Lilith's arms folded over her chest as her brother scolded her for treating him like a child, she only did it because he seemed nervous... why was he taking it out in her? She rolled her eyes and sighed, but she reluctantly nodded as if to acknowledge she had done wrong. "Sorry big bro... I'll try to break the habit." She mumbled as a slight redness was brought to her cheeks, pouting ever so slightly as she felt his presence leave her side to go speak to someone else. It was at that moment that she heard someone call her sweet cheeks, turning to see who dared call her that name. But that quickly subsided when she saw who had spoken to her, smirking as she knew that she had a fellow sister in the house. Not literally like Dex but someone you could just tell you could party with and who would hold you hair back when you couldn't hold your liquor.

She made her way over to the demoness, her arm quickly linked around hers and she motioned towards the stairs. "Hell yah we do! My auntie apparently made sure we got two fridges with restock spells so we have food and booze for days! Come, come, let us drink together! To celebrate a new beginning! Or whatever fancy people say, I don't know I just need to be less sober for these new people." She stated hoping she hadn't possibly begged Jael wrong. "Second floor is kitchen, a gaming spot, a gym and showers while the upper floors are residential! Have fun exploring!" Lilith exclaimed as she began to make her way upstairs hoping Jael would be her drinking companion for the day. After all, the human saying was its five o'clock somewhere right?

Meanwhile Starla was happy as Aurora seemed to like her, which would certainly make her job easier. Though she couldn't help but tilt her head slightly to the side, looking at her with questioning eyes and a puzzled look upon her face. "Hmm? Why would I be brave? I'm here to serve you after all! Serving others doesn't take bravery, just determination and a little elbow grease! That's what my dad's always said!" She exclaimed happily without hesitation as her puzzled look changed to one of happiness, giggling as the demoness pinched her cheek before she picked up her bags with surprising strength. It seemed the girl while small had a bit of muscle on her after all.

"I look forward to serving you! Please call me anytime you need anything or wish to converse! I shall take my leave for the moment but I promise to be careful!" With that Starla began to make her way up to the dorms, but not before noticing yet another newcomer. She nodded in his direction when he acknowledged her, happy to have made at least a few people happy with her work. The other humans would help with the rest of the bags right? If they didn't she'd come back down but for the moment she just had to make it up to the third floor according to Lilith. As she looked up the stairs she curses herself ever so slightly, knowing that today would indeed be leg day.

Phagora slithered her way in, nibbling on a tray of sweets. The glutton had to keep up appearances, after all. Hmmm... quite a little group we have here. Even two of his majesty's spawn. If we could get all that power and evil into the mortal world, well... She let her mind become ablaze with the thoughts of humanity dealing with pure, undiluted chaos.

"Greetings, friends. I see we have even have some morsels- I mean mortals here." She laughed a little bit- the joke was older than dirt back home, but it still got a few laughs there, at least. "I'm Phagora, late of House Gula of Gluttony. It is truly a pleasure to meet you all."

Friends and Fiends

"I'm going to look around." Adam absently mentions to nobody in particular after glancing at the man that looked like a priest. He grins to himself, and sarcastically shakes his head with some mirth in response to the joke. Without further words, he then strides towards the stairs. The number of freaks in the room was giving him a head ache, and he didn't want to linger here longer than he had to.

He wasn't averse to work, but if he would avoid it if he could... He quickly ascended the stairs following the girl that had just left after hearing that the upper floors were where the rooms were. He hoped the house wasn't difficult to navigate, and wondered if he would have to share a room with someone else.

------------------------------------------------------

Sasha stood by herself, attempting to avoid the attention of these fiends. She had shaken Rosie's hands, and nothing horrible had occurred yet. It seemed like all the demons were just as new here as she was.

She was utterly confused by the third girl that had left the room, who had voiced aloud eagerness to serve these monsters. What the Hell was wrong with her, Sasha wondered, but then noticed her brother following after the girl.

She sought out an excuse to chase after them, and looked among the demons. Should she carry their luggage to the rooms above? Hopefully someone would provide answers soon.

Sasha felt that following in the foot steps of the other girl would probably be for the best, and went to retrieve a few of the bags that littered the floor now. She pursued her brother and the other girl, now laden with the luggage of demons.

---

@Queen of Aces@Dark CloudEmpusa saw that fraction of a moment when Lilith’s lip curled, before that delightful false smile flashed. So what she had heard was probably true--the little Morningstar Maiden supposedly thought she was “all grown up” now. How wonderful!

“Yes, well, I see you’ve been quite busy yourself; so not noticing my growth would be different...Seiji, wasn’t it? Lovely to meet you.” Lilith said, but by the time the albino and the blonde glanced in his direction it looked like the Japanese boy had already approached the twin humans. Empusa watched with a hint of satisfaction as he successfully introduced himself and shook the other young man’s hand.

The elder sister helped the little devil up as Empusa stepped back, and the Svartalfar allowed one of her own fangs to peek out. The male Luciferian huffed with an upturn of his chin--ah, good to see the classic Pride genes were as strong as ever. Too bad that, much like his sister, he had not yet perfected his emotional control. Empusa giggled as her bright green eyes met Dexter’s own wavering, unsure gaze.

“No I don’t need help!” The horned youth crossed his arms as he edged away from the busty blonde. “I believe if we had met I would have remembered!” he told the demoness, before he gave a slight bow. “Dexter.” Oh, interesting. It was subtle, but the fact that he bent his neck at all was a pleasant surprise. This one might be fun. And was that a real smile tugging those little dimples in his cheeks? Adorable. “Nice to meet you--I guess!” He turned and coughed into one hand as he tried to hide his cracking voice. Empusa’s forked tail wriggled back and forth under the long waistcloth at the back of her hips. She heard Lilith start to speak to someone else, and took full advantage of this lapse in attention to her precious little brother.

“Empusa, of House Svartalfar.” Her voice’s volume went down as she took one of Dexter’s hands in both of her own--holding it tantalizingly close to her bosom. Thanks to the slight height difference between them, she could give him an intentional eyeful as she leaned in slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, young master Dexter. Please, forgive any rudeness on my part.”

