Behind closed door

Alex took a step into the room that could only be described as a suite. For while it wasn't particularly large it was immaculately and richly decorated. Alex nodded slightly in appraisal, "It's lovely as always. Please inform Spike that he doesn't need to give a common mercenary the best room in the house."

Marium shifted slightly, "Our guild master insisted that no lesser room would be acceptable, sir." Alex heard the door close, "He also instructed me to see to any request you might have."

Alex weighed his words and action as he turned to asses Marium, she looked to be barely a woman in age, and while she seemed uncomfortable with the normal forms of request made to that sort of an assertion, she also acted as if she were familiar to the practice. No doubt her discomfort was being hightened by his familiarity with the guild, but her complete lack of knowledge about himself. Knowledge was power, and in the current power dynamic she was utterly at his mercy.

Mercy therefore was his choice of action, "Perhaps when I am not so weary from my journey I might take you up on that offer." He casually lied, "At them moment I desire rest and when I stir in a few hours something to eat. If you would be kind enough to bring me a modest meal we can discuss any additional services I would be allowed to impose upon you in the future."

There was an uncertain relief in her face, "So you are not displeased with my service?"

Alex smiled as he took a seat on the bed, "Quite the contrary. So far I have enjoyed your company quite well and I might like to have some more time to enjoy it. Albeit, later." This part wasn't a lie. "Please again thank the guild master on my behalf for his kindness."

Marium suppressed a shy smile and bowed before exiting.

(You are dangerously close to getting your pretty face clawed...master)

(Am I suddenly not allowed the pleasure of woeing a pretty face?)

(If you current track record holds true you'll engage in boring polite discourse and deny me any wonderful spectacle of a successful seduction.)

(This is the street. The people employed here are a little more open minded that elsewhere. You may yet get a show.)

(Promise me I get to watch her sequel in euphoria.)

(I won't promise you that.)

(DENY ME MY SPECTACLE AT YOUR OWN PERIL MISTER!)

"I dare say," a voice said as a man emerged from behind one of the tapestries in the room, "I honestly didn't expect to see Marium back are her desk so soon."

Alex rose to greet the fellow, "I think she's an excelent addition to your staff. But I would like to deal with business before pleasure as usual Spike."

Despite being eye level with Alex's midriff Spike shook hands with the confidence of a man who stood taller than anyone else in the room. When it came to political leverage, size was not measured by a man's stature. "Alexander, old friend, I understand that you fixed your demon possession issue. So what brings you to me for assistance?"

Alex removed his helmet, reviling his demonic eyes, "The demon's possession didn't leave me. Only her awareness."

"Yes, I'm down here now." Demon spoke from the floor.

Spike raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, "I didn't know the two could be separated. You really can learn something new even in old age."

Alex began to undo his gauntlet, "So we learned too, but there's a side effect that we didn't know about."

Now ungloved Alex held out his hand for Spike to examine.

"Fascinating!" Spike exclaimed, "I've never seen the corruption process so clearly contained. And without the preceding madness. Last time you came to be for help you were nearly nonfunctional with madness, but I haven't seen you so like your old Lionheart self since you first became possessed."

"Demonic corruption normally effects the mind first, but master has an unrivaled willpower and sense of self."

"Master?" Spike was baffled by the expression.

"How far the mighty fall," Demon sighed as she lay down in a feline pout, "The power that I accumulated over millennia remains in his body, and I can only use what he reluctantly shares with me. I am completely subservient to him now."

Spike closed his eyes to collect his thoughts, "This is all unexpected. How can I help you?"

Alex sighed. "Demon doesn't know any solution to undoing the corruption process. I need to get back to Janida to speak with the Avatar."

Spike frowned. "That's a long shot at best. The god of chaos is...unpredictable. And his Avatar is...eccentric, as I'm sure you know having met them already."

Alex nodded, "I wouldn't be here if I could find any other alternative. I already spent a month in the great library of Praenomen. I've even raided a few demon cults on jobs without finding a single study on the process of demonification."

"how about the forbidden libraries in Tut 'Tel? You've been in them before."

"I cannot enter them without revealing who I am, I cannot do that without revealing my 'issue'. And the zealots there will attempt to kill me on the spot."

Spike leaned against the wall and stroked his mustache in deep thought. "We aren't scheduled to send a caravan until the end of the month, it's not wise to deal with Janida too frequently, it's really taboo to deal with them at all. Would you permit my personal mages to study the corruption in the time being?"

Alex mused a moment before relenting, "That seems a fair payment in exchange for your service. I'm not a mage myself so my abilities for study are layman at best. Demon has been mostly uninterested in the process and more interested in my handling of it."

"I think I might enjoy hearing 'Demon's' observations if it is interested in sharing."

"How rude to call a lady 'it'." Demon began to clean the claws of a forepaw in an act of dramatic protest.

"My apologies ma'am," Spike bowed in apology, "I spoke in ignorance."

"Don't give into her ridiculous antics," Alex warned his friend, "There is no end to them."

"Rude!"

Spike laughed, "Old friend, you always attract the most interesting companions."

Alex nodded, "I was cursed with great charm at a young age. It's been a great burden."

"Charming? You? You are intentionally uncharming. I should be watching some casual nookie right now but NOOOOO, you wanted to talk about your issues."

Again Spike laughed, "Shall I send Marium back up for your entertainment then?"

"Yes please!"

"Not," Alex asserted quickly, "Not before meal time. I told her I needed rest, and I would like to get some for at least the premise of an honest man."

"That sounds like the Alex I know. I'll send her up with your evening meal."