Deja Vu

Chapter 18: Blessings and Good Tidings

If returning to Ramshackle felt like coming home, then going back to Devildom feels like embarking on a journey. You feel the nerves bundling in your gut. Barbatos separates from the group so he can go to the castle. Grim hugs the back of your head, his little hind-paws on your shoulders as he looks over the top of your head, soaking in the sights of Devildom.

"It's so dark.. Is it night?"

You check your D.D.D. "Nah, it's actually early evening. It gets darker than this."

Grim blinks. "What about the sun?"

"We don't have one here." Asmodeus chimes in. Grim's still visibly confused.

"Then how do you know what time of day it is??"

You hold up your D.D.D for Grim to see. "I have a phone." Grim's eyes light up as he makes grabby-paw motions towards it. You put your phone on your head so he can look it over.

Solomon chuckles at the sight - Seeing you operate with Grim has been enlightening about you, but seeing how Grim responds to you and acts around you has also been enlightening. He acts very tall and sure of himself - But thinking back on how he was when he thought he was alone? Grim was fighty and loud and aggressive until that didn't work anymore, and then he shrunk down. Being around you gives Grim confidence. Being around Grim relaxes you. You both bring out a really good side to each other.

Grim drops your phone and you catch it, figuring that would happen. You slip it into your jacket pocket. The fluidity of your motion is almost like you're used to catching things that fall off your head a lot.

Asmodeus has been pretty quiet on the trip back. Aside from participating in shared conversations, he hasn't been wanting to put you on the spot too much. He separates from the group saying something about needing to go catch Lucifer up on his whereabouts. You wave him off and Solomon grins motioning to head back to Purgatory Hall.

When Grim sees Purgatory Hall, his jaw drops.

It is the fanciest place he's ever seen, let alone lived!

You walk him into the building and begin showing him around. "This over here is the common area of the dorm, this is the kitchen, over here is where Solomon and us sleep-"

"I only see one bed."

"We're here temporarily."

"I don't wanna sleep on the floor again!"

Solomon just stares at you, mouth slightly open as the words hit him. Sleeping on the floor? He'd never dream of it! Who made you sleep on the floor??

You chuckle, not noticing Solomon's shock. "Nah, nah, we share the bed. It's a much kinder arrangement than we had when we stayed with Leona. It's like a cuddle puddle."

Leona. Solomon will remember that name.

Simeon sees you three and calls out, warmly greeting you. "Hello! I see you recovered Grim. It's nice to meet you." Grim stares at Simeon, which causes Simeon to be a little taken aback. "Is.. Is there something on my face?"

"You're shiny."

You and Solomon both snicker at Grim's bluntness. Simeon chuckles. "Oh yes, I'm an angel. Luke is also an angel. We came from the Celestial Realm. I've heard some creatures can see our glow."

"It's like a night light."

"How funny! You'll always be able to find us in the dark, then."

Grim looks to Solomon. "You guys ain't seein' this?"

Solomon shakes his head, chuckling. "No, humans can't see at that frequency of light."

You pipe up; "Technically, humans from my world glow too, but we also can't see light at that frequency." Grim blinks and double-takes and shuffles on your head to look at your face.