Purgatory

Fiction/Fact

     Laus look eyes Dev, his face not betraying the faintest amount of shock. Even though Dev was unknowingly seen as a plaything by to Layl and a tool by Laus, he did possess a degree of intelligence. However, knowing if he showed any hesitance in responding Dev would pick up on it, Laus does so.

     "Yeah, that happened about a week ago. But I could have sworn you were talking about something that happened a few days ago." Thinking on his feet Laus uses Dev's words to at least buy some time.

     "Always the stickler for the details," Dev replies with a smirk. "But, I guess a being like you would pick apart my words."

     "Yeah, someone who pays attention truly to details sure is annoying sure is annoying," Laus responds with words laced through with sarcasm, hoping this would help to steer the conversation in another direction.

     "There are few beings in all of Purgatory that pay as much attention to the details as you." Dev briefly pauses after punctuating his statement with a smile. "So then what happened with the human outside of your bar?"

     "It's a demon thing. You know what with us needing to have precisely worded contracts in order to get the most out of them." Laus mentally vomits after spewing this half-truth and embracing the demonic side that always pained him. "And the human that was outside my CAFE was actually a witch who's transport spell misfired."

     "Really?" Dev asks having become intrigued at the prospect of a witch who could create portals. "You wouldn't happen to know anything else about this witch would you?"

     "Yeah, I actually do." Laus having known to bring up a being who could conjure portals would pique Dev's interest tries his hardest to hold back his smile of triumph. "She was just some kid going through a spell she found and trying to recreate some of the spells in it."

     "Interesting," Dev replies having his interest even further piqued. "So, she was just some inexperienced kid trying to recreate spells out of her league?"

     "Basically, from what she told me she knew the destination and had the right supplies, but apparently didn't use enough of them since the portal only took her halfway." Laus, beginning to enjoy fabricating this tale, adds.

     "You seem to know a lot for what was just a passing event," Dev states in a manner that seemingly calls out the authenticity of Laus' words.

     "Well, I never said it was a 'passing event,' you did. I closed The Nocturne for a good amount of time to help get her sorted and wait for the general interest to die down." Laus having caught onto Dev's rhythm was no longer going to allow him to get a step ahead to set him up.

     "Yes, yes, that was me projecting now wasn't it." Dev briefly pauses offering a somewhat devilish grin before continuing on. "You wouldn't happen to know anything else about this young witch?"

     "Yeah, I do." At this Laus knows that Dev was willing to accept the existence of this girl if only for the fact that she may be of use to him. All he needed to do now was convince Dev that this girl was not in the immediate area so he would have to search elsewhere. "According to her, her name's Claire. I wouldn't be surprised if she was lying to avoid having her identity out there though. And the last time I saw her, she was heading back to Mystic Row which she claimed to be her home." Giving Dev this information was akin to telling him to find a needle in a haystack.

      "A witch living in Mystic Row?" Understanding just how stacked the odds are against him Dev immediately questions the information in a scoffing fashion.

     "It's good to see my sister seems to be rubbing off on you." Wanting to embellish his lie, and make himself more believable, Laus ads this statement. "If you would have waited a few minutes I would have told you everything else. First, I have to ask you one thing. I have a feeling you're going to go looking for this girl, so, please do not hassle her too much."

     "Now Laus, when have I ever been known to 'hassle' another being?" Dev's retort is accompanied by another devilish grin.

     "Yeah, what was I thinking?" Laus responds not even attempting to hide his sarcasm. "Try to keep in mind that this girl's book contains a spell that can conjure a portal. Odds are there are also going to be some high-level destructive ones in it as well."

     "Oh? Are you worried about me Laus?" Dev mockingly asks. "I'll be fine, trust me. So, what else do you know about her?"

     Once again in an attempt to sell the lie, even more, Laus adds a sigh before his response. "She's about chest high with long deep red hair. Her eyes were hazel with a slight hint of turning, so she obviously hasn't got too deep into black magic yet. Also, she has some light freckling and somewhat of a pale complexion. However, the most important thing to know is that she hasn't used magic to 'enhance' herself or remove any blemishes."

     "So that's how you knew she was actually a kid. Not much use of black magic and not yet into using magic to alter herself." Dev seems to be overly pondering everything Laus has told before asking a question of Laus. "And you said her name was Candice right?"

     "I think you're losing it with your age. I said her name was Claire." Laus quickly retorts having been able to see through what Dev's little test.

     "My bad, I must've mixed her name up with another redhead's." Brushing off his failure, or possible success, at figuring out the truth Dev continues on. "You demons really do remember everything. But, based on what you just told me I feel that I may just owe you something."

     "I don't know if you owing me is something that I necessarily want," Laus mutters almost under his breath, but not quite enough to go unheard.

     "You should know by this time that you always want someone with my status in your back pocket." Dev helps to emphasize his point with, unintentionally, cocky gestures.

     Using all of his might Laus can fight back his gagging at Dev's gestures. Briefly taking a moment Laus mentally steadies himself before he goes on. However, just as he is about to speak the sound of The Nocturne's main doors opening catches his attention.

     "Hello, my dear." Dev slyly and merrily offers these words to Layl who is now walking through the cafe to toward the counter he and Laus are at.

     "Now this's an odd sight. Normally you two are sitting in some weird air when you're alone, but right now everything seems. Normal." Layl speaks with genuine shock to her voice as she makes it to the counter and takes a seat beside Dev.

     "Your brother just gave me some information that could prove to be quite useful. Which," Dev arises from his stool and kisses Layl on the temple, "I really should go and look into."

     "Really?!" Layl asks even more surprised that Laus helped Dev in some way than the fact they, mainly Laus, were showing each other decency.

     "What can I say? Give me enough time, and I get any being on my side." Dev offers this response as he makes his way out of the cafe. But, just as he is about to exit he turns around. "First thing I'll do to repay you if this pans out is fill your bar!"

     With that statement of intent, Dev leaves the cafe. Layl looks up at Laus smirking at the fact Dev referred to The Nocturne as a bar. Laus stands in silence or a few moments in order to make sure Dev was not about to pop back in.

     "The Nocturne is a cafe you prick." Laus venomously retorts allowing a huge weight to be lifted from him.