Blurred Lines A continuing story of Monsters "WoulD SssSsomEBody pllLeeEASsssee essxPlAIInn tooOo mee JUst wHAt hAaaAppenEd?" The voice grated annoyingly in the air and in the ears of the collected group of individuals seated at the conference desk. Each one a different species and sex but all with some similarities. They all wore the same suit, they were all demons of some sort and therefore were powerful in their own right, they also all looked uncomfortable as the last similarity they held was that the creature sitting at the head of the table was their boss. To look at the greater demon would make a lesser creature lose their mind as the thing looked like an amalgamation of white noise you would see on a television as you tried to tune into a station and a mass of discarded pencil scribblings, all poured into a dark business suit. And it was far from happy at the current turn of events. "NnooboDY?" It hissed and made a sound like teeth grinding. It waited patiently "looking" from face to face lowered face of the senior administration. Once the demon species enjoyed tricking the lesser creatures into giving up their souls for fleeting power and the more souls a demon could get their claws upon the more powerful they became. But this meant the demons would fight amongst themselves in order to defeat rivals and claim their power. Soon epic battles were fought over mere pittances of power as the demons flourished in battle but eventually they became bored with the fighting and the killing and due to their dwindling numbers they looked for alternatives. It was in their fascination with the mortals that they found an answer. Corporations. Now they wheel and deal for small portions of souls, seeking power to turn their businesses into powerful mega-corporations in order to show off their magnificence to their rivals and should things come to blows then the greatest of battles are fought out in the courts as lawsuits have become the ultimate chess game with the prize being the take down of high ranking demons and their power base. It was a system where anyone rarely got killed...rarely. "SssOoo thE EntIre maNAgEmenT of ThiS BUssiNeSS cANnot TeLL me WhYyy oNe oF my BEsT EmmplOyEEsss haS GOnE miSSiNg..." "Five oh Great One." Everyone at the table turned as one towards the calm voice that dared to interrupt to see a young white rabbit just lurking inside the shadows at the edge of the room. She wore a suit like all the others and would've looked out of place with her cute, pristine look if it wasn't for the rams horns growing out of the sides of her head. "Elysel!" One of the managers hissed as the bunny stepped forward holding a clipboard which she looked over with red eyes. She ignored the man and continued on her path towards the Chief Executive knowing she had just interrupted a being who could do far worse than anything the lower officer could do. "FIIIIVE?" The anger that radiated from the head of the table was enough to see the form of the greater demon nearly burst the suit it wore. Several buttons popped from the creatures jacket as it leaned forward in its chair. "AND WHO BE YOU TO APPROACH WITH SUCH KNOWLEDGE?" "Sh-she's just one of y-your workers from p-personel Chief Executive." A bear demon stammered, the man who tried to hush Elysel when she appeared. "She really shouldn't be here." The last statement was directed at the rabbit but the woman still ignored him in favour of addressing the creature in charge. "My name is Elysel oh Great One." The rabbit bowed respectfully. "I work in your personnel department and I have been trying to stay on top of these missing workers or at least I have tried to." She shot a nasty look in the direction of the bear seated at the table, the demons either side of him seem to edge away a little. "AnnD yoU saAY "TRyiNg". TheeRe Are prOblEms?" The greater demon asked as it toyed with something that looked like a pen on the table before it. "Yes Chief Executive. Information has been suppressed and it appears notifications to your office have been...misdirected." The bunny looked over her clipboard before setting it in from of her boss. Despite her confident appearance, Elysel's heart pounded in her chest as she stood so close to a being of great power, her first time seeing her boss ever. Normally her nerves would show in some timid display but considering what was at stake she knew she couldn't show any signs of weakness. "Look, this is a matter for security." The lonely looking man took a deep breath in an effort to take control of the situation. "They will find these rogue workers and deal with-" He was suddenly cut off by an angry outburst from the rabbit. "MY SISTER IS NOT A ROGUE WORKER YOU JACKASS!" Elysel growled slamming her hands on the table and turning on the bear, her tail quivering in anger. "She is far more