GRADUATION: A PRELUDE

[idolpro]

[ After you've gotten your order from the counter at the cafe, you turn to find the place empty of everyone save two people: you, and Asmodeus, reclining in a chair in the pink tea cafe in one of his expensive suits. He looks vaguely as if you dropped a shark into a goldfish bowl. That doesn't belong here! How does he even fit?

He gestures you over, to sit across from him, where a chair has already been pulled out. ]

Comments

[columbidaring]

[ GOODNESS. Stops dead for a second, then, goes and orders another tea. An extremely cute one. And plunks it down in front of Asmodeus as he sits. It's only polite after all. ]

Well, well well! If I had known I'd be having company, I would have dressed up.

[deut32_35]

Aren't you polite. [ He smiles, but doesn't take the tea. ]

We have an offer for you, suit or not.

[columbidaring]

I try to be!

[ I mean. I'm gonna sip MY tea then. ]

An offer, huh? I imagine it's the one I've heard so much about and not some other new surprising offer?

[deut32_35]

[ Neither startled nor pleased, he continues leaning back, his hands folded and resting at his waist. ]

Have you been impatient? Some things are the worth the wait. Plenty of time for you to think very hard about your heart's desire.

[columbidaring]

Oh, I've been thinking all right! Just one question, what's your policy on wishing for more wishes?

[deut32_35]

If you're coming with me, there'll be plenty of time for negotiation.

[columbidaring]

Right, like, eternity or whatever, right. Presumably.

[deut32_35]

Presumably. I haven't lasted long enough to find out, yet.

[ he spreads his hands ]

So, are you open to negotiations, Sakazaki Yuuya, E, or the less than charmingly named "Is this a Pigeon" of Alcheme?

[columbidaring]

[ DEEP BREATH ]

Regrettably, Sakazaki Yuuya has prior obligations that must take precedent over skipping off to become a demon. It simply wouldn't be fair to you to enter into negotiations of any kind with that in mind! I appreciate the offer, though.

[deut32_35]

Hm.

[ He slides from his chair to his feet, standing. The motion is impossibly smooth, bringing back the shark-like impression, the weightlessness of being underwater. He walks past Yuuya, his hand resting on his shoulder as he passes ]

A pity.

[ his weight is heavy, and surely any moment, his nails will dig in, he'll drag him off regardless of refusal. . . but no. it lasts a moment then is gone: the weight and phantom impression of touch both. the rules of this game remain yet unbroken.

If Yuuya looks over his shoulder, the cafe once again empty of his presence ]

[columbidaring]

[ oh, good

that means if i take a moment to just, thunk facedown on the table, nobody will be around to see, ]

[rosestained]

[ a woman's voice, from behind him ]

Lift your head, child. You have done well.

[columbidaring]

[ JUMPS ]

[ RECOVERS ]

—I always do!

[rosestained]

[ draped in white and gold, the woman circles around him with quiet, barefoot footsteps to daintily plop down in the chair across from him ]

To those who are not led astray into temptation, the Lord shall send his salvation.

[columbidaring]

[ ... makes a gesture to the tea azzy didn’t want. Help yourself ]

Forgive my suspicion, but this isn’t a two-man con or anything, right?

[rosestained]

[ curls her fingers around the cup with a smile ]

Wherever you choose to go now, Vengeance will not reach you.

The Lord’s message for you is thus: go now, and say your goodbyes, for soon your trial ends, and you may walk freely from this place.

[columbidaring]

What, really? I get to go home? For realsie-reals?

[rosestained]

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Is This A Pigeon?~