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Post by Lute on Aug 16, 2018 13:16:29 GMT -5
Lute floated over the tightly packed metropolis of East City, his arms crossed in front of his chest. The sky was filled with the sorrowful reds and oranges of dusk, the sky turning from bright azure to deep midnight. Below the entire grid of streets were illuminated in yellows and blues from the various street lamps and buildings. Ships descended in long lines from the heavens above, attempting to pack themselves into the tiered spaceport, one of the largest buildings protruding up on the horizon. East City was a bit different than the modern aged cities such as West City or North City. It had a lot of history, and it showed through the various pagodas, temples, and other historical sites. It was probably the most archaic city of them all on Earth, once rivaled by Central City. But, unfortunately for that place, it was now a quarantined crater after Lord Glacio wrecked his havoc. "You may want to don your disguise," Lute said to Kuueru. Floating down, he landed in an abandoned warehouse district, not to far from the quaint neighborhood Hachi called home. A stray orange tabby cat, which had been balancing along a nearby roof, stopped and looked at Lute, its ears slumping back. The fur on it's back raised up and it loosed a deep growl followed by a hiss, before leaping away. "I hate cats," Lute said and started walking down the sidewalk. There wasn't a lot of folks out and the traffic in this area was light. Few people bat an eye at the seven foot green skinned man. Namekians were uncommon, but not at all something to be alarmed about. Instead of following the crossing indicator's Lute stepped out into traffic. A hover car which had been about to make a right turn at the intersection slammed on its breaks, whooshing to a stop. The driver laid on the horn for a good ten seconds. Lute kept walking without even batting a glance. A second cat trotted out of an alleyway and started to follow them. Lute noticed it slinking between trash cans and lamp posts through the reflections on the store fronts and windows as he walked. It seemed to study the duo with intelligent golden eyes. Looking to Kuueru, he then glanced back and it was gone. Something strange about that cat. Where did it go?Finally after rounding the corner, they came to Tranquility, the tea-shop. The aroma of tea filled Lute's nostrils. It felt cozy, warm, and inviting. The door jingled as it opened and he stepped inside. An elderly couple sat at a table next to the door, and gave the Namekian a friendly smile as he entered. Another patron, a young lady in a pants suit sat at the table closet to the counter, sipping her steaming cup as she read news articles from a holo-tablet. She barely batted an eye at the newcomers. Whistling emerged from the back room as Hachi pushed through a beaded curtain and approached the counter. Most of his face was hidden behind the shadow of a bucket hat. "Lute," he said, not at all surprised to see the Namekian. "It's been awhile. Two years. I thought you died.""No," Lute said. "I have the book, as we agreed."Hachi waved his hand at that and leaned forward over the counter at Kuueru. "Who's your lovely lady friend here?""Kuueru," Lute said. He frowned with irritation that Hachi was paying attention to her and not him. The same black cat from before jumped up out of nowhere and landed on the counter, slinking with ease through the various jars of cookies, cakes, and napkin holders. It nudged Hachi's hand, forcing him to give pet. Both its golden eyes seemed to give Kuueru the once over, almost as if the cat were scoffing somehow.
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Post by Queen Kuueru on Aug 16, 2018 20:58:53 GMT -5
Kuueru weren’t used to such cities and metropolis filled to the brim with people and structure. The most she saw for interaction were two demons beating each other’s brains out to prove who was the strongest. The lesser demon’s had minds that were simple and focused, but those with age were move developed and complicated. It was almost as if they garnered more personality and independence. It had been a while since Kuueru killed mercilessly for no reason, but she wondered if she would begin again soon.
“Yeah, got it.” kuueru acknowledged the man, her body slowly shifting into the positive pink woman the demon found fitting. She dusted her tunic off, her eyes focusing on the green skin man as they began to walk around the city. Before Lute nearly got bisected by a hover-car, she tried to catch his attention. She only felt frustrated and dumb as the horn belted for a long while. She jogged to catch up to the Namekian, annoyance filling her expression.
