Broken Contracts (Hana ✗ Sen)

[Hana]

"I know," Selene gave a slight chuckle at Jasper's smile, not commenting about the worry in his eyes. She hated making him worry and lose sleep, but at the same time he was one of the reasons she continued working as she did. He didn't have to know just how much the demons wanted him dead... Especially the higher ups in the Phoenix Industries. She tried not to frown at this. Did that mean Phynex was the one who was sending all those after him? The demon she knew wasn't the type to do things that way, but if he was the CEO that was feared to be very sharp in business and ruthless, she didn't know. Going back to Jasper, she realized that he was staring at her with that slightly wistful look he never seemed to notice he had. All she could do was whisper, "Well, I want you to rest, the two of us getting down at the same time wouldn't help any," as she also squeezed back gently, closing her eyes as she felt him pat her.

"The smell?" She smirked, violet eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm pretty sure I know how you smell since we've known each other since childhood." Well, at least she did. Enhanced senses meant she could tell more about him and his mood if she focused, instead of just relying on watching body language and facial cues. "Besides, you don't smell half-bad since you're not the one running out and about, Jasper. I'm sure the ladies don't mind, at least," Besides the dirty clothes, that is. There were times when he could still be a bit lazy, but that happened with everyone. She just sighed a little when he helped her up, letting him hold her. "I can stand up," she said, but softened her tone at the end. Standing up and ignoring the soreness all over, she smiled softly. "Now if I get that break we can find another day to spend together." With their outing ruined, she wanted to make it up to him at some point. She probably should make sightings of herself scarce for this week and a bit more, with what happened, so... "I can even let you cling to me if we can have those horror movie marathons of yours."

Heading over to the bathroom, she pulled at the shirt a bit more, pulling it down to cover her thighs. It was one of Jasper's nightshirts, it seemed, since he rather liked them loose and long too, reminding her of when he was younger in those funny bear print pyjamas with the long sleeves. "I'll take a quick shower and if you really insist, then we'll just replace the bandages," she said over her shoulder, before closing the door with a click as it locked. Well, this room really did smell of Jasper. He had a woodsy scent, if that was how to describe it, of leaves and trees, and a slight hint of mint to it. Then the masculine scent of his body wash, shampoo, and cologne, and other hygiene materials all somewhat haphazardly placed by the sink. She shook her head, sometimes Jasper was a bit too hurried to get to work. She would be borrowing his body wash and shampoo for now. With only a bit of wincing as she peeled the bandages off after taking off her clothes, she stared at herself in the mirror. There still bruises but they were already healing and the cuts, most of the damage that caused her to lose consciousness was probably from hitting her head a few times and being hit about repeatedly. She sighed slightly and went to clean herself, the washing may sting a bit but she really wanted to clean off the lingering smell of the disgusting breath the monster had. Despite being faint, she could still pick out the repulsive scent.

 

[Mu]

He watched Selene stand up, without his help, which soothed most of his worries. He grinned at her before sitting aside, "I promise you, I'll take another day off." He laughed, "A horror movie marathon it shall be, if I can cling onto you." He winked at her before popping a piece of the sweet apple into his mouth and leaving the bedroom, not wanting to disturb the huntress. Walking into the office right next door, he sat down on his desk and grabbed the thick book on the table, flipping it open to today's date and looking for avaliable spots within the next few weeks in his trusty diary. He frowned, most days he had something important to do, since a lot of the demon companies were stirring restlessly at the rumors of Selene at her abilities. Jasper grinned, they must be terrified of her. The thought of a single, white haired woman standing up against demons so powerful made him proud and happy for her. Having such a reputation meant she was rarely approached by demons, but at the same time making her job more dangerous for suicidal demons. Sighing, he rubbed his eyes. He was tired from looking after both the injured guard and Selene. Taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose, he stumbled outside his office and lay down on the sofa, closing his eyes. A nap at this time would be nice, Selene would be in his room recovering anyway.

