ROLEPLAY HQ - a-reapers-redemption

It was always lonely walking at night, with the pale moon as your only companion. Despite this, the young woman didn't seem to mind, not even shivering from the cold snow falling around her. Blood dripped from the sword on her back, leaving a small crimson trail behind in her footprints. The constant migraine seemed to finally subside now that she had reaped her latest target; a man who sold his soul in order to be loved by many. Her boss would surely be happy with this latest catch; he was always looking to boost his numbers. She didn't know why, and nor did she care. It was all secondary; she only hunted down her targets to maintain the deal she made with him. If she fetched the souls who damned themselves, she could remain topside and not have to return below. The snow crunched underneath each footstep, the sound being her only company as she continued. She knew she would have to stop soon, to find a place to rest up before her next job came across her blade. Unfortunately, her migraine began to intensify as she continued. Can't I have one small damn break? She thought bitterly, quickly unsheathing her sword. Gently wiping off the blood on her blade, she examined the name of her next target. As she read, a mental image came to her mind's eye. She committed the image to memory, sighing as she returned the sword to its rightful place in its sheath.

3:00 PM

"Well, might as well get a move on," She whispered to no one, spinning on her heels. The target, much to her rotten luck, was in the exact opposite direction. The migraine pounded against the back of her eyes, hard enough to slightly blur her vision. "Yea yea, I know already." She mumbled, the pain burning at an already short fuse. Three days. Three whole days to finally get to her destination. The snow crunching no longer was a nice companion; every sound that came to her felt like needles stabbing in through her ears, every light source shattered glass to her retinas. Despite that, she continued as if it were nothing; having dealt with this for who knows how long, she learned how to ignore it pretty quickly. Raynard Dawnfowl She recalled the name that had appeared on her blade, along with the hazy image of a young man. She had the faintest traces of information; he had apparently made a deal in order to survive some battle. Such a steep price; too steep, in her humble opinion. However, her opinion didn't matter in the grand scheme of things. She was here for a job, nothing more. Deciding that it was time for a break from the cold, she walked into the closest tavern, ordering a bowl of stew as she kept an eye out. Taverns were always popular; maybe she'd get lucky and not have to waste any more time trying to hunt him down.

3:00 PM

@BleedingZeric

It wouldn't take long for her hunch to pay off. A man sharing a resemblance to the image she had seen would barge into the bustling little Tavern. He had a short sword on his hip, which appeared to be the only weapon he had on his person. With a happy smile on his face, a pep in his step, and a cheerful tune to his voice, he approached the bartender. "Hey there! I'll take a room and.." He hummed as he looked at the shelf of drinks along the wall. The red-haired bandit eventually pointed to a small bottle of booze, just something to get him through the night. "That one riiight there." The bartender nodded in response and grabbed the drink as requested but only handed it over once the redhead gave up the coin. Raynard let out a playful chuckle as he traded the coins for the special bottle. Raynard was a cheerful soul; he seemed far too relaxed and easygoing for someone who was in debt to the devil. Well, who could blame him? He was under the assumption that he had scammed the devil after all. Ah Ray, you sly fox, you've done it again. Not even the devil can get past one of your cons He chuckled to himself. It's been over a year now since he supposedly sold his soul off to this so-called devil. Yet nothing had happened. Ever since then, he's been enjoying his life and making his way to a great holy shrine so he can receive a holy blessing. Just to be safe, of course, he was far too prideful to admit that he was afraid of the potential consequences of not paying back the demon. As expected of the male, he began heading to his room to retire for the night. Tomorrow was going to be a long day of traveling, so he needed a good rest. Maybe I can invite someone to share the night with..hmm, maybe later, I'm starting to run out of coin He simply walked down the dimly lit hallway to his newly acquired room.

While she waited for her stew, she heard the doors open over the hustle and bustle of the tavern. Cold, hazel eyes flicked their gaze to the doors, only to be met with a pleasant surprise as her target had walked in. Her lips curled in a small smile; wasn't too often her targets just fell into her lap like this. She carefully studied the man as he went to the counter, chatting up the barkeep about a room and some booze. Well, this should be easy then. She kept examining the man, the gears in her head already turning as she thought of a plan. Seeing as he went straight upstairs to the rooms, it seemed almost too easy. Secluded area, a bottle of booze...the relief from her migraine was practically gift wrapped for her. She only snapped out of her thoughts when her stew finally arrived, gratefully eating it as she kept an eye out around the dining room. Sure, she was an immortal demon serving the devil, but a girl's gotta eat too. When she finally finished up, she went to the bar and sat down, pulling some coin out of the pouch on her belt. "I'd like a room please, as well as a pint of ale." She asked quietly; even her own voice felt like nails on a chalkboard to her migraine. She pocketed the key and sipped at the ale, waiting to see if he'd come back downstairs. If not, she already had her plan in mind.

