[h1][color=turquoise]E[/color] [i]m i l y[/i][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/VLJOWDk.png[/img] [center][color=turquoise]"I am the Star of Morning, the Child of Dawn."[/color] [hr] [color=778899]“Amaryllis Evenings, Knight of the Rose!”[/color][/center] [right][h1][color=778899]A[/color] [i]m a r y l l i s[/i][/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DQa04Db.png[/img][/right] [hr] Another day, another kill. Downtown Penrose was as busy as ever, the worst parts of town filled with people queuing up for shelter or lining up by soup kitchens. It wasn’t somewhere that Amaryllis would normally go, if only because drug addicted homeless losers were usually pretty creepy, but even if she wanted to pretend that they didn’t exist, she wasn’t going to turn a blind eye to the fact that someone out there was killing them off, leaving nothing but their worldly possessions behind. The news didn’t report it, of course, and the police treated it as a missing persons’ case instead. Suspicious but not tragic enough to generate enough public interest to turn it into a full-blown investigation. Which meant it was a monster. Even with a wish made to grant the Unseeing immunity to magical malice, it didn’t change how deadly the corporeal forms of monsters were. The sense of her Sword was sharp though, and after a couple days of investigation, she bore witness to what exactly happened to those who disappeared. They were [i]eaten[/i] away from the inside, leaving only inorganic bits left. There was no scream, only a deathly gasp, and even the scent of that strange ‘invader’ that ate them into nothingness disappeared soon after. That would have only given Amaryllis bad nightmares, if it wasn’t for the fact that her Sword caught that same whiff during another one of her patrols, the trail leading towards a certain soup kitchen. So she was here now, her Disguise artifact shifting her face to that of an older woman, graying hair tied in an orderly bun and wrinkles pressed deep into her flesh. Her Sword laid inside the big backpack she hefted on her frail shoulders, while her eyes flickered around constantly, trying to spot the one person that stuck out, that had the same ‘scent’ as the strange ‘thing’ that ate people whole. But no one showed, and that too, was something she’d come to expect. Reaching the front of the line, Amaryllis smiled towards the pig-tailed high schooler currently working there. [color=778899]“Excuse me, young miss, but could you be so kind as to show me to the kitchen? I’ve something to deliver to a relative there.”[/color] The teenage girl flashed a warm smile in response and returned the worn ladle she had been holding to the soup. [color=turquoise]"Yes, of course!"[/color] she agreed, then turning to a nearby volunteer, explained that she would need a quick substitute while she was busy. With that matter quickly settled, she turned back to the elder woman and, still keeping a bright smile on, motioned for her to follow. As they walked, the girl placed a finger to her lips. [color=turquoise]"Is your relative perhaps... Adam? Hmm, or maybe it's Tina?"[/color] she curiously asked, also throwing out a few other names as they continued. Eventually, she spun around to face the woman again, eyeing the big bag she had brought. [color=turquoise]"Oh, that looks heavy! I can carry it for you, if you'd like!"[/color] she offered. Amaryllis continued to paint a plastic smile on her face. [color=778899]“I’m quite alright, sweetie. Haven’t grown that old yet.”[/color] She supplemented that with a wink, hefting up the straps of her backpack just to show off that old age hadn’t deteriorated her body all that much at all. Which was basically a lie, and Amaryllis hated herself for lying to such a nice girl, but life was life and her Sword demanded a kill. Emily continued playing the part of a cinnamon roll so well that she may as well start dipping her head in frosting. That is to say, she joyfully continued to lead the woman into the kitchen, ignorant of the [s]cruel[/s] deception that was taking place, her pure smile contrasting heavily with the dirty interior of the soup kitchen. Likely due to the large influx of people, the place was crowded and couple that with the fact that a majority of these people acted as though they were in a hurry, there were quite a few stains on the tile floor from bumped shoulders and spilled bowls. A shortage of volunteers meant that in all likelihood, they wouldn't attempt to do any real cleaning until things died down. Needless to say, this was no five star restaurant, even if Emily's demeanor suggested otherwise. With the amount of people darting to and from the kitchen, people aggressively demanding their soup, and the general cacophony that comes with a densely populated location, the walk to the kitchen probably felt much longer than it actually was. In reality, it was a rather short walk that was lengthened by the human traffic that frequently impeded them. [color=turquoise]"Ah, sorry about that. I hope you made it through the thick of that okay, things get a bit hectic around this time."