A Hellish Encounter (Kait)

Poppy

Well-Known Member
Inactive
Mar 18, 2015
3,930
The Duke has been to all the nice places in the world — the warm beaches of sunny Brazil, the snow white ski resorts of Alaska, the quaint Bohemian streets of Paris, the colorful metropolis of Tokyo, and the vast green plains of New Zealand, and those were just at the top of his head. He had seen the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Great Pyramid of Giza in its prime, the various Temples of Greece, the Roman Empire in its full power and decadent Versailles before the revolutionaries cut off Marie Antoinette's head.

He had never been to Manta Carlos, though.

Oh, he knew very well what it was. He took customers from every walk of life, but those who intentionally crossed his path were the sort that were invited and welcomed in Manta Carlos. He had always wondered, what was Manta Carlos? It was an institution, in an island in the Pacific, and somehow it thought it could pick the extraordinary people from the mundane. And the Duke quite liked extraordinary people.

He arrived on Friday evening, found lodging and decided to hang around at the beach on Saturday. He found a nice island-themed seafood restaurant next to one of its gorgeous beaches and decided to have lunch there. He chose a special terrace seat where he could take in the lovely sights.

And what lovely sights they were! Mages, werewolves, vampires, and psychics from all places walked the beaches by day, wearing appropriate skimpy beach clothing. He loved watching them all, from the tall, curvy women with nice, plump breasts to the handsome gentlemen with bodies like statues in Grecian antiquity.

The Duke switched his usual suits for something a little more casual — shades, sandals, a white, button up shirt with a decently thin fabric and jeans. He was having a nice grilled salmon and Greek salad for lunch, and he was on his second bottle of beer.

That was when he felt it.

It wasn't unusual to smell his own powers at work in places. He could barely walk down Hollywood without smelling his scent everywhere. But this was different. Raw. It wasn't through contracts. It smelled exactly like himself, but weaker, cut-off. But that wasn't possible. The only construct he made with his own powers was his current organic form.

Vacation mode turned off in his head. He was incredibly serious now. He might be a hedonist, but he was never irresponsible with how he used his powers. If something went wrong — and in the complete off-chance that it was his fault — he needed to eliminate it by any means necessary.

He stood up and walked to its direction, moving past the crowd. He located the source to a...

Half-demon abomination. It resembled his original form, in a way, and it smelled distinctly of him. He didn't have time to think, only to act. He grabbed its arm and forced it to look at him.

"What manner of creature are you? Answer your superior, minion."
 

Kait

Gay Idiot
Supporter
Godly Subscriber
Nov 22, 2014
3,715
Gender
amab Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Posting Status
Weekly
Come to the beach with us, they told her. It’ll be fun, they told her.

Chloe barely knew the other people in this group of high school students, but she wanted to make new friends. That’s why she accepted Kelly’s invitation to join her and her friends at the beach this weekend. From what little Chloe knew about Kelly, she seemed like an okay person. They both had unusual leg situations, which was what drew them to each other initially. Chloe had her weird legs, but Kelly had the lower body of an oversized snake. They sat together a few times during lunch periods.

Kelly’s friends were intolerable. One of them, for example, had this really nasally voice, and she kept disclosing details about her sex life without anyone asking. Gross details, such as this thing her boyfriend did with a set of dice which probably wasn’t good for his health. Chloe did not need that mental image in her life.

Another one of Kelly’s friends was a horrible gossip, constantly going on about things which were absolutely none of her business. She had this idea in her head that Chloe was a succubus, and she kept asking questions about her and Lochlann. When Chloe would dodge these questions, little miss exhibitionist would egg her on, implying that because she gave all these details about her own sex life, Chloe was obligated to share. Chloe respectfully disagreed. Then, on another occasion, she disrespectfully disagreed. They didn’t talk much after that.

She spent a significant portion of that afternoon either engaged in side conversations with Kelly or thumbing through a book about Scandinavian folk tales, ignoring the other girls entirely. Kelly had the capacity to be interesting, at least, but being near her friends was actual torture. Soon, she was silently plotting her escape.

Aha! She could get a drink from that restaurant over there! It had an open-air bar, and it wasn’t uncommon for beachgoers to just stop by for a drink. She told Kelly where she was going then slipped the hell away.

When she drew closer to the bar, she sensed someone. That was the only way she could describe it. It was an uncanny feeling. Chloe wasn’t in the market for uncanny feelings right now; she was wearing a two-piece swimsuit, against her better judgment, and the gaze of certain men at the beach was already making her uncomfortable. Uncanny sensations didn’t work well with that; now she was alone, and now she was really on edge. Maybe she should have asked Kelly to come along with her.

No, she told herself. I’m perfectly fine. This is a public place in broad daylight. It’s not like some guy’s gonna run up to me and –

Right before she got to the bar, some guy grabbed her arm. He asked her what manner of creature she was, called her a minion. She could sense him, in a way that transcended sight and sound and touch; this was the only reason she wasn’t currently breaking his arm. Chloe was curious, and arm-breaking had the tendency to end conversations.