Ray would not leave his room for the rest of the night unless something had caught his attention. He was too busy enjoying his special drink while studying over the map he had hidden away on his person. However, one could argue that studying was far too intense of a word to describe what he was doing. He invested more focus into what was inside the bottle than what was on the map. It was at the point where the map could've and probably should've been damaged as a result of his drunken clumsiness by this point, but luckily by some strange miracle, it wasn't. The sly man didn't have a care in the world anyway; to his knowledge, he had no reason to rush anyway. Ironically in his attempt to achieve undisturbed peace, he unintentionally trapped himself like a fly in the spider's web. On the bright side, for the unknowing victim, his near-death wouldn't be as slow and agonizing as a spider's prey. He could simply continue his slow descent into slumber in the old tethered bed while his hunter continued to stalk him throughout the night.

It wasn't too long until Ashliee had drained her pint, wiping the ale from her mouth as she kept looking around. Much to her mild annoyance, he hadn't made a reappearance downstairs. Not even for some food, which was something she figured any traveler would be drooling over. So, she gave a sigh and decided to make her way up the stairs to the rooms. It was always a strange feeling once you were close to your target. The migraine ebbed and flowed as she walked, as if it were a mental compass pointing her towards true north. After walking down the hallway and following her migraine, she felt it lessen when she stood in front of a door. Finally, She thought bitterly, idling in front if it for a moment. She had to think of a way to get inside without drawing too much attention; both from other tavern patrons, as well as the target himself. Would it be better to sneak in through a window maybe? Her thoughts kept racing until she had her spark of inspiration. Food. He hadn't taken any food, so how odd would it be if she pretended to be taking up a tray he ordered? She walked back downstairs, ordering a bowl of stew before returning to the door and knocking. "Sir? A patron at the bar ordered you some food," Her words were clear, almost friendly as she ignored the seering pain each one brought with it. "I'd recommend taking it while it's hot."

It took a few seconds for Raynard to register what the young woman had said. Once it clicked, he recklessly jumped out of his bed, almost clumsily falling in the process. Ray, you charming bastard. You've somehow done it again! By just existing, you've managed to sweep a lady off her feet yet again! The poor girl is probably so nervous and thinks I won't notice that she bought the food just for me. His ego was inflated to high hell. Unsurprisingly the booze did nothing but make his rationalization leagues below his sober mind which was already unimpressive. To his credit he wasn't drunk by any means but wasn't wholly rational by this point. This led to him making his next decision, opening up the door and seeing the beauty that greeted him. He did think it was odd that her happiness didn't seem all too natural..but food! The wonderful scent of the freshly cooked stew, that one thought, dominated his mind.

While Ashliee waited for him to open the door, she got lost in her own thoughts. Exactly how was she going to get him alone long enough to collect his debt? If she were a smarter gal, she would've ordered another bowl of stew for herself, asked if she could eat with him. Alas, the damn migraine was clouding her mind as usual. Him opening the door snapped her out of her thoughts, and she tried to keep up the smile that had started to falter while she was waiting. "There was a lady at the bar who thought you'd be hungry," She explained, trying her best to shove the pain to the back of her head. "So she asked me to bring you some!" After examining him for a second, she figured what her next move could be. While keeping up the friendly act, she also looked to the ground. "She...she said to tell you she hopes you like it," Her voice took on a timid tone, as if she was the one who ordered the food. Sure, she was the one who ordered it really, but the whole act hinged on acting bashful and shy about it; as if she was already struck with a crush on first sight.

The young lad's heart melted at her cuteness. He thought, despite how tired she looked, that she was absolutely adorable! The little demon's act was good enough to fool him, which isn't saying much since, as of now, he could be fooled easily. You could tell him the sun was gray, and he'd likely check to make sure. The young lady's misstep was of no issue since the redhead would seek her company nevertheless. He took the tray out of her hands and then proceeded to step out of the way unlocking the clear path forward. Ashlee might have accidentally discovered her easiest target yet. His lack of self-preservation was uncanny. Could it be untamed confidence or some secret ability that gives him assurance over his safety? "How about you take a break from all that stress and enjoy the comfort of my room for a while? You deserve some rest, after all." He said with a soft smile and a kind demeanor. His personality was starting to expose itself to the light. Ray was nothing more than a shallow man searching to fuel his impulsive nature without a care for those who would suffer because of his actions. Maybe the demon was doing the world a favor by ending his life.

Ashliee watched as he took the tray from her hands, her smile widening some as he invited her in. Maybe she'd finish this job quickly and enjoy an hour of blissful, pain-free existence. She gave a small nod, still keeping up the uncharacteristic cheerfulness. God, her cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling too much; it'll be nice once she reaped his soul and could move the hell on. "I'd appreciate that!" She said, maybe with a touch too much enthusiasm as she stepped inside. Long violet hair trailed behind her as she walked, her sword still sheathed. "Are you an adventurer too then?" She asked, glancing over at him. This migraine was not letting up; if anything, it made her head pound with every heartbeat. Even the sound of her own voice made her want to claw her own ears off, but she was a master of her craft after all. She masked it well; only those familiar with the devil's magic could be able to tell, and even then it would only be if they were extremely perceptive. She took a seat on his bed, hazel eyes watching almost like a cats. Every part of her wanted to strike now, but she figured it would probably be best to wait a second. She wanted to at least make sure the man wasn't armed; it would be a bigger pain if he put up a fight after all.

