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Jewelry Duty

Summary:

Kaz is tasked with carrying out an important inspection on a piece of jewelry as well as on all the displays in the jewelry store to ensure that no demonic threats are present during the sale of a very luxurious necklace. Kaz is even asked to remain on duty during the transaction.

Everything seems to be going well until a cloaked figure attacks and causes the client to become possessed by a demon. Kaz must exorcise the demon and then track down the mystery assailant to find out just what they're plotting.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

            Kaz Kaan was sitting in a café and sipping an espresso. Aunt Agatha had told the magistocrat to meet her there as she had a job assignment for him.

            “Ah, good. You’re here. Let’s get down to business,” Agatha said as she walked over to Kaz’s table. The pink-haired woman removed her sunglasses and then took a seat.

            Kaz placed his cup down onto the saucer. “So, what’s the assignment?” he asked.

            “Berkowitz Jewelers has just imported a very important and very expensive piece of jewelry for a client and they want you to carry out a thorough inspection on the item, as well as a full sweep of their store to ensure that no demonic entity is present. That area of the city has been seeing an increase in demonic activity and they want to make sure the sale is completed without any problems,” Aunt Agatha explained. She then ordered an herbal tea from the waiter who came to take her order.

            “Aunt Agatha, you can count on me,” Kaz stated with a hand on his chest.

            “Wonderful. The sale is tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. and they want the entire store clear by then,” Agatha explained.

            Kaz knew that, if he was going to be visiting such a high-end establishment, he needed to look his best. Therefore, a trip to Bergdorf’s was in order so that the magistocrat could get himself a new suit.

 

            The next day, Kaz arrived at the Berkowitz jewelry store a few hours before the sale was to happen. Both the magistocrat and his mecha-butler gazed up at the tall building.

            “I must say, sir, being tasked with overseeing the safety of this entire building against demonic beings shows just how skilled and professional you are with your work,” Charles stated.

            Kaz smoothed out the jacket of his new indigo-coloured suit and adjusted his matching necktie. “Of course! They wouldn’t give such an important task to some amateur,” the magistocrat replied with a cocky smirk before entering the building. Charles remained outside to charge up as the mecha-butler was far too large and bulky for the establishment and its numerous glass displays containing expensive jewelry.

            “Oh, Kaz Kaan! Thank you so much for coming!” a slightly pudgy and older-looking man stated as he walked over to the magistocrat. The man was sporting a grey suit and a small, round pair of glasses.

            “Ah, you must be the manager,” Kaz replied.

            “Yes, I am. My name is Zachary Goldman and I will be the one overseeing this afternoon’s important sale,” the man said as he shook Kaz’s hand. He then escorted Kaz to the private secure area where the most luxurious of the store’s pieces were kept locked away in safes. Mr. Goldman had a staff member bring out the piece in question which was a platinum necklace with large sapphire jewels. It looked incredibly expensive and was definitely a prime target for demonic entities. Kaz carefully looked over the piece and admired its beauty and elegance. He then held his hands over the necklace and closed his eyes as he meticulously scanned the piece for the presence of any demonic energy.

            “This necklace is completely safe and demon free,” Kaz declared as he reopened his eyes and placed his hands back at his sides.

            “Oh, thank goodness. That is one worry now out of the way,” Mr. Goldman sighed in relief as he wiped his balding head with a handkerchief. He then turned to the magistocrat. “Now, if you would follow me, Mr. Kaan. I’m going to need you to scan all the jewelry displays we have in this store,” Mr. Goldman stated, “It will take a while, but this needs to be done to ensure that everything is absolutely secure for the sale.”

            Kaz nodded. “Whatever needs to be done in order for the sale to be a success, that is what I am here to do,” he stated. This was the reason why Aunt Agatha was charging by the hour for the job.

            The manager escorted Kaz around the entire store where the magistocrat was able to get a good look at the vast collection on display. Kaz saw his fair share or ruby rings, emerald necklaces, opal brooches, and jade earrings, as well as many other beautiful and elegant pieces.

