For cryoblooded!

[certaingiant]

[As far as safe Netherworlds go, it'd probably be Toto Bunny that's the most known for being peaceful - but Flowerful isn't far behind. There aren't many residents, and those who do aren't very interested in figthing.

And everything is over now. If absolutely necessary, Christo could simply return to Celestia - though it would pain him deeply to do so.

...But he thinks he won't have to. No - he knows he won't have to. This is Killia, and though Christo's misjudged him many times before, he has absolute faith in him now.]

Thank you for having me, Killia. I wouldn't have expected you to live in such a cozy home, but now that I'm here, it feels like it suits you.

[They're seated on the couch. Christo's still trying to figure out the best way to bring the subject up.]

Comments

[certaingiant]

It really does.

[There's no point in putting it off trying to think of the absolute perfect way to bring it up, he realizes - this is one of those things you have to just go for. Less Christo planning, more Red Magnus.

...No, not that far. Never that far.]

I actually came here specifically to talk to you about something.

[cryoblooded]

I guessed it was something like that.

[Not that he didn't think Christo would ever visit, but it was usually more of a group thing]

1/2

[certaingiant]

[A nod. Christo rises from the sofa, and turns to face Killia. The urge to fidget with his glasses is there, but he suppresses it.]

You've covered for me many times, to help me keep my composure, to keep me safe, and I've been grateful every time. Don't think that I'm not still grateful - this isn't about that. It's not even about being honest with you, really, because I already know that you know.

I just need you - you, of all demons - to acknowledge me. What I am.

[He takes a breath.]

[certaingiant]

[Christo's four wings are fairly sizable - each a little longer than the length of his arm - and they unfold slowly from his back. They're a little sore from having been kept hidden so much, and it feels good to stretch them out again.

A white feather falls off one and flutters to the ground. Christo doesn't notice - his focus is entirely on Killia's reaction.]

[cryoblooded]

[He knew Christo was an angel. They all did. But actually seeing it is something new. It's not like Killia has ever seen one in person.

He reaches down to pluck the feather off the rug, holding the pinion between his claws, an odd contrast between them]

It's nice to meet you, officially.

[certaingiant]

[Of course it's fine. He knew it would be - but even so, that gets a wide, genuine smile to break out across his face.]

The pleasure is all mine.

[cryoblooded]

[He spins the feather between his fingers for a moment before putting it aside and raising his hand. He can't deny he's curious]

Can I?

[certaingiant]

Just be careful.

[He knows Killia will be, though, so he isn't even afraid of those claws.]

[cryoblooded]

[He uses the back of his hand to lightly touch. Most demons had claws. Even Lieze did. But being a dragonnewt meant his were a bit more exaggerated- it was something he learned to deal with]

Hmm. Softer then a harpy's would be.

[certaingiant]

I take good care of them. In Celestia, not keeping your wings in good condition is the height of slovenliness.

[And he's a prideful angel, so he'd never let things slip that far.]

[cryoblooded]

[Killia nods. That makes sense. Then, after a moment]

These too then.

[he reaches up and carefully removes the fake horns. He's already seen them pop off, so he know the headband isn't very secure]

[certaingiant]

[It cost 10 HL, it's definitely not hard to get off.]

And these.

[The fake wings are a little more securely fastened, but a bit of fiddling and he can set them aside.]

[cryoblooded]

[It's oddly intimate, doing this. And it hits Killia how... bland angels kinda are, outside the wings. Without them he looks exactly like the more humanoid demons.]

You could have passed with out all this, you know.

[certaingiant]

You may not have noticed, but I'm not a very good liar. I need all the help I can get.

[So the Very Demonic Horns and the Super Demonic Wings were necessary.]

[cryoblooded]

I'm guessing the horns and wings are just what they think demons look like?

[certaingiant]

[A nod! His wings flutter a little against Killia's hand.]

Much of what angels 'know' about demons turned out not to be accurate at all. I've embarrassed myself numerous times relying on that information.

[cryoblooded]

It's fine- demons are so different even from world to world... there's no way you could have known.

[certaingiant]

[Killia is as understanding as ever.]

It seems that demons don't know much about angels, either. Seraphina believed we couldn't badmouth someone behind their back, which I promise is definitely not true.

[It was all too easy to insult his superior at the time.]

So we both have a lot to learn about each other.

[cryoblooded]

We do...

[Considering how he's still lazily petting a wing with his knuckles]

And now all the time to do it in. Do you plan on telling the others?

[certaingiant]

[It's a pleasant feeling.]

I think so. They did say they would beat an angel half to death if they met one in the Netherworlds, but things are different now.

I wanted you to be the first.

[cryoblooded]

[The others would likely follow his example, after all]

You're our friend and ally before you're an angel.

[certaingiant]

I thought you would say something like that.

[...If he keeps up with the wing-petting for much longer, there'll be - yep, there it goes, that's definitely what sounds like purring.]

[cryoblooded]

[Now THAT he hadn't expected. Lieze would sometimes make a 'purr' too but it was quite a bit different then this]

Didn't know angels were part cat.

[certaingiant]

[The purring stops! In favor of being super embarrassed.]

Th-that's... Please don't tell anyone about that.

[He has to keep some secrets, and he can imagine the others ruthlessly using this knowledge to their advantage.

Somehow.]

[cryoblooded]

[Killia chuckles- that soft barely there and rare sound in his chest.]

I won't. They don't need any more ammunition.

[he considers dropping his hand completely, but instead ends up turning his hand around, lightly grooming through the feathers with his claws. He's seen harpies do something similar. He's never be much of the physical affection type- between his reptilian nature and how he grew up it was just not something he defaulted to. But being around Lieze on a near daily basis was getting him used to that kind of thing again]

[certaingiant]

Thank you.

[That feels pleasant too, and Christo has to try very hard to keep from making more embarrassing noises as Killia plays with his wings.]

I don't usually let people get this... touchy with them.