Phynex had finally arrived at the busy street, winding in and out of people looking for early dinners. The whole way here from his building to this street was just Phynex thinking about Selene and her injuries. He knew she would make rash decisions sometimes, and he hoped today wouldn't be one of those days. Feelings of need and sadness were swirling inside him, if he had the guts, he wouls have stormed into Jasper's building. But being the coward he was, he didn't. Looking up, he smiled at the sight of the restaurant they always went to; the Giovanni. Memories of eating together, getting drunk and sitting under the moonlight talking about personal things all came rushing back at him. He remembered the times he would purposely wipe some whipping cream from his dessert on her cheek and watch her reaction when he leaned in to lick it off. She would always shocked or surprised, followed by that blush he found so adorable. Sitting down on one of the tables outside the building, he waved for a waitress. He had never ate here alone before, it was like Selene was sitting right across him, mumbling about what she should get.

 

[Hana]

After finishing her shower and making sure not to aggravate her injuries too much, Selene had borrowed one of Jasper's shirts again after carefully folding the one she had woken up in. As an afterthought she arranged some of his clothes for him, knowing sometimes he was too busy to do it for himself. She sighed slightly as she came across Jasper sleeping on his sofa, they used to share or sleep beside each other more when they were children. He looked weary earlier, and now he looked much more relaxed asleep and she didn't want to wake him up. Some of his black hair had fallen into his face and brushed his cheeks, and his lips were curled up into a smile. It made her eyes soften. What was he thinking of, to make him smile in his sleep? Going back into his room, she took out one of his blankets and went back to him tucking the blanket around him and brushing back his hair from his face. "It's good that you're resting," she spoke softly, even if he wouldn't hear. "I have to go out for now, though," she pressed a light kiss to his forehead, and headed outside. This time, she had made sure she had more of her knives with her, and two of her reserve handguns that she hid at his place. Two knives were tucked into her boots, and the guns underneath the long shirt she was using as a short dress. And more knives hidden under the coat donned upon leaving.

She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes, before she walked around a bit around the city. She found herself walking the streets where she used to walk with Phynex. The memories made her sigh a little as she wandered almost aimlessly, and her feet traced the steps to one of their favorite areas. This one had a restaurant where they ate. She walked amongst the other people quietly, avoiding the secluded areas for now. While she knew the places where it was easy to make a getaway or a shortcut, she would take those later. She had found herself eyeing the people around her warily after just what happened and wanted to find a good place where she wouldn't be bothered, and one of their former places were excellent ones for that.

 

[Mu]

Phynex had ordered his meal and recieved a cup of red wine with the rest of the bottle to go with it. Pouring another cup for himself, he raised the cup to where Selene would usually sit before moving the spotless glass to his lips and draining it. He looked at the empty seat forlornly, his feelings sinking down to the ground. "Selene, how are you faring?" he asked the empty spot, sighing after waiting a few seconds. What was he thinking? It wasn't like she was just going to magically appear in that seat, even if he wished for it. He propped his head up to look at the now dark blue sky, stars already out to twinkle. Phynex recalled another memory, the one where they had sat out on the balcony of the apartment they rented out together for hours counting the stars. They had both fallen asleep in that large rocking chair they were sitting on, and complained about back pain the entire day the next morning. Phynex felt a little sad thinking about those kind of memories. Somtimes he would wonder why he hadn't just forgotten about her and move on, find someone else, a demon woman perhaps. But he just couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. Unlike the youthful Phynex hundreds of years ago, he just wasn't interested in the women of his own species, not even the contract demons. He had fallen for a human woman, and never regreted doing so. He had to admit ther relationship was bumpy in the beginning, as expected from this sort of intimacy and closeless between two completely different kinds of creatures, but had they grown to love each other? He loved her more than anything, even over his own immortal life. There was nothing else he owned that was the same value. If he had the power, he could make her immortal, so they could spend the rest of their lives together in a loving relationship. And at the same time Phynex was very willing to sacrifice his immortality and longevity to have the lifespan of a normal man and die with her. Such sacrifices were something he had prepared for since the beginning. He was just too much of a coward to follow through.

