As the song went on, Alice let out a bubbly laugh. Heck, if you can't beat em... Join em. With a shake of her head, and another small laugh, she joined in, singing just as enthusiastically as they drove. When the song reached its end, she laughed again, glancing at Damian with a bright smile before returning her eyes to the road. "I admit, it's a pretty good song."
The demon nodded sagely. "Oh yes, classic rock remains the best genre of music. And I've been around for over a century. I would know. The '80s were truly a golden age..." he smirked over at the hunter. "So, where is our first stop?"
Alice let that thought sink in. She'd never let herself think about that before but... He was really old. It didn't bother her or anything, if anything just made her curious. But instead of asking to expand on that, she simply shrugged, answering his question. "Wherever catches our eye." She told him, giving him a bright smile. "That's the fun of it. We don't know where we're going until we get there." She told him. This was something she did when she didn't have a good case. Once she got to a nice little town, she would settle into a local motel, check out whatever touristy sights there might be, and then do a day or so of research on the local lore, just for either fun or future reference. "So, if anything particularly catches your eye, then we stop."
He furrowed his brow in thought. Though he had spent many of his years wandering without purpose, and closing a deal or two, he had never really considered looking into where he passed through, never interested enough to bother. With that idea in mind, however, he could see the appeal to such a plan. They were passing through Sioux Falls at the moment, headed away from Bobby's, and a familiar, tiny, out-of-the-way diner caught his eye. He snickered.
Alice glanced at him. "Found something?" She asked curiously, turning down the radio a tad. She looked around, seeing the diner. "There? Could be good. Wanna check it out?" She asked, giving him a smile.
Surprisingly, that only made the demon laugh harder. "Sure" he chortled. "I know the pack who owns the place. We'd probably get free food and everything." His eyes glinted with amusement. "What's your stance on werewolves, lass?"
"Werewolves?" She questioned with a raised brow. "Honestly I've only encountered a few. I haven't gotten much chance to actually get to know any, but the majority of them have actually been pretty decent people." She answered. "The benefit of being an 'Ask Questions First, Shoot Later' kinda hunter is that you actually get to know the stories behind the so-called monster." She said with her best award-winning smile. "In my eyes, as long as nobody is causing any serious trouble, I have no problems with them. It's only when they start killing innocent people that I start shooting. If you're serious about knowing the people, I say why not."
He looked surprised but impressed. "Huh. Have to say, you're the first hunter I've met who hasn't instantly tried to kill a 'monster' based on what we are. Yeah, the pack's good people. Saved their alpha's life once, got free burgers for one human lifetime in exchange. To my knowledge, and I was certain to double check, they do not kill humans to take their hearts. The diner idea was actually fairly wise, as they can order whole animals, serve the usual cuts to their customers, and slake their own hunger on the hearts. It's the only reason they have managed to survive undetected so close to Singer for so long. No human casualties, no case."
"That's a really good system." She said, nodding. "I met one pack, they did something similar but it was a farm, rather than a diner. Owned their own cattle, sold the meat, kept the hearts." She told him. "Well, in that case..." She took the next turn, taking them to the diner and parking. "Why not, right?" She asked with a smile. She grabbed her purse, which happened to be empty of its weapons, save for her favorite dagger which she always kept on her. "Shall we?"
The demon nodded, still grinning, and eased himself out of the truck expertly, concealing the fact that he was still wounded. Limping only slightly, he kept to the hunter's side, and kept an eye open. "Linda! How long has it been?"
A middle-aged woman looked up from where she stood near the cash register of the mostly empty diner, disbelief and then joy sweeping across her face in quick succession. "Damian, you scoundrel! I told you to come visit more often! It's been years, you little demon! Literally, years!" She moved across the floor quickly, sweeping the demon into a motherly hug, as which he seemed embarrassed, but he did not protest. "I was busy." She stepped back and fixed him with a glare. "You'd better have been dying, boy. That's the only excuse I'll accept for you having been away so long." He looked at her, amused. "I was dying."
She rolled her eyes in exasperation, but embraced him again anyway. Then, Linda turned to the woman beside Damian, and started to smile, beginning, "And who are you, dear? Did Damian finally bring back a lady-friend?" However, the instant she took a closer look at Alice, she moved with supernatural speed, faster than the eye could follow, quickly shifting the demon behind her and baring fangs. All in the span of a second, every other person who had been seated in the booths or at tables, 7 in total, were standing around Linda, eyes glowing and fangs bared. "She's a hunter." the alpha snarled.
