That bitch, that bitch, that bitch...

This one, constant thought kept repeating itself over and over in Lucifer's head, running in a constant stream as he and his brother Asmodai made their way through the festival crowds. The two of them had arrived here at the Blancha town festival yesterday, their goal being to track down that gypsy con artist for their master, the esteemed Witch King Basileus. What better place for a con artist who sold fake potions and told fortunes than a festival?

But in Lucifer's case, his issue with the gypsy was a little more personal - he'd been sent by Master to go buy some quick potions, since Master had been too busy with his other duties as Witch King to make them himself... but they'd turned out to be fake. Lucifer had been boiling over with rage and indignation that he'd been conned so easily - by a mere mortal at that! - and even though Master hadn't been angry with him or disappointed with him, Lucifer still felt he'd failed him. How dare that bitch make a fool of him! How dare she smear his pride like that! How dare she make him disgrace himself!

When he found her, he wasn't going to go easy at all. Sure, Master had told him and Asmodai to bring her back alive... but it didn't mean he couldn't have some fun. Oh, she was going to regret conning him like that, she was...

A rather extreme reaction to such a small slight, but Lucifer had always been the more emotional and intense out of the two demon twins, and the one with the greatest pride and arrogance, too. At the heart of all this anger and fury, the very fact that Verusha had wounded his pride like that was what really infuriated Lucifer the most - his pride was everything.

"When we find that bitch, I'm going to rip her lying tongue out and eat it right in front of her!" Lucifer swore, as he and Asmodai slowly made their way around the different stalls and attractions, ignoring the looks this remark drew him, for Lucifer hadn't exactly been talking in whispers when he said that. "How dare she do that!"

"Calm down, would ya?" Asmodai sighed, rolling his eyes. "If you keep bursting out like that in public, the mortals are going to start getting worried, and we'll be found out. And if she is here, you'll end up alerting her, and she'll run. So keep calm, OK?" A vicious grin appeared on Asmodai's face. "Save all that wonderful anger for later, bottle it up to breaking point until we find her - then you can let it all explode out however you like. And we can have all the fun we like with her, so long as we bring her back alive to Master. Just think of all the fun we'll have."

Being identical twins, Lucifer and Asmodai were, well, identical. But the forms they'd taken on now weren't their real, demonic forms, but the forms of elves, elves with long, thick dark brown hair tied back in half ponytails, with unusually bright blue eyes. Hey, if they'd gone about in their real forms, they would've scared the hell out of the entire town populace and the girl would've gotten away. No can do. They dressed identically too, wearing bright green coats, with white ascots tucked into the dark green vest jackets they wore underneath and light beige trousers.

Personally, this elven form was their particular favourite, and they both thought it a rather fitting form to wear today, for it was different to the one Lucifer had assumed when he'd bought those fake potions from that con artist girl. Shapeshifting sure could be handy.

Asmodai's words worked like magic, and finally, Lucifer stopped clenching his fists. Grinning just as viciously back at Asmodai, he nodded his head vigorously, before linking his hand with Asmodai's. "Yeah... you're right, Asmo. You're absolutely right. What would I do without you? That gypsy girl can have all my anger - and more - for later. Who knows? Maybe after we've brought her back to Master, Master will let us play with her later as a reward?"

An extremely unlikely scenario, but hey, they could hope, right?

"That would be wonderful!"

"Right!"

"We'll play with her again and again and again, until we break her into bits!"

And without a care in the world, the two of them burst out into gleeful, savage laughter. Oh, yes, it would be fun...

(Here's Lucifer and Asmodai >3

I'll bring Basileus in later =3)

Dancing was one of her few hobbies that didn't involve scamming others. Sure, she still expected payment for her performances, but it was something she took enjoyment from, instead of just the thought of receiving gold from the act. It reminded her of her people...and with the reminder of her people, she remembered her mother. Gypsies were a tight-knit, exclusive people. They traveled this world, peddling trinkets and potions, and various items for modest prices for the sake of survival. They were performers, they were rumored to be promiscuous. So, it was not too unexpected to hear whispers of their "kind", nor was Verusha ever surprised at the various insults and slanders thrown at her from married women, from drunken men, nor any of the other mortal creatures prejudiced of her kind.

