#like demons being proud of their names or it would be rude to cast aside the name bestowed upon him by his mmotherr or smthn

[authoratmidnight]

for your consideration, trans!Asmodeus

-was raised as a girl for the first few years of his life till he realized being called a girl was uncomfortable and proudly announced one day to his mother that ‘I’m a boy’ and that was that on that subject

-he loathes his first name cause it’s a girl’s name but he hasn’t changed it out of some sort of misplaced pride or something, which is why he’s still saddled with it despite hating it. his family are the only ones allowed to get away with calling him ‘Alice’

-literally none of his friends call him Alice and always some variation of Asmodeus or Azz and he’s fine w/ that

-he stopped showing his tail as a boy simply cause no tail is less likely to raise any questions (as plenty of demons have small/nonexistent tails) than him wandering around with a bubbly heart tipped tail(typically a ‘girl’s’ tail so would be a bit unusual to see on a boy).

-the only ones who actually know about this are his family (or at least his mom and David. Viole and Lily look young enough that they’ve probably only ever known him as a boy). none of his friends know because he’s never felt it prudent to tell them cause it’s not, really anyone else’s business?? (I could imagine him telling a future significant other at some point tho)

-side note but, evidently the crossdressing as a devidol didn’t bother him /that/ much given that he was 100% ready to do it again to join Iruma during the Devidol games (and would have if his mom hadn’t stopped him lol) so. he’s not about to do it often tho

[adelindschade]

Karma is a female-dog

Moroha found the dance between Setsuna and Hisui hilarious. Never one for romance, she enjoyed the awkwardness that surrounded the pair. The boy was much more in love in the half-demon than she was him. Inevitable heartbreak, Moroha predicted. She also relished in the red that overcame his face whenever she pointed it out. In front of her father, his father – anyone, really! And he’d lash out with his weapon of choice – just too slow to make a contact; she was too swift.

So, karma had to repay the favor.

One errand. That’s all. A trip from one village to the other for mere supplies. Of course, her mother insisted she wear something less conspicuous. A frivolous kimono borrowed from Sango. And no teeth. Be polite – don’t say anything smart. That part was uttered by her hypocritical father – though his intentions meant well, too concerned his daughter would be harmed by people propelled by prejudice. Not that she couldn’t hold her own…

Which is why she didn’t mind picking a fight with a demon that she came across attacking a procession of men. They were no match for the gigantic beast but she came prepared with her sword, hidden well. Not even her father spied the piece as she slipped off. Nor would he have said something because better safe than sorry. Her mother would have opted for a bow. Thankfully, she gathered that, too, having tucked it away out of her father’s sight and grabbed it as she rounded the hut.

A rebel through and through. Seventeen going onto forever. She was invincible.

Her hair was done in a much more mature fashion – much to her chagrin as she had to set aside precious seconds to tie it back. Another man had fallen from his horse; another slain. She raised her bow and shot it straight – piercing armor made of bone. The beast howled and glared down at the surprisingly small woman.

“You!” It thrashed, attempting to grab her. Her reflexes were keener than its own, evading capture with a simple jump back. She wielded her preferred weapon, a sword of strength and stealth that matched her own.

It screamed as its wrist was sliced clean up. Screw her kimono – she doubted it was the first time the fabric had been spoiled with blood. Sango would know how to clean it out. She made another slice, aiming at its neck. Blood was rampant in the air but she did her best to ignore the stench.

For a demon so large, it offered little fight. She was disappointed to see it cut down so fast. She wanted something more. With a heavy sigh, she yielded her sword and secured her bow back in place.

“Not even a bounty,” she lamented as she walked pass. A corpse or two lay in her wake; nothing could be done for them. Her father would’ve pitied them but moved on. The living would attend to the carnage. She had another mission. Her mother would have a fit if she did not come by sundown with the desired herbs.

“Miss! Miss!”

She paused mid-step, glancing back with curiosity. A man of noble tier scrambled her way, traumatized by the slaughter yet having not a scratch on his body. He must’ve been important to be protected.

“Yeah?”

“Miss! I must know your name to express my deepest gratitude!”

“Uh…” she mustered. If she said her name, it could come back to bite her. Yet, what harm could it do?

“Moroha,” she decided to oblige him.

“Lady Moroha? I am indebted to you. You have demonstrated great skill and bravery in face of true terror. As a reward for saving my life from certain death, I’d be honored if you would accept my proposal of marriage.”

“What…?” she stammered.

