"Hm...Well we'll have to pick something close by," He paused for a moment as he considered the area. He was on the way home so not near where he had originally got his food. Luckily, he was plenty used to eating out. "How do you feel about curry?" He asked, but he was already heading in that direction. There were a few restaurants in the same direction, so it didn't really matter regardless of her answer.

    " ...sounds perfect... I do hope they have good toppings... " She murmured, her gaze focused on his form as she fell in step beside him. It was apparent she was studying him, like a researcher with a wild animal - curious of the way he ticked.

    " ...what is your name? I am Calpurnia... "

    kindly like this post to summon a demon!

She had already elicited some goosebumps earlier out of Rex. And internally, a considerable melancholy that this was one of those times negotiation proved fruitless again. Her point only seemed to be proven as the summoner twitched, and shortly after began to squirm in Rex's grasp, trying to demand the contract at long last, with such clawing desperation. Perhaps to be rich, perhaps to harm someone in his life. As though he thought all other options were exhausted.

"Naturally you're going to escalate if I don't hand him over..."

Rex raised his arm and dropped the fellow. Just a little higher so he'd land with a 'THUD!' and have his words interrupted before he could agree to anything, the sole of a sneaker pressing onto the summoner's back for a moment, the fellow already pummeled somewhat from before.

"... Ugh."

Although Rex glanced aside to keep tabs on the summoner, his focus was still on Calpurnia, maintaining eye contact even as he took his foot off of the summoner's back. Waiting, and watching for the demon to make some sort of a move.

    " Oh? " The demoness huffed - her gaze widening as the other subjugated the caster. A crazed smile, so subtle and sweet, though dripping with the mania of centuries. " With that manner...it's almost if you want to play... "

    A bubble of laughter left the small demon as she tucked stray strands of pink hair behind her ear - finding entertainment in the moment. " ...Are you really so unwilling...to give me that caster's soul...? That's not very kind of you... Do you know how long I've been waiting for a bite? Quite a while. "

Izaya knew something was up with her and he could take his guesses. Someone like him didn't wind up with a cast of average people around him. Of course that same experience allowed for the possibility of even more fringe ideas- but he had no reason to commit to any of them yet. Either way, his curiosity was piqued.

"Different, huh? Though that certainly sounds rather lonely. Since my dinner plans have suddenly changed, want to join me? My treat, of course,"

    " ...join you...? " She repeated as if the words were foreign, keeping her gaze trained on the stranger - soon falling to silence as she contemplated the choice. " ...consider the meal on me, if you will... You've already lost one meal... "

       " ...Kindly lead the way, stranger... "

"I mean to give him an opportunity to re-evaluate his decisions. And perhaps, to make different ones now that he's received a new experience and information to consider from all this."

There's a hint of grumbling at how she interpreted his offering, but it remained 'on the table,' so to speak. Rex wanted to defuse this as best he could. That seemed to include negotiating with Calpurnia. Not only to avoid her wrath, but also because it didn't sit right with Rex that she was dragged here to do someone else's bidding. Rex could regret setting off Calpurnia's curiosity afterwards, he had beliefs to try and keep up with. He felt he had to at least try every now and then.

"Things don't always work out very neatly. So when occasions like this spring up, it's a chance for me to see if I can do something differently too. Long term changes instead of just another quick fix. Now what's it gonna be? Some of my juice good enough for ya or not?"

    " ...so your cause is noble... Sinners who dare to ask for a demon...cannot be redeemed... You understand that, correct...? For to summon me is...to know the price... The one you have there... " A pale hand gestured to the caster once more, though her gaze never left Rex.

    " ...was willing to call upon me... Isn't that just evil...? " The smile that formed on her visage could elicit goosebumps on even a seasoned warrior. " ...But no - I don't think your offer is as exciting as it seems... You do not understand what a soul is to a demon... Irreplaceable - simply delicious - I could slaughter villages and never have enough... So maybe I will stay and feast instead... "

"And not have someone to share the solace of my loss?" A brief laugh followed, shaking his head slightly before his eyes landed back on the strange girl. "If you're approaching people talking like that, I can't imagine a girl like you is getting fled from all that often," He was watching her carefully now.

    " ...you would be surprised... " Was all she could say, straightening herself before hopping to her feet. " ...it usually takes longer into the night for someone...to actually speak to me... " Such precious humans were able to sense her in a strange way - the chase all the more fun.

    " ...you are...different... " Maybe insane? Who could ever tell the difference...?

"Hm? What odd phrasing, I'm not sure you could find something better then the lost otoro. You know, this isn't usually the kind of place hostesses hang out," She certainly did seem out of place, "So what has you over here bothering with me and my lost food?" Not that he in anyway minded but he was plenty interested in the reason.

    " ... " She responded with silence at first, finding it strange he didn't move on - knowing how odd she stood out. But it had been a boring night - and she was so hungry - leading one stray down an alley should have been easier later in the night with the inebriated.

    And this one did not seem drunk to the demon. " ...Simple curiosity... " Came the soothing lie, her golden gaze narrowing.

    " ...I merely offered...you may refuse if you wish... " She mused - cocking her head in question. " ...I find it stranger you didn't leave at the sight of me... "

Her gaze is met with a frown-- The way she insists on a hasty decision, it did succeed at inspiring some apprehension in Rex, much as he tried to withhold himself from demonstrating such discomfort.

"I have an abundance of energy, and I can project it from an extension of that thing some might call the spirit, if you can feed upon that. And I'll ask nothing of you except to head home freely: in peace, preferably without hunger."

Rex lowered the single hand that held the unconscious summoner. With a raise of his right-- an empty hand at first, he brought on a partial aura around it, demonstrating some of the various frequencies of energy that could be harnessed.

