---

---

Villagers of Shiroiwa started to arrive back from the outer fields, mindful of those that lurked and waited at the bounds of any protection; creeping in as the shadow did. The village, a ill befitting classification given its size but a hold over from old time, bustled as people prepared for the next moon. Food would be stocked and arms sharpened if worst came to worst. Donations would be made to the shrine of the local Lunari Priests hoping to invoke an even stronger blessing and as a gratitude to their service. Finally, there would of course be those celebrating until the night came. Likely as a holdover tradition from before the local shrine was solidified with protection promised, believing good spirits would be welcomed in.

In the meanwhile rhythmic chants of Hikari would be heard in Shiroiwa's center plaza. Dressed in a fine white robe, red highlighted the edges and threading. Small symbolic designs were stitched in with red and gold threading. An abstraction of both the Priest receiving their gifts from the moon itself and its defense against the red moon below. A cycle both easily represented and defining. Seeming within his own trance he'd make sweeping motions about, almost like an elaborate dance. Long ribbons of red flowed about his shoulders and arms in the wnd as he moved. A symbolic ring had been made around him of blessed salts and rice wine. More old tradition that was kept up into current times. Kept in this state for hours now, a small crowd had gathered as their preparations had finished.



With one final movement, Hikari came to a stop in the center, collapsing to his knees as the prayer seemed to have finally taken its toll. One of the first times he'd be given chance to perform these duties solely on his own. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead as he started sucking in deeper breathes. He'd do his best to recompose himself and sit up properly, offering a gracious smile to those gathered. The group would offer a collective bow in appreciation, offering out a rehearsed and practiced thanks before starting to disperse. Several came up to give more 'private' forms of appreciation. Either through kind words or containing slips. Offerings of thanks or bribes to the future head priest hoping to draw their favor were both easily options.

Ritual completed and stragglers having moved on it finally came that Hikari was alone once more. Picking himself up properly, he'd stow the gifts inside the robe, watching his step to not disturb the ring before departing towards the main entrance. A curiosity to watch for any stragglers and an opportune moment to get some fresh air. Moving through the village he'd plaster a warm smile on his face as he'd return bows to the residents as they were offered out. Eventually, he'd make it past to the gate of sorts.

Sunset started to drape over the landscape as purple and orange hues started to color the sky. Certainly soon it would fall completely and the moon would make its way skyward once more. For now at least, he had some time to himself to appreciate the view.

"There you are."

The voice was old and shaky but a familiar one to Hikari. Many a volunteer had come and go to offer their services to the shrines, but few had the same honor as Amida. He had dedicated the entirety of his life to overseeing the shrine's care in their humble village and at one point was in charge of its upkeep. Nowadays he delegated himself in sweeping the area, claiming it helped keep him active in his old age. He had seen three generations of Lunari Priests and had every intention of seeing the next as well. His family had left Shiroiwa no Mura some time ago, although he insisted on staying.

As he approached the young priest, he held onto a small cloth bag. Its color was a striking red with several characters stitched onto it--even on a glance Hikari would be able to tell that it was his last name.

"A gift left by an admirer too shy to approach you directly," He explained with a chuckle, shaking his head as he offered the bag to the priest. "At least, that's my assumption. It was left behind when the crowd went about their days and clearly intended for you."

Joining Hikari in admiring the view for a moment, he let out a sigh. "Thanks to you, the village will be safe again for a little longer. But I always wonder if we ask too much...I remember your grandfather pushed himself as well."

"Ah, Amida!" Hikari would be taken by surprise by the old man.

His hands would outreach and accept the bag with a deep and respectful bow. "There is always those gathered and left at the shrine. A surprise they'd leave it at the ritual site instead..." An interest was obviously caught on the bag. He'd pull his attention away as to respond properly.