[/color] she laughed. [color=turquoise]"Anyways, here we are! Is that all you needed, miss?"[/color] Amaryllis’s reflex was to shrink away from the chaos (couldn’t even call it controlled chaos, really) that the kitchen was made up of. Too little space, and too few volunteers. Almost made her feel bad that she was going to make the staff shortage problem even worse. Almost. [color=778899]“Yes, yes it is. Thank you, dearie,”[/color] old!Amaryllis said, dipping her head, [color=778899]“And sorry for the trouble.”[/color] The text here would describe how Emily beamed her a smile were it not for the fact that she was still smiling from before. So really, she just continued smiling before nodding. [color=turquoise]"You didn’t cause me any trouble, and I’m glad to be of help!"[/color] she said before returning to her station to eagerly serve more people. Amaryllis waved at the retreating girl, waiting until the door shut itself behind her. Then, slowly, she began to breathe in. It was hot and humid. Faint spices mixed with the overbearing smell of bloody meat and human odors. She wrinkled her nose, the noise bearing down at her at all angles. They were too busy. They weren’t obligated to care about an old woman who managed to find her way in anyways. She sharpened her senses, and slowly, the Sword shifted within her mind. It was a needle in the truest sense, striking the tip of her left fingers. The pinkie for the front, the ring finger for the right, the middle for the left, the index for the back. Like breadcrumbs, bits of agony pulled her closer and closer, until… Ah. There they were. Innocuously human, but the unnatural scent persisted. Dark-skinned and male, forty or so years old. No hair net, but no need when he had no hair. She nodded to herself. Narrowed her eyes. And then, Amaryllis exited the room. Her quarry had been marked. Now, she waited. [hr] The sun had yet to set when the soup kitchen closed today, volunteers exhausted and supplies gone. Penrose’s homelessness problem wasn’t as bad as other metropolises, but from her rooftop vantage point, it was still clear to Amaryllis that many were going to go hungry. Or maybe they were just showing up in line multiple times. Still, it mattered little. She had marked the faces of each person within the kitchen, counting them off as they left through the backdoor of the building. The target must have stayed behind to do the cleaning, a sensible decision if they sought to remove whatever poison they placed within their dishes. It was only a matter of time then. One by one by one by one. The Sword rattled within her mind. [color=778899]"The love of the moon, the grace of the petals.”[/color] Her patience paid off. [color=778899]“Underneath the glory of the heavens, I gather them all and present myself.”[/color] She stepped off the rooftop. [color=778899]“Amaryllis Evenings, Knight of the Rose!”[/color] Rusted petals scattered against the evening sky. [color=778899]“May the flower of your heart be reflected within my silverlight!"[/color] And the mirrored edge flashed in the darkness of the alleyway. Meanwhile, an exhausted Emily had begun to walk home, oblivious like many others to the events about to transpire. She stayed much later than she typically did today since today was busier than normal, along with a few other volunteers. Done with wiping down the place and making it look presentable once more, she'd decided to hurry home and get a good night's rest. Well, that's what she intended to do, anyway. The fact of the matter is that she noticed a quarter of the way home that she'd forgotten her cellphone. Because she didn't have any friends (merely friendly acquaintances at best), she mostly used it for 'work'. She'd already planned to come back the next day and assist, so really it would not have killed her since she was sure the kind people there would hold it for her, but she felt that being lazy in this situation and ignoring it was a ruder option. She did not want to impose on them any more than she had to. Emily turned on her heel, her objective now to retrieve the phone she lost. In these later night situations, it was either Paul or Chadford who would stay those extra minutes to get everything just right for next time. Hopefully, they were still there. [color=turquoise]"Oh, I'm such a clutz sometimes...!"