            When he performed a scan on a display case, Kaz placed his hand on the glass frame and filled the entire area inside with exorcist energy. The magistocrat did this with every single display on every floor of the building. Although Kaz didn’t have to expend a whole lot of energy to scan every single display case in the entire store, he did find himself yawning a few times by the end.

            “That is the last of them, Mr. Goldman. Everything is safe and secure for the sale,” Kaz stated as soon as he finished scanning the very last display case.

            “Oh, wonderful!” Mr. Goldman exclaimed as he folded his hands together with joy. One could tell that a great deal of worry was lifted off the manager’s shoulders. “Um, if you wouldn’t mind, Mr. Kaan, I would like to keep you around until the sale is complete, just to be safe,” the manager then added.

            “If it will help you feel safer, I am more than happy to be of assistance,” Kaz stated with a hand placed on his chest. He knew Aunt Agatha would enjoy adding that as an additional charge for their services.

            “Thank you. Thank you so much. Although they are of great importance to our store and help cement our top-notch reputation, I always find these important transactions to be so stressful,” Mr. Goldman stated as he gave his balding brow another wipe with his handkerchief.

            “But I’m sure it must feel great when a customer is satisfied with their new luxury purchase,” Kaz stated as he walked alongside the store manager.

            “Indeed, it does. But, up until that point, I feel no relief,” Mr. Goldman sighed.

            Kaz could somewhat relate. He knew just how high maintenance many of Neo Yokio’s rich elite could be. Even when Kaz was successful in his magistocratic duties, sometimes a client wasn’t satisfied with the result if it didn’t perfectly match their expectations.

            The two gentlemen entered an elevator and made their way back to the main floor where the purchase of the platinum necklace would be taking place very soon. Kaz stood alongside the security guards as he was acting as security against any possible demonic activity.

            Two o’clock eventually rolled around and a very long stretch limousine parked right outside the front of the store. The chauffeur got out and walked around to open the door for his employer. A moment later, a very rotund woman dressed in a long, azure-blue dress and a white fur coat made her way into the store. The woman’s face was absolutely loaded with makeup and her hair was tied up tightly into a bun.

            “That’s her,” Mr. Goldman stated and nodded to his staff to go fetch the platinum necklace. The manager then went to greet his customer.

            “Ah, Mrs. Richmond. What a pleasure it is to have you gracing our quaint little store once again,” Zachary Goldman stated as he took the woman’s hand (which was sporting many different types of jeweled rings) and gave it a kiss.

            “Oh, Mr. Goldman. Always with the flattery. You sure do know how to treat a lady,” the woman spoke with a laugh, “Now, let’s get down to business. I cannot wait to see my new necklace.”

            Mr. Goldman quickly escorted his customer over to the counter where the necklace sat on display in its little glass case. As soon as the customer saw the necklace, her eyes lit up and she clutched her face with ecstatic glee.

            “It’s so beautiful,” Mrs. Richmond said, her voice squeaking in awe of the jewelry presented before her. A staff member then lifted the glass case off the platinum and sapphire necklace.

            “It has been carefully scanned and checked for a demonic presence, correct?” Mrs. Richmond asked, turning to look at the store manager.

            “Of course! We always make sure that our products are safe and secure for our clients. We even have our protector against demonic threats here with us right now,” Mr. Goldman stated and then gestured toward the magistocrat.

            “Kaz Kaan, magistocratic exorcist at your service,” Kaz stated with a hand on his chest as he gave Mrs. Richmond a gentlemanly bow.

            “Oh, fantastic! It is so wonderful to have people like you here to keep us safe from those evil spirits,” Mrs. Richmond said, then turned to look at Mr. Goldman once more. “One can never be too careful, especially during these times,” she stated.

            “Indeed, which is why we made sure to take every measure possible to ensure the safe and smooth sale of this necklace to you,” Mr. Goldman replied. The store manager kept a brave face, but immediately wiped his brow once his customer turned her gaze back to the necklace.

            “May I try it on?” Mrs. Richmond then asked.

