would bring it up long before she would. Might as well get it out of the way she supposed. "Yes but we still have a job to finish." She then also glanced to Kyrie, and waited she knew the girl would likely freak out but hoped she wouldn't get too out of control. She after all needed her to be a bearer still.

She laughed, a nervous little sound like a windchime. Kyrie's grasp on the rabbit contracted momentarily before loosening. "I am... yours? I don't think so, mister." With a toss of her hair, she continued as confidently as she could, even though her stomach had dropped to her toes. "She made the deal with you, not me. Even I know that you can't involve outside parties in contracts if they're not related to the summoner by blood." By outside, she meant someone with no planar allegiance, something she believed she lacked.

Quietly, she put down the bunny. "I don't think this is a very funny joke," she said strongly.

Sam quirked a brow slightly, she herself had not actually known that but it had worked anyways, she looked over suspiciously at the demon.

Seere seemed much like a cat that had caught the mouse and was playing with it. Sam rolled her shoulders in annoyance she had a feeling that the demon was going to keep it up.

"Oh no not blood relation." Seere turned and looked down at Kyrie stepping out of the door frame so she could see his full form, a rather impressive sight to say the least. "But my 'little angel' there is much more to you then even you seem to realize."

Sam paused from her paperwork to glance over her own curiosity peaked.

She was glad she'd put the bunny down a foot or two away because her knees gave out. "...What?" If there was one thing she knew, it was that she wasn't special and didn't have any flashy lineage to show off with. "Obviously you're a demon," Kyrie said angrily, "since you're lying. God doesn't like liars."

Seere reached out to catch Kyrie as she fell, "oh little angel, god is one of the things I tend to not worry much about. You see we never got on terribly well in the first place." The demon tsked slightly and glanced over Kyrie, there was no leering or anything of the sort in fact to look at him while he did it, it was as if he was looking through or into her.

"And really if I were you, I would question why god has left you little angel. Don't fear though, I believe we can have a pleasant relationship."

Sam shook her head slightly, she wasn't quite getting the whole lineage thing either but if Kyrie was an angel or something and that's what made Seere happy so be it. "Angel...right."

The bunny bounced over to the two and poked it's cold little nose against Kyrie's hand.

"G-god hasn't left me," she snapped, straightening immediately as if Seere's touch had set her on fire. Quickly, she backed away from everyone else until her back bumped against the door. "Leave me alone!"

Of course, she barely made it halfway down the hall before her knees gave out again. It wouldn't have mattered even if she could stand; Kyrie was crying too hard to see.

Sam sighed and looked over toward Seere still resting in the doorway, "so you'll be able to go and get her when we need her again, correct?"

The demon stood a long moment looking the way that Kyrie had went and then turned picking up the now forgotten bunny. Holding the creature in his arms he pet it gently before looking to Sam. "Of course, and I think in time things will work out wonderfully." He smiled slightly but it wasn't really to Sam but more to himself.

And with that Seere turned and walked from the room still petting the little creature in his arms as he went. The rabbit seemed strangely comfortable in the demon's arms.

Deals with Devils

She ran down the hallway and stopped just before Sam's door. It would be just like that stupid demon to be standing just at the other side, probably with her Ukagi-kun in hand! That jerk! Kyrie glared at the numbers, imagining she was burning a hole straight through to Seere's head.

Then she kicked the door- once, twice, three times. If it was that nice blond man, she would be awfully sorry, but she didn't care. Her bunny rabbit was in there, and Kyrie wanted him back. "I know you're in there, stupid demon! Give me back my bunny!"

Gia was out of her drunken stupor for once and was sitting on a rather modernized computer a screen had been added to the wall of the main living room area so Sam and Alex could see what was going on. A map was on the screen and the lights in the living room were down enough so the other two could see it more easily. Hearing the kicking at the door all three turned with different expressions and exclamations.

Being able to just make out the shout from the hall Sam sighed, "Seere, doors for you. Try to not get her shouting too much we are attempting to work."

A misty figure materalized and smiled toward Sam offering her a courtly bow, "as you wish m'lady." From out of thin air a fluffy bunny appeared Ukagi-kun to be exact. Moving toward the door slowly he began to stand finally solid. An elegant well manicured hand reached toward the door and opened.