She let the moment linger as she stared into his eyes. As it stretched on, in the background a half-demon kicked the door closed behind her. Empusa didn’t know this child either, but she could feel the seductive charm of an Asmodean. A moment of worry for Seiji passed the back of her mind, but she kept her eyes on Dexter the whole time. Another young demonness of lust, though Empusa wasn’t familiar with that one’s House. The aura felt like halfway between a puppy ready to play, and someone excited for a very different kind of play. Another human girl, this one so innocent Empusa almost felt bad for whatever circumstances had caused her to end up here.

And then…

@ZAVAZgggEmpusa let go of Dexter’s hands and stood straight, raising her chin as she turned on one heel. She wasn’t done teasing him, not by a long shot, but this took precedence for the moment. Of the Demons gathered here so far, they were certainly all dangerous in their own ways. However, that was a different story. The Svartalfar saw Seiji react to the presence as well, though it seemed many of the other humans were slower to detect it. Again she felt a small twinge of pride in her Contractor--his mind was twisted in all the right ways, even if he didn’t let it show. But, as the smells it stirred up and the song of its essence began to fade, it seemed the creature intended no harm. Empusa acknowledged them with a nod of her head, and a short wave. Yet another interesting development--Had Mistress Gello’s influence even spread to the progeny of the Old Ones?

The blonde demon turned back to Dexter, but Lilith had returned from her other conversation. The white-haired seductress grabbed her brother’s hand and stepped between him and Empusa. Even not yet at the full peak of her power, she had a fine glare for the forgemaiden.

“No, I’m not sure you’ve met her. She only sees us whenever there’s a grand event, so you’ve probably seen her in passing.” The princess’s tone turned measured and cold. “Don’t worry though, I’m sure we’ll have time to get reacquainted very well, won’t we, Empusa?” That look could light the fire under old man Volundr’s kiln. When Empusa grinned at Lilith this time, all of her fangs were on display and her own eyes lit up with neon fluorescence. When she spoke, her voice vibrated with an undercurrent of barely restrained excitement--the kind of excitement one feels when they live for the genuine thrill of the sport, no regard for victory or defeat, and see the other team walking onto the field.

“Of course! And may I say, Little Lili, you have flowered wonderfully!” She couldn’t wait to see how the potential here unfolded--nor to see Seiji’s own blossom like the red heat on unshaped steel. Then, she saw Lilith’s gaze move in her Contractor’s direction. Empusa calmed herself, flipping her hair over the opposite shoulder, as the elder Luciferian spoke again.

“Do you want to tell him, or should I?”

“Ah, he knows more than he lets on.” The blonde giggled again, genuinely unconcerned. “He’s probably still trying to case this crowd. I’m so proud of him, you know--he used to be like that one, over there.” She indicated the shrouded, memory-hazing demon that still lay hidden in plain sight, save to some of the more perceptive members of the household. “Not, you know, otherworldly and terrifying--well, maybe--but unnoticed in a crowd.”

“I-I can speak for myself Lilith!” Dexter seemed to have recovered his wits now, and yanked his hand from his sister’s grasp. “Stop speaking for me! S-stop treating me like a damn child! I-I’m eighteen!” And yet, when he too caught onto the presence of the shrouded one--and that very strong, predatory intent in the wolf-girl’s eyes--the son of Lucifer’s knees shook.

“Ara ara~” Empusa said with her own predatory energy, holding one dainty hand near her lips as she smiled. “Indeed, you’re only a little younger than Seiji! I hope the two of you get along well!”

But little Dexter couldn’t take his eyes off the fuzzy, intensely thirsty-looking demoness, and Empusa realized he had somehow been caught in a charm. How odd, the other demon didn’t seem to have cast a spell or done anything intentionally. Had he...lost control of one of his own abilities, perhaps? What exactly was his power? If she remembered rightly, Lilith could cast curses with blood as a medium, but Lucifer’s tree had many other powerful abilities. She laughed as he approached the girl, and immediately set to making a fool of himself.

Speaking of Lilith, though, her reaction to her brother’s rebuff was so cute. It seemed that the little girl Empusa remembered wasn’t quite so far gone after all, eh? Before Empusa could tease her about it, though, the Asmodean demifiend latched onto Gello’s niece and demanded to know where the Mistress kept the food.

“Hell yeah we do! My auntie apparently made sure we got two fridges with restock spells so we have food and booze for days! Come, come, let us drink together! To celebrate a new beginning! Or, whatever fancy people say, I don’t know I just need to be less sober for these new people.” The Luciferian told the other girl where all the things were in the building, and Empusa shook her head. They hadn’t been given all these nice things when she was under the Headmistress’s tutelage. Lord Lucifer was letting her get away with more, it seemed.

Other new demons and humans alike were mingling, and the Svartalfar saw Seiji nearly lose his composure as another boy entered. Empusa let out an unladylike “snrrk” of her own, before she saw another of the Seven Families enter.

@blackdragon“Greetings, friends. I see we even have some morsels--I mean, mortals, here.” The girl laughed, with both of her mouths. The lower one flicked a few crumbs here and there. “I’m Phagora, late of House Gula of Gluttony. It is truly a pleasure to meet you all.” Empusa approached, with a slight curtsy so as to repay Phagora’s own etiquette.

“Well met, Miss Phagora. You may not remember me--I’m Empusa, daughter of Volundr of the Svartalfar. My Contractor--the Japanese boy, over there--is Murakami Seiji. You just missed Li’l--Miss Lilith, and I believe one of Lord Asmodeus’s demifiends. But I’m sure everyone here will get to speak to each other at some point. You’re all going to be stuck together, after all!” She smiled brightly, both honestly glad that she didn’t have to do this shit all over again, and eager to see how many fuckups this little group would get itself into.

---

@MetalWeightHoly shit, is that a furry? Seiji didn’t know why the wolf-woman, of all the things he had seen in LITERAL HELL so far, made the back of his neck prickle. No, wait, yes he did. She had that look in her eye. Like Empusa on Valentine’s Day. The human boy shuddered. She seemed to be looking around the room for someone, but as the Japanese youth returned his concentration to the other humans he didn’t see her engage anyone.

