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[victormakesart]

It feels good to suit up. It feels better to get going on doing something constructive.

She straps her mask on over her face-- the one with the gas mask adjustment inside, because she doesn't really know what to expect, and it's better to be safe.

Her pack is on and fueled, and her leg braces aren't on, even though they make her feel better. She doesn't want to risk looking weak in front of potential assailants.

The kids are asleep, all except the baby and Jude. (One is reading a Particle Physics book under his blanket like Vic doesn't know it, and one is fussing like a howler monkey but Cole mutters a sleepy "I got it I got it" as Vic gives him a kiss on the cheek. I'll let you decide which is which.)

She PINs to Lorne's.

Comments

[slayers_desire]

For a moment it does seem that the Demon does see her. He gives her a wink. And then returns his attention to the other two demons, who are placing their prized possessions in the middle of the ritual area.

"All is ready..."

[victormakesart]

Having been found out, she bites her lip beneath her mask, wiggles her fingers in a meek hello. Crap. Crap crap crippity crap.

[slayers_desire]

The Demon smiles softly. He won't tell the other two, who are still oblivious to her presence, about Victor.

The ritual is simple enough, the possession are consumed by the Demon (by his stomach mouth) and the two demons get weaker. Visibly.

[victormakesart]

It's hard to watch. Hard to not go out there and help them, not to stop the ritual but to help them back to their home, lay them in bed, rest a hand on their forehead and care for them.

[slayers_desire]

The demons are drained, but they are still strong enough to collect their things and return to their home on their own. Spike will follow them to make sure no one picks a fight with the weakened duo.

"Might as well make yourself visible." The Demon in the ritual circle speaks.

[victormakesart]

Victor takes off her necklace, slips it into her pocket. This is usually the moment when she'd make a quip, but her mind's a blank. Thankfully, the mask (well) masks that a little. "Howdy," she says, a little deadpan, causal, not quite on-edge, but her body-language tells a different story. She's wary.

[slayers_desire]

"As long as this circle is in place, I can't do anything..." The Demon states. Crossing his arms, to mimic his crossed legs.

He is accurate in that... April tells Victor.

[victormakesart]

For a moment, she's tempted. She could use him, to heal Lorne, so she wavers. Is this her chance?

"What you do is weaken, and transfer the strength to another." It's not a question, but it is.

[slayers_desire]

"I take from one, give to another. Yes... But it is never permanent. Never lasts." The Demon answers.

[victormakesart]

"I can't, then," she says. Another thing that isn't a question.

[slayers_desire]

"You don't want a bandage... sorry kiddo, my powers are not that vast." The Demon scratches his belly, and his stomach-mouth smiles.

[victormakesart]

"Yes," she says. Feeling glum. Then: "Do you know what's causing cancer in demons?"

[slayers_desire]

"Not a what... a who. And no. I don't know who. And even if I did, I would need a fair exchange." The Demon replied.

[victormakesart]

"If you did, I'd give you a fair exchange."

[slayers_desire]

"You are a good kid. Tell you what, I will answer one question, to which I do know the answer, without a debt on your mind, body or soul."

[victormakesart]

"Thank you." But she doesn't know what to ask, since she doesn't know what he knows. And she knows that you have to ask careful questions. "What is the most useful information that you have for me, in regards to the sicknesses?"

[slayers_desire]

"The most useful information? You will not find the right path on your own, as much as you wish differently. It will take several eyes. Several vantage-points. Several different abilities."

[victormakesart]

"Your eyes?" she asks, lightly.

[slayers_desire]

"That is a second question..." The demon laughs.

[victormakesart]

"Can you tell me who I have to seek out, and I'll give you strength from my body?" Not that there's a whole lot of that to go around... but she's willing to give what she has.

[slayers_desire]

"That is not an equal exchange. Physical strength for physical strength. Mental knowledge for mental knowledge." The Demon replied.

"You could sacrifice for an answer... like the others, and come back again and again without learning your lesson. Or you could try to seek the answer on your own."

[victormakesart]

A soft, disappointed sound. "I can't; I'm willing to give of my body but not of my brain. But I appreciate your help so far."

Though, she's being polite. She's really disappointed that she has no concrete leads beyond, 'You need help.' That was not the useful information she was hoping for. But, it's free.

[slayers_desire]

"Sorry kiddo... but it is the nature of my species to only give limited aid... that way, people keep coming back to us. Feeding us. We are captive, but in control." The Demon shrugs softly.

[victormakesart]

"I get it. It's the way any dealer operates," she says, not without compassion. "I'd shake your hand, or give you a hug or something, but... I better be on my way."

[slayers_desire]

The Demon uncrosses his legs, to regain his footing in the middle of the ritual circle. "Try to stay out of trouble..."