Multi-Dimensional Merchant System

The moment the Agents clocked to the new presence was obvious as a ripple of tension surged across the gathered men and woman and hands flew to rest on the grips of pistols strapped to waists or tucked out of sight under the jackets of their suits.

An amused smile flitted across Eve's face as she took in their reaction. Pausing in place, she allowed the tension to grow for a second before she offered a mocking curtsy.

"Oh my! What a warm welcome, and from such attentive hosts!" A childish giggle slipped from her lips at the nervous looks some of the agents wore- it was clear they recognized her, though that wasn't really surprising given her reputation. "It is my deepest pleasure to have been invited to such an exclusive event! But, please, do not let me keep you from your duties. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities to-"

"Evelyn Hart!" Agent Doe took a menacing step forward, a red glow surging in her eyes as she growled- and the sheer fury contained in that sound caused several other agents to back away, wary of the violence that was clear to come. "Put your hands on your head and get down on your knees! You are under arrest-"

"Oh, come on!" Eve scoffed, interrupting her. "First off, do you really think I would just give up like that? And second... maybe you should check with your superiors before you start barking at me, mutt!"

Jane's growl deepened at the insult- calling a werewolf a mutt, like they were just some stray dog that no one wanted, we perhaps the worst insult possible to her. Her fingernails lengthened and sharpened into wicked looking claws as fur began to sprout from the backs of her hands. "Don't think I'll play along with your games, leech! Now, get down on the ground, or so help me-"

"Jane. Jane!"

Ignoring the shouts of her name, Jane went to take a step forward- towards the prey she had been hunting for weeks without anything to show for it. A hand, clasping her arm and tugging as if to pull her back caused her to spin in place, a snarl freezing on her face as she locked eyes with her partner, John Smith, who stood there with a concerned look on his face and his hands held up placatingly.

And in his hand was his phone, still showing his last received call- less than thirty seconds ago, and from their boss...

"Reel it in, Janie." John said as calmly as he could, even as her eye twitched at the nickname he knew she hated- after spending so much time around her, he had quickly come to realize that, while it annoyed her, it was also one of the quickest ways to ground her when her emotions ran high. "Just got word from up high that they're cutting a deal with Hart-"

"WHAT!?" Jane bellowed, causing several agents to flinch in surprise- no one wanted to deal with an enraged werewolf, even if she was on their side. "Bullshit! She's a wanted terrorist! Hell, she blew up a fucking motel not that long ago!"

"Hey, that wasn't my fault!" Evelyn cut in, sounding almost defensive. "The fucking coward of a mage I was after rigged the place before I even got there!"

"Shut up!" Jane snarled, glaring at the diminutive woman. "I'm not interested in your bullshit excuses, and I sure as hell am not taking a psycho like you in with us!"

"That's not your call, Jane." John said softly, carefully resting his hand on her arm. "I know you're in charge of this mission, but the boss already made the call on this."

Growling softly to herself, Jane's hands flexed repeatedly as though longing to strangle someone. "Why the hell would they cut a deal like this?"

While John just shrugged, unable to answer that question, Eve started giggling once more- even going so far as to throw her arms open wide and spin in a circle as she laughed.

"Oh, now this is good!" She exclaimed amid her laughter. "I know something that you don't know! Fuck, that has to really piss you off!"

"Would you please stop antagonizing her?" John pleaded in an exasperated tone as he watched the muscles across Jane's body tense as though she was preparing to pounce. "I'm pretty sure an all out brawl between a vamp and a lycan would kill most of us and wreck the whole area- and probably see the mission scrubbed..."

"And if there is no mission, then there is no deal. So, if you want whatever they offered, then just stop. Ok?"

"Ok then, Captain Buzzkill..." Shrugging her shoulders, Eve sighed at having her fun ruined so quickly. "So, when are we getting this show on the road?"

"Maybe when you answer the fucking question?" Jane snarled, though some of the heat had left her tone.

"Let's not start that again, ok Jane?" John sighed. "And we're still waiting on the last member. Apparently, it's some asshole that calls himself 'The Devil'. I mean, seriously, how cliché can you get?"

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"And there's my cue!" A new voice intruded on their standoff, causing the fading tension to climb once more. "Goodness, I thought I would be waiting forever for an appropriately dramatic entrance!"

Across from the church, a figure stepped out from the shadows between buildings...

Oliver mentally sighed at the ridiculous role he found himself once more donning. Sure, it had it's benefits- no one would ever expect the calm and reserved Oliver Silk to be the overly dramatic 'Devil' standing before them...

But it was just so cringe...

