D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad

--- Kat ---

Coming of the slight horror of understanding that Hunter would complete a task or die trying Kat decided to change the subject by asking, "What about demonic fire? Both Kamiko and I have ice aligned fire, so I'm curious,"

"I have the standard fire based demonic fire," answered Hunter easily. "Some in my clan like to make a big deal about this fact but as even in my clan heat based demonic fire is still far and away the most common it is never something that gains much traction. Sadly there is not much skill involved in using demonic fire,"

Kat gave Hunter a strange look so the lamia elaborated, "While you can increase your control over your demonic fire with significant effort… most of that effort is wasted. Your control goes up with your rank and unless you have one of the more specialised fire types simply 'throw demonic fire' at the problem is almost always the optimal solution.

"This is especially true for fire like my own. My mother believes it's because 'it wants to burn and so it does. Never costing more than you will be willing to pay' it's one of her favourite sayings but she is a bit of a pyromaniac,"

*That's the first time I've heard Hunter actually mention her parents directly. I… do I want to ask about that? Perhaps during the next rest stop.* "So… it just does the one thing?" asked Kat.

"You say that as if its specificity is bad. Demonic fire has very clear uses. The control exercises are normally transferable to other skills, and playing with it is great for understanding and meditation. Yet, at the end of the day it is fire. It burns things.

Perhaps that is a limiting view, and once again, perhaps if you have one of the rarer types of fire it is different but for many of us it simply isn't.

"We throw demonic fire at things we need to burn, and those things burn. It stops when the thing we threw it is gone… alongside the immediate area around the target. This is not a problem, it is considered a feature. It is why I carry a gun. If I need a singular target taken down I can do so with minimal expenditure of demonic energy.

If I need to… as they say 'Fuck everything in that general direction' then I have my fire for that,"

"What about…" Kat hesitated for a moment wondering if it's truly appropriate, "What about the form your fire takes?"

Hunter let out a long hiss. "That is not something you share with casual hunting companions Kat. You know not what you ask. I understand this, yet even still I instinctively flinch away from the answer,"

"That's fine, though I'd be happy to-" Kat started to say but Hunter cut her off with a sharp downwards motion of her hand.

"I do not require that information," stated Hunter.

Kat glared back, "I understand you don't require it. That's very clear to me, but I do not mind in slightest if you know what my fire's shape and ability IS. I understand that it's not something to be used often, but if I do need to use it I want you to know what will happen,"

Hunter shook their head while letting out a long hiss. "This is very much something to keep quiet Kat," Kamiko was looking between the two of them, and seeing where the 'discussion' was heading slowly started to edge behind the horse. As if that would save her from any potential blowback. "Trump cards are considered such for a reason,"

"Well I don't consider you an enemy. I don't need a trump card against you… and I'm honestly not sure if it would help against the dragon anyway. Which is part of the reason I want to tell you," explained Kat.

Hunter hissed again, spinning herself in place for a few moments as her tail bunched up. "I do not like this. I… I wish to put this discussion on hold until we reach our next stop. It is about time we got moving. Yes I do understand I am avoiding the topic but I do not wish to cause undue strife and I wish to give you time to think about this.

Even if I recognise you are most likely unable to change your mind I feel that I MUST give you this time,"

*Hmm… this seems like a big deal to her. I mean, she's right I don't plan to change my mind and I don't see why I would… but I guess I'll wait and see how things turn out at the rest stop. Unless you have anything to say Lily?*

[Not really? I mean, yes, the fact that Hunter is making such a big deal of this seems to imply that it's a massive deal. Perhaps culturally, perhaps practically… but I don't really see you changing your mind about this and I'm not sure I want to. Now, maybe that's part of the problem, but I don't understand why it's such a big deal to reveal something like this.

Like, an intimacy thing where it's on the same level as… sex? Or is it a security thing? Like don't tell people your pin number type of secret? Both are pretty… 'high level' but for very different reasons.]

*That makes sense… I wonder if there's a way to find out?*

[I'm not sure. What's weirder is that Kamiko isn't saying anything. Now, I don't know if that's just because she hasn't had many friends and as such doesn't know these things… or if in her mind it's not as big of a deal as Hunter is making it out to be. Heck, maybe it's just a clan thing where they keep that sort of thing super secret… maybe as a replacement for not having names?]

*Yeah I can see it… I just wish I knew what was the problem. Hunter wasn't exactly clear with the 'why' just that it wasn't done. Not sure I could get that out of here either… so I guess we'll think on it as we run.*

So that's what they did. The group got back to their run, passing through a decent sized town along the way. Hunter didn't stop, so Kat didn't stop, meaning Kamiko also didn't stop. Hunter new that the tents were likely to be better then anything on offer in the town, while the other two were just following her lead, assuming they were missing something Hunter already knew.

Eventually as the horse Kamiko was riding finally started to visibly tire and the sun started to sink behind the horizon the girls found a place to rest. Hunter had been keeping an eye out for something, and lead them away from the road. Hunter showed off a small rock outcropping. It was a bit low for standing, but for sitting and for tents it was just about perfect.

The horse was left free of any restraints, and while Kat raised an eyebrow at that she didn't consider it to be a true issue. The priests had assured them the horses were smart and even if the one they had returned home Kat was fine carrying Kamiko. Hunter pulled out a full suite of cooking utensils and a portable stove and then got to work filling up a pot with water from their endless canteens.

"Do you all wish to partake in a meal with me or would you prefer to cook your own food?"

"I'm not sure I'll eat at all. I mean, I CAN but I'm not hungry and likely won't be for a bit. I might eat tomorrow evening, but personally I'll pass," said Kat.

Hunter was staring at Kat when Lily transformed and said, "Though Kat doesn't speak for both of us. I'm happy to try whatever it is you're making, as long as you don't mind,"

"Um… yeah… if it's no trouble I'll join you both," said Kamiko.

Hunter nodded and turned back to the pot, pulling various things from the storage ring before turning the stove up and ceiling it all in. "I have no issues sharing. We have plenty of food provided to us and I was planning to make extra, either to keep in reserve or for others who wish it. I assume Kat's regenerating alleviates the need for food somewhat?"

Kat nodded slowly, "I guess? I was under the impression demons don't eat all that much,"

"Most demons do not require as much food but paradoxically we do still feel hunger at only a slightly reduced rate. The fact that you do not is noteworthy but only slightly curious. I could go weeks without food but it would not be optima. When hunting, it is always best to eat when one can.

"In this instance we are still days away from our quarry. There is no reason to forgo food that might later risk discovery. Of course, we have a number of food items in our rings that do not require cooking but that does not mean the smell will be completely contained. I believe the tents may assist with that, but they are not complete shields.

This means it is best to eat our fill now before we get closer,"

Kat shrugged, "I don't disagree my 'fill' is just a lot less then everyone else I guess," Hunter nodded and didn't comment any further, though it was unclear if she believed Kat or not.

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