            “Of course,” Mr. Goldman replied, then nodded to one of the other staff members. The staff member carefully lifted the platinum and sapphire necklace off its stand, then placed it around Mrs. Richmond’s neck and fastened it. Another staff member held up a mirror so that the customer could see how the necklace looked on her person.

            “I love, love, LOVE it!” Mrs. Richmond declared ecstatically as she gazed at her reflection with the necklace.

            “Wonderful. Then let us complete the transaction,” Mr. Goldman said as he clasped his hands together and heaved a sigh of relief. Kaz just watched with a smile as the purchase of the necklace was completed without any problem arising. The magistocrat was happy to see everything running smoothly with no hiccups. He would soon be able to call it a day.

            “Excuse me, sir or madam! This is a closed off area! You are not allowed t-ARRGHH!!” came a voice.

            “What the devil is that?!” stated Mrs. Richmond as she turned in the direction of the voice.

            Suddenly, a woman wearing a black cloak stormed into the area. The security guards immediately tried to seize her, but she quickly dodged or leapt over them and took them out with a few swift strikes and kicks.

            “What is happening here?!” Mr. Goldman exclaimed in horror as he watched the event unfold.

            The cloaked woman ran up to Mrs. Richmond and swiftly slid a bracelet onto her wrist. “What the hell is this ugly thing?” Mrs. Richmond said with revulsion as she looked at the bracelet. It completely clashed with the rest of her jewelry.

            The bracelet started glowing and Mrs. Richmond was immediately consumed by a purple energy. The rotund woman began floating as a demonic aura emanated from her being. Seeing that the task was complete, the individual in the black cloak began making a break for the exit.

            “Hey, you! Stop!” Kaz shouted as he tried to halt the cloaked woman, but a roundhouse kick sent the magistocrat stumbling back onto a display case. The cloaked woman then fled out the door.

            Kaz groaned as he pulled himself off the display case. He had to go chase down that cloaked individual. It was obvious that the person was engaged with demons and, as a magistocrat and exorcist, Kaz had a duty to stamp out any demonic activity in the city.

            “Mr. Kaan!! HELP!!!” cried Mr. Goldman as he cowered behind the service counter. The now-possessed Mrs. Richmond was firing off bursts of demonic energy in all directions.

            “Ah, shit!” Kaz cursed. The cloaked individual was still getting away, but first he had to deal with the immediate threat in the jewelry store.

            Kaz tried to approach the possessed woman, but a blast of demonic energy was fired in the magistocrat’s direction and he had to use his powers to create a shield as the force pushed him back. Kaz quickly ducked behind the service counter and crawled his way to the other side. He saw the store workers all cowering in fear. Mr. Goldman seemed to be freaking out the most out of all of them.

            “Come out and play, you little worm,” the deep voice of the demon spoke to Kaz through Mrs. Richmond’s mouth. The magistocrat kept himself crouched behind the service counter while he powered up an attack.

            “I’m right here!” Kaz shouted before firing a large blast of exorcist energy at the demon. The demonic energy instantly vanished and Mrs. Richmond dropped to the floor.

            “Ah! Don’t hurt the client!” Mr. Goldman exclaimed as Kaz ran over and placed his hands over the demonic bracelet on Mrs. Richmond’s wrist. The magistocrat focused all his power into the bracelet and filled it with exorcist energy until it shattered.

            Kaz stood up to catch his breath. However, he couldn’t stay idle for too long. That cloaked individual was still getting away. “Call an ambulance for her! I need to track down whoever that mystery person is!” Kaz shouted to Mr. Goldman as he ran out the door. He then saw Charles standing there.

            “Charles! Did you see in which direction that cloaked person went?” Kaz asked his mecha-butler.

            “Yes, I witnessed the individual hop onto a motorcycle and take off due east,” Charles stated, “I take it something serious went down inside the jewelry store.”

            “Indeed, it did, Charles. Quick, we need to catch up with that motorcycle!” Kaz stated in a hurried manner. He then hopped on the back of his mecha-butler and Charles flew in the direction the motorcycle went.

