The night before seemed a distant, alcohol tainted memory. Jay-Jay remembered fireworks, Daisy’s transformation, Veti being a lamebutt about Nevis’ dare and Atticus getting’ f[i]rea[/i]eaky with the vampire. She could not for the life of her recall when she fell onto the sofa in about as ungraceful a heap as one could imagine and slipped into the realms of the sandman.

Her dreams never came, and that left Jay-Jay to nurture a mean hangover and her demoness to act as Sentry. The guest had no need for sleep unless she overexerted herself, so it made sense that she keep a phantasmal eye on the surroundings. She never left the side of her host though, as the fire-demon was as overprotective of Jay-Jay as a mother lion would be of a cub. Their symbiosis transcended the necessity of one or the subservience of the other: and it was quickly becoming clear that the demon would not be able to keep her secret any longer. The actions of Henry had shown her the depths of personal sacrifice that people here were willing to go: and if she were not willing to sacrifice some of her safety, she would be besmirching her hidden name and the name of her host.

Besides, she could likely get some benefit out of sharing her name: if she tried hard enough. Even revealing that would not endanger her up-coming deal with the Raven-demigod. The one secret she kept to her chest was probably the more interesting a fact than he’d gathered in the longest of time.

As dusk became dawn, and as night became day: it was the shout of Reginald Hoyle that alerted the demoness of movement amongst the group. The dazed Jay-Jay stirred, but the demoness ran tender fingers through the host’s locks: Soothing her as she crooned to the young, sleeping, probably still hung-over Jay-Jay. [i]”Hush now, Jay-Jay; rest for a while longer. I will attend the meeting for now.”[/i]

And so, the ethereal demon left Jay-Jay’s body in a manner not dissimilar to the times she’d met with Oro. It was proving a most useful ability: and she was glad to have it. She floated into the room and merely watched the events: more than aware of the limited number of people who would know of her presence. In likelihood, she didn’t believe anyone other than Oro would know of her presence here.

And so, the demoness played the silent witness: not wishing to interrupt the events of the meeting: if only due to a strange sense of distance from the group. She felt like she was not a part of the entourage, more a voyeur than an active member of the group. It would have been interesting to post the question to the group: but that would defy her very notions of her place in the dynamic.

Despite all she’d seen in her years, the demoness was surprised by what she witnessed: the folly of the plan and the sense it made; the defiant objection of the Raven god; the Siren’s staunch defence of the plan and his mighty rebuttal, and finally the conviction showed by the Warlock. Jay-Jay might not have liked the man, but the fire-demon suddenly found a respect for him, at least.

Things continued on, and the pace was maintained as the Reaper and the Warlock soon departed for whatever realm of death mortals went to. Slowly, the group: like a meeting of widowers, mourners and shell shock victims were suddenly trying to find some conviction in their plan. The demon floated over to Oro, speaking words into his ear.

[i]Tell the group that Jay-Jay will accompany the group in a moment. I would also finalise the deal with you now: Raven. If Jay-Jay is to go to war, I want your word that she will have a teacher to keep an eye on her.”[/i]

With that, the demoness started to drift backwards, giving the Raven little time to answer her directly as she moved towards Jay-Jay. Suddenly the fire-child awoke with a start and looked at the group of gathered individuals. She counted numbers in her head and for a moment she looked like a dopey child, awoken from an innocent, not alcohol induced, nap. After a handful of seconds, the fire-headed girl got up and briskly walked towards the nearest bathroom.

Alcohol is evil.