 

[Hana]

This restaurant, the Giovanni, wasn't one of the places that Selene had kept on visiting regularly after three years ago. She was friends with the owner of the small cafe-restaurant from before, but this place didn't really hold such attachments for her. Whenever she passed through this place, she had dutifully avoided looking at the restaurant at all, instead pacing her steps quicker as if she couldn't get away soon enough. This time she narrowed her eyes as she looked up and finally looked at the place, walking a bit towards it before her eyes widened. A feeling of surprise and consternation washed over her as she saw just who was inside through the window, sipping a glass of red wine and looking for all the world like a kicked puppy. What was he doing here? And it seemed like he was talking to thin air from the looks of things, looking dejected. She didn't think he'd visit any place like this either, and after just seeing him again that night it suddenly seemed like he was everywhere. The look on her face was mostly unreadable as she eyed Phynex... It seemed as if he was reliving some memories. She didn't know whether to go inside or just move on and find another place, biting her lip as she debated with herself. This was really difficult because she was both anxious of having to talk to him again and at the same time she wanted to know how he had been doing these past few years, aside from his time underground.

 

[Mu]

Phynex looked up to thank the waitress, who had arrived with his entree, minestrone soup with a few bread rolls to start off his meal. Thanking her with his voice dripping with fake joyful emotions to sound polite, she placed the bowl of soup in front of him followed by the plate of rolls and looked at him with a strange smile. He looked into her face, not wanting to break eye contact with her. When the waitress turned away to leave, Phynex moved his gaze away from her and to the table, his eyes flickering over something that was both white and familiar. Phynex's attention moved from the steaming soup in front of him to the figure his eyes had just passed. His eyes immediantly widened and brightened at the same time, his sadness flying away, replaced with geniune joy. And to think just a moment ago, he thought she wasn't just going to appear whenever he wished. The sight of her was enough to make his corrupted heart flutter like a teenage girl. "Selene?" he whispered, his eyes looking into hers, liprs curving to a visible smile. He raised a finger and beckoned to her, asking her to come. The soup smelt delicious, a mouthwatering aroma tickled his nose, trying to get his attention, but he was fixated on the huntress.

 

[Hana]

Selene pursed her lips and crossed her arms in front of her, trying not to notice the joyful look in his eyes as he motioned for him to come. A look of uncertainty and anxiety flickered across her features for a second, before it was replaced with an almost grim determination as she stepped inside the restaurant. The people looked at her oddly, considering the Giovanni was more of a formal establishment than what she usually went to these days. She remembered sitting in this place almost embarrassed as she wore the short blue dress she found sitting on her bed, and the way his eyes looked at her appreciatively in ways that made her skin flush. Walking in wearing the black leather coat and a borrowed shirt, along with her boots raised a few eyebrows, but after she returned the stares with a cool gaze they looked away. Thankfully the coat covered the bandages. Even then she felt Phynex's stare on her as she walked towards him, and she felt... Afraid, almost, to raise her eyes to meet his. This wasn't like her, but was she ever able to keep calm when it came to him?

She kept her eyes down as she stopped in front of him, before she looked up. "You seem to be everywhere this day."

 

[Mu]

"Sit down." He waved his hand over the spot where she usually sat across him. It was like those times years ago, where they would treat each other to a warm and filling meal at Giovanni, drinking some sort of light alcohol and nibbling on entrees before shoveling down the main meal, sometimes sharing the dessert. He looked over her clothing, not minding the casual look in this fine dining restaurant. He was aware of the stares but he really couldn't care less. He took a roll from the plate and held it out to her, taking another one for himself and taking a small bite. "Yes, well, I haven't really stayed inside the office today." He shrugged, waving the fluffy roll around, "Eat, you look like you haven't had a proper meal."

(( I HAD MORE BUT WHEN I TRIED TO REPLY MY INTERNET DIED AND MY REPLY WASN't DRAFTED ;; ))

 

[Hana]

She sat down across from him without comment, watching his face intently. After a moment, she took the proffered roll, but didn't eat it, just sitting back. "Getting a day out interrupted would do that to someone," her voice was even, she could try and act like this was normal like he seemed to be trying for, but she wasn't taking any of that yet. After a moment, another server went up to them upon noticing the new guest sitting across from Phynex. He coughed a little at what she was wearing, but decided not to say anything at the indifferent look Selene leveled at him. "Would you like to order anything, miss...?" She closed her eyes. This was really a lot like those days when they ate here together, and she remembered how they tried most of the entrees and ended up feeling full before the main course even came out. Food was the last thing on her mind at this point, and she wasn't exactly prepared for eating out right now. "No, I don't want anything for now."