"It's no problem, truly! It's my honor to keep everyone here safe. I'd almost feel a drain if I had any other role, unlike some sisters..." The last part would be more softly muttered though followed with a smile. A joke or airing what small grievances he had. "With time the rituals will become easier I'm sure. Just wouldn't want the first one I've done before a red moon to be lacking." An almost nervous breath followed. Looking to the sunset as an escape, his attention would drift once more to the bag in his hands. A curiosity in-particular that made him fiddle with the drawstrings.

Amida was pleased to hear Hikari's resolve, letting out a hoarse-sounding chuckle before clearing his throat. "You needn't worry this time; you've done plenty," He reassured him. "Fortunately, you have the same spiritual prowess as your ascendant. The demons nearby would have to be bold to approach us now even if they had the numbers."

He gazed at the red hues in the sky for a moment before he turned back to the young man. "Even with other villages nearby, they've always seemed to have an eye on our humble home. I've always wondered why," He mused out loud. "They've tried time and time again, almost as if they were after something. At first we believed it had been one of our ancestor's heirlooms, but even after sending them away for safekeeping, the demons continue trying to get into Shiroiwa."

His expression darkened as he let out a sigh. "In our youth, your grandfather and I tried to solve this mystery. We and...what was that young lady's name again?" He paused, shaking his head. "I can't seem to remember. But the three of us felt there was something more to their attacks, some motivation that if resolved could bring our home peace. But after she disappeared, your grandfather let it be. I suppose I can't blame him; so long as the barrier keeps us safe, why go through all the hassle?"

The conversation would pull him from fidgeting with the bag, giving a nod to some of the old man's recollections.

"I had heard similar from my mother when I was young and she helped me prepare for lessons. Though... I am not sure I remember hearing of this third one? It certainly is strange they try so hard..." His gaze would look out to the sunset once more, the sky slowly growing darker as the deeper hues would start to overtake the warm orange once painting it. "Do you suppose the demons feel... frustrated? It is as if we are a sign of their failures. Perhaps a long time embarrassment of theirs. Maybe there is more to it than just mindlessness." He seemed to offer out as a theory, though uncertain himself.

"I wouldn't keep you out this late at the edge of the village. Even if the barrier is up it grows late and you should get some rest, eh? We'll have lots to do sorting through the recent gifts once the moon passes. I'll watch just a bit longer before I rest myself." Hikari would offer a disarming smile, hoping to put Amida at ease. All the same, he was curious to find what the first post ritual gift was in the bag. An inner wonder and curiosity having not faded from his 'adult age' yet. He would still act the part of a proper priest until the elder would accept and fade from view.

Glancing once more towards the falling sun, he'd pull open the top of the bag. Pulling out jewelry a slightly confused expression crossed his face. "Kanzashi?" Hikari muttered to himself, eyeing an ornate hair ornament. "Must be another joke from my sisters..." He'd add on with a sigh, depositing the gift back into the sack. Pulling the top closed his eyes would catch on the embroidered name. Hikari Asato.

The words Seemed to send a jolt into the man, blinking back disbelief as he seemed locked in place. The bag would nearly drop from his hands as he suddenly remembered to catch it. Surely it was just my imagination. It has been a long day. A free hand would wipe his forehead and eyes. Time to turn in myself, I'll harass them about their joke tommorow...

With a final long breathe and look to the fading light, Hikari would turn back towards Shiroiwa.

A wind would blow through the village, picking up the stray petals and letting them flutter to the ground on their own. What was once a multitude of color and variation, however, was now only one: petals fallen from a spider lily. Slowly, the grass painted itself scarlet, the color overtaking nearly all of Hikari's surroundings until it seemingly reached the sky. Orange and purples gave way to the red until it reached the clouds and sun, blotting it out and plunging him into a world of red.

"There you are." A voice called out to him, its direction indiscernible. The only thing uncolored was himself, as if someone had shined a light on him, and smaller lights started popping up all around, sprouting more spider lilies. Before he would have a chance to react, however, each lily exploded, showering him in petals until they clung to him. One after another they piled on, their small size quickly multiplying until he was covered head to toe. The darkness would claim him in that moment.