Ray couldn't help but feel a sense of ease and relaxation as he conversed with the sword-wielding woman. The alcohol he consumed earlier might have dulled his senses slightly, but it also gave him a carefree attitude. He nodded slightly in response to her question, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. He set the tray down on the table that was in the center of the room, then took a few steps closer to her. He wanted to close the gap between them, to create a sense of intimacy in the air. Despite the proximity to her sword, he was confident in his own abilities and wasn't afraid of any potential danger. "I wouldn't necessarily call myself an adventurer," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "But I am on a journey, traveling from place to place and seeing what the world has to offer." He moved closer still, his crimson eyes shining in the moonlight. He was curious about her and her journey, and he wanted to know more. As he approached, he noticed that her hair was a violent shade of purple, an interesting color compared to his own. Her hazel eyes were intense, and they seemed to be sizing him up, studying him. He couldn't help but feel like she was secretly planning something, but he shrugged it off, enjoying the moment and going with the flow. With his final step, he was now within reach of her sword. He stood there, looking into her eyes, waiting for her response to his question. The air was thick with tension, and it was clear that the woman was not to be underestimated. But despite the potential danger, Ray was still having a good time, enjoying the thrill of the unknown.

She kept studying him closely as he set the tray down, her eyes following his every move as he approached her. She couldn't lie, the close proximity did throw her off a slight bit. She wasn't used to prolonged conversation, or being close to anyone-least of all her targets. She gave a bit of a shrug at his question, a hint of a smirk making an appearance. "Well, I'm a bit of a freelance worker on top of being an adventurer." She said simply, feeling a slight pang of annoyance when she saw he was by her sword. Too close for her comfort at least; if she were to try and reach for it now, it may be more hassle than she was ready to deal with. She was quick sure, but she wasn't quite sure if that'd be enough to win that particular bet. "I guess the closest thing someone could call me is a bounty hunter, but I hate that; too much of a negative connotation, you know?"

Ray was a man of pride, who exuded an air of confidence and carefree attitude that seemed to radiate from his every movement. He stood tall and arms folded behind his head as he listened to the woman's words. His eyes held a playful glint, and his lips were curved into a cocky smirk, as if he knew something that the rest of the world didn't. Despite knowing that the woman had an ulterior motive for approaching him, Ray remained unfazed. He wasn't the kind of man to be easily intimidated or manipulated, and he made sure that she knew it. With a nonchalant shrug of his broad shoulders, he leaned forward slightly and quipped, "I'm right here, cute stuff. So, might as well get it over with, or are you chasing my heart instead of my bounty?" In his mind, he was invincible, untouchable, and absolutely irresistible. He knew that he was a prize worth pursuing, and he wasn't afraid to flaunt it. He was a man of pride, and he had no intention of letting anyone, especially not a woman, undermine his abilities or belittle his accomplishments. With a carefree shrug, he waved off the woman's words, confident that he could handle anything that came his way. He was a man who lived for adventure, for danger, and for the thrill of the chase, and nothing could dampen his spirits or dull hi

Ashliee looked over at him when made it clear that he knew why she was there, although scoffed at his attempts to flirt with her. "Right, that makes the job easier." She said, standing up and grabbing her sword in one quick and fluid motion. It seemed as though she had done so within a blink of an eye; one moment she was on the bed, then the next she had her sword aimed at his throat. "Raynard Dawnfowl," She stated, her voice as commanding as any army general and holding just as much power. "You have sold your soul to the devil, and it is time to pay your debt." The small declaration sounded rehearsed, as though she had gone through this many times. "Please, for the love of all that is wicked and sullied in this world, don't make it harder than it has to be." She added with a grumble, the migraine coming to a crescendo as she stood before the man. The air around her had changed, almost charged with dark energies as she spoke as well. Her one hazel eyes seemed to glow violet from the magic around her, and the magic seemed to channel from her being into the sword as she prepared it to both rip his soul out of his body and absorb it for holding until she made another trip to the underworld.

