[Nyxia]

The city looked the same as it always had, Jiayi noted as he strolled along the sidewalk. Farja had sent him back three days early, despite him having already patrolled the city two days ago. It seemed she and Reima had gotten a tip that someone was in possession of a powerful artifact, the claw of a greater demon, and was planning to summon the demon. It was possible that the demon had been summoned already, with the time wasted in making sure the tip was real. Now, despite the fact that he smiled pleasantly to several of the street vendors selling warm drinks and food on this lovely fall morning, he was careful to keep his eyes open.

Stopping long enough to pick up a cup of steaming coffee from a gentle faced woman, before continuing on his normal routes. Dawn would begin to break soon, which depending on what had been summon, might mean he had lost his prey for the day. To any of the other demon hunters, this would have been a disheartening realization. Jiayi however intended to continue as if nothing was wrong, he would stop into several shops and chat with their owners as he always did. That would might be how he found the one he sought out, besides he found no reason not to. As the sun slowly began to rise, Jiayi began his normal rounds starting with the bakery on Merchant Road.

[Atoli01]

{{Still have to make Hal's human form.}}

"Hal, please undo my dress."

"Mara! Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting now?"

"Like I could sit through those one of those things..."

Mara gritted her teeth as she turned around, back facing Hal. Oh, what she wouldn't do to never have to sit through something as torturous as that again. It was always the same result; she would storm out of the meeting, get scolded by her family, and then be welcomed back with open arms. Cue the repeat. Whether she liked it or not, so were the benefits given to those hailed as "brilliant". If it weren't for her studies, Mara would've been much more content to live in the mortal world, as opposed to living alongside people whom, for the past hundreds of years, had been competing in the same petty competitions of magic and attending the same pompous parties.

She sighed as she felt the dress, which Hal had successfully loosened, pool around her feet. Hal had seen her in her undergarments hundreds of times before; she didn't understand why everyone around her tried to insist on a female servant. "I'm going to go out today. Hm... tell everyone I went to the library if they ask," Mara told Hal as she slid one of her skirts up her legs. Hal looked away for good measure, but nodded in agreement. What in the world would he ever do with this girl, he wondered with an exasperated sigh.

"I'll be back later tonight!" the brunette stepped into her boots as she put her arms through her favorite brown jacket. And with that, she took off running down the hall, ignoring any strange looks or questioning glances she received. An elevator ride and a staircase or two later, she made her way out of the absolutely ridiculous hotel. She just wanted to return home. These meetings were always such a hassle.

Now, what to do...? She hadn't thought this out. She hadn't thought this out, but she was no longer in that stifling air, and she was alone, so it was okay. Mara walked down the busy streets, a spring in her step, as she stared at the multitude of high-end stores which lined either side.

Maybe she'd buy a new brooch for Hal... Jewelry wasn't necessarily her thing, but with that thought in mind, she stepped into an extravagantly decorated jewelry store. Green was his favorite color. Maybe emerald...

[Nyxia]

The morning had gone along quietly enough, and his route took him along to some of the nicer shops. He'd already gotten a second cup, though this one had warm mulberry and apple cider with honey in the cup. Checking in with each shop he passed, the pale jade necklace he worn giving off no sign of demon energy. The sunlight seemed to give off a soft welcoming light as he stepped out of the clothing store, "No, no. I am sure, there is no special woman I know who might enjoy that dress." He had one hand up trying to keep from buying a dress the woman insisted would make his beloved look amazing, the main problem being he didn't have a beloved. A narrow escape was had when the woman gave him a confused look, then went back inside to put the dress on its rack.

Izscak would have died laughing had he come back with a dress, and offered it to either Farja or Hima. Something Jiayi would probably never live down if it had come to that, and a thought he chuckled at himself as he headed on. His next stop wasn't one he considered pleasant, seeing as he and the owner of the lovely place never seemed happy to see him. While Jiayi didn't think the man would have something as powerful as the demon claw, he would still check in on the shop. Had he thought a little ahead, Jiayi would have stopped and asked the lovely Miklha to accompany him in. Unfortunately it seemed he would have to brave this one alone as he placed his cup in one of the garbage collectors next to the shop's front door. Entering the shop Jiayi browsed a couple of the jewelry counters as he took note of the only other customer in the store.

