Once V was secured, Shadow stepped behind the other hunter before melting into the asphalt underfoot as if liquefied. She did not rejoin her master on his body but favored to watch over him from the darkness, her form little else but an unassuming shadow that tailed the party closely. There wasn’t an inclination in her to be sighted by any other pair of eyes tonight, and it was much to precaution that she hid herself away to begin with. Griffon hadn’t the same fortune, but at least one of them needed to talk to the woman; on V’s behalf, he would have to do the persuading, the negotiating, the instructing. With the warlock’s cane securely cradled in clasped feet, Griffon followed alongside her, Victoria, really hovering more than flying—and circling her as he went. Incapable of traveling any slower unless he were to walk.
“I think he can eat anything,” the raptor answered while examining his own store of information. Something of a novel thing to think about V so analytically, he’d rarely focus so much attention on the man without prompt. Many may have called him negligent, especially for being a familiar, but he was confident he’d known V better than anyone else (save for his colleagues)—and that wasn’t an exaggeration. “There’s really nothing wrong with him,” he continued, “just the, the whatever’s got him down right now.” A small bluff: Griffon knew precisely what to name it, he’d just elected not to. Little, unrelated issues of V’s would not be disclosed and Griffon was confident his master would want to keep things that way.
“I don’t know what else you mean by ‘help’, lady,” he countered, this time sincerely probing for detail. His tone had changed and again he took up a protective, defensive stance. His eyes may have pointed toward the path, but he’d kept her well within his peripheral vision. “You’re right: he’s not gonna be down with you doing more than you have to, so you’re best off resuscitating him and then leaving him to the rest. I wouldn’t worry my pretty little head over it any more if I were you. He can handle himself, and he’s got us. Not like this sorta thing happens every other week.” Griffon sought to dismiss her concerns outright. No need to get her any more involved than she had gotten herself. In truth, it wasn’t her business. If Griffon would not be the one to make it clear to her, V surely would. “You just focus on taking him somewhere safe. That’s a damned good start.”
It really hadn’t mattered to the demon whether or not some poor human would spot him. Surely it wasn’t ideal, but the circumstances left him little alternative. He flew with the stranger regardless, studying their surroundings with every few feet of progress made toward their ultimate destination. He supposed they were on the right track. The first indication of something fishy and he would promptly address it without pause. Shadow followed along all the while, points of ruby red occasionally flashing in the formless puddle. She, as Griffon, was fully aware.
❝ So, it's emotionally based? In all fairness, the mind is a rather powerful thing. Many fail to give it proper credit for its ability to affect the body. Well, I have never truly been the best with emotions, but maybe I can help the two of you keep his face off of the asphalt long enough to find something that can help him in the regard. ❞ The redhead responded to the bird as they walked. She couldn't help but spare glances at the infernal feline following in pancake-cat form, though she did so by using reflective surfaces she passed on the way, thus sparing herself from having to frequently turn while keeping an eye on Shadow. She was not comfortable with another following her, but she also realized she had to show some trust towards them if she was going to earn any of theirs in return.
She listened to Griffon reiterate how they had him, and she should leave him to them, and she had only the slightest bemused smirk show on her lips as he spoke, waiting for him to finish before speaking ❝ You know, you sound like you're trying to convince yourself that you have it handled just as much as you're trying to convince me of it. At least, that much reiteration tends to suggest such as the case. Granted, I could be off mark. ❞ She plainly stated as they turned a corner into a garage, though the reason for the turn was immediately obvious. She had stashed her current vehicle, an old beater of a car purchased only because she had been needing to cart the injured away from this general area on a few occasions already, just inside so it wouldn't become a demon's chew toy while she hunted her mark.
❝ As for how I intend to help, I intend to make sure he eats, at least enough to no longer be at risk of collapse. The rest can be figured out when I have a better chance to observe his traits an– ❞ there she went talking about people like things to be studied again, even though she didn't actually think of them that way. ❝ A chance to see what kind of personality I'm dealing with from him. ❞ She gave just a moment's pause after that comment, just long enough to shake her head about the fact that her second version of the statement really didn't sound all that much better.
The scar adorned hunter moved to get the back door open and carefully place V within. ❝ Griffon, Shadow, would one of you be so kind as to ride in back with him and be sure that he remains comfortable? The roads are a little rough on the way out. ❞ She asked the two familiars as she looked him over yet again, noting his tattoos. ❝ Lovely. . . ❞ The hunter quietly remarked under her breath, though the comment had not meant to be spoken aloud at all. ❝ It will not be very long. Not more than a few minutes once we're back on undamaged roads. ❞ She informed the diabolical duo as she prepared to head out.
