Deja Vu

Chapter 21: No Place Like Home

"May we speak for a moment?" Lucifer's dark crimson eyes stare into yours as he steps out in front of you in the hall.

Grim, who is sitting on your shoulder loudly gripes "Who's askin'!?", ready to fight whoever is coming at you, to which you stifle a snicker and glance away from the demon before you, partially covering your mouth with your hand as though it would do something to hide your growing grin from him.

Lucifer's eyes narrow at the small creature on your shoulder and it causes a shiver to run down Grim's spine. He shudders as he's hit with Lucifer's intimidating airs for the first time. Lucifer certainly can quiet a room with just those eyes. "Lucifer Morningstar. Lead of the student council and avatar of Pride." Grim knows just enough about Devildom to know that being an 'avatar of anything' is a big deal. His fur stands on end as he's wondering what you've both done to piss this guy off.

You're not shaken. You've seen Lucifer angry before, and if he really wanted to hurt you, he wouldn't be so calm. It reminds you of the small moments before you'd gotten to know his family better, where he'd warn you not to poke your head around in his business. It's obvious that you won't be getting out of this easily, but it's also obvious that he's not pissed.

"Nice to see you again, Lucifer." You smile, struggling to keep yourself from laughing. You know you're in trouble, but this is the first time you've ever really been in trouble with Lucifer in a way where he didn't want to rip your teeth out on the spot.

Seeing your smile causes him to sigh, losing his intimidating composure for a brief moment. Yes, it IS nice to see you, he just wishes it wasn't under these circumstances. Grim stares back and forth between you two in baited anticipation. You seem to know this guy personally.

"___, what's this I've been hearing about you damaging school property? House of Lamentation is still in charge of your educational budget, and I've had to replace an entire station's worth of supplies in the potion department?" He's right to business, recovering his intimidating demeanor. But you can feel his exhaustion.

".. Grim was struggling to learn how to work with the Devildom ingredients. I promise that if it happens again, it'll be with increasingly less frequency." You nod, very sure of yourself. His eyes watch you. There's something different about you from when you'd been staying at the House of Lamentation. Something... more relaxed.

His heart does sink a little, wondering if his home really was a poor environment for you. Still, this is business.

"I've also gotten increasingly frustrated reports of you and a small gerbil goading other students, disrupting classes, and causing overall grief to the other students and faculty..?" He's crossing his arms, clearly disappointed in you. He has a set of papers in one hand.

"HEY I AIN'T A GERBIL YOU OVERGROWN WEED!" Grim gripes loudly. Lucifer won't even glance at him. Rather, his eyes narrow as he stays fixated on you, expecting an explanation.

You chuckle, picking your friend up off your shoulder and setting him on the ground. When he gets all yelly, it's hard to have him so close to your head. "... Grim's an acquired taste."

Lucifer moves to read directly from the papers in his hand. "... 'And the human exchange student, ___, was purposefully goading another student saying 'I'll kick your ass you pompous asparagus!', making a derogatory statement towards the student's hair color and thin stature. The human exchange student Grim was seen threatening to burn other students during this outburst.' ......" Lucifer just raises an eyebrow at you, having finished the segment.

"HEY THAT GUY WAS THREATENIN' US FIRST!" Grim shouts, quickly making himself heard.

"It's true- That particular student threatened to eat Grim. The full statement I said was 'If you even try to lay a hand on him, I'll kick your ass you pompous asparagus.' which I think was fair to say given the conditions."