Ama wasn't sure she could call the necklace a gift, exactly. A reward, perhaps, but not a gift. After all, the guy who had left the trinkets had set those shadowy assassins upon them. Whether that had been a test, or a mere display of his influence, the demoness didn't care. She didn't like the way he'd looked down his nose at them and spoken so condescendingly.
Ama held the necklace up so she could get a better look, but she was loath to adorn herself with it. Instead she eyed it suspiciously.
"Well this is probably cursed." She lowered the item of jewelry and shot Vandal a playfully wicked grin. "And yours most likely unleashes an ultimate evil."
Ramir gave her a sideways look, then shook the tube a little. He shrugged as he twisted the end cap and pried it open.
"Yeah, I don't think that was his game. Let's find out."
Ramir shook the tube a little more, to find that there was a roll of parchment inside what turned out to be an ornate scroll case. His face clearly expressed his reaction to the oddity, but he was curious nonetheless. Tucking the tube in the crook of his arm, his fingers scratched at the paper to roll it open.
Studying it for a moment, a realization hit him. He read a little longer, before grunting and winding the paper tight, slipping it back into the tube and depositing it inside his coat. He then made a show of turning his attention to her prize and changing the subject.
"Well, I don't see why we can't have it looked at in the morning. It certainly seems harmless enough. Meanwhile..."
The rain didn't let up and made his next question all the more pressing.
"What shall we do with our evening? It's raining flarbs out there, but this place is somewhat less cozy. I mean, I don't think his liable to return.."
Ramir was undecided on this matter. He was quite decided though, on following his new friend regardless of her decision.
Ama was curious about the contents of that scroll, but she trusted Van's judgement and if he said it could wait until morning then that was fine with her. Slipping the necklace into her pocket, she pondered their next adventure. No way was she going to be able to get back to sleep after what had just happened. Sure, the chances of that mysterious man returning again tonight were slim, but now their shelter felt tainted by his presence. Not to mention that all the fighting now meant she was wide awake...and hungry.
"Should we go out and find something to eat? I don't know about you but I've worked up an appetite."
Ama was also feeling a little unclean, having worked up a sweat along with an appetite.
Ramir's eyes lit up at the suggestion of food. The other words that followed didn't so much as register, he was famished. She'd come to realize that Ramir could work up quite the appetite, but often had the energy to match.
"Well. So long as the door leads onto the street, I'll follow your lead."
Ramir opened the door and took a good, hard look outside into the rain. Satisfied, he made a mockery of a proper bow and held the door for Ama.
"After you, miss Ama. I'd hate to lead you into more trouble."
His mind reeled with the possibilities. Tired, awake, he was indifferent. She had his whole attention and was quite keen to see what they'd get up to next.
Ama had to admit that, for a moment, she was expecting another world to be on the other side of that door, but breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the street.
"Just gotta grab my boots." She said, as she darted up the stairs, barefooted.
The young woman sat down on her makeshift bed and slipped on her footwear. The letter was still there but she was hesitant to take it with her. It was raining so much and Ama worried it would get wet, so she tucked it beneath the ratty mattress. No one was going to care enough to look under there, it should be safe enough.
The blue-haired demoness threw her cloak about her shoulders and ran down the stairs, her boots making an audible clomp-clomp with each step she took.
Vandal was still waiting for her, holding the door open like the gentleman he was. Ama smiled, a cheeky smile, as she reached for her friend's hand.