How Many Demons Are There? [Invite]

It wasn't all too uncommon for a mortal fool to make some sort of bond with a demon. Often times the pact would involve bodily marks or some other twisted change caused by their power influencing a mortal. Others take an approach to infer some of their strengths into trinkets. Little bobbles and doo-dads that were a lot less harmful to the mortal in question. They, unfortunately, were also a lot easier to abuse and take away from the thankless demon sealing the deal; Thus, most opted to infer some negative effects to the items should they be used improperly or by the wrong people.

A lot of these demons, fools like the humans, would eventually fade from existence. And that powerful draw on their trinkets becomes a lot more subtle with the eons. That's where a lot of these old artifacts come from. It was something Usumidori had no purpose for other than destroy. Shatter the shell and unleash what power remained. Make that lingering essence his and no others. These welps surely didn't need it.

Taking a good day's control over his host, Usumidori had followed the rumors of a pendant. The large gemstone is surrounded by smaller ascents and a chained link of gold. Classic demonic medallion stuff. Where it lead was a lonely warehouse in the dim light of twilight. Around much which were very weak men gathering for a deal. Blackmarket stuff. Bartering under the nose of authority. The demon imagines it's pretty fun to give a middle finger to the big guy, but that would become really ironic upon seeing one of these individuals.

Derry. That guy's been on the news, right? New President Elect. Hard to really miss the do and outfit. Along with him two goons, somehow just only as strong as him about... And this other party who was offering. These details could be pretty juicy if leaked out. Maybe something to think about. Right now, he'd slink carefully in the shadows. Hopping up over and into the windowed rooftop of the warehouse. Peeking through one of the open and missing panels down into the scene.

'Curious.'
He leaned on over the edge, with clawed hands gripping the side of the windowsill. They remained quiet for a moment as they gathered. This could get interesting quickly...

---

Thread PL: 13,000
Current PL: 65,000 (Usumi x5, Anti-sense ACTIVE)
WC: 399

What the demon got to see was pretty par for the course in terms of mortal skullduggery goes. Underworld like this was rife with backstabbers and an underclass that did its best to rob those in power blind. Whether it be public officials or their own isn't really a factor. They ate themselves in their striving for power. To the Prez's credit, he was quick to call suspicions on the other party when they were so quick to offer up their trade without showing.

"Oh?"
The girl murmured to herself as those beady reds, somehow still a stealthy insight in the dark night skies above the warehouse, scanned down into what she could see in the case. These boys probably thought themselves clever making a replica to fool the other. Unlucky for them, this would just make Usumi's job of getting her hands on it much easier. Before Derry could really get a good grasp of the fake in front of him, it would be time to jump. Deciding to fall at a slowed pace to mask her approach under the commotion, she would land behind some of the crates on level with their dealings. Concealed completely by the night down there.

Her goal? The kid with the amulet. She could sense that presence much better now that she was closer to them. Skulking around behind most of the All-timers to get to him wouldn't be too hard. The small body and nimble form made for a surprisingly stealthy build. Usumidori could at least appreciate it for something like this.

"Excuse me."
The low and raspy voice of a small woman breaks the sudden tense silence between Derry and the All-timers. The kid with the amulet hidden in the back would feel a hard and dark clawed hand ring out his jacket and shirt. In a single motion that hand would yank free the amulet from their neck, as well as they tried hiding it, and her other hand would shove him hard in the stomach. Sending him flying back to the end of the building and slamming into a few utility boxes and a jack. After getting it free from him this woman would raise the amulet to let it glisten in what little moonlight there was. Most would only see this, the hand that held it, and her piercing red eyes.

"I believe you've taken something that doesn't belong to you."
Usumi could only help to be stealthy as long as it helped make his entrance even showier. The fact she left no powered presence among those with either Scouters or the ability to sense it naturally would be the main reason most around her would be thrown off. She remained in a studious stupor while observing this trinket even as the closest All-timers drew weapons on her.

It wouldn't take a genius to get that 'you' here wasn't just talking about the All-timers, like they knew they were doing underhanded shit. No, this was a callout to the Earthlings as a whole.