Alice put her hands up, showing she meant no harm. "I'm off duty!" She said instinctively, taking a step back. "Yes, I'm a hunter, but not like most. My name is Alice Thompson." She said, keeping her hands where they could all see them. "I only go after killers. From what I've heard, I have no hunt here. Today, I'm just a girl out with her friend. I have one dagger, in my purse. Take it to hang on to if you want. I only carry it for self defense, and because it belonged to my mother. I have no intention on using it on you, I swear." She met the eyes of every member present before resting on Linda.
"How do we know you aren't lying, hunter?" she spat the word like a curse, clearly preparing to fight for her pack's lives regardless of Alice's reassurances. "Hey now, let's just take a step back here, yeah? Linda, I'd like you to meet Alice. Alice, this is Linda, alpha of the Jones pack here in Sioux Falls. Her Second, James, and the others, who aren't important." The slight bit of humor, combined with the titles of respect, seemed to ease a bit of the tension in the room. Damian stepped out from behind the alpha werewolf, moving to Alice's side once again.
"She knows." he stated simply, flashing his own eyes black in sharp contrast to the glowing blue wolves' eyes all around them. "And I still live. I will vouch for her, and give my own freedom as security in her name. She will not harm any of you while she is a guest in your territory, unless it becomes necessary to defend her own life. So do I swear." Linda still looked dubious, but the word of the demon seemed to be enough to put her mind at ease, and she finally nodded once, briefly.
"Your oath is accepted. Welcome, in peace." the alpha said, formally. Then she gave Damian yet another exasperated look, as her family and pack dispersed. "I swear you'll be the death of me one of these days, boy. Bringing home a hunter. You're trying to give me a heart attack, I just know it." she muttered, as she moved to grab a couple of menus, then led the pair over to an empty booth. "Casey will be with you in just a moment." she stated, still wary of the hunter, but appearing willing to give her a chance. She swatted Damian across the back of the head before striding off, still muttering under her breath, and Damian struggled (without much success) to hold back laughter.
Alice gave Damian a bit of a look as they sat down. "Well that went well." She said with a small, breathy laugh. "I half expected her to rip out my throat. Thanks for stepping in." She said, setting her purse down beside her, out of reach enough that her dagger would be no threat to anyone. "I can see what you mean though. Good people. Protective of their family, I respect that." She said, looking around the diner as the others started settling down again, still keeping a wary eye on her. "And of course, now that I've disturbed the peace... Though, can't say I blame them. I've met some mean hunters in my travels. That's why I typically hunt alone. Not very many agree with my methods."
Still choking off half-giggles, Damian nodded agreeably. "Aye lass. But don't be too hard on them. Most in your line of work can't afford to be nice. They end up dead." Looking around, he shot a wave to an attractive young woman, who had been one of the first to Linda's side, who proceeded to blush and look down. "How are you today, Jemi?" Damian asked, and she giggled and replied. "Much better now that you're here." The werewolf and the demon looked at each other with straight faces for all of 5 seconds, before both burst into laughter. "Alice, meet my sister in all but blood, Jemima. Jemi, this is Alice, who has now replaced you as my one true love." They both continued to laugh, and then the werewolf eyed the hunter consideringly. "You aren't like most hunters, are you? Forgive me for eavesdropping, but it is difficult to avoid with our senses. How have you managed to remain merciful, living a life such as you have Alice?"
Alice had watched the two curiously, trying to figure out their relationship with each other. No sort of jealousy or malice, just simple curiosity. She smiled at 'Jemi.' Though, she had to admit, a small pink tinge rose in her cheeks at the 'one true love' comment. "It's nice to meet you." She said with a friendly smile. "And honestly, determination, really good instincts, and a lot of stubbornness." She let out a small laugh. "I've had my share of nasty encounters, with both hunters and other beings alike. Many of them seem to operate on the same 'Shoot First, Ask Questions Later' motto. But if there's one thing I've learned, no matter what you are... Human, Demon, Werewolf, Vampire, Ghost, doesn't matter what it is. Everyone has the capability to be a monster. And everyone has the capability to be a good person. It's not what or who you are. It's how you treat others that matters." She told her.
The werewolf's eyes widened in shock, and she glanced at Damian. "Is she for real? A hunter who actually makes certain that the monster they are about to kill is actually a monster?" She leaned back, looking impressed. "A pleasure to meet you indeed then, Alice. Please excuse me, but I really should get back to work." Jemi rose to her feet, and Damian shook his head in amusement as she left. "Every bit as crazy as I am, and then some lass." he confided in Alice, knowing full well that Jemi could still hear him.
