deercountry | i've looked at clouds from both sides now (𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥)

Entry tags:

i've looked at clouds from both sides now (𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥)

^{Who: Peter Graham + you! Prompts will be placed here.
What: Canon update business, potential event things, tba.
When: Through the month of November.
Where: Various places in Trench / tba.

Content Warnings: This character comes with demonic possession by default. There's a gif including nudity (non-sexual, just a couple of people shown naked from behind) in one of the posts.}^{Additional warnings will be placed in individual spaces.}

^{( On Peter's birthday and Blessed Month, he will go through a canon update that's given him updated memories. For weeks 1 - 3 he will mentally be MIA, and Paimon/Charlie may be interacted with. On week 4, Peter will return. Closed starters will be placed under the appropriate posts. Please hit me up @ plot post / plurk / large bat#2354 / pm if you're interested in a starter / if you'd like to plot for the month! )}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( It's certainly an.... odd mix of young men who have found themselves lumped into this little mission, but Paimon is taking all of this very seriously. A Team, a Purpose.... He understands the severity of this.

He's mostly extremely quiet as the expedition begins, as one day bleeds into another — certainly the demon isn't one to make small talk.... but he's comfortable enough in his companions' presence; he knows two out of three of them and has already formed the base of a relationship with them. There's Sasuke, cool and calm, a powerful sort of "magician", something capable of reaching through into the very spirit of the demon and coaxing it the way it needs to be coaxed. There's Melius, nervous the way Peter is nervous, but another being capable of powerful magic; Paimon's seen it for himself, and he's of a good opinion about the dragon-like creature. He likes Melius, and Sasuke. ...He's drawn them both, made depictions of them to keep.

Then there's The Human Stranger. Certainly, Paimon would hold him in higher regards if he knew this was "kickflips", who had helped him learn some very interesting new things, but as it is in the moment... Robby is someone he isn't familiar with, and so the demon largely ignores. (Though he will remain under Paimon's protection by default, being a part of The Team...)

And then he finds himself alongside the human, as they all step through thick wood (Paimon, too easily at times, not necessarily in a way that's graceful so much as unnatural, footsteps too light, as though at times he seems almost to float). His neck turns immediately when the boy addresses him, head fully facing him, eyes wide and swollen black, pupils dilated past their human limits. He stares, unsure of the question, and of how to respond. Paimon knows he isn't... right, isn't well. This month has been one long nightmare. )

......................... Good.

( ....Comes the response after an uncomfortably long bout of silence in which he was just, staring at Robby like that. "Good" is what people say, right? Though he doesn't seem "good", too strained and stiff, throat fluttering with strange movements, the corners of his eyes perpetually wet. He means "good" more as in, he's just like.... alive, maybe. )

You are.... good, also? ( He keeps staring, not blinking, looking at Robby with more observation than concern — as though checking on the state of him as a living thing. A human without abilities (and nothing "supernatural" that Paimon can perceive of him), Robby's... squishy and weaker than the rest of them, Paimon thinks. But they need him for this. And so he adds on, in a way that is definitely how normal people talk— )

Hunger? Tired?

[ ................should he have fucking asked anything, fuck--

Okay, allow Robby to be unsure about reactions or good or bad ideas when it comes to possessed forces around here. The look he's given is unnerving in how it stares at him, unblinking, in a way that Robby first takes....actually, he's not sure how he first takes it; because then they're in this uncomfortable staring contest that Robby isn't certain he should be participating in (granted, he can't unnaturally float coolly in direction and needs to take tiny glances to watch where he's walking, but it's close enough to a staring contest), and he's kind of thinking he should stop looking at him.

("He's going to eat me?" was a thought had, and Robby's keeping it to himself.)

But the answer finally comes, so singular and odd that Robby doesn't connect it as one, looking back at the other, but recognition only following a moment later. Oh. Good. Right, good. There's a debate of if Robby should drop the attempt there, but he also really doesn't want to -- but the decision is made for him when the question is returned, in a very "an attempt is being made" way.