The young girl had captivated the redhead with her fluid movements and effortless grace. But the moment she finished, the mood shifted, and a palpable tension settled over the room. Most people would have been paralyzed with fear, but Ray was different. He seemed almost bored, as if he had been in this kind of situation before. He let out a weary yawn, as though he had better things to do than deal with this. But even as he appeared nonchalant, there was a glint in his eyes that spoke of excitement. He reached out and touched the flat end of the blade, pushing it down with a cocky smirk. "Well, aren't I a lucky customer?" He drawled, his voice full of sarcasm. "The devil sends a cute girl to take my debt. Who would have imagined that?" His ego was on fire, and he seemed to be relishing the danger he had found himself in. What in the hell could he be thinking? It seemed like he was intentionally trying to provoke the young girl to make things worse than they already were. The air was thick with anticipation as the two stood there, locked in a dangerous dance of words and, soon, possibly swords.

Despite pushing her sword down, she readjusted it so it was back to being pointed at his throat. There was a slight twinge of annoyance on her face, one that she tried to hold back as he spoke. "Listen, I don't have the patience to deal with your cocky attitude. Not to sound like a dumbass cliché, but we can do this the easy way where I just do one clean sweep of the sword bingo bango. Or, we can do this the hard way, where I get to make you feel pain of which you've never felt before." Her voice was low, no longer holding any of the gravitas from her declaration. Despite still trying to look professional, her eye twitched from the pain in her head. The migraine was starting to become too much for her; sure, it wouldn't be the first time this had happened, but it would be incredibly inconvenient if it got in the way of her work now. "Can we just get this over with?" She asked, her annoyance seeping into her words as she glared at him. "Don't have time for your smart assery; I'd prefer getting this done and over with so this damn migraine goes away."

Ray emitted a soft, amused chuckle, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he began to saunter around the room. Ash's menacing threats fell on deaf ears, for Ray's unyielding, cocky attitude persisted even as she pressed the cold, sharp edge of her blade against his neck. "Ooh la la, aren't you a feisty one?" he taunted playfully, exuding confidence as he allowed her to maintain her threatening stance. The glint in his eyes revealed that he didn't fear death in the slightest, or perhaps he genuinely believed that he wasn't in any imminent danger. His bravado seemed unshakable, as if he held an invisible trump card, fueling his audacity amidst the tense atmosphere.

Despite the pounding in her head, fury flashed in Ashilee's eyes as they followed the man around the room. She grit her teeth, and went to swing at him after his taunt. "Goddamn, I've never met such a cocky asshole." She growled, but the migraine messed with her balance more than she would have thought. Her sword missed it's mark, cleaving itself into the wood wall beside Ray. An annoyed hiss escaped her as she started to try and wrench the blade from the wall. "Damnit, this fucking migraine." She mumbled under her breath, putting her foot against the wall for some more leverage. After a few seconds, she wrenched her sword free, only to land on her backside with a wince. She quickly got herself back to her feet, brushing dust off of herself before looking back at Ray. "Don't. Don't say a single damn word." She hissed, pointing her sword back to his throat. "This migraine doesn't exactly make for a good way to balance, so don't be a twat waffle about it."

As Ray watched with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, he remained unfazed when the young, murderous girl failed in her strike, causing her sword to become lodged within the wall. He yawned languidly, an air of boredom hanging about him, as he patiently waited for her to retrieve her weapon. The moment she stumbled and fell, Ray burst into hysterical laughter, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "BAH! You okay there, shortie?" he managed to choke out between fits of laughter, "That looked like quite the tumble!" His laughter subsided for a moment as, from the corner of his eye, he noticed a piece of parchment that had been dislodged by her fall. It caught the wind like a delicate butterfly, fluttering gracefully through the air. His eyes widened, and a flicker of panic flashed across his face. Ray wanted to lunge for the paper, but the girl's blade found its way to his neck once more, stopping him dead in his tracks. The sudden tension in the air was palpable, as Ray's laughter died away and the two adversaries faced each other down. Ray desperately hoped that she wouldn't notice the reason behind his abrupt mood shift, but he soon realized that his moment of sudden panic might have been a grave mistake. He tried to play it off nonchalantly, attempting to regain his earlier air of indifference. But the tension in his muscles and the beads of sweat forming on his brow betrayed his inner turmoil. His heart pounded in his chest as he held his breath, praying that she would remain focused on him and not the floating parchment. Ray knew that if she discovered the true significance of that paper, it could spell disaster for him and his plans. Ray knew that if she discovered the true significance of that paper, it could spell disaster for him and his plans.

"Oi, who're you calling shortie?" She spat, trying to focus her vision. She wished her boss would figure out she'd be better at her job without these damn migraines getting in her way, but whatever. She knew he was too pigheaded to listen to her anyway. However, she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes flicked over, watching a piece of parchment flutter in the air from her tumble. She wouldn't have thought much of it, if it weren't for the way Ray reacted to the paper fluttering around. While still pointing the sword at him, she reached out and took the paper from the air. She looked back over at him, then at the parchment. A map huh? She thought to herself, studying it along with the notes in the margins. She even flipped it to the back, looking at more information scrawled there. A shrine? And it can... "Oi, cocky asshat, what is this?" She asked, her attention going back to him. Her sword lowered a hair, her curiosity starting to win out over her job. If what the parchment said was true, maybe she had found an out from these constant migraines and constant jobs. Maybe she could finally rest, if she were lucky enough. "And don't bullshit me, I'm not in the mood."