After the man gave a dubious look but realized Phynex wasn't objecting to the strange woman sitting across from him, he walked away. Selene didn't exactly know what to say to Phynex now that she was here with him... "What do you want?" It was as if any patient calm she usually had was gone now that she was speaking to him, and all that was left was to be short and to the point. Especially after that time in the alley when they spoke. What was she supposed to say after... That? She had just admitted to him what she had refused to herself for years; while she had grieved so much over his 'death', she had tried to take as little time as possible before returning to work. The work helped her keep her mind off of it mostly; anything else had been solved by drinking, copious amounts of drinking that usually got Jasper worried and angry. She hadn't even tried what other people had suggested, finding 'someone' else to move on, frankly because she didn't want to move on. It felt almost insulting to think like that, her mind had told her, when the one she had spoken to so much, shared with so much, and had even taken to see her father, would be so easily replaceable. Oh, she had tried sometimes to see if she could accept propositions in the strange places she ended up in on those days, but she never really felt anything about those men and she most certainly didn't sleep with them and just walked away. There was no joy to be found in there except a shallow thrill, she had decided a long time ago.

And now that she thought she had finished grieving and Phynex was suddenly just there again, all feelings had just come up and she was terrified at what that implied and what would happen. After some silence after her question, she sighed, averting her eyes. "Things can't go back to what they once were." They can never go back; she couldn't just up and turn back into the one he probably loved three years ago. He also couldn't take back what he had done as the CEO of Phoenix industries. After everything that happened, Selene knew she was colder. Apathetic; indifferent; unexcited and bored, just doing what she had to do.

 

[Mu]

"What do I want?" he mulled over the question, taking another bite from his roll as he thought. "I just want to see you and talk to you," he said, a warm smile that he reserved only for her growing on his face. "Can I not ask for such a simple thing?" Before he had met her, he was just like any demon. Human hating, rebellious and adventure-seeking. At the sight of any human he would have jumped and killed them out of his nature. That was why, when Selene had summoned him - he didn't know how, perhaps she had written random runes on the summoning circle or said something in the demon language and out of pure luck it was his true name - he was both angry and surprised. He had tried to attack her, but the summoning circle was like an invisible wall, a force he could not take down. And this was in his true form, all fiery with no eyes, thick arms that pounded uselessly at the force. After he had calmed down - and patient Selene had waited - the contract was laid out. At first he refused, the idea of working with a human was stupid and against his own laws. But then he read the small paragraph in which the demon would ask for something from the human in return. Something in her words clicked into him. Back in the underworld, there was not much to celebrate for, nothing exciting of the sort that could happen. Life was a bore. If he came into the human world permanently, and without being killed as soon as he was spotted, perhaps his thirst for adventure would be fulfilled. And he was lonely. He didn't establish any friendships with fellow demons, and often created mischief by himself. Making a choice that he would regret a few weeks later - but learn to embrace what came along with it months later - he signed the contract and was brought to the human world. His urge to kill and slay her was replaced with passiveness, the bloodlust subsiding. His name was put down in the Book and as days grew by, the contract allowed him to pull out and control the ability to hold a human form, which he adapted to quickly. Every demon had a human disguise, but bringing that out required a lot of power and self-control.

His eyebrows rose suddenly as a strange smell tickled his nose. He leaned in across the table, becoming uncomfortably near Selene. Phynex took a deep whiff, sitting back in his seat with a face made up of both sadness, anger and envy. "You smell strange. You smell like..." he waved his finger around, trying to recall his name. "That Jasper boy. Are you two...?" his shoulders drooped noticeably, eyes dulling at the thought. So she had moved on from him? Phynex felt a little...betrayed, but considering what he had done, he couldn't blame her. "Things can go back the way they were if we tried."

 

[Hana]

His answer... It was reminiscent, to say the least, of how he would answer her whenever she pressed him on the contract. Selene could remember the beginning of their partnership - to say the least, Phynex had quite the temper. At first she had questioned to herself if she could actually rein his bloodlust and impulsiveness in, especially as her own temper tended to come out whenever they butted heads. His impulsiveness and jumping into things suddenly agitated her need to just stay back first and see what she could do, calculate what and where to attack. In turn, her cold and no-nonsense professional behavior and calm tended to make him try and poke her. So to say she knew he had the urge to kill her in those early times, and she had honestly felt the same - she couldn't exactly place when the passiveness started to grow into something more, only that she was talking more and more with him as time passed. And maybe even enjoying how he teased her so much.

