Opportunity knocks twice

Alex was resting on the bed when a soft rapping on the door interrupted his revere. Rising smoothly he strode easily to the door and opened it. On the other side of the door was a coy young woman holding a tray with a full meal for two, although not obviously so, so as not to assert presumption that Alex was still in the mood for supper company.

"Ah Marium," Alex greeted her, "Excellent timing. Please come in."

A shy curtsy through the doorway and a muttered thank you and Alex calmly closed the door behind Marium. She took the tray to the small table in the room and turned to address Alex only to pause as her gaze fell on his eyes. But while she was caught off guard she also recovered quickly. "Will there be anything else sir?"

"Well, two things actually." Alex walked to one of the four chairs and pulled it out, "If it's not asking too much I would still enjoy your company. And secondly, please, call me Alex. It feels a little odd being called 'sir' by anyone."

"Of course sir, I mean, Alex." She took the offered chair with trained grace. And Alex moved to the opposing chair for the sake of conversation.

The food was well made, and the conversation remained light and pleasant. Marium didn't ask but her gaze spent a noticeably disproportionate amount of time studying his eyes. The Street dealt with anyone, but this was probably the only time in her life she'd ever gazed into the eyes of a demon. Alex took note that she was more curious than afraid by this point.

By the time the meat was eaten and the wine was drank the conversation drifted into much more personal matters. Alex learned the brief history of Marium, the street urchin who was pressured into prostitution through a combination of desperation and trickery of the people offering her a way out of the gutters. As the reality of her situation of being physically exploited for the remainder of her life began to strip her of hope and dreams her fates took a heavy shift. One of the agents of the street found her bleeding in a back ally after servicing one of her more brutal customers. She didn't remember the encounter, only waking up inside the street's guildhall with her wounds being tended.

When she was well enough to walk she was escorted to the ashes of what was once the whorehouse she served and asked what she wanted to do now. Marium asked to work off her debt, having no experience with genuine charity she couldn't fathom that an organization would have saved her without expecting some sort of service in return.

That had been a little more than a year ago by this time, and she'd learned to understand that the street takes good care of their own. And while they are willing to work with anyone, they are also prone to random acts of humanity with no expectation of reward. With her tale done it became Alex's turn.

He didn't bore her with the details, but told her about how he met Spike when the small man was a street footpad, and Alex was an aspiring hero. He told about how he had gotten famous but made time to visit Spike anytime he was in town, enjoying the relative freedom that heroes get in the company they keep under the guise of "networking".

He told her, in very vague details about how his career came to an abrupt end when he failed his team and became demon possessed. Mentioning in conclusion to his narrative that he had been freed from the possession, but was now on a personal quest to rid himself of the corruption that remained with him.

"So that's why your eyes are like this?"

"That's right. Do they unnerve you."

Her eyes never drifted from his as she answered, rich hazel eyes softly staring into eyes of the void, purely black accept for a cat-like iris the coloration of blue and purple fire. "No. They are very pretty in their own way."

Her hand rose to his face, but Alex caught it and kissed it gently.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Marium. I know that your job sometimes asks you to provide physical attention to the guild's guests. And while I would enjoy your touch, I want you to be sure that you are offering it to me out of personal desire and not a sense of professional obligation. Spike and I are old friends, and even without your story he knows that I wouldn't and won't **** you to do anything you don't already want."

She shifted a little uncertainly but he continued, "You are welcome to stay the night, tonight or any night you wish to join me. Under the condition that it is your choice to be here." He kissed her hand again and released it.

She withdrew her hand slowly. "I'm free to think about it?"

"Please do. I'll be here."

She rose and gathered the tray and goblets, pausing at the door to look over her shoulder before disappearing.

(You're absolutely determined to die alone aren't you?)

(At the moment I can't die so easily. And I'm not alone, I'm stuck with you.)

Demon bristled, (Don't play so casually with your life! That's how you got into this mess to begin with!)

(Call it a weakness then. I'll risk my own well being for the good of others.)

(You're an affliction! At least act like a man and try to breed!)

(I think she'll be back.)

(Not tonight she wont, you careless chivalrous oaf!)

Demon's rant was interrupted by another knock at the door. When Alex answered the door he found Marium there.

Her face was flushed, but her gaze was resolute. "I'd like to be treated like a woman tonight."

Alex didn't beckon her into the room with a sweeping gesture, instead he simply offered her his hand. She took it and kissed him as he pulled her into the room.

(You were saying something before?) Alex shot at Demon.

(Dumb luck. Now get busy Loverboy!)

(Oh, I'm planing on it.)