[center][h3]Alice Leon[/h3][/center] With the words of the petite woman still freshly in the minds of all of those within their company they were allowed something of a buffer period to do as they pleased. In all honestly it was a bit of a surreal moment for the sniper. While wandering down hallway after hallway deep in thought about a few various things, not really caring where she would find herself, it struck her as odd that after their company dispersed she’d not seen any of them. Then there was the fact of the small woman herself. At this moment she realized her surroundings had changed and she was now within the dining room they had been sitting at earlier-devoid of all other people and nothing moving aside from the massive swirling wall that sat behind where Lady Renata had been sitting at. Taking a moment for herself Alice found herself sitting at the far end of the table, directly across the way from Karin’s empty seat, and her hands fiddling with a now un-holstered weapon. She skillfully ejected the magazine before taking the gun apart without even looking at it. Instead her eyes remained forward staring, glazed over, at the swirling mass as her mind began to wander and her hands tinkered. [i]Was she what she really said she was? How had the world not known about her then? Well, if she was a lady of demons then she clearly had power and clearly would know what she was doing. But, what had she meant earlier-when she’d said that she wanted to test them out and draw them out? Just how strong were these bastards?[/i] Alice’s hands paused a moment as a new thought came to her mind [i]Is she using us? Does she have any care if we die so she can kill off her enemies?[/i] Her hands returned to their previous actions with a bit more vigor and a frown resting on her concentrated face. [i]If I am to be honest I would do the same thing. No need to expend energy when others can do it for me.[/i] Alice finally blinked and looked down to realize each of her four guns had been neatly placed onto the table; she hadn’t even realized she’d handled them all. [b]”Well, that was certainly impressive.”[/b] With the voice, Alice would realize she was no longer alone. It came from quite a distance, and yet despite that carried easily enough to be heard; as Alice had been lost in her thoughts and staring at the swirling mass of stars behind the glass, the Lady of Demons herself had taken her place at the far end of the table. The distance between the two was so far that Alice had trouble even seeing Lady Renata thanks to the dim light, though the glowing red eyes were something she could keep track of constantly, so long as they remained open. [b]”Without any thinking at all, you went through all of your weapons, caring for and maintaining them easily. You are quite practiced and dedicated to them.”[/b] Alice’s hand shot out to grasp one of her pistols as the voice of Karin echoed across the way. However, she kept from lifting the weapon off of the table and instead gazed forward to where those oddly glowing eyes were at the end of the table. Her muscles relaxed and her grip from her pistol eased before resting on her lap as she say a bit straighter. [b]”Thank you.”[/b] Alice glanced down at her weapons before smiling and looking back up at Karin. [b]”They are my means of survival and we all must down what is necessary to survive, correct?”[/b] For once Alice’s own words amused herself. [b]”Mmm, yes, I suppose so.”[/b] The Lady of Demons gave a slight nod, before briefly her eyes closed and they once more opened. [b]”I hope you’re prepared to continuing doing what you need to, then. There is a long road in front of you all.”[/b] Alice swallowed hard at those words, [b]”It's refreshing to at least know that my road is long.”[/b] the notion made her heart beat a little harder. However, she pushed the thoughts aside and squared her shoulders. [b]”Is there something I can assist you with Lady Karin?”[/b] She didn't mean to sound blunt or rude, she truly was curious...and rather eager to make those glowing red eyes stop glowing and staring at her. [b]”No, but there’s something I might be able to help you with.”[/b] Slowly, the Lady of Demons began to rise… And then in the next moment she had moved down the length of the table before Alice could blink, sitting down at the corner seat to her right in one smooth moment. Closer, Alice would actually be able to see her pale features, and that smirking sort of smile that the Lady of Demons often held in conversation. [b]”You seem like the practical sort. You know your own strengths, and your own limitations. You are human, which comes with its own sort of baggage; so you set about using your ingenuity and your tools to do the unexpected. It stands to reason, then, that the better and more diverse tools you possess, the better chance you have at survival?”