[Kazuya sounded beyond pleased, and nimbly, he jumped up to perch on the very edge of the counter, giving him the perfect vantage point of watching William potter about the place. He kicked his legs out too. What a kid]
Not too often, though. He's a very kind person, despite being- [He paused here. Ah, he did recall Kevin asking him not to reveal his true nature carelessly, but would William know? He lived with the man, after all. Eh, better to err on the side of caution] -er, being a very scary person from time to time. So I don't wanna bother him too much.
[Kazuya had a feeling he just dropped Kevin in the shit. Hmm, oh well! He was a grown up angel. He was sure he'd be fiiiiine]
Milk and four sugars, please! [Yes, he likes his tea sweet and weak. A travesty, he knew] And really, you think? He comes across as a bit strict over some things...
["A bit". Kazuya still remembered that near death experience of Kevin almost setting him aflame that one time, or his terrifying insistence of doing an exorcism on his ass during their first rocky meeting...]
Like, you know, swearing and blaspheming, or being heretical, or doing porno recruitment. Such a stick in the mud about it.
[If you couldn't tell, Kazuya was a very, er, liberal Messiah]
[He's got the tea steeping at this point. Even without the modern kitchen, William had learned to brew a perfect cup of tea quickly and efficiently. His time with Arthur had left certain habits very ingrained.]
I suppose he is sometimes. He has never been that way with me though.
[Well back in Solomon's time, but William hardly felt that counted for anything. Hardly.]
...well yes, he is a bit uncomfortable about that sort of thing. Though to be fair to him, the time and place we come from is a bit more restrained. Especially in regards to, ah, porno recruitment.
[Victorian times being what they were. Though Kevin had it worse, being from heaven and the Angel of Repentance. Sometimes made William wonder how much pain he'd caused the man by regularly denying god. Not that he had any regrets.]
Hn. I guess that's true. I should be amazed that he isn't more... er, uptight.
[Compared to most angels Kazuya knew, Kevin was actually okay. He could be overzealously scary from time to time, and Kazuya had to keep a very tight control over Bel in the angel's presence, lest he get stuck in a very awkward situation of explaining how he was simultaneously the Messiah and the King of Demons, but overall, Kevin was tolerable. The only other angel to achieve that level with Kazuya was Remiel, and even he could get annoying with his gentle attempts to make him more pious]
By the way, I'm curious... he never talks about you much, but I recall him mentioning something about you before that's been bugging me.
[He leaned towards William slightly as he spoke, his gaze intense with scrutiny. Angels didn't guard random mortals. There had to be something dangerously special about him, like with Amane or Naoya. He definitely wasn't possessed by a demon, and he wasn't Cain. So what could it be? Nothing, he sensed absolutely nothing... yet he remembered what Kevin mentioned before so clearly;
"All demons want young master."
Why was that? Demons didn't chase random mortals either. Those with strong desires, those with weak hearts, those with a use that would improve their own power... those were the qualities they chased. So what...
He briefly consulted with Bel. Or rather, he tentatively prodded the deep, dark presence that slumbered behind his breast bone. The demon obligingly looked, which was always uncomfortable, and after a moment's pause, it settled back down. Disinterested. Hm. Well, if Bel had no answers, then Kazuya will simply have to ask. He was simply burning with curiosity]
... like, he made you out to be quite popular with demons before. He even accused me of wanting to do, and I quote, "Unspeakable things" to you when I broke into the apartment the first time round. Just wondering; that a common occurrence for you? Getting horny demons chasing after you? Or does Kevin over exaggerate in that way of his?
[He had just finished straining the tea and was about to mix in some sugar when the scrutiny started. William leaned back suddenly and listened to the question. Well this was a bit uncomfortable.]
...so he told you about that then. And no "horny demons" are after me. Just normal demons.
[Well some of them occasionally got a little too fresh with him, but that was neither here nor there.
But did this mean Kazuya knew about Kevin and what he was?]
Some because they want to kill me, others because I am apparently allowed to make a very important choice.
[He was going to turn back and finish the tea first, taking a moment to gain his bearings.]
If it is something you wish to discuss, we can talk about it, but it is probably better sitting down.
["A very important choice", huh? Now, what sort of choice would be so important to demons and angels alike? The only one that sprung to mind was something akin to the Throne of Bel war, but Kazuya doubted that could be it. He wasn't arrogant enough to think that he was the only King of Demons in this vast universe, but William looked so weedy and ordinary that unless he had constructed some sort of ye olde magickal Harmoniser, this guy would get split in half within two seconds flat in a straight up demon vs human fight.]
Sure, I'm down for that. [Smiling, he slipped off the edge of the counter, but his eyes were very watchful, almost like he was trying to dissect William with his gaze alone] I'm curious as to what sort of decision a normal human like you has sway over. Sounds like there's an interesting story behind it all.