Rather, he tried to return his concentration towards the other humans.

@ZAVAZgggAgainst his will, his eyes locked onto IT. He smelled rot and decay. He felt air like the last gasp of a corpse tickle his skin and cling to his clothes like cigarette smoke. White, like the burial shrouds of his grandparents--like looking at a photograph through static he remembered seeing them before they were taken to be cremated--and there were too many hands, too many joints! Seiji watched it stop, and stare. He stared back. Adam, Sasha, Rosie, and Starla might have noticed the way his hand curled and twitched over his chest. But, despite being held over his heart rather than his hip or some kind of belt, Seiji’s movement was not the movement of someone experiencing chest pain or fear. It was the movement of someone going for a weapon. The only one that might know that subtlety for what it was would be Adam, who went for his own weapon, though Seiji himself was unaware of anyone else’s past. The Japanese youth picked up on the similarity of their reactions, and looked at Adam with a raised eyebrow that said ‘you seein’ this shit too?’

Lilith’s scoff brought him out of the trance, and stopped whatever he had been about to do as she spoke to the group of Contractors.

“I’m sorry, but this is merely my Auntie’s summerhouse she spruced up for us, since she was chosen by my father to host us. But…”

While the white haired succubus--was she a succubus? Was that a general term for female demons or a specific type?--prattled on, Seiji tried to listen but also noticed something that made his expression fall. The girl in the white sweater dress looked hurt, as she turned her eyes down and started to slink away. Oh, crap. It was the eye-roll, wasn’t it? She probably thought he was trying to be a jackass to her or something! He started to go after her, but almost immediately she ran into the wolf-woman, and Seiji’s prey-sense screamed at him that road led to bad places.

Lilith strode quickly away from them, headed towards Empusa who seemed to be holding hands with that little red guy. For half a second, Seiji wanted to know what was going on there, but when he saw the other devil’s flustered face past the Svartalfar’s bare shoulders he sighed. Better him than me, for now.

He noticed, before he turned back to the others, that Lilith waved at the THING. Seiji tried not to think about it. Still, he had learned something. Lilith, that was a name from Middle Eastern demonology, right? So when she talked about her father, she meant Lucifer--the original fallen angel himself? Or just a demon who had the same name? Regardless, it meant this Gello who owned the home wasn’t just an educator, they were related to a top-dog royal family. And Lilith was quite proud of her heritage...the boy wondered if getting on her good side would be like trying to talk to the popular kids at school. He had never quite managed that back then.

That loud one in the overcoat proclaimed hunger, and acted like Lilith should somehow know where things were kept around here. Maybe she did, if Gello was her aunt. That wolf was about to eat up the poor sheepish girl, and Seiji patted himself on the back for that analogy given how soft that white sweater looked. And the door opened yet again, as another prospective housemate arrived…

@DezuelSeiji did a spit take that he only barely reigned in from becoming snorting laughter.

He wore a coat, black as night, that draped over his shin-high black boots, and the wind rustled his black cloak. Under the robes, the young man wore a tight black shirt and black pants. The newcomer’s eyes swept those who had gathered here before him. Then he closed them momentarily, clearly pondering and brooding over something deep. Slowly, dramatically, his eyes opened once more and seemed to be filled with questions that didn’t have answers.

@Chris488Seiji elbowed Adam, and nodded towards the new guy.

“You should go shake his hand, man. I would, but I’m afraid the edge would slit my wrist.” But Adam seemed to be thinking of something else, and turned away from the group.

"I'm going to look around." The guy seemed oddly focused...If Seiji had been the one following those two girls up the stairs, he knew exactly where his focus would be. But if Adam was ogling asses, he was either really good at hiding it, or doing a pisspoor job of it. Meanwhile, Sasha stood by herself, attempting to avoid the attention of these fiends. Seiji thought she looked absolutely lost, and after she glanced nervously back and forth several times, she followed that girl in the white sweater to take someone's luggage up the stairs.

Now that Seiji thought about it, he didn't have any luggage, did he? Empusa had told him not to worry about it. Well, he supposed that with her ability, maybe she just intended to make everything he needed...He could probably get by with that. He patted the pocket of his blazer to assure himself that the real important things were still in their proper place. And they were.

He sighed. He looked around. It was either go back to Empusa, and probably be stuck with her until--Hell, what were they actually waiting for anymore?--or go talk to...

Seiji gulped. He seemed to have two choices, since everyone else was heading up stairs. The edgelord...or THAT. The human weighed his options...

Moments later, he stood side by side with the unnamed being shrouded in cloth. Both of them looked blankly ahead as they watched the ongoings of this strange house party.

@ZAVAZggg"So...How's it goin' dood?" he asked the abomination, while continuing to stare straight ahead.

@Dark Cloud @Queen of Aces

"Why would I be brave? I'm here to serve you after all!"

Aurora experienced a sudden...twitch, in the corners of her mouth. An even wider smile, her eyes locked back to the innocent human before her. Like a empty slate, absent of any ills of the world she...she didn't know. There was literally nothing but a willingness to serve and a whole-hearted happiness to be here. "She...she really is innocent." The demonic hellhound couldn't control her own expression, looking at Starla leave quietly as if eyeing a very delicious meal, or at the least such vulnerable and desired prey. Before, Starla seemed like a beautiful albeit vulnerable little creature deserving of cuddles and warmth, of understanding her desires, leading her along and helping her discover them... But now Aurora felt obsessed with her. It was like her whole life had suddenly changed, that everyone ever interacted with before had come to this very moment, a whole purpose revolving around just that one little human. There had to be more about her, something she wished for deeply, a part of her past that hinted at that incredibly naïve personality, a way to use it to drag her along unsure emotions and lead her right into the hands of such a predatory lustful demo-

A demon.