Then what he had asked for in their contract - it had always been a question she had thought and maybe even stayed up over. At first, the ambiguous wording had worried her - what if he was asking for her soul, or her body, or a combination of the two? It was only later on that he would tell her what it really meant... Her heart still felt a wisp of that pleasant lightness before. At seeing the warm smile on his face, dark eyes shining, her lips almost curved up in return. She tried to keep those feelings in check... "And now I'm here, and we're talking..."

She stiffened when he leaned over across the table, breath catching slightly and moved back as much as she could in her seat. Selene could have sworn her pulse leaped at how close he had gotten before moving back, and she found herself breathing out as he moved away. There was something almost heady in the feeling of his closeness, no matter how short it was. She could have touched his face or ran her hand through that brown-black hair if she had reached out... She clenched her hand slightly under the table. At his question, she felt a flush of red creep over her neck and on her cheeks. So that was what he was doing by leaning over and breathing in... "What?" Phynex was asking that of all things? "Jasper's a friend," her voice was sharper as she glared slightly, forcing the red back down. "I washed myself at his home, it couldn't be helped." Why was she even telling him this, she thought tiredly.

At his last statement, she pursed her lips, eyes lowering to the table before they met his again. "It's not as easy as you make it sound..." Selene would have done anything to get what they had back. Sitting with him here, so close that she could reach over and touch him - make sure he was really alive, smiling at her - it was hard not to try and touch him, if she really thought about it.

 

[Mu]

"Yes indeed. And I cannot describe the joy I feel now that you're here." A sad smile appeared on his face, the rest of the roll going into his mouth, chewed and swallowed within seconds. He looked at the roll she had taken from him but not yet taken a bite out of, his eyes looking sad and worried. He was concerned about her health. Though her injuries could not be seen, she seemed so green and thin, not like the healthy woman he had seen for the last time before he went down to answer the Elder's calls. Blinking at his still warm minestrone soup, he pushed it towards her, as well as handing her the clean spoon. "It's on me, eat all you want," he said, stretching before leaning his head on his arm and looking at her from across the table. Though she looked so unhealthy, Phynex could see her exquisite beauty, the one that would make his own heart jump around. His shoulders were still drooped, his eyes darkened and sad. He held his feelings in place, it would be embarrassing to cry about it.

Hearing her words, he relaxed a little, smiling to himself. So Jasper was just a friend? Well, that would explain her smell. He was used to Selene smelling like a mixture of herself and him. From being close to him, he supposed. All those intimate moments and close contact, hugs and kisses that he wasn't shy in giving her. Phynex wanted to move and sit next to her, wrap his arms around her and just sit there like that, ignoring the possible stares from other customers. But he knew he couldn't do that. So he sat there, the cold air wrapping around his body through his thin dress shirt. Even with such a chilly breeze, the fire that burned inside him kept him warm, goosebumps refusing to rise. The stars were out and brighter than ever, shining like candlelights in the sky. Picking up his wine glass, he drained it completely before pouring himself some more. The possessive monster inside him was satisfied with her answer and curled up like a cat, nestling back inside the deep dark depths of his heart, waiting for something else to provoke it.

"No, it isn't easy. But that doesn't stop us from trying." He said, he choked his next few words, "Do you still want to be with me? Or think you want to be?" he asked, deep fear and sadness in his voice. What kind of answer would she give him? Phynex expected a straight up no, which he would respect - even if it was like a hammer smashing his already cracked heart and shattering it into a million pieces. And he, a demon, would have to spend years piecing it back together, gathering up these red glass shards.

