Realistic or Modern SLAYR: Uber for Demon Hunters

[Kameron Esters-]

Edger took another sip of his iced caramel mocha, watching Renee recount her victory over the brute with a combination of amusement and admiration. It had been a wild day, and listening to her excitedly describe their teamwork and the adrenaline rush of combat was a good reminder of how intense things had gotten.

“You know, Ren,” he said with a casual shrug, using the nickname for the first time, “we probably made Clint’s day back there. I don’t think he expected two ‘rookies’ to pull off a kill like that. Not bad for our first tag team.” Edger leaned back in the booth, savoring the aftertaste of his drink while observing the slow flow of the late-night diner.

When Renee's phone buzzed, and she started panicking about the "Currency Fighterz" release, Edger grinned. “First demons, now collectibles. You really live on the edge, don’t you?”

Edger had gotten used to Renee’s quirks throughout the day—the intense gacha obsession, the surprisingly effective use of a shovel as a weapon, and her knack for getting tangled in the weirdest jobs. She was tough and clever, even if her priorities sometimes revolved around animated figures rather than the lurking dangers of Sunset Gates. But that was part of her charm.

“I get it, though. You have your thing.” He gestured to her phone. “If it helps, I’ll give you a ride over to Sunrise Heights tomorrow. Can’t have you missing out on that chibi figure.” He chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Plus, I think we deserve a reward after today. It’s been a hell of a ride.”
AtlannianSpy

 

[AtlannianSpy]

"really? That would be a big help," said Renee, brightening up. "The train is always running late, I guess it's been a while since they spent any money to maintain or upgrade the lines or anything. I could buy you lunch or something as thanks. There's a pretty decent ramen place in Sunrise Heights I usually go to,"

The rest of the meal passed in agreeable chatter and the two demon hunters made plans to meet up the next morning outside of Renee's house. In her excitement, Renee scheduled the meetup for earlier in the morning then she normally woke up, but that would be fine. Renee would just get an early night tonight and set an alarm, no problem.

---

"RENEE!" The girl in question bolted upright in response to her name being called, a static-y orange halo of bed hair floating around her bleary expression. "There's a car outside! I'm pretty sure it's that friend you said you were gonna get a ride from!"

"Bwuh?" said Renee, then she blinked, patted the bed next to her until she found her phone next to her and unlocked it to check the time. "Shit!" Renee said, scrambling out from under her covers and bolting across the carpet for the bathroom. "I'LL BE DOWN IN A MINUTE!" Renee called down to her Mother through the bathroom door as she frantically tried to brush her hair and teeth at the same time.

On the ground floor, Elaine Walker rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest as she watched the car idling outside her house from her position leaning in the frame of the doorway. The family resemblance was fairly apparent, although Renee's mother kept her orange hair longer and tied back in a sensible ponytail. She also seemed not to need glasses, or perhaps preferred contacts.

"You might as well come inside, she's going to be a while longer" Elaine called to the young man behind the wheel of the car. He was a bit scruffy looking, but college students all looked like that more or less. The one's who turned up to class wearing a suit or something were the ones you had to look out for. Having made her decision, Elaine retreated from the doorway, leaving it open for Edger to follow inside.

The Walker house was modestly sized, but neat and modern, with lots of sleek decor in navy and slate hues. The only thing out of place was a large, grey cushion on the carpet in the living room, next to a coffee table dominated by a silver laptop and a stack of print outs.

Kameron Esters-

 

[Kameron Esters-]

Edger cut the engine and gave the car’s dashboard a light pat, as if coaxing a promise out of it to behave. The vehicle—a battered but loyal old sedan he’d nicknamed “Old Reliable”—had been with him through more than its fair share of adventures. It wasn’t much to look at, but it always got him where he needed to go. Today, it was Sunrise Heights, with a stop to pick up his new demon-hunting partner.

Edger stepped out of the car, stretching his arms and taking in the quiet street. The Walker house was neat and unassuming, though the slight chaos of Renee’s morning routine was already apparent from the sound of muffled shouting through the open upstairs window. He adjusted his leather jacket—a little worn at the elbows but still functional—and ran a hand through his slightly messy hair, trying to smooth it down before giving up entirely.

Elaine Walker’s voice from the door startled him. She had a commanding tone, one that made Edger straighten reflexively, even though she wasn’t speaking to him directly. When she offered to let him inside, he hesitated for a moment, then nodded politely. “Uh, thanks. That’d be great,” he said, closing the car door and heading up the driveway.

Inside, Edger took in the living room at a glance. The Walker household was... normal. The navy-and-slate aesthetic reminded him of the kind of places he’d seen in catalogues, not the more mismatched vibe of his apartment. But what stood out most was the cushion on the floor by the coffee table, surrounded by papers and a laptop. It gave the space a sense of life and personality—like someone had been working here, maybe Renee, sprawled out on the floor researching demons between gaming sessions.

“Nice place,” he said, stepping carefully so as not to disturb the setup. He gestured toward the cushion with a slight smile. “Renee’s battle station, I take it? Looks about right for her.”
AtlannianSpy