[Not inaccurate though. The past year of his life pre-Cerealia had been an experience. Usually annoying, sometimes a little fun, but recently just upsetting and horrifying.
But he finishes up everything, setting it on a platter and then heads for the living room. He's focusing on settling himself a bit more, because this level of evaluation is disconcerting. Being ranked on his own merits is one thing, but when it comes to all of this...
It is a pain.
He takes the arm chair as he sets the platter down, not bothering to grab his own cup right away.]
So first of all, what are demons and angels like in your world? For the sake of comparison.
Edited (wow I can html, I swear) 2015-11-10 01:15 (UTC)
[Kazuya followed docilely enough - though William would be glad to know that his intense gaze had transferred over to the platter, an unmistakeable expression of hunger on his face. The moment his ass touched the sofa seat, and the platter hit the coffee table, Kazuya was upon it in seconds. Two crackers stolen away, and his cup held in his other hand, a contented smile on his face.
Ah. Lovely. There was something to be said about how Westerners had their tea...hm? Oh, William was talking- oh right.]
Ah, well... [Kazuya dunked his cracker into his tea, not caring that this was not the proper way to eat one. It tasted nice, don't judge him] That's a complicated subject.
[There was a pause]
They're... probably different to how you imagine. [Chomp, there went the now soggy cracker] The angels especially. They're not what you would expect.
[This was something Kazuya had pondered over deeply. Angels came under the same bracket as demons did when it came to summoning; they required a ritual, Aya's song, and the emotional energy source the Internet provided. Kazuya didn't know if the type of emotions or desires they required differed from demons, but the fact remained that they were summoned in the same way. There was also what Loki told him before, how God was not the true creator of his world, but an usurper who had ousted Bel - Marduk - from his throne, many millennia before.
He pondered... were the angels in his world just an artificial type of demon, created by God's hands - who could be a demon himself? Bel was a demon, despite being a God as well, it was a possibility... but so far only a theory, one Kazuya didn't really want to blather on about with Kevin's master. If that angel heard him lumping him and demons together... shudder...]
But I'll try to explain as well I can. So, um, let's see... angels and demons are both supernatural beings that can exist in my world. Though, it's not something they can do freely, y'know? Some angels need to possess humans, and demons need to have a contract to exist in the human world, because... ah, this bit I'm unsure of because it's all this complicated science stuff involving Magnetite and Magatsuhi and the COMP, so... um...
[Urgh, how was it explained? Where was Atsuro when he needed him?]
Nevermind. That's probably not important. Anyway, basically, in my world demons and angels are real and they're as bad as each other. [He harrumphed] They prey on people's desires, and think only on furthering their own agenda, with humans stuck in the middle. Though, I guess you can say that demons are more likely to be jerks because they actually, like, eat humans, so, yeah.
[Willliam's not going to judge how Kazuya has his tea too much. It was rather mild compared to Sytry's own habits, which tended to result in the tea being more sugar than actual liquid. He has his own tea without sugar for the moment, taking a few crackers for himself, since he suspects they will be gone rather quickly.
He listens to Kazuya carefully, mentally noting down what he was being told. It wasn't being explained very well, but he could get the gist of it.]
Hmmm, I see. That sounds a little different, but not by much.
[William set his cup aside, having manged to polish off his own crackers rather quickly.]
First off, as far as I have gathered, in my world, Angels and Demons are pretty much the same as well. The only difference is that Demons are those that were cast out of Heaven during Lucifer's rebellion. I do not know the details of why, though from what I understand it is complicated.
[And quite frankly, William didn't care terribly much. Sure, he was a bit curious, but really, what did it have to do with him?]
But because of this, they share a few unique quirks when it comes to their biology. First of all, while they can reproduce as humans do, they have limited amounts of children. So they are forced to increase their numbers though other means. To that end, Demons make contracts with humans, and when those humans die, they become new demons, called Nephilim. Heaven calls their human converts Saints.
[He took some more tea, before going onto the next bit.]
But, most importantly, is the fact that they occasionally have to go to sleep. They live long, immortal lives and in order to sustain this, they enter a time of hibernation, which can last many centuries. If they do not do this on occasion, they will die. It seems they all must do this, no exceptions.
And Lucifer is about to enter his own sleep.
[A long pause then.]
I suppose you can guess how many problems that would cause.
[Kazuya blinked as slow as it took to yawn, looking somewhat flummoxed. Demons and angels could have kids? Huh. Huh. Who'da thought...]
Not really? [He forced himself to focus on the subject at hand though, his confusion melting away into thoughtfulness. This was all very interesting - and different to the demons he knew - but he had no clue what Lucifer taking a dirt nap would mean] I don't get how Lucy taking a dirt nap is a big deal. It's not like he does an important job or anything.
[From Kazuya's very brief, yet terrifying experience with the fallen angel, he knew that Lucifer commanded a certain level of obedience and respect amongst the demons (for Belzaboul was his very loyal servant, and those feelings remained deep within his - Bel's - soul), but his rule wasn't unconditional. Whereas all demons not bound by contract had to bend their necks to Bel's rule, demons chose to do so for Lucifer - to an extent anyway. Might made right, etc, etc...