No.

Why be bitter when it was their money that lined her pockets? People bought necessities; she was skilled at convincing those same people the wares, items, charms, and other goods were necessities as well.

And speaking of bitter, the girl was never that. Be it a day such as this one, a day of festivities, with food, drink, good company, and other activities...or the common incident when she had been chased from towns with pitchforks and fire. People were just too sensitive... They could not see that she was only doing them a service and taking the gold from them before they purchased something more damning; like...alcohol or weapons to beat their wives. But that was her burden to bear, the general population just did not understand her motives at all.

Ah well, astfel este modul de viata.

The crowd that had gathered near was composed of several wealthy nobles; cheeks touched with red from the consumption of alcohol. The drunk with expansive coin purses were her favorite...and even more so when they were men. An enticing smile, a provocative swinging of her hips, and they literally threw fistfuls of gold at her feet. She was fortunate a group of minstrals had taken up playing various instruments nearby and provided her with music for her performance. Of course, they seemed far from pleased that her "exotic" movements were garnering more interest than their modest playing, but a wink with the addition of several conspiratorial smiles were more than enough to win them over. She would give them a share of her gold -- though, their share would likely be only a handful of gold and the rest of the bag lined with metal trinkets to make the bag appear more full.

The girl moved towards one of the especially wealthy members of the crowd observing her performance. She danced in a suggestive manner for him and was soon rewarded with a pouch of gold coins. With an appreciative wink, she crossed the area that served as her stage and performed several movements for a handful of the other men, receiving more and more gold by the minute. This day had definitely been a success. Especially if judging by the large bag she was throwing the various coins into, to keep her hands empty and her waist not weighed down by the precious metal.

The girl was attractive, despite her usually negatively connoted gypsy heritage; which, if anything, made her just as "exotic" as her movements. It made marketing her products all the more effective if she was easy on the eyes and it was something she was decidedly too aware of. All of her features were dark; hair, skin, and eyes. She tended to be taller than most females and her eyes an almond shape. No fashionably pale skin, no blonde curls, Verusha was dark, her hair black and pin straight. And she possessed a tireless energy about her, making her eyes lively and trustworthy.

Through the few hours she'd been at performing, her crowd only continued to grow, until it was obvious that the minstrals were becoming irritable. The music was less precise, the tempo slowing. Giving up on the two males, she bowed to her crowd, receiving several shouts of approval, while others muttered in disappointment for the abrupt end. She collected her belongings, slipping on her boots and tossing some of the excess of her jewelry in with the bag of gold. As previously decided, she bestowed a bag of "gold" to the minstrals and headed off through the crowds.

For the evening, she had a new place scoped out to perform readings from her crystal globe and so she slipped through and around the congregations of people, keeping her own belongings close to prevent being pick-pocketed.

She brushed a lock of nearly black hair from her face with a dark skinned hand, noticing a pair of elven twins from the corners of her also dark eyes. They were not paid much attention as Verusha continued on her way, toying with her earring in concentration to locate the area she had spied before. "Damn."


ooc;;
Verusha. ^-~

What with the great crowd that had gathered around Verusha as she danced, it hadn't taken long for either Lucifer or Asmodai to notice her. Curious, they had pressed forward, shoving their way through the crowd to see what all the commotion was about - and had seen Verusha. Lucifer had recognised immediately, and in a bout of rage, he would've charged forward to grab her and rip her apart right where she stood, if Asmodai hadn't put a restraining hand on his arm.

"Not now," the younger twin hissed. "Not in front of everybody. Didn't I tell you to keep a cool head? We'll wait until she's finished and then we'll follow her. All right?"