“I am Nobleman Akio Inoue, the youngest child and only son of Chieftain-”

“Sorry, but no,” she rudely interrupted. So much for avoiding harm. She just insulted some high-and-might-nobleman. Would her father care? No. Would he hate the idea of having to deal with the aftermath of a man’s wounded pride? Of course. But he’d rather deal with that than send his daughter off to a stranger. “My father would not accept,” she attempted to ease the brunt of the blow.

“Whom is your father?” he inquired.

“Uh…”

Myoga had called him a Lord. And her mother a Lady. But she had always known them to be called nothing more than a half-demon and a priestess. Informally, Inuyasha and Kagome. She always called them Mom and Dad. Yet, her heritage may claim more rank above the nobleman’s if she took into consideration the demon hierarchy. She wouldn’t explain such to him since she scarcely understood it herself.

“None of your concern,” she eased. “Your expression of gratitude will suffice. Carry on,” she dismissed hastily. Her steps fastened and she swiftly escaped out of ear shot, though she heard him call her out plenty in her retreat.

She nearly forgot the experience altogether, grumbling to her father about the scolding she received from her mother upon returning home later than usual and bearing blood all over the borrowed clothes. He laughed, patted her hair, granted her his usual line of “could be worse” before walking off into the village where she was certain he sought to converse with Miroku over their latest job.

Or tease Hisui over his crush on Setsuna. Inuyasha found it humorous a slayer was enamored with Sesshomaru’s offspring. ‘Kid is suicidal,’ her father would tease. Setsuna wasn’t as warm to Inuyasha as she was to Moroha – distrusting of the adult half-demon more so for his connection with her estranged father than anything else.

Talks of proposals were long forgotten until one unexpected visit from a nearby nobleman had Moroha hiding behind Kaede’s hut. Her mother was alarmed.

“I’ll be off!” she squeaked but her mother kept her cornered.

“Why are you so scared of being seen?” her mother questioned with crossed arms. “Shy is not a word I’d describe you as.”

“Uh…”

“Spit it out, Moroha!”

“I SAVED HIM FROM A DEMON AND HE PROPOSED TO ME AND I SAID NO!” Moroha breathed all at once. She was wide eyed and panicked, much like her mother who exhibited the same nervous expression.

“What?!”

“I DIDN’T TELL DAD BECAUSE DAD WOULD – WELL, YOU KNOW HIM! SO, I DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING AND I THOUGHT IT WOULDN’T BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE I’D NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN BUT THAT’S NOT THE CASE!”

“Moroha, one trip by yourself and we’ve slighted a noble family! I don’t know if your father would be proud of you or furious!”

“Just hide me! I was never here!!”

“Uh, oh,” Kagome winced.

“What?” Moroha whispered.

“He’s caught the village’s attention.”

“No, no, no, no,” Moroha pleaded helplessly. She hid into her mother’s shoulder.

“I seek a fair maiden by the name of Moroha!” the man announced. “I was told she resides here!”

The demon’s ears twitched.

“Did he just…?” Setsuna asked, eyeing the stranger whose caravan arrived in their measly village.

“Fair? Is he talking about our Moroha?” Hisui chuckled. That earned a small grin from Setsuna.

“She must have hit him too hard on the head,” she replied. He laughed at her jab.

“She is cute… when she wants to be,” Shippo jabbed. “She’s a bit of a tomboy.” He spied an emerging figure from the nearby tree stepping onto the road. “Uh-oh…”

“What about her?” Inuyasha stepped forward. His voice was harsh and cautious.

“I desire to seek out her father,” he replied sternly. “I have business with him that requires immediate attention.”

“How so…” Inuyasha insisted, arms crossed and eyes set in a beady glare.

“It does not concern you, half-demon! Step aside!” the man cast with a strong arm to the left.

“It sure as hell does when it’s my daughter you’re talking about,” Inuyasha spat. His hand wavered over the sheath of his trusted sword.

“We don’t know a Moroha! He is confused!” Kagome intervened with lightning speed. She bowed incessantly. Inuyasha looked down with utter confusion.

“Priestess, you know this half-demon?”

Before Inuyasha could say anything, Kagome snuck a small glare his way. “Don’t say anything!” she hissed.

“Okay…” he grumbled.

“We know a Moroha!” Hisui spoke out. He was the recipient of icy glares from both parents and child alike. Setsuna was unmoved.

“What business do you have with her?” her cousin pitched.

“I desire to speak with her father at once!”

