ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴀʟʟ

[formidable]

Androids, psychics, magic, investigations, and finding out how to human. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

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[sorser]

[It's enough to shake the core of the Sanctum itself, the magic rocking the walls and ceiling and making everything rattle and sway. Stephen plants his feet squarely against the floor, waiting for the dust to settle, a sense of concern rising up within his chest. Did it work? Or will he have to try all over again?

But then-- a smell. It smells like alcohol, it smells like overindulgence. Stephen wrinkles his nose, straightening, adjusting a sleeve in an idle manner that isn't really idle. The voice he hears is not what he expected, and the sight of horns and glossy hair, a form wrapped up in a kimono, is even more surprising.]

Shuten Douji. [He echoes carefully, syllables sliding over his tongue.] Interesting.

[He straightens, and approaches, taking each step down with purpose and care.]

And here I thought I was to summon a 'heroic spirit', not a demon. Is that a matter for concern?

[sakaya]

[There's a rise of a brow at his (admittedly legitimate) question.]

Oh? Is that how you already see it?

[Shuten holds out one hand and a sake cup appears. She's pouring herself a drink from her sake gourd, thanks. This might be a long conversation as they size each other up and she needs to stay occupied, lest she decides to do what she pleases. Which she will, one way or another.]

I'm a proper Heroic Spirit that just happens to be a demon. That's better framing, don't you think?

[sorser]

[The arch of his brow is high as Stephen descends. When he stops walking, he's only a few steps above from where she lays, sprawled out on the flooring of the Sanctum. Summoned forth a sake cup, too, apparently.]

I suppose that depends.

[He clasps his hands behind his back.]

My name is Doctor Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, and I will require your help for the time being. Another of your kind -- 'heroic spirit', not demon, mind -- is being utilized for ill within this city of ours. And what better way to fight fire than with fire? [Wryly:] You'll have to stop drinking for long enough to see it through to the end, though.

[sakaya]

[Suddenly she chuckles right before he ends his sentence and it's as if she didn't hear the rest because she's become fixated on one thing.]

"Doctor Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme?"

[So like a magus, but of an entirely different capability. She's able to figure that out by herself, but that name though.]

"Sorcerer Supreme." [She drains her sake and lets out a satisfied sigh from the liquor and the humor.]

How cute. And you sound so serious about it too!

[sorser]

[And here is where his mouth presses into a thin line, frowning. He doesn't move from the step he's chosen for himself.]

There's nothing... cute about it. It's my title, and I assure you, I am very serious about it.

[He can already tell this is going to be... difficult.]

[sakaya]

And that's why it's cute.

[The Sorcerer Supreme is nothing like the Master of Chaldea.

She's surprised at herself, for being able to retain those memories of another world, another time, and another Master, younger, full of ignorant, but hopeful optimism and friendliness that could charm even a maneater such as herself. And now they're far away, in a place she can't reach. Shuten will make do as always of course; this new arrangement is an unknown bounty that has more than piqued her interest in the possibilities to follow.

Without even giving a hint that she was thinking of someone else, she straightens up and gets up on her feet, licking her lips for the remaining sweetness of sake that passed through.]

I don't mind serious humans; I may be an oni, but I'm a hard worker too when need be.

[Since he's not coming down to her, she's approaching him, only swaying lightly.]

What I would like, however, from a Master that I'm going to serve is... Flexibility.

[sorser]

[Again, he remains unmoving as she waltzes up the steps to meet him. He's straight-backed, but the quizzical arch of the brow has not left. They're still in the midst of sizing each other up, even if she claims to be willing to help him.]

Well, and who says that I'm not a flexible sorcerer?

[He tilts his chin upwards a little.]

You'll find that working with me might come with a few surprises here and there, given my line of work. Protecting the Earth from mystical threats doesn't always afford predictability. But I'm a very straightforward... 'Master'. Do as I say and I'll be pleased, and we'll all be done with this arrangement soon enough.

[sakaya]

[She's not a common summon due to her nature of being more of a natural enemy of humanity, but it seems to Shuten that if she does ever answer to a call, at least she's fortunate to be paired with the busy Masters instead of an inactive or reluctant one.

A bored demon, Servant or not, is dangerous after all.]

Well. Your voice certainly as the resolve. I'm glad. Although...

[And here she is up close. Assassin doesn't seem to care about the size difference and leans right up into Stephen's space, her voice low and tantalizing.]

"Soon enough?" That's a little too stiff. I don't get summoned very often, you know? If you're claiming unpredictability, then there's no problem drawing out our time together.

[sorser]

[Stephen leans back only an inch. He refuses to budge, as if it's a matter of pride or something ridiculous like that.]

Oh, and what are you planning on having us do? Become drinking buddies?

[The dry sarcasm is impossible to miss.]

[sakaya]

Perfect!

[His sarcastic suggestion and his attempt to avoid her only encourages the demon and she claps her hands together, smiling toothily.]

You're a big boy, so you should most definitely drink with me. In fact, I wonder if you could even handle the contents of my caskets. Haaa, it'd be so much fun to watch you struggle.

[don't do it, that shit's poison!!!]

My species are haaaard drinkers, you know? If you can keep up with an oni, I might even respect you a liiiiittle more.