Lucifer was grinding his teeth in fury as he watched Verusha, dancing so brazenly and provocatively in front of everyone. For a moment, Asmodai thought he wouldn't listen and he would lose it. Luckily for Verusha, though, Lucifer did listen, and after a moment, he opened his fists, which had been closed tight just a minute ago. Nodding stiffly, still glaring at Verusha, he and Asmodai melted further back into the crowd, choosing a spot where they would be less easily seen, but where they could keep an eye on her.

When the dance had finally finished and Verusha had walked off, loaded with thrown gold, Lucifer and Asmodai - swapping devious, eager grins - slipped out of the crowd, splitting up and going off in different directions and vantage points from which to observe Verusha.

Asmodai would be the one to make the first move, seeing as Lucifer was a bit too hot-headed at the moment - with all that anger boiling away inside, he'd end up giving himself away. Ah, that older brother of his. So intense. So stubborn and proud. Lucifer certainly was a strong demon, but all too often, he let his emotions override his logic and calm, and he ended up being careless. And for all of his talk that as oldest, he was superior, the strongest twin, the dominant twin, in reality, Lucifer wasn't quite as competent as the calmer, cunning Asmodai. Not that Asmodai minded. So long as he was able to keep Lucifer in check and get his own ideas across subtly and things all went well, he was fine with this arrangement. Working together, they balanced well, and were a formidable team.

Making his way over to Verusha, Asmodai smiled beguilingly at her. "Hello there, milady. I couldn't help noticing you dance earlier. Most magnificent... and beautiful."

Grinning mischievously, Asmodai delved a hand into his coat pocket and with a quick flip of his thumb, flicked a gold coin into the air, catching it smartly. Raising his eyebrows suggestively at her, he asked, "What say to a drink?"

Ah, those damn minstrals. With broad smirks, they had taken up residence in the area she had cleverly filed away for later use. With a cheery wave, she had set off to find another location to perform readings. There was no point in becoming irritable about her change in luck, she would just be determined to find a better--

Her thoughts were interrupted by the elven male that had appeared before her. With a slight tilt of her head, she regarded him, expression never changing. She did not recognize him, obviously.

The girl could not help her eyebrow lifting in the slightest of manners when she was bestowed with the title of "m'lady"; a sign of respect, surely, but... it was one she was unaccustomed to. "Many thanks, my friend," came the gypsy's thick-accented reply.

Verusha watched his next actions with a guarded expression, her lips twitching slightly out of amusement in any case. She not oblivious, but she sensed nothing particularly off about this situation nor proposal. No, she'd likely receive the same proposition several times over through the rest of the festival. And the answer would always be the same.

"You mistake me, my friend," Verusha began with a grin, lifting her gloved hand to toy with one of her earrings. "Better luck awaits you there, no?" With her chin, she gestured to an establishment that boasted of a tavern and pub, but above that...a brothel. Her eyes never left the gold coin, but she lifted her gaze to his then, grin reflecting in her dark eyes.

She was not unopposed to private performances, but...she had a feeling this elven gentleman -- if he could be called as such, since he just propositioned an honest woman -- would not adhere to her rules for a personal dance. He very much appeared the type to not keep his hands to himself, a shame and pity, that.

"Not a problem," Asmodai was quick to reply, smiling at Verusha.

Keeping that smile on his face, he glanced in the direction Verusha had indicated. Ah, a brothel... Well, it was worth a try. If he'd been able to bring her back to some secluded spot or room, he and Lucifer would've had her, easy. When it came to kidnapping people, these two were experts.

Besides, it wasn't as if Verusha was ugly - in fact, she was quite exotic, a fine-looking woman, and if he'd managed to bring her to a room, well... Other less bloody activities would've been involved as well as Lucifer and Asmodai's usual violence. For Verusha had been right in her assessment that Asmodai was one not to keep his hands to himself. Lucifer was pretty much the same in that regard. After all, weren't demons known not just for their brutality, but their lustful natures?