To it, Robby nods quickly. ]

Yeah-- I mean, I'm good. Not hungry. Or tired. [ Cool cool cool, Robby, keep going. ] I, uh, know Peter. He didn't tell me about you. [ obvious why, but let him say it as he makes a simple gesture at Paimon. ] --are you...new, or been around a while?

[ Does this have something to do with the whole eye-watching-cocoon thing.... ]

( Paimon's prepared to fix this human if there's a problem in him — if he's hungry, or tired. He knows what to do. He can bring him dead things to eat. He can make a nest of leaves and set the human down inside it so that his body rests. He's ready!

But it seems that he's "good", too, and not in need of anything at the moment. So the demon just keeps staring. It if wasn't painfully obvious, conversation is not by any means his forte. That network post he'd made was the most and the longest he's talked to people in.... a very long time, and much of it was made a bit easier by the fact people would ask him questions that he could answer directly.

So when Robby does exactly that, here, it's actually something that does help Paimon know how to... communicate. He's still going to be staring at the poor guy without blinking (not even when his eyes begin to water a bit at the corners, RIP Peter,) but at least there's a bit more of a reaction beyond that, this time. His head cocks to the side, bird-like, intentionally focused on the question that the boy's given to him. )

Not new, ( he knows to say. After a moment's pause, the thought is carried further, even if it's still often difficult for him to speak aloud, and the words come slowly, tongue working around syllables in pauses and thick movements. )

I am from... before. Before this place. Before the Dream. I have been with him for many days.

( ...A few years now, really. It's an odd thought, and that despite that much time, Peter's so at unease.... Of course, demonic possession might just be a thing that most people never really get used to.... )

He does not like to speak of me. He..... has fear of me.

[ If that eye thing continues, Robby will say something. For now, is it a spooky demon thing (where the human eye naturally dislikes not being moisturised)? Probably. Look, this is Robby's first time dealing with the supernatural. He can be a little dumb, as a treat.

But this talking thing seems to be going well, despite the oddities included. So, before the Dream -- Robby knows that, actually, guesses they mean that Deerington place, but even he refers it to 'that dream', too. A dream where everyone just lived for a time, thinking it was real, until it wasn't. He's not sure if Peter ever told him about that time, but it doesn't matter much.

What matters is what's last said. He does not like to speak of me. Fair, Peter, fair. ]

I don't know if the worlds we come from are exactly the same, but um, sharing your body with someone isn't normal. [ But this guy probably knows that? Or doesn't, and Robby asks, wondering, ] Do you both actually-- know each other?

( Finally, the demon breaks that cursed, intense eye contact, gaze dragging down to the ground. There's silence for a few long moments, only broken by the crunch of leaves and twigs as the little team moves through the forest — Sasuke and Melius are up ahead, far enough that Paimon thinks this conversation will remain between him and the human boy. Not that he particularly minds if the other two were to pick up on any parts of it, but Paimon does know the value of a moment of privacy.

He also understands what the question really means. Perhaps once, he might not have. Now? He does, at least he believes he does. )

We do not. We know of each other, but we do not.......... speak.

( It's... a very detached relationship despite the fact they're literally sharing a body. )

It is not normal. ( He agrees in the next moment. Even for what he is.... permanently residing within a human body is wrong. He was never meant to be trapped the way that he is. The demon's quiet again for a few long moments, solemn and thoughtful.... before his eyes snap back up to stare at Robby once again, studying him. The moment of freedom from his stare was so short-lived.... )

...You are friends? With my vessel?

[ Sharing a body isn't normal. Not knowing each other is -- probably -- not normal. Under these circumstances, but how does anyone navigate normal in a situation far from it? There's no question of Why don't you with this, no particular judgment; because who the fuck can judge any of this? Not Robby, apparently the guy most dull out of the four of them.

But the person sounds thoughtful enough that Robby allows them the periods of silence. He isn't here to push, and slow is fine. They have time in their travelling, and he can speak up when and as he feels right. So when the other speaks first, Robby's head having been turned to watch where he walks, he looks back -- and ah, Mister Intense.

