Demon Curse (2 person)

"For now, we go home." I said as I inspected the mark on my chest. I ran my thumb over it before starting to button up my shirt again. I kept my eyes off her, feeling in some parts triumphant, in some parts relieved. I had the service of a demon now, my plans would be hard pressed to fail.

"And where would that be?" I glanced around, finally paying attention to our surroundings, "Better yet, where are we?"

"This? Top floor of a warehouse owned by my grandfather. It's empty, and was unused. We have to go across the city to the mansion for now. Later, I'll go to my place." I shrugged and looked at the necklace a moment before pocketing it. "Any thing else I should know before we go?"

"Nothing, besides the fact that anything you ask, or anything I feel you may need, I will feel an obligation to grant, so be careful with any hasty commands." I crossed my arms over my chest, "Also, should you ever need me, simply think of the mark and call my name. But as for now, I will be leaving you. There are things I must do."

I nodded and offered her a smile. "Fair enough, take the time you need. And if you do show up at the mansion, take care not to be seen please. I will introduce you to the players in this game soon enough, but no need to cause a scandal already. That will come later I'm sure."

I nodded my head, "I must simply get to know the world I am in now if I am to properly assist you. It should not take long." I smiled, though there was no happiness to be seen in my expression, "Is there anything you specifically desire of me to complete before then?"

"Learn as much as you can. I'm sure the world has changed considerably in your absence." I pulled my phone out of my pocket and checked the time. "Take as much time as you need, the pieces wont be moving for some time yet." I slid my phone back into my pocket and then motioned with my head too the door.

I smirked, "pieces don't move on their own. A force a required for any such luck, and now you have me." I nodded my head low to act as a goodbye, "I will not be needing any doors, thank you." At my last words, my body seemed to be turning into a shimmering grey smoke that was quickly dissolving into the air as I made to leave.

((Sorry! Between midterms and family crisis I lost track of time. I am back though and will be posting regularly again!))

I whistled softly watching the smoke for a moment with an eyebrow cocked with interest. I shook my head, "The game grows ever more interesting..." I murmured before turning on a heel and advancing towards the door. From the door I went down two flights of stairs and then past workers until I reached my car. "My home tonight James. Family can wait till tomorrow." I told the driver who chuckled and held the door open for me.

Once he settled behind the wheel and we were off did he speak, "Did you accomplish what you wanted sir?"

A smile tug at my lips as I watched the city roll by out my window. "Tonight went better than expected." My eyes narrowed slightly and the smile took full form on my lips. "Much better."

((that's completely fine!))

The world had changed very much since I had last been in it, but in other ways, it was still very similar. Humans, despite their innovations, technologies, new ideas and knowledge, they never failed to prey upon the weak of their own species. Those in power would always be in power, and those in weakness would always mourn their own fated shortcomings. Not that I could complain; with humans being wrapped up in their own pathetic desires, it was easy to manipulate them to my own desires. It would be the same with Devon; he wanted more power, and I was in his service to supply it. It would entertain me for a while, but eventually I would leave his servitude, whether through him releasing me, or even his own death. Then I could return to achieving my own desires.
But... what did I desire now? Previously, it had been to rule the humans, but that did not end well on my part, and I loathed to do it again. What do I want?
I shook the question from my mind, already nearing where I knew Devon was. It was the earliest time in the morning, approximately 4am, when my body solidified, my feet landing onto soft carpet. I straightened, looking around at what must have been his home.

Devon:

I was awake, I was often waking up in the middle of the night. PTSD was a bitch, there was no help for it but time. The loss of sleep and a new found hatred of the fourth of July were prices for my service in the war. I stood in my bathroom of my penthouse apartment, sink running in front of me while I leaned over it, supporting my weight on my arms. My eyes were closed, and I was working on calming myself down. I was shirtless, only wearing a pair of thin cotton pants in a dark blue color. My torso, arms and face were shiny with sweat, though my face was also wet because I had just splashed water over it as well.

I had traded my now old-fashioned looking dress for something more suited for the modern age: a pair of red skinny jeans, a thin white shirt, and a black leather jacket. If anything, I gave props to the new fashion. I moved silently through the dark house, toward the sound of running water. Once I caught sight of Devon, I leaned against the door frame, observing him silently while he was unaware of my presence. I took particular note of the scars across his back, the tattoos, and his hunched demeanor.
I crossed my arms over my chest, tilting my head to the side, "So this is the night life of a soldier captured and tortured... I dare say I am impressed with your coping."

I visibly flinched at the suddenness of her voice. I hadn't been expecting it, and if I had a weapon nearby it would have been in my hands and either in the process of being thrown at her, or shooting her. Instead I flinched and stiffened, taking several deep breaths before I relaxed and smiled thinly turning to look at her. My chest was nearly as bad as my back and I just leaned heavily against the counter. "If you call this coping...I'm glad I can show that much. Remind me though to send you away before forth of july. I don't cope then." I took in her appearance and change of clothes. I gave a small nod at her choices, still not fully able to gather my thoughts correctly.

"Fortunately for you, I am here to help." I stepped forward, touching the place on his chest where my mark stood starkly in contrast to his fair skin. Though I could not take away memories or emotional pains without his request or permission, physical touch was a quick and easy way to calm both members under a contract. I was not entirely sure how it worked exactly, but I knew it would at least help him gather his thoughts a little easier.

I drew in a breath and seconds after she had a hand on my chest touching the mark, I had a hand on her wrist, ready to twist it and then subdue her. But as the calm washed over my hand relaxed and just rested on her wrist, holding it gently. With the calmness, my thoughts organized themselves and clarity rang in my head. "Thank you." I murmured, eyes searching her face. "What was it like? In the stone?"