“You idiot, you’re gonna blow my cover.” She were the only one really in a disguise on these streets. With the darkness of night she were able to not worry as much, but wearing her disguise was for the best. Kuueru clung to his hip from here on, watching out for lone cars or other modes of transportation. The demon was unfamiliar with the city as well, so she at least hopes Lute knew where he was.
He led her to a warehouse, and through many an alleyway. Stray cats and garbage littered the area. It was a city, to be sure. Before long, the pair were met by the aroma of leaves and tea filling the air. Kuueru couldn’t help but lick her lips and envy whatever someone was having. But soon, they were outside of the very tea shoppe she wished to visit. So this was Hachi’s? Perhaps she would get along great with the mortal?
They entered, the business was quant but seeming to be at least surviving. A few patrons lined the seats of the shop. Soon Hachi revealed himself, and Lute seemed as annoying as ever.
"Who's your lovely lady friend here?"
Kuueru’s gaze shifted towards the ground. The man seemed to care of her name, odd. Lute responded firmly, wanting to get to the point of his visit.
The demoness sat there awkwardly, watching as a black cat she witness earlier leapt upon the counter and affectionately marked her owner. She laughed, her dull purple eyes meeting the golden orbs of the feline. She couldn’t help but feel creeped out by the entire shop, as soon as she walked through the door it felt as if she were in another world. She shuttered, shaking off the energy before Hachi motioned the pair towards his room beyond the beaded curtain. They all filed into the room, even the black cat that strolled behind them.
They all took a seat on several of the lush couches that filled the room. It seemed to be Hachi’s magical lair, a den of sorts. She had dabbled in magic, but only could be curious about what more she could do with her powers. A sullen smile found itself upon her lips.
“Nice to meet you by the way.” Kuueru mumbled, shooting the man a slight wave.
She couldn’t wait for the pair to start talking about this book. Her mind were running wild with the possibilities that made it worth Lute spending 2 years in the demon realm. There could be great reward in this object, maybe the demon could get something out of it for herself?
The smell of incense and various herbs clouded her sinuses. The woman let out a large sneeze that she guarded with her forearm.
Lute WC: 629/7,112
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Post by Lute on Aug 17, 2018 17:46:56 GMT -5
Hachi slipped back through the beaded curtain and into his private quarters beyond. The first thing any person would notice upon entering this room was that was large. Eerily so, as it didn't make much sense compared to the dimensions of actual building they were in. It was much larger and wider, betraying the notion that the shop was actually on the Earth. The magic here was dense too, in a sort of artifical way. The power residing within the room would not be able to be accessed outside of it. It was very common for wizards to have their own sanctum, but typically they were tucked away and secluded, not in the center of a bustling city. Lute followed after. If Hachi ever wanted to make Tranquility disappear, there was no doubt he could do so in an instant. The store front was nothing more than a facade. The visitors were real though. To them they were inside of a normal store, not a powerful wizard's sanctum. In the shop portion of the sanctum, different teas in jars lined the shelves. Beautiful hand painted art adorned the walls. Whimsical music played. In Hachi's private den, must books and scrolls stuffed the shelves to the brim, which themselves were from floor to ceiling and wrapped around all four walls. Some volumes were so heavy that the wood of the shelves had bowed and warped. Strange magical trinkets and doodads hung from pegs and sat in cabinets. It was all very dense and archaic, not at all pleasant like the shop. He even had an apothecary stand. Several sticks of incense were alight, their smoke filling the den with a haze. Hachi lounged on the many couches in the center of the room. This was where Hachi met clients and taught people magic. Lute had sat here once, discussing the terms of their agreement. It was strange to think two years had passed since then. The entire time he spent hanging from a stone pillar in the Demon Realm seemed like a surreal dream. The only reminder and proof of it being real was Kuueru, whom he brought back with him. "The Book of Bibidi," Hachi said. "You may have spent two years searching for it in the Demon Realm. But, I've been after it for centuries."Lute held his hand up. Ghostly flames erupted from his palm and after they burnt out, he held onto a brass cylinder carved with runes. He tossed the object to Hachi. The wizard snatched it out of the air and plopped down onto the couch. Mere seconds later, the black cat