“He’s right here – what do you have to say? Get on with it,” Inuyasha spat, baring his teeth.

“Inuyasha…” Kagome whispered, tugging him back by his arm to no avail.

“In no way could a half-demon like you reproduce such a fine creature as she,” the nobleman sneered.

“Thanks for the compliment but get on with it before I part you head from your body, idiot,” Inuyasha snarled.

Kagome paled. Moroha shrunk in the shadows.

“Perhaps I can intermediate,” Miroku intervened. He stepped between the two. “I can attest my friend, though foul tempered, is indeed the father of the woman you inquire about.”

“I agree with Inuyasha – what business do you have with her?” Sango joined. Her hand was purposely placed on her weapon, ready to draw.

“She is my betrothed!”

“No, I’m not!” Moroha shrieked as she emerged from her hiding place. “I said no!”

“You said your father would not approve,” Akio mused.

“I said no and that he wouldn’t approve!” she raised her voice as an angry red overcame her features.

“Which I don’t!” Inuyasha joined.

“Get that through your thick skull! Move on!!” Moroha seconded.

“You are… partially demon,” Akio nodded. “That explains your strength and bravery. Nonetheless, I am indebted to you, and your heritage does not dissuade me from fulfilling my promise.”

“The hell you will! Hands off my daughter, you freak,” Inuyasha snarled, drawing his sword.

Setsuna chuckled. Hisui sputtered, doing his best to hide his amusement after a reprimanding look from his uncle, followed by his own parents who were worried by Inuyasha retaliating.

“This is one big misunderstanding,” Kagome waved off before retracting her daughter behind her.

“A priestess and a half-demon… such a peculiar union…”

“If you got something to say, pal, say it!”

“Inuyasha! Sit, boy!”

A thunderous thud followed, with her father planted on the road.

“Ow!!”

Moroha stiffened, never so happy in her life to be free of such damning beads.

“Sorry, Dad!” She squeaked.

“Why do you approve of such a match? Surely, I’d elevate her station, and bestow our children with a better quality of life,” he made the mistake of justifying. “They would exhibit a lesser degree of demonic energy as she or yourself. We could disguise that properly.”

“CHILDREN?!” Both daughter-and-father cried incredulously.

Kagome sputtered. “Excuse me, she’s seventeen!”

“He’s surely digging his own grave,” Sango sighed.

“Perhaps it’s best we let her father do the honors,” Miroku agreed. He wasn’t naïve enough to think he’d react any differently where his twins were concerned. They stepped out of the way in tandem.

“This will be a slaughter,” Setsuna theorized.

“I am not a cow to be bred!” Moroha squawked. “I’ll kill you myself!”

“No one is killing anyone!” Kagome disagreed. She breathed nervously. “I’m sorry you came all this way… but marriage is not in the future for you two,” she attempted to mediate.

“Is she already spoken for?”

“No! She’s seventeen and under my care!” Inuyasha growled with a raised fist.

“Oh, so you already prepared a match with someone of your likeness,” Akio accused with narrowed us. “I disagree – it’d be a disservice for your daughter.”

“That’s not your call to make and she isn’t marrying anyone anytime soon! Not if I have any say in it!”

“Yeah! Marriage ain’t for me, buddy!” Moroha copied.

“I wouldn’t turn it down so soon if I were you,” Hisui humored. “This could be your one and only chance.”

Moroha steered towards him with raging eyes.

“No one asked you, Hisui!”

“Butt out, you! Miroku! Manage your son!”

“Now is not the time, son,” Miroku meekly said as he approached his offspring.

“I’m inclined to agree,” Setsuna joined.

“With me…?” Hisui prompted, hopeful she was aligning herself with him.

“This one or perhaps, if he’s still enamored, the wolf boy, too,” Setsuna added.

“Enough!” Inuyasha bellowed. He nearly drew out his sword had it not been for Kagome who stepped in front of him, guarding him.

“Would you decline nobility and comfortability?” Akio asked Moroha.

“I do! I’m staying right here! Time to go! Good-bye! See you never!”

“Manners,” Kagome warned.

“Screw manners,” Inuyasha cursed.

“So be it,” Akio dejected. He pulled the reigns of the steed, prompting the horse forward. He passed by the family of three as he did.

“No offense has been taken, I assure you,” he calmly said as his eyes set upon Moroha. “I bid you good fortune, Lady Moroha, and you, too… half-demon, priestess…”

Inuyasha was tense, hands fisted, alongside his daughter who bore teeth as he passed. A real feral child – however cute she may be in her mother’s eyes. Kagome waved awkwardly.