He had considered, and debated with Poli, doing something different. Almost anything would have been better, in his mind, even her suggestion that he use his Aspect of the Familiar and call himself 'The Rainbow Squirrel'- though that was almost as ridiculous in his mind. Of course, they had decided against it, seeing as he couldn't maintain the shapeshift for too long and had no idea how long it would take to clear the pocket dimension...

At least 'The Devil' was a role he knew he could play- and one he felt a little too comfortable with; the melodramatic flair appealing to his sense of humor... And, admittedly, it was kind of fun...

Naturally, he couldn't wear the suit he had worn before- not while going into what he expected to be a combat situation. Not only was it impractical, but he really didn't want to ruin the suit that Poli's mom had picked out for him...

Instead, he went with something at least vaguely tactical: combat boots, black cargo pants, a vest with more pockets than he ever thought he would need- especially since he had the Warehouse- and the same blood red demon mask he had worn when negotiating with 'The Duke'... Under all of which was the subtly shifting form of his living armor, Lita.

Strapped to his waist was his arming sword and a combat knife, while slung across his back was the compound bow and quiver of arrows he had bought more than a month ago and still hadn't found a good chance to use- he could have easily just left them in the Warehouse until they were needed, but figured it best to keep that particular secret to himself until it was absolutely necessary...

"And there's my cue!" He spoke loudly into the already tense atmosphere, already having shifted his mindset to the mischievous one he bore when playing 'The Devil'. "Goodness, I thought I would be waiting forever for an appropriately dramatic entrance!"

Stepping out of the shadows- another calculated bit of theatrics- he waved cheerfully at the nervous agents as all eyes shifted to him.

"Who the hell are you!?" Agent Jane Doe barked, and Oliver had to stifle a laugh as the thought passed through his mind- setting off the already on edge agent likely wouldn't end well for anyone.

"Come now, Agent Doe, didn't your partner just introduce me?" He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'm the Devil, obviously... Though, please, feel free to simply call me 'Devil'- though definitely not 'D', as that is much too vulgar and I dislike being referred to as a dick..."

While Jane glared at the newcomer, her partner, John, stepped forward to try and smooth things over. "Well, since everyone is here, I guess I'll do introductions before we discuss the mission. I'm-"

"Agent John Smith, Agent Doe's partner, and part of the Paranormal Investigations Division of the FBI." Oliver cut in, a touch of humor in his voice, before turning his gaze to the still silent elf standing near them. "And would you by any chance be Alton Oakheart?"

"You know of me?" He asked in the same cultured voice Oliver remembered.

"I make it a point to pay attention to interesting individuals." Oliver replied, a hint of smugness in his tone. "And, as the heir to Clan Oakheart- and a talented swordsman- you certainly qualify as interesting..."

"And let's not forget the elephant in the room- not that we are actually in a room, and only if the elephant happens to be a tiny, bloodthirsty psycho..." He sighed softly, turning to face the vampire in question. "I genuinely cannot fathom what possessed a wanted terrorist to show up to a job helping the FBI!"

Eve huffed, folding her arms as she glared at him. "Look, Mr. Satan-"

"Mr. Satan is an anime character." Oliver cut in cheekily. "Though I appreciate both the implied compliment of me being Earth's protector and the insult of being compared to a character like that."

"Whatever." Eve huffed once more, not understanding his reference. "Anyway, not that it's anyone's business, but I offered them a deal for my assistance in this- assistance which they were desperate enough for to accept, thank you very much."

"What deal is that exactly, Ms. Hart?" Oliver asked calmly, even as his eyes bored into hers like he was trying to search her soul for the answer.

"That's none of your-"

"What. Deal. Evelyn." He growled, the threat of violence lingering under every word. "I will have an answer from you, even if it costs an arm and a leg- specifically your limbs if you continue to not answer me."

Jane watched on, her interest peaked at this standoff; it seemed as though Evelyn Hart had more enemies than even the FBI was aware of- and she was certainly curious how this would turn out... And, if things went poorly for Ms. Hart...

Well, at least it wouldn't be her breaking the deal her boss made- despite her anger over there being a deal at all, that was something she wouldn't do...

"Fine! You really want to know?" Eve pouted, hands on her hips- though she was also puzzled... This 'Devil' had emphasized the word 'arm' like it meant something, and she couldn't quite figure out why- even as it tickled at some memory, something just out of reach in the moment. "I help with this job, and agree not to do anymore jobs on American soil- outside of maybe helping the damn Feds- and they call off their hunt and take me off their lists. There, that's the deal! Happy now?"

A shocked silence fell over the gathered people at her explanation, and even Oliver was stunned... Why would she reach out to the FBI to make a deal like that?

He could only think of one reason, even if he couldn't be absolutely certain...

And his love life was already complicated enough without having a crazy vampire trying to get close to him again.