Jake and Izea watched her head off, and the latter sighed.

"REALLY hope this isn't anything too big or concerning." he said.

"...but hope springs eternal, and it's usually the denial of reality." he muttered.

Meanwhile, Hal was in his office, getting a few things done, when his receptionist buzzed him to let him know that Anya was there.

"Send her in." he said.

She then stepped through the door, and he gestured for her to take a seat.

Hal was silent for a moment, before nodding.

"For Erica? Yes." he said.

"Of course." he told her.

"I would do anything to help her, keep her safe." he went on.

"...and if YOU'RE coming to me for this, it MUST be serious." he then said grimly.

"So by all means. Make your wish." he finished, raising his hand and putting his fingers together, waiting for her to speak.

Hal raised an eyebrow.

"Balphagor?" he asked.

"Oh dear." he said.

But he then snapped his fingers, to grant her wish.

Demonic mana was strong, but it wasn't the be-all-end-all. Anya didn't get exact information, but she got flashes of it... and she got enough that she could pinpoint where he was hiding.

She knew he was in Europe. In France, in Paris. She saw the building and the area.

Hal was silent for a moment, and nodded.

"I see." he said.

"Very well." he told her.

"I'm glad I was able to help... assuming I did." he said further.

"Is there anything else I can do to assist?" he asked.

"Shall I contact Zeke, if nothing else so he may contact his father?" he asked her further, before pausing.

"...though you can probably just do that yourself, admittedly."

Hal nodded.

"Very well." he said.

"Erica is considered on extended sick leave, anyway." he told her. "But I'll make sure Azazel is exempt as well." he assured her.

He then sighed as well, and looked her in the eyes.

"...I don't know the full extent of what's going on, but I wish you luck, Anya." he said.

"Please don't bite off more than you can chew."

Hal leaned forward and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"...great." he said.

"As if poor Erica didn't have enough problems in her life." he grumbled.

"Well, I wish you even MORE luck, then." he told her.

"Because odds are... you're going to need it, and then some." he reasoned, before pausing again, and sighing deeply.

"...damn it." he muttered.

"And Azazel must be taking this hard as well." he added.

"..." Hal was silent as Anya said that.

"Noted." he said.

"I very highly doubt I will take advantage of that... or HER..." he then told her.

"Quite frankly, if Erica is guarding information, then... that is her business. I have no right to pry or take advantage of her in such a vulnerable state." he went on, before pausing.

"Unless you feel there is something specific that I should ask her." he commented.

"Do you?" he asked.

"I see." Hal responded.

"Well, thank you for telling me that, I suppose." he said.

He then sighed, and shook his head.

"Go and get done... what you need to get done." he told her.

"You know you can always ask for help from here... especially if it will help Erica." he then assured her.

He also noticed the light smirk on Anya's face... she was going to enjoy this, he was sure.

"...." Hal was silent as she disappeared, and then sighed.

"Yeah, he won't like this." he mumbled.

"Wonder if he'll pry for info..." he then wondered aloud, leaning back in his chair, and bringing his fingers together, near his lips.

---

She wasn't far from where he was. In fact, he was sitting in a café that was across the street from another café. He was sitting outside in their patio, but he was staring at someone that was with her brother, inside the other café.

"....only a matter of time." he said quietly.

"I will trap YOU in my web as well." he snickered confidently.

He was still concentrating on Aimee... however, when the curvy individual sat down next to him, his eyebrows rose suddenly, and his eyes shifted in the direction of her. He was silent now, turning slightly and looking at her.

'....well, now.' he thought.

'Now THIS is an opportunity and a half...' he told himself, before looking over and seeing that the female's brother looked like he was about to head off for some reason.

'Sorry, little guppy. Looks like a bigger fish just swam by. he chuckled internally.

He then shifted his attention completely away from the siblings, and looked to the one with the tea.

"Well, bon-JOUR..." he said quietly, looking her over, head to toe.