splitmemory | Demon Boy and the Fae

Night Raven College was... for a lack of better words, an experience. There were plenty of adorable boys, enough to play with - and, his dearest ward was adjusting alright to school life. It was strange being away from Silver, but he knew he could visit anytime... literally, if he wanted to, he could be the in an instant. It was his job, however, to be here for Malleus. More than that....

Watching out for Malleus was difficult when that boy had such an air around him that kept everyone else from wanting to so much as approach him. The young boy didn't mean it, surely, but Lilia couldn't help him there. All he could do was keep him company, watch over him, and...

When asked, leave him be.

That's why Lilia Vanrouge has decided to try out this new and upcoming club. The 'Pop Music Club'. Somewhere to stay around after class.

Walking into the club room, he spots three other students. The first two seemed to be regular humans, both from Pomefiore.
The last, a classmate he recognized from a few classes of his. The first year demon boy. This classmate, who he'd tended to avoid...

Hopefully this one wouldn't try to talk to him. He's not sure he's yet erased the first 200 years of hatred out of his heart, even after five centuries. Lilia slips into a seat casually, a small giggle escaping him, despite it all.

This... would be interesting at the very least.

Cater had noticed the fae students, of course. The Prince of Briar Valley was all that half the school could talk about. Most of the students here didn't know enough about non-human politics to consider his feelings on the matter, but Cater didn't sweat it. Both fae and demons were uncommon members of the student body--not unheard of, but not nearly as numerous as their beastmen counterparts. No, fae and demons were more alike in their rarity, the seclusion that their kind tended to prefer. Both to the outside world, and to one another.

But Cater had had a bit of an unconventional life, which is why he was at NRC today.

Maybe it's that for that reason that when he sees the petite fae walk into the clubroom and take a seat, he immediately breaks away from the other two students and slides into the one beside him. Does he notice any tension? He has a smile on his face that's certainly asking for trouble.

"Hey," he greets. "I'm supposed to hate you."

Unfortunately for Lilia, it seems this little demon didn't know to follow the teachings that others did, that Lilia had interacted with in the past. He half expects Diamond to bring out his pen and threaten him - it's just how their kinds worked, isolating from each other as much as possible... and, when it wasn't, fighting. Of course, there could be some kinder demons and kinder fae, but Lilia wasn't about to let his guard down.

His red eyes narrow briefly at Diamond, an easy grin coming to his face to match that troublesome smile. Resting both of his arms onto the table, Lilia leans towards the other boy, allowing any tension that might've worked its way up his spine to vanish away in an instant.

Not that it wasn't visible, for a moment.

"And I, you." Lilia replies easily, tilting his head back slightly, to size him up. "Do you? Hate me, that is."

If he did decide to cause trouble, Lilia's confident enough in his physical prowess to take him down before he even manages to cast a single spell.
... Maybe.

Either Cater isn't sharp enough to notice the fae's careful control over his expressions, or he simply doesn't care--but his grin cracks into something wider and more carefree. He laughs, not allowing the chance for any real misunderstandings to take place.

"Nope! Well, I mean, jury's still out, I guess."

He offers a hand for a handshake. It would be fair enough to be wary, but Lilia's been around long enough he's likely to realize that there's no malice in Cater's demeanor at all.

"You're Lilia Vanrouge, right? I'm Cater Diamond. Guess we're both music fans, huh?"

Lilia vows to be careful around this one. It felt strange to speak this calmly with one of his kind. A flash of some of the demons he'd cut down in the early days of the war flits through his mind as Cater outstretches his hand, in offering of a handshake. Their blood on his hands, the horrifying image of his own slain people, a mix of demon and fae blood staining his face and armor--

Could things really change?

"I know of you. We share several of the same courses... I'm surprised that you remember my name. For a first year, you seem to be quite popular. I've heard your name thrown around by second and third years, even."

The hand isn't left hanging. Lilia carefully takes Cater's hand into his own, giving him a firm handshake - maybe too firm. Oops. "I'm quite fond of music, yes! I used to sing to someone every night to get them to sleep... though of course, those were just lullabies, nothing as extravagant as any other genre. The ways music has changed and shifted over..." Don't say the last few centuries-- "The last few years has been a wonder to watch."

"I try to remember the names of everyone I meet...or the more interesting faces around campus." The semester has barely started, but Lilia is right on the money: Cater's been going above and beyond to seemingly make a name for himself, putting his name in the mouths of many. "So, of course, I couldn't forget yours. TBH, I wasn't sure if we'd ever actually talk."

