When Shobek finally finished making his circle, he moved back towards the center to find Kasey trying to smooth out her hair curls. He was happy to see that the tight, black jeans and the white shirt fit. Though he noticed that she wasn't wearing the boots yet.
"Do the boots-" Kasey yelped and swung around to fling the brush at him. Luckily for him, he was able to dodge it before it hit him smack in the face. He gave her a wide-eyed look and she slowly calmed down realizing it was him.
"Do they happen to have collars with bells on them? I think I should get you one." She scowled, though an embarrassed blush brushed her cheeks.
"I doubt they do..." Shobek frowned at the thought of having to wear another collar. "Besides, I don't think I really need one."
Kasey snorted and glared past him at the hairbrush that was now doused in mud. No way is that touching her.
"Anyway, as I was trying to politely ask, do the boots not fit?" He inquired, continuing his walk towards her. He looked down at the black boots with gray fur peeking out from the collar.
"Oh, I haven't tried them yet..." Kasey peered down at the boots.
"Then let me assist you." Shobek got down on one knee and started untying one of the laces on one of the boots.
"T..that isn't necessary!" Kasey squeaked, but he had already finished and had carefully untied the laces to her sneaker.
"It certainly isn't, but it will make the process go faster." Shobek glanced up at her as she stared down at him, blushing. "Now... May I?"
A moment of hesitation later, she finally lifted up her foot enough for him to slip her shoe off, fix her sock, and slide the new boot on. Kasey held on to his shoulder to keep from losing balance. Her blush became more and more prominent. Shobek quickly tied up the boot and moved to the next one. repeating the process till it was done. Kasey quickly stepped away from him and crossed her arms, her face heated.
"How do they feel?" He asked, looking her over. Choosing not to comment on how red her face was.
"They feel fine.." Kasey looked everywhere but at him. Using the excuse of putting her old shoes in the bag to turn away from him. He stood back up and walked over to the cloak that was resting on the root of one of the trees. Mud was already sticking to the black fiber, unfortunately.
"It seems we'll have to buy you a new cloak," Shobek commented, turning back to Kasey who instantly looked up at him.
"Why?" She looked over the cloak and disregarding a little mud here and there, it was fine.
"It has mud all over it." He turned back to the material in his hands and sighed. Thinking of burning it he glanced around to figure out how to do it with little trace of their existence here.
"No, no! It's fine! It's just a little mud. Besides, your pants are far more drenched than it." Kasey trotted over and pulled it from him, quickly putting it on, three big, bronze, clasps on the front keeping it from slipping off. "See? No big deal."
Shobek frowned but figured it was probably safer not to burn it anyway. So as long as it didn't bother her, he wouldn't fret over it either. "Fine. Then shall we be off?"
Kasey nodded and looped her arm with his awaiting one. "Shouldn't you turn your hair back to black?"
"No, I want Mammon to hear of my presence." Shobek started to lead them through the trees. "Ah, you should go ahead and put your hood up though."
"Why?" Kasey obeyed anyways, her guesses being around the fact that she didn't look like a demon.
"Your beauty can draw too much unwanted attention."
Kasey stumbled after hearing his reasoning and turned to give him a baffled look.
"And because you look more human than a demon," Shobek added with a smile.
She rolled her eyes and grumbled something indecipherable, leading Shobek to just chuckle. After a short stroll through the woods, they finally came to the forest's edge and Kasey peered out at the market. People were swarming the place, some having horns, others having fins, and most being unnatural skin tones. It was like a rainbow of people and she wasn't sure if she should be amazed or terrified. Shobek let his horns reappear, people glancing wearily at the two of them. People started giving them a wide birth, which Shobek appreciated. Kasey barely noticed the second glances people gave her, caring less about how some of them muttered their curiosities. What caught her attention was the rich aroma of food. Her stomach instantly growled and she hurriedly pulled Shobek along as she followed her nose.