---

A melody was hummed nearby, and when Hikari would come to, he would see himself in a room with wooden walls and doors. One wall bore a cage-like pattern, its door locked tight. He had been resting on a small, soft futon, a low desk next to him with an assortment of the possessions he carried on him organized neatly--the only exception was the opened and now empty red bag. A pitcher of water with a cup was placed on a seat on the other side of the cell, and a flickering torch gently lit the area up.

Through the bars he would see a pale, ethereal looking woman with hair nearly as white as her skin. Her kimono was unusual, its sash and lack of length almost unorthodox, and yet its quality was unquestionable--it looked like it could have easily been commissioned by a lord of the land. She paid no mind to him, focused instead on her reflection in an opened barrel of water. Her fingers delicately pinned her hair back, and as she lowered her arms, he would see the hair ornament previously gifted to him now in her hair.

"Perfect," She mused to herself, and after a few seconds looked up, meeting Hikari with an unusual pair of amber eyes. A red colored symbol sat on her forehead, a marking familiar to ones used in ceremonies long-passed in Shiorwa. "Good morning, little light. Still human, are you? A Lunari Priest through and through...although, not much of one if you managed to get dragged here so easily by Manjushage." Her voice was light and airy, almost mocking if one listened hard enough. "Ah, well... what Ajisai wants, Ajisai gets. And here you are!"

Slowly rousing, Hikari would be confused how he had ended up on his back. Had the ritual take more out of him than he thought? Did Amari find him and get him carried to bed? He'd slowly push himself up as he tried to push sleep from his eyes. Looking about the room, he'd note this definitely was not what had happened. A hand would raise up to his eyes as he vigorously tried to make this dream disappear. Unfortunate for him it had no effect. Concern started to creep into him as he'd find the desk and his 'things' laid out. It was a small comfort but for a moment as he remembered this was built as a cage and the bag he had been given seemed opened and discarded.

It was then Hikari would finally tune in to the melody, thinking of it as more than just a backdrop of noise. Seeing someone else was a relief for but a moment as he'd realize the situation. Noting the kanzashi from before being placed in her hair. She was responsible, wasn't she? A slow sense of dread would start to fill his face, before his eyes fell onto the women's actual appearance and attire. The caliber and style of dress was startling, let alone the manner in which she wore it. Improper. Whether he averted his gaze in fear as her eyes turned to him or to look away from this obvious display of voyeurism would be hard to say, though to the man it was both. Surely this woman was a demon, even with her human appearance.

And then it spoke to him. A chill would pass through his spine. His brow would sweat as it had after the hours spent on the ritual. A voice would come out uncertain. "Demon! You're a demon!" He'd announce as his eyes kept away. "Wh-Which means the ritual failed..." would follow weakly. Such a reality seemed to set it on him with a crushing weight. His hands would raise to either side of his head, thinking of the fate of his people. Hikari shook, overwhelmed by the thought. Clenching his fist, he'd turn suddenly, shooting out an sprawled palm at the woman. With what energy he had within, he'd force out what magics he had. "Blast whoever both of those are!"

He had to escape and get back to Shiroiwa.

Hikari's spell hit the wood and remained there--if he watched closely, something akin to a barrier shined through the spaces between the bars. The demon raised an eyebrow at him, unamused at the display. She shook her head in disappointment, approaching the cell as she stared him down. There was almost a look of pity on her face until she let out a quiet laugh.

"You're stronger than you look. The other priests were barely able to conjure up any power," She told him, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "You look younger than the other ones, so I suppose this technique is from before your time. You can hit it with as many spells as you'd like, but you won't be breaking out anytime soon." She tapped the wood once, its magic glimmering for a faint moment. "Even if you did, I wouldn't recommend it. You're safer in there than you are out here. I can't touch you and you can't touch me. Funny how that works."