In short, what he meant was... Lucifer going to sleep didn't mean Hell grinding to a halt. Demons governed themselves quite well, if only because they existed in a state of permanent anarchy. Hell, they existed without Bel sitting on the throne for thousands of years before Kazuya strolled by. The only problem he could see happening was...]
What, do the demons do naughty things in the human world when his back's turned? [He couldn't see the angels abiding that without kicking humanity into another Ordeal of some sort] I guess that'd be a big problem...
No, but they do have a war with Heaven that they do not wish to lose. And strategically, being without a leader is a rather bad situation.
[Cut off the head and all that. Granted, pinning everything on a single leader like that seemed a bit misguided to him, especially when their life cycles were so undependable.]
But yes, they need to choose a new leader, some to take Lucifer's place should he go to sleep, or die during his nap. So they are holding a little election right now.
[Really why did William have to know any of this? Why was this real? And why was he talking about it?
Oh how he missed the days when life was simpler and he could have written this whole thing off as a fever dream. But now was not the time for nostalgia.]
There are three candidates right now, Sytry, Dantalion and Camio, though Camio is not interested in the throne.
[Maybe. But then again, why had Camio been had that meeting in hell? But, like many things, that was something William didn't want to know the answer to. And besides, he could trust Camio, that much he knew.]
And naturally, they need someone to choose the right candidate, to cast the vote. Guess who that is.
[Kazuya practically sighed this, looking both wry and sympathetic. Of course, stuff like that always ended up dropping on some ordinary guy who wanted nothing to do with the whole situation - teenagers to be specific, which was always weird and kind of animeish, but hey.]
That sounds so troublesome. Though... I didn't think demons would actually go about it with a democratic vote. In my world, we settled the whole empty throne business by killing the competition.
[Which was, in its own way, very effective. No one could cry foul, because the opponents would be dead, and since Might Makes Right in the demon world, the victor would, of course, be the best man- er, demon for the job. Not to say that he liked that style of brutish politics, if only because having very powerful, angry demons chasing him with murderous intent had done nothing for his nerves, but it was a lot more simple than dragging a human in to vote on a leader.
But... wait a minute. Why William specifically? Once more, he was very ordinary. Kazuya's whole fiasco of getting dragged headfirst into messy demon politics had been because at the very base of his soul, he was a demon. He possessed a valid right to the throne, the same as the other Bels. William? William was 100% human, and it seemed totally bizarre that the demons - as well as casting a democratic vote of all things - would take a random, mediocre human's input on something so important]
But, why you specifically? Like, don't take offence or anything, but you don't scream "special". You're human, you're not possessed or magical, and you smell normal too. [He leaned in slightly, almost spilling his tea over his lap from the movement, his eyes narrowed at maximum squint] Maybe, you're like Naoya... you a reincarnation of somebody biblically important or something?
Oh, they are not above base things like bribery. Trust me. It is only democratic in the loosest sense of the word.
[Granted, it wasn't like William came from any sort of democratic land. Sure, Parliament could claim to be whatever it wanted, but the system was corrupt, one ruled by the upper class William was part of. It was a fact of life, simple as that. Honestly, in their own way, Demons were pretty honest about it. Which was a strange realization to make after all this time.
When Kazuya mentioned the word "reincarnation," William flinched. His true connection to Solomon was something he chose not to mention here, because really, why should he? Let people think he was a mere descendant. No one need think him mad. And he could be himself for once and not have the shadow of that man flavoring most of his social interactions.
But then again, now that it was put out as a possibility, was there any point in hiding it? No, probably not.]
...you are more astute than you look. But yes, I am, both a reincarnation and descendant of someone. A very annoying person. King Solomon.
[Kazuya caught the flinch. His eyes flickered with an unknown emotion]
Solomon, eh?
[He pawed through his memory, hoping something would leap out at him. The name, King Solomon, did ring a bell, but in the "I-heard-that-once-on-TV" kind of way. But could you blame him? What ordinary Japanese teenager would know Judeo-Christian figures like the back of his hand? He barely knew of Cain and Abel, and he was one of them!]
Drawing a blank, I gotta admit. But. [He paused for a moment, looked down at his tea, then looked up again, smiling wryly;] If it makes you feel any better about your crazy situation... you're not alone. Abel's Reincarnation, at your service!
[He lifted his teacup in a mock-salute, even adding a cheeky wink. Yes, hard to imagine this guy as a gentle, ye olde shepherd...]
But, seriously, that explains a lot... [Er, kind of. He didn't really know Solomon's significance, but he sort of had the gist of the situation at the very least. Though, really, what was with God digging up old corpses and reusing them? The phrase "Rest In Peace" existed for a reason!] I'm guessing Solomon was a pretty important guy, back in the day - someone who had respect of demons too, if he, er, you, are allowed to have a say in their politics... ah, don't tell me he was a Marduk worshipper...