"Ah, my dear little angel, I wondered when you would grace us again with your presence." He holds Ukagi-kun in his arms petting the rabbit slowly, the rabbit appears unharmed and being tall he is sure however to hold it out of Kyrie's immediate reach.

"Don't call me that," she snapped, automatically reaching out for her bunny. Even standing on her tiptoes she could just barely brush the beloved white rabbit's fur with her fingertips. "Give me back Ukagi-kun! You stole him from me, you jerk, give him back!"

As if it hadn't been bad enough to find out someone had sold her soul to this stupid demon, she thought, the stupid demon had to steal her bunny and leave a stupid note with a stupid seal on it and then of course she had to come back for her bunny. Ukagi-kun was one of her best friends, after all; she redoubled her efforts to reach the bunny, angry tears gathering in the corner of her newly-black eyes. "Give him to me," she repeated vehemently. "He's mine!"

Seere reached out to guide her inside the door, "this way little angel, I have not harmed your rabbit but rather thought he could use some company when you did not return home."

Sam sighed glancing up, the screen on the wall showing satellite imagery of what appeared to be a small artic based village. "Just give her the rabbit," Sam looked over rather disgruntally.

"All in good time," was the demon's reply. Seere then looked to Kyrie, "I have not harmed your beloved Ukugi-kun, in fact you will see he is in good health. However, for his return you must do something for me."

Alex's attention was taken from the screen on the wall and looking over he frowned fidgeting somewhat uneasily. Gia for her part was attempting to ignore the whole thing.

Kyrie clenched her teeth to keep from yelling more, and rather than letting him touch her she hurried inside. "Give me my bunny," she demanded, holding out her hands for Ukagi-kun. "You left his ribbon there too, and I've been gone longer for school time, and anyway you have your own bunny so give my Ukagi-kun back!" Near the end of her statement, her voice escalated into near-hysteria.

"Please, please, please, give him back," she said, now crying unashamedly. It was lonely without Ukagi-kun hopping around while she did her work; she had tried it for exactly ten minutes before running down here and it showed in the way she really had to work to catch her breath.

Seere lowered the rabbit some so she could at least pet it if she liked, "you must calm yourself first little angel. I have a small job for you, and you'll perhaps find it somewhat enlightening for yourself as well." Seere smiled quite charmingly to Kyrie before continuing on, "as for the other bunny I'm afraid I would make a horrible caregiver for such one of the reasons she is in fact yours as well." The little black bunny with small white smudges appeared out of the nowhere as well so that Seere was then left cradling two rabbits. It was a strangely eerie scene.

"Now, are you ready to listen to what job I have for you?" Seere's voice was calm as he spoke to Kyrie, "once you finish this small errand for me your beloved Ukugi-kun and this little lady will both be left within your apartment."

Pausing Seere waited for some sort of response from Kyrie.

She took deep breaths, staring up at the bunnies in Seere's arms. Even if the guy holding them was a demon, she did really like rabbits, and the black one was so cute. And how could you really say no to someone with such a nice smile-

No, she berated herself as she dried her face on her sleeves. He was a demon, and evil, and all kinds of other nasty things Kyrie didn't want to think about. "Okay but you have to give me back my Ukagi-kun first," she told him all in one breath, patting her bunny's soft white fur with both hands. "Just let me hold him? Please?"

Seere seemed to think for a moment before lowering Ukugi-kun into Kyrie's arms, "there you go dear, now for the errand." Seere watched the girl's reaction a moment before continuing, "I need you to retrieve something, it is very simple for the cathedral here in town."

Seere scratched the little black bunny's ears a moment to give her a chance to take in the information, "on the right side of the catherdral, the third pew to the front there is a small book. It has been attached to the bottom of the pew. It is rather old and has a leather binding around it." Seere lowered his voice to keep the other three in the room from listening to what he said next. "I want you to get that book, and then I want you to read it."

"Now, you must listen a little more little angel. You cannot enter the church yourself, but I happen to know there is an altar boy. Rather old for the job actually, his name is Seth. He usually goes to the cathedral early on in the mornings. I believe you'll quite easily be able to persuade him to get the book for you."

With a soft, happy cry she knelt on the floor, cradling her rabbit in her arms and smoothing his ears back. The entire time Seere was talking, she continued to coo and croon to Ukagi-kun; apparently she was really fond of the bunny.

