Those First Days... [Open]

Haikyo walked slowly through the palace halls; the place was like a giant maze in a way and full of all sorts of secret and hidden passageways and rooms. Haikyo enjoyed spending her free time exploring, even if it did sound a bit childish. She had called the Palace of the Rose her home for an entire week now as well as the title of Boss, but she was still in the process of settling in and getting comfortable with it all. The place was built like a fortress, made entirely of stone and marble – a good thing given both the volcano it sat on, and the fact that Haikyo was a mixture between a phoenix and a dragon. There were more rooms then she could count, let alone find use for, and that was why she was wandering through the halls now – it helped her to think.

She was slowly building up a team of individuals to work with her for the good of Soubi Shigai, and had already opened up her home to them, too. There was truly no reason for her to hog such a huge place to herself, and the entire place seemed a bit lonely without the sounds of life within its walls regardless. It was also why she had done some rearranging so that the palace functioned more like she needed it too.

Offices for herself and her staff, as well as conference and meeting rooms were all on the first floor. There was a designated plush waiting area for visitors that had a secretary stationed behind a desk at all hours of both the day and night. There was also a break area for the staff members, as well as a eat in kitchen and restrooms – ones for the public and then private ones that were open only to staff members. A security office was also located here with at least two guards manning the cameras that were located all throughout the building so that they could better keep an eye on the comings and goings. All in all the first floor was exactly like any sort of office building: though manned heavily with guards that were stationed every twenty feet or so through the first floors hallways. The steps leading up to the rest of the palace were all hidden off behind doors meant to look like walls – and these were likewise protected by heavily armed guards. These hidden walls, just like the offices of the staff members and other staff areas, require identification to pass through: a card with a specific bar-code fit to that individuals information.

The second floor had been turned into an abundance of different things for the private use of her staff who stayed there. There was a large library filled with millions of books and state of the art computers. Several living rooms filled with flat screen televisions and a variety of game systems. Two kitchens that were stocked with an assortment of different foods from all over the world with both an informal and a formal dining room to go with them. There was also a small hospital set up that was manned with the best doctors that money could buy twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, complete with the best medical technology available for purchase. Finally, a large gym filled with a variety of state of the art equipment, a small obstacle course, and a variety of training mats completed the second floor.

The third floor was set up in a variety of plush and lavish rooms. Each of these rooms was set up with a small living room complete with a TV and computer, a small kitchen, and a bedroom – though several housed several bedrooms for those who moved into the palace with their family. Just like below in the offices these doors too require a specific bar-code to enter; and can only be opened by the individuals supposed to be within those rooms – keeping anyone from accessing places they shouldn't be.

Haikyo paused outside of her office, her hands held behind her back loosely as the air shimmered around her from her high body temperature. She glanced through the windows of the heavy wooden doors to the empty seat, and the stack of papers that were next to the computer. She sighed softly and as she turned and walked towards the doors they opened automatically. She wandered over to her desk as the doors closed behind herself and sat down. She leaned back in her office chair and stared at the papers in contemplation. ”Oh, Haikyo.. what did you get yourself into...”, she mused out loud. The people of Soubi Shigai had all but demanded she take the position of Boss as they desperately needed a leader, and she had done so because of that... but she had had no idea how much work it was. Still, it needed done...

Shaking her head she adjusted her pink and black stripped top a little higher on her shoulders and crossed her black booted colored feet. She brushed some lint off of her white leggings and then pushed several strands of red hair out of her face. All before pulling a piece of paper from the pile towards herself and beginning to read it.

Life was strange now. He had a job, one that paid well, and a place to live that was comfortable. Just a month ago, he lived in a small studio apartment while taking jobs in the area assigned to him by the Vatican. This month? He was living it up in the Palace of the Boss, contracted out to protect her and asist with leading Soubi Shigai.

Wonderful luck indeed.

Perhaps his time working for the Vatican was paying off; afterall, it was them who recommended him to the boss of the city. She apparently liked what she saw, and hired him on. It certainly helped that she'd hired him before, and knew that Sammael did good work. Speaking of work, he was on his way to the boss's office to speak to her and see if there was anything that needed to be done.

He was dressed casually; a black hoodie over a a pink shirt and jeans. Kurikara was slung over his shoulders in the normal red sleeve, and he made his way through the halls of the palace at a casual pace. As he came upon the door to the office, he would knock and wait to be let inside.

Haikyo had got about halfway through the first page of work she needed to sort through when a knock on the door caused her to look up. Through the glass panes of the heavy wooden door she could see Sammael, her newly appointed Judgemaster. She lifted her right hand, waving him inside while she pushed a button on her desk with her left – after putting the paper back down. The doors to her office would open automatically, giving Sammael more then enough time to walk in before they could close again.