---

WC: 509
TWC: 908

Usumi watched as the All-timers remained frozen at her presence. Waiting with bated breath for someone to do anything. But it seems the man in charge of the whole deal, Derry, was handling it with not a single problem in his breath. Even his own bodyguards were well trained enough to not jump at the opportunity at the intrusion, merely now acting as dogs to keep the traitors in check. This would be the most interesting of outcomes, but what the mortal did to each other ultimately didn't matter. It was when Derry brought colored flames to light around her to reveal the small woman's form that he'd pick any issues.

Those great red eyes seem to glimmer in the flame. A wide grin plastered on her face as she looked up at the taller mortal. Seems her actions were mistaken as a sort of gesture in cooperation. Like she was some vigilante making sure the crime lords got their fair shake. Possibly the most straight forwards a man has been with the demon for a while. Usumi would be quick to correct this error.

"As cute as it is to see you think this an act of a watchman, I'm going to have to stop you right there mortal."
She starts, pulling the pendant into a closed hand and holding it close to her chest while tilting her head. Trying to look past those sunglasses of his to peek at his general disposition. The eyes were a gateway to a lot of emotion.

"I've no use of your material rewards so many of you in the desperate and dark rings of this society live off of. Likewise, you've not even the faintest clue about how to properly use these items. Bartering them like toys for a collection."
She'd outright accuse, keeping her cards close while holding her other hand out to keep him at arm's distance. Pushing up against his chest if he decided to move too close. Usumi wasn't a mind reader, so assumed most of them were playing with the pendant as most shortsighted men did. Really, it was more an excuse to try talking the mortals down and get it into their heads they were wrong before ever trying to force his will. He doubted Derry could explain why he'd want the pendant in any way that was satisfactory. Something greater than his own quest to use it for power.

---

WC: 408
TWC: 1316

Usumidori paid the moving gears around her no mind. The little people moving about, trying to deal with their orders or whatnot. No, the president drew her full attention. And it was here that the demon would see the mortal's confidence spike with his strength. She remained unphased by the immediate exchange and instead saw this as a chance to see just what this 'President' really knew. Such a high-profile individual doing such shady business... Noone was that stupid without having some serious game.

"I'm well aware of that title of yours, mortal. In fact, it and your power you've displayed before the elections are the reasons why I even make a show of talking right now... Any other simpleton with armed guards, I'd probably have been out in the blink of an eye before you got a word out. Little use trying to steer a man away who won't listen if they could prove useful."
She opened her hand up again to show off the pendant. Glistening in her grasp as she tilted her head up and flashed a toothy grin.

"Are you a connoisseur of such items, Ottoy? This doesn't seem to be your first rodeo."

---

WC: 202
TWC: 1518

Oooh, good. he seemed at least interested in what the demon had to say. The small woman would keep smiling up at him, nodding and pulling the amulet back into her clutches tight. Spinning on her heels to start pacing around the president. Any air of anxiety speaking with a president and major crime lord seemed lost on the demon prince. This is where they wanted to be after all.

"What do I want? Mr. Ottoy, I'm sure it's no secret some random little woman coming around and yanking these artifacts is anything normal. I assume you're acutely aware of what you're speaking with right now. You're a smart one."
The demon made an entire rotation, now facing the man as she strode around him. Arms snug under her chest as she looks them up and down again. Inflating that ego, there's but one thing this thing could promise.

"I happen to know... precisely what these things can do. Among mortal men, few are kind effects. Plenty are powerful though. And with your network, I assume, it would make it easier to bring them in. What I offer, President, is beneficial cooperation. With I, Usumidori, as your benefactor. Alone, we'd be hunting things like this down at a snail's pace. But combining my knowledge and your resources could prove useful."
That all seemed well and good, but Usumidori knew well enough the president would likely, if taking this offer, just opt to horde the collection himself. And since he had ways to sleuth them out he wasn't going to pull a fast one on the mortal anyways.

Luckily, all Usumidori needs is the demonic essence in these trinkets. Nothing says he can't... then impart some of his own strength and magic into the then empty vessels and pass them off to this mortal. It might seem slimy, but he'd still be offering Derry an array of useful powers. Even if he was taking most of the latent energy from it for himself.

"And since you seem to have someone else who is more an expert in them than you, we'd perhaps discuss it as a group. My only ask in all of this is that I keep access to these trinkets and can use them at my leisure, should I require."
An added bonus, perhaps by accident, is the fact Derry's homestead wife probably didn't have the time to go hunting for these like Usumidori did. Or, possibly, the drive. Getting to know the entire network of mortal scumbags could prove most useful even if Ottoy decided to be a bit stricter on her request.

