Recap!

(? POV)

"So how did it go?"

"Everything went as planned. She didn't suspect a thing!"

"Well done, my dear. Well done," answered a cruel sickly sweet voice. "Soon we will have the master's daughter in our clutches and there will be NOTHING that Darius can do!"

"Are you sure, M'Lady?"

"Don't worry. Everything will be just fine. Do I make myself clear,... Lyric?"

"Yes ma'am."

—-

(Claire's POV)

"No!"

"Bring her back, Darius! NOW! Please!"

Waking up with a jolt, I see the soft colors of the morning peep through the curtains. I usually wake up this early when I have to go help my dad with his job, but my help wasn't needed for the rest of the summer, seeing as we had gotten everything done a few days prior. Stretching to get the kinks out of my back, I thought back to the bits and pieces of what I remembered of the dreams I had had. Odd. Who was that screaming at Darius to bring someone back? Thinking that maybe it had something to do with Hell, I put it out of my head for the time being. He didn't really like it when I tried to interfere with certain things. Matters and affairs of Hell were one of them. I knew almost everything that had to do with his job and status, but unless asked, I stayed out of it. It is not a fun job.

Turning around, I see Rose and Darius having a soft conversation and drinking what I could only guess was coffee. They must have heard me moving around because the two damn near perfect demons turned towards me and said quietly, "Gmoring."

"Gmornin guys. How was everything?"

"Everything was good. Rose here got herself a date." Darius said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Darius! Shut the hell up about that would ya. Damn you!" Rose threw back at him, embarrassed.

"I'm already the ruler of Hell. Can't get much more damned than that," he throws back.

Snickering at the two demons' playful banter, I turn back around to go wake up Sam. We had a big day today. This was to include shopping for new outfits and hopefully finding new pieces for our cosplays for the Renaissance fair. As I looked at her face though, she looked so peaceful. I didn' want to disturb her. From what I had been told, she hadn't been sleeping too well. NIghtmares and such had been plaguing her dreams to the point Rose would have to wake her up to get her to calm down.

As soon as I got back up and put my things in order, Sam started to wake back up. She sounded like a kitten. Turning from what I was doing, I gave her a good morning as she slowly woke up. I think that is what woke her up, hearing me in the house.

"Gmornin, Claire. Wait…what?" Yep, she was awake now.

"Good morning sleepy head. There is coffee and french toast in the kitchen if you would like some," Rose said from the doorway. Nodding her head, Sam silently got up and left the room to, I assume, go get ready for the day.

"Since when did you learn to cook sweet foods?" Darius asked, with a quirked eyebrow.

"Since I am bound to a kid that likes this kind of stuff. She actually prefers to have pumpkin flavored maple syrup with it. Add strawberries or peaches, and you're her best friend."

Going back to what I was doing, I had finished getting ready for the day as well and sat at the counter to eat my breakfast. Ten minutes later, Sam came out of the bathroom and was a little more awake. She sat down next to us and ate her food as well, all the while our two demons seemed to be having a silent conversation with each other. Or at least I assumed so, seeing and both of them had various facial expressions quickly over the span of a few minutes.

Turning to Sam, I could see that she had perked up a bit from the coffee and all the sugar from the french toast.

(Sam's POV)

"You ready to go find some new pieces, Sam?" Claire asked me.

"Kinda. I am still a bit iffy on what and how exactly to cosplay as Rose. Darius is easy for you. You cosplay him all the time. When I cosplay as Rose, I look nowhere near anything like she does. She is damn near a walking goddess!" At that, Rose choked on her drink, coughing and trying to breathe.

"Sam, the only way you would even look like Rose is if you had your own demon body. And that is a choice that cannot be made unless certain circumstances are into play. You would take on some of Rose's characteristics, such as some of her coloring and maybe wings. Not entirely sure. No human has ever really made the decision willingly to become a demon after they die." Darius tried to explain things better to me, but I was so engrossed with trying to figure an outfit out, that I dissociated. In other words, I knew what was going on and I could hear everything, but it was like being underwater while my thoughts to me were loud and clear.

"Sam. Why don't we just find a few outfits that I would normally wear but also in your style and go from there? Would that help any?"

"Maybe. I have an outfit in mind. However, I am not entirely sure that you would even wear it."

"Never know unless you ask."

Coming out of my thoughts and ending the conversation, I turned to both my best friend and her demon and asked how we were gonna do this. "How are you guys going to go shopping with us? Or do you have other things that need to be taken care of?"

"No. We can go. At least my right hand at the council can handle affairs while I am up here for the time being. After all, that is what I hired her for. Where to start?" Darius had answered and asked back.

"Why don't we go to the mall? They usually have all sorts of places that sell out of the ordinary clothes. There are also a few fantasy stores that we could check out too. I believe the Halloween cosplay store opened up a while back too." Claire answered, locking the door as we were on our way out.

