A Miserable Pile Of Words

“This is nothing at all like the sacrament of penance,” says Feathers, as it watches Grezayla squirm in Lilith’s lap.

“It, it a little is,” she insists.

“I certainly hope it isn’t,” purrs Lilith. “We ask you to repent for nothing, little lamb.”

“We know you’re a good girl!” says Azaerixia, gazing up at her from her spot knelt between the two’s legs.

“It’s, I mean-” Grezayla stammers. “Look, it’s the closest we’re going to get, and it’s why I came down here, so… maybe it’ll spark some kind of insight?”

Feathers sighs and waves its hand dismissively.

“Fine,” it says. “Continue.”

“Glad to have approval from the cuck chair,” Lilith snorts, rolling her eyes before turning her attention fully to Grezayla. “Now: Tell us what’s been on your mind, darling.”

“Well, um, aha-” Grezayla laughs nervously, as her clothes evaporate and Lilith drags a claw down her side. “I- I got summoned a while ago and the guy was like, really rude and impatient? So I wayyy highballed him so he would fuck off, but he still made the pact? So I ate like eighteen months of his life, and um, at the time I felt great but now I feel bad for taking so much.”

Lilith snorts a small plume of smoke.

“You don’t need me to tell you it’s okay to charge whatever you want for your services,” she says. “If I had exact rates I wanted you to adhere to I would have told you, and if I felt bad about taking too much time from mortals I wouldn’t eat their eternal souls. No, still a good girl. Azzy?”

“Definitely a good girl!” Azzy agrees. “I ate ten years off somebody once and had the best nap after. If someone wants to start negotiations off by being a jerk, why would we ever want you to take that lying down?”

“So, how does our good girl want her reward to start?”

“Right, um, start slow so I can explain. So Feathers- EEEP!” Grezayla squeals, because apparently Azzy heard ‘get up here and bite my nipple’, which doesn’t sound at all similar. “Slower than that!” she giggles.

“Sorry!” Azzy apologizes, not sorry in the slightest.

“Ahem. So!” Grezayla starts again. “Wasn’t happy being a nun, so why do it, right? And I guess what I thought was that god lays out all these rules to live by, and if you follow them you’re all good and you don’t have to worry about it.”

“What a dreadful way to live,” says Lilith.

“Okay, well, yes; but that’s not what I’m getting at,” says Grezayla. “The thing is that I worried about it anyway. All the time! And so I prayed for reassurance, and… nothing. Nothing at all. And people said they could feel god when they prayed, so I thought maybe I just wasn’t trying hard enough? So I went and became a nun.”

“If He was in your ear reminding you what to do at every turn, virtue would be meaningless. You’re meant to prove yourself,” Feathers says.

“That’s stupid!” says Azaerixia.

“Profoundly stupid,” Lilith agrees. “I’m always here for Grezayla when she needs me. Is there anything else on your mind, darling?”

“Oh, um, I… I still don’t feel like a very good succubus, sometimes. Everyone is so much better at everything than I am, and I haven’t even taken anyone’s soul or anything…”

“Aww, precious…” Lilith murmurs. “You’ve been growing wonderfully. These things take time, you can’t compare yourself to everyone else. Even Vicky has almost a hundred years on you.”

“I know…”

“And we all see how hard you try!” adds Azzy. “That counts for a lot!”

“We see it, and we’ll do anything we can to help you succeed,” Lilith says. “And you know what that means.”

“I, I get rewarded for bringing my worries to Mistress so she can help me be my best!” Grezayla recites eagerly.

“This is ridiculous!” Feathers complains. “You’re telling us that all it takes for you to change everything about yourself, cast aside your faith and serve a demon instead; is the fact that she dangles treats in front of you?”

“Oh please,” Lilith scoffs into Grezayla’s neck, fangs nipping at her soft skin. “Like promises of Heaven aren’t the same. Why did you first summon me, Grezayla? Was it for treats?”

“N-No! Not at all!” Grezayla says, shaking her head. “I just wanted something to answer me! If a demon showed up then I would rebuke it, and I would know that god was with me.”

“Ohh,” Lilith gasps, reminiscing. “With your little crucifix and jar of salt. You made for a very cute exorcist. And yet, as I recall, no power came to smite me at your command.”

“…Yeah. And so I thought, well, first summoning didn’t go to plan, but- I couldn’t let a demon go around telling people I was into her, and I definitely couldn’t be into her, so I had to summon her again to be sure everything was clear, and… I don’t know.” Grezayla fidgets, blushing. “After the initial shock wore off, and she wasn’t trying to antagonize me, she was…”

“Delightful? Encouraging? Accepting?” Lilith helpfully suggests.

“Well, yes, all of those! And so was Azzy!” Grezayla says, petting Azzy’s hair. “Even when I didn’t think I deserved it. I felt like they cared about me when god had already written me off.”

“We want to help mortals please us instead of casting them aside the moment they fail to. Don’t we, Azzy?”

“That’s rii~iight!” Azaerixia coos, wiggling with excitement. “Can we give her her reward now?”

“In a moment, dearest,” Lilith purrs, smug; her tail swishing through the air proudly. “We are kinder, less demanding; our kingdom more impressive-”

“You’re gloating at the angel instead of pampering me,” Grezayla pouts.

“…Ah, I suppose I am. But you understand, don’t you Feathers?” Lilith asks. The candles in the room falter, light receding from her presence. “Grezayla is a wonderful devotee, all she ever needed was a little appreciation in turn. And really, can you blame her? Doesn’t it sound nice? Wouldn’t you like it too? To have your hard work rewarded? Your desires fulfilled, after so long?” she asks, her eyes burning violet. “Wouldn’t you like to be mine?”

Feathers shudders. “…No,” it says. “We… We don’t know if we can. An eternity of indulgence… what would we even fill it with?”

“Any bullshit that seems interesting, really,” says Lilith, as the light returns to the room. “I’d enjoy if you became a huge pervert, but- well, I’m biased, and you don’t have a soul to give me anyway. I’m sure your friends would love to figure it out with you, wouldn’t you girls?”

“Yep!” Azaerixia agrees, and Grezayla just nods frantically.

“Mm? Oh, I think our good girl is getting impatient, Azzy. Feathers, would you like to stay and watch, or-?”

“No, we will take our leave,” Feathers says. “…Thank you for explaining. We understand Grezayla a bit better now.”

“Anytime,” says Lilith, before turning her attention away from the angel entirely. It stays for a moment, to study Grezayla as the other two succubi begin to- urgh, no, it can’t watch this, it feels- very strange. Disgusted and anxious and envious of all involved, in equal measure.

It vanishes from Lust and reappears in Lucifer’s office, where the other angel gives it a glance and quick nod of acknowledgement before returning to work, leaving it to ponder its most recent outing in blessed silence.

~~~