[/color] she nagged at herself. Amaryllis’s sword struck right as Emily turned the corner, the blade splitting the man in half before he even realized he was dead, before metal spawned from the mortal wound, sealing it shut so no blood, brain, or bone could seep out. As the corpse pitched forward, she caught it, turning it against the wall and pressing it there, while her free hand rifled through the pockets, searching for the source of that viral stench. Wallet. Keys. Spare change. Pills. There it was, held within a translucent blue canister. She brought up against the sky, peering deeply, before turning her attention back to the dead man. His inhuman features were beginning to emerge now, feathers sprouting behind his ears, limbs growing longer, skin gaining a soft blue tint. Without life in the body, the glamor was no longer sustained, leaving only the body of a Nephilim. Paltry prey; the angelic blood too thin. Her Sword made its distaste known with a quick searing sensation in Amaryllis’s gut, but the Knight of Rose cared not. Sammy might make something of this. Turning deeper into the alleyway, she began walking off. [s]Upon seeing the audacious murder of someone she sorta kinda knew, Emily did the only reasonable thing she possibly could: turning around and exiting the area as fast as possible. [color=turquoise]"Fuck this shit I'm out"[/color][/s] Witnessing someone she knew being slain right before her eyes shocked even Emily, who had witnessed death on more than a single occasion. Just a few minutes ago, she had spoke to this man and said her goodbyes, but she had never considered that would be their last interaction. It wasn't like they were especially close or anything, but being the kind-hearted individual she was, she suffered through a strong sorrow for the loss, followed by anger for the life stolen. Why were some of her sisters so cruel? Of course, such thoughts lasted only momentarily. As the inhuman nature of what she once only considered a friendly volunteer showed itself, she was instead struck by a strong feeling of confusion. What did it all mean? Had this guy been masquerading as a human out of a kind heart? She'd like to believe such a heart-touching story, but she knew as well as anyone that the chances of that were close to zero. So, then, what would he have even gained? Who better to ask than the person who took his life? Emily darted back around the corner and muttered a few lines, not desiring to fight, but being aware of the chance that may happen. [color=turquoise]"I am the Star of Morning, the Child of Dawn. The Star thrown down to the Earth shall obtain victory!" [/color] A turquoise flame enveloped the entirety of her body, almost as if consuming it. But almost as if from those ashes, a new girl arrived. Where once the docile Emily stood, there was now a brash Lucifer. Her warm, gentle smile from before had vanished, leaving only a scowl in its wake. Her goal, however, had not changed. She would not allow this knight to get away before she could be questioned. [s]Volunteers were hard to come by, after all. [/s] [color=turquoise]"Hey,"[/color] she called out, a firm tone carrying her words. A bit more attention-grabbing than that was the small blast of flame that flew past the girl, fizzling out as it hit a wall further in. [color=turquoise]"Physical features aside..."[/color] she briefly glanced at what had once been someone she knew with an indifferent expression, [color=turquoise]"...I'd like to know why you stole this man's life. Do you have something against volunteers?"[/color] Amaryllis turned, her blue eyes glimmering in the shadows as firelight reflected off her blade. Another magical girl? What a surprise, Penrose was infested with them, after all. There was no particular scent of a Horror lingering on them, and, for all her aggressive posturing, the Knight of Rose deigned that she had no reason to withdraw or to attack. [color=778899]“It is not by personal vendetta that I have slain this shapeshifter, but rather for the security of those who wander without home or heart within these destitute streets.”