Aurora hadn't even noticed Starla was gone when the small little demon boy had approached her like a nervous child, absent of parents or older siblings to take care of him. There was an atmosphere of vulnerability, fear even, in the hellhound's mind Dexter embodied what she expected of the humans- so much anxiety wrapped up in a small stature, as if coiled and ready to make a mistake at any moment...All the stranger it came from a demon but, she didn't think much on it, after all this was a completely new place with tons of strangers. Maybe he was just young and really unsure! After all it was-

So then he spoke.

It only took his first nervous word that trailed off to realize exactly what was happening, or at least make her confident in knowing what was going on. He was lured to her, like a fly landing in a venus fly trap, dragged by instinct and never aware of the dangerous level of lust that laid beneath her fur. And something else...was she wrong in assuming how oblivious he was? It was hard to tell what abilities he had, such a tiny demon...

She leaned over again, placing her hands on her knees and looking down at him with a smug look, not to dissimilar from a overly-confident older sibling, perhaps an all-too-intentional angle leaving her torso just around his head, meaning when he looked back he had quite a good stare of-

"Why aren't you so nervous as of late. Is there something you're trying to figure out? Maybe distracted by?" She taunted in a warm tone, not too different from how she spoke to Starla- albeit less motherly and a lot more smug. Her smug expression leaving her to flash her sharp teeth again as she lowered her eyelids, all too comfortable this feeling of concern coming from him "Oh dear, it'd be quite scary wouldn't it? Someone so small so caught up by someone so tall, its almost like I could just pick you up and haul you away right now..."

Taunting another demon felt liberating, now she had two small people to harass and follow around. Maybe the loneliness on the way here was well worth the reward?

She laughed at her past comment before the short one could respond "Of course, I'm just joking! I wouldn't do that...but you do seem distracted. My names Aurora, nice to meet you Dexter." She then stood up straight, folded her arms beneath her chest and continuing to look down at him with a smirk, not wanting to apply too much pressure on him yet, it was always fun to circle and play with the unsure and nervous ones.

She had noticed others entering out of the corner of her eye, fascinating visitors but, the small demon kept her interest for now...

@MetalWeight

It may have been her predatory gaze, or her hungry smile as she told Dexter that she could just drag him off and do whatever she wanted to him. Aurora however laughed before he could respond, and acted as though she had been joking but the short demon couldn't help but back away from the tall demoness.

However all that he accomplished was backing himself into a wall, Dexter began to breath faster and his eyes darted from Aurora's eyes to her other parts as though weighing his options between a quick escape or attempting to hug the scary yet also fluffy demoness for friendship and a face full of cleavage but he was too scared to even move. "Just couldn't h-help but grace you with my presence...You know?" he lied to Aurora with his cheeks still flushed a deep shade of red.

"I-I should be attending to other matters!" Dexter excused himself from Aurora's presence, disappointed how things were going so far and remembering how he'd spoken to his sister. He couldn't shake the feeling that he wouldn't be able to escape from Aurora that easily, especially since she seemed perfectly capable of catching him. Oddly that sort of aroused the little demon, but soon he pushed those feelings aside as he walked about the room looking for his sister.

He did look askance towards the few humans milling about with some pity at how these poor mortals had to brave this new existence of their's, so without much thought he gave them a boost of happiness one by one and suddenly they would feel inexplicably better. He gave them each a smile as he passed, a very undemonic and innocent smile that one would only expect an angelic cherub would bear.

@Myling, @Zeroth and @Queen of Aces

Dexter was so busy watching their reactions that he bumped into someone and with a gulp the demon looked to see the seductive demoness Empusa staring down at him, all alone without his sister. "E-Empusa I didn't see you there...Uhm where did Lilith go?" he tried to puff up his chest dramatically as he stepped back from Empusa but yet again his eyes betrayed a nervousness that was blatantly obvious to the demoness before him and he glanced around the room desperately trying to find his sister yet she was nowhere to be seen.

---

@ZAVAZggg
Tinnitus, itching through his hair and oscillating behind his eyes. Knives scraping bottles, grating against his bones. Forks on glass, tapping the inside of his skull. Chalk scratching the black board, inside his blood vessels. Sound and smell and sensation became fluid for one long dilation of time as the ripples under that white sheet acknowledged and despised Seiji’s presence.

Still the boy refused to look away. His jaw strained as he grit his teeth, and at his side one fist clenched.



Could this being read his thoughts? He felt something warm trickle down his upper lip. He smelled iron, copper, and salt. His vision tunneled around the edges. In his head, he concentrated on his own ‘song.’

Grant us eyes, grant us eyes. Plant eyes on our brains, to cleanse our beastly idiocy. A simple memory, a quotation, nothing that meant anything of any real worth to anyone of any real sense. Still, it brought a smirk to his face. In the face of the Abyss, this human smirked.

The Creature drifted away, disregarding Seiji like the insignificant nobody he had always been. A light trickle of blood dripped from Seiji’s left nostril, and his eyes looked like someone who had either been crying all night, or had eaten one too many weed brownies before they finally kicked in. He raised a thumbs-up in farewell to the Thing and spoke in a strained, hoarse voice.

“Yeah man, me too. Good talk.”

It looked like several people had decided to explore the house’s upper floors. Empusa was still speaking to someone else, so Seiji took a moment to fight down the nausea, suicidal ideation, and general existential crisis. When that was done, he pulled a handkerchief from his back pants pocket to wipe his nose, and turned to see who else remained on the first floor.

Is that werewolf about to eat that small red child?

The woman--geez, she was tall--crouched with her hands on her knees as she loomed over the other devil. Poor guy probably had an eyeful and a half down the front of her shirt. The kid seemed to snap out of it for a second, but too late--his back was already against the wall. Wait, was he blushing? It was hard to tell, considering “red as a tomato” was the default for him. Seiji wondered why the white haired one, who seemed to be his sister, was so pale-skinned then. Demon genetics sounded like a complicated subject. And the other youth’s personality seemed equally complicated--he made a show of excusing himself from the woman he had approached in the first place, and instead made some kind of shmoozing attempt. As he passed Seiji, the Japanese boy nodded in acknowledgement...then flinched, slightly, as the kid’s expression changed.