loyal to this company than you have even been." Silence hung in the air for a moment before a low, grinding cackle came from the Chief Executives mouth. "My apologies Great One." The white bunny closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As the woman composed herself the powerful demon flicked the thing it had been toying with and the claw shaped object flew up and embedded itself in Elysel's chest. The woman's eyes going wide and she screeched loudly and fell forward onto the desk, a pair of tendrils with small paw-like pads dropping from under her jacket behind her as she writhed in pain. The assembled lesser demons shifted uncomfortably with several looking towards the nervous bear creature as he knew the worst had happened. The Chief Executive slowly rose to its feet as the residual energy of its "gift" crackled over the bunny's trembling form, it noticed her had shifted colour from white to a raven red. "I dID NOt reAliZe yOuR herItage." It said reaching out and carefully lifting the tendrils that had become exposed. Elysel shivered as they receded back under her jacket as the power from the claw coursed through her body. "BuT I do fEEl iT shaLl hElp yOu in yOuR nEw poSItiOn." Panting deeply the demon rabbit pushed herself upright and fumbled with her jacket to cover the hole in her blouse where the greater demons item had pierced her. The only mark able to be seen was a small black scar between her bosoms before it was hidden. "I...th-thank...you." Her head still spun as she tried to adjust. "TakE YuOR tiMe mY DEar." The Executive placed a hand on her shoulder. "YOu Are to fInD oUr mIISSssinG cOlLeaGuES By Any meAns yOu SsSee fiT." The words filtered through Elysel's mind and her red, fire filled eyes locked firmly on the man she had just superseded. "It will be my pleasure." She whispered with a sly smile on her lips. "Oh, And congRATulAtionS oN yOUr pRomOtioN." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Kelly Weaver sat on a park bench struggling to read through an open newspaper that threatened to swamp the petite mouse. Her pink tongue poking out a little in concentration as she harrumphed and regained control of the rampant pages. "Are you alone little girl?" She heard a man ask and after a moment she lowered the paper to see a middle aged cougar in a suit carrying a brief-case looking at her. Kelly brushed her blonde hair away from her big rimmed glasses and shook her head. "I am not interested thanks mister." She went back to reading her paper, the man gave a nervous laugh. "What do you mean sweetheart?" The cougar leaned over towards the teenager. "I just asked if-" "I know what you asked." The white mouse interrupted, not looking up at all. "Does your wife know you "hit" on little girls?" The businessman choked a bit in surprise. "What about your kids? Think they would be proud of their dad if they knew?" "Now see here." The man snarled and quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed the scene playing out. "I don't have to take that from you." "Why don't you go home before you regret it." The cougar heard a man's voice and though he couldn't see its owner the tone sent shivers of fear along his spine. "I...I should go." He whispered and began to ease away from the mouse sitting on the bench. "Maybe you need to be more caring for your family as well." The voice added as the man scurried away, thinking about buying flowers for his wife as he went. Kelly perked up when she heard the dread filled words float in the air, the mouse expertly folding her paper and turning to look at the big red tiger who now sat next to her. "Hallo Mr Tiger." She said brightly, her hazel eyes full of admiration. Giving a soft sigh the No-one looked down at the girl. "Hello Kelly, I need to ask you something." The mouse folded her arms and puffed her cheeks. "Not until you ask properly." The big feline looked around before giving her a flat look. "Alright." He cleared his throat. "Little Squeaker, may I ask you something?" Grinning brightly the white mouse hopped off the bench and handed the paper to him. "You should read the news more often." Frowning the No-one took the paper but before he could look at it or say anything Kelly launched herself at him and hugged him fiercely. "And say hello to your sister for me." Breaking the hug the mouse kissed his cheek and skipped off, leaving the tiger to look at the paper. "I don't have a sister." He mumbled before catching sight of the headlines. "Several Killed in Satanic Killing". "Thanks little Squeaker." The feline said quietly, looking up to notice Kelly had gone. He shoved the paper into his coat pocket and set off. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Characters (C) Jaffah, story (C) Jaffah 2016 -----------------------------------------------------------------------