            While flying above the road, Kaz was sure he spotted the cloaked figure on the motorcycle. “We need to catch up!” he said to Charles.

            “Sir, are you sure you’ll be able to handle the resulting force from the increased speed?” Charles replied with concern.

            “It doesn’t matter! Just do it!” Kaz ordered. If he didn’t deal with this individual, not only would the magistocrat’s job be on the line, but also his social reputation.

            Charles boosted his speed and Kaz firmly gripped the back of his mecha-butler as he strained against the gravitational force pushing against him. The mecha-butler continued to follow the motorcycle as it weaved between cars and went into the tunnels. Kaz would chase the cloaked figure all over Neo Yokio if he had to.

            Eventually, the motorcycle pulled into a small side street and the cloaked woman hopped off. She then darted into an alleyway. Charles landed next to the motorcycle and Kaz hopped off. The alleyway was too small for the mecha-butler to fit.

            “Looks like I’ll have to go in there by myself,” Kaz commented.

            “Sir, are you sure you’ll be alright? Who knows what is in there?” Charles stated.

            “Charles, I can’t let that person get away! It’s my duty as a magistocrat to ensure that this city is safeguarded from any demonic threat. If that person is associated with demons, then I am obligated to stop whatever they have planned,” Kaz stated.

            “Understood, sir. Just make sure you don’t get in over your head. If you find yourself in any danger, get back here as soon as you can. I do have a defense system if needed,” Charles stated.

            “Don’t worry, Charles. I just want to know where this person is going,” Kaz stated before making his way into the small alleyway.

            The magistocrat carefully maneuvered himself around corners and ducked out of sight if he thought someone might have spotted him. Kaz slowly opened any unlocked door and carefully peeked inside for any sign of the cloaked person or any demonic activity. After closing one of those doors, Kaz turned his head to see the cloaked woman running straight toward him with a knife in hand. The magistocrat had just enough time to create an energy shield to block the knife as the cloaked woman attempted to stab him.

            “Who the hell are you?!” Kaz exclaimed while fending off his assailant.

            “Your executioner!” the cloaked woman shouted while repeatedly attempting to stab the magistocrat. Kaz managed to block all her knife attacks with his energy shield. The cloaked woman then attempted a roundhouse kick that Kaz also blocked. However, that kick seemed to be just a distraction as the cloaked woman then jabbed her knife toward Kaz’s chest. The magistocrat managed to dodge just in time with the knife only slicing a button off his jacket.

            “Hey! This is a new suit!” Kaz griped. He didn’t want yet another outfit becoming a casualty.

            “Die, elitist scum!!” the cloaked woman shouted and began wildly slashing at the magistocrat. Kaz fired bursts of exorcist energy at the woman to try and knock her back, but she was extremely agile and managed to evade all of them. Kaz narrowly dodged another knife stab and grabbed a hold of the black cloak.

            “Time to find out just who you are!” Kaz exclaimed as he yanked the black cloak off his assailant. Once he got a good look at the person, the magistocrat was taken aback. “Wait a minute. I recognize you,” Kaz said with a bit of disbelief.

            Standing there with a knife in her hand was one of the Helenists. The three girls had been missing since the night where they kidnapped Kaz and tried to sacrifice him to the demons. Now, one of those girls was right there in front of the magistocrat. However, she was not dressed in a hospital gown to emulate Helena like the last time Kaz had seen her. This time, she was wearing a black full-body leotard with red markings that Kaz recognized as demonic.

            “Where have you and those other girls been this whole time and what’s with the getup? Why are you doing this?” Kaz asked. He had numerous questions but doubted he would get many answers.

            “Why am I doing this? To serve my queen, of course! She sought to bring down the elitist system of this city and was driven out! Now, we intend to finish what she started. She continues to motivate everything we do,” the Helenist replied. She seemed to get teary-eyed while thinking about her hero, Helena St. Tessero.