The red devil’s features softened in a way that seemed entirely unnatural. Empusa had no problems making facial expressions--in fact, she was very good at making whatever expression she wanted to at a given time, regardless of her actual feelings--but she could easily be mistaken for a human if she hid her wings, tail, and the tips of her ears. This kid, with his horns and fangs, looked the perfect part of the western definition for “devils.” So seeing him smile seemed very wrong.

And Seiji suddenly felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Clarity breathed fresh life into his battered mind, still recovering from the brush with IT, and he felt the tension leave his muscles. He hadn’t realized his posture was so slouchy until he felt light enough to straighten his stance. He wanted to laugh!

Then he shook his head. Empusa had warned him about Demons who could screw with his emotional energy. What was the game here? And why did the little red riding dude seem high on his own supply? Seiji turned to the other demon, and as much as she intimidated him he wondered if she had anything to do with the kid’s complete 180 in mood.

@MetalWeight“...Sup?” He said as he made eye contact with her. He adjusted his feet casually as he slipped the handkerchief back into his pocket. “I’m Seiji. And that guy--” he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, “seems to be a little too happy. Should I be worried?” Obviously the answer was yes, because he was in Hell, in a house full of Demons, one of whom he had a very unusual relationship with. But one had to break the ice somehow, right?

---

@blackdragonAs Phagosa and Empusa made small talk, the Svartalfar glanced at the stairway. It seemed many of the house’s occupants had decided the time had come to explore. Once they found the booze Lilith had mentioned, things might get very interesting.

I should see how the place has changed--I wonder who used my old room after I left? And if they ever got that particular spot out of the sheets…

Bump.

@Dark CloudSomething soft ran right up against her rear end, and Empusa got excited at the thought that maybe Seiji wanted to get her attention. She turned with a smile, only to see the tips of five pink horns. As the demoness glanced down, Dexter gulped. The beastkin’s charm had broken before anything explicit happened, then? As funny as that would be, Empusa supposed in all honesty it was for the better.

"E-Empusa I didn't see you there...Uhm where did Lilith go?" The boy tried to puff up his chest as he stepped back, but he still couldn’t hide his wide, trembling eyes.

“She went up the stairs with the others. But before you go looking for her…”

She lifted a hand. Dexter could almost see the sheer, menacing aura gathered around that hand as it slowly reached out to him, the darkness engulfing her form, the green, bale fire in her eyes--

No actually, he couldn’t see any of that. Empusa’s hand softly patted his shoulder.

“Young master Dexter, is everything alright? Please be careful with your abilities--the power to sense an emotion also makes one more vulnerable to the emotional powers others exude.” She glanced towards the wolf-woman. “A Lust inducer like her, or a demon of Asmodean blood, is especially effective in that regard. It’s a power that already draws one towards them, so when your senses reach out it’s like a cart that’s already rolling down hill being pulled along.” She plucked one of the treats from Phagora’s tray with her other hand, and pressed it into one of Dexter’s. Chocolate, a substance well known for clearing up the aftereffects of emotional manipulation and calming one down. “Very hard to stop. You’re lucky that--”

@MetalWeightShe saw Seiji approach the wolf-girl. The one who had just finished charming Dexter. Her knuckle bones popped as the Luciferian’s poor shoulder was seized by a five-fingered bear trap. The little red devil really did see the menacing aura of black soot and yellow, sulfurous fire now as her eyes ignited. The pupils shrunk to tiny dots with a laser-like intensity focused on her Contractor’s conversation.

“What is that woman’s name, by the by?” she asked Dexter, without looking at him. Her voice was low again, but not just in volume. It had dropped a number of octaves as well, and somehow brought to mind the sound of hissing lava rolling down a volcanic slope.

---

Dexter winced in pain as Empusa seized his shoulders in her viselike grip with her nails digging into him like sharp teeth biting down into his skin "Hey! Stop it! Lemme go!" the little demon protested shrilly, Dexter weakly tried to wriggle in Empusa's tight grip to no avail.

It was a whole different kind of horror that emanated from the obsessed looking demoness, a kind of aura that filled Dexter with terror and made his body scream 'Run!' yet the sheer amount of fury and possessiveness in her demeanor made him freeze in place like a deer caught in a cars headlights.

"Her?" following Empusa's gaze he looked to see that guy from before who'd been staring at the thing in the lobby who was now converseing with the imposing wolf demon with the big breasts and wide hips.

Dexter gulped hard, looking back to the crazed demoness with a weak smile and fearful eyes "Aurora I-I think? What is the problem, wait? Oh!" suddenly his eyes looked more curious than fearful as a tiny smirk danced upon his face.

"Is that your human? Why do you care, Lilith told me you go throu-" his growing confidence withered with the glare Empusa shot him "Erm, never mind!" he squeaked as she tightened her grip on his shoulder a bit more.

Food. Of course, the way to Phagora's heart... er, soul... um, attention- yeah, that's it, attention- was through her stomach. She smiled as she followed a sign to the kitchen. Inside, there was a single fridge/freezer combination, the kind you would find in a mortal home. How utterly disappointing, but maybe I'll find something.

And she did indeed. As she opened the refrigerator door, the demoness was astonished to find an utter wonderland of food. Somehow, Cello had enchanted it to be almost infinite on the inside. Piles of exotic meats and the finest cheeses, with towering desserts and gallons of the highest quality wines. And if she did this to a fridge, what else could our host have done for us? "Guys! Guys!" Phagora squealed. "Look at what I found!" She gleefully poured a bottle of wine down her throat and another into her guts, getting happier and drunker all the time. And a thoroughly plastered demon is a recipe for trouble...

The front door opened once again, noticeably after the other guests had arrived, and a tall, green-haired woman wearing a small "shirt," if it could be called that, barely covering her chest and a long coat which wrapped around her body came into view, held up by a rather large and buff demon. He was carrying her in a princess carry, and when the wind moved her coat it revealed very short black bike-shorts with an indigo stripe on the side. There was also the matter of a large boa constrictor that popped its head out from under her coat to taste the air, its pure white scales glinting in the light. Though the most notable feature of this girl was the large metal collar she wore, chains attached which led to each of her limbs with just enough length that they could move freely.