[Atoli01]

Maybe this one... Or this one? Mara stood in the corner of the store where all their finest brooches were laid out for sale. Money wasn't a problem for her, considering her lineage and current familial conditions; rather, she was more concerned with which one Hal would enjoy more. Hal, being both her servant and her childhood friend (not taking into account the peculiar situation the pair had found themselves in due to his rather otherwordly diet), would certainly thank her and praise her no matter which brooch she chose. She wanted to choose one that she knew he'd love. One that he'd gladly sport to social conventions and truly adore. Even if Mara had initially wanted nothing to do with him, those feelings had changed into ones of fondness.

So, there Mara stood, finger gently tapping the glass case beneath them, trying to decide whether one with a brilliantly carved emerald and gold lion trim would be best, or if the silver would suit his tastes more. Gold seemed a little bit gaudy for him, she concluded. Then perhaps the silver would be the best...?

[Nyxia]

As he browsed the huge display of rings, mostly women's, Jiayi saw the clerk hustling to him. Now Jiayi had dressed well for a man who didn't come from money, though his current employment afforded him a silver silk coat which was currently in fashion. It was clear though that the man had been warned about Jiayi, who was a whole lot more reasonable than Izscak tended to be, he didn't look happy as he approached either. The problem was as the man came closer to him, the pendant hidden by his silk shirt began to feel warm. The man had demonic energy on him, something that for a moment caused Jiayi to tense for just a moment.

Despite the fact that the clerk glared daggers at him, Jiayi smiled as pleasantly as he dared. He didn't want a fight to break out with the woman still inside the shop, since there was no telling what could happen. "Good day, sir. I am hoping to find a beautiful gift for my dear sister. I was thinking possibly a pendant, though I don't see anything here that would fit for her." He watched as the clerks face morphed from anger to shock, likely because he'd never once bought anything before. It wasn't his normal practice of operations, but it did keep the man from tossing Jiayi out on his ear. The clerk recovered quickly enough to usher him to a counter closer to the young woman, where they had a great array of necklaces and pendants.

He studied them carefully as a customer would, while the man got several more velvet cases of them out and set them on the glass counter for him. "I really think something with more purple to it would be more fitting. You see, the cost doesn't matter, just the color matters. Something silver, too. My sister has a terrible allergy  to gold." The man behind the counter nodded and listened before gesturing for Jiayi to wait for a moment, while he retreated to the back room. It wasn't too soon for him either, as the chain of his necklace had grown hot under his shirt a clear enough warning.

Jiayi took the little time he would have before the man returned to look at the woman just feet from him. "Excuse me, might I trouble you for a moment miss?" He wanted her to come as close as she would, he had to get her out of there fast. While he didn't smell sulfur, nor did the back of his neck itch yet. Demon's were protective of their masters, and she would just get hurt if she was caught up in the fight. "I was wondering if you would mind giving me a woman's opinion. Does this Spinel look like a dazzling enough purple, or would the Corundum have more of a wow effect?" He purposely pointed to the necklaces resting on the counter, rather than holding them up for her to see.

[Atoli01]

Ah, but then they also had an assortment of jade brooches in similar styles... So... We were back at this question: jade or emerald? Jade had a clean, polished look, and... it almost seemed more foreign? Hal wasn't a mean who was too fond of standing out or stealing the show, however. Emerald seemed to carry with it an air of regality, which he himself certainly possessed... They were both different shades of green, on the other hand. So... which jewel would be more fitting? After Mara had attempted to picture the brooch on Hal himself, she had concluded that the emerald would indeed be the best fit. Though just as she was going to call out to the clerk...

With an exasperated sigh, she watched as the clerk and another customer moved to occupy the space in front of the display beside her. This gives me more time to consider my options at the very least, she told herself, trying to assure herself that it was a good thing.

Mara was startled when the man addressed her, but she hid her surprise and nodded all the same. Carefully considering his question, she took a step closer to the counter on which the necklaces in question were situated. "I like Spinel more. Although most woman would claim that Corundum does have more of that wow effect you mentioned."

Since when had she become a jewelry expert? Oh well. It was something that came from living amongst the rich, she supposed.

[Nyxia]

As the woman came to his side Jiayi had the very thing he needed, and there was no time to waste either. With great caution Jiayi took hold of the woman's upper bicep and leaned in close to her ear so as not to be heard by the clerk. "Miss, I do not mean to alarm you. I am from M.I.S.T, I need you to leave very quickly and calmly." His voice was steady as a rock, though his silver eyes betrayed his concern. "Things are about to become very dangerous." It was in his mind a clear enough warning, even if it left out the source of the danger.

