Joscelin walked into the bar around a quarter to midnight. Her yellow eyes scanned the smoky room till they hit upon the male she was looking for. This night she wore her Japanese form. Around 5'10" (mostly leg), with a less than shapely body, she weighed around 110 lbs. Her jet hair was in a loose mohawk. On her body she wore loose baggy cargo jeans with a tight black tank-top.

She stopped at the bar and ordered a double shot of vodka to shore up her nerves. She knew he was someone that was important. Someone that has been around for a long time. An imposing male. A demon male.

'This will take a bit more than i thought it would...' Joscelin thought to herself. She gulped down her double and looked over her shoulder at the male. 'Cute in his human form. I can only hope he doesn't try to kill me...'

Fear started to build in her again. It took awhile to find and track down the right demon that she thought would be able to help her out on her journey to find out who sired her. To finally know... what kind of demon she could possibly be.

Joscelin turned and leaned against the bar counter and just stared at the male named Horse for just a little longer...

Horse was waiting. He wasn't sure what he was waiting for, but he was waiting. The car that came before him passed, and he ignored it. There was a sign above the door. He didn’t care what it said. He was on holiday and who the hell cared? He stepped inside.

It was a quarter to midnight and the band was tired. No music. Not any real music – just the music that demons could hear. Horse, an Umbral Demon, could hear it all.

“Damned if I care about you cheating on your wife,” he whispered. “Or you, you bastard, cheating on your mother.”
But there was another thought in the air. Horse turned toward it. It wasn’t right.

The bar counter, always arguing with people, didn’t argue with Horse. It spoke in a boozie breath.

A female stared at him. A lot of females did, so it didn’t seem important. Well, except this one was not human. He wasn’t stupid, but he was curious. He stepped away from the obvious and toward her. Moment away, he smiled.

“I hate you,” he said. “You are ugly.”

If that didn’t get her attention, then nothing would.

"I hate you. You are ugly." Thats what he said to her when he walked up to her.

"You are so charming you know that? Strangely that doesn't put me off." Joscelin's yellow eyes looked him up and down. A tingle went down her spine and made her look around the bar nervously. "Bar keep! Another double please." She slapped a twenty on the bar to ensure she was served promptly.

The demons smell enticed her. Unconscionably closing her eyes and inhaling deep, her left ear twitched. "What brings you to speak with me dear elder Horse?" She kept her eyes closed for fear of seeing her own death in his eyes.

The smell of the bar started to close in on her. The haze getting thicker, making it a little harder to breathe. 'What in the nine hells made me think i could approach him? Horse! Of all the elder demons i choose Horse.' She felt like slapping herself in the head, only she was in a public place being scrutinized.

"Yeah, I'm charming," he said. He stared at her for a moment. Then he motioned to the table.

"They say that sitting is the human thing. I do that. You should, too."

He pulled back the chair until she was seated. Like a gentleman. Then he sat across from her.

"I hear you asked for me," he said.

The wine came. They chose. He drank, just as as she did.

"Nice wine," he said. "So tell me," he said as he placed the goblet on the table.

"Who the hell are you?"

Sitting across the table from him seemed somewhat intimidating to her now. Joscelin thought she was up for it but was slowly losing courage. She sipped her wine.

A deep breath in, "My name is Joscelin. Joss-lin. I have left my natural home long ago and roamed to make a new one. I have tracked you down hoping you would be willing to help me. I have heard you are the perfect... uh... 'person' for my predicament."

She felt a little light-headed for saying so much in one breath. Her top teeth worried her bottom lip, while her nails tapped an uneven tune on the table top.

She watched him and tried to imagine what it would have been if she was fully demon and not merely a half-breed.

Time felt as if it slowed down for a moment. She felt as if she could hear every heart beat in the bar. All seemed as if in perfect harmony for just that moment before life went back to normal time. she blinked a couple times wondering what had just happened to her and if Horse had done it.

Jeremiah was never much for this scene, this place, this crowd. The crush of people was actually slightly disgusting. Unwashed, drugged people danced around and for a moment he seemed to be caught in the crowd. He was dancing, but in the sensual manner, that seem to please the people that crushed in against him.

He danced and swirled away from their outstretched hands towards he bar, where he was certain he glimpsed his friend Joscelin...

Conversing with a demon? Not just a demon, one of the demons. Horse was well known around these parts, apparently, though Jeremiah didn't know why.

He was slightly confused by the expressions both parties faces, Joscelin cooling taking and insult that Horse casually dished out. Bright green eyes watched after them as they moved to a table, for privacy, mayhap? Jeremiah didn't have to rely on his extra sense to know that something serious was going on.

He casually walked to the bar and ordered his own glass of poison and walked over to join them. He waited until last sentences were said and politely tapped Joscelin on the shoulder. "Hello, love, fancy seeing you here," He said and smiled warmly at her. He lifted is eyes to the male and offered his name and polite greeting.