            “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Not this nonsense again,” Kaz moaned as he ran a hand down the side of his face.

            “Silence, you herb!” the Helenist shouted while pointing her knife at Kaz. She then began twirling the knife on her finger as she continued to speak. “As for where we’ve been, well, let’s just say we found some people who were willing to help us and give us some ‘otherworldly enhancements’ as well as training to aid us in our goal,” the Helenist said with a smirk on her face.

            “Helena would never stoop to working with demons!” Kaz exclaimed in anger.

            “Are you sure about that?” the Helenist replied, “And if so, then she simply lacked the forethought and that’s how you people were able to get rid of her. However, you won’t have such luck with us. We will see our goal through to its fruition!”

            “Not while I’m around you won’t!” Kaz growled through gritted teeth and began charging up an energy blast.

            The Helenist grinned as she grabbed her knife by the handle. “Exactly. Which is why you need to be taken out,” she said.

            Kaz fired his large energy blast at the Helenist, but she nimbly jumped out of the way before hopping between building walls and landing right near Kaz, knife at the ready. The magistocrat quickly grabbed the Helenist by the wrists and struggled to hold her back from stabbing him. Kaz eventually managed to push his assailant away and then tried to make a break for it, but the Helenist seized Kaz by his suit jacket and raised her knife to plunge it into the magistocrat’s body. Kaz quickly pulled himself out of his suit jacket just as the knife came down, making a huge slice into the piece of apparel. Kaz quickly turned around and made a pained noise as he saw the huge cut in the jacket. The Helenist decided to slice up the suit jacket some more, just for good measure.

            “And that is what I’m going to do to you next,” she said as she tossed the mutilated suit jacket to the side.

            The furious magistocrat lobbied more energy blasts at his assailant but, once more, she easily dodged and weaved around them all. A sweeping kick knocked Kaz onto his back and soon the Helenist was standing right over him with her knife held in both hands above her head. The assailant sported an almost psychotic smile on her face.

            “Now, it’s time for you to di-EEEAUUGGHHH!!” said the Helenist as she suddenly seized up and screamed in pain before collapsing onto the ground next to Kaz. The magistocrat looked over at the twitching Helenist before turning his head to see Sadie standing there holding a pronged taser.

            “You were taking quite a while and I saw some energy blasts fly in my direction, so I figured you needed some help,” Sadie stated.

            Kaz chuckled as he sat up. “Yes, I suppose I did. You came just in the nick of time,” he said. Kaz couldn’t help but laugh a little at the fact that he had to be saved by the pilot of his mecha-butler. However, he was very thankful that Sadie had shown up when she did. Had she not, Kaz might have been one carved up magistocrat.

            “Looks like we’re going to have to call the police,” Kaz said as he got up and dusted off his dress shirt, annoyed that it was no longer pristine.

            “Already done. They should be on their way now,” Sadie stated while the magistocrat adjusted his necktie.

            “Y-y-you bastards!” said the Helenist as she slowly picked herself up, “You think you can stop us? Soon we will-AUUGGHH!!” The Helenist then began convulsing on the ground.

            “Shut up and stay down!” Sadie bellowed, having given the Helenist another zap to keep her in place.

            Kaz heard police sirens arriving nearby. In a moment, officers would be there to arrest the Helenist and get a report from Kaz. The magistocrat looked over to see his sliced-up suit jacket. He sighed as he picked up the remains of a once elegant and classy piece of apparel. “Better it than me, I guess,” he stated.

            Once everything was over and the Helenist was taken into custody, Kaz and Sadie walked back to where Charles had been left.

            “I’ll take you back to the Berkowitz jewelry store so that you can check on the situation there,” Sadie said.

            “Yes, I definitely need to see if Mrs. Richmond has recovered from her possession,” Kaz said, “As well as make sure that Mr. Goldman hasn’t had a mental breakdown.” The magistocrat then looked down at his mutilated suit jacket. “But first, I’m going to need to make a stop at Bergdorf’s,” he stated.