---

WC: 439
TWC: 1957

Usumidori made a full stop back in front of Derry, cackling some at the ever blunt nature of his revelation. And she apparently wasn't his first. That was a mutual fact, and once that Usumidori rarely took part in. The prince was a more active purging demon rather than some tricksy pact demon. And don't get him started on the literal devil contractors. Regardless, the small woman nodded.

"Of course. Ever observant, aren't we?"
Playing up a man's ego was easy, but him being aware of how Demons can easily manipulate was perhaps going to be an issue. Oh well. To Usumidori, it was at no actual loss to him. At the end of the day, he could just sneak out and be on his way. Worse comes to worse he'd have to keep an eye out for the president here going after the same things out of spite and trying to catch them. THat's if things went sour.

"If I found pleasure in using such powers to harass lowly mortal men I would have skewered most the men in this building before even so much as talk. Most are not worth the effort it takes to raise a finger and cut them with it."
A little offended that Derry would assume they would TARGET civilians was one thing. Casualties by mistake could be another issue altogether, but he wasn't about to bring that up.

"So, I wouldn't worry much about my justifications, Mister Ottoy. Testing such artifacts should be easy if allowed to be used against my real opponents. Worry not about what I do with them in my free time, as you will not be connected anyways."
With how easily the demon can move around in the dark of its shadows and portals it was a promise he highly regarded as safe to offer. If it was Derrick's true concern.

She waited expectantly as the man relaxed with his devil's poison in hand, lighting it up with his own flame. She figured they'd discuss the actual logistics he had on his half somewhere in private, but if he had an idea of what to offer now never hurt the old demon. It wasn't her that tried hiding their shadow dealings.

---

WC: 376
TWC: 2333

Usumidori's smirk cracks just that much wider as the smoke billows, the president keeping his head high and words straight. Concerns aired, he seemed more than willing to play along with Usumidori in exchange for the knowledge of business around the many cities he occupied. Either he was being genuine in his desire to work, or he was just rolling with it. Knowing full well he was able to deal with anything this tiny little demon girl could get away with.

"A relief indeed. And it's unfortunate. Most demons, like their mortal others, develop bad habits. Ever unsated, never thinking ahead. There are many reasons these bonds and deals between the two of us have stood the tests of time. Part of our power comes from our word. Here- "
Usumi took a deep breath and opened her palm up to let this pendant set in it. A now small red glow, matching her beady eyes, came from it as the demoness concentrated its own energy into it. This sort of movement kicked up an unnatural wind in the warehouse here. Knocking light and loose tools around and buffeting clothing. One of the goons tied up by Derry's men let out a yelp as those short display of power was performed.

This was in two parts because it was mostly a show. The demon was simultaneously pulling a fast one on Derry by absorbing what energy this fragment of a demon had stored into it and was embuing it with his own touch of something. Essentially making the amulet his own with a unique quirk specific to Derry. The difference was positive for Usumi in the end. He could reclaim these when he needed them.

And only the more potent demonic artifacts weren't going to be affected by this stripping. At least, not that easily. After the winds settled this amulet retained that subtle shimmer of red. Ever visible to those looking for it. Usumi proceeded to dangle it in his fingers and float up to Derry's height. Laying down in the air and kicks her legs about like a high school teen on her bed in the death throws of the evening.

"Mustafa, the Blight Lord's Trinket. Demonic Might. Calling upon it, one can pull from the strength of this horror made a vassal. Overuse in this way can rot the soul though. That's not all either. I just so happened to also add my own touch to it too~. Consider it a token of good faith, for once we agree to our halves, it can then be used to communicate back and forth. Call upon me using it, and Usumidori shall appear."

"I shall be your artifact hunter. All I need is your network and judicial privilege as President. These few special passes bestowed upon my service to you. And, the right to use them myself should I require them. There is much to be gained in abusing the bonds of old. So go ahead. Take it."
She offered it now, gingerly unclasping it and letting it nearly drop from her index and middle finger. Only hanging onto her by a thread, and easily able to be taken as per her wishes. This was, of course, her 'deal'. Made true by offering an artifact in word.

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WC: 551
TWC: 2884