The week passed uneventfully. Kat and Lily exchanged frantic studying in order to finish assignments early for less frantic studying for next week's test. They would be the final batch of assessments for them before graduation and they decided it would be best to perform well. Even though Kat was less sure of needing to complete a high school education these days, Lily still planned to enrol in the local university and under less demonic conditions Kat was going to do the same. Even PE was uneventful because it turns out hiding a tail is really easy if you just hide the identifiable spade and change casually. No one even looked twice at Kat despite the three instances of PE that week. Kat did try to subtly imply that the teens should really start doing more work around the orphanage, but they just pretended not to notice and Kat wasn't willing to push this issue.
On Friday night, Lily was doing the final adjustments on Kat's outfit before her summoning and even provided a set of hair sticks for her. They were simple dark wooden sticks with white flowers on the end and a red centre.
"Are you sure I can take these? They are quite lovely. Are you sure it's ok for me to have these?" Kat asked.
"Yeah, they go great with the outfit and even though they aren't super convenient right now if your hair gets any longer, they will be. Plus, I haven't worn them in ages and I don't have the hair for it," said Lily indicating her messy short hair.
"If you're sure, it sounds like you won't be ever getting them back if you give them to me. Last chance?" said Kat.
"Just accept the damn gift Kat. I basically only got you a note for your birthday it's fine," said Lily* That note was so sweet though, and I could tell the effort it took to make the thing. Though I wonder if the writing took longer based on how much trouble that seemed to cause. * "The note was lovely Lily, and I know your parents would gut you for spending your money on me anyway. Wait, are you sure they won't notice this missing. They were always strangely attentive about things, they even accused me of stealing a few times."Blushing, Lily sighed, "they shouldn't. I left them buried in my cupboard in a box, just in case and as I said I haven't worn them in a long time, in fact I've kept my hair short since I've known you so it's fine Kat really." Kat looked at Lily for a long time before nodding. * * It really is a great gift I don't want to turn it down. I'm just a bit worried. *
Stepping back Lily admired her handiwork. Kat really seemed to glow in that outfit, something about it just brought everything together. Tearing her eyes away she said,"Well I have to get going now, my parents will probably be unimpressed considering it's so late already but at least they won't punish me just yet. I should leave before that changes though." Kat nodded along and opened the door for her friend.
"Want me to escort you out?" said Kat.
"Sure," said Lily. Kat walked Lily to the door and saw her off. It wasn't that late, only eight o'clock, but Gramps liked to have the younger ones in bed already with lights out at nine. Only Kat and the teens were exempt from that but they were expected to wake up before everyone else so it prevented them from staying up too late…Well, most of the time.
After waving Lily off, Kat returned to her room. * Hmm, I do somewhat wish I had nice shoes as well but I only have the one pair of plain black shoes unless you count the more casual ones. * I never caught the shoe bug other seem to ha- Kat was interrupted by a set of blazing words appearing in front of her.
D.E.M.O.N.S WISHES FOR USER KAT TO UNDERTAKE SPECIAL SUMMONING. DESPITE BEING BEFORE WEEKLY RESET THIS WILL CONSTITUTE FOR NEXT WEEKS SUMMONING AND YOU WILL RECEIVE A FAVOUR TOKEN ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE ARRANGEMENT.
* Um yeah, I guess? Could you provide some more details perhaps?*
SUMMONER KNOWN AS 'BERTHELM' HAS BEEN ATTEMPTING TO SUBVERT THE SYSTEM BY SUMMONING DEMONS FOR MUNDANE TASKS THEN ASKING THEM QUESTIONS ABOUT SENSITIVE INFORMATION REGARDING DEMON SUMMONING. D.E.M.O.N.S WOULD LIKE USER KAT TO PRETEND TO BE MORE POWERFUL BY HIDING YOUR TAIL AND REQUESTING HE STOPS HIS SUMMONING FOR INFORMATION. SYSTEM RECOMMENDS BAITING HIM INTO TRADING TEN QUESTIONS FROM YOU FOR HIM PUTTING HIS SUMMONINGS ON HOLD. MINOR SYSTEM SUPPORT WILL BE GIVING TO SELL THE LIE. USER KAT WAS CHOSEN FOR THIS ATTEMPT BECAUSE OF YOUR DEMON TRAITS ARE NOT YET PRONOUNCED AND YOU RETAIN THE CAPACITY FOR LYING FOR NOW. YOU MAY BE PUNISHED IN THE EVENT YOU COMPLETELY FAIL THIS ASSIGNMENT. YOU WILL BE COMPENSATED NORMALLY ON TOP OF THE BONUS. DO YOU ACCEPT?
