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“I’m HUNGRY!”
It pulsed through the carnival as a feeling more than audible words. Every demon in the vicinity felt a fraction of the sin that the Avatar of Gluttony was exuding at that time. So it was with no difficulty that your group was able to follow it back to the source where you found, to no surprise, a hangry Beelzebub in the restaurant you all left him in.
“I. Want. Another! I’m hungry!”
“Hee he heee.”
“Why do I care about your expenses!?”
Beelzebub was arguing with the ghosts who worked at the restaurant. Their special offer of a free giant parfait backfired spectacularly when Beelzebub and his endless appetite got involved. There was no way they could supply as much free parfait as he demanded.
He was getting really upset, clutching his stomach, growling about his hunger until his demon form burst through with a roar and insect-like buzzing. Now in his demon form, body shaking with hunger and anger, Beelzebub began throwing tables around. Any lesser demons that were present had fled long ago so the restaurant held only the ghosts who worked there and you and the brothers that were with you. The ghosts were defending their restaurant, slinging plates and cutlery towards the rampaging Sin. He hardly noticed, too busy breaking chairs and throwing the splinters blindly.
“Another one of his tantrums…” Belphagor sighed.
“Truly ridiculous. Beel should really learn some patience and to control his temper in public of all pla-!”
As the brothers were lamenting Beel’s actions, Satan was hit, quite literally, by some instant retribution for his hypocrisy. One of the plates, a full platter by the looks of it, had hit Satan full on the face. The rest of the brothers froze, knowing what was coming as Satan stood motionless. You froze as well, seeing now that things were about to escalate far beyond just getting to see Beel flex some power.
“You…DARE hit me!?!?”
Satan’s demon form all but tore itself free as the Avatar of Wrath roared out his anger. And Lucifer, once again not knowing the difference between mitigating and provoking, decided to run his mouth. Your jaw dropped as you tuned into what he was saying to Satan.
“...Do you have to be defiant and hostile all the time? Are you capable of-”
“Lucifer!” Your voice was forceful, but you didn't put any Power into yet, still hoping that someone might see some sense.
“It is your fault Mammon! If you hadn’t just been standing there-”
“Excuse me?!”
“Don’t throw shit at me!”
While you were focused on Satan and Lucifer’s argument, Asmodeus and Belphagor were blaming the entire ordeal on Mammon. You tried getting their attention, but they had devolved into fighting as well. It was like a raging storm inside the restaurant. The ghosts seemed to be getting a kick out of attacking six of the seven Avatars of Sin without repercussion while they were all catfighting amongst themselves.
You took in the scene, feeling totally astounded. Beel at this point was behind an upturned table gnawing on the plates that were being thrown at him. Satan was chasing Lucifer, swiping with vicious claws as Lucifer evaded over the counter. Asmo was screeching as he and Mammon threw food at each other, Belphie meanwhile was the one landing all the hits on both of them.
Your fists clenched, you drew in a breath and felt six of your pact marks heat as you gathered the magic. “That’s ENOUGH. Stop right now!” At your command, magic swept out from you to wrap around the demons under your command compelling them to obey you. For a second, they were all stunned and it held, but just a moment later you felt resistance. Not wanting to waste time figuring which of them were resisting, you sent more force out to each of them. You slammed your hand downwards, and each of them fell to their knees.
“What??”
“I can’t move!”
“The pact…a demon master’s power…”
“This is..”
The brothers were stopped and held by you. It caught them totally by surprise and they barely knew how to react, sputtering to themselves in disbelief. You stood there panting, adrenaline running through you from the powertrip of subduing all these demons. The sound of the ghosts cheering and clapping brought all of you out of your stupor.
“Right. That’s quite enough. We’re going home. Now,” you commanded. As the demons were lurching to their feet around you, you turned to the nearest ghost, presumably a server. “If that’s quite all, we’ll be leaving.” Your smile made the ghost tremble a bit. The brothers were obediently and quietly following you outside until you stopped the last of them. “ Ahem. Beelzebub. Aren’t you forgetting something?”
His demon form had retreated and he was curled in on himself, eyes wide, not knowing what you meant. The others were watching with matching looks of confusion. It wasn’t until you raised your eyebrows at him that he seemed to understand. Turning back to the ghosts, he gave a slight bow, “I’m sorry for the destruction.”