The large demon unceremoniously dumped the girl and the snake onto the floor, bowed deeply, and closed the door to leave. Belle Folivore had arrived, not so fashionably late, just as her parentage required of her. And unfortunately for the others in the room, she had just been jostled awake.

Shaliak had tilted his head slightly to the side upon receiving the glare from Dexter, as brief as it had been something had irked the small demon for certain. But what had caused such a glaring gaze to fall upon him which had said nor done anything towards him? Perhaps it was because of him being a half-demon? But to ponder on it would grant the young man no answers.

Some of the arrivals were already making their way up the stairs to the next floor, were they that eager to check their new quarters? Perhaps it was mere curiousity. After all, he too had given thought of how the room arrangements would be. What hospitality did the hells offer really? In search of that answer the half-demon supposed it all depended on who or what you were. Adam and Seiji had indeed met his gaze when he nodded towards them, yet neither seemed interested in approaching, much akin to the short demon boy.

'The second floor hm? I might aswell inspect it myself.' He thought and began to walk slowly, passing by several of the people still on the first floor. Only turning briefly to look over his shoulder to inspect the greenhaired young woman which had now also arrived on the scene, he gave her a slight nod just over his shoulder before continuing along his way. Unless he would be stopped.

@Zeroth @Dark Cloud

Her tail wagged back and forth as she listened to the little demon intently, quiet as he spoke, listening and desperately wanting to grab ahold of him. The intense affection building up within her was like a bubbling cauldron ready to spill over, wanting to pull him close and keep him wrapped up in a tight hug-

"I-I should be attending other matters!"

Her heart sank. "What?" She thought to herself, suddenly awash with feeling empty as the nervous demon blushed and made his way steadily away from her. Excited tail wagging slowing down as he got further away from her. Starla's innocence and desire to do well was one thing, but someone had just walked up to her, said hello and left, just as she getting them all worked up and anxious! She felt robbed, like as if her one purpose and dream got pulled away from her, that impulsive mind racing in emotion to justify why someone would just back out. She would've frowned but, all the new sights and sounds kept her visually upbeat, albeit a bit slower on the move as she felt like she missed out on a great opportunity.

So, naturally, when another person strolled up to her, no less another human...

Just as Seiji had approached her, the sudden tail wagging picked up pace yet again as she looked intently right into him, standing up straight as if at full attention to what was in front of her. "Oh, hello!" In her usual aggressively social manner, the hellhound moved closer while all-to excited, getting so close to the human that they were almost touching each other. She looked down at him, smiling as before while completely focused on Seiji, it was as if the past negative emotions had never happened! "Worried? Oh, no, no you shouldn't be worried, never be worried. At least not with me, I'd never hurt a human like you, not unlike other demons..." Her behavior- as dominant as before -would seem almost intimidating given just how little she cared for personal space, her size and how little she cared about touching people...

Despite her warm tone and pretending-to-be-gentle nature, Aurora had been annoyed with the Dexter's previous escape. No, she was furious on the inside, she wouldn't let that happen again. Not with such a delicate and small human so close...

Instantly, two clawed hands- albeit not digging themselves into his precious skin -suddenly latched Seiji's face! He felt himself yanked closer to her body, the fluffy fur and general warmth emitting from her felt quite powerfully as she was nearly panting in happiness at having a victim in her grasp, finally! Her thumbs caressed the side of his face "You humans are so fragile and innocent, its such a shame you die so often, a dangerous world isn't it? That shouldn't happen to you, these demons, Hell itself, its all so evil and controlling, wanting to destroy anything with innocence and life. You should stay with me, be free with me, be safe with me..." Even with the prior warmth, smugness, motherly tendencies...Her voice sounded audibly creepy of all of sudden, it was hard to pinpoint exactly how or why, nothing had changed in how she spoke! It was as if there was something completely unpredictable forming in her thoughts, behind those unblinking eyes...

It didn't help that she didn't even remotely care for how Seiji was reacting! Aurora had no intent of letting go it seemed and hadn't cared for what was going on around them!

---

@Dark CloudEmpusa ignored poor Dexter’s squeals as she watched the wolf woman lock eyes on Seiji. When the Lust demon moved within the boy’s personal space, a small ripple in space right above each of Empusa’s shoulders--small enough not to stand out, but certainly noticeable to Dexter--began to buzz with sparks and embers. He thought he could hear the rhythmic clang of hammers somewhere, but it was like the sound was so far away…

"Aurora I-I think? What is the problem, wait? Oh!" suddenly his eyes looked more curious than fearful as a tiny smirk danced upon his face.

"Is that your human? Why do you care, Lilith told me you go throu-" his growing confidence withered with the glare Empusa shot him.

“Yes. That is MY Contractor. Murakami Seiji.” And just as she claimed him, both she and Dexter watched the wolfwoman grab Seiji’s face and lean in close.

Those ripples in space sprouted two wickedly sharp sword-points. Empusa finally did let go of Dexter’s shoulder, but it was because she seemed to be taking aim with a gesture. Indeed, if things went any further, it seemed clear there would be deadly violence within the Home…

But what happened next caused Empusa’s half-forged blades to shatter from the shock.

---

@MetalWeightThe wolfgirl’s eyes locked onto him immediately. She stood up straighter, and as her shoulders pulled back that chest of hers threatened to block Seiji’s entire field of vision. Then it did block most of his vision, as she stepped so close she practically ran into him.

My plan was calculated...

"Worried? Oh, no, no you shouldn't be worried, never be worried. At least not with me, I'd never hurt a human like you, not unlike other demons..." He could practically see the hunger in those eyes. Her tail looked like it was going fast enough to have its own air current.

...but boy, am I bad at math.

Seiji’s eyes widened and a nervous sweat broke out on his forehead and palms. Those big fuzzy mitts of hers latched onto his face, and cold fear ran through his whole body. She pulled him closer, crouching slightly less than she had with Dexter, and he wasn’t sure what was scarier--trying to meet those eyes, or daring to peer into that dark rift inside her shirt.