She took advantage of the fact that she was closer to examine him, studying his face in particular. "Your village will be fine until the next Red Moon. I'd turn that worry over to yourself, honestly," She said with a slight shrug, narrowing her eyes. "...you look just like Haruto..." She muttered, a little suspicious.

Others

His hand trembled as she was unphased by even the attempt. Others had all been here. They were more than just rumors now. This had been happening for a long time now and she just confirmed all of it to be true. He'd shift and push his way back toward the other end of the cell, back against the wood as he seemed to shiver at the contact. He'd seem to manage to only steal glances at the woman, still unsure of how to respond, and uncertain how to look at her form.

"How do you know that name? Why am I here? Why did you steal my things?" His questions would come as a flurry, his tone still slightly shaken. There'd be a far longer pause before he asked another question. "Who are you, and why am I still alive?" his voice would turn more serious and solemn at that. His gaze would still look away as he seemed to try to re-build some semblance of bravery and confidence.

The demon stared long and hard at Hikari as he fired off question after question, but for some time she did not respond. Any humor in her face seemed to have disappeared for a moment, her expression almost pensive. Still, it passed, and she let out a small sigh as she rolled her eyes. She did seem a little surprised at the accusation, giving him a scowl at the thought of being referred to as a thief, although she would first prioritize placing the top of the barrel back before taking a seat on it.

Placing her elbows on her knees, she raised an eyebrow at Hikari. "Hmm, I guess I'll go in order," She said mostly to herself before raising her voice. "Asato Haruto was the last prominent Lunari Priest of Shiroiwa. He was talented...in his lifetime, only one villager was ever lost to the demons--and said villager was only lost because they foolishly walked outside the barrier he cast. His strength meant this part of the realm was weakened...without human suffering to feed on, the lesser demons were forced to roam the surface more often than not. Highly inconvenient if you ask me."

She paused for a moment, giving him a sly smile. "Let's see...you recognized me as a demon, but I suppose the shock of it all has robbed you of your thinking skills," She teased. "This is the realm below the land of Shirogane, what you humans call the 'realm of demons' where we reside comfortably. I guess this ties into your last question, so I'll go ahead and answer that. I'm sure you're aware that any human that comes here is either instant demon fodder or quickly turns into a lesser demon. But Lunari Priests hold an absurd amount of light within them, protecting you. Well, they'll protect you for a while...it'll take time, but you'll turn into a demon sooner or later. Or at least, you're supposed to, but Ajisai would rather keep you around as her pet." She shrugged as she sat up.

"I used to have a hairpin like this one a long time ago and I wanted it. So I took it," She declared, quite pleased with herself as she crossed one leg over the other. "You may call me Lady Airi, the Seventh Shirogane Greater Demon. Feel free to bask in my glory, most humans can't resist the sight of me."

He'd keep his ears sharp as she spoke, trying to calm himself with his breaths. How was he taken into their realm? Isn't that exactly what the barrier was suppose to prevent? His hands would squeeze together as some odd form of comfort and as a reminder this was really happening. Demons were vain and selfish right? All the sins of the world. With her comment of the hairpin and her own appearance, this one must be no different. Provoking her could get a reaction. It would at least tell him how true her comment of being unable to touch him would be.

"I will keep my gaze over here else my eyes are tainted by the sight of you." He'd speak out, some resolve forming as he continued. Was that a momentary blush at such an invitation? "Seventh means there are others. Stronger or weaker. Who is this Ajisai and what mockery do they intend by trying to take a Lunari Priest as a pet?"

His attention then turned to his things, seeming to expect the women to continue answering his questions anwyays. He would look over to see if anything else was taken. Slips that had been given by the residents of Shiroiwa laid sprawled out. Checking several, he'd note gifts of coins. What use they'd be to him now. Still, it was some form of attachment of the human realm and remnant of what was 'normal'. Hikari would start softly chanting the names of each face he had remembered from after the ritual, trying to commit it to memory in a pattern as he filled one slip with those.