"Fried Cockatrice! Nine dollars each!!" A raspy voice bellowed. Though Kasey wasn't sure what a Cockatrice was, it smelled delicious. Pulling Shobek in front of the stall she peered at the bulky, old woman who reminded her of a toad. Unsure if it was because her skin was a sickly green or because warts dotted her face she wasn't sure. What Kasey was sure of, is that whatever a cockatrice was, it looked as delicious as it smelled.
She peered up at Shobek who quickly met her eyes, "Can I have some?"
Shobek watched Kasey's hungry eyes and looked back at the fryer the troll was using. At the back of the troll's tent was a butcher's table with a barrel of what seemed to be the insides of her kills. Seeing nothing too alarming, except the inedible parts of what she was selling, he supposed it should be alright.
"One serving please." Shobek met the eyes of the woman, who seemed to of recognized him.
She smiled nervously at him as she quickly prepared a small box of cockatrice. A minute later she carefully held it out for Kasey who took it happily. "T..that will be only 5 dollars for you, sir."
Kasey gave her a surprised look but decided not to comment. Shobek reached into his back pocket and pulled out a black wallet, a ten-dollar bill finding its way to the woman's hand. "Keep the change."
Shobek led Kasey away as she opened the box and practically drooled as she picked up what looked like a chicken tender. She took a bite and was amazed by the strange texture. She slowly looked up at Shobek, "Um...what is a cockatrice...?"
Shobek snorted and stifled a laugh, only a smile showing his amusement, "it's... basically a chicken with the tail of a snake."
Kasey gave him a confused look but continued to eat her strange but delectable tenders. "Well, they taste good."
Shobek chuckled at that, which a few people around them thought was a threat, and instantly hurried out of his vicinity, "Indeed they are."
They walked aimlessly, a few times pausing to look over the weird trinkets Kasey noticed. At one point she tugged Shobek to a certain vendor and smiled broadly as she pointed out that "They do INDEED sell collars!"
Shobek muttered something about burning the whole tent down which promptly made the vendor faint. And a few others around them pack up a few more...cherished items, in case they need to make a quick getaway.
After an hour of strolling around, a silence suddenly fell among the marketplace, Kasey looked around confused, many people were looking up at the sky. Some already looking for cover. She looked up and realized what they were looking at. A dark shape was fast approaching, two other dots following close behind.
"What is it?" Kasey quietly whispered to Shobek, who took a step closer to her.
"Not what, WHO," Shobek muttered back to her, his eyes scanning the figures carefully.
"Okay, WHO is it?" Kasey requestioned. Shobek silently lead her down the path, then closer to the ports. His gaze quickly found the sign that he was looking for, a Bed and Breakfast Inn. Kasey looked over the classic west architect and frowned at the chipped white paint. She then noticed the sign and read the title skeptically, "Heavenly Inn? Shouldn't that be a cursed word down here?"
Though Shobek wanted to comment, he knew it best to focus on getting Kasey somewhere safe. He knocked on the door. The shutters were closed and the lights were off, but he knew there were people inside. He silently growled, "Open the door or I break it open."
A skittering sound came from inside and the lock turned. The White door opened and Shobek shoved it open and pulled Kasey inside. He looked down at the small demon who was already quivering. "Keep this girl safe or you and anyone who knows you dies a painful death."
Kasey looked at Shobek with wide eyes. She's seen him rip creatures apart, but never has she seen him act coldly towards other demons before. Except maybe Apophis. It was rather chilling to see how cold his gaze could truly get. The demons lip quivered as they nodded their head, their tiny. brown bird wings shivering as Shobek gave it one last snarl and turned back to Kasey.
"I need you to stay here till I fetch you. If anyone tries to harm you will I am gone," his eyes darkened as he looked at the trembling demon. They fumbled with the white apron that was over their brown pants and tan shirt. "Feel free to burn this whole place down." The demon's motions stopped for a moment their eyes never leaving the floor.
Kasey doubted she could light the whole place on fire, but she knew that making herself sound more threatening made her an unlikely target. So, in order to play along, she gave him a wide smile, "with pleasure!"