"Hello, sir, Jeremiah McPherson," He said smoothly, offering his hand.

“Joss-lin has a predicament,” Horse said, pursing his lips and wrinkling his brow. “Why would ...”

Horse turned his attention away from Joscelin and to the man who had suddenly appeared, talking. He glanced down at the man’s hand and then back up to his face.

“Jeremiah, is it? Are you a bullfrog?” It wasn’t one of Three Dog Night’s best songs, but it came to mind. Against his better judgement, Horse briefly shook Jeremiah’s hand and gestured that he take the only remaining unoccupied chair.

“You might as well join in. We’re discussing Joss-lin’s predicament.” He returned his attention to Joscelin.

“Why would I be interested in your predicament?” he said. “Does it involve a nasty person doing nasty things to an innocent?” The thought actually seemed interesting once he had given it a voice. Predicaments could be fun. Or boring. Now, again against his better judgement, he’d made himself curious.

"Oh hello Jeremiah!" Joscelin said to Jeremiah as he pretty much appeared out of no where. As Jeremiah sat down in the last chair, Horse asked her why he should be interested in her problem.

Yellow cat eyes locked on to Horse's eyes. She sat there wondering on how to word it. How she could say what she needed and wanted from him without appearing and sounding desperate.

"I have been told that a male of great stature has the knowledge i would need to figure out my... bloodline. My linage, so to say. I do not know what my father was... And I am willing to pay for your help..." She ended her thoughts there hoping it would entice him. 

Leaning back in her chair she crossed her legs at her ankles, watching Horse closely for any tell-tale signs of what he would say. She than slowly looked over to Jeremiah, wondering what he thought of her.

'I really need him to accept my offer... I need to know...' Joscelin thought to herself.

Jeremiah snorted softly at the man's joke. Like I haven't heard that a million times before.He rolled his eyes but a pleasent smile remained on his face. He took the seat his was offered and sipped from his cup. His expression was thoughful and secretly very intersted in what was going on. Having hung out with Joscelin before he knew he was instore for plenty of action.

His eyes drifted between the two of them. Joscelin was asking Horse for assistance in finding out where she came from. Jere kept his comments to himself, not thinking any less of her. Everyone is curious about something at some point, right? Jere Bear smiled kindly at her. "I've also been curious about your background, you know all about mine.." The former slave boy said, looking at her from under his blonde lashes.

His glass was feeling more on the half empty side, waving over a waitress, he order another drink. "Anyone for a second round?" He asked, looking at the group.

“Male of great stature,” Horse repeated with a chuckle.

He had glanced between Joscelin and Jeremiah when they’d spoke to each other. Previously acquainted, obviously, he thought. He wondered if Jeremiah had arrived on serendipity or whether the two had a habit of meeting in that bar. That was as far as his curiosity extended to their relationship. He already knew that neither were innocents, so he wasn’t bound to do anything.

Horse flicked his right thumb against his index finger, just at the joint, producing tiny sparks of blue and maroon. It wasn’t something he would normally do, but there’s a time for everything. The sparks illuminated their eyes just enough for him to peer inside. He smiled in that way that made it obvious that he didn’t mean it.

“It’s generally best not to offer a demon payment, Joss-lin,” he continued. “It’s never what you expect and often costly in a very bad way. If I do anything, it is because I’m either bound to do it or it is something I will enjoy. Neither of you can bind me, so you’ll have to engage my enthusiasm.”

Horse leaned back in his chair and draped an arm over its back. He scrutinized Joscelin for a moment. “I’m not generally enthused about sanguine genealogy.” He paused before continuing. “Unless, of course, there’s a story behind it. What’s your story? How did you come to be a hybrid, and why does it matter one way or the other?” There was no hint of sarcasm or patronizing tone in his voice. He had all the time in the world to be patient and to hear what she had to say - so long as it was interesting.

Jeremiah sighed and told the waitress to bring a bottle of vodka and another bottle of whatever wine they were consuming. Why not? He had his own money to spend now, being a free man an' all. Pretty lights...? Jeremiah was temporarily amazed by the sparks that sprang up from Horse's fingers. Such pretty colors. The mean smile that followed made Jere uncomfortable, he shivered as if chilled, though the club was smothering hot.

Sitting back, he tried to seem casual, just listening. The tension in his body was very noticeable, even to him. He almost jumped up kissed the waitress when she came back with their boozes. "Thank you, miss," he said and handed her a fifty dollar bill. The woman smiled and winked her thanks.

Now that he had liquid confidence, Jeremiah sat back and listen some more to what Horse had to say.

Deadly prices? Engage his enthusiasm, huh? Jere arched a golden brow. This isn't going so well now. He didn't like the idea of Joscelin being hurt over her curiosity. Why was she consulting a demon anyway? Good Lord..

Being the gentleman he was 'raised' to be, he refilled their glasses and remained quiet.