with the ominous intelligent eyes leaped up and curled on his lap, purring. Hachi rolled the brass cylinder through his fingers and activated the spell. This was its condensed form, what Scatharian had used to hide it within his body. The full book unfurled page by page, section by section until it was a whole once more. Hachi flipped the vellum cover open and began to sort through the dense pages, both eyes flitting up and down as he gazed at scrawling texts and ominous diagrams. "Can you read it?" Lute asked. His voice was eager. "Not even a little bit," Hachi said and closed the book. Dust flew out of it when he did. Within the blink of an eye, it was gone. As though he had never held it. A whimsical but masterful trick. "But, per our agreement I will begin work right away on translating it." "How long?""Few weeks, a few months. Hard to say.""You have a few weeks," Lute said. Hachi shrugged. "So what next Lute? Going to kill some more people? Or have you decided to throw in the towel on the assassin life. I know you really want to push that god-killing thing to the extreme.""I have some business in mind. My next objective is finding the hidden city of Hollow."Hachi tapped his chin with his index finger. "I've heard of that place in whispers and rumors. But, it's pretty elusive. Any idea where you'll start?"He's heard of it. That affirms its existence, Lute thought, a smirk of triumph on his face. "A city in space need supplies, it can't sustain itself wholly. I will find those who have visited there and have them tell me," he responded. "I doubt it'll be that simple.""We'll see."Hachi clapped his hands, startling the sleepy-eyed black cat. It jumped down and glanced back at him with an irritated expression before disappearing among the den's clutter. The wizard's head shifted so he could gaze upon pink haired woman across from him. "What about your new friend here? Cuckoo was it?"Lute growled with irritation. "Her name is Kuueru."Kuueru, my apologies. I'm horrible with names and faces. Will you be joining Master Lute on his angst-ridden space escapades?"Lute shook his head. "No. I move faster alone. She can stay here on Earth. Maybe you can teach her some magic.""Whoa," Hachi said. "That wasn't in our agreement.""Keep in mind woman," Lute said and rested a palm Kuueru's shoulder. "Wizards are cunning creatures. Maybe if you offer him your talents, he will repay you with secrets and lore. I will come back for you once I've found Hollow. You best train the power I awakened for you and get better."The Namekian strode through the beaded curtain and was gone. Hachi yawned and stretched his arms back on the cushions. "The guy is so uptight and one pushy bastard. You're a demon right? Well, I can probably show you a thing or two about magic. It keeps me from being bored. It's a lot different here in the mortal realm though, less power going around. I have to translate the book. Also, I think you should explore a bit first. See the sights, enjoy yourself. This planet and others will be like a relaxing vacation compared to the cut-throat bloodbath of your dour home. Come back whenever. It's not like I'm going anywhere, I haven't for eight-hundred years."
Outside of Tranquility, Lute paused in his tracks. There was a ki signature close by, across the street to be exact. Sitting atop of a laundromat with his feet dangling over the side was Marte. It felt strange to look at his pupil, as he had grown a lot in the past two years. Lute glanced left and right to make sure no one was looking and vanished in a blur of motion. He appeared again on the roof behind Marte, back to him. Marte swung his legs away from the edge and stood. "You really trust that demon girl?"Lute stretched his arms as he thought for a moment. "She... saved my life in the Demon Realm. I trust her as much as I trust anyone.""So not at all?" Marte said and chuckled. "Where are we going next?""I'm headed to Junker Seven. I want to see if I can find some smugglers there that may have visited Hollow. You're going to head to Abbayor and check their archives there, see if there's anything to be learned.""Bummer. I hate Abbayor," Marte said. Before Lute could respond, the teen was gone.
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Post by Queen Kuueru on Aug 17, 2018 19:27:58 GMT -5
It was but a quick few steps until they entered Hachi’s backroom. It was vast, stretching on for miles on end for such a tiny shop. Kuueru immediately inhale a strong mystic presence in the run. It was pungent with all sorts of spells, both archaic and new. Her bright purple eyes took the sight in, noting the tremendous library the magician had at his disposal. Kuueru did study magic for a bit, but only in the means of trying to figure her way out of the demon realm as well as her disguise. Beyond that her knowledge limited, but her potential the chance to become something more than great. The demon’s lips curved into a smiled as her fingers ran over the couch she was soon seated on.
