As the crowd's attention focused on Robert, who shifted nervously on her hooves, a hulking figure in the back set down the book he was reading, making sure to save the place, and a deep, eloquent voice rumbled up from the shadowy booth.
"The fine woman is right, you know."The assembled meeting of devils turned their attention towards the speaker. Getting up out of the booth was a mountain of a demon, with scaly skin that was black to brownish green, glowing red irises and massive dragon-like wings. His appearance seemed to scream "final boss". What was most unusual about him though, was the fine suit he wore that seemed tailored fit his massive frame perfectly. "The chances of clever little trick this ending smoothly is a snowball's chance in... you know where. I was just waiting to see if anyone else here had enough sense to point that out."
The devil man that had spoke to Robert gave him a cross look. "Hey! Those assholes have got it coming! You want u to just play nice after they try to kill-"
The big demon raised up a large, clawed hand. "I'm not asking you to play nice. I'm asking you not to play-MIND-NUMBINGLY-IDIOTIC. Do any of you honestly believe that picking a fight with those neanderthals will accomplishing anything else but make the situation worse!?"
The big demon moved over to where Robert stood, placed a convivial hand on her shoulder, and placed something in her hand. "My card."
She looked at it, cautiously. There was something about this man's personality that felt like his form fit him as well as his suit. The card read: "SAMUEL PITCHFORD, CEO / MORNING-SIDE FILMS LTD." Robert looked back up at Samuel, surprised. "You're... a movie studio executive?"
Samuel grinned like a shark. "Appropriate, isn't it?" He turned back towards the assembled mob-to-be, who's mood was turning sour at the dissent, yet at the time made nervous by the demon that looked like he could pick his teeth with their spines if he so chose. "Now as I was saying... Your idea to provoke the Purifiers to attack you. What was the motive behind it again?"
A small, impish demon spoke up. "To.. to give them something to be a-afraid of.."
Like lightning, Samuele's face was suddenly right in front of the imps. "And what do you think large numbers of ignorant people do to things they are afraid of?" Wisps of smoke escaped his mouth as he spoke. The imp backed away in terror.
Samuel shrugged, and returned to full height. "I know how people work. It is my job to know how people work. If you decide to do this, you'll be playing right into the hands of their superstition. You'll be giving them an actual enemy!" His eyes glowed like embers as his temper flared. "They will have every excuse to justify their fear and hatred. 'They are truly demons, they tempt the souls of men to sin and violence! Cast them out lest ye be as well!' And people will see the chaos, and enough of them will think 'maybe there's something to this demons-are-bad thing' for things to get worse. A LOT worse."
He turned towards Robert. "Do you agree Miss?"
Robert nodded shakily. Samuel was definitely speaking true, but his semi-threatening demeanor rang a little to familiar with her old methods... the ones that fed the mindset she was trying to fight now.
"Mister Pitchford... is correct. If we allow ourselves to respond to this persecution with violence, we shall only prove to them that we are the monsters they fear. Is this what we want? Violence, even bloodshed?!" Roberts voice grew stronger with every word. She started to feel like her old fire was burning again, but with a new, clear purpose.
"We aren't monsters, we are people! And if we want to be seen as such, then we can't give in to the hatred thrust upon us! Think, if you allow things to progress along a road of conflict, what will happen to you? To our families, your children? Hatred begets hatred. Violence begets violence. Stop the cycle now, and let reason take their place!"
Robert stopped to breath. She hadn't felt that driven.. that sure about what she was doing for far too long. Now she just had to hope it had an effect like it used to.