A thought came to mind of if Airi would feel slighted by this display, but such a thing didn't seem to overly concern him as he continued. There wasn't much else left at the table, aside from small token implements of his as well as the red ribbon sash of before. He'd run it through his hands and fingers, ear turned to the demon. "Only the hairpin, huh..." the last comment came as idle musing.

Airi openly scowled at Hikari's refusal to look at her, although she openly rolled her eyes at his question. "Ajisai is the First Shirogane Greater Demon and the one asking for you. Why? Who knows...she has been obsessed with Shiroiwa for years, even before I came here. She hasn't cared for humans until she learned of your existence. At least, that's just the odd rumor floating around," She sighed, shrugging slightly. "Your last barrier had caught some attention, and hers as well, I suppose. Whenever she decides to grace you with her presence I'm sure you can ask."

Her finger absentmindedly traced her lower lip, an idea coming to mind. "If she comes down, you should refuse to speak to her. It'll drive her crazy, she hates being ignored," She suggested giddly, though she paused. "Well, it'll be more fun for me, can't say what'd happen to you if you did. But worry not, she'll take good care of you. And if she doesn't, I'll make sure I do."

Immediately after concluding her sentence, the door next to her opened, nearly slamming into her. She let out a hiss and threw a glare at the offending party, though no mind was paid to her. Another female demon had come, this one slightly less humanoid than Airi. She still very much had the shape of a human, but her skin looked like it had been painted violet, her ears pointed, and her eyes looked like they were made of glass. Her hair was white as well, but hers was simply hanging behind her. The plunging neckline of the dress revealed a multitude of what could be mistaken as writing on her chest, but despite how revealing it was, her posture seemed oddly demure. Without the neckline the dress could have been graceful, sweeping the floor and flowing with every movement--except if Hikari looked close enough, it was like the wind was constantly moving it around.

She eagerly approached the cell, her hands on the bars as her eyes widened. "I can hardly believe it...he looks just like him..." She breathed out her sentence, regaining some semblance of composure. "Welcome, young one. Forgive my timing, I meant to come sooner. This must all come off as very sudden, but--"

"You could tone it down slightly, I believe you're giving off a very poor first impression," Airi said airily.

The demon threw a look at Airi before turning her attention back to Hikari. "My manners, yes, you're right," She conceded. "I am Ajisai. I've been wanting to meet you for some time."

It was strange in a way to Hikari that Airi kept answering his questions. Then again he wasn't one to understand a demon's intentions. The same was true for her advice. Surely he did mean to make the demons happy, and following her advice sounds like it would insure that. It could as well kill him, but he didn't have much knowledge or power in this place either way. Her last 'offer' especially put him on an edge of sorts.

Any other thoughts were quickly dispersed at the abrupt entrance and voice of the other person. Him knowingly being outnumbered, even as he knew he was out powered in this realm, sent another chill down his spine forcing him to sit up straighter. Facing the table within his cell allowed him to steal a sideways glance towards the new demon. Quite momentary, as their manner of dress quickly was revealed to the man as he had been scanning from their face down to the markings below her collarbone. Suddenly the few idle distractions he could manage seemed all the more important than giving any immediate attention, though the site of a more otherworldly demon unsettled him as well.

Mental contemplation was evident on his face as he restrained himself from any immediate reply, again thankful to the poorly lit room to hide his expression. His hands would run as they had before across the lengthy red ribbon to seek some sort of answer from it. After some moments, a word would finally find itself escaping his lips. A frustration and concern hidden within.

"Why?"

Ajisai knelt down, her fingers tapping her knees as she considered his question. Despite the lack of light, her eyes were still seen clearly as she stared at him. For just a second, her gaze flickered to her right, almost as if she was wary of Airi. After a few seconds, however, she seemed to relax, focusing instead on Hikari. She deliberated for a moment before reaching out to the bars, lightly tapping on the magics separating them. The barrier responded to her touch as it did to Hikari's magic, although this time it remained for a little longer before fading away.

