The fifth sense

Roleplay blog for Asmodeus, archdemon of lust, pleasure and sensuality

[ultraclassyinblack]

Central Park Blues

[ultraclassyinblack]

Parks were nice, Asmodeus decided. There were no actual parks in hell, only a few cacti and one hellish poison jungle on the 6th circle, but then again, human parks came with the downside of actual humans in them. Small humans, who were shrieking and gigivng him a headache.

Sill, it was better than staying in hell right now, which, if he was being honest with himself, Asmodeus was actively avoiding today. It was rare for him to leave for earth so often, especially without an urgently pressing work asssignment that needed his personal attention. Asmodeus was basically administration, not a field agent, and only went  here on special occasions.

The fact that this was his third earth visit this month would have alarmed him, had he not chosen to get as far as physically and metaphysically possible from his office.

So here he was, in a random park of a random city, skirting around the playground and heading towards the calmer area filled with shade-giving trees, benches, and a pond bordering on the yellowish-green expanse of scraggly grass.

While his hair and height made him stand out, Asmodeus had taken care to dress plainly, in dark trousers and a matching shirt. He knew he would have had to cover himself in sackcloth from head to toe to keep people from staring, but as long as he kept a tight leash on his glamour, at least nobody was outright accosting him.

Dodging a foolhardy pidgeon, he wandered down the path.

It took a few moments before Bentley figured out what was nagging at her mind – well, who, rather.

Really, the person who seemed to hold her eye didn’t stand out much. He was very attractive, sure, but there were a lot of those out and about, with the weather being lovely today.

She didn’t think he looked familiar, but… well, maybe she’d run into him before sometime. It was possible, if unlikely.

…sitting here wasn’t going to help anyone, really.

Getting to her feet, Bentley walked towards him, pausing when they were a few feet apart.

“Do I… know you?” she asked, frowning slightly as she tried to find something about him to jog her memory. People didn’t really like being forgotten, after all.

[sensualitysense]

So much for dressing down. At least the young woman approaching him looked as confused as Asmodeus felt. He turned to study her.

No recent ‘client’ came to mind, even though Asmodeus prided himself in possessing a rather excellent memory for faces.

Even so, there was the faintest hint of demonic presence tickling his senses, perhaps as if the girl had come in contact with one of his coworkers recently. Though that still would not explainwhy she would know Asmoedus himself.

“I do not believe so.” he answered after deliberating. “I am merely visiting this area and have not been doing any regular business here lately. “

[ultraclassyinblack]

Central Park Blues

If, at some point just after it started, Bentley had been asked about the situation with Crowley, Aziraphale and Ellie, she would have shrugged and said that while it was awful for everyone involved, it would blow over soon enough and everyone and everything would be back to normal sooner rather than later.

She’d started to doubt that when Crowley remained missing for a week without so much as a phone call, Aziraphale had holed himself up in his room and only spoke if spoken to, and even Ellie seemed to have dropped off the face of the planet, as little as Bentley usually cared for her. Right now, with the only difference from before being that Crowley had taken to calling on occasion and picking up when she did while both of them danced around the heart of the subject, things seemed further from ‘okay’ than ever.

She’d promised to come visit him in London soon, but considering the state of affairs at home with Aziraphale, she didn’t feel like she could leave Angel behind just like that. So she put off hopping on a plane indefinitely, waiting until either Aziraphale showed any sign of crawling out of his room of his own volition or she couldn’t wait to see Crowley any longer. Whichever came first.

With the atmosphere in the flat getting unbearably stifling by now, though, Bentley had to admit she spent more time wandering the city streets than anything. Lately she’d been ‘borrowing’ some of Aziraphale’s heftier books, making her way to a coffee place or a park bench, and sitting there until people started to get suspicious.

Today was a day for The Spirituality Of Wine (a gift from Crowley somewhere along the years, apparently, judging by the message scribbled on the inside of the cover) and coffee on a bench in Central Park. Halfway through the fourth page, though, something seemed to catch Bentley’s attention, and she looked up in mild confusion.

[sensualitysense]

Parks were nice, Asmodeus decided. There were no actual parks in hell, only a few cacti and one hellish poison jungle on the 6th circle, but then again, human parks came with the downside of actual humans in them. Small humans, who were shrieking and gigivng him a headache.

Sill, it was better than staying in hell right now, which, if he was being honest with himself, Asmodeus was actively avoiding today. It was rare for him to leave for earth so often, especially without an urgently pressing work asssignment that needed his personal attention. Asmodeus was basically administration, not a field agent, and only went  here on special occasions.

