Mary-Alice: Ian blinks in surprise and then laughs. I suppose so, though usually if you pretend you're not going to kill them they are a little more forthcoming. I've never seen a demon beg though. We may actually make some headway with this one. What say you? We can probably spare this dog if he has good enough information right? he turns then and gives you a wink, his back to the demon who has looked suddenly hopeful at the prospect of living. It is extremely uncharacteristic behavior for a demon and part of you can't help but wonder what in the world is going on. Ian turns back to the man in question. Why do you want the widow? What are you doing here? The demon looks at you pleadingly.Y-you'll let me live? Ian rolls his eyes. I promise I won't kill you he pledges, though there are any manner of loopholes in such a statement. The demon stupidly does not see any of them and rushes on. You realize now what is so different about this foe. He's an idiot! Well, we overheard you all wanted her husband's pocketwatch and we figured the ring of solomon might be in there!

Penny: ooc: Lol, yeah he has all kind of penalties. I thought it would be fun to mess with the usual stereotypes about demons for a change.

He looks surprised and pleased at your compliment and straightens with pride, grinning from ear to ear. You have a feeling compliments are quite foreign to him. At your question he turns confused though and looks around before suddenly widening his eyes. Who....? Oh you mean you!! he exclaims. Why should I trust you? You're the enemy! he pauses though. And how would you make it worth my while?

Alice quirked a brow at Ian. She did not care at first but then she wondered, "What makes you fear death demon. I've never met one of your kind who did not laugh at the prospect of death, so what makes you such a coward?"

'Oh, you shouldn't trust me.' Penny answered pointedly. Trust should be the last thing on a demon's mind. 'After all, do you trust your fellow demons? No, of course you don't... Now, if you know anything of me or my family, you know we like to, ah, keep spoons in many pots.' The exact idiom escaped her, but it would this fellow too, so it hardly mattered. 'I'm only the enemy because Belial has made me the enemy.'

His asking about what was in it for him showed he wasn't entirely a fool, however. 'If you serve me, and Belial possesses me as he plans to do, then you would find yourself serving Prince Belial himself. But, if I were to beat Belial, then you would serve the one who beat a Prince of Hell. You would win either way. And until then, you can profit off whatever falls your way.'

Alice: He blinks in surprise and sits upright, leaning against the door frame, still safely confined in the circle. I wouldn't say coward he sniffed defensively. It's just well...hell has never been particularly kind to me or my brother. We're not very well liked by the others... he looks oddly embarrassed by the admission. They call us stupid, among other things. We have no desire to go back only to be bullied by them. At least here we can avoid them better.

Penny: He listens intently, eyes bulging at your apparently brilliant logic. Win either way...now that's something... he mumbles, furrowing his brow. What kind of profit? What exactly can you offer me? And my brother, he would have to be included too. We do everything together he adds quickly. It's odd to see such loyalty in a demon.

Penny hissed softly as if in irritation. 'Well, you drive a hard bargain, sir, but if he is half as intelligent as you, I'm sure it will be a good deal. Very well, I suppose I can accept the services of you and your brother on a two-for-one basis...'

She tried to think of what she could offer. What did demons even use for currency? What unearthly use could they have for money? It couldn't be only souls they bartered for. Damn him for getting curious, Penny might fret, but he was damned already. 'Why, triumph over your fellow demons, knowing you've outwitted them. If we slay a rival demon, you might seize their operations and treasures. But of course you require something more tangible, I understand. Thus I can offer a suitable payment in earthly currency for services rendered or information delivered, commensurate to the effort, scale, and importance of the task, to be negotiated on an individual basis.'

Penny was torn: here was a demon – two demons, most likely – who were dull-witted and ham-fisted yet pliable, competent, and offering a good ear on underworld activities. Just the tool she needed for her fight against Belial. But she was loathe to accept the services of demons; this pair had already possessed two innocents and murdered another. All demons had, of course. She had to wonder what this pair could possibly have done to be hurled into the pit. Doubtless they had been led astray by another. So it seemed a shame to slay him. Perhaps she could get Simon to preach to them, and see if even a damned soul could yet be saved.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:02, Wed 14 Dec 2016.