[/b] A sharp inhale could be heard as Karin was all of a sudden sitting far closer than before. She attempted to cover her surprise with a cough into the back of her hand, [b]”I thank you for recognizing my point of practicality. Dwelling on wants isn't good for anything or anyone.”[/b] Her green eyes looking carefully over Karins oddly delicate features before nodding slightly with confusion clear on her features. [b]”I am very curious to see what it is you have in mind for me to attempt to master next, my Lady.”[/b] to say that Alice was excited, giddy even, at whatever prospect the Demoness maybe offering was an understatement. Yes, it was partly in for the fact Alice has a weird liking for receiving presents but she also knew that when Power was shared it was for a true reason and it was clear Karin was Power itself. The Lady of Demons chuckled, eyebrow raising ever slightly. [b]”For now, I would suggest you continue to master your current set of skills, as you’re getting quite close. With that in mind, I have some things to give you to help you with that.”[/b] Briefly her hands went down, both under the table, as if picking something up from the floor; in her right hand came a small black case, and in the other a larger white one. The black one she held up slightly first, before pushing it across the table to Alice. [b]”In this is a single magazine for your rifle. Eight rounds for eight shops. These rounds possess firepower unlike any you’ve ever experienced before; I would only use them against threats like the Manu Propria, and only when you’re certain you won’t miss or have them deflected; it would be a terrible waste. And this, on the other hand…”[/b] She began to slide forward the larger case, then. “Five magazines of a different sort of round entirely. When you use your rifle, you typically keep yourself at a distance; this presents you a unique view of the battlefield, sight of your enemies and your allies. Tell me, have you ever thought of shooting your friends before?[/b] The amount of salvaging Alice had been doing over the Power Bullets was promptly cut short at the question presented to her. [b]”Is...is that a serious question?”[/b] Was this woman trying to tease her? Truth be told she had thought about it when select members had pissed her off but of course she’d never speak on that. [b]”Completely serious.”[/b] The Lady of Demons said. [b]”With these, you can get away with it. There is a unique enchantment on these rounds that will keep them from causing any damage to your allies; in fact, the round will dissolve on contact, and as the magic washes over them they will be healed of wounds of moderate intensity. Be careful, though; it will do the same to your enemies.”[/b] Alice simply blinked at the woman for a moment trying to make sure she heard her correctly. “So you're telling me, that if need be, I can shoot, say, Christopher in the back without hurting him and if I hit an enemy then they would get an essential boost?” Now Alice was very sure she understood Karin but her verbalizing was the easier way for her to figure out what she was being given. [b]”Something like that.”[/b] The Lady of Demons drew her hands away. [b]”Just remember you only have a certain number of rounds, so use them wisely.”[/b] Upon that confirmation Alice couldn’t help but smile brightly at the woman. [b]” I will use them only as needed and as effectively as possible. Thank you my Lady, truly thank you.” [/b] Alice gingerly reached out and pulled the boxes closer to her, just before her pistols that still rested before her on the table. Alice left the smaller Power case closed-instead popping open the larger white one and clinically handling the bullets that weren’t meant to kill. [b]”You’re welcome, Ms. Leon.”[/b] The Lady began to stand then, before she turned to walk towards the doors. [b]”I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”[/b] [center][h3]Stark[/h3][/center] Her mouth had been dry and her senses on end ever since that odd blonde child of a woman had “welcomed” them at the front gates and it had only gotten worse as they entered into the mansion that made no sense and did nothing but hurt her head. Being inside made her nervous and made her want to leave. Stark couldn’t figure out what it was that was making her feel like that but she would bet her small collection of books that it was the terrifying woman who drank her blood tea at the top of the table. The same woman that Stark had to force herself to look away from. She knew, recognizing it as it was happening, that she was staring down and curling in on herself. Her shoulders coming in and her back curving slightly to make herself as small as possible. It was something she’d done for years in the Jasian household she’d been assigned to protect and as much as it made her stomach churn she didn’t want to make herself bold or known. When the little blonde [strike]monster[/strike] woman had shown her to her room Stark found herself still unable to look at the girl but able to somehow speak-even only shortly. [b]”Thank you My Lady.”