We’ve moved to a table It manifests outside the array, sipping at the coffee which is hotter than she had brewed and doesn’t seem to want to cool. Its too hot for her own liking - not quite scalding, but enough to make her uncomfortable - It seems to be enjoying it just fine; It hummed happily at the first sip. She’s at least glad the beans she bought were good.
It suggested sitting outside the array, and she can’t tell if it was trying to gloat, or because it seemed silly to remain kneeling for no reason. “So, what did you want to talk about?”
She stares at her phone - Its maintains an unbreaking gaze upon her, and she’s always had trouble maintaining eye contact with new people— err… you know what she means. Again, she can’t tell the demon’s intent: is It staring, trying to dissect her desires or is It judging her? Maybe its both both…
She watches the battery tick over for 7%, snd her blood runs cold. “I-I’m not sure… I… I’ve honestly never been this intimidated by a demon before.” That wasn’t the whole truth; she’s been plenty intimidated, but she’s always had the advantage, and she’s always gone into this with a clear idea of what to get out of it and how, but this? This was… pure curiosity. Dangerous.
And It IS dangerous, clearly, but… Its been… surprisingly gentle, even as It smiles wide and amused at her now. “I tend to have that effect~”
She’s not sure how to respond, and she can tell It enjoys seeing her squirm about it. She sharply inhales and exhales, sitting up straight, taking a sip of too-hot-but-not coffee. She finds some confidence. “You … don’t look like any demon I’ve met or heard of.”
It laughs loud. “Thats on purpose, yes! So many unsuspecting things dismissing or approaching me thinking I’m safe! Its so fun~”
She blinks. “Your form is… bait?” It nod’s emphatically, and she needs to think for a moment… “For … people who would otherwise not approach a demon?”
“Ooh, you are a clever one! Yes, exactly that! But, also as a means to … catalyze.” It pours Itself another cup of coffee while she thinks that over.
“…I’m not sure I understand.” She furrows her brow at her phone. Still 7%.
“Ah… well…” It points at her thoughtfully. “Are you human?”
She nods, ignoring the feeling in the back of her mind entirely. “Yeah.” Ignoring that she knows what It means. Ignoring that her body isn’t who she is as much as paint isn’t the painting.
It smiles. “You sure?~”
The feeling grows louder, and she averts her eyes again, sinking into the table.
“I look human, right? But I’m not, and people feel more comfortable talking and even relating to me, because of that.” It continues smiling, and she feels herself sinking more as she… she understands. “You’re a cute one, as well~” Aaand now she feels her ears burning, and she hides her face in her arms.
“…is this what corruption is?” A silly question; she knows what it feels like to have your being shoved by tides of resonant alien desire… She remembers the conversations she scraped from the old servers: the demon was just being Itself.
She peaks one eye out, its still staring and smiling, patiently waiting. She groans, embarrassed, and looks at her ph— …8%? She blinks… and then her attention snaps to the demon.
“Hah, yeah… you’re … interesting. So, Imma give you some more time. Although, we could just… ignore the phone now, I guess. I don’t want you agonizing over how much time we have left.”
“If the ritual didn’t matter, then… why’d you come? …and why’d you take the very expensive osmium?!” Confidence finds her again. She doesn’t like feeling jerked around.
The demon waves it hands defensively. “Ah hah! Sorry sorry! I really mean no offense! You’re from an adjacent braid to myself; I was surprised to see someone using it here, so I came to investigate. And I like osmium, its … one of my motifs, I guess. And you’re still taking up my very valuable time, so some kinda payment is owed!”
She sits, arms cross and pouting, still a bit annoyed. That previous intimidation has disappeared entirely; the demon looks so… human is of course the wrong word, but… fearing It seems unnecessary now. “…what kind of demon are you?”
It raises an eyebrow. “Now, that is an interesting, if potentially ignorant, question. I believe the question is ‘how do you define yourself’?” She winces a bit… and nods. It smiles, and then leans in over the table, wiggling its hips. “Imma succubus~”
Her ears begin burning again.