Friday,

February 3, 2012,

3: 47 AM

The basement is victim to a thick silence. Clogging and tense, it itches at Valli's skin from where he sits on the window bench. Kane had dragged him to the bench roughly, sitting him down only to start pacing the length of the coffee table heavily. Addy had settled next to him, quiet and distant, yet her palm rested on his folded fists in his lap, thumb absently brushing his wrist veins. He has been sitting with his spine straightened, preparing for disappointment or anger from either person. The words he spoke in the interrogation room weren't received well, and while he sees them as truth, his Aunt disagrees. As for Kane, he is uncertain why the man appears upset, from the huffing and puffing he hears accompanying the stomping footfalls. So, without any prompt, he waits patiently to be spoken to.

The life of a hunter had shown Valli exactly what to expect. Hunters either die during a hunt, or monsters track them where they feel safe. It was only a matter of time before creatures caught wind of his name, and his vulnerability and decided to visit him. He's more surprised it took six years, considering it would've been an easy kill to find him while he was healing. He knows the creatures of the final hunt he was on are all dead, but word tends to spread fast about fatal injuries and whoever lives through them. He counts himself lucky he is no longer actively Hunting, the gossip and situations as this one would be too many to count. At least, he finds closure in knowing if he is going die the Hunter's Death, it'll be in his own home and he'll go down fighting like he was raised to do.

Addy doesn't like to consider the thoughts, however, her nephew believes it fact she'll be burning his body before he does hers. She hates it when he tries to comfort her, to assure her he wants her to be the one to light the flame that takes him away from her forever. The woman may be a witch with an aging spell over her, but she refuses to allow Valli to die before her. That isn't how it's supposed to go. She is older and has lived a hundred lives from when she was first born centuries ago. She should be one burned before Valli, and while she also hates the thought of leaving him alone in this cruel cold world, she is confident he would be okay without her.

In the Supernatural Realm, it is nearly impossible for certain things to stay dead. Monsters can be killed, but there is always a possibility of them returning one way or another. Demons, for example. There are ways of killing them for good, as Addy revealed she could achieve. However, most of them are simply exorcised from the hosts they are riding, to save the humans — sent straight back to hell where they can regroup and come back. Hunters have taken to simply burning the remains of those who had died, it's quick and serves as respect. Burning allows the family, or anyone present, to mourn and have the closure that the deceased won't come back possessed, as a monster. Creatures can't reanimate ashes, pieces of bone. There is no traditional funeral, no gathering, no celebration of the life taken. For Hunter Funerals normally signal a life taken too quickly, too young. It's always too young, too fast.

The body is wrapped tightly in any blanket, sheet, or cover available. Once bound unyieldingly, the corpse is lifted onto a small pyre built from tree branches and flammable hay — anything that could be used to build within a night with found resources. Those present either say a few words before lighting the fire or simply stare as the flames lick at their dead partner. The air will billow with smoke, scented of earth and crispy flesh, burnt hair. The smoke will rise into the sky, taking the essence of the deceased with it until nothing but unusable ashes remain. For Hunters, most nights end in fire and flames; their faces lit up as they watch a pile of bones burn in a grave, or a house go up in smoke with pieces of evidence of their reality. It is only right their life is officially finished with fire as well.

This is what Addy refuses to do for Valli, to be present for. Her boy is too young, too good for that, and she will not be on this chunk of rock called Earth when it happens. In her mind, she plots. Ways to make the man safe again, ways to get him out of the eyes of whoever God thinks he is their tool to use and play with. This house needs an update, she determined silently, flicking her eyes over the basement ceiling. Could I cast a spell over it? Something like a demon trap, but bigger? Begin it at the driveway, and stop creatures at the road and edge of the property. The thought has potential, but it'll take a good chunk of her power to build an almost dome-like structure around the entire property. May take some time to find the correct spell, damn.

There are also rumors she heard on the witch grapevine to take into consideration. She hasn't mentioned it to the men, but she plans to. A new witch (someone learning the craft) had sent her a message weeks ago, asking if Valli was okay and that she heard a few rumors about demons in the area — no low-level fuckheads either. All are directly under the current Devil down there, more powerful than Jergan. When Addy hadn't spotted anything unusual in her Nephew or his land, she had foolishly cast it off as a prank. Now, Jergan came in and mentioned the same rumors, about the demons down there, are getting information about her boy somehow.

A Sunny character had called her as well, requesting help with her research and if the Witch knew any information. Explained she was close to Kane and had the witch rolling her eyes, but the other woman sounded kind enough. Didn't threaten her, that's good. The fact the woman up North had the same keywords as Jergan doesn't sit well in Addy's gut. Gods, demons, and now a giant hybrid I haven't heard of in centuries. What the fuck is happening?! While she isn't happy to be spending time with more hunters, Kane has left an impression and she isn't sure what this Sunny woman is like, she is desperate to help Valli. As it is, she agreed to assist in any way she could with Sunny's research, providing facts from her past and stories she had grown up listening to about the massive animal creatures.