If only in gazes. He feels somewhat relaxed though, comparative to some moments ago. ]

Yeah. [ Well. ] I'd call us friends. I haven't known him long; we met a couple of months ago. The same month I showed up. [ He's not sure if the details matter, but he's taken an approach: talk slow, give them a story. It's from his days of fooling people, learning a specific approach to certain people. To become accommodating, be who works best.

It's not a false face, here; it's just what feels right. ] We talked about our families, a little; he was helping me get used to this place, and I introduced him to some self-defence.

[ Peter may not have been doing anything for him actively every day, but to have someone around -- it's a truth. It feels lonely now, to see his face but not to be talking to him. ]

You got friends here?

I see... You have helped each other. It is exchange.

( ...Which is how he functions, so it does help him to understand, looking at it that way. Making sense of Human Relationships is often strange, so Paimon searches for category. "Friend".... is a term he's still sort of figuring out for himself and has taken a recent interest in, given there are a few people here who have referred to him as a "friend". And he's not sure how to feel about it.

Which means the inevitable question earns a very long pause of silence. )

I have....... companions. ( He hesitates, throat fluttering slightly with another odd movement, like something's stuck. Sometimes Peter's not the only one who looks like someone's holding a gun to his head, though in the demon's case it's because he..... doesn't know how to convey any of this. )

....I suppose. They are friends. ( Cue another long, weirdly strained pause. )

...............How do you know? If someone is a friend.

( Look, he's talking to A Human, this is a good time to listen to some insight, and he's always seeking to learn. )

[ Wow, don't ask anything simple, now.

Because the way that they speak gives indication of weaving together sense from the concept, before the question itself explicitly states it. What is a friend, what does it mean? Does trust factor into it? Trust is always the true question of friendship, isn't it? Even if he's personally refused to mingle the two, because a friend can easily mean an accomplice under a better title.

Robby sucks in a breath, thinks of where to start. Light, probably. ]

A friendship's what you decide it is. It doesn't have to be complicated; they could be someone you're friendly with, and you like to talk or hang out with them now and then. Or if you're really careful about people you'd call a friend, then -- it's about trust. You can kinda look and think about a person, and there's different stuff you'd share with different people, right? Companions make good friends.

[ There's more he can say, more that the one inhabiting Peter can say or ask -- luckily for that latter, they usually take their time, and so there's room for Robby to interrupt this, a hand touching Paimon's arm. ] --Hey.

[ Robby's stopped, and he's hoping they will, because this has been continuing to bug him, and he's got to ask: ] Are your eyes hurting? Here?

[ He waves his hands before his own eyes, like he needs to clarify what eyes are, and maybe he does. ]

I know you're not human, but-- that body is, right? Do you know how to blink?

( It really is all very... strange, for what he is. The concept of "friendship". The demon functions through balance (or, he's supposed to, though that balance was made... wrong, back in Peter's home world). But it's there in the spirit of him: exchange, give and take, offering and reward. Even his relationships with summoners and witches, sacred as it may be, is not about friendship. He is an entity bound by certain ancient rules and procedures; he can't even divulge his true name to just anyone.

But he's been learning about such things as "friendship" through many different filters. There's Ange, a witch, who is friends with her demons back home. There are other supernatural beings here who have treated Paimon amicably, the way humans seem to treat their friends. They even text him sometimes...

This is the first time he's directly asked a human about its meaning, however. It does give him another very lengthy pause of silence, mind chewing over what he's been told. Different types of friendship... rather like the hierarchy his kind function through, isn't it? He wouldn't treat his Lord Lucifer the same as his legions of lesser demons, now would he.... There is respect and even affection for both, but in vastly different ways. )

....I see. ( He says; never mind the double meaning as he's staring at Robby like that; yes, Paimon, you really do see, don't you... And he's casting that wide-eyed gaze down for a moment as the human touches his arm. It does draw him to a stop, one fluid movement that has him standing completely still, and completely facing the other as he listens to the questions. And he's very severely giving them thought before reaching a conclusion.... )

They hurt, but it is fine. ( .....He had to think about whether it hurts or not. Feeling physical pain is kind of weird for him, and there are still so many ways he's disconnected from this body, from being tethered to a physical form like this. )

I know how, but I.......... forget. ( Like he sometimes still forgets to breathe.... However, he's been doing much better with that one, since that one has worse consequences, as in, Peter could die. But maybe he needs to reassure Robby, here. )

It is all right. Unlike breathing, it will not kill a human body to not blink. My vessel will not die, and so. You may still be friends. With him.