[Well, William couldn't fault Kazuya for not knowing who Solomon was. William hadn't either, despite years and years of church and Isaac's blathering about the supernatural. Actually it was a bit of a relief in someways. Anytime someone didn't have expectations of him because of something that happened millennia ago was a plus.
He raised an eyebrow then, because while he had expected that he would inevitably meet someone in the same situation as himself, William hadn't expected it to be this guy.]
I do not know whether to pity you or not then, since the man was known for being murdered and not much else.
[Granted, that was probably for the best. He lifted his teacup and paused.]
Marduk? No. He was the Third King of Israel, who bound 72 demons to his will. I have inherited those seals, unfortunately.
[Why couldn't Solomon have left all his treasures to William instead? Seriously. That would have actually been useful. Instead William had a number of demons who wanted to kill him and few who didn't. And two of them were stupid man children.]
[Kazuya pulled an odd expression at the "known for being murdered" part, but he didn't say anything. Probably for the best that the part of Abel becoming a demon didn't become common knowledge]
Oh, I see. [...hold on a mo'] Wait, 72 demons? [He let out a slow, appreciative whistle] That's impressive! I mean, for a human, considering in those days he'd have to go through the old fashioned way of summoning...
[In Kazuya's world, 72 was achievable if you were stinking rich in Macca. Thank the Lord for the COMP, automating demonic rituals for the open public!]
Though, I didn't realise you could "inherit" contracts like that. They tend to go null and void once the human dies - no renewals allowed... unless you had the demonic compendium...
[Somehow he doubted William summoned forth these 72 demons with that method though. For one, that'd cost way too much money... (the fate of a demon tamer was to be eternally broke)]
Apparantly it doesn't work that way. Solomon was killed before he could release the contracts. So they can not be nullfied and just carry over with his soul.
[Yeah William wouldn't want to think about a world where that required money. Banktruptcy was bad enough without going into debt to use a power he didn't even care for.]
I do not really know most of them though or have any use for them though. And the ones I do know are pretty annoying for the most part. Three of them, the ones in line for the throne are going to school. Two of them think that they can make me vote for them eventually.
[He shook his head at the mention of the compendium though.]
I have no book like that, though I do have a grimoire of magic and some sigils to allow me to summon a few of them more easily. Though it does not work here, since CERES did not feel like bringing any of them over.
[That sounded like a plotline to some sort of wacky anime...]
Wow, sounds rough, buddy. [Kazuya plucked up some of the remaining crackers and took a sip of his tea - ah, it cooled down some during their talk. Alas. He sadly dunked a cracker in it, pouting slightly] Though, probably for the best that you can't summon them here.
[He took a bite of the now half-soggy cracker, eyeing William contemplatively. He had a firm idea of what he was about now - or rather, understood why he had the supernatural attention he did. Important biblical figure reborn, binding contracts that persist after death, the key to an important decision - boy, throw in a lockdown and their similarities would border on eerie]
The less people summoning demons left, right and centre, the better. [Something in his gaze sharpened] ...so, what do you think of demons anyway? Sounds like they give you a lot of grief, so you probably dislike them a lot, huh?
[The tea was a bit tepid by now, so William decided to finish it off, giving him some time to think, because it was all more complicated than he liked to let on.
For the best? Yes, it was. Because they couldn't annoy him or complicate his life any further. And they could be dangerous, especially Dantalion. But at the same time, he had become very used to them. And strange as it was, he felt like they had become closer lately. And now, for all he knew, they could all be dead. It wasn't what he had wanted, at all.]
What do I think of demons?
[That is a much easier question though.]
They are a nuisance. Demons, angels, and all that supernatural lot, they are a blasted inconvenience. They just throw their weight around with no consideration for their actions and drag people into matters that have nothing to do with them.
[He hmmphed a little.]
Granted, most humans are like that as well. They just can't kill you as easily and are sometimes less honest in their ill intentions towards you.
[For a long moment, Kazuya stared at William, his half-eaten cracker hovering awkwardly midway to his mouth. He blinked once, twice... and then made a very indescribable expression. It almost looked... amused? Pained? Difficult to tell]
William. [He set his cracker down on the coffee table, and leaned forwards slightly, elbows on his knees and fingers linked together, adopting a serious pose as he stared the human down] I think you're my soulmate.
[In a totally no homo "you are a kindred spirit and I think I'm in love with you because of it" sort of way, of course. Look, it was very difficult to find someone who shared his woes, alright! Don't judge his low standards!]
[Kazuya flung himself back, sprawling against the back of the sofa, one arm draped theatrically over his forehead. It last for about two seconds before he slumped out of it with a small laugh, straightening up and picking up his half-eaten cracker]
But seriously, we've got a lot of similarities. You know what they say, misery loves company, and to think there's someone else who suffers from reincarnation insanity and holier than thou angels and unwanted demons...