For obvious reasons. And maybe that's why he doesn't comment on how Lilia's handshake is a bit more intense than is probably warranted.

"I like all kinds of music, myself. Do you play any instruments, or are you mainly a singer? I play guitar!"

Surprisingly... this was a pleasant conversation. Was this why Cater's name had been in the mouths of so many? Easy to talk to, good looking, charming. Lilia already felt like they'd get along easily, despite their differences. He found himself leaning in, resting his chin on his hands, completely focused on the conversation, to the point where he didn't even realize if they were missing anything club wise.

"You'll find I'm very capable," Lilia snickers, "In more than one sense of the word. Musical talent is one of those capabilities of mine. I couldn't begin to name the number of instruments I'm proficient in. My current favorite would have to be the bass, if I absolutely had to choose."

A shift, a turn. Lilia completely faces Cater, bringing his legs up onto his chair to sit with his legs crossed on it. "Do you have a guitar here with you on campus?"

"Oh, yeah? Then, I look forward to hearing what you've got!"

If it was spoken by any other demon...it definitely wouldn't sound so innocent. It would definitely be a not-so-thinly veiled threat. Cater, however, means it just as encouragingly as he says it. He twirls a lock of his hair as they talk, all smiles.

"So we know we have a guitar and a bass player...we're already halfway to a band! Man, we're deffo going to make some sick jams together. I can't wait!"

He pulls up a photo on his phone and turns it around so Lilia can see: a picture of himself holding his guitar, red with black and white checkerboard design.

"I do! I left it in my room for today, but I figured it would come in handy. I'll start bringing it to club once we get settled."

Cater Diamond was surprising Lilia at every turn. The innocence of his words, of his tone. All the smiles he flashed-- he can't help but flash a fangy smile in return, settled comfortably in his spot. Any suspicions he'd had seemed to have faded completely, all that tension from earlier vanished from sight.

There were still worries in the back of his head. How could there not be? It's not as if he can confide in anyone about these worries. They'd fester in his mind for all time, until eventually he'd either let them go or direct them elsewhere to vent them out.

"Look at that- beautiful." Lilia compliments, his grin widening a bit. His eyes half lidded, he continues, "Ah, and your guitar as well. It fits you perfectly." A wink to finish it off, and it's obvious he's throwing a flirt Cater's way. Not one he means anything by, clear by the distance still put between the two of them, the caution he took with his words.

Tapping his finger idly against his own cheek, Lilia then spares a glance towards the other students, before looking right back to Cater.

"I heard this club is rather new, but not much else. Is this your first day at this club too? Oh, oh, oh~!" Another question hits, one that slips out before he can think much more on it, "We share the same basic magic history course. A lot has changed from what I remembered. Would you be willing to study together sometime?"

Lilia throws out that little flirtation and Cater can't help the bubble of laughter that escapes him, cheeks going a little pink. "Wow! You really know how to make a guy feel good!"

Considering his own history, Cater would do well to maintain a level of respectful caution--both fae and demons are long-lived creatures that can appear to be much younger than their reality. But, well, call it the folly of youth: Cater, himself, is truly just a teenager experiencing this level of schooling for the first time.

"Yeah, let's do it! I get mega bored studying by myself, so I'd totes love to have a study buddy!"

For the time being, he'd set aside any biases he had, to enjoy the easy chemistry between the two of them. In another life, another time, he's sure they'd be able to become close friends. Lilia isn't convinced it'll work out for them in the end currently.

Who knows? This world still had so much to surprise him with.

"Khee hee hee~ I completely and thoroughly do know how to make any man feel good, in more ways than one." He can't help the tease, it's too easy. Low hanging fruit and all! Thank the gods above he moves on after that statement.

"Alright then. We should start tomorrow, if you have time. I wouldn't say I'm having a hard time, but..." The history books had a lot to say that he completely disagreed with, from his own knowledge. Making a joke, a mention of how history used to be, was too risky with Cater.

Cater Diamond might be the only one in this whole school who'd take him seriously, who'd realize just how big of a difference in life experience they had. Then again, he's sure to figure that out once his and Malleus' relationship became more widely known.

"Even more exciting is this: we can bring snacks to share. Don't let me down, alright, Diamond?"

Demon Boy and the Fae

First Official Meeting: Pop Music Club

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject