Private Spa Day for a Sword

As with all demonic rituals there were extreme risks involved unless everything was carried out to exacting specifications. This particular ritual involved the usual symbols and carefully worded recitations. The offering typically required was... well it had already been taken care of theoretically. So at least she didn't have to worry about that part.

After a significant period of time working the ritual the first stage was completed. A link was created between the summoning circle drawn by Maddie and the overseers of Sharpe's kind. Usually a disembodied voice would go through a grand speech about foolish mortals meddling in things they do not understand and blah blah blah, and eventually get around to asking for what the summoner desired.

But laziness reigns, especially since payment had already been obtained and arrangements made. So mostly Maddie just got a "Oh, it's you. Yeah, yeah. Granting your heart's desire or whatever... now."

And with a metallic clap suddenly Sharpe was standing in the center of the circle. Long pointed legs poked right through the sheet. But not too far. "Oh shit, kiddo. Are we really doing this?" They quipped in a mix of surprise and growing sense of maniacal glee.

Sharpe shook their head. "Didn't people teach you not to play games with Sharpe objects? Someone might get stabbed if you're joking here."

They grinned toothily though, knowing this was the real deal- they'd been summoned straight from Frank's dingy dumpster of an apartment for this whole shindig. "Not sure why you chose to dress like a cult member, but fair enough. If you're not feeling hazed you probably fucked up making contact with the imps- we love that crap." Sharpe slowly spun in a circle to take a look at the ritual circle in all it's grandeur. "Yup, this looks about right. You sure you don't want to make a dramatic emotional speech about swearing eternal vengeance upon those who slew your family or claiming your birthright of world domination?"

Cackling, they finished turning to look back at Maddie and shrug. "Eh, i'll settle for you wanting to stick it to Frank and get a sweet upgrade at the same time. I have plenty of Sharpe bits if you need help bleeding- but you have to put blood and your hand on my grip and pick me up at the end of this little party."

With that Sharpe shifted into their sword form, with their legs the blade and their head the pommel. And fell over onto the sheet for her to handle as she pleased.

Despite the wrappings of the hilt the handle felt cold to the touch the first time Maddie picked Sharpe up. It felt slightly wrong and unsettling. But that faded as the blood soaked onto the handle. One by one hidden demonic runes deep within the steel blade began to glow, lighting it from within. The handle turned reddish like it had been plunged into a forge but it didn't burn her. Instead, the handle shortened and adjusted to better fit her grip.

There was a crackly, distorted hum in the air as the runes then faded and were replaced with a name in the demonic tongue. Even if she normally wouldn't have been able to read it she would have been able to make out the name: Tilvamed Kig'drog

And then just to ruin the moment entirely, Sharpe the sword suddenly went entirely limp and floppy like a useless plushy version of a sword. "... tada! Now you're stuck with me, kid."

Sharpe snickered loudly. "Feel free to hold me close for moral support but you'll probably bleed all over me."

Sharpe laughed at her but instantly and suddenly resumed proper steely posture again as she inspected the blade. "Whoa, whoa. Careful with the language now. Don't be name dropping me unless you want deadly force in-hand. Or you just need a pillow- I won't judge," they cautioned, but in their usual teasing way.

"I will tease you for that use though. Because come on."

After she set the sword down the runes spelling out Sharpe's True Name vanished again and they floated up in the air. Still in sword form though. "Oh, hell yes. I bet you even got the good stuff, too. I just got upgraded from back alley shiv to first class armory display piece in about... just kidding- I don't have a watch."

Sharpe just continued to float alongside Maddie as she finished cleaning up. When she was finally ready they floated back to her hands. No reason to make this difficult- it had been... a long time since proper care had been taken for their blade. A long time even before Frank's shitty existence had started including Sharpe.

Truthfully the oiling and polishing wouldn't really feel like much of anything by itself, but it would be more of a mental health kind of spa treatment. Sharpe was pleased, and it had barely even been any time at all since the ownership change. But of course they had to be impish. "Hey, it's a good thing it's just my blade that needs polishing. If someone saw you pouring oil on an imp we'd have some real problems," they laughed.


"Tell me, o' great new wielder of mine. How're you going to explain the tiresome little imp drifting around in your general vicinity? Or am I supposed to be keeping a low profile? A cutting edge stealth sword."