[Kazuya fell silent, nibbling on his cracker with an unreadable look in his eyes. Once nothing but crumbs remained, he brushed off his hands, and smiled slightly]
Well, it makes something in me ease, y'know? Not alone and all that. So, anyway, future husband~ [he picked up his teacup, turning up the charm in his smile a fraction] Mind topping me up? Looks like the tea's gone cold.
I'm all for equality, so you can be my future husband, and I'll be yours. That's fair, right?
[Kazuya withdrew his cup once it'd been topped up, and gave it a sip. Ah, back to being nice and warm!]
But on a serious note, I have a question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, since you've explained a lot already. [Enough that Kazuya was worried he'd have to explain a considerable amount in turn, but he'll burn that bridge when he came to it] But, ah, do you remember being Solomon? Clearly, I mean?
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[Kazuya sounded beyond pleased, and nimbly, he jumped up to perch on the very edge of the counter, giving him the perfect vantage point of watching William potter about the place. He kicked his legs out too. What a kid]
Not too often, though. He's a very kind person, despite being- [He paused here. Ah, he did recall Kevin asking him not to reveal his true nature carelessly, but would William know? He lived with the man, after all. Eh, better to err on the side of caution] -er, being a very scary person from time to time. So I don't wanna bother him too much.
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[He sure hopes that Kevin just didn't think to tell him and that this isn't some great big secret. Because it's not sitting well.]
Yes, he is very kind. And scary on occasion. But I think you will be surprised by what you can get away with when it comes to him.
[William wasn't sure if this boy knew about Kevin, though Kevin called him the Messiah. But it was best to tread lightly for now.
The nice thing about these futuristic kitchens is that way boils fast. Frighteningly so.]
Do you take milk or sugar in yours?
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Milk and four sugars, please! [Yes, he likes his tea sweet and weak. A travesty, he knew] And really, you think? He comes across as a bit strict over some things...
["A bit". Kazuya still remembered that near death experience of Kevin almost setting him aflame that one time, or his terrifying insistence of doing an exorcism on his ass during their first rocky meeting...]
Like, you know, swearing and blaspheming, or being heretical, or doing porno recruitment. Such a stick in the mud about it.
[If you couldn't tell, Kazuya was a very, er, liberal Messiah]
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Very well then. Though that is a lot.
[He's got the tea steeping at this point. Even without the modern kitchen, William had learned to brew a perfect cup of tea quickly and efficiently. His time with Arthur had left certain habits very ingrained.]
I suppose he is sometimes. He has never been that way with me though.
[Well back in Solomon's time, but William hardly felt that counted for anything. Hardly.]
...well yes, he is a bit uncomfortable about that sort of thing. Though to be fair to him, the time and place we come from is a bit more restrained. Especially in regards to, ah, porno recruitment.
[Victorian times being what they were. Though Kevin had it worse, being from heaven and the Angel of Repentance. Sometimes made William wonder how much pain he'd caused the man by regularly denying god. Not that he had any regrets.]
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[Compared to most angels Kazuya knew, Kevin was actually okay. He could be overzealously scary from time to time, and Kazuya had to keep a very tight control over Bel in the angel's presence, lest he get stuck in a very awkward situation of explaining how he was simultaneously the Messiah and the King of Demons, but overall, Kevin was tolerable. The only other angel to achieve that level with Kazuya was Remiel, and even he could get annoying with his gentle attempts to make him more pious]
By the way, I'm curious... he never talks about you much, but I recall him mentioning something about you before that's been bugging me.
[He leaned towards William slightly as he spoke, his gaze intense with scrutiny. Angels didn't guard random mortals. There had to be something dangerously special about him, like with Amane or Naoya. He definitely wasn't possessed by a demon, and he wasn't Cain. So what could it be? Nothing, he sensed absolutely nothing... yet he remembered what Kevin mentioned before so clearly;
"All demons want young master."
Why was that? Demons didn't chase random mortals either. Those with strong desires, those with weak hearts, those with a use that would improve their own power... those were the qualities they chased. So what...
He briefly consulted with Bel. Or rather, he tentatively prodded the deep, dark presence that slumbered behind his breast bone. The demon obligingly looked, which was always uncomfortable, and after a moment's pause, it settled back down. Disinterested. Hm. Well, if Bel had no answers, then Kazuya will simply have to ask. He was simply burning with curiosity]
... like, he made you out to be quite popular with demons before. He even accused me of wanting to do, and I quote, "Unspeakable things" to you when I broke into the apartment the first time round. Just wondering; that a common occurrence for you? Getting horny demons chasing after you? Or does Kevin over exaggerate in that way of his?
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...so he told you about that then. And no "horny demons" are after me. Just normal demons.
[Well some of them occasionally got a little too fresh with him, but that was neither here nor there.