Nodding heads in agreement, we all climbed into my car, and took off down the freeway. As we arrived, there did not seem to be too many people out and about this afternoon. However, as soon as we parked and walked through those doors, many eyes were on both me and Claire. I mean, Claire, I could understand why she was getting looks. She was gorgeous! Her hair was neat and tidy while wearing a gray sweater that had an elephant on it with a sunflower on the background. She also was wearing jean shorts that showed off her curves and she wore plain white and black converse. Basically she made a comfy outfit look good. Especially with how she carried herself. Me on the other hand, looked like I had rolled into my closet and then just threw something together. I had been wearing a hoodie that had roses on it with normal jeans and tennis shoes and my hair pulled back into yet another braid thanks to Rose. As we went through the first three or four stores, I noticed a group of guys had been watching us. Rose, I swear they are following us. What should we do? I don't want to cause a scene or get either of us hurt.

Pretending to look around some more, I dragged Claire over to the dressing rooms. "I need your help with this dress, Claire. Would you mind?" Seeing the confusion written on her face one second, then an understanding the next, she followed me to the dressing rooms. Little did we know, we were still followed. Rose, help us please. I don't know what to do.

"We got this, kiddo. Don't worry. Also, I would never wear that dress but the fishnet shirt and the vest I would wear. It is actually similar to an old outfit I used to wear before Darius got a fashion stick up his ass and changed almost my whole wardrobe."

After hearing that, I was able to calm down a little bit. Turning to Claire, I told her that our demons had everything covered and that we would be ok.

Knock knock knock. "Girls, are you ok in there?"

"Yes. We're ok. We'll be right out!?" I answered. Stepping out of the dressing rooms, we were greeted by an odd but pleasant surprise. Darius and Rose were human! Or at least they looked human. I could see the shimmer of magic around both of them. Watching that fade, I could still see their actual demon forms. "How are you guys doing this?" I whispered and asked, curious on how they were doing this and why.

"We are still ourselves, demons, as you can see. However, to better keep you girls safe, we are able to have a human appearance to better fit in. Other humans can't see us. We really don't look all that different to them. Just no demon features and normal colored skin. We still have access to our abilities but it takes more work to access the more powerful ones."

That explanation helped me out a bit. However, by looking over at Claire, I could tell that Darius has done this on more than one occasion because she was trying her best to stop giggling. "Oi! What is so funny?"

"The look on your face. You went beat red seeing them human. Don't worry, I agree. They both look hot," she went on teasing me.

"You forget, Claire, I like girls. Not guys. But yes, they are. No need to tease me about it."

Putting on a playful pouty face, she suddenly got an idea because her eyes lit up and Darius got a horrified look on his face. "No! Absolutely NOT!"

"Awww why not? You need new clothes anyways. Besides, you always get yours ruined or torn up. This could be fun. I promise to let you pick most of it out." She was practically begging him. Finally, though, he caved in.

"I guess he can't even resist the power of the puppy's eyes huh?", came Rose's playful jab.

"Oh hush you," he "sternly" said, but we could all see the smile he was trying to hide.

'Hmmm, for someone who has so small of a circle and so much on his shoulders, he still acts playful and like a dad for Claire. Is this what dads are like?'

(Darius' POV)

'Hmmm, for someone who has so small of a circle and so much on his shoulders, he still acts playful and like a dad for Claire. Is this what dads are like?' Another pang went through heart hearing those words run through Sam's head. Looking at Rose, I could see that she was showing a smile on her face, but had sadness in her deep red eyes. 'Guess she heard that too.'

Keeping a smile on my face, I turned my attention back to the girls. "Fine. Have it your way, Claire. Shopping it is. BUT both of you have to get at least ONE formal outfit. No ifs, ands, or buts. Deal?"

Looks of mischief ran across both girls' faces as they looked at eachother, then back at me saying, "Deal!" I got the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. I knew I was going to regret this.

And with that, our two girls raced off towards yet another store, with giggles all around. To be quite honest, that sound is one of the most cherished sounds, leastwise to me. I would do anything to protect what is mine or those I allow or choose to get close to, which is not many.

"Darius…..what in the hells have you gotten us into now?"

"Nothing, Rose. Just putting smiles on their faces." I answered with a soft smile myself. Humming in agreement, we both followed the pair into a store that sold all sorts of interesting clothing items. Some were costumes, while others seemed a bit more well, dark. There were band shirts on the walls and jewelry of all sorts in glass or plastic cages in the center of the small store. Do not even get me started on what was on the back wall of that store! It seems though that the girls paid no mind to that area, thank goodness.

"Rose! What about this one?" Looking over, we see that Sam had picked out an ensemble that consisted of a long sleeve black fishnet shirt and black formal vest for women. In her other hand were two different shades black and gray tank tops.

