ROLEPLAY HQ - the-violet-flower

TW: Violence, Gore, Sexual Themes. More TBD

Cold. Nothing but cold barren land as far as the eye could see. The only sound was the crunching of boots in snow so thick that it came just above the ankle. If Bella had thought better of it she might have come better prepared but she hadn't accounted that a blizzard would swoop in and interrupt her hunting endeavors. Weapons? She had. Warm clothes? Another check. Provisions to last a few days? She had enough for one more night. The wind whistled, a branch cracked behind her and off to the left and Vella froze. Her head whipped around to see if she was being pursued but all that she saw was snow, trees and fog. Nothing to indicate that something was following her and yet... The hairs on the back of her neck rose, gooseflesh spread over her arms and she couldn't escape the nagging feeling in her gut that she was in fact being watched. Sucking in a breath she wrapped her arms around herself and turned back around to continue pushing forward. Whatever it was it wasn't a threat...yet. She'd come out here in search of a demon. A demon that had, according to the townsfolk, been terrorizing them at first they had chosen to ignore it. Leaving little offerings at the edge of the forest to keep it fed in the hopes it would leave them be. Yet the more offerings they had left the more greedy this demon supposedly got. One animal carcass became two, two became four... until eventually a villager had gone missing. The only evidence remaining had been an emptied cabin on the outskirts of the town. Emptied and damaged, blood scattered along the walls and floors, scratch marks and broken furniture. blankspace

12:24

Terrified the townsfolk had reached out to the King in hopes that he would dispatch knights to come and deal with the beast. Yet... a month turned into five and still their pleas hadn't been answered. Each month another attack and each month they sent a cry for help. The King didn't want anything to do with it, too busy in hopes of concurring a neighboring kingdom and not wanting to spare even a single knight for the poor folk living in Dark Briar. Fed up with her father's lack of empathy Bella had sworn she would solve the problem. With barely any help from the crown she had taken what she could and set out on her adventure, her father all too happy to see her leave the castle. One less thing for him to worry about, especially the mouthy off-spring that was Bella Dumont, the fourth of six children and his second youngest daughter. She had never regretted helping those in need, always had gone out of her way for those less fortunate for her and always at her own expense. It was the sole reason the people loved their beloved princess. The Mercenary Princess she'd been deemed, though in truth she rarely accepted coin as payment. What did she get out of it one might ask? Fulfillment, Accolades, and sometimes something that no gold or silver could buy. Bella paused, bracing herself against a tree as the wind whipped around so violently that she had a fear of being blown away. Off in the distance howls of wolves could be heard beneath the violent screams of the incoming blizzards wind. Her eyes stung and watered from the bite of the cold and Bella pulled her scarf around her face tighter. She would need to find shelter and she would need to find it fast lest she freeze to death.

Swearing mentally Bella looked around her, that same sensation she'd felt nearly an hour ago was back yet so much worse. Barely being able to see now that the snow was coming down heavily she couldn't make heads or tails of where she was or what might possibly be following her. Adrenaline coursed through her as she continued on. Eventually she could smell the faint smell of wood burning. This time she moved a little quicker, a little more determined. It wasn't a guarantee of safety but it was more than she currently had exposed to the elements and whatever dark beast had deemed her it's prey. The closer she got to where the scent of burning wood came from the bigger the storm seemed to grow more violent. Night was beginning to fall and if she didn't make it soon she just might freeze to death. Be it luck or be it fate she tumbled down a snow covered hill. Falling straight on her back right by the source. Shivering and nearly frozen now Bella rose from the ground, knocking off snow as she went and stumbling right to the door. Her fist rose to the door as she begun to pound desperately in hopes that she would be granted safety. From the storm and whatever had been tracking her.

