@nixniivalis
[[ continued from X ]]
At this point, Luxu could not logically explain why it was he followed Neraine around like this. He could at least offer the superficial and quite believable excuse that he was simply bored, that there was some sort of existential pull that demanded he break from the norm and she had conveniently offered him a temporary solution to that. Demons got bored, after all. It was nothing new. It was how new sins were invented and doled out in abundance as tempting whispers in humans’ ears, catching them unawares with their own subconscious vices; how the mentally vulnerable sometimes found themselves flung bodily to the ground, writhing and thrashing and babbling ancient and evil languages; how, every once in a while, one might enter an abandoned abode and feel... a certain way.
Demons simply bide their time---waiting. Doing what they can to abate the insistent restlessness that was simply the cornerstone of their existence.
But Luxu knew that to be untrue. That his companionship with Neraine was not simply out of practicality for his own needs. As they continued traveling down this road together, his overtly lascivious nature hadn’t entirely disappeared, obviously, yet it had been... quelled. Calmed. Soothed. He did not much enjoy admitting it, but her presence to him was as a lullaby for a stubborn child.
And yet that restlessness had found him yet again this night. Sleep was not something he required anyway, but it was at least one activity that could pass the time after already reading every single book lining the shelves and arranging the flowers (then rearranging them) to his specific tastes. However, the solace of rest did not greet him, and after staring at the ceiling for more time than he preferred to admit, he had risen from his composure and opened the window for some fresh air. Oftentimes, due to their extended lifespans, his infernal ilk did not take the proper time to admire earthen wonders---oftentimes, creation proved a blight upon their consciousness. It represented all that they were intended to destroy, and seeing such lush greenery and hearing the gentle hum of cicadas and the feeling of the wafting breeze upon his bare skin were merely reminders of such a reality.
He hadn’t considered his partial nudity when Neraine had knocked, and he had invited her in without hesitation---in fact, perhaps he had been a tad too eager to do so. However, after her rather unexpected silence, he turned his face towards her, slightly perplexed by her flustered expression. He realized after a moment that it was, perhaps, that he was a bit lacking in attire, but before he could offer a remedy, he became even more perplexed by her approach after her bout of stammering---and certainly reached the epitome of perplexed when she tenderly brought her hand outward and, very gently, traced one of the numerous scars upon his naked flesh.
And though he would not prevent her from doing so---in fact, he would not even dream of staving off her touch, relishing in the internal shiver upon experiencing the contact of such soft fingertips---he still had to, after an odd sort of swallowing motion (some unfamiliar gesture of... nervousness, was it?) be his sarcastic self, albeit of a tad gentler flavor at this moment:
“When I fell from heaven? Well, let’s just say, it’s an experience not worth repeatin’.”