Ray scoffed, a wry smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he nonchalantly crossed his arms, exuding an air of subtle defiance. "And why should I tell you?" he challenged, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "It's not like you could hurt me anyway." His eyes gleamed with an unshakable confidence, betraying his unwavering belief in his own God-like luck. He stood firm, his feet planted wide and his shoulders squared, as if daring the universe to prove him wrong. Every fiber of his being seemed to radiate an almost palpable aura of invincibility and pride.

"Because if you would stop being a shithead for five goddamn minutes, I'm interested on wherever the hell you're going." Despite the words being harsh, they seemed to lack a bit of the bite her voice held before. Her patience was waning, every fiber of her being wanting to just end him and end the pain for a bit; however, if that map was right, holding out a little longer may yield longer lasting rewards. She sighed a bit, lowering her sword as her free hand went to rub at her temple. "Listen, while I can't say I hate my job, I can say I hate the work conditions. Migraines aren't exactly fun as one offs, let alone chronically." She sheathed her sword as she talked, but still kept a hand on the hilt in case he decided to pull something. She took a deep breath, her face going from openly hostile to one of indifference...and maybe a touch of hope. Not that she'd ever admit to that. "I think I can work a deal out with ya." She said, still poised to fight if he threw the first proverbial punch. "You take me with ya to that fancy shrine, I won't reap your soul and hand ya over to the boss. Sound like a deal?"

As she slowly withdrew her gleaming sword from the vulnerable skin of Ray's neck, he began to listen with heightened attention. He raised his eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and resignation in his eyes, and let out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his predicament. He then scratched the back of his head, his nimble fingers brushing against his disheveled crimson hair. "Fine, fine, deal. It's not like I have a choice anyway," he grumbled, his voice tinged with reluctance. "Now then," Ray continued, his demeanor shifting to a more somber tone. "Want me to explain more details about that shrine? Because it's a long story, and you're gonna need to take a seat for this one." To anyone's surprise, the usual hint of mischief in his eyes was replaced with a flicker of seriousness. Whatever this information was, it was going to be crucial.

While she'd admit the change of his demeanor was welcome, she couldn't help but feel it was a bit strange to see. She seemed to relax some as he accepted her deal, the hand that was on the hilt of her sword resting at her side as she shifted her weight to one leg. "Glad it can work out then." She said, her own demeanor changing some as her voice completely dropped the hostility; instead, adopting somewhat of a monotone, and kind of fast cadence. When he asked if she wanted an explanation, she gave a nod, turning slightly and sitting on the bed. Even if they agreed to peace for now, she was still wary; it wouldn't be the first time a target tried to be peaceful just to stab her in the back when she wasn't looking. She made that mistake when she first started working with the Devil, but she'd never let it happen again. "I'd appreciate if you'd start from the beginning," She said, now having both hands rub her temples in hopes of some relief. "And I'd appreciate if you were as quick and concise as you can manage; won't lie, kinda wanna claw my ears off the longer this conversation goes on." Despite the snarkiness of her words, her tone remained monotone; the open hostility in her eyes replaced with exhaustion and even hinted at some of the pain she felt on a chronic basis. Now that she wasn't trying to fight, it was easy to see the toll the pain had taken on her from decades-or even centuries-of serving the Devil. Dark, heavy bags under her eyes were more visible now she wasnt glaring constantly, and despite the toned muscle from fighting, she looked a bit underweight. She was a tired soul, and now that she wasn't on the defensive, she couldn't hide it as well. "Well? Spit it out." She added, almost as if she knew how pathetic she'd look without the attitude, and wanted him to keep in mind she was still dangerous despite it.

Ray's eyes grew somber, the weight of the topic pressing down upon him. The experience had been so traumatic that humor seemed unimaginable. The gravity of the situation, steeped in darkness and despair, was too great for him to attempt any levity. "A few years ago," he began, his voice tinged with regret, "I joined forces with some people I considered friends. We concocted a daring plan: to be the first in history to steal a fucking dragon's egg. A real deal dragon egg from the heart of the Imperial Capital. We knew it was a reckless idea, but as professionals, we were confident in our abilities and convinced we could pull it off." Ray leaned back in his chair, the memories of that fateful night threatening to consume him. "We managed to get further than anyone before us. We slipped past countless guards and soldiers, finally finding our prize – a real dragon's egg. It was breathtakingly beautiful, almost ethereal in appearance. And it was heavy as hell." He paused, swallowing hard. "My crew and I seized the egg, we were happy as hell. We had made history, but our fortune was short-lived. During our escape, the guards found out the egg was missing, and the entire city went into lockdown. And just my luck, I got shot in the back." The red head took a deep breath, bitterness seeping into his words. "My so-called friends abandoned me, leaving me behind to bleed out. They even laughed as they fled with our loot. More money for them, and someone to pin the crime on." He sighed heavily, struggling to continue. "As my vision blurred and darkness closed in, I awoke in an opulent room, the soothing melody of a piano filling the air. The walls were draped in these rich red fabrics, and I half-expected to find myself in the lair of some weird fucking noble. Then I followed the music and came face-to-face with a being I can barely call human. He was dressed in a black and red suit, his appearance simultaneously youthful and ageless. He told me I was on the brink of dea