"Perfect…but it is still missing something ... .mmmmm here!" Rose grabbed some leather looking pants that seemed way too tight, even by her standards!

"Rose! No!" Turning to Claire, "Can you help find some black skinny jeans instead?" Nodding her head in agreement, she took off.

"Really Darius? Is leather really all that bad?" She asked, with a tad bit of annoyance.

"She is a human child, Rose. Not a demon. That kind of outfit would attract the wrong sort of attention."

"Good point. My bad." We then continued on after finding the correct style of pants. Our next stop, of course, was a more formal store. Groaning from Rose could be heard, as well as from Claire. Sam, on the other hand, looked nervous.

"All right girls, go pick a dress. Rose, I'll let this one slide. You already have a closet full that you still refuse to wear." With that, Rose took off to go grab a few dresses for Sam to try on. Looking up at me, Sam looked nervous.

"What's wrong, Sam?" I asked, watching her eyes change colors. Hmmmm odd.

"Nothing is wrong, sir. I just feel very out of place here. But at the same time, I feel like I should be used to wearing these types of clothes." Ok, not that was an odd answer. I quickly put that thought aside as Rose came back with a few dresses in her arms and Claire was already walking into one of the changing rooms.

"Here, Sam, try these ones on. Claire picked the black and gray one out. I picked out the red one." Shrugging her shoulders, she too walked into the dressing rooms. A few minutes later, both girls came out. The first one that Sam had on was the red one. While it was very pretty, it was not her style so she walked back into the rooms. Claire had on a black shirt and skirt set that was beaded and had a fair bit of tulle. Shaking her head in distaste, she also walked back into her changing room. A few more minutes passed and both girls came back out. Both me and Rose held our breaths. They were gorgeous!

Claire had on a beautiful red dress that had roses and lilies around the off shoulder neckline. The sleeves were a softer red material that was almost see through. The gown itself flowed with every movement that she made. Sam's dress was black gown with gray see through tulle like material that had glitters of red and purple so that when she moved, her gown changed shades. All in all, they were breathtaking! Looking at Rose, it seemed like she had the same thoughts through her head. But then the sniffles were heard. Why was Sam crying?

"Hey…..hey Sam, are you ok?" Claire asked as Sam was rubbing her eyes. "Yea. It's just I've never felt this pretty before." Ok that did it. My heart melted at the sight of Claire hugging her best friend. Ghaaaa, I'm becoming soft. They then went and changed out of the dresses and purchased them. We were almost out of the mall when Claire spotted a more western looking clothing store. Poking Sam and winking, both girls nodded and looked back at me. All the while, Rose is off to the side smirking like a madman - or mad woman in her case.

"C'mon Darius. Your turn!' In the span of less than an hour, I was fitted into various flannel shirts and a few dress shirts that were, thankfully, to my liking. Then the girls got me into a more western outfit that included a cowboy hat and spurs, much to my dislike. After paying for everything, we all headed back home to Sam's house. After clothes were put away and us demons back to our normal looking selves, the girls had dinner and Claire made them some margaritas. In between giggles and rounds of truth or dare, I ended up having my hair braided down my back and Rose somehow ended up with one of my new flannel shirts.

"Claire, truth or dare?" I asked her, watching her giggle at seeing Rose in my shirt.

"Dare!" she answers with such enthusiasm. Rose laughs a bit seeing my smirk.

"I dare you to do the full cosplay of me tomorrow. Horns and all." I already knew she was going as me, but not to which extent. I'd help her out of course.

"Easy," she waved her hand in front of her face. Turning to Rose, "Rose, truth or dare?"

"Truth," Rose answered after taking a sip from her drink.

"What is your favorite memory with Sam?"

I was interested in that answer as well. We all looked at her as she got a far off look in her eyes. "It would have to be the day I was paired up with her, the day she was born." She answered, with eyes glazing over. "She was the tiniest little thing I had ever seen. With a little mop of red hair and bright golden eyes. I will admit at first, she got on my nerves with all the crying. But the day she finally realized who I was, would have to be it."

Coming back to reality, she wiped a stray tear and blamed it on the alcohol. And pointed to me, "Truth or dare?"

Not wanting to back down from a challenge, I answered with utmost authority, "dare."

Smirking, Rose gave me a look to where I knew I was in deep shit. I was not, however, going to back down. "Good. I dare you to go out with us tomorrow as a human and skip your boring ass council meeting tomorrow." Sputtering, I began to argue that I HAD to go. It was my job after all. Then looking at the girls, slowly falling asleep, leaning on the couch next to each other, I gave in. I would do whatever it took to make them happy and safe, no matter the cost. Yea, I was about to be in deeeeeep crap. Only because I would be late in going to this Ren fair with them. I then called it quits, nodding towards the two girls who were now passed completely out.

—-