[hider=Meanwhile, in an inter-dimensional home]

	Ilia's inter-dimensional home was well furnished, thanks to Umeko's funding. The two were seated on a mufti-segmented couch that was set around a small table.  A fine tea set was set up, but only Umeko was actively drinking from it. The Bates twins were also present. Elroy was sprawled out on a couch reading a book, and Regina was kneeling in front of the table. They were both disguised. It did nothing to conceal their monstrous auras, but it at least made them appear less intimidating. Ilia as usual was in his monstrous form, rummaging through the kitchen  making himself a few of the instant noodles that the home endlessly poofed into existence. Taking his snacks the naga plopped down on to the opposite side of the couch as Elroy. The naga was sitting behind Umeko, who was kneelling in front of the table.  

        “Oh.” Elroy looked up from his book. He was dressed in casual ware. Jeans, a nice dress shirt, and glasses. “Strawberry brownies? I didn't know such a thing existed!” 
        
	Taking a napkin, Umeko picked up one of the brownies and offered it to Elroy. "Yes they are quite delicious and pair perfectly with the tea I have brewed." Umeko  gave a slight smile as she said this. Tea was one of the few mundane things she still thoroughly enjoyed. 

        “I know it's been a week now, but thank you for taking us in.” Regina's disguise was still a bit outlandish. It was very grunge, with a red dress top loosely put over a thin black camisole.  She reached for a glass of tea. "I have some things I'd like to discuss with you, Umeko. That is, if you wouldn't mind listening to my problems." Umeko nodded as took a sip of her tea. She was wearing a elegant  black and white with a floral design. “T-thank you.” The red head picked up her tea cup, but did not sip.“Well, a week ago we were attacked by someone who was able to spot us through our aura.” Regina rubbed her shoulder. A nervous tick. “We were also using our shadow magic to hide. We've never been spotted like that before, but she found us like it was nothing.” Regina's hand shook when she raised the cup to her lips. “Also, she seemed to not enjoy it when Elroy, erm, flirted with her.”

        “I wasn't flirting.”  Elroy said with a roll of his eyes. “I thought I'd call her cute to mock her disheveled appearance. Then when it got to her, I continued to make sarcastic remarks about our relationship. Then when she saw how powerful my tower of carnage was, she backed right down.” Elroy chuckled. “If it wasn't for her lacky, I'd probably have creamed that little rascal.”
        
        Stopping his slurping for a second,  Ilia put his noodles down, "All magical girls are the same, all too young, but then again have standards unlike other."

        “Well.” Regina looked momentarily at Elroy before looking back at Umeko. “I could see her getting physically weaker as Elroy got more affectionate.”

        “Not affection!” the incubus raised his finger to protest.

        Regina sighed. “Is there something I'm missing? Can words of love weaken some magical girls?”

	"Well from what you have told me there are two possibilities that come to mind. First as you know magical overload does take a toll on the mind. This girl could be an extreme example of this, with a mind literally shattered to pieces. Elroy's words could have have just struck a cord with her and caused some sort of deep internal struggle in herself. The other possibility is that the girl is working for some sort of horror. Those who's patrons are twisted, strange and destruction fueled things are sometimes cursed with a horrible weakness. If the girl is indeed working for such a creature, then Elroy's words of affection may have weakened her." Umeko to a slight pause to drink more tea and give the situation a bit more thought. "As to how she was able to find you so easily I am also a bit perplexed. When you two attempt to hide your presence it takes even my prying eyes a bit to track you down. I have meet few magical girl that could match my tracking capabilities. Until I take a closer gaze at her with third eye, it will remain a mystery."

	Now thirsty from scarfing down a few overly salty noodle cups used a little of his magic to float a small stream of tea  from the kettle through the air directly into his mouth. before a glance from Umeko prompted him to use his tail to serve himself a cup. 

	“I do remember their names.” Regina tried to sip her tea, but it was still a little too hot for her. The cup shook as she pulled it away from her lips. “The woman who attacked us was called Caroline. She was saved by a girl she called Sonia, and they spoke of a Lady Justine. Do any of those names sound familiar to you?”

	Umeko gave a quick clap and her puchuu scurried from its little play area in the corner. It perched itself on Umeko's shoulder. After a quick discussion with Ratatoskr and a little scratching of its ear, Umeko gave it a brownie before it scurried back to it 's little play area. "Unfortunately they aren’t familiar to me or my puchuu, who ever you fought has taken quite a percussion to keep their existence a secret. At  the very least with their names I can use my absolute direction to scout for them if they are still here.”  

         But Regina wasn't acknowledging Umeko at the moment. She had thrown herself backwards onto her palms. “What, the hell, was THAT!?” She was equal parts scared and angry. Her lips and brow quivered as she eyed the departing puchuu. Elroy on the other hand was laughing. He closed the book he was holding

        “You gotta forgive Regina.” Elroy said as his laughter died down. “Our Puchuu tried to enslave us. You can't really blame her for feeling a little  uneasy around the fluff balls or other authority figures.”