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th, but he could save me. In exchange for my soul, he would…. grant me any wish I desired." He soon gave way to a sly, mischievous grin. "I questioned the extent of the wishes he could grant and ultimately chose unlimited, god-like luck. And the bastard granted it! I had outsmarted the devil himself! He can't collect his debt now, but I'm a marked man for the rest of my life." His laughter was tinged with both pride and self-reproach. Ray knew he had tampered with forces beyond his control, and although he might be untouchable, those around him were not. The realization that his loved ones could be harmed as a consequence of his actions haunted him – a level of suffering he was unprepared to face… After a moment of self reflection he regained his composure, he then pointed to the paper in Ash's hand. "For three years, I've been searching for a way to break free from this curse and rid myself of that fuckers presence. The shrine on that map not only promises to nullify my deal but also protect anyone who pledges themselves to the goddess of light. I've had my fill of excitement; now I need a way out. Without that map, I'll be hunted, stalked, and tormented for the rest of my mortal life – and then my soul will suffer the same fate for all eternity. Needless to say I don't want that shit"

As he explained himself, Ashliee would listen quietly, her eyes never leaving the man. It wasn't the first time she heard of the Devil screwing up, but it was somewhat of a rare occurance. She'd also heard of ideas more foolish than stealing a dragon egg. She could see the room he was describing in her minds eye; an all too familiar room, with all too familiar piano music playing, but none of that was what she cared about. She wouldn't interject or make any comments until he was done with his story, only giving a slow nod as she closed her eyes. "Yea, that does sound like my moron of a boss," She said quietly, only to feel her migraine flare up after that comment. She winced at the pain, knowing exactly why it was there. "Damnit, gotta choose my words more carefully." She mumbled, remembering her own deal. While she made it with the same man in the same room as Raynard, her deal was more...complicated to say the least. She glanced at the map and gave a nod, standing to hand it back to him. "Honestly, can't say I blame ya." She said, shoving her hands in her pockets once the man took the map back. "Being indebted to the Devil isn't exactly a picnic; I can tell ya that from life experience." She stood awkwardly for a second, blinking several times to try and make her vision not so blurry. "Considering you're my mark, it'll be a while until they reassign someone to your case. That should buy ya some time before the next reaper shows up." She explained, looking back up at him. She ran a hand through her hair, giving a shrug. "I dunno how long that'll be though; could be a day, a month, who's to say. Since I'm apparently one of his 'prized reapers,'" She said the phrase with air quotes, "He'll probably be more lenient with the time frame..." She let out a deep breath, pinching the bridge of her nose as she kept thinking.

With a subtle nod, he gradually reclined into his chair. His eyes, brimming with intrigue yet laced with suspicion, settled on her. "So, you're gonna join me on my little adventure? " He asked, his voice a captivating blend of curiosity and playful mockery. "I told you my story, now your turn. What made you want to turn your back on the papa demon" The red head found himself genuinely intrigued by Ash's motivations, the enigma of her intent capturing his attention. A lingering thread of distrust still tethered him to caution, but he recognized that escape was a futile endeavor. Powerless to slay her, he resolved to play along, biding his time and observing her every move with keen interest, until he could figure out if he should fully trust her or not.

"Okay, let's get one thing clear here." Exhausted eyes flared up with a calm sort of anger, glaring over at him. "He's just. My boss. The only reason I even took his damn deal was because it was either that, or being tortured for the rest of eternity." Old memories washed over her for a moment, memories from when she first woke up in hell. Even if she was only on the outside of the room for a minute, she could still see what occured there. The screams, the sounds, the sights... "Trust me, even if I hate the work conditions, this beats Tartarus." She took a shaky breath, trying to shove the memories back into their box. "If ya wanna know why I want out, well..." She paused for a second, trying to figure out how to word her sentiment. "I don't think you'd have a pleasant existence if all you ever felt on a daily basis were migraines so bad, you've seriously considered shoving ice picks in your skull to relieve it." She met his eyes for a second, the calm anger snuffed out by now. Despite trying to keep up the tough act, it was clear exactly how much agony she lived in on a daily basis. She was exhausted, and it was hard to hide at this point. "Ain't like I have any other leads to get out of this; I mean, I'm already dead, so it ain't like I can get out if it that way." She gave a bit of a harsh laugh, wincing a bit as she finished from the pain it brought with.