            Sadie chucked. “Of course. Then I shall take you there first,” she said as she hopped into the torso of the mecha-butler.

 

            Kaz walked into Bergdorf’s with his sliced-up suit jacket in hand.

            “Oh, Mr. Kaan. Welcome back to our store. How may I…help…y-” spoke Herbert the salesclerk before his eyes gazed upon the ruined jacket. “OH, DEAR HEAVENS!!! WHAT IS THAT?!!!!”  the salesclerk screamed in horror.

            Kaz sighed as he held up what remained of the piece of apparel. “I had a little incident earlier involving my jacket. I’m going to need a replacement for it,” the magistocrat stated.

            Herbert steadied himself as he clutched the side of his head. The sight of the ruined suit jacket had momentarily overwhelmed him. However, the salesclerk quickly shook off the feeling. He had a job to do and a customer to satisfy. “Of course, Mr. Kaan. I shall find a new one for you right away,” Herbert said and took the ruined one off the magistocrat’s hands to dispose of it. It pained the salesclerk to see good, classy apparel be completely ruined.

            A short time later, Kaz exited Bergdorf’s wearing a brand-new indigo-coloured suit jacket that perfectly matched his old one (pre-mutilation). Now that he was once again fully presentable, the magistocrat hopped onto his mecha-butler and took off for Berkowitz.

 

            Kaz quickly made his way into the jewelry store and headed straight for the area where the sale had taken place and where Mrs. Richmond had been possessed by the demonic bracelet. A few police officers were just leaving the area and the magistocrat spotted Zachary Goldman standing next to the sales counter. As soon as the store manager saw Kaz, he ran right over to the pink-haired gentleman.

            “Oh, Mr. Kaan! I am so glad to see you safe. I have just been at wit’s end ever since that assailant attacked our poor client. I’m not used to all this hullabaloo,” Mr. Goldman stated as he wiped his balding brow with his handkerchief once again. Kaz saw that Mr. Goldman’s handkerchief was now completely soaked and that his suit was full of sweat stains. The guy really was in a tizzy.

            “Well, then let me bring you some good news. The assailant has been caught and is now in police custody. You don’t need to worry about any more attacks on your clients,” Kaz stated with a smile. He knew there were still two more Helenists out there somewhere, but the magistocrat didn’t want the store manager to fret about it. The guy was already enough of a wreck. Besides, if there was any more demon-related trouble, Kaz would make sure to take care of it.

            “Oh, wonderful! Wonderful! It’s good to know that my staff can rest easy for the moment,” Mr. Goldman sighed happily.

            “So, what happened with Mrs. Richmond?” Kaz then asked, wanting to make sure the woman was alright.

            “Oh, well I called for an ambulance like you said to do. Paramedics quickly came and checked her over before escorting her to her limousine to take her home. They said Mrs. Richmond needed to have a good rest after being possessed,” Mr. Goldman explained.

            “Well, that’s good to hear. I’m glad nothing terrible happened to her,” Kaz said with a smile. Aside from his original suit jacket getting ruined, everything seemed to have turned out well for the magistocrat. That’s when Kaz received a call on his cell phone from Aunt Agatha. Uh oh. Did something happen?

            The magistocrat quickly answered his phone. “Hello, Aunt Agatha. Is there something going down?” Kaz asked.

            “Ha, ha. No, everything is fine. I just finished speaking to the Richmond family who informed me that you stopped a demonic possession happening to Mrs. Richmond at the jewelry store. They wanted to say just how grateful they are for your heroic work and they even offered us a reward as a thank you, which of course I happily accepted,” Agatha explained.

            Kaz rolled his eyes. Of course, his aunt would do that.

            “I was also asked to tell you to wait at the Berkowitz jewelry store as Mrs. Richmond wanted to go there in person to personally thank you for saving her,” Agatha continued.

            “Ah, I see. Well, I shall do that then,” Kaz stated. At least he could browse the jewelry that was on display and maybe make a purchase while he waited.

            “Is everything alright?” Mr. Goldman asked after Kaz hung up.