I blinked in surprise, a frown gathering on my face. I looked down, thinking for a moment, "Well, it was very painful at first, since I was forced into a form that held no physical substance. I spent a very long time attempting to break the curse, but it is difficult to use any type of power when you are only a subconscious. After a while, all I felt was numbness. A bit like being in a dark and silent room, but... more intense. You lose yourself in the darkness." I abruptly stopped, looking away, my jawline set in anger, "But such things do not matter."

I moved back and sat on the counter, dropping my gaze to the ground. "I was in Afganistan with my unit, I was only a Pfc at the time. A private first class. Intel was that a weapons cache was supposed to be in a smaller city. We and two other units were to go, capture, and then destroy the cache. Intel was wrong, it wasn't a weapons cache...it was much more than that. Three units was too small of a force for the entire base we found. My unit took the brunt of the attack, doing our best to hold off the enemy while the other units got out. We held out for a day and a half before we were simply overwhelmed and forced to flee from our position." I drew in a slow uneven breath, flashbacks of the event going in front of my eyes. The building we got cornered in turned out to actually be the weapons storage. We had no way out, and out of the five of us left only myself and my captain could run and fight. Everyone else could only do one or the other."

I ran a hand over my face. "We decided that if we were going to die or be captured, we were going to take the weapons with us so no other soldiers would be harmed. We succeeded, but a mishap made the charges we had planted go off early. I was blown out of a window and fell to the sand two stories below. It was only after I got home that I learned everyone else had been found in the wreckage. But I was taken by the people we had been fighting against. I was nineteen. I spent a year and a half as their prisoner. Spending every day of it in a hole in the ground while they tortured me everyday. It was agony at first, then I felt nothing but numbness. A body can only endure so much pain before it feels nothing. But they always found new ways to bring out pain. When I was rescued I spent six months in a hospital recovering, and it was only a few months ago that I finally cleared therapy and was considered alright to be alone in society again." I shook my head. My hands gripped the edge of the counter hard, turning my fingers white with the strain. "I got the medal of honor. The highest award you can receive in the military. They even bumped up my rank. I was honorably discharged from the military at the rank of Second Lieutenant. An officer. But that doesn't help my dead men. Or stop the nightmares."

I forced aside the memories. "I know about losing yourself in the darkness." I slid slowly off the counter and moved past her, "Come on. I'll show you your room."

I did not move immediately, my gaze following him silently. I felt a sense of irony towards humans, that Devon could consider us similar in the darkness. While we both went through traumatizing experiences, I was a demon, and obviously was recovering more easily than he was. In addition, his darkness came because he was fighting for something he believed in. Mine came because I was a tyrant.
I straightened, moving to follow him, my footsteps soundless behind him and expression revealing nothing, "You do not have to give me a room." I spoke slow, my tone deliberately composed.

"You're right I don't. But waking up and finding you in my room will be its own heart attack. And the room is both for appearance sake, privacy, and well...who knows. Maybe you'll bring home things you want. Or people I suppose." I rolled my shoulders, just talking to fill in the void that was left after my lengthy explanation of my personal demons. "And I'm not doing it for your sake. I'm doing it because I want to."

I raised an eyebrow, "You're the first man I've met that wouldn't give their soul to have me in their room. But I do appreciate the gesture. You should not have to worry about me bringing anyone back; I prefer to not have too many distractions when I am working." My gaze wandered around the hallway as we walked, taking in the pristine quality of everything. I had yet to decide whether it was due to extreme cleanliness, or that he did not spend much time in his own home.

I glanced back at her and couldn't help but let my eyes flick down over her body. "Well...you aren't wrong...but I have tried to make it a habit to only bring those to my bed that I know. And I don't know you all that well. Perhaps given enough time..." I shrugged and faced forward again. My pent house was spotless, because I took effort to maintain it that way. I didn't have to work, my grandfathers money he had given me after I signed up for the military as well as the bonuses the military had given me let me do that much. So I had time to spare cleaning my own place. It was large, and state of the art, but I cared little for most of the possessions and pictures.

While I walked, I gestured towards the doorway to the kitchen and living room, as well as the spare bathroom. Each of the two bedrooms had its own bathroom, but I figured I should tell her anyway. I pointed out the study and hall closets before stopping outside the second bedroom. "Here is your room." I replied pushing open the door. I had hired someone to furnish the place for me, and so the bed was made and everything was set up for a guest to stay with me. "Bathroom is in the door on the left, walk in closet in the door on the right. Towels, soap, other odds and ends for toiletries are already in the bathroom."

"You should not expect to know me so intimately." I answered under my breath, low enough so he could not hear. I stepped inside the room, admiring the decor. It was not suited to my own personal tastes, but I appreciated the style and furniture. Glancing over my shoulder, I gave him a sideways smile, "Thank you for the room." Moving forward, I took a seat on the edge of the bed, leaning back on my hands as I crossed one knee over the other.
"Your home is very nice, but I must admit... I thought you would be a bit more flamboyant with your wealth."

"I was a soldier. I prefer simplicity and only using what I need. If it were up to me, this place would be much more spartan than it is." I put a hand on my shoulder and rolled that same shoulder to work out a small kink. "I try not to waste."
I watched her noting how comfortable she looked. "If you need nothing else I am going to try to get some more sleep."

I dipped my head in a single nod, my gaze focused intently on him, "Will you be needing any assistance from me with sleeping? I can guarantee no more nightmares for tonight."

I shook my head, "I will be fine..." It wasn't as reassuring as I had hoped to sound, but I met her eyes. "Good night my demon. I will see you tomorrow."