[ It's awkward. Awkward because yeah, he cares about Peter, and he cares about his body; he doesn't want anything to happen to it as much as he wants anything to happen to his friend. And Robby isn't sure if that's what makes him concerned, or just the general sight of it, but.

Well. No, this is just weird regardless, right? ]

Yeah, [ he starts slowly, ] but a lot of stuff that can't kill us can still mess us up. And it's your body too, right? I mean, you share it. [ He gestures to the Thing that is Peter and this other's body, though it's more of a spread of his hands than full on. ]

I just want to make sure nothing happens. It's good for you, too -- the both of you. But, [ he adds, shoulders shrugging as he feels he should acknowledge: ] I get that being human, or...being in one isn't something you're used to. Forgetting makes sense.

[ If he really has to think about demonic possession. But he thinks, and tips his head in another shrug-like motion, a tiny smile on his mouth as he offers: ]

But you can think about it now when you look at me.

[ Right? ]

( Something in the demon visibly pauses at that, lingering on the thought. A shared body.... As strange as it may seem when such a concept should be obvious and simple, it's been much more complicated than he ever anticipated. It's been an odd journey of thinking this body was meant to only belong to him, and then (thanks to Luna's help, over much time,) seeing how he doesn't own it. It's still Peter's; he.... was never supposed to be put into it permanently, and to rid the spirit within as a result. The Dream, and this place, have kept Peter's spirit with him.

Now, though....? Just recently, they returned back to Peter's home world, and Paimon was told that the body had been given to him, and when he woke back up in Trench, Peter was.... unresponsive. He hasn't woken back up yet.

Paimon's not sure what any of it means for them from now on. He isn't sure how to answer; whose body is this now...? So (big surprise here), he just keeps staring. He does understand what this human is saying, though. He's watching out for this body, and it's... appreciated. Perhaps he should reveal that Peter might not return, that his "friend" might be gone. But the boy likely wouldn't be so calm and understanding towards him, and... they have a task to do. )

I see. When I... look at you. ( Does that mean that Paimon is then going to keep staring at Robby so that he can blink every time Robby does? Yes, that is exactly what it means! He imitates the motions in the other, blinking his eyes — with a staggered flutter or with blinks that are way too hard, certainly nothing natural. But... it at least will keep Peter's eyes from drying out until he can get in the habit.... )

I am grateful for your assistance. ( He adds, and lifts a palm up in front of himself. There's an odd, sudden buzz to the air around them, a sort of static thrum — maybe a bit uncomfortable for the other, with the way it fizzles and pops, makes fine hairs on the back of the neck stand up and sends a ghost whisper down the spine. But it only lasts a few seconds before it could become oppressive, and as it stops, there in Paimon's palm is a golden coin.... which he holds up expectantly to the boy. A little treat.... )

[ Just because Robby has been gifted with a few of these silent staring contests (where he isn't really a participant--and honestly, knows he couldn't beat this guy) doesn't mean that it isn't still unnerving to stand there and receive it. Wondering each time he should say a little more, eyebrows raising at his last suggestion, then lowering before he gets a response.

And--finally, he gets a response. A ] Yeah! [ hurriedly and happily agreed, a grin when he sees Paimon doing it.

And might Robby realise in time the extent of how this goes? Probably, and yes, he will be put off by it, but there's a distraction to be had for now. A palm raised, and should Robby shake it? His hand does twitch at his side, but the sensation of something being off--sensation, and sound, that makes him look back or start to before he looks back at Paimon again, and--

oh. Oh! Eyes widen, and then he makes a small sound, a gasp and a laugh. ]

Hey-- I thought so, it's you! The screen name guy! [ And that is--a conflicting piece of knowledge! His puzzled brow sticking, his smile quirked as he thinks about that more. Peter, possessed by a demon; a demon he had been getting buddy buddy with before, and there sure is a lot to unpack here that Robby isn't sure how to begin?