Hmm... If they did manage to catch her, maybe the two of them could find a nice quiet spot for extra-special fun with her... It would be just the three of them.

Laughing lightly, Asmodai shook his head, thinking quickly. "You're the one who mistakes me, milady. I really do just want an honest drink with you. Really. It's on me."

Well, if seduction wasn't going to work, there was always the next step: get her drunk. Or if she was the type not to drink much - for Asmodai got the feeling she wasn't one to lose control of herself so easily - he could always slip something in her drink.

"Do I?" Her eyebrow lifted slightly higher this time, though her grin never wavered. As observed before, her pleasant mood was unshakable, even faced with the too eager elf. Besides, she was long accustomed to these sorts of propositions. And her portrayal of hersef did nothing to discourage these advances, so...she accepted this was her fault; a price for her good business.

Somehow, she doubted that Asmodai only sought a drink; there was something about the way he regarded her, beyond coy interest or sheer curiosity. On the other hand, she also doubted he would be snubbed easily either. He had already shaken away her first attempt to brush him aside, after all.

His assumption was correct, she was not one to lose control of herself and therefore did not partake in drinking liquor. For one, it was an expensive and sloppy habit to take up. For another, it put her at a disadvantage, for her greatest method of self defense was her sharp wit. And charisma. And modesty, no?

Verusha's gaze moved towards the establishment nearby when he continued his advances. She was unfamiliar with this town, and while typically a plus -- she hadn't the opportunity to suffer the wrath of any unreasonable townspeople -- this meant if anything turned sour, she was at a disadvantage.

Then again, she had been dancing for the better part of the morning and afternoon. Her feet ached and she had procured more gold than she had hoped for the entire day.

These conflicting thoughts did not last more than the time it took for her to bat her eyelashes.

"You would insist to draw me away from my business prospects?" She tsked in a playful manner, her speech obscured still by her accent. Shaking her head, she allowed her hand to return to her side. "No, my friend," with a less than apologetic smile, she turned to leave. A new area to perform readings would have to be located...and quickly. It was only a matter of hours before her prospective clients would disappear into the pub.

"Yes, you do," Asmodai responded, his own grin never wavering. And just as playfully, he added, "And I would, for a lovely lady like yourself."

When she refused him yet again, he didn't betray his annoyance with her - or that smile of hers. He kept smiling pleasantly, and heaved a slightly disappointed sigh, shaking his head as he watched her go. "Oh, dear..."

To be honest, he was tempted to simply grab her now and then disappear with her, miles away from this little town. After all, it was a handy power he and Lucifer had, which most demons had, actually, vanishing from one spot and reappearing in another. Sure, they were in a public place, but what could be the harm? None of the people there would be able to catch them fast enough.

But then again... this was Blancha, he reminded himself. Blancha, the capital of Luxia, one of the most - literally - magical kingdoms. Real seers, clairvoyants, mages, gifted, and many others born with natural powers just seemed to spring up everywhere here. The royal family itself was composed of powerful seers and mystics. If he and Lucifer made off with the girl in public, it was no certainty they wouldn't be followed straight to where they took her. Not to mention that hell demons like himself were greatly distrusted and reviled here, even more so than was usual. If he and Lucifer blew their cover, the two of them would be swarmed by a mob of mystics faster than you could say 'well damn'. It was all too dangerous.

Jeez... She just had to pick Blancha, didn't she?

What now? C'mon, think, think...

Then, as he watched her leave, his eyes caught sight of the bag of gold she had, and an idea popped into his head. Oh, Asmodai, you genius... Restraining himself from laughing aloud, Asmodai melted back into the crowd, searching for and finding Lucifer quickly.

With all the people and crowds moving about, it wasn't hard for them to snatch a small girl, and drag her into an alleyway, and there, with a quick snap of the neck, they killed her. She didn't even have an opportunity to scream. After explaining his plan quickly, Asmodai stripped off his clothes, handing them to his twin, before stripping the clothes - shabby, patchy and mostly brown - off the girl's body.

