A page turns first, silence persists second, but there is a shift. The slightest incline, as the demon perched on high peers just so over his book.
Early is perhaps a confusing way to put it. But the statement itself is entirely one of a throwaway; so little thought put into it and any possible conversation that silence claws its way back and reigns again over the study.
Early however, throwaway as it was, means a lot of things:
I did not expect you back so soon
I did not expect you back at all.
It is not as if the demon speaking held questions towards the loyalty of his runaway general, no Lucifer knew there were fewer in his ranks that could even vaguely compare to the fiercely loyal Azazel. But even Lucifer would expect that someone who abandoned his post, returned only to denounce his leader as a coward, and demand an army for a war they simply could not fight. He would have thought someone like that would have counted their blessings and stayed out of sight.
It is not that Lucifer would have thought Azazel a coward, but he would not have blamed him for staying so far out of reach of theoretical punishment.
A punishment that Lucifer could with but a thought mete out in an instant, one suitable for every crime that demons could charge him with. Instead however, Lucifer continues on with his book. Almost entirely ignoring the other presence within his study. A page turns, another, and another. Eventually one page stops midway, gingerly placed between clawed fingers.
“I suppose I should comment on the sheer gall you have and be offended at your presence.”
Its not entirely unknown just how much favor Lucifer shows towards his general. Any other demon might not be standing where Azazel was, and that would be if they managed to not be reduced to dust for insubordination first.
That favor still works towards Azazel’s benefit, whatever terrible fate that could have befallen the general simply doesn’t. In the grandest of pictures, with every detail accounted for, such mercy is more than Azazel surely deserves. But it never crosses the mind of the one who is ultimately judge, jury, and executioner.
After all, if there was anything Lucifer could have faith in when it came to his most trusted general then it is that Azazel will more willingly punish himself for his crimes.
So instead, Lucifer gives the other his full and undivided attention for better or worse.
“I’ll spare us both the inanities however, why have you returned this time Azazel.”
Five years prior, Azazel would have been a much easier read. He would not have been an unpredictable hurricane of righteous anger and hurt, instead a demon of unflinching pride and power. He is no longer that. He is. Different, in a way that Lucifer would not have predicted.
So that question must be posed, the same way it must be posed to a vague acquaintance. A stranger. And with it a distance most professional; mercy and graceful favor may have been given already to the demon skulking his way into Lucifer’s study but that was as far as it could go.
“Early”... Well, that was one way of putting it. Azazel did suppose a demon more attached to their continued existence would have waited for a much longer stretch of time before attempting to return to a demonic stronghold–if they were bold enough to attempt to return at all...though that was neither here nor there, really.
Because while it was true that Azazel had never been able to claim full understanding of Lucifer’s thoughts, if he knew his superior in the least...then that offhand comment wasn’t intended to hold much weight, anyway.
Far less weight, at any rate, than the deafening sound of turning pages, the heaviness of Lucifer’s stare upon him, or the words the other fallen angel next spoke:
“I suppose I should comment on the sheer gall you have and be offended at your presence.”
“I’ll spare us both the inanities however, why have you returned this time Azazel.”
He could feel doubt, sharp and unrelenting, jabbing at the resolution and faux confidence he had toiled to dredge up prior to stepping foot in the study–but Azazel knew better to keep Lucifer waiting for too long. So with a slight bow and an appropriate amount of shame tinging his hidden features, Azazel answered.
“... Lucifer-sama. I wish to ask your permission to re-enter your service.”
He felt...pathetic, coming crawling back like this, and a distant part of him that had somehow managed to cling to some semblance of pride after everything he had been through hated it. However...–
“I am aware that I have very little right to request anything of the sort, given my numerous–” Azazel gritted his teeth. “–...failings, over these past five years; and I have no expectation of retaining my prior position or status. Rather, I am fully prepared to accept any demotion and additional discipline you would choose to inflict.”
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