He saw no point in frightening the woman needlessly, unlike his usual partner and friend Izsack. He was aware that few might know what M.I.S.T was, but at the same time he figured it would tell her that he wasn't just groping her for amusement. At his side Jiayi rested his hand on the hilt of his dagger, in a place this closed in even a short sword was impractical for him to use. He watched the woman carefully, hoping she wasn't some part of this. Having to kill was hard enough for him, that even entertaining the idea of harming someone was tasteless for him. A part of Jiayi wanted to send her to Nelo, ask her to take a message of this to him for an ally. It was out of the question though, he wouldn't involve someone in this danger longer than he had to.

It was such a quick exchange that by the time the clerk returned from the back room, it looked as if he was just asking a second opinion from her. Though his ivory shirt the jade had begun to give off a pale light, responding to the energy. The man himself was a demon, that Jiayi realized with a start. He had none of the telltale signs to him though, no strange markings on his face or neck, and his eyes looked normal enough. As the man laid the necklaces out on the glass though Jiayi noticed the top of the claw resting under his buttoned shirt. Jiayi glanced to the woman, as if silently trying to signal her to leave.

He wasn't fast enough though, as he started to dive back into his act of customer and reached for one of the necklaces, the man snatched his free arm and tossed him into the display case across from the counter. Jiayi hit with enough force to send glass raining around him, and spilled expensive pocket watches on the floor. Slowly he pulled himself to his feet, and brushed the rest of the glass from his shoulders. "I guess that means you don't have anything that would fit the description?" Drawing out the dagger, Jiayi moved closer with the intent of putting himself between the demon and the woman.

[Atoli01]

Too late for that; he had already alarmed me before those words left his mouth. Had he spoke even a second later, I'd have fried the man or something similar. Mara could see in his eyes his sincerity, though she thought better to ignore his pleas. If something were to happen... The brunette nodded carelessly, an act just to satisfy him, before brushing off her sleeve and returning her gaze to the jewelry lined neatly in the display case. Even for her, who had to deal with things considered abnormal by humans on a nearly daily basis, had trouble believing the delusional man. What was M.I.S.T. anyway? Some sore of fancy government organization?

Although Mara glanced up at the reappearing clerk, she neglected to notice the gaze of the stranger beside her. Instead, her own gaze was flicking between the brooches and the clerk, and she was only able to hope that the odd man would make his purchase soon. It wasn't until a shard of glass grazed her cheek however that her mind sprung into action. It wasn't her idea of a perfect afternoon, that much was certain. But even still, she... Maybe that man hadn't been all...

Out of reflex, she muttered a mere word or two that sent the clerk flying against the wall himself. Mara had spent years worth of time studying magic; it pleased her to know that it wasn't all for naught after all. "Sorry for messing you up," is the only thing she told the stranger in a matter-of-fact tone, noting the dagger held in his hand.

[Nyxia]

The clerk pulled himself up from the floor as well, the glamour hiding his true nature slipped away. Standing there was something that resembled a man in form, though his eyes glowed black as he watched them. Marking inked into his neck shifted with his magic as he started to move for them both, snarling in a strange language. As much as Jiayi appreciated the aid the woman had offered, he still wanted to keep her out of harm. "As I said, Miss. Things are going to get dangerous here." He'd was in a fighting stance in front of her quickly enough, the silver etched blade clutched tightly in his left hand. "This is a greater demon, though what type I'm not sure." Seeing what she could do, he felt his earlier assessment had been wrong. He would give her the information she needed to make a decision for her own safety.

The stand off didn't last as long as Jiayi would have hoped for, when the demon bounded over counter with a shrill scream. The demon was fast, but he was just barely faster. With a quick swipe of his blade Jiayi managed to tear through the creature's shirt, it wasn't much but it did break the chain which held the claw around the demon's neck. It was a brief clash, and the two were apart once more waiting for the other to move. His blade had left a nasty red mark where it had brushed and torn flesh, but he failed to notice his side which had begun to leek small drops of red through the silk along the tears from the demon's claws.

Jiayi meant to try and place himself once more in a position to protect the woman when he saw the creature glance to her, but he was mistaken about its plan. His feet had barely shifted for the movement when the thing pounced like a cat at him, and both man and demon were laying on the floor from the impact. Jiayi barely had time to bring his blade up which tore deeply into the demon's left arm, silver searing the flesh and bringing a howl from the demon. All the same its claws tore his side, causing him to grind his teeth to keep from crying out. It seemed this was enough for the demon, which bounded off of Jiayi and back behind the counter making it's escape from the store.