Always the polite host, even to her own staff, she waved to one of the comfortable chairs in front of her desk. ”Hello Sammael. What can I do for you?”, she would ask, soft spoken as Haikyo always was.

A gentle ping from her computer would draw a sideways glance: an email from the security company she had had working all day long, very diligently: they had been putting the finishing touches on the security upgrades for the Palace and the email confirmed that they were done just in the little subject box itself so she didn't even have to open it. The place had still been very old school when she had started to renovate it: lock and key all of the way. While they had worked for the time period that the place was built in, it didn't work now – no, in times like these it was best to upgrade for easier access – plus, it would avoid the headache of having to have over a dozen different keys made per person that needed a set. ”Ah, it seems like you're just in time to get set up with your new identification card for the Palace; the security company has just finished putting on the finishing touches.”

”Ah, it seems like you're just in time to get set up with your new identification card for the Palace; the security company has just finished putting on the finishing touches.”

Oh? It would seem that his timing was fairly good today. He would nod to her, removing Kurikara from his shoulders and setting it beside him as he sat down on a chair before Haikyo's desk. He offered her a polite smile as well, before speaking. "Oh? Alright. Is there anything that I need to do; like have a picture taken for it or such? And I came up to ask you a few questions about my duties, namely what exactly is my duties around here." His question was valid in his mind; the Vatican never provided much detail on the jobs they sent him on, as they felt it was always a 'need to know basis'. So now, while he had the time, he would ask a few questions, and perhaps get to know his employer a bit more.

Haikyo reached into the top left drawer of her desk which was relatively deep. A shift of some paper and she pulled out a box box with a small gold handle and two gold latches that were currently snapped shut. ”A picture, and a thumb print. The thumb print is in case of total lock down – only someone with your prints will be able to get in claiming they're you. This machine will also leave a small bit of information in the bar code on your heart beat – as your pulse is also used in a manner of speaking.”

The box was placed down on an empty spot of her desk and she unlatched it before opening it to reveal the camera inside, a small machine similar in nature to a printer with a tiny touch screen attached to it that lit up due to the box being opened, as well as a single finger print scanner. She reached back into her desk and pulled out a blank white card that was attached at a hole with a cloth rope long enough to be held around the neck.

She inserted the card into the printer and then entered a few commands on the screen. “Alright, place the thumb of your right hand onto the scanner first and hold it there for five seconds. When it beeps it's done. Then just sit back and you're picture will be taken next...”

”A picture, and a thumb print. The thumb print is in case of total lock down – only someone with your prints will be able to get in claiming they're you. This machine will also leave a small bit of information in the bar code on your heart beat – as your pulse is also used in a manner of speaking.”

Biometric identification? That was impressive for a private sector, but expected. The Vatican itself used simple identification cards, but Sammael always suspected there was something else in play. The exorcists there always used special skeleton keys to get around; those keys fit into any lock, and would instantly open the door they were inserted into to a predetermined destination. For example, if one possessed a key that was connected to the Headquaters, no matter what door you inserted that key into, no matter how far away you were, so long as that key was inserted in the lock, when you opened that door you would be transported to HQ. Perhaps they could improve upon the security they already possessed?

As Haikyo produced the equipment to get started with his identification card, Sammael spoke up. "Biometric identification is fine, but what about some sort of magical identification? A possessed individual's biometrics can read as perfectly normal, depending on how long they have been possessed, and can fool most systems. Why not something that scans a person's aura or energy signature? If the body is compromised, the aura and signature will show it like an infection."

When he finished speaking, he did as was previously asked of him; placing his thumb over the scanner so that his ID could be completed. Sure enough, a few seconds later it was completed, and the male sat back, adjusting his hoodie to allow his picture to be taken.

Haikyo tilted her head a bit, listening to his question. He had a point, and it was one that hadn't exactly escaped her notice. ”Well, that's going to be one of your jobs – figuring out how to make such a thing possible. The security company I hired are all well in good when it comes to normal high tech security, but that sort of thing baffles them. Your other two jobs are going to be my personal guarding – you'll essentially be my bodyguard when needed. And finally... an extra set of eyes to help me keep watch on the local school.”, she spoke while she watched him. She would wait until he finished and sat, and then she would enter in several more key strokes. His picture would be taken next, and a few more key strokes would have the card beginning to start to print out.

”There's a new girl there, recently enrolled... she goes by Lily, though that's not her real name – she's at least half demon. Anyway, she was brought here because the orphanage she was in was attacked by a demon – apparently it's not the first time it happened, either. Her mother... can't remember the woman's name, started with an L... anyway, the girl has her mother's power even though she's half human. She was dropped off at the orphanage when she as three, and lived there since... The nuns taking care of her were killed in the attack, but Lily wasn't home at the time... so I'm sort of expecting trouble to pop up sooner rather then later, and I'd rather not see anything happen to the girl.”