Joscelin nodded a silent thank you to Jeremiah as acknowledgment that he had poured her another glass. Then Horse flicked his finger, and created lights. They dilated her pupils to giant orbs, with scarce any iris left.

"Dear Horse... what if my story doesn't interest you? Since i wouldn't stoop so low as to try and bind you there is no reason to bring the subject up yes? Right." She sat there and thought about how much she should tell him. Information about ones-self could be deadly, in her eyes. If someone knew a little too much about you it could be used against you. Death normally ensued.

"My story, Horse," Joscelin started off. "Is about my mother and how her love was apparently blind. He was disguised as one of her people, a were-leopard, and fell in love with my mother. Or so he told her. She fell in love with him as well... But when the elders found out they sent out our warriors to watch him. when my mother left one evening to go back home, he changed into his true form, the warriors attacked and killed him. My mother later found that she was pregnant. She defied the elders and kept her child. Never knowing what his demon type was." Joscelin's voice was carefully neutral the entire time. She took a deep breath, "Which now leads me to you. I have been told you have a way with finding out what kind of demon one is."

She sat back in her chair, putting her right leg over her left, slowly moving her right foot.

Horse never did much like wine; or coffee, for that matter. It was something he drank as a sort of penance. Why that was, he wasn’t going to explain to anyone. He had his reasons. Besides, it kept him from focusing on other people’s thoughts. Other people’s thoughts tended to drag him into things he’d rather not be dragged into.

Jeremiah, knowing nothing of Horse’s thoughts, did not know that the sideways glance he received from Horse after refilling his drink meant that he’d really rather Jeremiah tended to his own drinking. But, there being no need to be unnecessarily surly, Horse offered a nod of his head.

Joscelin punctuated her short story by crossing her legs. Her foot swayed. Why every female he ever met tried to get something out of him was a mystery, he thought. It wasn’t an entirely honest thought but there was some truth to it. In any case, he knew the answer to her question - but not the reason.

“Incubus,” Horse said. “It’s really not that hard to figure out, Joss-lin. The hard part is why an Incubus would carry on so long with the charade. He might have actually loved your mother. Mind you, Incubus love isn’t as easily defined as say ... any other kind of love. She probably had no power to defend herself against his seduction, anyway.”

Damn it, Horse thought. Now I’m curious and that’s not so good.

“Which raises an entirely new question.” Horse turned his head away from both of them and seemed to glance around the room. In reality, he was lost in his thoughts for a moment. Now, why would an Incubus risk his own skin by shacking up with a corporeal shape shifter, he asked himself. And how did he maintain his false appearance. I smell foul play.

Turning back to his quests at the table, Horse leaned forward and looked intently into Joscelin’s eyes. Angling his head to the side and wrinkling his brow, he asked, “Does your father have a name.”

"What lovely eyes you have Horse. Have you ever thought about trading with someone?" A wicked smile overcame Joscelin's face.

'Incubus... Are you kidding me?' Joscelin thought to herself, But what she said was, "I would have to disagree with you on that. Incubus after a time, have a tendency to kill their lovers. My mother happens to be very much alive, obviously, and if that were so... why do i not have his abilities? I have been scoffed and picked on and even beaten for my mixed heritage. But i have yet to be able to seduce anyone, let alone anything."

Her face was set in a kind of thoughtful look, her arms crossed, laid back in her chair, staring into the middle of the table, as if it were a book with all the answears in the world. Childhood memories caught in her mind, the other kids and even adults taking fun in her misery, in her tears, and in her blood.

Joscelin's yellow eyes locked onto Horse's, "As for the name of my father... I know not his demon name... But to my mother, he was known as Ahnras Ytnom. He said it was because he came from another, smaller, tribe."

She thought long and hard about her decision, but the blackouts made it impossible for her to sit by and do nothing anymore. She needed to know before anything bad happened to the ones she considered friends. Joscelin felt insecure going to someone she didn't know to help her with her problem. But she had no choice in this... sadly.

"Do you have any other questions my dear Horse?" Joscelin asked politely, honestly hoping it would help in any way.

“Yeah, I’m a regular big bad wolf,” Horse said, leaning away from her. His eyes had nothing to do with anything and, apparently, neither did his insight - at least, not to a young changeling.

“Hmm. Flirtatious, self-absorbed...” Horse pointed an index finger toward the table and twirled it in a circle. “... likes to dance around the fire, curious without mystery, wounded and capricious. Not to mention misinformed. Well,” Horse said, rising slowly from the table.

“I’ll admit that you had my interest there for a moment. And while I know there is something smelly in Denmark going on with your father, it’s really not my problem. In fact, it’s not even your problem.”

Horse stood from his chair and pushed it flush to the table. He glanced to Jeremiah and then back to Joscelin.

“It takes courage and wisdom to face your past. Not everything is as it seems or plays by the rules - especially demons.” Horse turned and headed for the door. “I have no further questions. Case dismissed,” he said to his back.