But did this mean Kazuya knew about Kevin and what he was?]
Some because they want to kill me, others because I am apparently allowed to make a very important choice.
[He was going to turn back and finish the tea first, taking a moment to gain his bearings.]
If it is something you wish to discuss, we can talk about it, but it is probably better sitting down.
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Sure, I'm down for that. [Smiling, he slipped off the edge of the counter, but his eyes were very watchful, almost like he was trying to dissect William with his gaze alone] I'm curious as to what sort of decision a normal human like you has sway over. Sounds like there's an interesting story behind it all.
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[Not inaccurate though. The past year of his life pre-Cerealia had been an experience. Usually annoying, sometimes a little fun, but recently just upsetting and horrifying.
But he finishes up everything, setting it on a platter and then heads for the living room. He's focusing on settling himself a bit more, because this level of evaluation is disconcerting. Being ranked on his own merits is one thing, but when it comes to all of this...
It is a pain.
He takes the arm chair as he sets the platter down, not bothering to grab his own cup right away.]
So first of all, what are demons and angels like in your world? For the sake of comparison.
holy tl'dr!!!
Ah. Lovely. There was something to be said about how Westerners had their tea...hm? Oh, William was talking- oh right.]
Ah, well... [Kazuya dunked his cracker into his tea, not caring that this was not the proper way to eat one. It tasted nice, don't judge him] That's a complicated subject.
[There was a pause]
They're... probably different to how you imagine. [Chomp, there went the now soggy cracker] The angels especially. They're not what you would expect.
[This was something Kazuya had pondered over deeply. Angels came under the same bracket as demons did when it came to summoning; they required a ritual, Aya's song, and the emotional energy source the Internet provided. Kazuya didn't know if the type of emotions or desires they required differed from demons, but the fact remained that they were summoned in the same way. There was also what Loki told him before, how God was not the true creator of his world, but an usurper who had ousted Bel - Marduk - from his throne, many millennia before.
He pondered... were the angels in his world just an artificial type of demon, created by God's hands - who could be a demon himself? Bel was a demon, despite being a God as well, it was a possibility... but so far only a theory, one Kazuya didn't really want to blather on about with Kevin's master. If that angel heard him lumping him and demons together... shudder...]
But I'll try to explain as well I can. So, um, let's see... angels and demons are both supernatural beings that can exist in my world. Though, it's not something they can do freely, y'know? Some angels need to possess humans, and demons need to have a contract to exist in the human world, because... ah, this bit I'm unsure of because it's all this complicated science stuff involving Magnetite and Magatsuhi and the COMP, so... um...
[Urgh, how was it explained? Where was Atsuro when he needed him?]
Nevermind. That's probably not important. Anyway, basically, in my world demons and angels are real and they're as bad as each other. [He harrumphed] They prey on people's desires, and think only on furthering their own agenda, with humans stuck in the middle. Though, I guess you can say that demons are more likely to be jerks because they actually, like, eat humans, so, yeah.
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He listens to Kazuya carefully, mentally noting down what he was being told. It wasn't being explained very well, but he could get the gist of it.]
Hmmm, I see. That sounds a little different, but not by much.
[William set his cup aside, having manged to polish off his own crackers rather quickly.]
First off, as far as I have gathered, in my world, Angels and Demons are pretty much the same as well. The only difference is that Demons are those that were cast out of Heaven during Lucifer's rebellion. I do not know the details of why, though from what I understand it is complicated.
[And quite frankly, William didn't care terribly much. Sure, he was a bit curious, but really, what did it have to do with him?]
But because of this, they share a few unique quirks when it comes to their biology. First of all, while they can reproduce as humans do, they have limited amounts of children. So they are forced to increase their numbers though other means. To that end, Demons make contracts with humans, and when those humans die, they become new demons, called Nephilim. Heaven calls their human converts Saints.
[He took some more tea, before going onto the next bit.]
But, most importantly, is the fact that they occasionally have to go to sleep. They live long, immortal lives and in order to sustain this, they enter a time of hibernation, which can last many centuries. If they do not do this on occasion, they will die. It seems they all must do this, no exceptions.
And Lucifer is about to enter his own sleep.
[A long pause then.]
I suppose you can guess how many problems that would cause.
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Not really? [He forced himself to focus on the subject at hand though, his confusion melting away into thoughtfulness. This was all very interesting - and different to the demons he knew - but he had no clue what Lucifer taking a dirt nap would mean] I don't get how Lucy taking a dirt nap is a big deal. It's not like he does an important job or anything.
[From Kazuya's very brief, yet terrifying experience with the fallen angel, he knew that Lucifer commanded a certain level of obedience and respect amongst the demons (for Belzaboul was his very loyal servant, and those feelings remained deep within his - Bel's - soul), but his rule wasn't unconditional. Whereas all demons not bound by contract had to bend their necks to Bel's rule, demons chose to do so for Lucifer - to an extent anyway. Might made right, etc, etc...