But that's a dilemma that lasts a few seconds, before Robby looks ahead where Melius and Sasuke are gaining distance, and he holds a hand palm out at Paimon- ] You hold onto that, look, we should get moving, [ -and turns to start walking again.

And as soon as they are again, with Robby looking at him still, he'll continue. ] --I'm kickflips, the guy with the skateboard? You said you can shape gold into acorns, and-- you like to make dolls?

[ Along with the whole 'looking for a username' thing, but it's the details of their conversation he remembers. ...the possessing a guy bit too, but uh. Again: putting that away for now. ]

( The demon's eyes widen further (if..... possible...) in an almost comically baffled expression, or maybe it's just a little creepy, considering... everything about him. The screen name guy? What is the meaning of this?? He's so baffled that he doesn't insist about that gold coin just yet, only very obediently moving forwards as the other does, keeping pace with him. Curious and confused and it's only when Robby explains further that the pieces of the puzzle slot into place, further baffling the demon.

........kickflips. He certainly hasn't forgotten the "title", as he calls it, or the conversation that took place. The post he'd made on the network was full of interesting comments and plenty of fresh new things to learn, but his exchange with "kickflips" was particularly note-worthy... Paimon learned some cool facts about skateboards and chatspeak, and he got to chat with someone about Interests long enough to get to say goodbye, and it was.... entertaining as much as it was enlightening. Holding conversation with others is still new and weird, not every exchange on that post was pleasant or particularly useful, but he feels like that one went pretty well. ...He had fun, he thinks??

And this is kickflips, in the flesh.... Softly, hushed: )

You are.............he.

( Paimon had fallen out of re-connecting with those he'd spoken to on that post. November has been... like a nightmare. But this encounter, here and now...? This is important. )

Yes. Yes, I am— the one.

( He lifts his hand with the coin still in it, and the gold melts and reforms into the perfect imitation of an acorn, a small solid weight in his palm. He holds it up again so that Robby can see, peering into the boy's eyes like he's trying to see into his soul. He's extremely excited by this, though of course it just manifests as that weird alien intensity. )

We have found one another again....

( It's really not that serious, Paimon.... )

[ It is he, kickflips, as written in legend....

It's not any easier to be juggling with this walking as it was standing still, but this whole cool friend has a demon in him has been an odd experience thus far. Robby's keeping an eye on him, of course, not watching out for more than where to put his feet with the other two surely keeping better attention (and then there's his omen--thanks, pal).

There's a small 'Yeah', half-amused as Robby confirms -- yes, he is...he. And, really...Robby doesn't know if the demon is watching him any more than he was before, considering his staring habits. But Robby does feel himself intentionally blink, paying attention to if the other does, in some quasi-manner of concern. (It's kind of more bearable this way, at least?)

But he does look when the gold coin shifts, transforms to the drop-sized acorn. Brows raising, because that's not something you see every day. That funny little smile still on Robby's face as he looks back up, Peter - or...his body - always having been taller than him before the floating. ]

Hey -- you really can do anything with gold. [ An impressed remark. ] Yeah. How'd the username search go? You- make any friends?

[ Was that one of the goals? Robby remembers suggesting he talk to Usagi... ]

( There's a corresponding blink in return — he's learning! Or... well... as long as he's staring Robby in the face and imitating his blinking, but at least it's a start — and Paimon almost puffs up with a sort of pride in response to the remark from the boy. It's a body mannerism that Peter's never quite worn: shoulders back, chin jutted up slightly, feeling quite in his own element. It's only a simple demonstration, and he can do far more with gold than simply manipulate it into little shapes, but the demon king is thrilled that someone's noticed him.