* That's not much to go on, can I really do something like that? And what sort of punishment do you mean?*
D.E.M.O.N.S BELIEVES USER KAT TO HAVE A HIGH CHANCE OF SUCCESS. PUNISHMENT WILL ONLY BE ADMINISTERED IN EXTREME CASES. THE SUMMONING IS HAPPENING AS WE SPEAK DO YOU ACCEPT.
Somewhat reluctantly Kat nodded, and the familiar burning portal appeared. During her ride through the mystical fire another message popped up.
DEMONIC ATTIRE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY BOUND. YOU CAN NOW SUMMON AND DISMISS IT WITH A THOUGHT. ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR USER KAT: DO NOT LET YOUR TAIL PHASE THROUGH DURING THIS SUMMONING. KEEP IT BOUND AROUND YOURSELF.
Quickly focusing on her tail, Kat was pleased to find it was still wound beneath her kimono and hadn't moved. She hadn't expected it to be an issue, but sometimes it would unwind when she relaxed too much. Abruptly the fire ended and she found herself staring across at a man who looked to be around 50, with black hair specked with pieces of grey. He was in a surprisingly formal outfit that contained long black pants and a black jacket. He flinched backwards at the sight of Kat and quickly regained his composure.
"Thank you for answering my summons. I Berthelm offer you this contract to clean this room and have a small chat with me," said the man.
Kat attempted to glare at the man and felt something click. A regal pressure flowed out from Kat as she stared the man down, causing him to begin sweating slightly. "You seem to think I am not aware of you Berthelm. You happened to have grabbed a few of my subordinates in the past so I'm here to offer you a deal of my own. Twenty questions and then you will cease your attempts to gather information on the demon race. You are collecting things far too valuable for the price you pay," said Kat.
Berthelm stared back at Kat. "You have no right to dictate my summoning. You may be a demon but you cannot act without my say so."
"Ten questions," Kat paused for just a moment. "And before you continue speaking, know that while I cannot always stop you, if you attempt to call one of my servants as you did today I can always come instead, and are you really sure this circle can hold someone of my calibre?" Kat tried to increase the pressure she seemed to be exerting but failed until--
D.E.M.O.N.S WILL ASSIST YOU IN THIS.
A new wave of pressure washed over the mage, cowing him slightly. He glared defiantly at Kat so she started, "Fiiiv-"
"Stop, ok. I Berthelm do so agree to the contract, ten questions and then I will cease my inquiries," said Berthelm.
* That was too easy. Let's stare at him menacingly for a bit and see if he changes it. * Glaring down at the man still, thirty seconds passed before his expression cracked.
"Fine damn you. I Berthelm do so agree to the contract, ten questions and afterwards I will cease my inquiries and refrain from encouraging others to continue them in my place," said Berthelm with a sigh.
Kat nodded, and thick red chains rose up to surround the two, layering them until finally they vanished. Berthelm sagged from the strain, nearly collapsing but stabilising himself with his knee. * Huh, I wonder if the backlash didn't affect me because I'm a demon or because the system is helping me here… What no answer?
Shaking slightly, Berthelm righted himself and smiled at Kat, "How many demons share your level of power?"
"Countless" said Kat and the man paled while Kat's grin stretched wide like the Cheshire Cats. * Ha! and it's even the truth because I'm super weak. *
Eyes trembling as he looked back towards Kat he asked, "How, how strong are you compared to the strongest demons?"
"Well, that's a bit to broad don't you think? I have no idea how I compare on such a grand scale. I'm not one for comparing strength too often," said Kat as her grin continued to widen and stretch to the edges of her face. *Hopefully this really creeps the dude out. He's already shaking. *
"D-d-d, do you have any plans to harm this kingdom?" stammered Berthelm.
"Well, I always have plans Berthelm, but I'd say you don't have to worry about them," said Kat carefully picking at her nails.
The man shuddered, looking around the room for an escape before settling on the door."Now Berthelm, do you really want to go and leave me on my lonesome? The contract has been set, I can walk away and explore your world as long as I answer your questions whenever you ask. I thought I'd be polite and take care of them now though, aren't you happy?" said Kat tilting her head slightly to the side.
Berthelm's whole body shook. His eyes went wide as the implications of what he'd done finally hit him. He never restricted this demon in any way. She had free reign as long as he didn't use up his ten questions, she could do anything she wanted including attacking him or bending him to her will. As long as the questions remained unanswered, she would be able to exist without repercussion. His head slowly turned, fixing itself on Kat as his mind desperately worked trying to come up with anything, anything at all that could be useful to him.
"What are the limits of your powers," Berthelm struggled to get out.
"I don't know, I haven't found them yet" replied Kat. Berthelm was sweating bullets, four questions, he'd hardly even asked four questions but the walls felt like they were closing in on him. His mind screamed at him for release and before he could stop himself he asked,
"How do I banish you forever and curse you to never return?" Kat laughed, she made it as deep and throaty as she could. keeping it going just slightly too long to further unsettle the man.