"Praise me. Worship me."

his brow furrowed in confusion at her laughter, unsure of what to say next in response to her words. he was well aware that his occupation was unofficial. unrecognized. half– if not all – of the people he swore to protect didn’t even know demons existed and always questioned the katana attached to his hip when he traveled. 

“it’s better than being confused for your personal servant. besides they’re already angry at me as is..” for what reason? he had no idea. but it was safe to assume it was some GROUNDLESS rumor that spread through the village. “the entire time i’ve been here.. my focus has been on locating the demon i was sent to find. the villagers infatuated with you are the LEAST of my concerns.”

“Oh, my dear, dearest, Ei-chan. You don’t get it, do you?”

The demon asked with her usual teasing tone as she folded her arms over her chest and moved her head from side to side in a disapproving way. She then abruptly halted all of her movements, her arms dropped to both sides of her body and her lifeless eyes gazed deep into Eiji’s. Her face had become stern and her candid smile had twisted.

“You do know that I care for you, right?”

She asked as she lightly caressed his arm.

“I do not want you to be killed… Ei-chan. But my villagers… They-They are not very fond of demon slayers because they tend to think that I am a demon and as such, they try to kill me. So, before we get into a fight, the villagers—“

     Sayo searches the woman’s face, smile loosening at the corners until its fallen into a tight lipped frown. She seems ( almost ) sincere and for a single breath, Sayo wants to believe her. It would be so much easier that way, wouldn’t it? But demons are demons, no matter what face they where, no matter what position they stand in and she can’t allow herself to be swayed so easily.

     “ A goddess. ”

     Her mouth quirks at the corner. A goddess! The absurdity of it forces a sharp, dog like laugh from her belly.

     “ I don’t get what you’re asking, ” Sayo states, tilting her chin up. “ What circumstances? ”

“Yes, a Goddess.”

The demon reaffirmed with a smirk of superiority. It almost seemed as if she had stated it once again just to get it engraved in the stranger’s mind. Unfortunately, she was under the impression that it did not matter how many times she repeated herself, the girl would not believe in her. 

“My name is Karma.”

The demon then placed a finger upon her own lips and stood looking intently at the stranger before her. 

A SUCCUBUS/INCUBUS

Temptation is the sweetest of poisons, my dear. Breath it deep into your lungs and allow yourself to surrender to your desires, if only for the night. The incubus, or it's female counterpart, succubus, is a type of demon that tempts its prey in darkness. Though it typically is, it does not have to be sexual in nature. These demons have an uncanny grasp on manipulation. The mask of a pretty face conceals the horror lying beneath, talons curled, ready to pounce. They coerce their victims with sweet words and hollow promises, lulling them into a false sense of security. They whisper in the prey's ear, subtly guiding their movements like a seasoned puppeteer until the moment arrives to strike. Then they disappear without a trace, leaving behind their broken victims, merely a shell of the person they used to be. You aren't necessarily evil. After all, what is good and evil but simply a construct of the human imagination? You have a way with words and a silver tongue to boot. Perhaps you are an author or a singer. Maybe the subtleties of both verbal and nonverbal communication just come naturally to you. There is no denying this: you are highly intelligent. No, I don't mean in the academic sense. Though that could be true as well. Your intelligence spurs from your guile. It is your wit that connects the incubus/succubus to you. It is intrigued by your mannerisms. It would simply be a shame to see such an interesting human go to waste. Just be careful how you treat others so you don't make unnecessary enemies. 

     ❝ i don’t require assistance. ❞

why would she begin to LIKE her? this lady was stupid! it’s like she doesn’t even know she’s a demon to start with! eveona would groan and roll her eyes, moving around her to continue on her path. something told her she would be following her, whether eveona wanted her to or not.

The demon quietly followed the girl in spite of her protests. She was obviously not going to let her fight alone. It would be troublesome to later deal with a well fed demon.  

“G-Goddess!? A-Ah… i’m s-sorry, i didn’t know! “

Yuki bowed a little politically as a way of respect.

The demon seemed pleased with the stranger’s response.

“Very well, I shall forgive your grave mistake. You can now raise your head.”

A wide smile appeared in her face as she approached the stranger.

Ah, such marvelous flattery, such elegance compressed in a few phrases. The dark-haired demon could not help but be fascinated and slightly taken aback by his praise. For centuries she had received various compliments and other forms of admiration, however, none of them had cursed Earth for not being able to meet her until now. Nor cursed at all.

She loved it.

While it was true she desired to hear more praise and adulation coming from the stranger, she quickly refrained from asking him to do so. However, it was evident in her face that she wanted for him to continue on with it.

“There is no need to curse the world for you have finally found me, brave soul. Welcome to my humble village, to what do I owe the pleasure…?”