12:33

@Modern Joker

Winter in this land had always been harsh. Cold, desolate, topped with the inescapable feeling of dying alone. He had hoped that such a feeling would keep people far away from him. A large man slouched in his rocking chair surrounded by tons of green and opaque wine bottles. His name was Leon, that was one of the very few things he knew about himself now. All of his memories became blurred when he drank. Alcohol seemed to smear the canvas of his mind so the colors were inseparable, and therefore, undefinable. So he drank, not eating, or even entertaining the thought of going out into the nearby village unless it was for more liquor. How did he get here again? How old was he? How long had he been cooped up in this sad little hut? For a second the canvas was cleaned and repainted in front of his eyes. He had sat for too long and he began remembering the sands of his native land. The intense heat that was indiscriminate and constant. The lashes that he got for his wrong doings as a slave. The way his body was used for the pleasure of his Pharaoh and his wife. The man quickly drowned himself in more wine before the picture could be fully repainted. Hoping to smear it for at least the end of the week, or whenever this blizzard decided to let up. Even an immortal like him couldn't see through the thick powder of snow. Though he remembered a couple other things still. How he traveled here in the best interests of his wife. Even after she crossed plains without him. First it was to the Roman Empire, then to visit the Portuguese, then the isles. Now he found himself in... Poland right? It didn't matter now, he felt. Wherever he was, is simply where he is, and where he was right now, was in this cabin. Being constantly assaulted by the cold and the snow.

13:36

Tired of traveling, tired of living, tired of the condition he found himself in. But who was to blame except himself, right? Suddenly, the dark void he let consume him. The blackened world that surrounded him and his drunkenness. Simply, collapsed. He heard a loud pounding at his door, it was loud and shocked his ears a little. Standing up from his chair and now slightly irritated, slow and heavy footsteps were heard from outside the cabin and to the door. The door would swing open, slowly to reveal the large muscular man, who's shadow was almost palpable. Holding a very particular kind of weight when it cast onto the woman in front of him. As the light shed from around his outline. Then the next thing that came was bright and piercing violet eyes that glowed in his own darkness. Once his irritated person died down to just a simmer and their eyes had adjusted to each other. There stood a man wearing a dirty and wine stained white tunic and black leather pants that stopped just above the ankles. The man had naturally developed dreadlocks that flowed back into neat enough rows. His skin was the strangest thing about him though, he wasn't pasty or white like others. His skin was darkened to a tanned brown. With almost bleached scar-like patches slowly encircling his elbow joints. He looked at her with a displeased look in his eyes, suddenly the feeling of being watched had a source. "There's a guest bedroom down the hall in at the last door to the left, do not go anywhere else." When he spoke, his accent shifted for each word, not completely changing but it was inconsistent. A nod to his travels as a scholar.

13:36

@EnchantedNymph

For a minute Bella thought that the banging would go unanswered, her hand nearly frozen in the balled fist she'd made to knock on it. When she made to try the knob was when the door swung open. Her eyes meating a broad chest with a shirt that looked like it could be cleaned. Pale blue eyes traveled upward until they came upon a face. A face that for a moment she though were two but the cold must have been messing with her and when she blinked everything righted. Bella had made to open her mouth but before she could have even uttered a word she was being spoken to, as if somehow he had been expecting her. She couldn't place his accent but as Bella observed him it was obvious he was most obviously not from there. She was weary about entering but the wind was not kind at her back as a gust of air pushed her forward with a wall of snow. Bella stumbled forward bracing herself as her thin frame was on a straight collision course with the man before her. Luckily the gust died down and she was able to rebalance herself but that was not without the assistance of the same very broad chest she had stared at just moments ago. Her face half hidden by her scarf her eyes went wide in show as she quickly pulled her hand off of him, moving past him and into the entry way to the cabin. The roar of the blizzard raged on until the door closed. Once it was shut only then did she begin to remove her thick gloves. Her pale hands were red as she freed her fingers from the snow covered things. She wiggled each finger before she moved to unwrap the scarf that had been wrapped around her head. blankspace

17:59

Her pale blue eyes gave way to a regal nose, another few inches unwrapped and plump strawberry pink lips were revealed and finally a small but proud chin. Her golden locks held bits of snow as she turned to her host, her lips and teeth chattering as she spoke. "I t-thank you for the s-shelter o-of the s-storm.' She rubbed at her body. "I-i can reimburse you handsomely o-once the b-blizzard departs." He'd told her of the guest room but Bella wasn't a fool to just explore a man's home with him at her back. Instead she'd wait, in hopes that more conversation might be had to determine just how on guard she should be. His eyes... they were the most unique shade she'd ever seen and she'd seen quite a few from the royal parties when the castle held guests from more exotic kingdoms. She took a step forward, her breath blowing out as she tried to regulate her body temperature. "My name....is Bella. May I ask the name of my most gracious host and savior?" @Modern Joker

The man didn't seem to affected by the chilling hand pressing onto his breast. His patience did seem to grow thin when she finally came inside. Watching as she huffed and began relieving herself of her wet and cold clothing. He sighed as she started speaking, listening with disdain as she attempted to covet his irritation with a reward. Leon had just wished people would learn to stay out of places they shouldn't be. How great the world would be had Leon be able to be left alone. With a slow motion he'd press the door closed, before slowly kicking a thick roll of cloth between the door and the gap at the bottom of it. The large olive skinned man would grunt after walking back to the quaint living room, sitting in his chair. The entire cabin stunk of wine, it slowly reduced over time as the warmth from the fireplace surrounded the guest finally. One of his ears lifted, hearing the woman speak her name, then call him host and savior. "Please save me your formalities, my name is Leon, of the family Nepherites." His face was cold, unforgiving, one that had forgotten what love felt like in the most literal sense. Leon then would reach for what he thought was a full crate of wine that hadn't been opened yet, enough to last him to at least the end of the week. However, the crate was light, too light, there was nothing in the bottles. He scrambled around trying to find some more, just one bottle to keep him steady. Something, absolutely anything to keep him from going under. Much to his dismay he couldn't find anything, barely even a drop. "God dammit..." He laid back into his chair in complete defeat, the sharpness in his gaze was gone.

Modern Joker

The canvas was painted once again. The weight of the things he had done, what he had seen, started to become heavy on his thoughts. What made it worse was that his company was possibly royalty. Her smell, and the eloquence of her speech was more or less a dead giveaway. "Well, Bella... It seems karma has finally caught up to me, because I am out of wine. So let's make a deal, you kindly refrain from saying a single word for the time you are here. Not only are you doing myself and your insignificant lifespan a favor, I'll see to it that you get home safely when the time comes. Do we have a deal?"

18:44

@EnchantedNymph

She'd never heard of a last name like Nepherites before, her mind going through the more unique names she'd ever come across. It would seem that she still couldn't quite place where he may be from and that raised her curiosity even further. She'd flinched slightly when he had swore, her head swiveling to see what might have upset him already. He'd risen from his chair, his face looking rather displeased as he explained to her that. Hugging her belongings she'd opened his mouth when he mentioned a deal only to shut her mouth when he told her not to utter a single word for the entirety of her stay. How something like that would be possible when the blizzard had only just taken place was beyond her but still she kept her mouth shut. Her blonde head of hair nodding in agreement. Bella had once had to hunker down in a cave by herself for two sold weeks, surely however many nights and days she would be stuck here she would be able to manage fine. After all she had her ways to entertain herself inside her backpack. How someone could live so far out and isolated Bella didn't know but one thing she could tell was that he didn't like the fact that he had company. But not nearly as much as she realized he was more upset about his drinks, or lack there of. Tucking her hair behind her ear she pointed a cold pink index finger in the direction he had mentioned when he'd first open the door. She didn't want to have him at her back but if he wasn't going to leave his living room then perhaps it would be fine and if not, well, she had her knife on her hip, the one in her boot, and the one on her forearm. She pointed at herself next and gave a nod while raising her eyebrow. Hopefully he understood what she meant but part of her wondered if he was inebriated enough to down a cow. From where she stood the scent was strong, and all of it radiated from his person. @Modern Joker

Leon looked as she signed to, what he could assume, was her asking to confirm where the guest room was. He scoffed, annoyed "Didn't think you'd take the command so literally. So, new condition, you may speak on the grounds that you keep it to a minimum. Don't speak unless spoken to kind of thing, I'm sure you're familiar with it, being royalty." He sighed again, slowly standing back up and leading his heavy foot steps down the corridor. Stopping at the door he mentioned just a couple minutes prior. Opening it and going inside making sure that it was at least still clean. He laid down a new cloth onto the taught mound of dried hay. The rounds of dehydrated wheat pulled into a single mass by layers of thin twine. The man tucked the cloth, which was larger than the mass itself, under it by the corners. Then a new pillow sheet. Despite his shitty attitude toward everything at the moment. A part of him still held sympathy, however he had a burning question for the woman. "If I'm right and you are royalty, could you please explain why in the bloody hell you are out here in these pines? You know what inhabits this place right? A demon? You know like the string your innards onto pikes kind of demon?" Leon tried to piece some sort of string of logic as to why she was here. In the end, he didn't care enough, but still if she got hurt he'd have an entire kingdom with a knife to his backside. "You better not have a single fucking scratch on your pretty little royal face by the time we leave or so help me... sigh forget it, clearly your kind is still dimwitted enough to come to places like these. I'll just build a house on a mountain next time..." He pinched the bridge of his nose in a sign of annoyance, tired of finding himself in these circumstances.

02:40

@EnchantedNymph

It wasn't surprising to Bella that he was able to glean the fact that she was royalty. Nine times out of ten she was easily recognizable by people, and even the ones who didn't could tell by the way she carried herself. More times than not however, folks knew her because of word of mouth. Of the fair yet capable princess so when Leon mentioned that fact she just nodded. "I can do that much, apologies for taking you quite literally I'm a bit... off kilter." She stated, he stood up and her eyes watched with fascination as he loomed over her. His shadow cast over her and for a moment she shivered, her gaze averting until he walked past her and led her down the hall. The room was nothing special but it was also better than a cave or no lodgings at all and as she entered behind him she placed her items in a wooden chair nearby in a corner. Bella had just begun to remove her coat when his question was asked, her body becoming still with her jacket half off her shoulders. "Ah, well..." She finished removing her jacket and sat it on the back of the chair before turning and facing her host. "Precisely that reason. The towns folk to the east of the forest reached out to my father. I am the relief that has been sent." She'd stated it matter-of-factly, and while there was confidence in her voice when one looked at her they didn't automatically assume she knew hot to hunt, let alone fight. His warning of not getting a single scratch had her chuckle. "I suppose if I am to keep to myself I shall endeavor not to scratch my pretty little royal face." She crossed her arms, looking at her host. His tanned skin was exotic but it was his eyes that drew her in and made her want to know more about him. Everyone had their secrets, Bella included and so she would keep her mouth shut. There was no need to know more about the man in front of her, a few days and then she would be out of his hair. She took offense when he said her kind, taking it he meant royalty and not human.

09:01

@Modern Joker

Leon observed her own eyes, watching how closely she kept her eyes glued to his skin and eyes. "I'm Egyptian, since you're so curious." He hoped to satiate even a little bit of her curiosity so she wouldn't stare so much. It was the last thing he needed after having to be harshly be let down into being sober. Leon looked almost baffled hearing her go on about how she was the relief to an actual demon. "You're kidding right? A woman, let alone a girl with a pretty little royal face such as you shouldn't be out here to fight monsters. Shouldn't you be fantasizing about true love and all that?" The man sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Princesses at your age used to be more worried if she'd get married to a prick or not." Leon would walk to the doorway again turning back to her. "If you want advice from an immortal, stay where you're supposed to. No point in going out these days unless you seek death." @EnchantedNymph

12:20

(Apologize for the shortness, wanted to give you some extra opportunity)

His words grinded at her, what did being a woman have to do with anything? Looks? What did that have to do with how able one was to wield a sword or to be able to control magic. "I am a woman." Bella started, her arms unfolding before he managed to move to the door again. "I am beautiful, and royalty as you so claim but that does not detract from my merits. " She closed the remaining distance between them getting close enough that the smell of alcohol that radiated from him burned her nostrils. She lip curled upwards in distaste as she looked up at him. A foot shorter than him and it still didn't make her stop from doing what she did next. A dagger dropped into her hand as she rose it to be right at his throat, pressing lightly into his adams apple. Her eyes narrowed, her thick blond lashes putting a hood over her eyes as she spoke. "I've taken down men twice my size. I've fought off a bear in the dead of winter and came out without a scratch. I will not be undervalued for what the gods have given me."

The Egyptian was surprised by her actions, but largely unaffected by the knife to his throat. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last time. What was strange that his throat didn't have any sort of give to her blade. The soft looking flesh did not depress or crater under the fine pressure of the edge. "Let me make something abundantly clear to you, princess..." Some of the dreads slowly began to curl up from his hair pressing into each other and forming a hard stone like material. The two masses twisted and compressed themselves into a pair of demonic horn shapes. Smooth and jet black. Then the bright purple eyes she was so interested in earlier, glowed brighter, his shadow even heavier now. "I undervalue you simply because you're below me." The patch on his Adam's apple then became soft and a black patch formed over it as well. Tendrils slowly sprouted from the patch, wrapping around the blade before pulling it inside the darkness, like a coin being tossed down a well. It was swallowed in the abyss, only to reappear at his right hand. The flat of the blade in the palm of his hand, offering the handle back to her. "Do we understand why?" He promptly asked her. @EnchantedNymph

One thing was abundantly clear as Bella stood there and watched his hair twist and take shape like that of a demon's horns. They were horns and when her dagger had been pulled into that black patch of nothing Bella stilled, her body stiff as she held her breath. Was this the demon she had been warned of? That the village people spoke of when they told their tales of terror? When her blade reappeared in his hand and he held it put to her she eyed him wearily, her hand only rising to grab it as he spoke. 'Do we understand why?' Indeed she did, but that did mot mean she would show fear while she stood there. Her eyes flicking back up to his face as the knife once again came into her possession. "Even Goliath thought weak his opponent, most know how that story ended." She slid her dagger back into the confines of her sleeve. Her posture only slightly shifting as she moved to grip the door. "I hear your warning, I shall keep to me and mine. Enjoy your evening." She stepped back and swiveled on her heels before making her way back to her bag. Rifling through it. Her back turned, but her attention still on him all the same as she pretended to be done with the conversation. Bella didn't know who this man was, or what he was doing all the way out in the woods but one thing she did know, was that she had more than likely walked into the belly of the beast. The only question that remained was if he truly was the beast she was after, or if there was another... @Modern Joker

Leon scoffed at the allusion to the old tale. "Ah well goliath was a fool, and David was a kid who got lucky. I don't suggest you test your luck around me though. I am not the type nor in the mood, but you seem to have gotten the point." So the man began to turn and leave the room going down the corridor. Sighing that he was able to get his point across. However, there was something he did fear, she was royalty and he made a direct threat. Considering everything, she probably came to the conclusion that he was the mad beast. Having no physical knowledge of any other other than him. "Shit. Ugh." The demon then back peddled to the woman's door. "I figure it would be in both of our best interest's to tell you. I am not the beast you're seeking, I don't hate humans enough to drag their entrails through a town square. I simply want to be left alone, and if you call soldiers here, they'll die for the wrong reasons." Deep down he didn't want people to die for a meaningless cause, he supposed there was a time when he was human too. "Either way, if you can't get it or find it yourself, find me... I'll go out tomorrow to see if I can catch anything that is still alive... possibly clean up a little... I'm not sure if this is just the soberness talking but this place is a fucking mess..." He softly and kind of desperately chuckled to himself. Looking ahead at the work he had to do now. Why did he have to run out of booze. @EnchantedNymph

As if the demon could read her thoughts he'd came back, the sound of his footfalls rather heavy in the peaceful silence that the snow seemed to bring. Bella had already begun removing more layers of her clothing. She'd been mid pulling a shirt over her head when she'd heard him at the door again. Her blonde head swiveling as her cream colored undershirt fell back over her once exposed abdomen. She'd folded the over shirt, arching an eyebrow in his general direction. "But you are a beast." It wasn't a question, he'd displayed his powers with the intent of her knowing that and she wasn't a dense as her older sister though people liked to think she was. Beauty did not equate stupidity, at least when it came to her. "There's no need for you to change your habits just because I am here... Like I said, you keep to yours and I'll keep to mine." Bella moved over to her bag, rifling through it again she pulled out a wineskin, turning back towards him before he walked off. "Although fresh meat would be welcome, as payment..." Tossing him the wineskin she waited to see if he would grab it. "It's not the liquor you're used to drinking but perhaps it will help ease the aches." @Modern Joker

As he stopped at the door he'd notice her cream colored skin. It looked pale and soft, it made him wonder how they trusted her with such a duty. Hunting a demon? It was hard to believe. Either way, he heard the comment of him being a beast, which in his state of becoming sober... It made him kind of sad, but he still responded. "I suppose I am right now, to you anyway..." Then the wineskin came to him, which he caught in his palm. "You say that, however, I'm beginning to quickly come to a realization that these habits... Are really just me getting as close to death as possible... I thank you in any case..." He'd slowly open the top of the wineskin, drinking just a little to ease the pounding headache he felt. Leon kept thinking though, trying to find an answer to what he had been doing other than just wasting away for the past decade. He groaned in disappointment for himself. "I'm going to bed, there's some bread I baked yesterday in the clay pot with the cloth over it if you need something to eat." He'd then slowly turn with the wineskin in his hand, opening the door opposite of the guest bedroom. The inside of his own could not be seen from her view. Too darkened to notice anything from the outside. @EnchantedNymph

Her eyes narrowed at his comment, wondering if perhaps what exactly he had meant by that. He had horns did he not? He had been surly and growly in his displeasures. If not a beast what exactly did he think himself? The questions she pondered would not leave her lips however, whether out of disinterest or just tiredness. It was unsurprising to her that he'd opened the wineskin right away, her eyes watching as he took a drink. The amount in which he consumed had however, it showed he did know what restraint was. Leon's mention of bread had her stomach slightly rumble though she made no indication of acknowledgement. He'd even thanked her for the wineskin showing a hint of civility. Perhaps he wasn't a beast, but sometimes as Bella knew, they could hide underneath like a wolf in sheep clothing... She'd nodded her head. "Goodnight." Closing the distance between her and the door she watched as he disappeared into the depths of his own before shutting the door. With a sigh she made her way to the bed, sitting on the edge and removing her boots and layers of socks. Three layers and they were all soaked from melted snow. With a sigh she got up and placed them with the rest of her belongings before pulling out another fresh and dry pair. Now that she was alone Bella removed her pants, choosing then to replace those as well with something dry. Already she was feeling better despite being nearly nude. Bella rolled her shoulders and stretched before she slipped into the tight fitting pair of leather pants. Now fully dry and already warming up she moved to the bed with silent steps, barely making a sound except for when she lay in the bed. The hay cracking underneath her weight. blankspace

15:24

Sleep would allude her for hours, her bright blue eyes staring up at the ceiling as she thought about her task and the possible failure. If she did not succeed before returning home it would be a disgrace... Which meant meeting her father's wrath. Closing her eyes she placed her arm over them hoping that the darkness would help her finally succumb. She would worry about everything tomorrow... for now her body needed rest. @Modern Joker

As he shut the door behind him, he looked out in the dark before holding his finger out. Slowly a symbol drew itself in the dark, glowing as his intent went through it. Soon it created a small... and rather... weak flame... About candle strength. "God, I am not as sharp as I used to be..." He used the small flame to guide around the bedroom. Sitting at the edge of a bed, and like an actual bed. Not a pile of straw. He began to undress, taking off his tunic, letting the fire go out as his hand slid through the sleeve. Reigniting again once he was done. He looked around his room, and how much of a mess it had become. "What happened to you? You were a scholar! A legend to the Middle East and quickly spreading to Europe..." He quietly argued with himself as he looked upon the paintings he had across his wall. Him with groups of warriors, students, there was even a painting of him standing in the streets of Pompeii. "One of the most accomplished men of your people, the last man among your people..." He took up the wineskin that was sitting next to him. Opening it, he brought it to his lips. "Now you're just some grumpy drunk, and a monster to the only guest that's come since who knows when..." He then took a sip of wine in the midst of his battle. Sighing he'd finally shut up, setting the wineskin down onto a stand next to his bed. Finally lying down on to the sheet. Sleep did not grace him for many hours either. After a couple more sips of the wine though, he found himself waking up to an oddly bright morning. Peachy... @EnchantedNymph

The sun had barely peaked over the horizon when Bella finally rose from her restless sleep. Her entire body aching from the way she had slept on the uncomfortable bed. To remedy the situation she would begin her stretches, something her teacher had taught her before he had passed. Exercises that were meant to help one's function to breathe, to loosen the muscles and prepare one for more than just combat. She didn't have her mat but that didn't bother Bella none, using the spare sheet that had been atop the bed she spread it put on the floor before going through several of the positions. She would do this for well over an hour, forcing her body into impossibly difficult yoga positions before she'd call it quits. Ending her session with a bit of meditation. She was unaware of everything around her while she was in her meditative state. Her mind playing through everything that she had seen in the woods to see if she had perhaps missed something on her way in. Coming up with nothing solid only seemed to frustrate her, allowing the grumble of her stomach to pull her out of her transient state. With an irritated huff Bella rose from the floor, moving to the door. She remembered her host had said something about a loaf of bread... @Modern Joker

