[ OPEN ] Just Your Average, Every Day Demon Hunt

[Echo Ashaelyr]

What in Hades was he talking about? She gritted her teeth as her back slammed against the wall. She hardly blamed him, and was actually grateful for his quick reflexes. Straining against the spell, she looked him straight in the eye.

"What are you talking about? I wasn't...sent by anyone. I don't even know who you are." Her hand, the cursed right one, clenched harder. Suddenly his gaze altered, shifted to something akin to terror. What was going on?

"I'd love to let go, honestly," she managed a dry chuckle, but regretted it as he pushed her harder against the wall.

“I understand that you may not think you’re able to let go, but you have to. You don’t have a choice. I can kill you.”

Her miscolored eyes narrowed as she suddenly saw him in a new light. There was something cursed about him, but he was just like her, a victim, bearing the brutal scars of some past battle.

But of all the luck, why did she have to run into him now?

"I'm truly sorry..." she gritted out, "I'll explain everything but first..." Fighting mentally and physically against the spell that held her to the wall, she strained to point to her duster, now in a heap on the ground. "Inside pocket, I need the silver bracelet in there. Get it...hurry! Put it on my right hand!"

[Nuriko Elsywth]

"Well, might as well sit and have a drink then," she said, as close to a welcome as normally came from her.

Victoria had listened avidly to the pair talk, though she had kept to her appearance of distance. Finally the woman spoke to her again, and Victoria gave her an appraising look before she sat down again, having a slight bit of trouble with the sword before she got it arranged to her liking. She returned her attention to Curse Kameren and his patient-- she still didn’t know her name. That irritated Victoria. She liked categories, and names were a category.

“Echo. I'm Echo Ashaelyr. And...thank you."

“Victoria Worthingale.” Victoria offered, not offering her hand as was customary in deference to the situation. Which was rapidly getting more exciting as Echo (such an odd name) started flailing her arm about and hit poor Curse in the head. Hmph. Not that she wasn’t sure he didn’t deserve it for one reason or another. But not from such a stranger, surely.

Victoria declined the cigarettes with a slightly frosty, disapproving little smile. There seemed to be a lot Victoria disapproved of, or disagreed with. And just as things were beginning to thaw between the trio, all hell broke loose.

And as all hell is wont to do, it broke loose all at once, causing quite the scene and providing many tongue-wags with gossips for months to come.

“Who are you,” he growled. The blue fire pulsed brighter, applying more pressure to her against the wall. She looked apologetic, but most people were after they attacked Curse Kameren. “Who sent you? Obviously they didn’t tell you just who I am.”

“Oh, let her go.” Victoria/Nuriko said crossly, stepping daintily out of the wreckage, but advancing steadily on Curse, her face set with chilly determination. “Not everyone in the world is out to get you, Kristopher Curse Kameren. Like it or not, it doesn’t revolve around the great bloody Kameren!”

It was quite a speech, and more than Victoria had said at once all night. And during the whole thing, she was moving, trying to find a place of attack-- so to speak. She needed to get these two apart. Victoria was a astute young woman, and she recognized this as perhaps the best solution to the problem.

"Inside pocket, I need the silver bracelet in there. Get it...hurry! Put it on my right hand!"

Not taking time to listen to Echo’s entire sentence before acting, Victoria had pounced on the duster in a swirl of skirt-- and a grimace at the dirt. But she produced the bracelet, and fumbling the clasp open in her rush, was just as swiftly forward and clasping the bracelet around Echo’s gloved right wrist.

[Echo Ashaelyr]

She could feel her hand tightening around the man's fist, and her own fears began to echo his. There was something at work in both of them, and each was feeding off the other, something dark. And his fear was palpable, as well as his urgent desire to not have to hurt her. Eyes closing, she clenched her jaw and followed that trail of darkness in her mind, the ever-present demonic shadow, a reverberation of the taint under her skin. She was alarmed to find that it was creeping, ever so slowly, up her arm. Even the bracelets of binding couldn't halt the growth entirely.

The doctors had warned her of this.