"Because I knew you in another life. You and I are destined to reunite," She finally spoke. "It sounds preposterous, but our souls are intertwined. I would have preferred to meet you as a human, but as you can see, I dwell here now. I could never be accepted in your village...but you will be accepted here. I can give you anything you want, everything you need...so long as you stay by my side."

Her smile was gentle, her expression almost pleading. "It's preferable to have all of eternity together, isn't it? Even if I was human, we would eventually leave our mortal bodies and have to find one another all over again. At least this way we don't have to look anymore. We never have to be apart," She assured him.

The man would decide he keep his attention mostly elsewhere, only occasionally glancing over. One time seeing simply her touch seemed to have a stronger reaction on the barrier than what he had been able to conjure up. A worry beset him once more as the gravity of the situation kept sinking in. Surely whatever training he had completed and light he held inside could not prevent her planned eternity of the realm's influence let alone years of it. His grip redoubled on the red ribbon, doing his best to not show his own panic. He was a man now. He was still responsible for all of Shiroiwa. He still had to break free before the next red moon.

The thoughts flowed in repetition in his mind, though with the negative side poking its head through all the while. He had barely finished his first ritual. There was no way another Lunari Priest would notice his disappearance in time. He doesn't even know a way out of the cell, how was he planning to escape the entire realm?

Sweat slowly started to form and beaded down his head. Worry, concern, even panic. What were his options in this situation? If he acted grateful surely there was no way he'd be let out of the women's sight right? She was overeager and seemed desperate. What did she even mean by in another life? She was a demon, a greater demon even. How would she have been someone he had known before? This had to all be part of their trickery right? Was it acceptance they needed to turn him into their kind or break past whatever protected him inside the realm?

There was the 'advice' given by Airi, though mostly it seemed to be a request for her own amusement. At the least she seemed more of looking for something to do than a eternal chain to put about Hikari's neck. Was that a way out? Was that also a trick? He was alone down here beset by two powerful demon women.

Isn't this what his entire life had been for? Wasn't it the purpose of Lunari Priests to deal with demons? Why was he letting himself be toyed with and afraid to look at them. Surely with his eyes off of them he was even more vulnerable. Their manner of dress was surely also a trick and something he himself had to look past. As Airi had said, most men couldn't resist her but her form was just... dressed lewdly. On any normal woman it'd be embarrassing surely but it must be something the moon's blessing had made him immune to right? After all, it seemed easier to look away than straight at her.

Finally, the man would seem to finally give some pause to himself and his thoughts. His hands would tighten on the ribbon as he pulled it taught, before letting it and his hands rest in his lap. Shifting in place, he'd face the two demons head on. A mostly neutral expression painted his face. His eyes did their best to politely avert his gaze and his cheeks tried to hide what blush was produced by seeing the women's lack of modesty in appearance. He had some strange plan formed in his head.

"Foul and hurtful untruths. Your body and soul is a tainted eternal thing. Why you pull my people down here I do not know. To turn or feast upon our souls? I will not fall in to such." Hikari seemed to heave steadied his voice mostly.

Given his earlier reactions, his resolution could seem surprising, though perhaps it was easier given the literal barrier of safety separating them.

Airi's eyebrows shot up at Hikari's response, her jaw dropping before her lips formed a small o. She was clearly trying not to say too much, albeit she was more interested in Ajisai's reaction. Said demon was equally as shocked at first, but in the next moment she looked betrayed. Still, it lasted all of a few seconds before her eyebrows knit together and she stood to her full height. Any past kindness was all but gone in her expression, jeweled eyes sharp.

"How disappointing," She replied bitterly. Taking in a breath, she composed herself before she would speak again. "You will change your mind with time. We will come to an understand one way or another."

The demon turned away from Hikari, casting a weary gaze on Airi. The white haired demon managed to put on a neutral expression in time, perking up slightly. "Shall we go?" She asked.

