Toby never fails to amaze me with Zach's help we annihilated the invincible. I am supreme ruler of the universe... at least electronically speaking. The real god politicking of course continues. But right now, Jaden is pwn3d! Takeshi while not outright pwned was defeated by a narrow margin. And I'm quite happy over that.

For Simi's birthday I let her drive my car. Complete disaster since she drove us into a wall. Twice. Good thing I don't need insurance, but she had a good time so that was all that matters. It also reinforces the necessity of seat belts.

We divided the day between Athens, Greece where she ate so much I thought Alexander was going to call out a doctor for her and New York where she went sampling at Tiffany's. At least this year she waited until we were out of the store before she ate the diamonds, though the look on the clerks' faces whenever she puts a ring her mouth can be entertaining. We did, however, find her a nice heart shaped locket bracelet there that she didn't eat and had her name engraved on it in Charonte along with her mother's. Then she had mine added to the front, along with my symbol. All in all a fitting present given that her birthday falls on Valentine's Day.

Then we finished the night off in New Orleans. The former Dark-Hunters always have a big blowout on Valentine's at Sanctuary where they celebrate the day in style (and have a massive cake for my girl) Chocolate and BBQ sauce. Never have I been more grateful that I don't eat food. Tabitha, never to be outdone, actually ate some and I'm still squeamish over it. Then again, a pregnant female is known to have strange tastebuds. I just hope she's not carrying a demon. Yeah... a Devereaux Roman demon. I cringe at the thought. And of course this year, Simi had her family with her in New Orleans. I'm so glad to see them reunited, but there's also a part of me that hurts to share her. It's been just the three of us for so long that sometimes I miss the old days. But Alexei is so much happier with Danger here to hold and while Simi and her sister fight like siblings, there's still a love there that is more than precious.

As for Styxx, I wish I could accept him as easily as Simi has acclimated to Xirena, but I can't forgive him the past. No matter how hard I try, I can't put it aside. I don't know if I'll ever be able to. The tragedy is I can recall all the years I would have sold my soul to have him as he is now. But the past can never be forgotten and some betrayals can never be forgiven.

That being said, the past eleven thousand years have taught me that things change. People change and that, given time, all wounds fade to just an occasional painful throb.

Maybe there's some hope for us after all. Maybe there's even some hope for me.

Pax.

One would think given all there is to do in the world that Jaden and I would have something better to do than war against each other.

Nah. Toss in an adolescent boy, two beings who are older than dirt and one shopaholic demon and give us each a game controller (Simi's is of course pink with sparkle stickers on it) and, well, we're pathetic. What pisses me off though is that I was actually winning until Takeshi came in. I should have fabricated a Daimon attack just to save face, but no. Man, I was pwned. I'm now convinced that it was some ancient death demon with a nasty disposition that invented online gaming.

Zach's laughter is still ringing in my ears. Tomorrow night, rematch. Takeshi, you've been served. Enjoy your victory tonight. I know for a fact I'm going to win... I'm bringing reinforcements. Toby! I know he's only eleven, but he's the best damn online player on the planet. And we're united against you.

And if that doesn't work. I'm feeing your rank *** to Echidna.

You know you get a demon and you think how bad can it be? I still remember the day Simi came into my life. I was naive I admit that. She's taught me many things over the centuries and some of them I've actually enjoyed.

When I woke up a short time ago, the sight of a bottle of BBQ sauce by my head wasn't too surprising. I kept Sim from eating a tourist last night so I knew she was peeved with me. But now there are all these Year of Akri things pinned up all over my house. What the hell is this? Simi has lost her mind. She keeps laughing at me and telling me to wait and see.

When a demon tells you to wait and see, it's never a good thing. Thinking maybe I ought to take the BBQ sauce to Xirena and offer myself up as her next meal-- it might be less painful than what Simi has planned.

Year of Akri. I just don't like the sound of it.