Welcome to Gaia! ::

"I believe so, yeah." she nodded. "I made sure it had a good vanilla."

"Not much by human standards, but we do." he nodded. "And we get hungry. Not all of us are soul-eaters, though. Some are okay on just flesh."

"No, I suppose he wouldn't." he hummed. "Speaking of, I heard about this deal you made. You're nuts, Tyler. But that's what I like about you."

Charlotte smiled proudly, swaying on her heels. "I do my best! Is it just right?"

"Well, since we don't live among natural predators, we just kind of live until something kills us. Usually other demons, in fights over food, territory, space, things like that. Hell's a self-regulating place that way." he said, tail swaying lazily. "But getting old just shows that nobody's been able to kill you yet, so it gets respect."

"I can't imagine it's fun...about how many followers are there?"

"Like pomegranate?" she giggled.

"Well, up here's more of no man's land. Angels and demons are all over the place and free to fight. Some on either side are assigned to people for influencing, others protection...humans have the luxury of a free will, and each team's trying to persuade. So, even though we're always fighting out here, there's at least more food and resources."

Gren nodded, thinking for a moment. "Huh...and how big's the building?"

"I'll get some!" she said, trotting off, so returning with a cone. "Yum yum yummy!"

"Well, some of us demons do. Obviously not me, ha ha!" he snorted. "I'm just here for kicks!"

"James, I think that wouldn't be good for Az." frowned Gren. "It's not that easy on her, and would probably just annoy the angel. Anyway, sounds like they haven't got much going on, huh?"

She blinked, cheeks getting a tinge rosy at the prospect as she sampled a fingerful of vanilla with her pomegranate. "...I don't think I'll be ordering much else anytime soon." she hummed, smiling.

"Angels aren't usually in for fun, actually...they have laws to obey that I don't, so, you know. They get in trouble for things more than I do. I mean, I'm already condemned to Hell, so they have that threat going for them. I've got different things to worry about, like angry angels."

"As long as they aren't making any sort of immediate attack, yeah?"

She smiled warmly, patting his cheek. "It's called blushing. Something I don't do often, but have found recent reason to, you see. A lovely chap came my way, and has this way of saying the most beautiful things by accident."

"Not many do. They're usually happiest in the presence unless they want to hit the field and exact his work by hand." he yawned softly. "Mm..."

Gren nodded, checking his watch. "It's getting late...last call, everyone?"

"I'll introduce you two sometime...I think you'd get on smartly." she beamed. "In the meantime...join me for a tea nightcap?"

Malachai nodded. "We sleep most when we're between feedings, by the way. Like snakes." He stood up, stretching his wings and yawning widely. "Like now. Good night, everyone!" He strolled out into the pretty spring night.

Gren smiled a bit. "Come on inside a bit early tomorrow...you and I should have a chat."

"Yessir!"

*****

The next morning, Gren and Malachai had spent an hour and some talking in the main room, ensuring the safety of the Inn's residents. An emptied teapot sat beside their cups, remnants of breakfast snacks littering saucers before them as Gren sat back with a sigh, lacing his arms behind his head. "Well, if that's the case, then I suppose I've got no complaints with your staying." he concluded.

"Thank you, Mr. Gren." he nodded, grateful. "I know it's a shifty thing to say it, but it's true: I don't have anything to gain from lying, and I promise that I won't hurt anyone."

"Well, that's good...puts you right next to the rest of us." he chuckled. "And it's pretty clear that you get why it's crucial that Violet doesn't find out."

The demon nodded. "Everyone's very protective of her here...you especially, in your own way."

"Aw, well...she needs it."

Malachai gave him a considering look, taking a deep breath before giving a light sigh. Gren gulped, realizing that a nose that could sniff out souls could very well tell his condition. There was no telling what this demon might say. He hastily feigned drinking the rest of his tea.

"Good morning, Violet! Good morning Kristen!" beamed Malachai, waving.

Gren smiled to the ladies. "Morning...Happy St. Patrick's day, hum?"

"Oh! Aren't I supposed to wear green?"