            “Huh? Oh, yes, everything is fine. Mrs. Richmond just wanted to come back here to thank me in person,” the magistocrat explained.

            “Ah, that’s great to hear,” Mr. Goldman said. He then looked at his sweat-stained outfit. “Oh no! I can’t be seen like this. I’ll go hide in the back while you meet with Mrs. Richmond,” the store manager stated.

            Kaz tapped an index finger on his chin as he thought of something. “Actually, I have a better idea. Come with me,” he said and escorted Mr. Goldman out to where Charles was waiting.

            “Huh? What are you doing, Mr. Kaan?” the store manager asked.

            “Charles, Mr. Goldman here needs a new suit pronto. I’d like you to take him to Bergdorf’s so that he can get himself one,” the magistocrat said.

            “Of course, sir,” Charles replied and turned around so that Mr. Goldman could climb on the mecha-butler’s back.

            “Huh? Wait, how do I-OOP!” Mr. Goldman asked before finding himself getting pushed up onto the mecha-butler’s back by the magistocrat.

            “Here, Charles will take you to pick out a nice new suit for when Mrs. Richmond arrives. He’ll make sure you’ll get there and back in no time,” Kaz stated.

            “Er, am I supposed to ride on the back of this thing?” Mr. Goldman asked.

            “Yes. Just make sure you hang on tight,” the magistocrat replied.

            “Why? Is it going to-EEEYAAAAHHHH!!!!” Mr. Goldman exclaimed as the mecha-butler took off in the direction of Bergdorf’s.

            Kaz watched as Charles flew off to the department store with the Berkowitz store manager on his back. The magistocrat always found amusement in observing people who weren’t used to riding a mecha-butler.

 

            A little while later, Kaz was waiting in the area with the service counter for Mrs. Richmond to arrive. Zachary Goldman stood behind the counter in his new mahogany-coloured suit and tie. Soon, a very long limousine pulled up to the store and, a moment later, the jewelry-loving woman had once again entered the establishment. This time, a younger and slimmer woman was by her side.

            “Ah, wonderful! There you are! Kaz Kaan, I wanted to see you and thank you personally for saving me,” Mrs. Richmond said with a big smile on her face.

            “Thank you very much, Mrs. Richmond. It is my duty to ensure the safety of the citizens of this city from demonic entities and I perform my duties with dedication and pride,” Kaz replied with his hand on his chest as he gave Mrs. Richmond another gentlemanly bow.

            “Oh, forget the formalities! Let me show you my appreciation. Come here!” Mrs. Richmond said and gave Kaz a super strong hug.

            “HNNNGGGGRRRKKK!!” the magistocrat grunted in pain through gritted teeth as the woman squeezed him tightly against her body. Kaz was sure he could feel joints being dislocated. Mrs. Richmond had a very strong grip.

            “Ah, please excuse my mother, Kaz. She can be very affectionate,” the younger woman stated in an apologetic manner.

            “I just want to make sure he knows just how thankful I am that he was there to save me from that terrible ruffian and that ugly demonic bracelet,” Mrs. Richmond stated after letting go of the magistocrat. “And besides,’ she then added while patting Kaz on the chest, “He’s a big, strong man. A simple hug won’t do him any harm.”

            Kaz just awkwardly laughed off Mrs. Richmond’s statement as he rolled his shoulders around to make sure they were still in place.

            “Oh, this is my daughter, Valerie. I believe the two of you have met before. She decided to come along when I said wanted to thank you in person,” Mrs. Richardson said as she gestured toward the other woman.

            “Oh, yes. I remember chatting with you during the charity ball at the Kaiser Country Club,” Kaz stated as he looked at Valerie.

            “You also came to the rescue when a demon possessed a stone sculpture at my cousin’s birthday party,” Valerie replied.

            “Oh, that was your cousin? Heh, small world,” Kaz said.