A soft, almost melodic chuckle escaped him, resonating warmly in the air as he acknowledged her disgruntled expression. There was something endearing about her vexation, a charming quality that made her seem more human than demon, almost adorable in his eyes. His head bobbed in agreement. Slowly rising to his full height, his lean silhouette cast an elongated shadow in the dim light. He extended his hand towards her, the gesture laden with understanding and camaraderie. His voice was soft, yet firm, carrying a note of conviction. "I gotcha, you want out, doesn't get more simple than that right?" He said rhetorically. Straightening his back, he attempted to exude a certain professionalism that was unusual for him. It was a challenge for a man known for his cunning, roguish charm, but he managed it, even if just momentarily. His smirk faded into a solemn expression, his eyes bore into hers with an uncharacteristic seriousness."I, Raynard, would like to make a deal" he began, the humor in his voice replaced with a newfound determination. "Spare my life, and in return, I will guide you to the shrine. Together, we'll free ourselves from that asshole's curse" Given her demonic origins, the irony of this proposal was not lost on him. It was almost poetic, he mused, to propose a pact similar to the one he had sealed with her boss.

When the man started chuckling, Ashliee could feel some anger flare up at her. Was he mocking her? She grit her teeth, ready to try and grab her sword before seeing the man nod his head and stand. The anger was quickly replaced with confusion, her eyebrows furrowing as he extended his hand. She listened to him carefully, even giving a small nod of her own as he understood what she had said. "I mean, any more simple and it'd just be me saying "want free"." She said, a bit of a smirk on her face as she also stood. She was a few inches shorter than the man, having to look up slightly in order to meet his eyes. However, she gave a bit of a scoff at the formal charade he was putting on, the smirk growing some to a crooked smile. "Trading one deal for another, eh?" She asked, a touch of humor tinting her words. Despite the sarcasm, there was a new spark in her eyes; despite her body language still being cold, her eyes betrayed the sense of hope she felt. Without thinking too much on it, she took his hand, giving it a firm shake. Her skin was as cold as death itself, which was strange considering her status. Normal demons were always hot, hotter than the living. Although, that could just be because she was dead, and didn't have hellfire to keep her warm. "Well, if we're doing a whole formal thing," She said, still retaining the mildly amused look on her face. "I, Ashliee Gallagher, accept this deal. Let's tell that dickwad to shove it." She winced slightly, the migraine intensifying for a moment as she disparaged her boss. Despite that, she still kept her smile; if this worked, she would be able to speak freely without that happening ever again.

3:47 PM

With the deal made, she went and picked up her sword, closing her eyes for a moment. A light purple light surrounded the sword, then it was gone. She glanced back over, giving a shrug. "I don't want any bad blood between us right off the bat." She explained, putting a hand on her hip. "Figured dismissing my sword for now would be a sign of good faith, ya know?" Although she was true to her word, she couldn't help but feel vulnerable without her weapon. There was a slight unease in the way she shifted her weight, running a hand through her hair. When was the last time she dismissed it? Eh, doesn't matter really. She thought, shaking the worry away. "Anyway, what's the plan for tonight then? Anything else you wanna talk about? If not, I'll probably see if I have enough to rent a room for myself."

The instant he felt the icy graze of her hand against his, an involuntary shiver coursed up his arm like a bolt of frostbitten lightning. The startling coldness of her touch was unexpected, a stark contrast to her fiery demeanor. Once her sword vanished his eyes widened in surprise, a low whistle of admiration escaped his lips. "That's fucking cool-" He murmured, a hint of envy lacing his words. Despite his slight jealousy, he found himself appreciating her act of goodwill gesture. Once she asked about further plans Ray gave a nonchalant shake of his head, followed by a slight chuckle. "Yeah, you're all set. I counted," He assured her, with a teasing tone. With a casual flourish, he pulled her coin purse from his pocket, the soft chime of coins providing a musical backdrop to his confession. "This was before our uh- little agreement of trust, heh…"

Ashliee gave a bit of a nod, chuckling a little bit. "Bah, I don't do that often, so don't expect it all willy nilly. Takes too much of my energy." While she did notice the hint of jealousy in the man's sentence, she didn't pay it any mind. If she didn't know the cost to have that sort of power, she'd be jealous too. However, when he pulled out her coin purse, her eyebrows furrowed while her eyes narrowed. "How...funny." She said slowly, quickly snatching the purse away. "I'm only letting it slide because you did that before our talk here." With that, she gave a nod of her head and a quiet "good night" before heading out to her own room. Sleep never came easy to the fetcher. She lay in bed, still, staring at the ceiling. Her head was swimming with everything that had just happened; she'd never had a target turn out quite like this. However, she couldn't tell if it was because of her will, or the fact the man had an insane amount of luck. Either way, she just gave a quiet sigh. It doesn't matter. The thought seemed to be coming to her more and more, but each time it was true. Who cares if it was purely because of his luck; if it meant getting out of this deal, she'd take it. Sunlight coming into the window burned into her closed eyes, causing her to groan and roll over. When had she fallen asleep? Where was her sword? It took her a moment, but she eventually got up. Judging by the sunlight, it was still barely sunrise; she wasn't sure if anyone was awake at this hour. She looked over at a door, sighing a bit. She had some time, she was sure of it. Without thinking much of it, she went to the bathroom and took a hot shower. Pretty soon after that, she was down in the tavern, ordering a small breakfast. Sure, she didn't really need to eat, but food still tasted pretty good. So, she sat quietly, waiting for Raynard to come down so they could continue on their adventure. @BleedingZeric