[/color] She wondered briefly, whether or not such an action was smart, but then, she tossed the canister of pills over to the redhead. [color=778899]“Though I know not whether you can discern the purpose behind these tablets, Maiden of the Inferno, I’ve reason to believe that this monster has been poisoning those seeking alms within this temple of altruism with them. It is a cruel venom, leaving naught behind but their earthly possessions, but perhaps, for one of angel-blood, such action is more mercy than malignancy.”[/color] A shrug. The Knight of Rose glanced towards the unmoving creature, before her gaze set back upon the Inferno Maiden. [color=778899]“But those are mere suppositions. I know not what their true motives are, only that there was intent, and that there was repetition.”[/color] The heat-based girl found her eyes locked onto the body of the nephilim as the knight spoke, her expression darkening as the girl continued to explain herself. If what this magical girl was saying was true, then that would mean that this monster was spiking the soup in the kitchen. And that, indirectly, she was responsible for deaths by being the one to hand those poor souls the poison. Lucifer found herself heaving, barely managing to prevent herself from vomiting on the spot. She may have a bit more spunk when transformed, but the fact of the matter is that she was still the same old girl, and so she felt enough guilt to make her sick. But, of course, she also felt wrath. The corpse suddenly caught aflame, with Lucifer right beside it. She watched as it burned up in nearly an instant with a disgusted expression on her face, before turning back to Amaryllis. [color=turquoise]“Would you mind telling me how you found out about that one? Was he… ‘it’, rather, careless in some way, or do you have the means to seek such things out?”[/color] she inquired, the stern tone from before having lessened, perhaps as a sign she wasn’t as wary about the girl’s motives, presumably trusting the story told so far. Waiting for the response, she inspected the tablets the girl had thrown her, but wasn’t able to discern what they were. Amaryllis blinked at her reaction, sympathy flashing over her features. [color=778899]“My Sword is the hound, and I am the hunter. Beacon may make their collective might known in the vanquishment of our corrupted brethren, but for those who slink in the shadows of ordinary society, my silverlight is sufficient in ending their cursed cravings.”[/color] A pause. She remembered still, the grotesque transformation that had occurred before her very eyes, as flesh bubbled and melted, blackened and then disappeared. [color=778899]“In this case, however, I had the...unwanted pleasure of witnessing the demise of one of his victims firsthand, and caught the scent of his murder tool before it self-destructed. Without that fortune, I would not have been able to end his scheme so swiftly.”[/color] The smile, confident and detached as it was, turned bitter. [color=778899]“Though the cost of that fortune will doubtlessly be my appetite, at least for the next couple of days. Are you quite alright though, maiden? News like this certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, and I apologize if I’ve caused you undue distress.”[/color] [color=turquoise]“You don’t need to apologize.”[/color] her expression had returned to a neutral state. [color=turquoise]“If anything, I should thank you for what you’ve done. Despite this happening so close to me, I had not caught onto this terrible plan. I probably even contributed to it, as much as I am loathe to admit.”[/color] she grit her teeth and Amaryllis would surely notice her hand tightening into a fist. [color=turquoise]“To think I might’ve served someone their last meal with an ignorant grin on my face…”[/color] she grit her teeth and Amaryllis would surely notice her clenched fist. A few moments would pass in silence before the red-head spoke again, both her face and her hands relaxing once more. [color=turquoise]“...well, I’m the only one who has caused me any distress, at the very least. I owe you a debt for bringing my ignorance to light and opening these closed eyes, as well as for whatever potential lives you might’ve just saved. You can call me Lucifer, and I’ll gladly offer a helping hand should you ever need it.”[/color] [color=778899]“Close to you?”[/color] Amaryllis arced a brow, brought out of her own performance for a moment there. [color=778899]“You work here, Lucifer?”