“You missed your chance to marry rich,” Hisui teased as he joined the threesome alongside his parents.

“You handled yourself pretty well given the circumstances,” Miroku chuckled.

“Moroha…” Inuyasha warned. She felt his eyes burn into her skull. She trembled.

“Mom can explain!!” She squealed, running away.

“Not a chance! Get back here!” Inuyasha gave chase.

“I wonder what your dad would do if someone tried to ask for your hand,” Hisui joked to Setsuna.

“Kill him, no doubt,” Setsuna answered promptly.

The color on his face drained.

“Maybe we should pick our battles,” Sango warned – enjoying the terror on her boy’s face as she, too, foresaw his crush teetering on delusional.

[haphazardlyparked]

etiquette

regret everything part fifteen (part fourteen)

Kan is in rare form tonight—he holds himself a little aloof, as if to make up for the casual clothes Noki convinced him in to, but he's otherwise been polite and pleasant, and even remembered Abat Mal’s name. (Hona's younger brother has had a crush on Kan for years, one that's been remarkably resilient in the face of Kan constantly forgetting who he is.)  

Isokai, of course, is a beacon of good manners. So Noki doesn’t need to worry when he approaches Kan, because that's only to be expected. Samran custom dictates that Isokai greet or introduce himself to all present guests before speaking with the hosts, so of course Isokai will go to Kan before joining Noki.

Noki’s stomach twists itself up into knots anyway. He tenses when Isokai stops by Kan's side and says something, and he grips his cup just a little bit harder when he sees Kan reply.

Whatever Kan says makes Isokai smile. Noki relaxes, a little — and then stares when he sees Kan smiling suddenly, in response to something Isokai has said.

“Noki,” Hana snaps, impatiently enough that she's probably been trying to get Noki's attention for a few moments.

“Sorry, Hana,” Noki says automatically, polite and apologetic and completely unable to keep from glancing back over to Kan and the ambassador, who seem to be simply... Conversing. It’s not like Noki to be so distracted, but at the same time, he might actually be watching history in the making. “Hana, is it me, or is reality is taking a break over there?”

Hana follows Noki’s look; when she sees their lord and the ambassador, her irritation melts into appreciation -- she and her brother are more alike than they generally think they are.

“Alright, I forgive you,” Hana grins. "I'd be distracted by your boyfriend and your mentor too."

"Stop saying mentor like that," Noki protests, and quietly promises himself he'll get his sister to push Hana into a lake within the week.

“They have very beautiful smiles,” Mal sighs, floating closer to them when he realizes they’re all looking at the same spectacle.

“Please stop ogling my boyfriend,” Noki says primly, but there’s a not insignificant part of him that glows with pride. His friends rarely see Kan like this—laughing with someone, instead of mocking them. Noki's Kan is softer and quieter than Lord Kan. He's entertaining and intelligent, and could win over all of Noki's friends if he were ever comfortable enough to try. Noki has always known this. The biggest surprise is that Isokai is the one who’s drawn Kan in—and that’s another reason to be proud. Isokai is the perfect ambassador, despite some of the objections raised at the Conclave, and his ability to win Kan over just affirms Samra’s choice in him. And Noki's.

“You lot aren’t subtle at all,” drawls Ahal, appearing at the edge of their growing circle in a sheathe gown Noki definitely did not know she owned. “Look. Now they’re embarrassed and running away.”

"Ahal!" Noki frowns at his younger sister, but she just looks over his shoulder at Kan and Isokai. Reluctantly, Noki turns to see them both disappearing down the hall towards the bathroom.

“Noki, who knew Lord Kan could smile like that?” Hana asks, with an exaggerated sigh.  

“You say ‘Lord Kan’, but I know you’re thinking about the ambassador,” Noki accuses.

Ahal elbows him, and steps on Hana’s foot. When she has their attention, she says, conspiratorially, “My dense siblings/friends. Don’t you want to know what they’re talking about?”

It’s easy to tell Hana really had not thought about it, because the look on her face is one of surprise and intrigue too comical to be faked. Ahal bursts into laughter.

“Are you kidding me?” Mal asks. “That’s all I’ve been thinking about.”

“Well, I haven’t,” Noki declares. Lowering his voice, he adds in a politely apologetic tone, “I am, however, excusing myself to use the bathroom.”

Smirking at his friends, Noki flees past Ahal before she can elbow him again.  