[/b] Wincing at her own words Stark hid out in the room provided to her and didn’t end up sleeping for quite some time until her body forced her into sleeping. When the water mage had woken up it was due to her body’s clock….and her growling stomach. It took quite a bit of mental preparation to get going, including poking her head out into the hallway from a crack in the door and looking left then right and even above (demons hang out on the ceiling or something like that, right?) before she timidly ventured out into the hallway. Her travels were short as she found herself presented with a simple door that, when she gathered enough courage to open, led right to a stocked but empty kitchen. The realization as to where she was only made her stomach growl louder. Stark shifted her gaze around once more before entering in fully and moving towards the cabinets, [b]”Please not blood please not blood please not blood….’[/b] She muttered under her breath as she reaching to open the door. Stark had plenty of reason to think that the door may have led to a cabinet stocked with the life fluid of many souls; after all, the kitchen smelled too much like iron than it should have, after all. However, Stark was lucky enough to have happened upon one of the smaller kitchens (after all, a kitchen behind a single door could only be so big in this home) set aside for guests, which meant that it was less likely to see the… preparations the Lady had done for her own meals and her sister’s. The cabinet instead held what could be called, for lack of a better term, “normal” food, dried and preserved as necessary. There also happened to be plenty of fresh fruit, bread, and the like, all seemingly prepared the moment before Stark entered the room- [b]”Hungry, are we?”[/b] The voice came from behind Stark, and with it came the sound of the door to the kitchen shutting quite heavily. In front of it stood the Lady of Demons herself, watching Stark carefully with her smile on her face, eyes narrowed ever slightly. Stark had just wrapped her hand around a sizable Apple when both the voice of the terrifying woman and the loud sound of the door closing rang out in the otherwise quiet room. She stood straight up and folded her hands behind her back like a good little servant with the apple still between her fingers. She locked eyes with the demoness for a moment before looking away. [b]“I'm very sorry my Lady. I simply wanted a snack.”[/b] The Lady of Demons wasn’t upset; very clearly she didn’t care at all, what with the shrug she gave and the dismissive little flutter of her hand. [b]”Then have yourself a snack. Have a meal, if you like. You are a guest here, after all, and you simply have to be comfortable. So don’t feel guilty for having to eat.”[/b] Stark’s mouth ran dry as she struggled for some kind of a response. Should she offer something to her? Make her food...but what if she didn't eat food? Starks thoughts flashes to the blood Karin had put in her tea as she swallowed- or at least attempted to. “Thank you, Lady Renata.” She shifted awkwardly before opening her mouth again,[b] “Come by for a snack as well?”[/b] she regretted her words instantly. The Lady of Demons chuckled at what Stark had to say, before giving a slight shake of her head. [b]”For your sake I hope not, considering I’m looking for you.”[/b] She turned, beginning to walk towards the door, which opened on its own before she reached it. [b]”When you’ve acquired the food you desire, come along.”[/b] Stark’s eyes widened and nearly let a whimper out of her throat at Karin’s implication. She wasn't going to push her luck as she put the apple back and followed the woman out of the kitchen to where ever it was she was being led. It was a surprisingly quick trip for the two of them, but that was only to be expected considering the Lady of Demons was leading the way. Hallways shortened in front of them with her at the helm, making the walk very short. When the two of them approached a set of double doors, they opened on their own to reveal the massive and impressive looking library beyond them. Straight through the center Lady Renata led Stark, bookshelves moving to the side to clear a path for them all the way to the space that Resalia had pretty much claimed for her own, surrounded by her books. [b]”Hello once again, Resalia.”[/b] [b]”Lady Renata. You are certainly making your… rounds today.”[/b] [b]”Ah, but sometimes I must when there’s so much to be done.”[/b] The Lady’s hand came up, slowly gesturing to Stark behind her. [b]”This is that girl I spoke to you about, and had you make those trinkets for.”[/b] Resalia seemed unimpressed as she looked to Stark, but then again that seemed to be her normal state of being. [b]”I see.”[/b] Stark simply kept her words to herself but even with Karin right there she was struggling to not look around at the breathtaking library around them. She’d give just about anything to spend a few weeks there simply learning. However she snapped back to her senses as she gave a curt bow of the head to the woman who Karin addressed as Resalia. She held her tongue at the mention of trinkets, having never felt this small before. [b]”Are they ready?”[/b] [b]”The first set is.”[/b] Resalia reached over to the side, and slowly pushed a small wooden box more directly in front of her. The Lady of Demons reached forwards, carefully picking up the box before turning back to Stark, smiling at her as she held it forwards, opening it. WIthin were two bracelets, simple in make; Silver chains, with silver blue gems set within. [b]”Go on then, and put them on.”[/b] Stark was quite taken with how beautiful the jewelry was and was staring quite intently at the bracelets;snapping away when Karin have her instruction. [b]“Put them on?”[/b] She was clearly confused but the proximity and look told her Karin wasn't joking. The water mage carefully handled one bracelet as delicately as possible, having never handled something so beautiful before. She pulled one on before carefully taking the other and securing it. The Lady of Demons watched her patiently, and as soon as they were on she then said calmly: [b]”Now slit your wrists.”[/b] It felt as though her heart fell out through her feet but without so much as a missed beat Stark withdrew a knife Alice had given to her and made a shallow slice on either wrist. [b]”Is that enough?”[/b] The level tone she had was almost saddening at how hollow and obedient it had become with the underside of her wrists forward and exposed to the women. However, there was nothing to be said as the blood that rose from the cuts seemed to be pulled towards the stones. Stark’s eyes widened in shock at the action as the knife she’d been holding moments ago clattered to the floor and things began to change. At first it felt as though her arms were on fire-like being burned by the sun only to have the feeling of millions of pin pricks be washed over by cool water. Her arms from shoulder to her fingernails shifted into something not human. It only took a moment for the change to happen but rather than the flesh she had been used to Stark was now looking at two large scaled arms with wicked claws...and it was responding like her own body would. She took a few sizable steps back with her arms out in front of her, the silver blue jewel of each bracelet looking like it was apart of her skin. [b]”What did you do to me?!”[/b] [b]”I simply gave you the tools you needed to draw out your true potential.”[/b] Lady Renata’s eyes were directed towards the new claws, inspecting them before she gave a nod. [b]”Your blood is less human than you realize; this is how you can take advantage of it.”[/b] It was getting a bit hard for Stark to breath as she just kept flipping her ‘hands’ over and over trying to figure out how this was even possible. An innocent confused look spread across her face at the mention of her blood-of her [i]family[/i]. [b]”What do you mean I am less human? My mistress told me I only had a small fraction of nonhuman in me. That nothing aside from my eyes would be different about me. What are you saying I am?”[/b] The questions just poured from her mouth in a desperate attempt for answers she’d been long denied. [b]”What I’m saying, Ms. Stark, is that you have a gift to make use of, and now you properly can. Do you understand me?”[/b] Stark flinched back from her words, her clawed arms falling to her sides. [b]”Yes ma'am I understand.”[/b] She looked away and to the side, and after a moment the burning then soothing sensation returned her arms were back to normal, not that she would make a note of it at this point. Instead she gave a deep bow to both of them [b]“Thank you for spending your time concerned about me and my blood.”[/b] Perhaps there was a hint of bitterness. [b]“I will not fail in whatever it is you seem to think I will be assisting in doing.”[/b] The Lady of Demon’s eyebrow raised ever slightly, before she nodded and with a shrug turned to begin to make her exit. [b]”I’m certain you’ll figure it out soon enough, Ms. Stark.”[/b] Stark kept her mouth shut before she nodded to Resalia,[b] “Thank you as well Ma’am. Excuse me.”[/b] Before turning and walking in the other direction of the Demoness. She would wander for another moment before checking around her and attempting to make work of the bracelets...the bracelets that weren't coming off. The next few phrases out of her mouth would make Dalious cringe. [b]“Screw it. I'm eating that apple.”[/b] scowl in her face and dozens of emotions swirling inside Stark found herself in that Divine forsaken hallway and back towards the Kitchens.