        “A-anyway!” Regina leaned forward and hugged her knees. “I'm not sure these are people you want to find. I think it would be best if we stayed with you here, Umeko. That is to say, for longer than I originally intended.” She laid her head on top of her legs. “We don't really have a place to hide, and they could be looking for us.” The succubus picked up her head and looked at Umeko again. “I don't expect a free ride, but we would really appreciate some shelter.”

	"You know the apartment is actually, you know, mine!" Ilia then chugged the rest of the tea he was drinking as it had been a shot of tequila before smacking his cup down with an audible thud. A slightly perturbed look now on his face. 

	"Yes Yes and in asking me they were undoubtedly asking the both of us. Now unless you have any further outbursts you can tell them that they would be welcomed guests.".  With a sullen tone Ilia muttered it was fine that the twins stay before he got up and served himself was a large cup of ice cream. 
    
        “Ha ha!” Elroy commented.

	Umeko give a soft cough before responding to Regina and Elroy . "My Puchuu is one of the more kind ones so you wont have to worry about him. He usually just keeps to himself and play in his littler corner or leaves to talk to other Puchuus. I will warn you Ilia's patron said he would be back in a month as he is some business with some of his other magical girls. A large winged  red and purple viper.  Outside of  accompanying us on monster patrols its not much we will require of you. Though in staying here we all make a pact to have each other back. If those 3 come around again we will be standing with you. When we cross path with the beacon,  you will stand with us as well."

        Regina was clearly still agitated. But was regaining her composure. “As long as we are under your roof, I'll gladly keep you safe if you're providing for us.”

        Elroy stood up on the couch. “Oh, and while we won't become your Patron's slaves, they could pass some coin our way if we're going to help hunt monsters for them.” He dropped the book on the floor. “Consider it our allowance. We need magic too after all.”

        “In regards to Beacon...” Regina growled as the words rolled out of her mouth. “Your deal puts me in a pretty tight spot. While I'm not sure if we're actually being hunted by crazy aristocrats, I know Beacon has you on a most wanted list. I'd prefer not to be added to that list beside you if I can help it.” She did not look happy. “I will reiterate that I will keep you safe. But only if they come looking for you, not the other way around. That sounds more than fair, considering the likely hood that we will be dealing with them.”

	Umeko paused for a second before nodding and smiling. "Those are fair terms. For now we will pause for tracking the beacon." Umeko knew that even if she herself did not actively seek out fights with the beacon they would find her. In the week sense the hospital brawl she had already had to fight another one of there agents. finding everything agreeable she extended her hand to Regina across the table.  
    
	Regina pulled herself back. She lifted her hand in front of herself to use as a barrier. “What are you doing?”

	Elroy hopped off the couch. “Come on Regina, you know damn well what she's doing. She isn't going to bite.” He placed a hand on Umeko's wrist. It was a little rough, but not painful. “You can do a lot more damage to her than she can to you anyway.” Regina was hesitant at first, but Elroy's presence seemed to be a comfort to her. With a trembling hand, the succubus reached out to hold Umeko's outstretched hand. The incubus released Umeko once the two girls were locked in a handshake. Regina's grip was weak, and she couldn't make eye contact with Umeko. “She doesn't really like it when other people tough her either. Because-”

	“Please Elroy, just...” Regina's breathing was a little ragged. She gave Umeko's hand a slow “shake” before quickly retracting her hand. “I'm sorry. I know having me won't be easy for anyone here. I really appreciate all this.” She lifted her head up to look at Umeko. “Thank you.”

	“Now ME on the other hand...” Elroy said as he marched over to Ilia, who was still eating ice cream. “I absolutely LOVE physical contact.” Before Ilia could get the next scoop of ice cream into his mouth, Elroy quickly opened his mouth stole the entire scoop with a chomp. “Hm?” The incubus pointed at his mouth. As if to say “Did you want this back?” He then stuck out his tongue. The dollop if ice cream was still on his tongue, slowly melting away.

	Elroy brazenness intrigued Ilia as few people other than Umeko had been bold to interact with Ilia in such a way."I have more than enough to share with you." With that Ilia gently floated another scoop of ice cream into the incubus' mouth. "Plus I'm sure you just love having your mouth filled with ice cream." Another scoop then floated into Ilia mouth as well which now had a small grin. The naga's tell all then rose and an ever so softly patted Elroy on the head. 
    
	Elroy couldn't speak, much less breath with a mouth full of ice cream. He inhaled sharply through his nose and blasted the ice cream barrier out of his mouth, splattering Ilia's face with rocky road. “That is not how you're suppose to treat a lady!” The incubus wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Elroy froze in place with his hand in front of his mouth. “Oh, I seem to have gotten a little on you.”

	Regina observed the spectacle from a distance. “Um.” She looked back at Umeko. “I think they're going to get along fine.”[/hider]