And really, all of this is extremely exciting. Finding and re-finding connections in this place means something to him, and his interest in the human is blossoming into new places. )

I made... connection. With many. I spoke to many. Important people. ( Other Inhuman Things, poets, scientists, witches, runists... people who hail from Japan who taught him about kaomoji.... It was a learning experience, though he had little chance to actually catch up with those people, given the whole... Peter going into a goo-cocoon ordeal. )

I found titles. To use. Many. ( He means usernames... but yes, the outcome of that whole situation was that Paimon has ended up with several network handles. )

You were one who... assisted me. ( Once again he holds up the item in his palm to Robby, from a coin to an acorn. Force isn't how he functions, so it's not so much insistent as it is just... patiently waiting. ) I was not able to.. reward you. I was made absent.

[ --Right, right, the acorn gold. Robby hadn't been deliberately putting off taking it, the distractions to his attention coming naturally. But he looks at the offering, remembering it as a reward; and there is something strange about receiving a lump of gold for talking, but he does take it, twisting it around once in his hand. There's a value to it that feels uneven for what he gave, though the value is warped when you're dealing with a demon that can just make gold. It's no different than a trinket to him, probably, with his actual crafts that he makes with his glue gun? Those likely hold more value to the demon than this. ]

Thanks. [ It's a brief thought, that leads Robby to raising his now fist with the acorn in it in gesture. ] How about if I help you out by telling you stuff, from now on, if I need anything later on, you see if you can help me out? Still need to show you how to use a skateboard, if you're interested.

[ That feels -- better. Yeah. Robby has no mind asking a bank demon with endless gold for more gold if he needs it, but getting it out of the blue? This feels easier. Useful, and -- just more chill. ]

I'll help you out with human things, [ he adds. And wow, is this not the first time he's told someone this. ] Sound cool?

( It's true, the gold has no real value to the demon (besides the fact that he likes the way it looks). And there are many other types of treasures he can reward — but it's gold that humans most often request; this is something he knows deep down in his spirit, even through everything he's forgotten about himself on the surface. It's simple to grant here, in shiny coins, little things that can be used for trading and bartering. It's useful, and he likes providing use.

Though he's learned by now that some people don't necessarily want the gold — in fact, some have outright refused. It's been... strange; he's not quite certain how to handle it. He must give something.

So when Robby says what he does — expands on the concept of exchange, of helping one another and ways to do that, Paimon is certainly paying close attention, every ounce of his energy focused on the young human's words. )

Help each other out. ( It's an exciting prospect, to be shown human things by a human who is like Peter — "normal", by the standards of this place (and self-proclaimed) — but Peter will not show him things, so this... would be nice. Better than the ways he quietly absorbs information from the shadows. He could get more hands on.... with things like the skateboarding and the human speak. Already, he's been using "u" in his texts sometimes, thanks to Robby. Really.... already.... it's apparent that Robby is much more useful than Peter. )

I would like that. ( He clarifies, a little awkwardly — saying what he "likes" and "dislikes" is still odd. ) To use a skateboard. And learn about human things.

( Since he's confined to one, it's a necessity; it might make his existence easier. Plus, he's very curious. But there's a thought, because he is categorising Robby in the same place as Peter, and comparing the two, and for him to willingly offer to spend time with something like a demon, when he's not accustomed to such things.... )

....But you are not afraid of me?

[ Good... Robby is bringing more people down to his texting level, love to see it.

This guy is simple to read, or rather--on some level of it, once you ignore his intensity and the eerie feeling he gives off just to be around that makes Robby want to second-guess getting anything close to comfortable around them. He's confused, he's trying, he knows what he knows and doesn't what a human would expect someone else to know. There might be a pinch of sympathy there, but going into feelings--that's a complicated thing.

That isn't simple. It's just easier to try and find ways to make this feel simple.

And honestly, that could be a lot harder. This could be worse than dealing with a demon--he could be dealing with his dad. A demon is way easier to talk with than him. ]

I mean... I kinda am, if we're being honest. [ And actually, he can't not be, but this is a deliberate choice. ] A little? But I'm more worried about Peter than anything, and I don't really know what's going on, but.