Though the princess went through all of her moves in the process of waking up. Surely something a lot healthier. The Egyptian did not do anything of the sort, in fact his first instinct was reaching to his bed side. Grabbing one of the empty wine bottles and holding up like he was going to drink out of it. Instead, disappointment set in when he found it was empty. Not disappointment because it was empty, but because that was his first reaction to waking up to the bright outdoors. "I... might have a problem..." He said to himself, groaning as he set the bottle down. He was sober now, like actually sober. It kinda sucked for a moment. It very sucked for the moment. Only more so as he slowly stood up. "Come on Leon, you can't stay a fucking drunk all your life, time to actually do something with your life again." He then slowly walked out of his bedroom, still shirtless, but the horns had disappeared. "Bella, are you still here?" He called out as he exited rubbing his eye before saying quietly to himself. "Or did you try to go hunt for that thing already?" he'd start for the kitchen that was stowed just behind the living room. "I wonder if I still have those dried tea leaves..." He said before looking over to the living room and the poor condition it was in. Bottles upon bottles placed together next to his chair. "Fuckin Christ..." @EnchantedNymph

She had made her way back towards the living room earlier than he had, clearly noting the... disarray and unhygienic practices Leon kept, though Bella couldn't say she was surprised. When one lived on alcohol their abilities to notice the things around them became less, so too did their will to do anything of substance with their life. She'd carefully made her way to the kitchen, avoiding any bottles she might find on her way as to not wake up her host. In the kitchen was even more...mess. With a deep breath she went in. Every room save for the one she had slept and the ones she had yet to explore smelled of old alcohol and dust. The pot was on the stove to which she took a small portion, promising to pay him back for it somehow. She had her rations but those weren't fresh and were more than likely stale now. Taking the piece she had cut off with a knife that she carried on her person she moved to sit on a stool. Wiping it with her sleeve to remove the caked dust and trying her best not to breathe as she did so. Bella made slow work of the breat, taking small bites to savor it. She was mid chew when she'd heard him call out and she quickly swallowed, clearing her throat before she spoke. "In the kitchen. I never hunt without having a meal beforehand." She slipped from the stool and made her way to the archway, staring at Leat's back as he looked at the state of his home. "Never know when one will get the chance to eat while on the hunt." @Modern Joker

"This place is such a mess... Wish I had a maid or something, I've got something fierce for a headache..." He said in comment to the disorganized garbage in the room. In other notes, although not rare, the condition that the man's body was in, was nothing short of pristine for the way he had been living. The muscle on his back, stood refined and rigid. Same for the ones of his front. He'd look over to Bella. "Glad you're still here at least..." Leon walked around for a little bit taking some of the old crates he had used for the bottles. Placing said bottles into them, and actually getting them out of the floor. Is this really what he had done for this long? Just sit a drink so much that he was too lazy to clean up after himself. Pathetic. He wouldn't search for pity in someone who didn't care for him in the first place. Buuuuut... "You know what, let's make another deal..." He said even after he got about a quarter of the way through. "I would like to actually and get up and do something since for the past decade all I've been doing is just rotting in that exact chair... I'll get us both something ready for lunch and dinner today, you put the used bottles into the crates, set them aside, and possibly clean up a bit. Does that sound good to you?" @EnchantedNymph

"There's snow out there practically to my hips...you think I'd really go out in that right now?" Bella shook her head as she took another bite of the bread, her stomach already feeling better from no longer feeling empty. She glanced around the room and the state it was in as he looked at her, her eyes coming back around to stare at him as she raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. "What?" Bella had leaned against the archway frame, one foot crossed over the other as she watched him go around picking up the bottles. She mulled over his proposition for a moment as she ripped off small pieces of the bread. Chewing them thoroughly before giving a slight now. "I suppose it does if the food is actually worth it...can you actually cook a decent meal. Or would it just be bread and a meat? Do you have seasonings?" With the state of the place she wasn't sure exactly what the guy had readily available. For all she knew she could be getting the short end of the stick yet at the same time... If she were to clean his place while he was out hunting...that meant she could find out more about this demon, and maybe why he was living out here in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps his room was full of corpses, and if that was the case then... Well, it was better to know now. "I need to know it'll be a fair deal... Can't blame me for that." @Modern Joker