Deja Vu

Chapter 24: Bonding Exercise

When you first bring the idea of taking Belphegor to the human realm, Diavolo's expression is very serious. He's careful to have Barbatos inspect you for any uses of charms or spells. Barbatos finds that no such influence has been used on you, meaning you were approaching them with your own reasons.

Diavolo only entertains the idea of listening to your request because he respects you so immensely. After all, you seem to see things that he doesn't. You're not dead after speaking with Belphegor, but that could be a ploy by the demon. While it was easy to forget from time to time that you were in Devildom, surrounded by demons, this is a fact that Diavolo is always wary of.

Demons lie, demons cheat, demons will say anything to get their claws in their goals.

Demons know when to play rough, and when to play nice.

So the idea that Belphegor has turned around and suddenly wants to give communing with humans a chance.. Doesn't make sense to him even in the slightest. Even with your explanation and shpiel of Belphegor not wanting to go, but you pushing him, Diavolo isn't convinced. And, he can tell there's something more than what you're telling him.

"___," He motions for Barbatos to secure the room. Things get very tense as he leans forward. Even though his voice is gentle, there's a firmness to it as he continues. "I respect you immensely, so I feel embarrassed even having to ask, but... There wouldn't be an ulterior motive behind why you're asking me for this, would there?"

"...." You pause. Being asked so frankly, so gently, and so firmly, it's hard to keep it contained. So hard, in fact, you decide to be honest. "... To be honest, yes."

Diavolo leans back in his chair, eyes narrowing on you as he listens. You can tell he wants to understand.

The tension is so thick, it's almost choking you. You choose your words very carefully. ".. Belphegor and I got to talking. I wanted to address our issues head-on, and.. Well, I ended up venting to him about Crowley and everything I'd been going through. ... It was easier to complain to someone who I felt like I owed nothing to. ... He said I looked burnt out and offered to.. ah.. Help me curse him." Your voice gets quieter as you glance away. "It wasn't going to be anything dangerous, I just.. I'm sorry. I've overstepped my bounds, I know."

Your heart sinks. Diavolo stares at you. He can't see a hint of a lie.

"I was just.. really pissed. I dunno. I'll uh, I'll excuse myself. I'm sorry for bothering you with this. I know it was immature." You begin to stand up and reach to grab your request form, only for Diavolo to rest a hand on it. You look to him, and you can see he's staring at the form, thinking through his options, thinking through what decision he wants to make here.

".. It sounds to me like this is a good chance to foster a bond between one of our human ambassadors and one of our loudest oppositions to the human exchange program." He hasn't smiled yet. You still feel like you're in trouble, but the words coming out of his mouth are so... promising. You slowly retract your hand, but you don't yet sit back down. His eyes look to yours, locking his gaze to yours. "I'll need you to write a thorough account of this activity, so I may consider it for its merits to the program."

Everything he's saying sounds so formal and serious, you have to wonder what else is going through his mind.

".. You look pissed, did I piss you off?" You just decide to throw it out there. If he's mad, it'd be better to know earlier than later.

Diavolo's expression softens as his hand leaves the paper. "... May I be candid?"

"Of course. I mean, I just admitted to lying to multiple high-ranking officials about my intent for this activity, so like-" You cut yourself off while you're behind, glancing away again. You catch a view of Barbatos whose expression is neutral.