Shobek looked at her proudly and kissed the back of her hand, her smile faltering slightly, "I'll be back shortly."
And just like that, he was gone.
After the door was firmly shut, the skinny demon rushed over and locked the door, their skin looked pale grey-brown, they turned to look at me and their brown eyes were wide as they met mine. I scowled and they quickly looked back down, their choppy brown hair falling to cover portions of their face, their voice wispy and soft, "Please follow me.."
I didn't reply. Frankly, I was too scared I'll say something to give me away. They led me to a room that had a cabin-like feel, in the logged wall was a brick fireplace with a strange creature head mounted above it, big windows seemed to be on the left, though some brown curtains were pulled shut, and off to the right was a hallway that looked to lead straight to a kitchen. They demon gestured for me to sit on the couch as they fiddled with their hair that hid small horns on top of their head. "D...do you want a drink..?"
I paused, not trusting to eat or drink anything from this place, "What's your name?"
They flinched at this and looked at me with wide eyes, "My...Name?"
I nodded and slowly eased onto the couch, "Yes. What do people call you?" I carefully took my eyes off them to look at the side table, a lamp sat near the center with a tissue box and a pile of magazines; none looking interesting.
"My n...Names St..Stutter." The boy quickly said, his eyes watching me confused and curious. "Y...Yours m..miss?"
"I cannot give mine." I smiled softly at him. Which he seemed to of mistook as offense and quickly went about apologizing, which I then had to tell him to not fret over.
All the while becoming more and more conscious of the peering eyes from the stairs that hung over the hallway to the left.
"Please don't worry over it, I am not offended in the least. How about you go get me a glass of water?" Although Stutter seemed relatively harmless, I wasn't too sure about the others who were now whispering to each other. "And perhaps send everyone back to their rooms before I send them up in flames."
The whispering promptly shut up and a few footsteps sounded, along with doors quietly shutting. Stutter appeared more shaken and hurriedly rushed to the kitchen. The sound of glass clattering and a few squeaks of distress as undoubtedly, something broke, was then heard. Then the sound of water and his footsteps back. He set the glass cup in front of me on the wooden coffee table that was on top of a... bear-like creature rug. Stutter then stumbled back to the kitchen to clean up whatever broke.
There was a clock on the mantel and I couldn't help but keep peeking at it as time went by. Though it had barely been three minutes, I was already anxious. I tugged on my hood for the second time to make sure most of my features were hidden. Another four minutes went by and I started pacing. Stutter stood still in the corner, occasionally adjusting his standing position. After five minutes went by I was sitting down again, my knee bouncing as my palms started to sweat. I don't know why I was so anxious, I am sure he's fine. There are no sounds of fighting, no screams. No fire. No roaring of a dragon that is cursed. Any minute he'll show up. Any minute he'll walk through the door.
After twenty minutes went by Stutter was struggling to keep me from charging out the door, his hands gingerly pulling on my cloak, never daring to touch my skin.
"P...Please M..Miss!! I'm sure he'll come back shortly! H...He said so h..himself!!"
"I know that! But what if he needs me?" I stepped towards the door again, the tugging on my cloak getting a little desperate.
"He won't! He is still one of the strongest people to ever live in hell! No one can hurt him!"
"He's only ONE of the strongest, surely there is another who can hurt him!" Another step in the direction of the door. Suddenly the tugging is gone and the small frame is in front of me, begging me.
"But if you leave and get hurt, or aren't here when he arrives, I'll be killed! Please don't go, Miss!" The demon dropped to his knees, his hands linked together as he begged me. I stared down at him, unsure whether to listen or ignore.
I know he's right. I know Shobek is fine and I am aware that if IM NOT when he gets back, Stutter will most definitely suffer. After casting another long look at the door I finally turned away and walked back to the couch. The demon scampered after me, thanking me repeatedly for showing him mercy and finally listening to reason. I tuned him out after the third thank you. I was leaving here if Shobek doesn't show up in the next ten minutes. But I wasn't going to tell Stutter that.