“Take it however you want.” Even though he doesn’t care how she takes it, he does sort of mean it as a compliment. It’s cool. Like the tusks on his mask. It makes the image complete. As for being beautiful… that falls second to functionality.

“Do you maul people with them?”

She will take it as a compliment then. The demon did not waste any time and proudly caressed her left massive horn. However, she came to a halt when the stranger asked her further questions about them.

“I rarely use my horns for that purpose… I believe I used them once but as a last resort. And in self-defense, I must add.”

Wow, she was really taking the things he said at face-value. It would be sad if it weren’t so irritating. Humans, demons… both are so stupid. So foolish. So easily taken in by a few nice words and a paste-on smile.

“Oh, Naturally.” He smiles. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything to upset the peace you have here.” In his mind, he imagines this shrine–this whole village–in flames. It looks good like that, and the image helps him maintain his calm air of cordiality.

Though he is getting a bit ahead of himself. There will be time for that later. He has a foolish woman playing goddess in his hands now. He’s sure there will be ways to use this situation for his benefit. Burning it too soon would be a wasted potential.

“Very well… Follow me.”

The demon commented as she guided him towards the immense shrine she currently lived in. She might have had turned her back on him as she led him to her home but she was quite cautious and alert of his presence. It would not be smart of her to be careless around him. One wrong step and it could cost the lives of many villagers. The thought of her own life being in danger did not cross her mind at all.

“Since I am giving you a place to stay, I must ask… Is there any Demon Slayers following your trail? I need you to be honest. I must prepare myself if we expect company.”

Yuki could feel a strange air around her. She looked the cold breeze and said.

“Are you a demon.. ? “

The demon crossed her arms over her chest slightly impatient and replied,

Send me ∞ and my muse will tell you…

If I Think They Are: Plain || Alright || Cute || Freaking Adorable || Pretty || Beautiful || Hot || Stunning

If I Would Go On A Date With Them:  Not even if we were the last two beings on earth || No, you’re baby || No || Maybe || Eh….Sure || Yes || WILL YOU MARRY ME

If I Trust Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || With My Life

If I Care About Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || Deeply

My Comfort Level With Your Muse: Keep a Distance || Okay You Can Stand There, But Don’t Touch Me || Let’s Get Coffee and Talk || Let’s Cuddle || I Can Change In Front of You || Let’s Take a Bath Together

If I See You As: A Stranger || A Potential Follower (A Meal) || An Acquaintance || An Enemy || A Potential Ally || An Ally || A Friend || A Close Friend || My Best Friend || Family || I Have Mixed Feelings About You || A Crush || The Love of My Life

If I Would Let You Join My Flock: Yes || Maybe || No

Send me ∞ and my muse will tell you…

If I Think They Are: Plain || Alright || Cute || Freaking Adorable || Pretty || Beautiful || Hot || Stunning

If I Would Go On A Date With Them:  Not even if we were the last two beings on earth || No, you’re baby || No || Maybe || Eh….Sure || Yes || WILL YOU MARRY ME

If I Trust Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || With My Life

If I Care About Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || Deeply

My Comfort Level With Your Muse: Keep a Distance || Okay You Can Stand There, But Don’t Touch Me || Let’s Get Coffee and Talk || Let’s Cuddle || I Can Change In Front of You || Let’s Take a Bath Together

If I See You As: A Stranger || A Potential Follower (A Meal) || An Acquaintance || An Enemy || A Potential Ally || An Ally || A Friend || A Close Friend || My Best Friend || Family || I Have Mixed Feelings About You || A Crush || The Love of My Life

If I Would Let You Join My Flock: Yes || Maybe || No

Send me ∞ and my muse will tell you…

If I Think They Are: Plain || Alright || Cute || Freaking Adorable || Pretty || Beautiful || Hot || Stunning

If I Would Go On A Date With Them:  Not even if we were the last two beings on earth || No, you’re baby || No || Maybe || Eh….Sure || Yes || WILL YOU MARRY ME

If I Trust Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || With My Life

If I Care About Them: Not At All || Not Really || Kind of || Yes || Deeply

My Comfort Level With Your Muse: Keep a Distance || Okay You Can Stand There, But Don’t Touch Me || Let’s Get Coffee and Talk || Let’s Cuddle || I Can Change In Front of You || Let’s Take a Bath Together

If I See You As: A Stranger || A Potential Follower (A Meal) || An Acquaintance || An Enemy || A Potential Ally || An Ally || A Friend || A Close Friend || My Best Friend || Family || I Have Mixed Feelings About You || A Crush || The Love of My Life

If I Would Let You Join My Flock: Yes || Maybe || No