Soul Switched

viii. ocean eyeѕ

** From now on, if you see these symbols:
[][][]
That means you may play the song for best feels if you are using the soundtrack **

After making the startling discovery that Charlotte Magne was not a woman at all, but a mere ADOLESCENT, was immensely disturbing for the King of Hell.

Alastor neatly folded his soiled napkin and disposed of it into thin air, paying no mind to his minion soaked in Expresso. He replaced his crooked grin with a wider, tighter smile. "Why, nineteen? My, you're practically a lady!"

Otis scoffed with a roll of his eyes.

His little blonde guest sat taller in her chair at the compliment. "I try to be," she proudly replied. "I don't mean to brag, but I could dance with the most books on my head in my ballroom etiquette class! I made it to three!" She imitated Alastor's smirk while laying a hand on her chest.

This earned a laugh from him as he felt his shoulders relax somewhat. "Is that so? Now, I wonder what occasion could possibly call for dancing with that many books." A laugh track played throughout the room from an unseen audience.

"Oh...well, it was a preparation for my debutante ball. That was supposed to be my birthday gift from my parents..." Charlie informed. The radio demon's face brightened. "Oh! So, you're turning twenty??" He pressed with newfound relief. The demoness wrinkled her eyebrows. "What? Oh, no. It was last week," she finished, uncomfortably shifting in her chair. Otis let out a noisy snicker by his master's ear as the deer demon visibly paled, his smile shrinking while his lips tightened into a fine line.

The King of Hell whipped his head toward his minion with radio dials flickering in his glowing eyes while he made sure he escaped the blonde damsel's view. At that, the miniature shadow cowered at the blooming essence of black smoke dancing along his master's fingertips under the table, instantly vanishing before the pair's eyes. Alastor sighed and leaned forward, perching his elbows on the table then folding his arms. "Pardon him, he's not usually this much of an annoyance." Charlie tipped her head to the side. "What did he do?"

Alastor shook his head and straightened, immediately regaining his previous composure. "No matter, darling. Are you finished?" He gestured to her empty plate. Charlie beamed, clasping her hands together. "Yes! Thank you for the pancakes! They were delicious, Alastor!" She chimed. "I could eat your cooking all day!" The damsel leaned into her own shoulder as she squeezed her eyes shut and smiled brighter. Alastor lowered his focus onto her face. He laughed lightheartedly at her delightful persona.

Now, the radio demon may have been indifferent to many things he found sweet, but with way the young blonde expressed her gratitude, he was furthermore than willing to make an exception. "You are more than welcome." His voice held a deep sincerity to it that hung in the air. Charlie's pulse slowly escalated. Those deep pools of ruby gleamed for a second as they seemed to look right through her. Her cheeks heated up as her champagne orbs darted away. "Uh...th-thanks," she said with a low giggle slipping out of her. Alastor tilted his head as he smirked with amusement, his eyebrows furrowing.

Charlie's embarrassed laugh was quiet and carried a certain jingle to it that Alastor could not quite describe. His cold, dead heart proceeded to thaw once more. He leaned his elbows back on the table and folded his hands in front of his chin. "I do believe you already said that, dear," the stag pointed out with a smug expression. His guest squinted and tried to pout. "What are you getting at?" She huffed.

The words tumbled out before he thought twice.

"It's darling," Alastor hummed, his voice becoming void of all static.