Colin's posts

Zeke nodded and took a drink of it, before smiling.

"Mmm, I can taste it." he said, licking his lips.

"This is... really good stuff." he told her.

"There's a subtle spiciness to it, but it's complemented by a deep and rich flavour." he continued.

"It's quite addictive." he chuckled, taking another big swig.

"Thanks." he told her.

"There anything else I can do to help?" he asked.

"Oh, I see." Zeke responded.

"Well, as long as you're safe." he said.

"I'll do whatever I can to help." he told her.

Zeke was a good friend... as was Azazel... but right now, Erica was thankful for one thing that Zeke had that Azazel didn't.

Naivety.

Azazel would be suspicious about HER and this situation, and would insist on information about this.

Zeke cared for her, but he was one to more often take someone's word at face value, than Azazel.

Zeke just sighed again.

"You're welcome." he replied.

"I'm still concerned." he said.

"This activity sounds... suspect... to put it lightly." he went on.

"Are you... in danger?" he asked.

"As in, do you feel that your safety is in jeopardy because of the one you owe this money to?"

"Okay, that's... even more worrisome." Zeke responded.

"Ignoring the entire past few days being a blur, you owe someone money?" he asked.

"5 grand?" he asked further.

"That's... that's... just..." he mumbled, before shaking his head.

"That's a bit exorbitant, isn't it?" he asked.

"And here." he went on, taking a money envelope out of his pocket and handing it to her.

Zeke looked even MORE confused and concerned now.

"That's... that does not sound good." he told her.

"But sure, coffee is good." he said, stepping inside when she stepped aside to allow him in.

"I mean... needing 5 grand for one thing so suddenly is... already a bit odd." he commented.

"But to lose it? That's... a bit... eesh." he went on.

"And you don't have long?" he then asked her.

"...sorry, maybe I'm paranoid or overly concerned, but this sounds... not good. At all."

"........" Ryker was silent, before sighing.

'That's what one gets. A deal with a demon is... absolute.' he thought.

'Got THAT right.' the other side of him responded.

He then shook his head and started to walk off.

"Back in a few!" he called to Eke.

"And careful, I see storm clouds in the distance!" he added.

"Head into the vehicle if it starts to rain heavily suddenly!"

She pondered her missing money until she heard the doorbell. She made her way over and opened it, revealing the tall blonde man she had texted earlier.

He looked at her with a soft smile, though his expression had some confusion and concern to it.

"Hey."[/i] he greeted her.

[b]"I brought it." he told her.

"Everything okay?" he then asked. "5 grand is... well, it's no pittance, that's for sure." he commented.

"You all right?"

She was not waiting long again, about a minute, before she received a response.

5 grand? I mean, yeah, sure. I suppose so. the text read.

I'll need to go and get it. I should be there in... 15 minutes? the next one told her.

That all right? the third one asked.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Zeke scratched at his head a little.

"...wonder what's going on...?" he mumbled to himself.

There was silence on the other end for about 2 minutes, before there was a reply.

Ah, good. it read.

I'm near your place, but I'm busy. I'll stop by in 30 minutes or so. the next one read.

Meanwhile, the one on the other side, just chuckled...

...before it turned into outright laughter.

"Ohhhh, perfect." he said.

"This is working out SO perfectly!"

She received a response quicker than one would have expected... however, given that Sharp was probably working, odds were good that he was at his laptop, and her email had popped up in his notifications. And it was certainly feasible that he would have taken the time to respond to her while he was there.

But sure enough, after about 2 minutes or so, she received a response.

Erica,

The safety and wellness of my employees is priority. I realise that you are in a very unique situation, and your health and safety is of the utmost importance.

I thank you for updating me, and I am pleased to hear you are doing better than previously.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you through this.

-Agent Hal Sharp

"Heh, yep." Azazel replied.

"See ya!" he said to her as he left the room.

She then saw the demonic flare of his mana, meaning he had teleported.

He was gone.

And she was alone once more.

The house was silent, almost eerily so, but she felt much better...

...a vague sense of ominousness hung behind her, though.

Azazel snapped his fingers and pointed at her.

"Gotcha." he said.

"I'll have something sent later today. Probably in about an hour or so." he told her.

"In the meantime, try and take care." he went on.

"And with that, I'm off." he then finished, standing up.

"Your room again for the teleport, I assume?" he asked.

"Oh, and yeah, I teleported here into the backyard so I wasn't seen." he then assured her.

"Something, anything?" Azazel asked, thinking about it.

"You got it." he told her with a thumbs-up.

"It all right to have it mana'd right into the den or kitchen?" he asked.

"Or would you prefer a more... traditional delivery?" he asked further.

"Either one's fine, just establishes where I can order from." he reasoned.

"...oh, and I know you said anything, but is there something I should avoid in particular?"

Azazel nodded as well.

"Of course." he said.

"Sharp will understand." he reasoned.

"And he'll be glad to hear you're doing better." he went on.

"Odds are he may come and visit, just to see if you're doing all right and see you." he then said further.

"There anything more I can do?" he asked.

"Anything you want me to go and grab for you, bring back?" he asked further.