"... If he tries this again, I'll hand him over personally."

    Bright hues narrowed dangerously, a rising curiosity at hand now. Revealing such a thing...simply idiotic in her mind. The worst thing to come of such a thing would be a demon's curiosity. There was not much that could spark such a thing in an immortal being. " ...Is that so...? " She mused, casting her gaze to the floor for a brief moment.

    There was another thing at hand though - his reluctance to give up the summoner, the very one who had wasted her time. " ...Why not give him to me now? It seems you...do not wish for a demon upon the world... So why not let this troublemaker be consumed? " The pink-haired demon questioned with a sharp gaze. " ...Trying to keep his soul from being tainted...? Or some heroic act...? "

☠   ━━ semi-plotted starter for @scorpionfear ft. Rin Okumura

❝ What the hell do you think you're doing!? Get away from there, dammit! ❞ His words were fueled by his anger, and for a moment, his seething rage and grief brought about the unholy flames of his birthright. She was like no demon he had encountered before, and yet there was part of him that knew she had to be one for she smelt neither living nor holy. This was a place that nobody outside the monastery and that damn clown knew about, and for the life of him, he couldn't understand how someone like her slipped past the protections and sanctified land that was once his home. ❝ I don't give a shit who you are; get lost! ❞ A veiled threat carried his words as a first curled around the kurikara sword.

The burden of being unable to tell Shuro how he truly felt made him sick with grief that he constantly perceived as anger — unwilling to let go of his failures. Perhaps that was why he became so protective of not only his father's memory but his last resting place as well. His anger was palpable as a hand reached out to tug her away from the place she had no business being in.

❝ What the hell are you anyway? How did you get past the gate? ❞ He inquired, demanding answers as he tried to make sense of everything before him. Part of him feared he had somehow managed to let her in here, just as his bitter words had brought about his father's demise. He knew he could not unsheath his sword, but he had to do something to keep this place safe.

    There was no yell, not a word came from the demon as the other manhandled her - tugging and pulling on her arm. Pressed against her with her free hand, she gripped tightly to her plush toy - the teddy bear scoffing with disapproval at the treatment of his mistress. " ...I was simply wandering... " A lie it could have been, but who would have known? Thousands of years of perfecting the art, a voice so sweet, none would be wiser.

    " ...will you kindly remove yourself from me...? " Came her next question, seemingly unfazed by his yelling, as golden hues focused on his face. To the normal eye, she would have looked unassuming - sweet and strange - but he had seen through her so easily...

        It was almost fun.

    Pale lips pressed into a thin line, golden eyes narrowing, the demoness continued. " Not a very proper...way of greeting... "

There's a moment where Rex looked between the one he held in his grasp, and then back to the demon explaining what could be done. At least, on her word: This would not be the first time he was lied to, and with such a honed silver tongue. He is not certain of her deception, but he is wary.

"..."

Of course, the promises of hellfire and brimstone from the would-be summoner earlier did not endear Rex to his malicious plight. There was a certain temptation to leave him to what he's wrought. Lest he try it again later, and with greater success.

"... And for your hunger, you're certain there's no alternative? No other bargain than to hand off the life of this one, wormy as he is? Must it absolutely be sated with the human body, and perhaps its spirit?"

    " ...it is either I make a contract - which is the purpose of my summoning circle - or I consume his soul... " She gestured gracefully to the caster in his grasp - her gaze still focused on Rex. Almost as if she was trying to peer into his thoughts with that unsettling gaze.

    " ...due to the nature of the moment, it seems you will have to decide instead... And do hurry with your decision...I hate to be kept waiting. "Especially since she was starving. The very thought of being able to eat again made the demon swallow thickly.

"!!?" Rex's confusion was profound. He had been certain he'd halted the caster's ritual before any apparition could be summoned. That Calpurnia arrived after all was testament to Rex's failure, as that mystical presence that seeped into the dimly lit room.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding: Your caller is right here, and he is indisposed." Rex held up the unconscious fellow who had made the circle, up by the back of their shirt as though he held a mischievous pup by the scruff.

"Is there any way to return you to your domain?... And perhaps, to forget about this whole affair?"

    Her eyes seemed to flash with strange emotion - her quick movements bringing her to stand mere feet away from the stranger this time, her arms tightening around the plush toy in her arms.

    " ...Is that so...? " Murmured the demon, her gaze soon falling on the unconscious caster. " ...A deal must be made for me to return... " She lied easily, thousands of years of practice. " ...But I may be satisfied if... "

    " ...you give me this one you're holding to eat... " With the disburse of shadows, the summoning circle no longer with purple glow, it was clear to see the demon's rather innocent-looking form. " ...It's a waste of my time to be...called for no reason... "

closed starter for @scorpionfear

The man who is currently digging around a used book bin is very unimpressive. In fact, most people probably look over him. And that's the point, Crede chose his human form with mundanity in mind, short, small, unimposing. His features are just as unremarkable, with his dark hair and eyes.

The one thing that does stand out, though, is his clothing. But that doesn't seem to bother him much. He's busy digging through a bin of nonfiction, setting aside ancient old copies (at least ancient to him, he finds it hard to understand how humans are still using paper) with almost no clear sign of how he's organizing them.

He's keeping to himself, completely oblivious to the world around him.

    The small demoness sighed as her bundle of books toppled to the floor - with a stack taller than herself, it wasn't hard to see what went wrong. Volumes scattered on the floor, she slowly began picking them up - her plush toy tucked under one arm - and nearly knocked into the stranger at the used book bin.

    " I'm sorry... " She murmured the apology - only glancing up at the other when she noticed something strange. He...didn't feel like a normal human - even a demon like Calpurnia could see that. " ...excuse me but...who are you? "