The fact that this was his third earth visit this month would have alarmed him, had he not chosen to get as far as physically and metaphysically possible from his office.

So here he was, in a random park of a random city, skirting around the playground and heading towards the calmer area filled with shade-giving trees, benches, and a pond bordering on the yellowish-green expanse of scraggly grass.

While his hair and height made him stand out, Asmodeus had taken care to dress plainly, in dark trousers and a matching shirt. He knew he would have had to cover himself in sackcloth from head to toe to keep people from staring, but as long as he kept a tight leash on his glamour, at least nobody was outright accosting him.

Dogding a foolhardy pidgeon, he wandered down the path.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus chuckled, setting down his glass between them. “Indeed. The better both, the more hilarious said stupid decisions tend to work out though.” 

With a flick of his wrist, he pulled his wallet out of a previously empty back pocket. “Perhaps we can test this theory on my next visit?” he suggested, unfolding a bill and smoothing it out against the wood of the bar.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“I’d be delighted,” Delilah answered, giving him a smile before turning to the cash register, tapping in the right amount and picking out the change from the register, sliding it over. “I’ll be around, I’m sure. Might introduce you to that friend of mine if he’s here then.”

Speaking of whom, maybe a physical description would ring a bell with Met. There couldn’t be that many guys with waist-long red h– wait, no, there probably could be. And there was no guarantee this guy looked like this normally. But worth a try.

[sensualitysense]

“That would be most delightful indeed. I always enjoy meeting new people.” Stacking the coins into a small tower, Asmodeus then pushed it back towards her. “This shall go into the tip jar, I think. Completely worth it for the charming conversation.” Vanishing his wallet by way of back pocket again, he flicked his braid over his shoulder as he stood. 

“As sad as I am to go already, this is it for today. I will make sure to take an evening off in the very near future. Maybe bring a game of cards?” Asmodeus grinned at Delilah, his tone only mildly flirtatious. “If that is appropriate at a classy bar like this one.”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus blinked at her, then checked if any glamour was leaking past his mostly human facade. Humans usually got this ready to share when he was actively seducing them. “Good wine and good company usually do well together.” he replied diplomatically, then - as if matching actions to words - emptied his glass.

He was entirely too sober to contemplate Metatron pawing a pretty human lady. While Asmodeus was certainly aware the angel held a strong appreciation of the human race as a whole, this felt almost too personal. More personal than fucking him, certainly.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

No real response other than a slow blink in surprise, which might just be from surprise at over-sharing. Damn. How was she going to work this one out then? Deciding to back off a bit, Delilah kept petting Sammy absently, smiling at Asmodeus.

“They do, don’t they? It’s certainly much more fun to get drunk with friends. That way you’re not the only one who makes stupid decisions if that happens, right?”

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus chuckled, setting down his glass between them. “Indeed. The better both, the more hilarious said stupid decisions tend to work out though.” 

With a flick of his wrist, he pulled his wallet out of a previously empty back pocket. “Perhaps we can test this theory on my next visit?” he suggested, unfolding a bill and smoothing it out against the wood of the bar.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus held out his hand for sniffing, careful not to tower over the dog or act otherwise threatening.

“I personally consider myself quite expensive as well, which does have the added advantage of affording me pricey wines whenever they strike my fancy.” He carefully carded his fingers through the soft fur behind one floppy ear, scratching gently. “Good dog.”

“You will have to introduce me some time, I would love to meet another wine lover whose tastes align with mine so well.” he added with a wink towards Delilah.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Sniffing cautiously at the hand held out for her, Sammy wagged her tail again, licking at it, trotting back to Delilah’s side. Sitting down beside her, Sammy laid her head in Delilah’s lap, eyes closed in enjoyment when Delilah started petting her again. Smiling at her, Delilah turned back to her customer.

“Careful, now,” she said, winking playfully. “I might be worried you’re getting in on my territory. Hang on…” Carefully digging into her pocket to fish out her phone without disturbing Sammy resting on top of it, Delilah opened her photo app, picking a nice selfie with Met and sliding the phone over.

“That’d be my friend with the great taste in wine. Maybe you know him.” Well, almost certainly not, but…

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus gave that comment the indulgent chuckle it, deserved, then leaned forward to peer at the screen attentively. Well. This was unexpected. He tilted his head, but the image refused to show him anything but a mildly inebriated Metatron right next to the proprietess.