[sorser]

[He lets out an exhale of air through his nose, not sure if he should be exasperated or impatient. Maybe both.]

Now, now. I know the limits of my abilities -- if you're looking for a true challenge, find an Asgardian to out-drink. Then maybe I'll be the impressed one.

[He raises a hand, making a vague gesture in the air.]

So tell me, were you listening to anything I was saying? You know, the part about aiding New York, and all that?

[sakaya]

Mm? Oh, yes. Right, right, work it is.

[It's a testament to her drinking skills that her recall has not been damaged at all. She waves a hand dismissively before making a small jump so she can stand on the stairway rail, hands behind her back, expectantly looking down at him.]

You mentioned another spirit such as myself, yes? Just the one? No other classes I need to contend with?

[sorser]

That's right. As far as I know.

[Out of nowhere, what looks to be a red cloak flies in and settles itself across his shoulders. Stephen levitates to where he's eye-level with her.]

Come with me. Let's walk while we talk. I have a question or two.

[Or hover, whatever.

He begins to head up the stairs, obviously aided in flight by the article of clothing around his shoulders.]

[sakaya]

So it's just a cleaning job and not a proper war? Ah, it is what it is.

[Oh, wow a sentient Mystic Code?? At least the Cloak of Levitation catches her nonverbal interest and so she lands lightly on her feet and follows after Strange.

She may or may not try to poke and tickle at a corner of the cloak as they speak.]

Ask away, Sorcerer. I'm at your service after all.

[sorser]

[Oh yes, just a cleaning job. Strange thinks she should be thankful, for a full on war is not something he truly wants to be a part of.

(That'll come much later, unbeknownst to him.)

Regardless, up the steps they go, and eventually turning down a large corridor.]

I take it with another heroic spirit in the city, that implies there's another 'master', correct?

[sakaya]

More than likely. Otherwise, it would need alternative methods to stay manifested.

[She's tickling the Cloak of Levitation now, don't mind her]

Unsavory ones of course. Without a Master, you would be seeing a higher bodycount.

[sorser]

So, then I assume the solution is simple enough. Find the Master, and then-

[He stops mid-sentence and mid-float, just barely turning his head to look at her.]

Will you stop that?

[The Cloak of Levitation whips up a corner and swats at her hand.]

[sakaya]

[She muffles a giggle behind her kimono sleeve as the cloak swats at her hand.]

Fufu. What a fickle curiosity you're wearing.

[Shuten makes a sweeping gesture with her hand to continue Strange's train of thought.]

But it's as you were saying. Find the Master and we can either kill them or annihilate their Servant. Whichever you find more convenient.

[sorser]

It is very fickle. Best if you leave it alone.

[It stops once she lowers her hand, and though it hasn’t a face, it looks huffy.

But, ah— killing. He pauses again, before continuing their trek down a long hall.]

And ‘annihilating’ a servant, is that the same as killing it?

[sakaya]

Something like that. Even as Servants, we can meet violent ends in battle, but we all return to the same place. You aren't summoning our real bodies after all.

... Master? Do you have a problem with killing?

[She had taken note of that pause. Even an intoxicated being like her can catch that cue.]

You're not the one getting your hands dirty after all. I am here to serve.

[sorser]

[He sighs, keeping his gaze pointed straight ahead this time.]

I'll do what's necessary to keep the earth protected from threats such as these; but bloodshed begets more bloodshed, and it's best to try to break the cycle if at all possible.

[He stops at a door, waves a hand, and it opens. It looks like a guest room, but he's not here to show her where she's going to be... staying. He doesn't even think she really requires a spot in the Sanctum.]

I'd prefer to avoid killing the Master if need be; containing them, imprisoning them, or otherwise debilitating them would be preferable to that.

[sakaya]

It would still work you know. Without a Master, that Servant wouldn't be able to remain in this world.

And if you need to get rid of bodies, well...

I can't say no to a good meal.

[Yeahhhhhh. As she enters the guest room with him, Shuten looks around with the same mild interest she's given the whole Sanctum.]

But I digress. I'd like to know what kind of Servant I am to deal with.

[sorser]

[good lord]

I'm not going to let you eat any bodies.

[He gestures at a closet with a closed door, but if she were to open it, she would find an array of clothes more suited to being in... public.]

Change first. Then we'll talk more business.

[sakaya]

Haa. You summoned a demon with enough knowledge to know I'm a maneater and you'd deny me that pleasure? What a stingy Master.

[She sounds huffy but doesn't press the issue. As a Servant, she doesn't need sustenance because of her link but it's probably a downer for a man-eating demon. Thumbing through the clothing, she clicks her tongue with disinterest. In the end, she settles on a kimono style top with a low neckline and a pair of dark shorts. She keeps the rest of her legwear as is, bare feet and all.]

Not that I mind being dressed up, but are we going outside?

[sorser]

No, I summoned forth any spirit that would answer the call of my magic. And that just happened to be you. For whatever reason that might be.

[He arches a brow, ready to go wait outside for her to change.]

Well, we're going to track down this Servant and Master, and they certainly aren't waltzing about the Sanctorum. And you should wear something a bit more... practical, don't you think?