You haven't tried to kill me, and I was cool before about talking with you. [ Yeah, there's a level of awkward present now, but while there's a second he pauses, Robby brings his hands up as he shrugs. ]

So - what the hell. Got nothing better to do.

( It's actually the first time that someone in this place has said that they feel afraid of him in some capacity, but that they are still willing to be in his presence. People generally aren't fearful of him at all (though perhaps wary), or... they're the complete opposite, shirking completely from him. It all depends on their familiarity with things like him, their associations with words like "demons". This is.... new. Once again, something new, and he's just...... sorry, he's once again just.... staring.

But he's very seriously considering those words, the shapes of them, the conflicting pieces of them. Fearful but more worried about Peter. Confused but there is nothing better to do, so "what the hell" — a phrase that Paimon doesn't quite grasp in the needed context, but "hell" is a familiar enough word, so he feels. He feels good about it. )

I do not think I would try to kill you, ( he says, meaning it to be reassuring....... )

You have worth. And knowledge. ( And he doesn't want to lose that.... Paimon casts a glance around the dark forest they're in, thinking back to the mission. He's already keeping a protective eye on Melius and Sasuke, but now, Robby's joined those ranks, and so— ) If any seek to harm you in this wood, I shall silence them. For I am a great king of Lucifer, and none shall cross me here.

( ....It might be that Peter just kind of seems insane. )

[ Oh, a great king of Lucifer. That Satan guy? Hell guy? Cool.

Cool cool cool cool cool.

It's just a cherry on top of everything before it. Robby's getting used to the staring, but it still has him looking side to side at times just for a break between it (is it rude to just look ahead and wait for demon guy to come to whatever conclusion he will or does. Such as 'I don't think I'll kill you' (thanks??); surely reassuring or a positive when it comes from a demon, and Robby will take it for all its oddity, because oddity is what he's working with her.

Should the fact he's conversing with a demon king really be any more bizarre? ... except it is, for every way that Paimon is. Like...odd, in an inhuman way, but strangely--if he had any expectations for the higher class of Hell, it wasn't them having a childlike curiosity.

But what the fuck does Robby Keene from Cali, USA know? ]

Okay. [ A sorta underwhelming acknowledgement to that proclamation, but, slowly: ] Thanks. I'll, uh, watch your back too. Teamwork, right?

[ He raises a fist, then sorta realises they're probably not going to understand. Looks at it anyway, and then keeps it by his stomach. ]

You want to learn another human thing?

( Teamwork... Yes, yes, that is what it's about. He knows this, understands it. More than one person's spirit, connecting with another — growing stronger as a result. And they have this team here and now, a team of four.

Paimon is pleased to hear the human boy say it like that, and gives an approving nod and an accompanying hum that vibrates deep in his throat. )

Mmmmmmmmmmm.....

( ...It's a happy demon noise... as opposed to the unhappy ones, which, fortunately, poor Robby won't have to be subjected to any time soon, hopefully. Things like clicks and hisses and spitting...! No, this is just a hum. He's happy... )

Yes. I would like to.

( This time, he says the words more confidently. He would like to. It's something he would enjoy. Yes, he knows he would! )

You may show me now.

( It's a little bossy, but he is a king... but he really doesn't mean any disrespect, and he's peering at Robby expectantly again more than anything. He's very eager to learn more from his new acquaintance Kickflips and this is all very exciting. )

[ Weird noise, but you know what, this is a weird everything. A weird everything that's in progress, we'll figure things out along the way. The bossiness doesn't even register more than a possible eagerness, and the ends of Robby's lips quirk for it. And so, he'll show, making a fist and holding it out, tilting it so the space between the knuckles show flat. ]

'kay, do this? [ He figures he might need to give the demon guy a second, and that's fine; he'll direct Paimon how to point the fist with the main knuckles pointed downward, patting the surface of his own.

And once Paimon has it, Robby will reveal the magic: of a fist-bump, from Robby to him. The edges of his lips twitching and lifting again as he considers how he's showing a demon a fist-bump, and giving and receiving one, too. ]

Do this? Just enough to connect. You can do it to say hi, not everyone does it--but you do it with friends. Show you're cool with each other.