In short, what he meant was... Lucifer going to sleep didn't mean Hell grinding to a halt. Demons governed themselves quite well, if only because they existed in a state of permanent anarchy. Hell, they existed without Bel sitting on the throne for thousands of years before Kazuya strolled by. The only problem he could see happening was...]
What, do the demons do naughty things in the human world when his back's turned? [He couldn't see the angels abiding that without kicking humanity into another Ordeal of some sort] I guess that'd be a big problem...
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[Cut off the head and all that. Granted, pinning everything on a single leader like that seemed a bit misguided to him, especially when their life cycles were so undependable.]
But yes, they need to choose a new leader, some to take Lucifer's place should he go to sleep, or die during his nap. So they are holding a little election right now.
[Really why did William have to know any of this? Why was this real? And why was he talking about it?
Oh how he missed the days when life was simpler and he could have written this whole thing off as a fever dream. But now was not the time for nostalgia.]
There are three candidates right now, Sytry, Dantalion and Camio, though Camio is not interested in the throne.
[Maybe. But then again, why had Camio been had that meeting in hell? But, like many things, that was something William didn't want to know the answer to. And besides, he could trust Camio, that much he knew.]
And naturally, they need someone to choose the right candidate, to cast the vote. Guess who that is.
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[Kazuya practically sighed this, looking both wry and sympathetic. Of course, stuff like that always ended up dropping on some ordinary guy who wanted nothing to do with the whole situation - teenagers to be specific, which was always weird and kind of animeish, but hey.]
That sounds so troublesome. Though... I didn't think demons would actually go about it with a democratic vote. In my world, we settled the whole empty throne business by killing the competition.
[Which was, in its own way, very effective. No one could cry foul, because the opponents would be dead, and since Might Makes Right in the demon world, the victor would, of course, be the best man- er, demon for the job. Not to say that he liked that style of brutish politics, if only because having very powerful, angry demons chasing him with murderous intent had done nothing for his nerves, but it was a lot more simple than dragging a human in to vote on a leader.
But... wait a minute. Why William specifically? Once more, he was very ordinary. Kazuya's whole fiasco of getting dragged headfirst into messy demon politics had been because at the very base of his soul, he was a demon. He possessed a valid right to the throne, the same as the other Bels. William? William was 100% human, and it seemed totally bizarre that the demons - as well as casting a democratic vote of all things - would take a random, mediocre human's input on something so important]
But, why you specifically? Like, don't take offence or anything, but you don't scream "special". You're human, you're not possessed or magical, and you smell normal too. [He leaned in slightly, almost spilling his tea over his lap from the movement, his eyes narrowed at maximum squint] Maybe, you're like Naoya... you a reincarnation of somebody biblically important or something?
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[Granted, it wasn't like William came from any sort of democratic land. Sure, Parliament could claim to be whatever it wanted, but the system was corrupt, one ruled by the upper class William was part of. It was a fact of life, simple as that. Honestly, in their own way, Demons were pretty honest about it. Which was a strange realization to make after all this time.
When Kazuya mentioned the word "reincarnation," William flinched. His true connection to Solomon was something he chose not to mention here, because really, why should he? Let people think he was a mere descendant. No one need think him mad. And he could be himself for once and not have the shadow of that man flavoring most of his social interactions.
But then again, now that it was put out as a possibility, was there any point in hiding it? No, probably not.]
...you are more astute than you look. But yes, I am, both a reincarnation and descendant of someone. A very annoying person. King Solomon.
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Solomon, eh?
[He pawed through his memory, hoping something would leap out at him. The name, King Solomon, did ring a bell, but in the "I-heard-that-once-on-TV" kind of way. But could you blame him? What ordinary Japanese teenager would know Judeo-Christian figures like the back of his hand? He barely knew of Cain and Abel, and he was one of them!]
Drawing a blank, I gotta admit. But. [He paused for a moment, looked down at his tea, then looked up again, smiling wryly;] If it makes you feel any better about your crazy situation... you're not alone. Abel's Reincarnation, at your service!
[He lifted his teacup in a mock-salute, even adding a cheeky wink. Yes, hard to imagine this guy as a gentle, ye olde shepherd...]
But, seriously, that explains a lot... [Er, kind of. He didn't really know Solomon's significance, but he sort of had the gist of the situation at the very least. Though, really, what was with God digging up old corpses and reusing them? The phrase "Rest In Peace" existed for a reason!] I'm guessing Solomon was a pretty important guy, back in the day - someone who had respect of demons too, if he, er, you, are allowed to have a say in their politics... ah, don't tell me he was a Marduk worshipper...
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He raised an eyebrow then, because while he had expected that he would inevitably meet someone in the same situation as himself, William hadn't expected it to be this guy.]
I do not know whether to pity you or not then, since the man was known for being murdered and not much else.
[Granted, that was probably for the best. He lifted his teacup and paused.]