The card finished printing and she looked at it to double check that everything was in order, which it was. She slid it across the desk to Sammael and then began closing up the machine, and latching the latches once more.

”Well, that's going to be one of your jobs – figuring out how to make such a thing possible. The security company I hired are all well in good when it comes to normal high tech security, but that sort of thing baffles them. Your other two jobs are going to be my personal guarding – you'll essentially be my bodyguard when needed. And finally... an extra set of eyes to help me keep watch on the local school.”

So, he was essentially head of security, and her personal bodyguard? So, this was basicly a permanant protection job? No biggie, nothing he hadn't done before. But he was supposed to keep an eye on a school as well?

”There's a new girl there, recently enrolled... she goes by Lily, though that's not her real name – she's at least half demon. Anyway, she was brought here because the orphanage she was in was attacked by a demon – apparently it's not the first time it happened, either. Her mother... can't remember the woman's name, started with an L... anyway, the girl has her mother's power even though she's half human. She was dropped off at the orphanage when she as three, and lived there since... The nuns taking care of her were killed in the attack, but Lily wasn't home at the time... so I'm sort of expecting trouble to pop up sooner rather then later, and I'd rather not see anything happen to the girl.”

Some chick was being targeted by demons? Well then, that sounded alot more fun. And to top it all off, she was half demon as well. This was going to be interesting; normally, he was charged with killing and exorcising demons, but he knew full well that demons would choose to be 'good'. Perhaps this girl was one of them? And just who exactly was her mother that other demons were targeting her? Sammael could only guess that she was powerful; the very same thing used to happen to him in his younger years for certain reason, so this chick's mother had to be high up in the rankings.

One his ID was printed, Sammael took the card from the desk and slipped the rope around his neck. To Haikyo he would nod his thanks, then tipped his head. "Do you have a picture of this girl so that I know what Im looking for? Or even an address?"

Haikyo finished closing up the printer and placed it carefully back into the desk drawer it had come out of. At his question she nodded and sat back down in her chair. She pulled several plain envelopes towards and went through the stack quickly until she found the one she was searching for about halfway down. She pulled it free, placed the others neatly back into their bin, and then slid the envelope across the desk and to Sammael. ”There you are. I figured you were going to need that.”

She nodded towards the envelope. ”That has several pictures of Lily in it. Documentation from the church she studied at and the orphanage she lived in – including the incident report of the attack. It also holds all of the information the priest who first found her was able to get out of her, including the name of her mother. It also mentioned an odd symbol that apparently anyone with proper training can see even if Lily looks human – they say it identifies who her mother is. From what I read the girl's dedicated herself to not following the typical stereotype: I'm sure her refusal to use her power hasn't helped her any. She's staying at the church near the Academy campus: she requested it – said it made her feel safer.”

”That has several pictures of Lily in it. Documentation from the church she studied at and the orphanage she lived in – including the incident report of the attack. It also holds all of the information the priest who first found her was able to get out of her, including the name of her mother. It also mentioned an odd symbol that apparently anyone with proper training can see even if Lily looks human – they say it identifies who her mother is. From what I read the girl's dedicated herself to not following the typical stereotype: I'm sure her refusal to use her power hasn't helped her any. She's staying at the church near the Academy campus: she requested I – said it made her feel safer.”

Sam tooked the folder and opened it to find a picture of Lily and almost screamed. The symbol on her forehead shone to his eyes like a beacon. It was unmistakeable whom her mother was, if this symbol was real. "Saints preserve us... this girl." Blue eyes looked up at Haikyo, widening. "This girl is the daughter of Lilith!" He looked up at Haikyo in disbelief, before leafing through the rest of the folder. "I ... how in the world did you come across this girl?"

Closing the folder, he rubbed his temples. "I don't know if you know or not... but Lillith was Adam's first wife. THE Adam, as in the first man. Apparently, as the legend's go, she was created from the earth like him, and refused to become subservant to him as she saw that they were created equally. She apparently ran off and eventually married Lucifer, or Satan. There's also alot more rumors about her after that, but it is known that she's a seductress, and holds almost as much power as Satan himself..." He fell quiet then, neglecting to mention his own ties to this scenario.

"If I'm going to be protecting this girl, I'm going to need to get some supplies. This is much more than i thought it would be."

Haikyo looked more thoughtful then frightened as she listened quietly to Sammael's explanation: a lot of it caused the pieces to fall into place, and for things to make more sense. ”That would certainly explain things. Rose Academy caters exclusively to non-human beings and humans capable of potent magic. There are boarding houses there for those who do not wish to travel back and forth constantly, or those who don't have a home to go back to. I offered Lily the chance to stay in one of those, even with her own room, and she refused at all costs and demanded she be put up in a church...”