"She tried to tear my throat out, with her teeth, when we first met. Seems they had come across demons before, and it didn't end well. But after I saved Linda, Jemi decided I was her new best friend. I've been like a big brother to her ever since, regardless of species, though its a rare occasion that I happen to be in the area." A young man, looking a few years older than Jemi, strolled up to their table casually. "Sorry for all the posturing earlier, Alice was it? We're just a bit protective of our pack, and our past experiences with hunters have been... unpleasant. My name's Casey. What can I get ya?"
Alice looked up at Casey. "Not to worry. In all honesty, you're not the only one who's had unpleasant experiences with hunters." She said, tapping her black eye with a forgiving smile. "Can't blame you for being cautious." She did a quick glance down at the menu. "Hmm... Everything looks good... How about... Grilled Chicken Cesar Salad and... A sweet iced tea for me please." She decided, giving him another smile.
The wolf grinned, nodding as she spoke, and jotting down the order shorthand. "And for you, lovely Dame? The usual?" The demon chuckled at the nickname, taking halfhearted swipe at Casey which was easily dodged, and then nodded. "No finer food in this whole country, Basket Case." It was the wolf's turn to look offended, though it was all in jest, and he jotted something else down before moving away. Damian turned back to Alice.
"Not bad for a pack of werewolves, eh? Casey had a tough childhood, but he's really started to mellow down of late. I know the alpha was worried for a while when he was in his teens, shortly after I had saved her. I had been staying with them for a couple of weeks following, and I noticed he had been acting out in school, taking advantage of his superior abilities to bully the other kids. I am ashamed to say, it didn't bother me much at the time, but I knew that if he started being too obvious, it would endanger the pack, and I was grateful for their hospitality, so I alerted Linda to the situation. I'm glad to see how much has changed since." He smiled at the hunter, asking, "So have you ever eaten with wolves before?"
Alice couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the two as they teased each other. It reminded her of how siblings would act. It was obvious that Damian was practically part of the act. "I'm sad to say, no. I've met a pack or two that had been pretty good people, but I was in the middle of a hunt both times and really didn't get the chance to. Plus, being a hunter, I don't think they were particularly fond of me so I figured it would be best if I moved on." She sighed softly, looking down at the table. "It's stuff like this that kinda breaks my heart. So many hunters, if given the chance, would take out this entire pack without hesitation. I understand the caution, and in some cases you aren't given the choice to stop and have a chat before the weapons are out but... These people are exactly that... People. Far to many hunters make it about the actual act of hunting, not helping people. Far too many innocent people get killed in the process."
Damian nodded in agreement. "Too true lass, but I would say it again. Do not be too hard on your own kind. They need to be harsh to survive, and many of us are, by our very nature, monsters. Some would say we are time bombs, just waiting to go off. There have been many over the years, like this pack, who fought against instinct and, to us, reason, to live in peace with the humans, but it has been a very rare occasion that there aren't any accidents resulting in human casualties. It is... difficult, to challenge one's very nature. It can be done, but it is nigh impossible. Still, for those who are successful, it can be trying, for most hunters do not discriminate, as you said, they kill quickly and without mercy."
The demon sighed, leaning back and crossing his arms. He eyed the human sitting across from him curiously. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she would go and do something like this, proving once again that she was not at all like any other hunter he had ever come across. She was impossible to pin down, and it fascinated him. Realizing he was staring, he dropped his gaze.
Alice let out a bit of a sigh. "I know. Hunters can be just as misunderstood as the monsters are." She said. She hadn't noticed him staring, as she was currently staring at a spot on the table. She shook her head slightly, looking back up at him with a shrug. "Anyway, what can you do? Can't go around changing every hunter you meet. 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' Right?" She said, giving the demon her own signature smile.
Damian smirked back. "Ghandi, now he was an interesting fellow. I met him a few years before he kicked it... It was... educational. I think he could tell there was something not entirely human within me. He seemed rather wary." the demon snickered. "Still, he had a few good points. Glad to see some of his wisdom has continued."
"You met Ghandi?" She asked, completely shocked, and a bit jealous. She shook her head incredulously, letting out a short laugh. "You truly are full of surprises, aren't you?" She said, smiling. "Now that I think of it, I bet you've had quite a few adventures." She said, letting her imagination run wild for a moment. What would she do with a century of time to spare?
The demon chuckled at her incredulity, grinning wickedly. "Now lass, I don't kiss and tell. If you want to hear of my adventures, you're out of luck." At her entirely gob smacked expression, the demon dropped his head to the table, shaking violently with silent laughter.