“Cute.” Asmodeus finally managed to comment. “Is the flush from his drink or the proximity to a lovely lady such as you?” He looked up to smile at Delilah. “I would claim him to be my long-lost cousin, but I believe we already played that game.” It was not a lie, if he was being technical about it.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Delilah frowned slightly at the reaction her picture got from him. It wasn’t like she expected him to barely glance over it, but… Was this a bit too attentive to what should be a stranger to him or not? Idly, she found herself wishing she’d asked Crowley or the Metatron how one would go about recognizing angels and demons. Asking was out of the question and she didn’t suspect enough to dance around the subject and see if he bites.

Smiling back perhaps a second too late, Delilah answered, “I’m flattered. Not entirely certain, though. It was good wine we had that night, although we may have been pawing at each other for a while.” Not that she really remembered, though – it was very good wine.

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus blinked at her, then checked if any glamour was leaking past his mostly human facade. Humans usually got this ready to share when he was actively seducing them. “Good wine and good company usually do well together.” he replied diplomatically, then - as if matching actions to words - emptied his glass.

He was entirely too sober to contemplate Metatron pawing a pretty human lady. While Asmodeus was certainly aware the angel held a strong appreciation of the human race as a whole, this felt almost too pesonal. More personal than fucking him, certainly.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus held out his hand for sniffing, careful not to tower over the dog or act otherwise threatening.

“I personally consider myself quite expensive as well, which does have the added advantage of affording me pricey wines whenever they strike my fancy.” He carefully carded his fingers through the soft fur behind one floppy ear, scratching gently. “Good dog.”

“You will have to introduce me some time, I would love to meet another wine lover whose tastes align with mine so well.” he added with a wink towards Delilah.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Sniffing cautiously at the hand held out for her, Sammy wagged her tail again, licking at it, trotting back to Delilah’s side. Sitting down beside her, Sammy laid her head in Delilah’s lap, eyes closed in enjoyment when Delilah started petting her again. Smiling at her, Delilah turned back to her customer.

“Careful, now,” she said, winking playfully. “I might be worried you’re getting in on my territory. Hang on…” Carefully digging into her pocket to fish out her phone without disturbing Sammy resting on top of it, Delilah opened her photo app, picking a nice selfie with Met and sliding the phone over.

“That’d be my friend with the great taste in wine. Maybe you know him.” Well, almost certainly not, but…

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus gave that comment the indulgent chuckle it, deserved, then leaned forward to peer at the screen attentively. Well. This was unexpected. He tilted his head, but the image refused to show him anything but a mildly inebriated Metatron right next to the proprietess.

“Cute.” Asmodeus finally managed to comment. “Is the flush from his drink or the proximity to a lovely lady such as you?” He looked up to smile at Delilah. “I would claim him to be my long-lost cousin, but I believe we already played that game.” It was not a lie, if he was being technical about it.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

“A wise choice.” Asmodeus leaned over the bar to get a proper look at the dog. “And who are you, doggy? Not a connoisseur of fine spirits, I hope.” he joked.

Asmodeus did not love dogs as much as Lucifer did, who was positively smitten with the hellhounds when his schedule allowed it, but he did not mind them either. This one looked like a healthy poodle, and very well-behaved for a dog, too. Keeping one inside a bar like this likely nesseciated good training.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Sammy tilted her head slightly, staring at the bar-guest uncertainly for a moment. Delilah pet her again, snorting. “Oh, no. The worst Sammy’ll do is give big pleading eyes off the job when someone’s eating chicken.”

Realizing her slight miss-step, Delilah glanced at the customer from the corner of her eye, turning back to the dog then. “How about you go say ‘hi’, huh?” she asked, hoping that was enough of a distraction. Giving her owner a sidelong glance, Sammy turned back to the customer, seemingly deciding it was okay and trotting out from behind the counter to greet him, tail wagging.

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus held out his hand for sniffing, careful not to tower over the dog or act otherwise threatening.

“I personally consider myself quite expensive as well, which does have the added advantage of affording me pricey wines whenever they strike my fancy.” He carfully carded his fingers through the soft fur behind one floppy ear, scratching gently. “Good dog.”

“You will have to introduce me some time, I would love to meet another wine lover whose tastes align with mine so well.” he added with a wink towards Delilah.

[risbookofsketches]

Commison for Cayra (tumblr will not let me “@” mention them) of their character Asmodeus as a merman.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to draw your character. The water and grass were an experience and are things I can learn to refine–so thank you as well for a learning experience!

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

“Whoever did so must have excellent taste, then. You should keep them around.” Raising the glass against the light to admire the colour, Asmodeus then continued sipping. “I do admit, I usually do not drink on my own. A few dear friends hold the privilege to drink with me, because I value good conversation over the alcohol content.” Asmodeus chuckled. “So, thank you for keeping me company, else this lovely vintage would be wasted on me.” The level of liquid was certainly draining at a steady pace, moreso than if he had been drinking alone at home.