Marduk? No. He was the Third King of Israel, who bound 72 demons to his will. I have inherited those seals, unfortunately.
[Why couldn't Solomon have left all his treasures to William instead? Seriously. That would have actually been useful. Instead William had a number of demons who wanted to kill him and few who didn't. And two of them were stupid man children.]
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Oh, I see. [...hold on a mo'] Wait, 72 demons? [He let out a slow, appreciative whistle] That's impressive! I mean, for a human, considering in those days he'd have to go through the old fashioned way of summoning...
[In Kazuya's world, 72 was achievable if you were stinking rich in Macca. Thank the Lord for the COMP, automating demonic rituals for the open public!]
Though, I didn't realise you could "inherit" contracts like that. They tend to go null and void once the human dies - no renewals allowed... unless you had the demonic compendium...
[Somehow he doubted William summoned forth these 72 demons with that method though. For one, that'd cost way too much money... (the fate of a demon tamer was to be eternally broke)]
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[Yeah William wouldn't want to think about a world where that required money. Banktruptcy was bad enough without going into debt to use a power he didn't even care for.]
I do not really know most of them though or have any use for them though. And the ones I do know are pretty annoying for the most part. Three of them, the ones in line for the throne are going to school. Two of them think that they can make me vote for them eventually.
[He shook his head at the mention of the compendium though.]
I have no book like that, though I do have a grimoire of magic and some sigils to allow me to summon a few of them more easily. Though it does not work here, since CERES did not feel like bringing any of them over.
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[That sounded like a plotline to some sort of wacky anime...]
Wow, sounds rough, buddy. [Kazuya plucked up some of the remaining crackers and took a sip of his tea - ah, it cooled down some during their talk. Alas. He sadly dunked a cracker in it, pouting slightly] Though, probably for the best that you can't summon them here.
[He took a bite of the now half-soggy cracker, eyeing William contemplatively. He had a firm idea of what he was about now - or rather, understood why he had the supernatural attention he did. Important biblical figure reborn, binding contracts that persist after death, the key to an important decision - boy, throw in a lockdown and their similarities would border on eerie]
The less people summoning demons left, right and centre, the better. [Something in his gaze sharpened] ...so, what do you think of demons anyway? Sounds like they give you a lot of grief, so you probably dislike them a lot, huh?
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For the best? Yes, it was. Because they couldn't annoy him or complicate his life any further. And they could be dangerous, especially Dantalion. But at the same time, he had become very used to them. And strange as it was, he felt like they had become closer lately. And now, for all he knew, they could all be dead. It wasn't what he had wanted, at all.]
What do I think of demons?
[That is a much easier question though.]
They are a nuisance. Demons, angels, and all that supernatural lot, they are a blasted inconvenience. They just throw their weight around with no consideration for their actions and drag people into matters that have nothing to do with them.
[He hmmphed a little.]
Granted, most humans are like that as well. They just can't kill you as easily and are sometimes less honest in their ill intentions towards you.
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William. [He set his cracker down on the coffee table, and leaned forwards slightly, elbows on his knees and fingers linked together, adopting a serious pose as he stared the human down] I think you're my soulmate.
[In a totally no homo "you are a kindred spirit and I think I'm in love with you because of it" sort of way, of course. Look, it was very difficult to find someone who shared his woes, alright! Don't judge his low standards!]
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Eh? Just over that?
[He's used to guys being kind of awkward at him, but this is a little much from such a normal fellow. He's leaning back a little now.]
But you seem to have had your share of troubles as well. So I can sympathize.
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[Kazuya flung himself back, sprawling against the back of the sofa, one arm draped theatrically over his forehead. It last for about two seconds before he slumped out of it with a small laugh, straightening up and picking up his half-eaten cracker]
But seriously, we've got a lot of similarities. You know what they say, misery loves company, and to think there's someone else who suffers from reincarnation insanity and holier than thou angels and unwanted demons...
[Kazuya fell silent, nibbling on his cracker with an unreadable look in his eyes. Once nothing but crumbs remained, he brushed off his hands, and smiled slightly]
Well, it makes something in me ease, y'know? Not alone and all that. So, anyway, future husband~ [he picked up his teacup, turning up the charm in his smile a fraction] Mind topping me up? Looks like the tea's gone cold.
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I would say it is a little much to find common cause in something like that. Reincarnation is logically not a rare thing.
[Wow did he hate even having to say that. Oh for the good old days when he believed you died and that was the end. That was far more comforting.]
But it is nice. [He rolled his eyes though at that, but reaches over for the teapot and does top him off.] And who is whose husband?
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[Kazuya withdrew his cup once it'd been topped up, and gave it a sip. Ah, back to being nice and warm!]
But on a serious note, I have a question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, since you've explained a lot already. [Enough that Kazuya was worried he'd have to explain a considerable amount in turn, but he'll burn that bridge when he came to it] But, ah, do you remember being Solomon? Clearly, I mean?
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