"No binding is ever complete...it will grow to consume you, I'm afraid. No telling hen, but as it grows, its rate will increase exponentially." The kind but sad face of the man who had pronounced her demise flashed across the back of her eyelids.

"Not...today..." Echo growled through her teeth, and then began, with sheer willpower, to fight the influence. Her fingers shook, began to loosen by centimeters.

But Victoria was faster, and as the bright silver closed around Echo's wrist, her hand loosened suddenly and dropped limply to her side.

With a snap of her fingers, Echo broke through Curse's blue fire and tumbled to the ground, rolling expertly to her feet to face him. Her sword was in her hand in an instant, she fell into a ready defensive stance, her fighting instincts readying herself for his retaliation...

[Curse Kameren]

Curse grit his teeth, fighting the curse back with everything in him. Just the touch of the curse could kill everyone in the building; any witnesses would be in danger too, once other dark forces realized what he was capable of. It would be the same fight all over again, covering his tracks to keep from being exploited by dark forces.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought, the heat emanating from his hand growing unbearable. The skin in his hand was completely burned through, the dark spot in the center of his palm moving outward, forming a runic circle. It wouldn't be long now before his curse broke free into an unstoppable flame. He bit his lip until it bled, a bead of pink dripping down his chin as he fought. Soon, there wouldn't be anything he could do.

"Inside pocket, I need the silver bracelet in there. Get it...hurry! Put it on my right hand!"

He watched desperately as the blonde woman finally clasped the bracelet around Echo's wrist. The blue fire disappeared as soon as Echo let go, Curse breaking away from her. Before he could hear what anyone said, any of the aftermath of their fight, He spun on his heel.

CRACK.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

Curse was suddenly in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. He fell backwards, shaking as he opened his palm. Fwoom. A powerful black fire shot up from his palm, licking the tree branches high in the air. He breathed evenly, trying to calm himself. He needed a grip on himself before he could get a control over the curse. Thank Merlin she had let go in time; Curse wouldn't be able to handle the consequences of letting his curse free. He had tried once, and it drove him insane. He couldn't handle the paranoia that came with it, always worrying about whether someone was on to his secret.

The fire started to die down as he breathed deeply, his emerald eyes watching the black flames dance in his palm. He gradually gained more control over the flame as he calmed his mind, eventually stifling it as he closed his palm. He sighed, massaging his palm until the runes turned again to the black spot. He wiped the blood from his chin, sighing before he stood back up. He turned on his heel again. Probably should go help the others, he supposed. It would be easier to avoid the questions, just go home to Max and turn in for the night. He needed to make sure Echo was okay, though.

.. .. .. .. .. ..

CRACK.

He was standing in the Leaky Cauldron again. He looked around, still slightly numb from the adrenaline running through his system. He stumbled forward, stopping as a sword hit his sneaker. "Might not want to keep that on the floor," He looked up at Echo, sucking in his lip as he felt it was still bleeding.

He took a step toward Echo, hesitant about getting too close. He didn't want to start another episode. "Are you alright?" He met her eyes, concerned. He glanced over at Victoria, directing the question at her as well. He didn't comment on his apparating, didn't mention where he went. Even if they asked, he couldn't tell them. His curse was a secret he needed to take to his grave with him.

[Echo Ashaelyr]

...but the man was gone, having apparated as soon as the spell was released.

"Thank you, Victoria," Echo said sincerely to the young woman and lowered her sword.

She remembered the feeling of growing dark power in the man, but a sudden pain lanced up her arm into her head. She gasped and pressed a hand to her head, riding out the wave of nausea and pain as it sank to more tolerable levels. The infection was gaining power. She would need to find a rune expert soon to devise a more powerful binding spell.

CRACK

Curse was back, and as Echo braced herself for his retaliation, she was surprised by his concern instead.

Managing a small, dry smile, she nodded. "Yes, I'm all right. I might ask you the same thing." She waved her hand at the silver band. "It's okay now, you're safe." Slowly, Echo spread her hands to her sides. "I don't know if you want to arrest me or something, but you..."