"You're just gonna let them take shots at you?!" Kane abruptly roars thunderously, furious Valli is so calm and collected in the face of this news. He hasn't met someone who simply nodded and sat quietly when told they had Monster's attention, not the mention his resigned words earlier. That's the main reason Kane is angry, Valli just accepted his death — fight or no fight, he wouldn't be winning with that attitude either way.

Upon spinning to face the other man, his stormy blue eyes find the sat form on the bench, the dark scenery beyond the window now ominous. His hands are neatly folded in his lap and his posture is straight, his relaxed expression and the loose muscles reveal just how at ease the blind man feels. Kane gains a patient blink of scarred eyes and a light shrug of a single shoulder as a response, followed by a light, levelheaded tone. "Like I said, I will defend myself as much as I'm able. But it is unlikely I will win. Stabbing a demon in a trap is one thing, fighting several monsters or just one without traps is another thing entirely. I'm just thinking realistically." His head tilts, adding nearly sarcastically. "Besides, can you really see me fighting outside this house?" At the hesitant silence, he smiles. "I might be okay outside, in the yard, or something. But out in the world? I'd die the first chance there is. I can't move around as I do here, I'd be more vulnerable — a weak link."

"You are not weak! "Addy scolds instantly, spitting the word out like it's the cause of all evil, fingers tightening on the surface of his hand. "I've told you this before!"

Valli nods obediently, not arguing with her. He has before, it's a losing battle. Yet attempts weakly to get her to be reasonable, keeping his head facing forward to track the clomping boots of Kane. "But I am vulnerable, Aunty. I know my limits."

Kane scoffs, grunting low in his throat, fists clenched. Demanding rudely, "How the fuck do you know?! Have you gone out and tried?! Or did you just hide out and learn around here?"

The Witch narrows her eyes at the Hunter, hissing at him through her teeth, but reluctantly acknowledges his point. She scoots closer to her nephew, curling an arm over his shoulders. "As much as it pains me to agree with your pet over there, I have no choice." At the furrow of his eyebrows, the scars puffing, she continues softly. "You haven't tried to leave the property since the attack Valli. You know your limits here, but not out there. It's possible you could—"

"No. It is not possible." Valli snaps, harsher than he met, and winces at the sudden pause in Kane's step. Exhaling through his nostrils, he corrects himself. "Sorry. But I know I can't go out there. Getting out of the hospital was bad enough, getting the market up was difficult. Relearning to read was hard." His hand tilts to clutch tightly at Addy's cool fingers, a child needing comfort. The dull grayed eyes squeezed shut, hiding the distressed glistening of them. "I wouldn't survive a hunt. Not after last time."

The angry Hunter stomping in front of the bookshelves cracks his knuckles, jaw grinding as he listens. Kane doesn't understand, he never could. His injuries after a hunt can heal and be dealt with. He has bad hunts, but he always comes out intact somehow. Valli came out missing one key component to being a Hunter, his eyesight. However, the older has witnessed how well the man can move and handle himself. The fact Valli can live as comfortably as he does, and move around as easily is a testament to how quickly he can figure out how to master his injury. The broader man isn't considering taking Valli out on a hunt or agreeing to that thought. It would be dangerous. To a point, the man has reasonable arguments. Although in a hypothetical situation, Kane can see the potential of the host coming out alive.

"Is that the problem, baby? You're scared to go back to hunting after the last?" The inquiry is said softly, Addy pressing closer to smooth long, hazelnut hair from her nephew's scarred temple. She spared a glance at Kane, the hunter now leaning against a weapons table with his beefy arms crossed and the daggers he has for eyes trained on the floor. Hands gripping his biceps harshly. He's listening carefully, she knows but is pleased he moved further across the room to give the illusion of privacy.

Sniffing, Valli huffs in exasperation. Shaking his head, fingers jumping as he speaks. "Why does it matter? I'm staying here. Not going out there. I just said that to make a point, not give you ideas."

That's exactly what you did, my boy, Addy mentally retorts. Instead, she clears her throat and agrees for now. "I know, Nephew. I'm just worried about you, rightly so, it seems." Straightening her posture, she sits up off the man's shoulder and arm. Her hand kept on his, squeezing tenderly occasionally. Kane heavily steps closer, noticing the witch's chin gesture calling him over. The black woman glances between the men, wondering if Kane is already aware of what she will reveal. Commanding, "I have some more information, listen." Grimly, she begins. "A few weeks ago, I got a message from one of my little witches I'm teaching. She said she heard through the grapevine that demons were in the area, no fuckheads like that one either," A slim finger elegantly points to the crack in the interrogation room door to indicate Jergan in Adams's body. "Asked if Valli was okay. She kept saying she heard how powerful they were, being under that old fool down there and all." The mentioned man turns his head towards his Aunt, expression neutral, yet she knows he's listening attentively.