When the demon fell quiet, she said dutifully, "Right side of the cathedral, third pew to the front, small leather book. Get it and read it, but--"

Kyrie fell silent. "I can't... enter the church myself? Why not?" Her gaze moved from her bunny's paws to the demon's face, innocent and questioning. It wasn't like anything would change because she got her soul sold, right? God gave up His only son for sinners, not for the righteous, and she would definitely fit the role of the sinner if a demon had her soul... "And... How would I persuade him?" Why would she need to, really. "Couldn't I just ask him very nicely?"

Seere reached out and brushed her cheek lightly, "as you are now my little angel, 'God' as you would think of him will not have much to do with you. We really don't get along sometimes I'm afraid. And that includes entering churches." Smiling again his somewhat overconfident but hopefully soothing smile Seere then dropped his hand.

"As for the altar boy how you handle him is up to you. But not all hearts are as pure and without want as your own." Seere lowered himself to look at her more on eye level, "it is but a small task, and once you read the book, Anael. I think you will find the information more then a little useful to yourself and...reflective."

Kyrie didn't flinch away this time, but from the look on her face she wished Seere would just go away.

Well that just made no sense, but she didn't want to press the issue because she had a feeling she wouldn't like what she heard. (She would definitely test this inability to enter churches first, though. If she couldn't go to church, what would she do on Sundays?) "You know, my name is Kyrie," said Kyrie quite rudely. "Anael's my middle name. Stupid."

Alex actually winced hearing Kyrie, he was surprised as it is that the devil hadn't hurt her yet and from what he understood he was pretty sure that they could be pretty ruthless. From the creature's reaction he felt that it's seeming patience was more to do with manipulation then anything. Fidgetting slightly Sam reached over to stop him from getting up and possibly getting himself in the way and hurt.

Seere smiled faintly an almost all too sweet smile at the name calling, "dear little angel, you will find some names have been forgotten. And that others may suit you better then the one you have now. Now...off to find the book and take a read. It won't do you harm, just enlighten and I believe this translation is in English a bit archaic but I believe you will manage." Seere rested back and didn't move to take Ukugi-kun back from her allowing her to feel at least a small semblance to victory.

She definitely felt the sense of victory. As long as she got her bunny back, who cared if she read the stupid book or not? Seere would never know, not really. "Okay," she said, getting up while still hugging Ukagi-kun.

Seere smiled faintly watching her, "you may not want to take Ukagi-kun with you as although he is lovely is can be a distraction." Watching her he waited to see her reaction to the comment, learning her reactions would help to better utilize her as his minion. Moving his arms slightly he ended up holding the black and white bunny so he could lightly scratch it's ears.

"Remember though he'll be there first thing in the morning. And it is already late. Don't over sleep." His voice was thoughtful and yet not chiding. He could tell his new minion did not realize all he did for her. But such was the pain of one such as himself.

She gave him a look that could likely melt solid adamantine. It looked rather out of place on her face, but it didn't seem to be something she had formulated just to express her hatred of that idea. "Nuh-uh," she said, laying one protective hand over her bunny's ears. "If Ukagi-kun isn't home, I don't sleep at all." It was true. Her entire stay at Dahlia's had been horrible because her bunny had been left with her friend Kochanie.

Smiling some the Prince of Hell regarded her if it had come from any creature other then him it may have been a reassuring look. "Very well, I shall drop your other off as well." Seere ran his hand lightly over the black spotted bunnies ears as he spoke still wearing the smile. The bunny didn't seem bothered by the demon and sat contently at the petting.

"Run along then Little Angel, I shall remember your task even if you attempt to forget it." Seere intended to keep an eye on her as well, he had a suspicion that she would attempt to try the bindings against hallowed ground which should be somewhat amusing.
"Bye," she muttered, curling her arms around Ukagi-kun. First she would test that injunction-thing, then she might consider getting the book. Maybe. Kyrie wasn't quite sure.

As she stalked out, she directed a dagger-glare at Sam and rubbed her red-rimmed eyes. I hate you, she mouthed, though the expression in her eyes wasn't so much hatred as... Betrayal? Like a little girl who had done just as an adult had said, only to get lemons instead of apples. Then she left the hotel room.

[Preparing for the arctic]