“Behold, Iska,” comes Kan’s voice from down the hall. Noki freezes where he is, past the general restroom they have, and closer towards the workrooms and the bedroom. Kan’s voice comes from his workroom. The door isn’t even closed all the way, so Noki could easily join them — but his brain stutters on the name. Iska?

“This is kiflower, and possibly the best thing you’ll ever drink,” Kan continues.

“Why share it with me?”

That’s definitely Isokai’s voice.

Noki’s lips twist. It’s sometimes funny when Kan forgets Mal’s name, but butchering the ambassador’s is a step far, in his opinion. Kan probably thinks it’s a nickname. 

“I realized I owe you an apology, for your parents,” Kan says, his voice joined with the sound of clinking glasses and liquid being poured. “I’m sorry that they were the ones who died.”

Isokai’s reply is unhesitant. “But if they were another’s parents?” he asks wryly.

Kan laughs. There’s an edge to it that Noki hasn’t heard before. “Well, you know how the under things go. But let’s not forget that I’m the victim here. I was attacked first.”

“Preventative measures are not considered acts of first aggression in Samra,” Isokai says matter-of-factly. Kan laughs coldly.

Noki still isn’t sure what they’re talking about. As if aware of his attempt to keep up, Kan changes the topic to something Noki does understand. “Yes, those Sahms are a problem, aren’t they? How in the entire sky above and the whole earth below are we going to get anywhere if you people keep calling me a demon? What can I do about it?”

"You could always consider a marriage alliance," Isokai suggests humorlessly. He sounds as serious as he had when he proposed it to the Exchange, but then as now, Noki knows he's simply reminding Kan of all possible options. Isokai finds it reassuring to think of the worst possible outcome, and then wish that it will never get to that.

Kan takes it as a real suggestion, and snorts rudely. "Iska,” he scoffs, and Noki realizes suddenly that it is a nickname. “You've met the beautiful man out there with gorgeous eyes and cheekbones I could cut myself on? Right?" 

Noki tries not to grin.

“Of course,” says Isokai.

“Well. He’s brilliant and prickly, and I wouldn't cast him aside for a political arrangement. Not like you. Not even for you."

"I wasn't offering," Isokai replies, and there's -- something about his tone that’s both very familiar and oddly out of place.

"But you would, wouldn't you," Kan accuses. "If you were me, you'd really consider an interstate marriage."

Noki would consider it, as much as he loves Kan. Kan's loyalty lights a fierce, deep pride in Noki. He loves Kan, and to be loved back like Kan loves him — it’s addicting. But if a marriage could solve so much, wouldn’t it be selfish to prize one’s own happiness over everyone else’s?

"Most likely," Isokai tells Kan. "But perhaps not so eagerly as before. I haven't learned nothing from you, Lord Kan."

There's that thing again in Isokai's voice, and Noki recognizes it now as admiration.

Kan laughs loudly. "Look at you, growing feelings," he mocks Isokai. "Maybe one day you'll even be a real boy."

“I always thought you were the one who was lacking,” Isokai says, and he even laughs. Softly, but audible enough that Noki wonders if there was some kind of hallucinogen in the fungal dishes.

“I might always be the villain, Isokai, but I am capable of love.”

Of all things, Isokai says, “It changes you, when you fall in love with someone who supports you.”

There’s an elongated pause, and then Kan flippantly replies, “I’m still the villain, Isokai. This is no excuse to get sappy with me.” It’s the second time he’s put such a strange emphasis on the ambassador’s name.

Isokai doesn’t reply, and the silence grows long enough that Noki thinks about leaving quietly, if they’re going to just finish their drinks in silence. Then he knows it’s time to go when Kan speaks again.

“Now, shouldn’t you be getting back to the rest?” he asks Isokai, and sounding perfectly pleasant and polite once more. “If you put off saying hello to Noki for much longer, you’re going to be abominably rude. Or so I’ve been told. Multiple times. By Noki himself.”

“I am stretching the limits of hospitality,” Isokai admits.

Noki straightens from the slight hunch he’d unconsciously adopted, and he’s ready to walk past the door like he’s only just on his way to the bathroom in the bedroom. But he waits a moment longer, out of sheer curiosity —

“I accept your apology, Kan,” Isokai says quietly. 

Noki lurches into a loud step and keeps walking forward blindly. His head is full of just one question. Why Kan had apologized for the deaths of the ambassador’s parents?

(next - part sixteen)

@gingerly-writing @rrrawrf-writes @severe-fangirl-syndrome

*ducks for cover*