Alice was frustrated now. "Enough of his lies. Let me shoot him, he is a demon."

Alice: Ian turns and fixes you with an impatient look. Will you wait? I'm not done interrogating him! He then turns and asks the man a few pointed questions. He answers eagerly, in foolish hope that it will save his life. Apparently he and his brother are not the most well liked among their kind, and with his dim witted ways it's clear to see why. He's not the most intelligent fellow. They overheard that Penny and the others were searching for a pocket watch and thought the ring of Solomon must be inside. Seems they were hoping to impress their peers with the discovery of so sought after an item. At last Ian seems satisfied with his answers and turns and gives you a slight nod to do what you want. The demon watches, completely terrified. It's quite pathetic.

Penny: The demon looks especially tempted by the idea of triumphing over his peers and you realize that is his greatest motivation though he seems pleased at the idea of making a few dollars on top of it. Judging by his attire he has lived a simple life in his meatsuit. He takes his hand off the handle of his gun, leaving it tucked inside his jacket. Alright. You've got yourself a deal Miss. Though this had better not be a double cross... he warns vaguely. What exactly do you want from me?

She stopped Ian, keeping him between her and the pathetic creature, "I was bluffing, at least at the time, hoping he would give up what he knew. Do you think he can be trusted and kept on a short leash?" She isn't exactly whispering, but speaking softly in hopes that demon might not catch everything she said.

'Let's not stand in the street any longer. We can't be seen together. Please, walk with me.' Penny suggested, continuing to stride down the street like a lady and a, well, not so much gentleman companion as a rough manservant. 'First, you have the advantage of me – do you have a name?'

'Now, please, tell me all you know of the Ring of Solomon and of Mrs Emma Bently.'

Alice: Ian frowns, eyes glancing back at the cowering man. Trust is a pretty strong word but I do think he might have a few uses. He opens his coat and pulls out a pair of handcuffs of all things, a smirk on his face. Like I said, used to be a copper. These are a particularly handy invention of mine He tosses them to you and you see a devil's trap neatly etched on the metal as well as a few other symbols you don't recognize. Keeps them mobile but helpless. Your call miss.

Penny: My name is Balen. And Mrs Bently is not well liked I can tell ya that. She betrayed the master, especially since they say she knows where the ring is. It's just about the only thing he fears and I figure that will put me and my brother on top once we get it. No one would dare laugh at us then! Heh, we might even use it against a few of them! Makes them your puppet see? You can order them to do whatever you want! Well, after it is activated of course.

Alice nodded, "Alright you...demon, hands behind your back." She cuffed him, and smiled at the ingenuity. "Well that is done, now what?"

'Ah, I've heard rumours of Balen the Cunning,' Penny observed. Of course, there was no Balen the Cunning, at least none she'd heard of, but it kept Balen the Foolish well buttered up.

So, Emma Bently's rejection and changing of sides was not some ruse to gain their confidence – she really was out of favour with Belial. That was good, it meant she was more dependable. At least a little bit, anyway. Penny was also glad to hear that Belial feared the Ring of Solomon. The power to command demons, to herd them back into Hell, and to end Belial's threat forever... And to talk to the animals of course. 'No, there will be no one laughing at you then... Do you know, it's also said to grant the power to talk to animals?' she mentioned, by way of distraction, 'Marvellous. How do you plan to activate it?'

Alice: Ian frowns, thinking. Well we can't leave him here. We've already made a mess for the widow we don't need her worrying about strange men either. I saw we clean up here as best we can and then sneak him to a hotel. I doubt the one you met him in is safe, there's coppers looking after him I'll wager. If we put a new trap on the floor for him he should be safe enough to leave, especially if we truss him up good. Then we should try to find Penny, make sure the other one didn't find her.