Slowly, calmly, she turned to look at him. “That’s… a very good question,” she told him. “I wish I knew the answer, myself. Now, with all due respect, O great and powerful Superior One… who are you?” Her sarcastic tone betrayed a distinct lack of respect.

While she waited for an answer, she started to drain his strength. His hand on her arm’s bare skin was all she needed. Hopefully this would make him easier to deal with, if he got any bright ideas.
 

Poppy

Well-Known Member
Inactive
Mar 18, 2015
3,930
Mikhainon felt this lesser creature attempting to draw his strength, so he drew his hand and hissed. Impudent. She was weak. Did she not realize who she was addressing? If he wanted back talk from her kind, he might as well go back to Hell and walk among the damned.

He was pissed. His first instinct was to put her in her place. He'd send her back to Hell and have her work at the farthest reaches where she would be subject to whippings and below freezing temperatures for the next couple of millenniums.

But years of waking among humans sharpened Mikhainon's rational side. He began to process what she said. She didn't know. It made sense. If she did, she would be kneeling in complete awe and reverence for having been addressed by a Duke as important as him.

Rationalization came with understanding. Understanding came with confidence. He knew how to approach the situation now, even if he felt like gagging for treating a demon of her caliber with respect.

He closed his eyes, sighed, and completely altered his entire disposition. The All-Powerful Duke Mikhainon slid back into the charming devil, Gabriel Baltimore. He took a step back from her and smiled sheepishly, making a conscious effort not to keep exposing her to his aura.

"I'm sorry. I felt you and I thought you were something dangerous... no doubt you thought the same thing, no?" He leaned against the bar, crossing his arms.

"You can call me Gabriel. You have questions. I do, too. But I have a feeling neither of our answers would be appropriate for..." He tilted his head at the restaurant crowd. This place might be full of extraordinary creatures, but it was no guarantee that they would know about the demonic hierarchy. "Let's step outside for a bit. Don't worry, I won't lay a finger on your hair. I dare not to! You have the upper advantage."

If she caught his drift. He winked at her.

In truth, Chloe had barely gleaned the surface of his power, but he needed to let her know she was safe. He began walking to the exit knowing her curiosity would make her follow.
 

Kait

Gay Idiot
Supporter
Godly Subscriber
Nov 22, 2014
3,715
Gender
amab Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Posting Status
Weekly
The man pulled his hand back and hissed. He knew what she was doing to him, knew what she was capable of. This was not a good sign for her, if he meant her any harm. It also made her curious: how did he know?

Chloe watched him carefully.

Gabriel’s entire demeanor changed, body language and all. Chloe had the sense that this was an act, a sort of mask he was putting on to hide his true intentions. He was being economical with the truth, if not outright lying about something. But what, exactly? He certainly must have sensed her, somehow, and he was right; she felt his presence too. He must have known things about her that she didn’t.

But maybe he meant her harm. Maybe he could kill her in an instant, if she let her guard down. Maybe she was no threat to him at all. Maybe he was some sort of demon-hunter, or maybe a powerful demon. His earlier manhandling didn’t suggest that he had much respect for her,, and that he was familiar with her kind to some degree. Would this mean that she wasn’t actually a human?

Gabriel was right; Chloe had a lot of questions.

Chloe followed him. Gabriel was doing too good a job of controlling this situation. She felt like a fly descending into a pitcher plant. As much as she wanted to ask questions, she didn’t want to be alone with this man. She spoke just loud enough for him to hear. “We stay on the beach. Out of earshot, but in sight of other people.” Just in case he tried something stupid.

As soon as they got to an appropriate spot, she would start their conversation: "So. Why could we sense each other?"
 

Poppy

Well-Known Member
Inactive
Mar 18, 2015
3,930
Mortals were a cautious sort. They had no patience. The way Chloe moved was suspicious and mechanical, easy to arouse suspicion. The Duke, meanwhile, took on a more casual stance and waved at one of the girls that was staring at him and she looked away and blushed. Good.

He heard her question, all right. But he was stubborn enough that he'd make her wait for answers.

He pulled out his cigarette case in his pocket and lighted a stick. Regular. He liked the strong flavor and the nicotine. He offered Chloe one if she wanted.

"You have no idea who you're talking to, do you? You have no idea what you are and why you could do the things you do. It must've driven you crazy not knowing. Given your age, I'm guessing... you don't have a lot of peers and you've gotten very reclusive. Is that right?" He huffed some smoke and blew, grinning a little. "I know what you are. Do you? What do you know of yourself so far?"
 

Kait

Gay Idiot
Supporter
Godly Subscriber
Nov 22, 2014
3,715
Gender
amab Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Posting Status
Weekly
That was terribly unhelpful. Chloe looked disappointed. Her tail idly swiped at the sand, knocking some into the air. She declined the cigarette wordlessly. She didn’t look impressed with his ‘guess’ – he just described about half the student body of the Academy.

“I don’t know anything.” She said. “I remember growing up thinking I was a human with human parents, and I remember becoming this way about a year ago. My memories could be a lie, for all I know, but I have suspicions. For example, I suspect that you’re some sort of high-ranking demon, because of the way you were talking to me. If that’s true, that would mean I’m some sort of demon, too, or something similar enough for you to make that mistake.”