Closing his eyes, Asmodai concentrated, and in a few seconds, his elven form shifted, rippled and shrunk, until it had taken on the form of another young girl, about eleven twelve, one with short mousey hair. Quickly grabbing the dead girl's clothes, he pulled them on unceremoniously, straightening out the creases. "How do I look?"

"Harmless," Lucifer replied with a snicker, and Asmodai returned it.

"Excellent."

Swapping a devious grin with each other, Asmodai slipped back into the crowds, quickly spying Verusha again. Moving carefully and silently - not too quickly, or he'd give himself away - Asmodai homed in on Verusha, and in the blink of an eye, he darted out a hand for Verusha's bag to yank it from her grasp. Even in a child's body, Asmodai still retained his demonic strength - snapping the bag's straps or string wouldn't be hard for him.

The elf was attractive enough and his compliments certainly left their mark on her ego, however, and despite not being an especially paranoid individual, she was still convinced there was something off about the encounter.

But between the offers from attractive men and the appeal of gold that the townspeople were so prone and liable to part with, and at handfuls at a go, she felt her time was better spent peddling to these people, as opposed to spending time discussing the weather with the elf.

By the time she had located a position to sell readings of the future, she had long forgotten the exchange with the elf. Most of her bangles and jewelry that aided in her performing had been tucked away, no need to broadcast so loudly that she was a gypsy. With her gloved hand, she had produced a crystal globe from her pocket. It emanated a white light as she allowed it to slip over her fingertips and palm, these actions in a decidedly enticing -- and most likely practiced -- fashion.

As with her dancing, it was not long before she had gathered a prospective congregation of individuals that sought to exchange gold for details of their futures. The skeptics lingered on the outer ring of the crowd, eying her with suspicion and murmuring of her heritage, while the eager shoved fistfuls of gold into her open and free palm.

"You are a very lucky man, my friend," Verusha offered to the latest individual to offer payment. "By midsummer, you--" she paused in her speech, though this time...it wasn't for any dramatic effect. From the corner of her eyes, she had spotted movement, and accurately ascertained just what danger was soon to befall her gold.

"Ah, ah," the gypsy began, just as her hand darted outwards to seize the girl, though... the little whelp had somehow managed to rip the bag free. How by the gods? Brows drawing together in confusion and mild irritation, Verusha moved towards the girl, pocketing her crystal globe, and ignoring the shouts from the man she had deprived of his full reading.

"My friend, it is wrong to take things that do not belong to you." The girl began to move towards the street urchin, reaching for her or for the bag of coins.

Asmodai let out an exulted hiss of triumph as his hand grabbed a hold of the bag of gold, and bundling it under his right arm, he darted off into the crowds again, dodging Verusha's grabbing hand.

Keeping up the pace, Asmodai moved seemingly randomly through the crowd, though in reality, his direction was calculated, aiming for the secluded alleyway where Lucifer was now hidden and waiting - most eagerly.

So is conning people out of their money, Asmodai thought, but he wisely kept it to himself.

Instead, he shot a look over his shoulder, and sticking his tongue out at her, he spun away from her reaching hand, pushing and shoving people aside to get through, ignoring the startled 'oh's and angry curses.

"Just try and catch me, ya old bag!" Asmodai shouted rudely at her, as he darted down the alleyway where Lucifer was, pounding down it and around a couple of corners, until he came - as he knew he would - to a dead end. All that faced him was one great big brick wall. He pretended to curse, should Verusha be near, and he turned on his heel, glancing around, as if trying to search for another exit, clutching the bag tightly to his chest. "Damn..."

Meanwhile, Lucifer waited, standing on the other side of the wall, his muscles tensed and ready to leap atop the crates and barrels stacked up against the wall and vault over the top of it and onto the other side once Asmodai gave the signal. C'mon, c'mon, girly... Come and enter the lion's jaws. Oh, you'll be sorry you crossed me, you little whore.

