mochifer

[mochifer]

general OBM spoilers talk ahead. I think that, aside from how rushed the entire thing was (lesson 16), the reason the demons hadn't minded much of the death of their original timeline's MC is partly because they have an entirely different understanding of mortality.

Thinking about it. If the same circumstance were to happen during when they were Archangels and the like, it could very well have turned out differently. I don't remember the Celestial realm in general being too actively involved with the human world (or allowed to, for that matter), but angels, at least in their realm, aren't born into a specific role by default. They rise through the ranks and earn it, as well as even having the freedom to choose something else. It implies that at some point —the seven brothers only were angels that carried out the more low-tier work —no doubt that would include the "watching over/guiding humans/encounters in missions" in their list.

That in itself already means an innate understanding of a human's mortality would be in mind back then. But how long has it's been since they were casted out of the Celestial realm, becoming full fledged demons that would now not even consider a human more than a particularly shiny soul to resist consuming, for the exchange program's sake?

Not to mention, they are over thousands of years old —their entire physiology, as demon and angel alike, are far superior in terms of fragility and endurance. While it's not necessarily out of malice, it could be why they have been unconsciously expecting you to be so quickly over it. (Another side thought is that: as such, even if you were to explain the natural traumatic effect a human would have on their psyche after lesson 16 — they still could not completely understand, nor grasp the severity of it. What they would try however would be treating you considerably more carefully if you were to be actually vocal/obviously not faring well.)

[mochifer]

"Get ready, we're having a tea party at the Demon Lord's Castle."

Half visible from their spot in the bed, they could see Lucifer leaning a hand on the door frame, sporting a handful of papers sure to be Mammon's contribution to the weekly bills. A quick creak snapping the door shut again had the human moving to get ready for the ineviavtable interogation sure to occur from the recent shenaigans.

Really, it was their own fault for being hasty. A choice they made, time and time again. Nonsensical situations and events, always a new danger looming on the horizon. Between the people they loved and their own life, they would always choose their loved ones. A pity said loved ones had an opinion on that.

---

The Demon Lord's Castle gardens were beautiful, as if Barbatos would allow for any less of the Little D's that maintained it. A little table, almost comically small for the three demons gathered around a human who could never outpace them all. Lucifer flanking them, Diavolo across from them, and Barbatos readying Hellrose tea with blank smile beside Diavolo.

As ever the leader, Diavolo leaned forwards and began, "Last week, you endangered yourself. This is not a new situation, you've also attempted prior to protect the others with your own life. I would like an explaination."

Straight shoulders and calm voice, trying not to be too forceful while retaining authority. This wasn't their Diavolo, gentle and kind and lonely, always reaching for a connection he didn't quite have the social grace to make. This was the Demon Prince, dealing with a threat to the human he considered his to protect. A threat they seemed to be posing to themselves, recently.

There really wasn't an opportunity to get away from this. If it wasn't the Royals, it would be the the Angels, the Brothers, or the Sorcerer. May as well start a fire, if it's bound to be an unavoidable problem. Moving from problem solving to damage control, it's always been their specialty.

"I'm human. We live, what, a century? I've given my life candle to Beel, I think the food here has poisioned me enough a Chinese emperor would be jealous, and my life is in near constant danger."

Lucifer stared, Diavolo stared harder. Barbatos had stopped pouring and was now white-knuckling the teapot under his gloves. Hopefully it wasn't one of his favorites.

"If someone has to go, I'm the one who should. I won't live like you." Spoken with the monotony of someone who could only speak like they played pranks with Death itself, they continued their ramble. "I love you. I love the Devildom. I can never be safe here, but it'll always be better than the Human world because the people who love me are here," They paused a moment, "If I need to die to keep you all safe, I will."

It felt, not good, but better to admit. Unfortunate that no one else seemed to take it well.

Lucifer was gripping their thigh tightly, an abnormally distressed look usually reserved for the worst of their families rampages. Diavolo had taken their hand, and was leaning far enough across the table it had begun to lean. Barbatos' smile had dropped alongside the cracks beginning to appear in the pretty little teapot, painted flowers splintering under the weight of his grip.

"I believe I should see you to the Young Lord's guest room, little lamb." The teapot was set down, and quicker than they could see, Barbatos was offering a hand at their side. Taking their hand as the other two released them, Barbatos quickly escorted them out, leaving Lucifer and Diavolo behind with the broken teapot, now cold.

The two quietly looked to each other, grim and considering and ever too nonchalant.

"Solomon was once mortal too."