[ A grin. Is Luna going to suffer this? Hope she doesn't mind fist-bumping the demon inhabiting her boyfriend..... ]

( Oh, we're doing something with our hands — Paimon looks down at the demonstration and slowly imitates it, though it does take him a few moments to sort it out. It's not a gesture he's done much of, and it's an odd one, to hold his fingers in and keep them there. But this definitely seems important, he can tell that much from the start. Something is happening here.

Then it reveals itself.... the other's hand makes contact with his own, knuckles to knuckles. A gesture of Literal Connection... and simultaneously of Greeting...

Learning something new is always a big thing for the Demon of Knowledge, and so he's just gazing down at their hands in awed silence for a few moments before he slowly lifts his fist up to try to do it to Robby again. ...And then another, this time lifting both his fists and holding them up expectantly for Robby to bump his against. He may have created a monster with this...

But it's simple yet meaningful, and doesn't require verbal speaking... It's a gesture. He very much likes this. It reminds him of another human gesture he's picked up on— )

There is something called.... hand shake. The hand shake. ( You might possibly have heard of it, Robby! ) This is not the hand shake. But it is.... almost.

[ ...for all the oddities, it's difficult to be focusing on the weirdness when you're introducing someone to a fistbump. The first successful attempt gets a 'See? You got it' in encouragement. And when the double fistbump is introduced?

Robby laughs, and he replies with two fists coming and bumping both. ] Nice.

[ Look at this master of fistbumps. The kind of move that surely many young boys in the playground have made to show their status of friendship (and then forgotten about by the end of the week). But it's more funny than anything, and Robby can handle funny, a small nod as the topic of The Handshake is introduced. ]

Yeah, it's a same idea. Handshakes are formal, what you do if you're meeting someone new and it's serious. Kinda like--meeting another king. We'd do it for someone we want to be on good terms with. And then this, a fistbump, [ want to do another? we can do another here, Paimon, ] is for people you're friendly with. A person at a shop you see every day, that has the right vibes. Someone you know casually, or a friend.

This is closer to a handshake, the same idea. Here. [ Robby's holding up a hand, this time with his fingers kept pointed up. ] Do this... and curl your fingers like I'm doing.

[ Is he showing him the diagonal bro-handshake? You bet. Though, he's not going to include the man-hug in this. That's for Peter. ]

You wanna practice these last two with friends, or people you like. We're from all over the place, so -- I don't know how many people do them.

( Robby is very encouraging and the patience is appreciated... Peter would've snapped at him.... (He's so mean sometimes; why couldn't someone like Robby have been his Vessel instead? Things to think about)

But all of this is taken very seriously. It's not that the demon necessarily wants to blend in with humankind — he's something much different, and he's proud by what he is, he doesn't want to hide it — but learning how to exist more easily among them? It's certainly on the agenda, given he's more or less trapped inside of one. Learning how to communicate with them would be beneficial to himself, to making exchange with them, connection, engaging with them. And he's also just incredibly curious by all of these new things to learn, and Robby certainly has a way of explaining it that makes a lot of sense to him...

The Handshake holds more severity, ahhhh. He understands; it'd be reserved for a fellow king, or someone else of high standing. Whereas The Fistbump is informal. Oh yes, he likes this very much. Different greetings depending on hierarchy...

But oh? There's another one to learn? Paimon's peering widely down once more as he slowly, stiffly, parrots the gesture on into the joining of hands. So this is another casual greeting.... it's a sideways one.... What valuable information he's been given. He will certainly make use of it. He'll practice with... everyone he knows..... and after a long moment of just gazing down at their hands again— )

For your knowledge.... I am grateful, human. Boy.

( Paimon reaches upwards to stroke Robby's hair a couple of times, almost like he's petting him. It's what you do to humans to show them that they have done well, and it's not at all creepy. )

We will learn and discuss many things together. Great things. Powerful. ( Like the aforementioned skateboards. )

As blessed by my Lord Lucifer, Himself.

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