Stood at the coffee table in front of the pair, Kane is now glaring a the surface of it. Hands tucked in his jean pockets, lips in a tight scowl. He doesn't like how suddenly everything is happening; the rumors, the demon showing up here. It's a bad sign, a bad omen. Rumors are one thing, but to have Demons coming to the surface because of them, suggests the words aren't just passing along information. Usually, it is fairly normal for Supernatural Creatures to keep tabs on Hunters, especially if said monsters intend to kill humans. Valli had started a Boarding House for Hunters, one that had steadily grown in customers over the years. It wouldn't be so different for monsters to get word of him, know where he lives, and where to steer clear.

The only issue, they aren't staying clear of the house. They are actively revealing their presence, if one landed on the front porch, more will follow eventually. They could very much see the home as a Hunter Slaughterhouse, trap hunters inside, and get the easy kills. The big Hunter is silently pleased the whole house is littered with traps, both known and unknown, hidden in plain sight. Demons can be sneaky, but the traps should hold. Hopefully.

"Sunny called me. I figure you both know her."

The name has Kane's eyes rising to the woman, meeting her hazel eyes head-on. His skin tingles in uncertainty at Ma's name coming from a witch, he had never liked Monsters to know of his only family. Yet he encouraged Ma to call the witch, they needed any help they could get. Addy isn't the worst, he admits that much — to himself, he'd never speak that out loud. Valli's eyebrows jump, surprised Addy had Sunny's number. He doesn't question her yet, aware she is still speaking.

"She tell you what she heard, Rabid?" She directs the question to Kane, the man rolling his eyes at the name she dubbed him.

He grunts, shifting his feet to shoulder width to keep a steady balance. "A bit. Same rumors, but Gods want to recruit. Said they were searching. And some big fucking hybrid."

"Is that why she was asking me to research them? She heard these rumors." Valli interrupts, the fact his research came up empty still irritating him slightly.

In response, he gains another grunt, deep and short as a confirmation. The man spares a moment to appreciate how Kane makes verbal sounds, he doesn't need to try as hard to read the hunter when he's around now. Miffed, the larger man repeated what Ma had explained to him over the phone a day or so before he left. His version was shortened to straight facts and half-assed sentences, never one to speak for longer than needed. By the end, Addy is nodding along as she confirms the information she was also told.

She pats Vallis's hand, studying the unchanging neutral expression. Just as earlier the scarred man is listening but has allowed the words, news, to slide off his shoulders. His attitude didn't change, this conversation is merely supporting his beliefs. It is the same as before; he is a sitting duck, this is a fight he cannot win, and the more creatures that enter these rumors, the less likely he is to survive. If these rumors are true, and it's beginning to feel like they are. How am I supposed to fight Gods?

"Did you hear him, Amethyst? The Gods are searching, there is nothing good to come from that... and the fact your name is being spread with it is concerning." Addy scowls when all the worry in her tone earns is a soft kiss to her cheek, the man's hand carefully rising to her chin to be able to find her correctly.

"Don't worry, Aunty." He assures, adding lightly. "I'm not sure if the house is shielded against Gods. After all, I never considered them to be big action-takers."

"You're infuriating." Kane groans, hands rising to rub his face, the scruffy stubble on his jaw tickling his wrist. He glares once his arms drop, Addy pursing her lips in twin frustration. "You're not even fucking considering doing something? What? You gonna just drink tea and wait to fucking die?!"

Valli merely blinks up at him, nostrils flaring just faintly as his rare temper is irked. He calms himself instantly, getting worked up wouldn't be productive and only antagonize both individuals. Aloof, he asks, "What do you expect me to do?"

Predictably, all he hears is silence in answer to his inquiry. The only sound is the low growl of frustrated anger from the gruff hunter, a heavy thump as the man drops to his ass on the floor like a distressed child, and the shifting as he gets comfortable with his knees bent and arms hung from them. Addy sighs, hugging her boy to her, his head on her shoulder as she cautiously suggests her idea, slim hand petting his hair down while she speaks. "I thought of something that could, possibly, protect the land. It would take a good portion of my power to keep it in place, and I'd need to find the correct spell for it, but I might be able to build a dome over the land to keep monsters out for a time. They'd get stopped at the border of the property, like a demon trap, but bigger."

"If it hurts you, don't try." Is the immediate response Valli gives, leaning into her cool warmth.

From in front of them comes a frosty grumble, "She has to try. Otherwise, you're gonna get yourself killed."

Once again, Addy hisses at the hunter on the floor, eyes glinting purple as she glares. "Shut up." To Valli, she lowers her voice, tender. "I must at least look into it, Dear. It would make me feel much better about this. It would be the best option for us, considering you are against anything else."

"I wouldn't be against anything else if I didn't have a reason to be." He states, beginning to get tired of repeating himself. It should be obvious what his reason is, and it is. They're just angry and freaked out, give them a break.

"We'll figure something out." Patting his hand, Addy doesn't speak softly to the man next to her, rather her head tilts toward Kane to catch his eye meaningfully and direct her words to him. Taking rare advantage of Valli's sightless eyes to begin plotting with the temperamental Hunter. The message is understood, as reluctant as Kane is, his head bobs in agreement.