Ajisai shook her head. "There are things I must attend to first...see to it that he is well taken care of," She requested. "The ritual will take some time and I wish not to anger Manjushage. He kept his end of the bargain and now I must keep mine." She didn't wait for a response before she exited the room.

Airi slowly shook her head, turning her attention back to Hikari before sliding off the barrel. "You didn't stay quiet, but that was almost just as good," She giggled, her hand trailing a bar. "What next? Will you try to break down these bars keeping you in? Or will you bide your time and wait for an escape? I can't wait to see what you come up with."

Hikari's hands clenched at his kimono, bunching up the fabric. Though they didn't seem to mean any immediate harm, there was an intensity to meeting beings of such power. There was one left in the room but she seemed less intent on his eternal damnation and more bored in general. His glance would finally turn to the woman after a few moments, the beads of sweat obvious if inspected closely enough. There seemed to be a difficulty in maintaining eye contact.

"That... is a strange question to ask as the warden." A hand would finally raise to his collar to tug it free from the bit of sweat holding it in place. "It's your job as the... Seventh demon to do so no?"

His other hand raised to the bars, gauging a reaction of the barrier if he was slowly push energy at it rather than his sudden violent burst of before. There wasn't quite a clear attempt of escape yet, but he had to better figure a way out. Perhaps she'd get bored enough too and leave. Or Perhaps conversation would distract her as it had earlier? She seemed desperate for it after all, overly proud as the other women seemed to as well.

"You demons have a... peculiar manner of dress."

"Demons only ever have loyalty to themselves. They only ever have to answer to those above their ranks. Ajisai may be the first, but we are on equal grounds. She has strung together a series of favors from the others to keep you down here. Renge had his minions watch your village for the perfect timing, Manjushage was the one who managed to pull you in, I created the barrier that keeps you safe...Ajisai has power, but she cannot do everything by herself," Airi explained nonchalantly. "All my 'job' entails is that you are kept safe from all the other demons. I am not to harm you, nor can I take your soul...for I gave my word."

At the end of her sentence, she made an 'x' over her heart, a light blue color glowing faintly before disappearing. Her finger lingered on her shoulder for a moment before lighting trailing downwards, slowly tracing the curve of a breast before she leaned forward. "If you'd like to enjoy me, you need only say the word," A smirk played on her lips as she spoke, her eyes flashing with something dangerous. "By your inability to look at me for no longer than a few seconds, I can tell the offer is tempting even if you refuse."

His eyes held some interest in her words, feeding off of all the information she openly gave him. In a way she proved him correct. She was the warden so to speak in that she controls the barrier, though she in the self same made it clear she would only abide by the strict wording of agreement. The others she spoke of were certainly of at least the same tier of power as the two he had seen. Something he would be hopeful to avoid.

So engaged in her words as he was he'd follow her hand as he moved to speak himself, quickly taken aback by her offer. The blush he had managed from earlier at the sight of her quickly returned with a vengeance at her proposition. He choked on air as if he had been caught off guard sipping water. Looking away now would only prove to serve as an answer to her question. Instead he'd shoot his eyes back up, doing his best to dismiss his surprise.

"I-It's as I said before. I am wary of becoming tainted by the sight of your form. Certainly it is an scheme to sway human to your bidding. I won't be beheld by a maiden's form." He managed out as he turned his apparent focus back to the bars. A silent curse went through his head at his word of choice being maiden. Truly a demon did not deserve such a title.

Given the barrier's lack of budging, it seemed unlikely he himself would ever break free as he was. After a few moments he'd speak up, seeming quite happy to change the subject.

"Whatever magics you hold are beyond me, though it seems obvious you have a way to erase it as you were the origin of it." Hikari's words came more clearly and confidently than earlier. Perhaps because it was a topic he was more practiced in. "Surely if you are racked by boredom, staring at me lay about a cell would be boring affair."

He left the question hang before he suddenly cleared his throat. "And don't mistake that for some acceptance of that proposition of yours."