Satisfied, you began walking back to the House of Lamentation. You had wanted to walk along behind all of them, to keep an eye on them, but they were all hesitant and kept darting glances at you so it became faster for you to travel at the front of the group.
You could feel that you still had them all under the effects of their pacts. It was as though there were tendrils of magic leading out from you to connect to each of them. Like you had them following you on leashes. And wasn’t that a thought. Through the connection you were able to feel if they were still resisting your control or not.
With Lucifer, Satan, and Belphegor the connection felt like it was being pulled tight, as though they were trying to get out of it. While Mammon, Asmodeus, and Beelzebub’s connection felt like it was swaying comfortably, each of them fully allowing and leaning into your control.
As you all entered the House of Lamentation, you let go of the remaining pact magic you held over them. They all visibly relaxed and were about to all dart off in different directions.
“You’ve got five minutes, then I want everyone in the lounge.” You didn’t make it an Order. But as you headed upstairs towards Levi’s room they all understood that it was one.
The adrenaline was still pumping, muscles tingling from the magic use, the power trip, all of it was making you feel giddy.
“Knock knock! We’re home!” You pushed open Levi’s door and he jumped up in excitement.
“Oh good! I just finished the sketches for this piece! I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve gotten done. Ugh? Hey! What do you think you're doing!?”
You had ruffled his hair, causing him to sputter and turn beat red.
“Everyone’s heading to the lounge if you wanna come down. I’m just gonna go get changed first.”
You’d think they’d all just come home from a long day of battling, or of council work. The demons were splayed across the lounge in various states of exhaustion. You got the feeling they were complaining endlessly before you walked in. It seemed like Leviathan had gotten there just before you did and was showing off the costumes he’d been working on.
“Come on, try them! You guys will love them!”
“Ugh shut up Levi! Nobody cares right now!”
Or well, he was trying to show them what he’d done. But everyone was too busy pouting and brooding to pay attention to the Avatar of Envy.
Smile on your face, still riding your high, you walked in and took a costume in hand. “They’re looking really cool, Levi. I can’t wait to see the final product!”
“What’s everybody’s issue? Why’re they mad?” Levi’s brows were furrowed with confusion as he questioned you, clutching the costumes to himself in indignation.
You gave Levi a smile and turned to the room, “Somebody let his Sin get the better of him and started destroying a restaurant.” Beel flinched hard, and curled into himself even more, sinking into the couch. “And we will be discussing that in my room later.” Devilish smile still in place, you turned to your next victims. “Satan, you lost control as well,” you held a hand up to stop his rebuttal, “and Lucifer, you goaded him on. Unacceptable on both sides. Satan, I know you’ve been working on your control. Perhaps we can discuss later why you showed none. Lucifer.” The Avatar of Pride hadn’t said a word since the restaurant, and it seemed like he was going to continue holding his silence. You could see from the tension in his shoulders and jaw that he was fighting to maintain his pride and restrain his anger. Deciding to spare him a bit you only said, “I expect you to know better. But we’ll discuss everything later.”
The room was very tense, but the waves of nervousness, anger, and shame from the others bounced off you. You laughed aloud a little and swept your hair back, “Sorry I still feel so high from earlier. Asmo!” He straightened, eagerly hanging onto your words. “You and Belphie were blaming Mammon for the situation with no right to do so. I’m fucken sick of it! You need to stop targeting and belittling him!” The harshness of your words drew a whimper from Asmo while Belphie blinked up at you with wide tired eyes. Looking over at Mammon you could see his cheeks were flushed and he was rapidly blinking away moisture in his eyes. You couldn’t help but soften when you looked at him. If you spent a few moments dopily staring at him, well, that was your business.
You suddenly clapped your hands, causing every demon in the room to startle. “Well! This has been a fun day. I think I’ll be heading to bed now. Goodnight my lovely abominations! Beel! Come with me please.” He followed you timidly up to your room. On your way you sent a text to Mammon.
“Can you come to my room in a few hours when Beel leaves? I have a feeling I’m going to crash and I’d feel better with you around.”
“Yeah. I’ll be there.”
He probably thought you were so disappointed that you wanted to yell at him in private. When truly you just wanted to snuggle down with him. A bit of comfort and reassurance for you both.
But first, Beelzebub was due for a lecture that could rival one of Lucifer’s.