The room was decorated with multitudes of art projects, study halls, and even cauldrons for potion making. Alchemy was always a thing that interested Kuueru, she remember making test homunculi using makeshift ingredients and those foraged. Kuueru was always pretty resourceful when it came to getting out of a sticky situation. Luckily, she had came along when she did to find Lute, if not for her generosity he may still be chained to his fate.
“The Book of Bibidi” Kuueru’s gaze shot towards the pai, watching as Lute unviewed the true manifestation of the text. He tossed it to hachi who quietly cast a spell to unveil the pages upon pages that constructed this grimoire. She stood from her chair, walking towards the others before folding her arms under her chest. Her nose scrunched at the pure energy radiating off of the artifact he and the demon had collected. Hachi now was flipping through the pages and trying to figure and estimate of time to give the Namekian on translation.
Bibidi was a name that everyone knew, at least in the demon realm. To think that some weakling demon lord was holding onto such a trinket was insane. She imagined it would be beyond lock and key and tucked away in some sort of tall castle or tower. No, some wannabe was trouncing around with it in his body. Her brows furrowed, wondering why such weaklings were afford such an allowance of resources and power. Her and Lute could turn that into results, she had hoped that was what lute found on ‘Hallow’.
“Huh?” Kuueru whispered, her eyes rolling over the text, she was at least a few hundred more years older than the magician judging by his vitality yet. He could still joke, eventually even the oldest of immortals lost the will to live. Kuueru wondered when she too would be tired of existing on endlessly.
The demon walked around the room, snooping her nose into dusty tombs and eyeing the various things around the room. She ran into the alchemy stand, the various vials and jars labeled perfectly. They all were neatly tucked into a spot, it seemed that no spells were underway during the shop’s busy hours at least. Perhaps the magician put a lot of effort into his side hobbies when Lute and others weren’t bringing him giant tombs to decode.
She returned to the conversation to hear the new alias given to her by Hachi. Cuckoo. How amusing. The demoness rolled her eyes at the old looking man before waving a hand at him.
“W-What do you mean my talents? Do I look like some sort of street hooker?” Kuueru chuckled and shrugged the Namekian’s hands away from her shoulder.
“Oh, you think just cause you can penetrate my aura once, you can just touch me whenever?” The woman’s gaze narrowed and locked onto the Namekian. There was a distinct smile playing on her lips despite the disdain panging her words.
She turned her attention towards the wizard who offered a bit of friendly advice. She was sure he would be busy decoding the book, but who’s to say he couldn’t benefit the demon in the future. It was always better to have more allies than enemy. She would count on Hachi for that, even if she had to play the ‘friend’ role. She could assume the old man was not stupid though, he would know better than to trust a demon like herself.
“Yeah, I’m eager to try some of the more upscale restaurants here on Lute’s tab. He’s so generous.” Kuueru spoke now that the Namekian had made his dramatic exit through the same way they entered. She rolled her shoulders and shrugged towards Hachi before her eyes took in the entire room once more. She could only hope this man could also teach her a thing or two in the future after his ordeal of learning an archaic encoded demon language. She scoffed at the challenge, betting she could at least read a bit. It had been nearly 500 years since Dabura left and was defeated by humans. She was over 700 years old. Perhaps somewhere in her mind she could aid the magician in his endeavors.
“Be sure to notate the markings of runes in the text. They are the ones that look like circles with ‘X’s’ in their center.” Kuueru offered the magician a bit of helpful advice if he did not know so already.
“The stupid languages has to change all the time because a bunch of demons can’t get together and organize anything. It’s literal chaos.” Kuueru cracked a laugh from her lungs, it was an obvious joke that she assumed the man in the hat would get. He did, laughing alongside of her while adjusting the striped bucket hat upon his faded blond locks. He was a handsome man, she could only imagine what his younger body looked like. She felt a pang of lust fill her gut, but shrugged the thought amongst such a powerful wizard.