[/color] Lucifer simply nodded. [color=turquoise]“I volunteer at the soup kitchen here whenever I am able to. In fact, I spent most of today doing just that.”[/color] she briefly glanced towards blackened spot that was once the monster. [color=turquoise]“He was almost always the last one to leave, you know. I figured it was because he wanted to make sure everything was perfect. But I suppose I misinterpreted acts of malevolence as gifts of benevolence.”[/color] [color=778899]“That...I’m sorry to hear that. Guess it’ll only be harder now, what with the staff shortage you have there.”[/color] [color=turquoise]“...Noticed that, did you? Yeah, we have a lot more mouths to feed than hands to feed them, and losing that pair isn’t helping the matter.”[/color] she sighed. [color=turquoise]“Well, in the end it simply means I’ll just have to put in enough effort to make up for the loss. I much prefer this outcome to one where he continued to do horrendous things behind the scenes. It’s for the better.”[/color] Lucifer didn’t want to imagine how long it might have taken her to realize the scheme by herself, and the amount of lives it might’ve cost. She definitely wasn’t getting sleep tonight, so she’d probably end up patrolling the area or something. [color=turquoise]“Pardon me for holding you up for so long, miss…?”[/color] [color=778899]“Amaryllis. Amaryllis Evenings.”[/color] A pause, and the Knight of Rose tried for a smile once more. [color=778899]“I was the old woman who passed into the kitchen earlier on during the day.”[/color] Lucifer would etch the pleasant name into her memory. Truth be told, since she got here, this has been perhaps the longest she's even held a conversation with another magical girl. But she attributed that mostly to the fact that huge events had been firing off one after another. [color=turquoise]"Really?"[/color] Lucifer scratched her head, the area around her getting a bit warmer for no explicable reason. [color=turquoise]"I do remember you, then. Err, I hope I didn't come off as patronizing or anything"[/color] she nervously laughed. [color=turquoise]"I just try to do what I can to make the experience as pleasant as possible for everyone. The people who visit a soup kitchen are the sort who are suffering enough as is, I believe”[/color] [color=778899]“No need to worry, Maiden of the Morning Star,”[/color] Amaryllis replied, [color=778899]“Perchance though...could I request of you your phone number? Unaffiliated as I am with the larger players within Penrose, I do find value in seeking bonds with other independents.”[/color] [color=turquoise]"You want my cell number?”[/color] Emily seemed a bit surprised. [color=turquoise]”Sure, I'd be [s]right[/s] happy to."[/color] Lucifer went to oblige with her request by taking out her cellphone to bring up her number, but there was a glaring issue with the action she attempted: namely that she did not have the cell in her possession. [color=turquoise]"...About that. I actually came back to this place to get my phone, since I had forgotten to take it with me when I left. Let me get it real quick, I hope you don’t mind."[/color] Oh. [i]Oh.[/i] Amaryllis skipped over the ashes and opened the door for her, a flourish and a bow. [color=778899]“Please, go on ahead.”[/color] [color=turquoise]"T-thank you."[/color] she stepped through the door. With a clear purpose, she made a beeline for the back of the place. She knew exactly where she had left the thing and it took no longer than thirty seconds to retrieve it and then get back to Amaryllis, opening the phone and finding her own number as she did so. [color=turquoise]"...that should be it."[/color] she told the girl after rattling off the digits. She tried to hide it, but she was at least a tiny bit elated to have swapped numbers with one of her sisters. No matter the context, this was a rather rare event for her. [color=turquoise]"I am relatively new to town myself, so I appreciate it."[/color] Amaryllis nodded, before sliding her own phone into her hot pants. [color=778899]“Indeed. The night grows long, however, and the hunt must go on. I pray we meet under brighter circumstances, but for now, I must depart. Farewell, Lucifer, and may the sun rise again upon your haven.”[/color] Having finished the exchange, Lucifer placed her phone in a small pocket on her skirt as she made her way back out of the door. [color=turquoise]"Then until next time. I wish you good luck with your hunt, Amaryllis."[/color] And with an iron ivy descending from the darkening skys, the Knight of Rose bounded off, leaving naught but rusted petals in her wake.