 

[Hana]

"You're still so open," left her mouth before she could stop herself, making her flush slightly and shake her head to regain her composure. Saying all that couldn't be good for her heart, with the way it was jumping around the place. She smiled wanly at his worried look towards her and pushing the food over, it seemed like she was making a lot of people worry despite everything. Selene didn't want to call that sort of attention to herself. It was just hard to not think about how he still seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve - but then she remembered the way he bared his teeth at her that night. His eyes had been cold black coals, the mouth she had lovingly traced with her fingers before bared in a snarl and he looked ruthless. For that one moment she hadn't fully recognized him, those eyes were almost animalistic. It made her wonder if all those time alone and in hiding had affected him so negatively that he would react like that. Still smiling wanly, she took the bread she had been holding and took a small bite. "I know." She nibbled on the bread, glancing away as she quietly finished it. If another one was going to get on her eating habits she should probably listen.

She looked around them and noticed that it had gotten dark, the stars out in the night sky. This has been making me go and relive memories all over again, and it made her wonder if Phynex was thinking that as well. While she had been rather skeptical and sardonic about the moonlight - or candlelit, whatever - dinners that he liked, she didn't mind. It was just rather odd to see a demon be the romantic of the two of them and she couldn't help but tease him about those softer sensibilities. She knew he wasn't always like that, though, and the darker, possessive side he couldn't help but slip made her feel both fond and exasperated. It made her feel a thrill, feel like she had something unique and special, to be able to spark such feelings in him. Selene took the spoon and took a small sip of the soup, making sure to keep a check on how much she was taking before looking back at him.

"Do you still want to be with me?"

The choked up voice in which he asked that made her clench her hand around the spoon. At that moment he looked like he was waiting for some fatal blow, almost flinching back and she didn't know whether she liked that. She was angry about what he did, yes, but she didn't want to hurt either of them any more than what had already happened. Phynex seemed so defeated and anxious, not like the grinning and confident, mischievous demon she had remembered. "... I don't want..." She bit her lip, closing her eyes. "I don't want to stop seeing you," the words sounded almost forceful, she had gathered a lot of courage just to admit that. Selene breathed in deeply, watching his eyes with a dull look and then softly said, "But I can't trust if you will..." She didn't want to open herself to any more hurt, she seemed a lot more affected by it than she would ever tell herself. The main thing here was that she didn't know if he would even try despite what he said, he was on the other side now and while everything in her wanted to believe him again - he still left. "I still care, Phynex." And she still couldn't stop caring despite that...

 

[Mu]

Phynex took a step out of the despair and into silent hope. "You don't?" he echoed almost happily, a spark returning to his eyes. He didn't want to stop seeing her either. He just wanted to be by her side like they used to be. Phynex was always right behind her, and whenever she needed him when he wasn't presence, hearing her voice utter his true name would make the demon instantly teleport to her side. Countless times he had been there to soothe her nightmares, filled with blood, guts and gore and demons so horrifying they couldn't exist. Many times she had called him whilst drinking in a bar, and Phynex would simply take up the nearest bottle and drink with her, taking her home and tucking her into bed - sometimes even lay down with her - so nothing could happen to her at this vulnerable state. And how many times had this demon woken up to see a calm, beautiful Selene sleeping right next to him, making him feel like a normal man instead of a monster? Phynex knew it would be a difficult task to go back to that kind of relationship, filled with both intimate and personal moments, but if they couldn't go back, Phynex wanted the two of them to at least be on speaking and talking terms - best case scenario would be to become close friends, second to Jasper.

"Can't trust if I will...?" His eyes widened, did she think he would do it again? Leave her? He set his jaw, never again would he dare to suffer through years of loneliness. And he truly wanted to stay by her side for as long as it takes. Even if Selene follows the fate of a mortal and turns wizened and old, he would still treat her like a princess. He grasped her free hand, capturing hers in his dry, warm ones. "I promise I'll never leave you again, I promise." Raising her hand, he brushed his lips over the soft skin, "I care about you too," he murmured against her hand. Phynex let go, loosening his grip and placing it down on the table. He didn't think she would like prolonged contact, especially with him.

 

[Hana]

Her skin tingled where his lips brushed over, and there was still a feeling of his warm hands taking hers. Selene sat still; not daring to move until he leaned back, taking in the feeling that washed over her at the small contact. Warmth. Light. Exhilaration. Relief? She couldn't name every one of what she felt, but it felt... Nice. Like she had just found something she had been looking for for a long time and could finally see and hold it; it was a heady feeling, despite knowing that it might not last. It was almost too much for one day; she wanted to just reach out and touch him herself but it might be too much. She couldn't let herself go that much yet... When she let his words of promise reach her, she shivered slightly and pulled her coat around her, but it wasn't a bad feeling. The young girl in her, that she kept locked away but could never truly die down, was giddy; all she could think of was he still cares! She didn't want to let go of this, holding it close for how long it could last. She could let herself just this once, it wouldn't hurt, right?

