Shiina held back a sigh. As dysfunctional as these people could be, the fact remained that they were all Chasers. Or at least, they had all come into contact with the work of the business. Much as they all bristled and argued and got on each other’s nerves, they and the Dangeki were family to her. Such sentimental thoughts inhabited the vampire’s mind before she quickly reminded herself that she was still on shift.

[color=ed1c24]“Hmm, I’m afraid the numbers of these cute girls you’re referring to eludes even me,”[/color] Shiina said to Yuudai’s request with a chuckle, giving the Oni her requested peach tea. [color=ed1c24]“Though by all means, you’re free to try and obtain them yourself. I won’t stop you. But I won’t help you either. As for the meeting, it should start any moment now.”[/color]

And indeed it did seem like the event was about to start underway. Two very prominent individuals entered into the café’s establishment. One, the supposed world’s strongest mage and another much more enigmatic entity. The vampire maid gave respectful nods to them both, having worked with the two women for some time now.

As the patch of darkness known as Chikage began to speak, Shiina listened while continuing to fill out orders and bringing out drinks and snacks of all kinds. She tried not to twitch as two more individuals walked in, causing a gaping hole to surface where her front door used to be. She simply gave Mia a look of sympathy before nodding, appreciating that at least the girl was responsible for her partner’s actions.

Then, things got slightly more annoying as the resident stalker walked in. Shiina turned to see Zane, who looked like he had just exited a street fight. Given his nature, he probably had. The vampire nodded for perhaps the sixth or seventh time that evening, noting how the boy’s eyes traced towards her employee, Eos. 

Things were certainly picking up now. Finally finding a break in her routine, Shiina leaned across the wall and crossed her arms, red eyes waiting in patience to Chikage’s words. But while the Dangeki Café was bustling with activity and excitement at the prospect of new missions, there were other places in the city that lacked the ecstatic vibe given off by the Chasers.

A flaming streak briefly shot through the city skyline, unseen by most of the world below. The [url=http://orig13.deviantart.net/66b1/f/2011/165/d/9/volcarona_gijinka_by_barokkuenjeru-d3ivyvc.jpg]creature[/url] landed on a rooftop and just watched the people and Youkai mill below it. Watching, listening... learning.

As the creature continued the scan the world below though, it would sense a very strange presence among the realm of human and Youkai. Something very interesting and yet this presence gave off an aura that warned all that it was not to be disturbed. The darkness would prove to be no barrier for the creature as a figure walked into the shadows, a black parasol held in their hand and melting along with the backdrop.

Curiosity overwriting the creature's instinct, it followed the shadow, hovering high above it, darkness not enough to hide the shadow from its eyes. It didn't attempt to hide its presence, having not encountered a being it could not either kill or escape from. All things instinctively avoided the shadow and the creature respected that, but could not help itself, slowly drawing closer and closer to the shadow.

The moving shadow continued to do just that, moving further and further away from the nighttime lights of the city. Before long, the mysterious being in question found itself in a darkened allyway with no where else to go but a mile high brick wall. Backing up, they tried to turn around as their entire body trembled in fear. A single light illuminated the scene, finally casting an image for the creature to bear.

It was a [url=https://40.media.tumblr.com/89ee6414035297e2e5badc914e438312/tumblr_n9awcw7MQD1rdai56o1_500.png]female[/url] by the looks of it, her black parasol clenched tightly in her fingers. Her reddish orange eyes scanned the space carefully before falling on the flaming moth above. Immediately she gasped, backing away from the monstrous creature.

[color=1a7b30]"N-No please, stay away!"[/color]

Tilting its head as it clearly saw the shadow the creature wondered why is had such caution beforehand. Ceasing the fluttering of its wings, it landed on the ground and slowly walked towards the female, imitating the words in all the voices it had heard before 

[color=f26522]"N-No please, stay away!"[/color] changing to a deep masculine voice [color=f26522]"Stay away you monster!"[/color] finally a middle aged woman [color=f26522]"M-monster!"[/color] blending these voices into a singular androgynous one the creature spoke.

[color=f26522]"Why stay away? You are cold, warm is... better. I'll make you warm~"[/color] Slowly walking to the young woman the creature extended its hand. [color=f26522]"I am Star. I will make you warm~"[/color]

The girl stared with wide, quivering eyes, a whimper escaping her throat. She tried to back away from the intense heat surrounding her on all sides. A cry escaped as the moth, humanoid, alien, creature thing came even closer, extending a lit hand. The girl closed her eyes, ready for death to meet her...when she suddenly paused, opening those same eyes again to reveal a dark gleam.