“I do hope you do not mind me intruding a little longer. I will try not to monopolize your time once other customers arrive. We shall talk about rent when we know each other somewhat better, I believe. Anything else would be too forward to my tastes.”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“I certainly intend to,” Delilah agreed. “He’s got spectacular tastes in alcohol in general, and the company is nothing to sneeze at. I’m flattered that you consider me good company, at least.”

Stretching her legs slightly and reaching out to pet Sammy absently, Delilah winked at him. “Careful, now. I don’t come cheap. But your consideration is appreciated, though it’ll be a while before it’s needed.”

[sensualitysense]

“A wise choice.” Asmodeus leaned over the bar to get a proper look at the dog. “And who are you, doggy? Not a connosseur of fine spirits, I hope.” he joked.

Asmodeus did not love dogs as much as Lucifer did, who was positively smitten with the hellhounds when his schedule allowed it, but he did not mind them either. This one looked like a healthy poodle, and very well-behaved for a dog, too. Keeping one inside a bar like this likely nesseciated good training.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

“To family.” Asmodeus toasted her, then took a slow, appreaciative sip. He closed his eyes, humming “Oh yes, this is very nice.” Some tension left his shoulders. He blinked them back open rather lazily. “I recommend your taste. The flavour is quite something.” After a few more leisurely sips, he set the glass down for a moment. “I am guessing most of your clientele arrives in the evening. Does it get crowded?”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“Thank you,” Delilah answered, smiling. “It was recommended to me. I’m glad I gave it a try, though. It’s quite lovely. I’ve got a couple of bottles back home.” Not that she typically opened them this early, though…

“It can get pretty busy at times, yes, but typically nothing we can’t handle. Planning on sticking around?” she asked playfully. “Siblingly love can only go so far, you know. I might have to charge rent.”

[sensualitysense]

“Whoever did so must have excellent taste, then. You should keep them around.” Raising the glass against the light to admire the colour, Asmodeus then continued sipping. “I do admit, I usually do not  drink on my own. A few dear friends hold the privilege to drink with me, because I value good conversation over the alcohol content.” Asmodeus chuckled. “So, thank you for keeping me company, else this lovely vintage would be wasted on me.” The level of liquid was certainly draining at a steady pace, moreso than if he had been drinking alone at home.

“I do hope you do not mind me intruding a little longer. I will try not to monopolize your time once other customers arrive. We shall talk about rent when we know each other somewhat better, I believe. Anything else would be too forward to my tastes.”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

“That one might do for a start.” Asmodeus perused the wine list intently nonetheless. Ordinary dinner wines were not to his tastes today. Neither were the bottles he had stored in a back room of his office for special occasions. Going back there plainly was too much of a hassle right now. Humanity, flawed as they were, were a much better distraction from the daily bump and grind.

He met Delilah’s eyes over the cardstock edge. “Well of course I am your long lost brother, recuperating from a broken heart under your tender care.” Asmodeus threw in an overdone wink for good measure. “Can you not see the family resemblance, dear officer?”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“Oh, naturally,” Delilah agreed with a wide, theatrical gesture, getting to her feet to fetch the bottle of wine. “You’re the spitting image of our dear mother, God rest her soul. Why, I could never turn you out on the streets, what would she think of me if she could see me now?”

Placing a glass in front of him, Delilah fiddled with the corkscrew for a moment, managing to work it after a moment and pouring the wine. “To family,” she said with a wink back at him, grinning wider.

[sensualitysense]

“To family.” Asmodeus toasted her, then took a slow, appreaciative sip. He closed his eyes, humming “Oh yes, this is very nice.” Some tension left his shoulders. He blinked them back open rather lazily. “I recommend your taste. The flavour is quite something.” After a few more leisurely sips, he set the glass down for a moment. “I am guessing most of your clientele arrives in the evening. Does it get crowded?”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus laughed. “And it might even be perpetually five in some places.” There was a circle of hell like that, he was sure. “I shall intrude on your hospitality, then.”

Flipping his braid out of the way, he settled on a stool near the center of the bar. “My, what a discerning eye. If you would be so kind as show me the wine list, I would be most indebted to you indeed.”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“Sure, I’ll get that right to you.” Ducking below the counter for a moment, Delilah rummaged briefly for the list, handing it over to him. “We got a few bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon for a loyal customer,” she offered. “A 2004 Cono Sur. It’s a bit strong in taste, but, well, if you’re going to be drinking this early in the morning then you might as well do it right.”

