Persuasion [Kitsune x Pari]

She had gotten a tip that there was a fallen angel in the area, so she had to go look. Of course, by "area", she meant the streets that her lesser demons prowled while she laid around in her hotel room suite on the top floor waiting for them to find him. "What do you mean you've looked everywhere? He's here somewhere. I can sense it. Look harder, Jutheros. Tell Akria and Therocion to step it up as well." She liked using human technology, it sure was useful at times.

"We have more underlings looking around. We're searching every building. They can't hide forever."

"They sure do try though. How many years have they spent assimilating into human society?" the demon mused. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. Just try to find him quickly. The war's not taking a break and we need to recruit him before the angels do."

"Yes, Adrienne." With that, the call ended. Adrienne Shields sat back on her chair with a sigh, looking over the city. Human technology sure had changed, not to mention they were remarkably oblivious to the going ons of the other worlds. Namely the war.

The phone started ringing. "Hello?"

"We found him." It was Akria, arguably the most competent of her three trackers. "Well, I did anyway. You know the forest outside the city? He's there."

"Thank you, finally. I'll see you there." Hanging up she stuffed her phone in the pocket of her skinny jeans. Humans had nice clothes, she had decided long ago.

It didn't take her long to reach the forest, or to find the fallen angel. Her trackers weren't in sight, but she knew they'd be around to assist her if she needed. The breeze ruffled her black hair as she stood in the trees. "Hello," she greeted pleasantly.

 

Cold blue eyes narrowed. "You know, it's impolite not to return one's greeting," Adrienne stated casually. So he was a runner, eh? Fine by her, he could run all he wanted. She took a single step forward. Then another. "I don't know why you're running." Her voice changed to silky tones, body in a relaxed, open stance. "It's unnecessary. You can just come with us. The demons will treat you well," she purred. Several fallen had already been lost to the angels, so the demons had been forced to send more of their numbers as part of the recruitment movement. She simply could not afford to let another be lost to the enemy.

"Surely, what they have to offer isn't as appealing as what we can? Don't you want to get revenge against the angels for letting you fall?" She knew that some angels simply ell out of goodness, not necessarily into evil, but usually it was a good point to make when trying to sway a fallen to their side.

If he still ran, well, it'd be a huge pain, but hopefully it wouldn't take too long to find him again. "So?" She tilted her head. While appearing harmless and casual to the fallen, she was also searching the immediate area. If an angel got there, she'd be in trouble. Her trackers could fight and defend her, as she wasn't much of a fighter herself, but it could also lead to the fallen getting away and other angels to go after him.

 

Adrienne was about to answer when she was blinded by a bright light flashing in between them. It could only be one thing. Slowly opening her eyes once the light dissipated, she inhaled sharply. Of course an angel would appear. Didn't help she seemed to know the fallen, Jeffrey she believed his name was. And the angel, Kayle. Kayle... That sounded familiar, horribly familiar. With a flicking motion of her wrist behind her back, she signaled to her backup who were in the trees. If it was needed, they could engage the angel, either so she could get away, or chase after Jeffrey if he fled. It would be humiliating if she lost another.

Adrienne was a talker, not a fighter. The angel and fallen seemed preoccupied, so if she really wanted she could slip away unnoticed. But the demon wasn't one to back down easily, not to mention she valued her reputation. "It's rather impolite to barge in on someone's conversation, don't you think?" It was taking a risk bigger than what she was used to, but she absolutely could not let Jeffrey get away.

"Actually, it's downright rude. We were just in the middle of a talk when you came in, and now you're going to take him away? Tsk tsk." The demon's lips pulled back in a sneer. Provoking an angel was courting death for her, and it was either incredibly stupid or it would all work out in her favor. If she had any luck left, everything would go smoothly.

"Now, we could do this easily, or we could make it complicated. Your move." Adrienne shrugged, looking for all the world like she was nonchalant about the whole situation.

 

Adrienne offered a cold smile, her own magic humming around her as she formed a blade made of water. "You seem to be terrible confused at who will do the killing today, angel. But as it is-" Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the fallen rush away and she sneered. "Therocion! Akria! Jutheros!" she snarled. The trackers took flight from their spots in the trees, momentarily blocking the angel's path. They were expendable. She could always get more, though it would be a shame.

But that was not what she was thinking about. Wings outstretched as she darted around the angel, heading straight towards the fallen. All she needed was time, which hopefully her underlings could get her. Letting her blade slip through her fingers and dropping to the ground where it dispersed into the ground. It wouldn't do well to catch the fallen looking like she was there to fight.

"Wait up!" she called, almost cockily. He was heading towards the city, exactly where she had come from when she received the call. She pulled out one of the human cellphones from her pocket, dialing a number. "Evanti?"

"Adrienne, nice to hear from you. Is that wind I hear? Out for a fly, eh?"

Her lip curled up. "Now's not the time. I need backup."

"Oh? The so amazing I've-got-this-under-control Adrienne Shields needs backup? Someone engrave this in stone for me."

She exhaled through her teeth. "I wasn't expecting Kayle," she hissed.

There was a pause on the other line. "Oh. Well. That changes - this is - okay. I'll see what I can do." There was a click as he hung up. Narrowly avoiding a tree, Adrienne headed on towards the city, and towards Jeffrey, dropping her phone back into her pocket. Her eyes narrowed. He wasn't getting away this time.

 

When the city came into view, Adrienne landed and continued while running. Magic could only conceal so much from humans, after all. Evanti met her as she entered the city. "I'll need a new team of trackers," she muttered almost immediately. "Did you see where the fallen went?"

"I already sent the team of trackers out. They said he was in the suburban area, in a small little house. It has a sale sign in the yard." Evanti glanced at the phone in his hand. "Oh, and I sent a team to the forest as well. For Kayle. They'll give you more time, hopefully. Though it does not appear that she has followed you yet."

"Hopefully it'll stay this way. Alright, thanks. I owe you!" Sprinting down the street, she headed towards where her prey hid. One of the trackers materialized beside her, a monstrous quadruped creature of pure muscle. She stayed, guiding Adrienne to the house, then peeled away back down the street and disappeared. The house was indeed small, with weeds taking over the yard and plants growing over the house.

As quietly as she could she crept around the house, looking for an easy but silent way in. She found the back window to be unlocked, and she eased it open, crawling inside. It was dark, but then again, she was used to darkness. It didn't take her long to search the house, and only one door remained closed. She stood in the basement in front of one of the closet doors, hand reaching out for the doorknob. She opened it.

Adrienne smirked. "Got you," she said softly. She pulled him out of the closet, glancing around warily, as if waiting to see if the angel would appear. "Alright. So are you coming or not?" Her tone indicated that there wasn't really a choice.

 

((nfkvrnfjbrgjbnrg))

Adrienne flashed an unsettling grin. "Maybe a change of pace is in order? Planning is boring. Try something spontaneous!" She stepped closer, grabbing his arm. His fist was clenched, but she could make out the faint light, and the traces of magic that began to hum throughout the air. Her smile twisted into a snarl. "You fallen are all the same," she scoffed. "Try as you might all spells reach that point where they can be detected. Magic isn't subtle." Her voice held more irritation than malice as she considered charging her own spell. She didn't know what elemental magic he specialized in, but with the magic's color she took a guess.

She didn't want to fight him. It would be better if she was able to convince him rather than force him to their side. Deciding against a spell, she took a relaxed but guarded stance. "Is this really necessary? Why don't we just talk it out like civilized beings?" Adrienne spread her hands out, showing she was weaponless and not going to cast a spell anytime soon. "Come on, now. You saw what the angels were like. Surely it would be better to join us?"