Her thumbs caressed the side of his face "You humans are so fragile and innocent, it’s such a shame you die so often…” I’m not a furry, I’m not a furry, I’m NOT a furry…

Monster girls don’t count as furry though, do they?

“...a dangerous world isn't it? That shouldn't happen to you, these demons, Hell itself, its all so evil and controlling, wanting to destroy anything with innocence and life…”

He tried to focus on her snout, instead of her eyes. He wondered if her nose was slightly moist to the touch, like dogs back on Earth--Wait.

I’ve got one shot. It’s my only hope. Gotta be quick...gotta be resolved! Acceptance of death is the way of the warrior!

“You should stay with me, be free with me, be safe with me..." The cleavage was getting closer! Any moment now he’d be in a new, marshmallowy Hell! Now or never! Do or die! He’d have to use that technique!

“Ah, I…” his voice was somewhat slurred, thanks to her hands--paws?--squishing his cheeks together. But the tall seductress might notice something--the human’s eyebrows furrowed, and his look sharpened. “I could do that. But, hear me out?” He shrugged his shoulders, in the process pulling both hands out of his pockets. “I present: a counterpoint.”

The movement was too smooth for the wolfgirl to realize what happened until it was too late. Like he had done it a thousand upon a thousand times. Bruce Lee once said, “I fear not the man with 10,000 techniques, I fear the man who has practiced one technique 10,000 times.” At this very moment, Seiji unleashed one technique.

His fingers settled, oh so gently, warmly, into the fur against her throat. Right under her chin. And he...scritched. Just like he always used to do with his Shiba at home.

Empusa, Dexter, and anyone else who saw what happened would find themselves hard pressed to explain it later. And when the wolf woman came to, all she would see was Seiji walking away from her, both hands back in his pockets. Nonchalantly, he strode over to his Contractor and the small red devil. A confident swagger filled his gait. Shit shit shit shit gotta go fast!

@Dark Cloud“Say, Emmy?” The demoness turned her slack jaw towards him, but her ears and wingtips noticeably perked up. “What say we explore with the others, huh?” Seiji glanced over his shoulder. “Quickly.” And then he looked back at Dexter. “C’mon, uh...bro? Tag along with us.” He jabbed a thumb at the staircase where that new guy in the dark robes was also rapidly ascending. “Otherwise you’ll be the only one of the guys still down here…” Now he jerked his head towards the still stunned furry demon, with a look that clearly said all that needed to be said about that prospect.

“Seiji, would you do that for me too--kyah~♡!” The human grabbed Empusa’s hand, and began a rapidly casual walk up the staircase. She practically floated behind him, her wings aflutter, as she blushed from his aggressive contact and gave Dexter an absentminded farewell wave.

Exploration

Damn, her strength is impressive, Adam thought as he watched the girl dutifully fulfill her task of delivering the demon's luggage to wherever it belonged.

He was not inclined to climb the stairs to the third floor before exploring a little of the second floor, so he quickly slipped through a door into another room that appeared to be some sort of bathing area. The open space offered little privacy and the idea of sharing bathtubs or showering in sight of the others had Adam less than enthused.

He closed the door behind him, and proceeded to the other unopened door in the area. Beyond it, Adam found what was obviously the home's gym where plenty of machines and equipment lazily sat around awaiting to be used. At least he would not grow weak with access to all of this and whatever food was available. His hunger gnawed at his stomach, and he couldn't remember when the last time he ate anything was.

He searched for another door, and found himself at a dead end, there were no other exits aside from the windows, and at this moment Adam did not wish to leap out the second floor of a building into the rest of literal Hell. Fuck, right now he wanted food and proper clothes; he felt idiotic walking around in his hospital garb, without a weapon or even good shoes for running.

He was fuming, fucking livid that this is what happens to him after everything. He had power and a reputation, along with freedom from his family; the sweet taste of independence. Now he's here, and he couldn't even describe what the fuck here even was. He needed to formulate a new plan.

After returning to the bathing area, Adam listened at the closed door for the sound of others. He had lost his sister, it seemed, and was alone. He didn't want to head towards the other doors, he could hear the demons invading what sounded like the kitchens, but that didn't leave him with many options.

"What now?" He muttered under his breath.

----------------------------------------------

Sasha wandered upstairs and found herself slightly lost. It was fortunate that there were names indicating which room belonged to who, as that would help in the future if she had to find any particular demon. She quickly found her own room, with the name Jael above her own, but she couldn't find where her brother or that girl went. Why were they so fast?

She sighed to herself, knowing that Adam was avoiding her... which may have been for the best. He would probably lash out at her right now, so soon after everything that happened, but she wanted to talk to him; make him understand why she did what she did.

She also wanted to warn him of the dangers of this place... he was a bit of a brash idiot that easily angered those more powerful than him, and she didn't want his recklessness to get him killed... again. They needed to work together and formulate a plan to survive. Surely such a thing was possible...

She looked at the luggage she carried, and knew that she should drop these bags off. Heavier than the burden she carried in her arms, was the growing fear that spread like fire in her heart. The name on the bags was... (Whoever wants to interact with her now)

Phagora stumbled out of the kitchen, clearly putting her infernal liver through all sorts of abuse. With what must have been a half-dozen bottles of wine in her, the glutton awkwardly crashed into Empusa, her speech well and thoroughly slurred as she looked the blonde up and down with appreciative eyes before doing the same to Dexter.

"Well, hello, you- hic- two. If you have anything planned, I'd be happy to join you. The more the merrier, right? If not, then could you please help me to my room? I... I haven't been able to find it yet." She came to a leaning halt against the wall, waiting for their response. Honestly, she'd be perfectly fine either way.

@Zeroth

"...Counterpoint?" She looked at him curiously, albeit trying not to seem surprised or astounded by the confidence of such a human in her warm grasp. She kept her eyes locked on him, seemingly unaware as he brought his hand up beneath her fluffy chin.

And then...she felt something. "Wh-wha-what, w-what are you-!?" she began to gasp in surprise and seemed a bit flustered, a sudden warmth reached her face as she began to blush hotly, eyes going wide as her once predatory and dominant behavior got replaced by both surprise...and pleasure. It was hard to discern what she was feeling, waves of happiness overwhelming her body as she experienced something unbeknownst to her mind, trying to think became difficult as the rush of good feelings flooded her head. Some sort of secret human demon-countering technique!? It had to be!