Hooking her foot around the leg of her own barstool, she pulled it close and sat down on it. “Any particular reason you’re here this early, actually? Do I need to get a cover story ready for when the police comes knocking?” she asked with a playful grin.

[sensualitysense]

“That one might do for a start.” Asmodeus perused the wine list intently nonetheless. Odinary dinner wines were not to his tastes today. Neither were the bottles he had stored in a back room of his office for special occasions. Going back there plainly was too much of a hassle right now. Humanity, flawed as they were, were a much better distraction from the daily bump and grind.

He met Delilah’s eyes over the cardstock edge. “Well of course I am your long lost brother, recuperating from a broken heart under your tender care.” Asmodeus threw in an overdone wink for good measure. “Can you not see the family resemblance, dear officer?”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus ducked inside more out of old habit enforced by low doorframes and bruised foreheads that actual necessity. This was a modern bar, and even the lighting fixtures were installed pleasantly high up, the door design eschewing more conservative measurements.

“I do hope I am not too early?” he inquired with a nod in place of a greeting. “I could do with some refreshments and this looks like you might have a good selection of liquors.”

A sweeping glance around showed that yes indeed, Asmodeus was the only customer inside the locale.

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

“Well, you know, it’s probably five o’ clock somewhere and all,” Delilah answered with a smile and a shrug. “I guess it’s up to you.”

Sliding behind the bar, Delilah gestured at the barstools in front of her. “Take a seat. What can I get for you? You look like a wine kind of guy.”

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus laughed. “And it might even be perpetually five in some places.” There was a circle of hell like that, he was sure. “I shall intrude on your hospitality, then.”

Flipping his braid out of the way, he settled on a stool near the center of the bar. “My, what a discerning eye. If you would be so kind as show me the wine list, I would be most indebted to you indeed.”

[ofthevalleyofsorek]

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beer-Holder

Opening the place up was simultaneously one of her favourite things to do and least favourite.

On one hand, the peace and quiet and the feeling of being the first one there were nice. On the other hand, it would be a few hours at least until anyone actually stopped by, and it involved a lot more sweeping and getting the chairs off the tables than she cared for.

Finally shoving the last chair underneath its accompanying table, Delilah stretched out and pet Sammy for a second, glancing around in confusion when she heard the bell ring with the arrival of… a customer? At least she didn’t recognize him and she was certain no one had been hired recently.

“Good morning. Can I help you?” she asked, straightening up.

[sensualitysense]

Asmodeus ducked inside more out of old habit enforced by low doorframes and bruised foreheads that actual nessecity. This was a modern bar, and even the lighting fixtures were installed pleasantly high up, the door design eschewing more conservative measurements.

“I do hope I am not too early?” he inquired with a nod in place of a greeting. “I could do with some refreshments and this looks like you might have a good selection of liquors.”

A sweeping glance around showed that yes indeed, Asmodeus was the only customer inside the locale.

[sensualitysense]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6qSt8Qp9ck)

Well, I know what I’m doing with my evening XD

[sensualitysense]

You haven't changed a bit, Asmodeus. I'd have thought you'd finally seen the error of your ways by now.

Oh, but if I considered my ways to be erroneous, I would not be a demon, would I? You too, Michael, are just as stubborn as you have been in the old days. You just were cuter back then. *winks*

[shewasonceanangel]

Little Talks

[shewasonceanangel]

Ellie bit her lip and ducked her head, letting him support himself when he pulled away. “Of course sir, my apologies,” she said quietly, berating herself for having interfered. She knew she shouldn’t have, and yet she had been unable to help herself. Nothing good came of sticking your nose into other people’s business, hadn’t she learned that recently? And Asmodeus was a grown demon and could take care of himself, he didn’t need a subordinate nagging at him…

The moment they were at Asmodeus’ door Ellie stepped back. “Good night, sir.” By now she longed again for the solitude of her own rooms, the satisfying sting and burn of pulling out feathers which would make her feel so… much… better…

[sensualitysense]

After thanking her, Asmodeus fell into bed and slept more than ten hours straight. When he woke the next morning, his hair was sticking up in any possible direction and his limbs felt like he was old and creaky. 

He decided to indulge in a hot bath, since he was in no state to show his face at the office. He would really have to thank Elisheva again, for stopping him from overworking himself any further.

It was noon when Asmodeus stepped into his office, hopefully refreshed enough to face paperwork without crying. His lovely assistant was not there, presumably taking lunch. With a sigh, he sat and picked up the sheaf of papers he had abandoned the night before.