Haikyo leaned back in her chair, biting her bottom lip as she often did when in deep thought. ”Hm. Lily might end up with more trouble then she already has if some of the angels attending the school find out who she is the child of. I'm sure they'd be none too friendly with her if they realize how potentially dangerous she could be.”, she mused out loud.

Haikyo sighed and shook her head slightly: she had been Boss for all but a week and already such a lethal and potentially dangerous situation had been placed on her lap. She focused her gaze back onto Sammael and nodded to him. ”Anything you require during the course of working for me, and the city, will come out of the a special account I have set up for Soubi's Council's purchases. So go ahead and get whatever you need.”

A sudden thought occurred to her, and she tilted her head a bit in contemplation. ”Perhaps it would be best for you to introduce yourself to Lily sooner rather then later... Something tells me she's not going to be very trusting: and if an attack happens to her before hand she might not trust you at all. But, it's up to you on how you want to handle it.. just a suggestion.”

Samael nodded to Haikyo's words; some of the angels here would not take kindly to the daughter of Lillith attending school here. Hell, he was sure they were unhappy about some of the demons that ran around the school as well, but there was nothing they could do. The demons that attended were mostly half-breeds like Samael -- thier human side gave them the ability to be forgiven for any sin that they might commit.

But even with that, Angels were a fickle lot. To most of them, a Demon was a demon, even one with a human soul.

"If you're willing to pick up the tab for what I need, I'll be sure to keep the bill down. I just need some supplies for creating barriers. I'll give the Vatican a call and see about finding the closest supplier." Picking up Kurikara, Sam would get up and stretch for a moment before nodding to Haikyo. "I'll see to it about meeting this girl. Would there be some way to schedule our classes so that I'm in most, if not all of her classes? It would help out alot with keeping an eye on her." As he spoke, he was already forming out a mental list of the materials he would need...

Haikyo turned her attention back to her computer with a nod at Sammael's suggestion. A few mouse clicks, and a keystroke or two later and she was in Rose Academy's systems. She worked quickly, pulling up Lily Smith's information and her class schedule. ”Let's see what I can do... she takes the minimum amount of classes – she transferred with more then enough credits to graduate even three years early so this shouldn't be too hard to put you in her classes to.”

Haikyo fell silent then and got to work adding in Sammael to the school itself, and then to the classes that Lily was taking. After a moment or two she printed out a schedule that was the exact copy of Lily Smith's:



Once it was printed she handed over the list with a grin. ”One thing I can say about Rose Academy – they don't have boring classes.” Haikyo glanced at the clock. ”From my understanding Lily uses her study hall to meet with the priest at the local church: she's taking extra classes so to speak from him during that time... she should be finishing up now, actually.”

Taking the schedule, Samael looked it over and grinned. "You're right about that. I might even have to pay attention in some of these classes myself; might learn a thing or two." After folding the schedule and putting it into a pocket, Samael nodded to Haikyo. "If she's at the church, it won't be hard to get to know her. I can put in some time there, get my praise on, and still keep an eyes on her." Sam chuckled at his joke, and was about to walk away before a thought occurred to him.

"Say, Haikyo. How am I supposed to get in touch with you, or you with me if something happens? Is there a approved and secure form of communication for us to use?" Another legit question; communication was key for a job like this.

Forgot to Give you the Code:

Haikyo nodded suddenly and reached into her middle drawer where the sound of several rolling objects could be heard upon it being opened. She pulled one of these objects that: a large marble sized ball which was clear with a purplish-whtie swirling mist inside. She pulled out a slightly larger one and placed it on her desk in a stand meant clearly for a circular object. She then handed over the other smaller one to Sammael. ”These are old school, but they're effective and can't be eavesdropped on. They're communication orbs. You simply hold it, say the name of the person you wish to speak to, and if they hear you and they have an orb with them they'll be able to communicate back. So long as you're holding the orb only you can hear what they're saying and only you can see them within the orb.”

Communication Orb:

A hand would reach out and take the orb, slipping it into his pocket. He would nod again to Haikyo as he adjusted Kurikara on his shoulders. "Alrighty, then. I'm gonna go get started if you don't mind. I'll head down to the chapel, and see if I run into Lily. If anything happens, I'll be sure to give you a call."

With nothing else to say, he would turn and leave the office, heading down to the church.

-Attempted exit-

”Sounds like a plan..” Haikyo responded. She would wait until Sammael left before sitting once more at her desk and returning to going through the paperwork that she needed to finish. Every so often she could glance to her Communication Orb, waiting to see Sammael's face hovering in the mist: Haikyo expected something bad to happen, in fact she was certain it would, but she just didn't know when. Or where. And it was fraying her nerves...

She also, while she worked, wonder what was next to come: bad things tended in happen in pairs of three, and so far they were only on one.