Sweat beaded on her forehead as she paused. Maybe coming to this city wasn't such a great idea. If he reported her, she'd have to leave again. But yet she felt that she owed him an explanation. Something to explain why she had suddenly and without reason attacked him. Yet he wasn't being forthcoming either about his reaction to her. Perhaps it was best if they went their own ways and put the event behind them.

But he did deserve one thing. She returned her mismatched gaze to the tall man.

"I'm...truly sorry." For a brief second, the weight of the infection and its consequences, the burden of living a life of half-shadow, with death stalking her as well...unable to let go of the fear of hurting others, or her secret making her a pariah, or worse, getting her locked up... But just as these thoughts darkened her gaze and caused her shoulders to slump forward, she straightened, the brief, tiny moment of weakness and despair erased.

She hesitated to say more. Being a loner for much of her life, this whole night was turning her version of normalcy on its head. Slipping up with the demon hunt, letting her infection put a man in danger and coming too close to revealing her 'condition'.

She stepped closer to him so that she could talk more quietly, but beckoned the other girl closer. Victoria deserved to be a part of this, after her heroic effort. She brought her intense gaze to bear on Curse's own gaze. "For putting your life in danger, and causing you to suffer..." a shadow of possible understanding, of what she sensed in him, "I will tell you this...I am no enemy of yours, sent by no one. I just arrived this evening in England. Think what you will, but if you ask an explanation of me...I will give it. I owe you that much. But not here, and away from the Ministry."

Echo had made the offer for several reasons. One, because she truly did owe him an explanation, and she was tired of running every time something like this happened. But also because there was a tiny spark of an idea, that perhaps this man could help her, and maybe she could help him. A nebulous, half-formed idea that perhaps together, with their areas of expertise in the matter, they might work together.

Or maybe she was just tired and needed to sleep, and think more clearly in the morning.

Merlin, she was a fool. Now she regretted her words and hid her discomfort by stepping back and picking up her sword and duster.

[Curse Kameren]

"I don't know if you want to arrest me or something, but you..."

He shrugged. "Potions professors don't really arrest people." He looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on the wound he had mended to make sure she was really okay. He bit his lip, mumbling a healing spell with his mouth half-closed to try to mend himself. The best he could do at the moment was make his lip scab over, which was good enough. At least he wasn't bleeding poison all over the place.

Echo still looked shaken, despite her insistence to the contrary. Curse wasn't angry with her, more concerned; he could see in her eyes and actions, this was something she didn't have control over. Like he was with his own curse, this was just something she had to live with. Trying to manage a curse was difficult even for him, he couldn't blame others who carried the same burden.

"I'm...truly sorry."

"You don't need to apologize," He replied simply, meeting her halfway as she stepped toward him. He looked around for one of the overturned chairs. Echo needed to sit. This was not the sort of situation for someone recovering from a nasty wound. She needed to take it easy; if anyone knew about pushing yourself too far, it was him.

"For putting your life in danger, and causing you to suffer..." a shadow of possible understanding, of what she sensed in him, "I will tell you this...I am no enemy of yours, sent by no one. I just arrived this evening in England. Think what you will, but if you ask an explanation of me...I will give it. I owe you that much. But not here, and away from the Ministry."

He nodded, his eyes lingering on Victoria again as she got closer. There was something in her mannerisms, the way she spoke... He shook his head, getting himself back on track with Echo. "I understand. You won't find an enemy in me." He glanced around, looking apologetic as his eyes landed on Paul. "We can discuss this, but not tonight. You need to rest. Where are you staying?" He took her arm, wanting to keep her steady. He glanced at Victoria again, his eyes analyzing her once more. He needed to figure out what was so off about her. It was driving him mad. "I can escort you back home. You too, Victoria."

[Echo Ashaelyr]

Echo wasn't certain what to say, she hadn't expected such understanding from him. After all, just moments ago she'd been threatening his life. Well, not on purpose. But now there were two Curse Kamerens looking at her. She blinked and shook her head, the scar around her eye still throbbing.

