Screwtape hated coming to the marketplace in the middle of the afternoon; it was always so busy.  Little time to check out the wares; his nephew's birthday was today.  He wasn't going to buy him what he wanted; for Lucifer's sake, Errol was 22 years old!  He still hadn't wreaked havoc on any humans, and he was still a virgin.  That was going to all change today; he was going to buy him his own pet.  That's what a young pup in this world needs.<br/><br/>Screwtape looked and saw one of his favorite merchants; the one who owed him money.  He looked around.  Redheads; blondes; males; females.  Heck, if he got Errol a male, he wouldn't be able to play with him.  Unless of course he was into that; but something told him Errol wasn't like that.  Hmm, very difficult decision.  Ahh ... a strawberry blonde.  That one was pretty; she looked fresh, like she had just been captured.  Brand new!  For a moment, it looked as if she had turned and looked straight at him through the crowd.  He looked in her eyes; he was mesmerized.  He gave a grin of approval; but, he was afraid she might become HIS pet if he decided to take her.<br/><br/>He pushed through the crowd to get to the merchant; as demon after demon (and their foul putrid smells) realized who was pushing them, they soon made way.<br/><br/>"Okay, we're up to 1150 gold pieces for this lovely girl; as she was being captured, we heard some call after her in that human tongue.  Amora!  Will anyone realize the price of this lovely pet at 1200 gold pieces?"<br/><br/>"Good afternoon, Picknose."  Picknose, the auctioneer, looked at Screwtape; yes, they had known each other very well.  Picknose was terrified.  "Good afternoon Screwtape; look at all the wonderful merchandise I have for you.  Pretty girls; just hand picked."<br/><br/>"I want that one; the one you called Amora."<br/><br/>"No, you can't have her.  She is my prized possession; I want at least 1500 gold pieces for her."<br/><br/>Picknose shot a look at his direction.  "You owe me!  Hand her over; and I don't want the cage, my arms will be good enough."<br/><br/>A fellow gargoyle hissed; no doubt he was the one vying for her.  Screwtape took the minor demon's head and bashed it against the cage holding Amora.  Screwtape hissed, he had the upper hand.  "Amora, this is the closest you'll get to this dolt; look what happens to those who disobey me."  With one swift motion of his hand, he grabbed the minor demon's eye ball and ripped it out of its socket; then he threw both demon and bloody eyeball on the ground.<br/><br/>The merchant, Picknose, immediately fumbled for his keys.  Opening the cage, he forcefully took the girl out and threw her at Screwtape.<br/><br/>"I thought you would see things my way; hey, here's a couple of gold pieces just for your trouble anyways."<br/><br/>She was tied up; Screwtape didn't like that, he wanted his pets unrestrained.  But who knows what Errol wanted; today, he was going to grow up to become a real demon thanks to Screwtape and this gift.  He hoisted Amora on his shoulders and carried her.  He loved the feel of the dress she was wearing as it brushed against his face; he had hoped he would make it to his house without doing anything to this pure gift of his.  He laughed and slapped the merchant once in a friendly gesture of competition.  Apparently, their history of bartering was long and sordid.  Then looking around, Screwtape unfurled his wings and decided to take his prey home airborne.  He had hoped Errol would appreciate the gift and the time it took to find it.