"Then I'll try..." Selene let herself smile faintly, tilting her head as her soft features warmed slightly. The curving of her lips felt almost foreign, her amethyst eyes looking lighter for once, happy and tentative. It lasted for only a few seconds, but it let her say for herself what she felt. "I think we could start with knowing how we have been doing, then." Even if what she heard would hurt her, the first step would be sharing.

 

[Mu]

His cheeks were a tint of red as he watched her lips curve upwards, a small smile on her face that made him so very happy. Her eyes wer glimmering like gemstones, and just for a few seconds, she looked beautiful and well. His words got stuck in his throat, to distract himself, he grabbed another roll and dipped half of it into the soup in front of Selene, bitng the minestrone soup soaked bread in half, chewing slowly and then swallowing.

"Oh, just answering phone calls from a hysterical businesswoman who happened to send a demonic monster at my dear huntress," he said sarcastically in a low tone, his mind floating to Cornelia was just a fraction of a second. A beauty, she was. But a wolf in sheep's wool. She was dangerous and another powerful figure, but she was afraid of him, using his power to her advantage by being his business partner. "Well, that's a part of it." He placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward a little, taking small bites from his roll as he spoke. "Business and things like that, you know...but I always think about you even when I..." he scrunched up his nose, "make those things for those vile demons." His eyes narrowed, hate flaring in his eyes. "I think its because our contract has frozen, my hate for them as lessened, much to my disappointment." Phynex looked at Selene with bright, happier eyes. "I'll try my best to find a way to unfreeze our contract."

 

[Hana]

Sometimes Selene worried about how much he hated his own kind. Being with him, seeing how he reacted to situations and witnessing how he could be... Himself, any hate she actually had for demonkind wasn't really there. She hated the ones who took and took, not considering for any second the lives that could be affected - and even reveling in it - but people like Phynex and Millia? The demons who smiled and talked with her at that quaint little cafe? She didn't hate them. She had no reason to. And that was why, looking at the hate and fury in Phynex's eyes did she feel some concern. He hated his own kind so much sometimes, but if it was for those very demons who raided and plundered... "... What about your superiors?" She asked quietly. If that was what had made him so wary that he had to go in hiding for three years, maybe he had a reason to be. There was no underestimating what certain demons in power would go for. "It might not be safe..." She had to think about this more.

"I've been hunting," she summed up with a simple shrug, glancing to the side. That was what she had been doing all this time, and little else. "You'd be surprised at the rumors that pop up," there was a slight smirk on her face at this, a wry amusement in her eyes. People tended to exaggerate or belittle what they didn't know or knew little about, and that was exactly what happened. Some had even said she was contracted with a shadow demon - and she wasn't for the exact reason demons demanded something in return. Not everyone of them would be like Phynex, so she had to learn how to go by herself. It was for the best and she ended up stronger for it. There were the less amusing rumors - such as her seducing her targets since the 'hunter' was a female, and she tended to ignore them. She knew how she did her job for herself. "As for your business partner..." She looked back a him again. "I might have to take on her at some point." Especially if this was how that partner would deal with the hunters, and she might be able to reason to the superiors that this partner was the one pulling all the strings in this company. "They've been sending me to cut off the 'heads of the snakes', so to say." She'd been taking down the figureheads or leaders of the demon groups in the land. There was no emotion in her voice at this, just a cold detachment also reflected in her eyes before it faded.

 

[Mu]

Hearing the mention of his superiors, his eyes flared a little. "My superiors think I am dead, which was the one good thing that happened with that incident." He closed his eyes, breathing out, white smoke leaving his mouth. "Now that I think about it, leaving it frozen might be a good idea. If I make a new one, they'll be notified and try to cancel it again, and a demon is whisked back to hell if it doesn't some sort of contract. But leaving it frozen also prevents me from fighting with you, hm..." he muttered, looking at her for some sort of idea. "I wonder if there is a way to unfreeze it without notifying the elders..."