Sheathing her sword, she pulled on the duster slowly, feeling quite old for that moment. She agreed with him. "Thank you, but I don't have a place yet. I just rented a room in the Harpy's Hostel," she said, naming a run-down building and pub across town.

"I'll be fine," Echo straightened stubbornly and instantly regretted it. The room began to waver around her, and the last thing she knew before unconsciousness claimed her was that Curse was trying to say something.

Echo's eyes fluttered closed and she began to crumple to the ground.

[Curse Kameren]

Curse was close enough to catch Echo when she fell, his arm supporting her lower back. He picked her up, looking her up and down with concern in his eyes. He couldn't take her to Mungo's; if her curse was something new and dangerous, he could be unleashing something terrible on her and the rest of the Wizarding World. And either way, if he brought her that would spell out some uncomfortable questions for him as well. He needed the Ministry to be none the wiser about his own curse, and Echo's obviously had some sort of connection.

He glanced up at Victoria, his emerald eyes looking her up and down once again. "Nuriko," He said simply, not calling her out, just acknowledging her, "we need to get to the Hogwarts portkey. She can stay in my quarters for the night, but you have to be back to the school." Though he wasn't totally sure it was Nuriko, he had enough evidence to at least bluff; the sword she carried was the same one he had tried to confiscate from Ms. Elswyth a half-dozen times, and there was something in her mannerisms that reminded him of the Ravenclaw. He didn't know many metamorphagi, but the only other one he knew was around was Alex, who didn't make a habit of morphing into women.

He sent Paul a nod on his way out the door, the barkeep obviously not pleased with the situation. He'd work it out tomorrow, after he made sure Echo was okay. He glanced back at 'Victora'. "Do you know where the portkey is? I always apparate here..."

[Nuriko Elsywth]

Everything happened quickly, Echo fell to the ground and Curse apparated away. She could only speculate as to why. Echo rolled to her feet, looking for Curse, her sword at the ready. Victoria took a step back, surveying the carnage. “He’s not here.” She informed Echo, a bit tartly.

"Thank you, Victoria," Echo said sincerely to the young woman and lowered her sword.

“Well, I can’t have you destroying this… lovely…. pub.” Victoria said off-handedly, ignoring the looks of curious bystanders now coming out of the woodworks. She pulled her wand, a lovely ten inch, pale birchwood to match its wielder. “This is a mess.” She directed the disrupted furniture to put itself to rights. “I cannot abide messes.” She did not look at Echo, allowing her time to adjust on her own, privately.

And then Kameren returned. What followed was what seemed like an awful lot of emotional turmoil, not something Victoria was exactly comfortable with, so she kept her distance, methodically cleaning up the mess they’d made. She joined them however, when Echo beckoned them closer. She was nothing if not curious.

"For putting your life in danger, and causing you to suffer..." a shadow of possible understanding, of what she sensed in him, "I will tell you this...I am no enemy of yours, sent by no one. I just arrived this evening in England. Think what you will, but if you ask an explanation of me...I will give it. I owe you that much. But not here, and away from the Ministry."

"I can escort you back home. You too, Victoria."

Well, how gallant. With him escorting her home, how could she slip off and return to the school? For that matter, she didn’t have a home for miss Worthingale to ‘return’ to. Mum was right, I should have just walked away. As soon as she’d seen that Curse had the matter in hand… but that wouldn’t have been in character, so it was a no go. Next time, I walk away anyway. She resolved, now to lose her infuriatingly perceptive teacher.

"Nuriko," He said simply, not calling her out, just acknowledging her, "we need to get to the Hogwarts portkey. She can stay in my quarters for the night, but you have to be back to the school."

“I’m sure I don’t know who you’re talking about.” Victoria sniffed, green eyes narrowing at the man. Infuriating. “I need to return home, I have an early day in the morning.” She spun on her heel, still elegant and regal, and strode away.

"Do you know where the portkey is? I always apparate here..."

“Why would I?” Victoria asked, sending the man an icy stare. “I’m not sure who you think I am, Mr Kameren, but I suggest you take good care of her.” She indicated Echo with a look. “She will be important in the times to come.” And with that, Victoria Worthingale was gone.