Verusha could only let her mouth fall open in shock as the girl tore off through the crowd, with all of her earnings of this day and the previous one. Her expression settled into a scowl and she chased the pick-pocket.

While the girl was easily able to navigate through the various people and stalls, Verusha found it difficult to keep up with the small child. Had it not been for the fact the girl had a small fortune within that stolen bag of gold, she likely would have let the miserable creature keep it... but her pride and dignity would not allow for such a thing.

The insult caused her eyes to narrow and she quickened her pace, calling to various individuals to try to stop the thief. Most persons ignored the gypsy's shouts, while others half-heartedly attempted to stop the wretched street urchin. Not that Verusha entirely blamed them, had she witnessed this act, she would have done nothing to assist; let alone the beings that may or may not have had prejudice for not only her gypsy breed, or the beggar girl.

The gypsy slowed her pace when the alleyway was reached, eyes twinkling in amusement when she spotted the wall at the end of the alley. "It seems I am not the only one with good luck," Verusha murmured to herself with a smile. "Now my friend, I request you return that bag to me." She moved towards the girl, keeping position so that the whelp would not be able to dart past her, all earlier signs of irritation void from her face.

Asmodai, hearing Verusha's approaching footsteps, whirled around to stare at her, pretending to scowl.

Don't give yourself away, keep acting, keep pretending until the last second...

Cursing, Asmodai backed away, until his back bumped against the wall, and looked wildly around, as if he was still trying to search for some exit, as if he expected one to magically appear somewhere.

Closer, closer, c'mon, closer...

When Asmodai felt she was close enough, he shouted, "Fine! You want your stinking gold, take it!"

And he suddenly flung the big bag of gold, right at Verusha's face, gold coins showering all over the place as the bag came open.

Lucifer answered Asmodai signal words immediately, landing on top of the crates and barrels and vaulting straight over the wall, hands shooting out to grab Verusha. An utterly vicious, demonic grin twisted his handsome elven features, and he barely stopped himself from letting out a wild - and likely very loud - victory cry. She was his!

Verusha did not halt her advance, even after Asmodai was backed against the wall. Her smile only continued to widen and she held out her hand expectantly.

The grin, however, was wiped from her face as the bag of gold was chucked at her. Making to grab the bag before it would make contact with her jaw, she succeeded in only gripping the side of the bag, causing a great portion of the gold coins to litter the alleyway. With a scowl for the theif, Verusha made to collect some of her lost gold, at least before the girl scavenged some of the stray and fallen pieces, but was distracted by the distinct sense of movement from above.

Just as she jerked her gaze upwards, and towards the source of the disturbance, the sound of feet hitting the cobblestone caused her to release a startled cry. Confusion mingled with panic crossed her dark feaatures and she spied the elven male. She recognized him for the man that had approached her earlier, but... something had changed within his eyes; where he had been...curious and polite, this man was hellbent and clearly derranged.

The gypsy swung the bag of gold towards Lucifer, hoping that the heavy, metallic coins would come into contact with his jaw, the side of his face, or elsewhere..she wasn't too particular, so long as his grabbing hands would not reach her. Verusha attempted to move backwards and away from Lucifer, weighing her options with more than a little concern. She could try her luck scrambling over the wall herself...or she could sacrifice her gold and try a maneuver similar to the one the child pulled to dart around the demon.

Not trusting her luck and certainly not willing to part with her gold, Verusha attempted the final option open to her. "What is the meaning of this, my friend?" the gypsy opened by way of seeking reasoning from the elven male. "Are you so bitter from being snubbed?" Her lips twitched, despite the danger of the situation. While she was able to recognize a difference in this elf from the one previously, she...still suspected them to be one and the same. Rejection drove some individuals to the most bizarre of behaviors.

