New Orleans, Louisiana : A city of decadence and evil, nestled on the gulf cost. Demons thrive in this city, the sins of mankind fuelling their ambition...
After he pulled himself out of the manhole, Ephraim easily jumped onto the top of the two story building he was behind and looked around. Not noticing anything interesting in particular, he started jumping from rooftop to rooftop, heading due east, directly to Main Street. Even being the five miles away that he was, Ephraim already heard all the noise coming from the non-stop party that was Mardi Gras.
Two sets of eyes followed Ephraim's progression across the rooftops. Two very bored sets of eyes. "Do you see what I see?" a sensual, feminine voice asked.
"If you see the son of the First Exile, then yes," answered the smooth masculine voice.
"I think we shall ask him what he is doing in our domain," said the woman.
"I was just thinking the same," came the man's reply.
Both characters faded into the shadows, following Ephraim. Black on black is hard to follow, especially in the spiritual realms...
As he got about a mile from Main Street, Ephraim dropped to the street below the rooftops and decided to walk the last mile, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself. "The only night I don't have to hide myself," he said softly as he walked past about seven humans who turned and gawked, then started cheering in a drunken stupor for the 'costume' Ephraim was wearing. Ephraim grinned to himself," If only they knew the truth," he said silently.
Though it was Mardi Gras, the demon pair had to remain in disguise, for their true forms were far too hideous for the mortal realm. They split and began flanking the Cripple. "Hello, Son of the First Exile," the woman said.
"What are you doing here?" the man asked.
Ephraim grinned to himself and said as he turned to face them, "Doing what you can't. Showing what I really look like, unlike you two." He faced them unblinking, showing no fear, but knowing he was severely screwed if they decided to attack him, but he also knew he was safe because no one wanted to start a war right now, and not right here either. He sighed slightly, "Pardon my rudeness, I'm just having a night on the town."
They herded him towards a strangely vacant spot on the sidewalk. "Yes, but should someone tug on your withered appendages and discover they're not false, what would you do?" the woman asked placing her hands on her flared hips.
"And what about your father, Crippled One? Does he know you so willingly come to our city in an attempt to stir up trouble?" the male countered, crossing his arms.
"I did not come to stir up trouble. I came to the one place at the one time where no one would question what I look like. I am sure even you two can appreciate that," he said, matching both of their gazes.
They exchanged a look...and laughed. "Are you joking?" Namia said, her tightly-bound chest jiggling with her laughter.
Tristan shook his head. "If you think you have it bad on that pristine mountain of yours, try living amongst these pathetic beings for a few centuries."
"They would alienate you right away just because of your eyes"
"Especially in this nation."
"I don't want to live amongst them. One night a year is plenty of time for me actually," he grinned sardonically at them. "And if I do recall, you chose the location, or should I say, you made the decision of which side to join. I on the other hand was born into what was chosen for me," he paused and laughed to himself," but listen to me trying to be all noble with demons."
"And do you hate your father for that?" Namia asked, plucking some confetti from her bosom.
"Because it was he who became the First Exile," continued Tristan, turning slightly to implant a suggestion in the mind of a passing voodoo man.
Ephraim sighed slightly," I blame no one for the way I am. We all serve a purpose to some point, and some day I will find my purpose. Until that time comes, I will proudly stand next to what are my people, even if I don't feel totally welcome, at least I am able to be there without being harassed." Ephraim stretched slightly," Well, sorry to interrupt your night, but I believe I will be going now." He walked quickly between them, heading back the direction he came from at the beginning of the night.
Namia and Tristan grinned wickedly at each other and turned to watch the half-Exile go...