Penny: He looks pleased as punch at the monker you've gifted him though your question of how to activate it brings a frown to his face. Now that...I'm not sure. I was going to ask that Bently witch, see if she knew. She was the one who had plans for the ring in the first place. But it can talk to animals? Now that would be something...

ooc: Ok, so go ahead and both of you let me know your plans until you regroup.

Alice nodded, "Alright then." She looked at the demon, "You sit and do not move. Do not test me." She then went about cleaning as best she could. She was not good at this, but she did her best.

'You intrigue me, sir – what were Mrs Bently's plans for the Ring, do you know?' Penny wondered. If Emma had designs of her own, then she may yet betray them and try to seize the ring. Penny felt rather better about the precautions she'd taken.


OOC: I don't have anything else but to pump Balen for information. Penny will try to reunite with Alice and Ian, with her pet demon in tow. Balen's been useful enough I feel I should claim him as my contact, but I'll run it by the others first, in character.

Alice: You do the best you can but unfortunately bullet holes are bullet holes...when the widow returns she likely won't be pleased. Ian looks around until he finds some paper and a pen and scribbles a note of apology. You see with relief that he puts down a generous pile of bills that will more than cover the damages and then grabs the demon's sleeve and leads you out. Soon you find yourselves at the seediest hotel the town has to offer and he bids you watch the demon while he procures a room. It doesn't take long before you find yourselves marking yet another devil's trap on the grimy floor of a tiny hotel room. Well that should hold him, so long as he doens't have any buddies out there Ian sighs tiredly. Now we have to find where the blast Penny went. ooc; Go ahead and roll gather information/search

Penny: There were a lot of theories but no one ever did find out for sure, even after she was tortured. That woman has a strong will I tell ya. he shudders. ooc: Just waiting to see how long it takes them to meet up with you and we'll go on from there.

12:53, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Gather Info.
12:53, Today: Mary-Alice Reussoe Conner rolled 13 using 1d20+2. Search.

She shrugged, "One of us could stay and watch him while the other goes and finds errant Penny?"

Both: Fortunately Penny proves easy to find. A foreigner of her caliber is easily recalled and soon you find her not far from her hotel. What's particularly of note is that she is not alone. Alice recognizes the second demon at her side. Surprisingly he looks quite at ease and happy in her company. Penny, you see Ian and Alice as well, noting that Ian looks a mixture of curious and cautious of the man at your side. It's hard to say if he's jealous or just wary.

I assume you've completed all of your tasks? Ian approaches with a half frown.

Alice kept quiet and a wary eye on Penny's companion.

When she spied Ian and Alice approaching, Penny suggested to Balen 'A gentleman would offer to carry a lady's umbrella.' which she passed over when he said anything that might be construed as an offer to carry her umbrella. That umbrella, of course, had a devil's trap beneath the canopy.

'Yes, I have indeed, thank you.' Penny answered Ian, then commenced introductions 'Balen, these are my partners Mister Ian and Miss Alice – no full names, of course, you understand. Ian, Alice, this is Mister Balen the Cunning, a demon of some note and talent who'd made me a most compelling offer to supply us with information.' As if having the demon wrapped around her finger and under her devil's-trap umbrella wasn't evidence enough, Penny winked tellingly at Ian and Alice but, devious as she could be, she lacked subtlety.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:03, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

Alice looked aghast at Penny. "A deal?"

A ordinary enough word, except where demons were concerned. Penny knew Alice referred to a crossroads pact or the like. Well, she had been standing at a crossroads... She understood Alice's fear and tried to reassure her. 'Employment. Mister Balen will keep his eyes and ears open and keep me informed of underworld affairs in exchange for suitable monetary and political compensation.'

Alice looked back and forth between Penny and the demon, "But not a pact, right?"

'No.' Penny answered quickly, but added wryly 'I don't deal in demon souls.'
This message was last edited by the player at 12:13, Wed 01 Feb 2017.

Alice nodded once, consoled that things are not amiss.