            “Well, it’s wonderful to know that we can rely on you to help keep our family safe. We’ll make sure to call on you if any more trouble with demons arises, though let’s hope that won’t be the case,” Mrs. Richmond said as she clasped her hands together. She then turned to her daughter. “We should probably get going and let these people get back to whatever they were doing. I’m sure they have plenty of jewelry to sell and Mr. Kaan has more demons to slay,” she stated.

            “Yes, we should get going then,” Valerie said to her mother. She then looked at Kaz once again. “Will I be seeing you at Freddie Miles’ party this weekend?” she asked.

            “Heh, of course! Wouldn’t miss it,” Kaz replied with a grin.

            “Well, I will see you then. Bye, Kaz!” Valerie said and returned to the limousine with her mother.

            “Well, Mr. Kaan, I’d say you’ve had a very successful day,” Mr. Goldman said to the magistocrat.

            “I would have to agree with that assessment,” Kaz replied. He had successfully stopped a demon attack and had someone affiliated with a demonic organization put away. This was definitely going to be a huge boost to his social reputation. Plus, Valerie looked like she had a bit of an interest in the magistocrat. Kaz would make sure to wear his best silk dress shirt for the upcoming party.

 

            A short while later, Kaz and Charles entered the magistocrat’s penthouse apartment. Kaz took off his shoes and then let out a huge yawn. It had been a very long day.

            Aunt Agatha was out celebrating their success. The Kaans had received their payment from the jewelry store (which included the numerous additional charges that Agatha had added due to the demonic attack), as well as their reward from the Richmond family for Kaz exorcizing the demon from Mrs. Richmond. In addition, the police had also given a reward for the capture of the Helenist. Aunt Agatha was certainly a very happy woman at that moment.

            Kaz, however, was in no mood for celebration. He was feeling very fatigued from all the events that had happened that day and just wanted to kick back in his apartment and relax. “Charles, please go run me a warm bath,” the magistocrat ordered his mecha-butler.

            “I shall do that immediately, sir,” Charles stated as he set down a shopping bag on a table and went to prepare the bath.

            Kaz picked up the shopping bag and took it with him into the living room. The magistocrat sat down on the sofa and placed the bag on the coffee table, then proceeded to take out all the small boxes from the bag and placed those on the coffee table as well. Kaz had purchased several pairs of jeweled cufflinks from Berkowitz Jewelers and he wanted to take a look at them and admire their beauty. The magistocrat let out another big yawn. “All in a day’s work,” he said to himself.

            Several minutes later, Charles returned to find the magistocrat. “Sir, your bath is ready,” the mecha-butler announced. He then spotted Kaz fast asleep on the sofa. Charles pulled a blanket up over the magistocrat and left him alone to have a snooze. The torso of the mecha-butler opened up and Sadie hopped out.

            “Well, no sense in letting a nice warm bath go to waste,” she said. As she passed by the sofa, Sadie turned to look at the sleeping magistocrat. “Have a good rest, Kazzy dear. You’ve earned it,” she said softly. The mecha-butler pilot then merrily made her way down to the magistocrat’s bathroom while Kaz dreamed elegant and fashionable dreams.

Notes:

I started writing this piece for a Flash Fiction Month challenge that involved naming five gemstones (which is why this piece involves jewelry and takes place in a jewelry store) and also mentioned a tentacle somewhere. I figured that the demons create tentacles with their demonic energy, so it would fit the theme challenge. However, I soon realized that this piece wasn't going to fit under 1000 words and I didn't want to make another multiparter, so I went with another story idea for the challenge (which became my work The Magic Potion).

The bracelet that gets put on Mrs. Richmond and possesses her is a callback to my work The Silk Shirt.

When I first started writing it, I had the idea for the cloaked woman who was associated with demons. However, I wasn't quite sure who the cloaked woman should be. I was thinking maybe a disgruntled former employee of the store or maybe someone with a vendetta against Mrs. Richmond. However, while writing this piece, I thought about the characters of the Helenists and I remembered they disappeared without a trace after the episode taking place at Easton. In my head I thought what if they decided to team up with some demon sympathizer group to carry out Helena's wishes as they remained incredibly devoted to her.