Seiji would feel the mighty paws suddenly remove from his face, Aurora now clutching the sides of her own cheeks as she tried desperately to not make any, exotic, noises at the surprising amount of good feelings she was having from being scratched. In a matter of moments she had gone from complete dominant to completely docile, unwavering in her desire for more scratching beneath her chin. Though, after what felt like a couple of minutes of just standing there, Aurora would try to regain her composure.

As the blissful feelings were just about overwhelming her, caught in a haze of joy and love, she suddenly pulled her head back as everything around her felt like an atmosphere of deep and passionate love that could only be exclaimed in the most astounding and outlandish sound...

After pulling her head back and a short distance away from Seiji, Aurora was left huffing for breath, staring in confusion and total embarrassment, especially being the first time she was on the other end of experiencing something so good! "W-what...WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?" She asked, though not at anyone specifically, merely left confused as the blush started to fade from her face...albeit very slowly.

---

Seiji and Empusa crested the stairs to the second floor in a hurry, and the human boy released his contracted demon as he looked around. The small, central room that only contained a landing for the stairs had two exits, and each room's flooring beyond the threshold hinted its nature. He took a step towards the bathroom first, out of curiosity. He didn't like the idea of sharing a stall filled, gym-style shower with the other dudes...although, if this place had an onsen-style bath, that could lead to some interesting mixed-bathing scenarios...

@blackdragonBut before he entered, another demon came out of the other door. That room's hardwood flooring made Seiji think it was a den area of some kind, and yet the demoness stumbling out of it must have come from a kitchen...or maybe just a wine cellar. Seiji noticed the mouth on her stomach and gulped. Note to self, be very careful if this one's a hugger too. The glutton awkwardly crashed into Empusa, her speech well and thoroughly slurred as she looked the blonde up and down with appreciative eyes. Empusa giggled, and patted Phagora's back gently--which prompted an enormous belch.

"Ah, there you are, Miss Gula! Found the Endless Fridge already, have we?"

"Well, hello, you- hic- two. If you have anything planned, I'd be happy to join you. The more the merrier, right?" The wine guzzling demon disengaged from Empusa and leaned against the wall. "If not, then could you please help me to my room? I... I haven't been able to find it yet."

"Uh...well, I'm assuming they've gotta be on the third floor, right?" Seiji jabbed a finger back at the staircase.

"Phagora, this is Seiji, my Contractor." Empusa gestured, and the human nervously waved. "Seiji-kun, I'll get her upstairs. You should try to meet some of the other boys."

Was...was it just him, or did her face darken for that half-second?

"Oh uh, sure. While you're up there, find our rooms too, yeah?"

"Yes! I'll make sure our room--" Singular. Oh boy. "--is nice and ready for our first night here!" This time he had no question as to her expression. That wink and the way she licked her lips could only mean one thing. As the winged demoness helped the drunkard up the stairs, the Japanese youth sighed. He wandered into the room with hardwood floors, and immediately noticed the game consoles and TVs set up on each corner wall. He clapped his hands together as if in prayer, silent tears rolling down his cheeks.

But, what was that about an "endless fridge?" And that other demon had gotten plastered awful fast. Moving around and between some of the others who were still lingering on this floor, he made his way to the kitchen and found two standing refrigerators. Raising an eyebrow, he opened one.

"What the FUCK?"




The white light silhouetted his body against something like that gun scene in the Matrix, only with food and drink. He felt a howling wind, like something from the top of Mt. Everest, whip past his blazer's collar. Slowly, he closed the door. He walked to the second fridge, and opened it as well. He didn't say anything this time, but instead put a hand to his ear and leaned into the vast frozen void. After a moment or two...



He closed the second fridge, and walked back to the first. He opened the door and reached for some...Milk. His hand came back out with a bottle of milk. And not the plastic, western style gallon jugs either, or even those weird Canadian bags he'd heard about. An actual bottle, with some cartoony cow mascot, just like you could buy at any convenience store in Japan. He put the milk back. Leaving the door of the first fridge open, milk in full view on the front of its infinite shelf, he went to the second door and opened it as well. He turned, watching the first fridge, as he shoved his arm into the second one all the way up to the shoulder.

He watched his own hand grab the milk from behind the shelf in the first fridge. Then he pulled it back through the second fridge. Walking to the middle of the two appliances, he slammed both of them shut at once.

He popped the top off and drank it down. With a satisfied sigh, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

"This place is WEIRD."

---

@blackdragonAs Empusa and Phagora made their way to the third floor, and passed through the stairwell into the side clearly labeled "Girl's Dorm," the blonde looked for the other humans she had seen carrying luggage for the demons. It figured that the pecking order would be established early. She felt smug that she had already prepared most of the things Seiji would need with her magic, rather than packing his actual belongings on Earth. Making copies of modern day materials was a little more detail-oriented and energy-intensive than making good old fashioned gutting steel, but not at all impossible. It made it quite easy to travel light, and stay prepared.

"Ah, here you are, Miss Gula!" She pointed to the first room they came across. It was labeled as a shared dorm, so it looked like Phagora would have a roommate. Two, actually. Empusa looked at the first name tag next to the gluttonous demoness's own. "...Wait, Ogdranich?" Even as she said the name, a static crackle seemed to invade her thoughtspace. She...could not remember any demons by that name, and yet somehow she felt she should know it. She frowned.

"THAT is a girl?" She looked at Phagora to see if the other demon had any thoughts on the subject. Then Empusa looked at the second name tag, and an entirely new form of eldritch horror filled her heart.

[Shared Room 0: Phagora, Ogdranich, Empusa]

"No...No..." She let go of the other demon, allowing the poor drunk to hit the ground with an unceremonious thud. Empusa held her face in both hands, eyes wide as a high pitched, hysterical cry left her throat for anyone nearby to hear. "THIS HAS TO BE A MISTAKE!"