Asmodai's face broke out into a vicious, triumphant grin of his own, one that matched Lucifer's, as the older twin came leaping over the wall. All traces of nervousness or irritation were gone - just that grin remained.

"Peek-a-boo, sweetie," he whispered, his voice sweetly sinister as he watched the proceedings, as he witnessed Verusha's panic and confusion. Oh, the poor little lamb... How bewildered she was when she saw Lucifer, surely thinking it was him, Asmodai. What a lovely expression.

He couldn't help but tut, though, wincing a little as he saw the bag of cold collide straight with Lucifer's jaw, sending the other demon reeling against the wall, barely able to stop himself from falling right over. Cursing furiously, Lucifer spat out a mouthful of blood, along with one of his own teeth.

"You all right, Luce?" Asmodai asked mildly.

"No, I'm not all right!" Lucifer growled venomously, his glaring blue eyes fixed firmly on Verusha. If looks could maim, Verusha would've been writhing on the ground right at that moment, screaming in agony. "I won't be until we've got this bitch!"

Advancing menacingly on Verusha, Lucifer smirked contemptuously as he heard her query. "Friend? Hardly." Snickering, Lucifer went on, "Bitter? Hell yes. But not for the reason you think, sweetie. Hah!"

Lunging forward, Lucifer shot his hands out at her again, only this time, it wasn't to grab her - it was to shove her backwards. For right at that moment, Asmodai had disappeared - literally disappeared - from where he'd been standing by the wall, and reappeared right behind Verusha, arms outstretched to grab her should she stumble.

Typically, her pride would not allow for this repeated reference as "sweetie", but Verusha found she was in no place to protest. She allowed a flicker of annoyance to cross through her gaze, though confusion remained dominate.

The gypsy was satisfied when the gold did make contact with the elven male's jaw. It was likely not the greatest of actions to take, especially not after judging the elf's reaction and gauging his quick recovery. ...damnit.

Verusha stepped backwards and away from Lucifer's glare, keeping her feet steady and well placed, a talent born from her years of performace. An eyebrow lifted as she was then referred to as "bitch". It was becoming steadily apparent that this individual truly believed he had been slighted far more than just being snubbed... a false potion? A faulty map? She had a list of cons a fortnight long, but none of them...had ever made anyone quite this irate.

"Well, my friend," the gypsy replied, the phrase more of habit, than out of any endearment, "Whatever misfortune has come to you has little to do with me. And I do not make refunds." Her grin returned, perhaps not as full force as the previous ones, but it was teasing all the same.

Verusha was taken by surprise when he shoved her backwards, the few steps she was forced were shaky and uneven, but she managed not to stumble. Annoyance returned to her facial features and she regarded Lucifer with a slight scowl.

Well, Lucifer wasn't just anyone - he was a demon, and an arrogant one at that. Even the smallest of slights were enough to set off his volatile temper, and woe betide anyone who had to bear the brunt of that. Such victims' only hope was that Asmodai might calm Lucifer down - which was very unlikely, for Asmodai, despite being calmer, enjoyed torturing and slaughtering just as much as Lucifer. Another - more stronger - hope that was that their master, Basileus, might be near... but unfortunately for Verusha, that wasn't the case here.

Lucifer glared at Verusha, grinding his teeth in rage as he heard her teasing words, saw that teasing, mocking smile on her face. "Shut your mouth, you lying gypsy whore!"

His rage grew even more when she didn't simply fall over into Asmodai's arms - not that it was necessary. A few shaky steps backwards was enough for Asmodai. Smirking, he lunged forward, his arms reaching out to grab her from behind, that demonic strength still there. Giggling sweetly, he whispered into her ear, "Well, that's a pity isn't it, milady? You're going to have to make one whether you like it or not - Master demands it so."

Though his voice as sweet and calm as could be, something menacing lurked beneath those words, something far more sinister than Lucifer's blatant, explosive, in-your-face anger. This wasn't the voice of a girl, but a cold-blooded monster.