He chuckled at her words. Hunting, of course. Her all time passion. Even after he left, she still pursued her passion, and it was probably a good way to get of her loss of him, anyway. "Ah, yes. Rumors of you have been spread far and wide in the demon realm. Some of the higher ups are actually terrified of you." Phynex had attended plenty of meetings where they would discuss about the demon hunters of the city in hushed tones, scared that they would be overheard. Being a contract demon before, he wasn't afraid of hunters, though the chance of being targeted was now higher than ever before. But at the time, he stilled loved and cared about Selene - and this was after their separation - and he only attended the meetings to see if they would ever talk about her, give him information on her whereabouts and health. But it turns out she was such a terrifying figure in the hunter communities, the demons dared not speak of her. She wasn't even known by a name. They simply called her the 'Huntress'.

Phynex's eyes darkened. "Selene." He said, trying to get her to look at him. "Once the contract problem is fixed, I'll no longer be connected to...them," he said, looking about to make sure there were no eavesdroppers. "I'll take down my business once that happens, I wonder what their reaction would be," he said, grinning with a sharp toothed smile. He didn't necessarily hate all demons. He had a soft spot for the demons who worked with humans, or other contract demons. Demons who learned to cope and love humans instead of lashing out at them and causing chaos.

 

[Hana]

An idea to make the contract unfrozen... She closed her eyes in thought, stirring the spoon in the soup absently. Could she ask... Selene would consider that later. When he tried to catch her attention she opened her eyes again and stared back. Despite herself, watching Phynex's sharp grin at the idea of bringing his company tumbling down around the other demons' heads made Selene smirk a little. That would be very satisfying, considering all the trouble she had to go through to stop those demons from killing Jasper and the other humans off. "Wouldn't we like to know?" It would be a great step forward for the humans to retaking back what they needed.

Now it was her turn to put something forward. "As for how to unfreeze a contract, we might have to ask around." There were the old hunters, the ones who weren't out fighting anymore, and had long fulfilled their contract with the demons they had partnered with. They might know something about how contracts worked on a deeper level, as some still kept some sort of contact with their former partners. Then there was the other option... When she spoke again, her tone was warier. "And Phynex. We might have to ask him." She was a bit wary about how to go about asking this one hunter. Someone who took to solitude more than even she had, someone who rarely ventured out anymore. Someone who had killed a lot of demons long ago and someone who had a deep friendship with the demon he once worked with. Someone who lost everything due to his work, and could now only sit around thinking of broken dreams and hopes. Someone who hated demons and loved them.

The man who raised her. Her father.

Phynex had met him before, four years ago. It was interesting, to say the least. Now she didn't know if he would be happy or even tolerant of seeing him again.

 

[Mu]

He sighed and tipped the rest of his wine glass' contents down his throat, making a face as he swallowed the liquid. He refilled it and pushed it towards Selene, a single small hiccup escaping his throat. If he was going to get drunk, he might as well get some alcohol in her to make it seem like the old times. Phynex smiled, thinking about their meeting, they weren't exactly on good terms, but they respected each other at least. As a contract demon, Phynex couldn't bring himself to hate him, and her father seemed fine with the relationship they had, although he was probably quite disapproving of it - in Phynex's own eyes. Not like his judgement would stop him, he would have tried to find ways to be with her anyway.

"Shall we go tomorrow?" he asked, eyebrows going up as the waitress came back again with a plate of beautifully cooked duck, both legs roasted and seasoned with two generous chunks of the breast. Phynex asked for a plate and nodded his thanks to the waitress, smiling at her. The lady flushed, before walking back inside the building, talking to her coworkers and visibly pointing at him. Phynex had noticed a few women, both demoness and human, trying to get to him. Much to their disappointment, his heart was already set on someone. Looking at the empty plate, he piled some salad, a piece of the the breast and whole duck leg and giving it to Selene. "I'm not that hungry, so treat yourself." The demon cut the breast into small bite sized pieces and popping one into his mouth, a groan leaving his lips at the succulent, juicy meat. It had been a while since he had been to the Giovanni, the last time was with her - three years ago. The manager of the restaurant knew the way he liked his duck.