She was already used to the idea that she might be a demon, even if she didn’t spend a lot of time believing it.

She looked at the sand for a moment, thinking. “But… you’re not really telling me the truth. You don’t know exactly what I am, else you wouldn’t have asked. And I’m sure you have a good reason not to tell me your real name.” She shrugged apologetically. Who ever heard of a demon named Gabriel? That was an angel’s name.

Chloe was going to feel really stupid if he wasn’t some kind of demon. She based almost all of her guesses on that. “How am I doing so far?”
 

Poppy

Well-Known Member
Inactive
Mar 18, 2015
3,930
The Duke was amused. He was looking for answers, but how she reacted to his hook questions was very telling. She started to remind him of himself, which was odd and uncomfortable.

He took a step forward and took a huge huff of his cigarette, thinking of how much he needed to tell her to elicit his desired responses. He dropped the stick and stepped on it.

"I didn't lie when I told you I knew exactly what you are. In the course of history, there have been many documented happenings of supernatural creatures mating with humans and creating half-human half-creature offspring, creatures that exist in the middle. I'm sure you're well-aware of the Biblical story of Jesus. God entrusted Mary with his child, so he was both half God and half man. The Greeks also told many stories of deities like Zeus producing many demi-god children with mortals. It was commonplace, back in the day. Most creatures can't reproduce, so they turn to mortals for children."

A pause. "I hate to break it to you, but your mother wasn't exactly faithful to your... 'human' father, is it? You are a half-demon, but you are of a rare breed. You came from me."
 

Kait

Gay Idiot
Supporter
Godly Subscriber
Nov 22, 2014
3,715
Gender
amab Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Posting Status
Weekly
Chloe was quiet. She stared at Gabriel. Her tail froze in place mid-swing. For all her time spent thinking about what she might have been, she hadn’t even considered the possibility that she was half-demon. Or that her mother would… this was a lot to process. Her first reaction was disbelief. He was a demon, after all – he could still be lying. She didn’t know what angle he could be playing here, but she was sure that if she kept talking to him something might come up.

“So I… came from you,” she repeated, playing along. “But who are you? Other than my absentee father.”

Wasn’t it also possible that he was telling the truth? She’d met other people who claimed to be demons, or part-demon, but she couldn’t feel their presence the way she could feel this man’s presence. That had to mean something.
 

Poppy

Well-Known Member
Inactive
Mar 18, 2015
3,930
"I..." he started, dramatically, turning around to face the girl. He might as well be honest. She was close enough to the truth that she would be able to notice him being facetious. "...am a grand player in the demonic hierarchy, only a few titles below Satan. I am one of the strongest and most influential demons you will ever encounter. That is why you managed to feel my presence."

That was everything he could say, at least. He shouldn't bother stating specifics.

He began pacing. She had gotten all the answers she could get, but her ignorance left him still curious. He had never slept with humans with the purpose of reproduction, and he had never met anyone strong enough to bear his child — at least, he thought so. He gave her a once over, reaching out to place his pointing finger only a few inches from the girl's face. He could feel the vibrations of similar energies, even from this distance. He wondered, if in some degree, she felt it too.

"And that makes me curious as to how a creature like you would carry my powers. When I sensed you, I sensed my powers at work. The only creature I created with my own raw power is this organic form. I never intentionally made you. What are you? What created you? What purpose do you serve?"
 

Kait

Gay Idiot
Supporter
Godly Subscriber
Nov 22, 2014
3,715
Gender
amab Female
Pronouns
She/Her
Posting Status
Weekly
That was one hell of a pedigree she had, if ‘Gabriel’ was telling the truth. Only a few titles below Satan? That would make him a prince, or something. Maybe a baron. Or a daimyo? Hopefully not a daimyo; in that case, as his daughter, she’d have to spend all her time in the hell-shogun’s castle. The hell-shogun being Satan. Who was real, apparently. At this point she could just take that in stride. Earth-shattering revelations about the nature of reality were already starting to lose their oomph for her.

‘Gabriel’s’ confusion was lending some credit to his story. If he wanted to pull a fast one on her, he’d probably sound more confident than this. The realization was slowly dawning on her that, yes, she really was a demon, and yes, this man was probably her real father. Her mind buzzed with possible implications, making it harder for her to focus on this conversation.

Chloe could only shrug at him. “Like I said, I don’t know.” She took a step back so his pointing finger wasn’t as in-her face. “But you seem to think you’re my dad, so…” She trailed off. What made him so certain that she was his daughter, anyway? He said he knew exactly what she was, but then he would ask questions like this; maybe he was only pretending to be sure. “Did you ever know a woman named Diane White?”

Chloe’s mother kept her last name when she married, so she wouldn’t have to change her business cards. Her parents – the people who raised her, at least – thought they had a great sense of humor. Mr. Black and Mrs. White. It must have taken incredible restraint not to name her Chloe Gray.

She still missed them.
 
Forgot your password?