[color=1a7b30]"It has been some time since I've gotten so into character. My, my, I even convinced myself…”[/color]

Lashing out, the girl with the parasol grabbed what she perceived to be the flame creature's face. Gone was her look of pure, irrational fear, replaced now with a frown of no amusement as she clenched her hand tighter around the Youkai's face. At once, the moth's flames began to extinguish one by one, as if retreating back from this woman.

[color=1a7b30]"You have limited time, so I suggest you tell me a very good reason why I shouldn't squash you little gnat. Don't you know it's impolite to tell a woman such strange things in the middle of the night? Whatever...and don't give me the excuse that you can't understand me or that simple concepts elude you. Cause frankly, that's not helping your case and-oh dear. There goes another flame."[/color]

Star felt empty as the girl touched his face; he didn't initially react to her actions since no one had ever tried to touch him of their own volition before and had no learned response. Her touch, however, starved him; the flames he had been eating slowly dying within him. Pain shot though his head as the girl tightened her grip and in a strained voice, replied.

[color=f26522]"You say impolite? I introduced myself; isn't that what manners are? Why are you taking my fire? My warm?"[/color] The questions flowed from his mouth in a constant stream.

[color=f26522]"Why do you want to squash me? I wasn't going to hurt you, only make you warm. Warm is the best, why don't you want it?"[/color] As another flame died Star slumped into the girl's grip.

[color=f26522]"Don't squash me please... I'm sorry, can I make it better?"[/color] The plea was all he could manage since he had no way to bargain with the girl.

The girl in questioned continued to look upon the moth with little care to his words of his attempt to plea. She held on a little bit longer, only releasing her grip when she saw the last embers burn out before dropping him. She had spared him just enough to rekindle anew flames and burn back into his former glory.

[color=1a7b30]"You're a youngling aren't you?"[/color] she asked in that same tone, twirling her black parasol in hand. [color=1a7b30][color=1a7b30]"You're certainly lacking in vocabulary and persuasion. Now then, either leave me or use better words. I won't be so forgiving next time." [/color][/color]

Star felt great appreciation when he was released, his flames rekindling themselves, quickly regaining their former power. Looking at the girl, he felt sad that he couldn't help her be warm. Slowly trying to stand, Star had to ask.

[color=f26522]"What are the better words? If I find them, can I come back to make you warm? I feel sad leaving you cold."[/color] Unsteady on his feet, Star instead fluttered his six wings so that he hovered in place, a questioning look on his face since this was the first proper conversation he has had since gaining sentience.

[color=1a7b30]"Perhaps,"[/color] the girl said with little care, striding right past him and walking once more into the darkness. [color=1a7b30]"Though a simple child like you can't understand. Learn all the words you want, you can never understand a mind like mine,"[/color] the girl said as she twirled her parasol once more.

Watching the girl walk into the darkness once more, Star felt hollow at being unable to warm her. Floating up into the sky Star had the new goal of not just warming people, but to learn words from them. 

[color=1a7b30]"You're going to follow me around, aren't you?"[/color]

The girl said this with certainty, knowing her words to be true. She thought about just killing the nuisance or at least getting a free meal from consuming the firebug. But as continued to walk, a thought formed in her head and soon her steps led her in the direction of a very familiar cosplay cafe. For the first time that night, the girl with the black parasol smirked.

[color=1a7b30]"Say now. I think I'll let you stick around little gnat. You see, someone stole something from me and I want it back. Don't worry, because this person is cold. Colder than me. So cold, that I think a nice hug will warm them right up. Oh, and the name's Lucille. Lucille Ferris. Burn [i]that[/i] into your memory."[/color]

Hovering behind the girl as she walked, Star learned her name. He couldn't help but speak, hoping to impress, as if a word told by this strong lady was automatically one of the best. 

[color=f26522]"Lucille sounds like a much better word than Star."[/color] Listening attentively, he heard about the cold person…colder than her?! That was just awful, but Star frowned a little. 

[color=f26522]"There are a lot of cold people there, so many of them. I tried warming a group once, but they got... jealous? Jealous of me giving warm to others first and hit me. They might be jealous again if I warm the coldest one. It's hard to see the coldest when they are mixed with all the other colds…which one is it?"[/color]

[color=f26522][i]There are two really cold ones. I should warm them and learn more words for Lucille.[/i][/color]

Fluttering to the entrance, Star made his way in; he was surprised at the amount of people as there were so many cold people that he needed to make warm! However the two coldest bodies were nearby; if he could warm them, then he was sure they would be happy.

Ignoring all others, Star went up behind one of the cold ones and gently hugged her and slowly radiated heat. Likewise, Shiina raised an eye in curiosity as what appeared to be a large moth waltzed in and clasped its arms around her. Well, it had been some time since she got a customer like this.

[color=ed1c24]“Greetings young master. How may I assist you-” [/color]

[color=f26522]"Be... warm..."[/color]