He chuckled lightly at her reactions to his mischievous behavior. "Goodnight to you as well little demon" He said before he prepped himself for the night to come. Sleep was a fairly easy thing to achieve for Raynard. Ever since his deal with the devil almost everything was easy for him. This, however, came at one big setback. He was incredibly lazy. The redhead did whatever he wanted and nothing could stop him. Once the sun had raised it didn't hit his eyes but instead lightly lit his room to a comfortable level of light. That had eventually woke him up from his slumber. He rose from bed and made his way to the bathroom so he could clean himself. After 40 or so minutes of getting ready Ray had eventually made his way downstairs and spotted the little hunter sitting and eating. He greeted her with a bright smile and waved. "Rise and shine firefly! Ready to kick ass and take no prisoners?" He said cheerfully as he sat beside her and tossed a coin to the bartender so he could order some

11:17 AM

food to fill up his belly before the journey ahead.

As she ate, Ashliee kept pondering about the journey ahead of them. She wasn't quite sure of the obstacles they'd be up against, so she tried to focus on some good guesses. She knew Satan probably wouldn't take kindly to her betrayal, so eventually they'd have another fetcher on their tails; she had that going for her at least. Sighing, she took another bite of some eggs. Such a pain in the... At the sound of Ray's voice, her head snapped over to him. She gave a bit of a shrug, going back to staring at her plate. Now that she wasn't going to take his soul, she wasn't quite sure how to act. How many decades had it been since she just...talked? Been friendly? Probably a few too many, judging by how the cat had her tongue. "I mean, I guess?" She mumbled, her gaze flicking back over to the man. "What's the plan of attack today? I'd say we have a couple days before the big man downstairs realizes what's happened." @BleedingZeric

He shrugged as he leaned back in his chair and took a moment to ponder his thoughts. "Well, I'd say we get the hell out of this city, for one. But the next big city we'll get to is about a week's journey away, so I say we stock up on supplies before ditching this place. Whatcha think?" As he finished offering his plan to the reaper, his bowl of stew arrived. Raynard's eyebrow raised for a moment, then a happy grin formed as he began to eat his long awaited meal. "OH! Also, you're not the only person who has a target on my back, by the way. So we'll have to get moving fast since I've been here for a while and word gets around quickly when you're as popular as me" He chuckled as he said it nonchalantly. He was used to being hunted since no hunter had ever caught him; however, little did he know that the more he evaded his capture, the more dangerous each hunter would become. Ash was the final straw in this cycle of constant evasion. He was about to be reminded that his actions have consequences….

Finishing up the last of her eggs, Ashliee gave a bit of a nod. Stocking up was always a good idea, no matter what the journey had in store or how far away the destination was. "Plus side for you, I don't need much." She said, gesturing to her empty plate with her fork. "This? Kinds just for show. Don't get me wrong, tastes good, but ya kinda don't need food when your dead." She gently set her fork down, resting her hands in her lap. Her thoughts trailed back to her sword, questioning it. She needed magic to summon it, but if she wasn't reaping souls, could she use her magic? It was something she hadn't thought about before, but she'd never had to before. "I think," She said, her words slower as she tried to figure out a solution quickly. "How about you get what you need once we're done here, and meet back up. I have enough coin to take care of myself, and just to be safe, I'm gonna get a different weapon." It was the best idea she had to circumvent any issues that would crop up from using her magic; for all she knew, Satan could sense the magic and track her that way.

2:24 AM

When he'd mentioned others having a target on him, she gave a bit of a snort. "Someone as charismatic as you?" She asked, feigning surprise. "I couldn't possibly imagine." There was a bit of a smirk to accompany the sarcastic quip, crossing her arms with a shrug. "But honestly, sooner we move, sooner I'm on my way to not have this constant migraine, so I'm good with that. You finish up breakfast, I'm getting a new weapon, and maybe something a little less conspicuous." As she mentioned the last part, she gestured to the outfit she had on. While it wasn't anything that screamed "I'm gonna collect your soul," it was still obvious that it wasn't from this region. She didn't want any questions about where she was from; she just wanted to disappear in a crowd. So, she stood up, holding her hand up in a slight wave. "Meet back here in a couple hours?" She asked, waiting a second before she took off. "Or would you need more time to get your own supplies?"