“I see, so you seem to know a bit about this---that makes sense...you being a demon and all.” Hachi admitted to the woman, his dull eyes heavy with bags from age and lack of sleep. She assumed so much caffeine over the years made for a bad sleep schedule. She indulge in many a thing, but could not admit to being addicted one thing like mortals their coffee, soda or food.
“Yeah, if you ever need any help translating, let me know. It was a long time ago, and Bibidi lived a while before me, and his son soon came after. But I imagine having two minds working may be more help than harm.” Kuueru stood, her eyes darting towards the cat who seemed to return from their hiding spot after the Namekian had left. It walked up to them, clearly avoiding the demon however. Kuueru protested with a face filled with disgust before she dug her hands into her hips.
“Oh? I didn’t take you for a woman of that age, your face is so young and full of vigor.” Kuueru felt her ego explode. Her cheeks flustered and soon the black cat seemed to find its way out to the front of the shop hastily. Perhaps it had to use the bathroom? Kuueru shrugged and pushed her frame towards the beaded wall that protected their conversation from the prying ears of customers.
“Flattering. Very, but--no need for that.” Kuueru retorted towards the man’s flirtatious comments. “I am over 750 years old.” Kuueru let out a sigh, she felt a bit of resentment for her past and what she could have done differently. If the woman was able to train her body, mind and spirit for the majority of her living life she would have been tremendously stronger. She felt the blood boil within her veins. With renewed ambitions she was ready to become a real threat towards the mortals.
For what reason? Well that was obvious, if anyone lay eyes on her demonish horns or forked tail it would sink in instantly. The woman was no mortal, she was not of this plane. She was an immigrant seeking refuge from something other than the simple minded chaos of the demons. She had lived too long, but there was something inside of her that separated her from the pack. She was able to withhold some of her instincts. There was many a time where Kuueru would hold herself back from engaging in combat, for the sake of not being troubled.
Some of the lower tier demons were simple minded fools. They lashed out that anything with movement, even their brethren and siblings. It was like some sick zooilogical experiment of putting a bunch of mutated lab rats in a box and shaking it wildly. They all attacked and thought later--if later ever came.
Kuueru paused, the tunic around her body flowing with a grace that seemed angelic for a moment. Her eyes flashed a deadly crimson as she finally made eye contact with the secretive magician. She was on her way out, but wanted to at least seek out a bit more advice from him while she had the floor. With a sweeping motion her body shifted and began to approach Hachi casually. The demon inhaled sharply and looked into his eyes. She looked for any malice, she looked for any green. Her eyes could seek out many a thing in a person's psych. Perhaps it was a little gift of the woman's.
“I will take up you on those little… ‘magic lessons.’ I feel there is more for me to learn. Power is great and all, but what else can I accomplish with this energy? Could I create a very storefront like this?” Kuueru declared, noting that the whole thing was quite the elaborate illusion. However, to any mere mortal they would not second guess the tea shop. They leisurely sat mere meters away as the two talked about mystical things their minds would bend from.
“Very well then, come by sometime after I’ve finished translating this book… or come before and help me.” The man winked, a stupid grin playing on his lips.
Kuueru chuckled and rested a hand upon the man’s shoulder. She was being sincere whens he took people up on favors like this. Yes, she could blow up a planet. But that mattered not when you could accomplish so much more utility. The demon’s eyes began to glow with excitement before she abruptly turned and began waltzing towards the door.
She shot the old looking man one more wave before making her way outside to the front of the tea shop. Most of the patrons had left since Hachi left the front unattended. Not that it mattered, it’s not as if he needed the money. She imagined such a magical master had more zeni than he knew what to do with. She chuckled but grew somewhat envious. While she like to use Lute’s funds to support her sins and leisures, she would rather spend her own funds and avoid the hassle.
The sun blinded the demon as she step back onto the city street on Earth. It was like she was blinded by the light and was in a different dimension all together. Hachi was someone she would need to keep her eye on, but Lute trusted him so she would too for the time being. She would return to a place for the night on the Namekian’s tab, she didn’t want to bother a new comrade like hachi for a bed for the night.
Lute WC: 1,899//9,011
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