Persephone's Steps

About Alaster

Kora’s eyes fluttered open with a start, immediately sitting up only to reel back in pain, her skull throbbed, her heart raced and her eyes ached like she was crying. Touching her swollen face she confirmed her tears shivering at the overload of emotion and memories; It was the first time she had napped since that first coma.

Would the memories and the pain continue night after night? 

She felt her muscles tense and her heart beat faster with newfound anxiety; forcing herself to take deep breaths - if only for comfort - she started to rise up walking over to the mirror to give herself another look over. Her dress was a little wrinkled and her hair was a tad messy, running her fingers quickly through her hair and over her dress she sighed. What now? Recalling she had permission to explore the library and the garden she cautiously opened the door. 

“Hey” 

Her eyes darted to the direction of the growl; in the corner sitting on the ground, cloaked in the shadows was a demon she recognized from court. The one who “made her body”...

“Forget my name already human?” flinching at the way he said human she nodded and stepped out from her room, closing the door behind her.

“It’s Alaster” he stood taking quick steps towards her causing her to instinctively step back. Taking note of his grin and his large statue she repeated back to him “Alaster” his eyes flickered to her lips for a second before returning back to her eyes.

His eyes were a soft brown. A complete contrast to his gruff appearance - he was so tall and built - his features sharp. Vibrant red hair slicked back and yet still whipping out wildly.

 A berserker of hell. 

It would be a lie to say he didn’t terrify her; in fact she realized she was trembling under his gaze and so she tore herself from it and looked at his large hands. 

He built my body? 

While wondering how he made something so small and detailed he sighed “You know you look more like her than any of your other lives...I thought it was kinda poetic that you sold your soul in this life” he nodded back to her body. His voice was deep and rough - the difference between him and Ciel was stark. And they were both once angels?

“I don’t know what you mean. Who is her?” Finally she managed to calm down enough to say something; supported by her distaste in his sudden tone.

“Still don’t have all those memories back yet? Maybe that will be the last thing you remember because I am talking your first life. I am talking about Killa.” hearing the name made her heartbeat faster - her eyes wanted to water but she blinked them away not understanding these sudden rising emotions. “My first life?” she repeated in a whisper. He smiled and nodded “Yeah - I was thinking about it a lot as I made your body. I made every hair on the head, every freckle on your cheek - the little beauty mark on your-”I get it Alaster” chuckling he continued “Many features were similar; your personalities are a little different...your body is a little different. You both are short; even by human standards” looking her up and down he walked closer “Of course you have a lot more fat on you’

Kora’s jaw dropped - she couldn’t stop her features from contorting angrily “Hey! Don’t give me that look - Killa was an ancient human...lived off nuts, berries and whatever s**t animal her people could catch, kill or raise. She didn’t have to privilege of putting on all the excess weight you modern humans enjoy. Now don’t get me wrong you are both beautiful; all women are beautiful. They are fun and they certainly feel good” he leaned in backing her into the door his hands hovering over the sides of her waist “you would be just a little softer to sink into” 

Her mouth shut and her cheeks warmed “For you to be able to compare does that mean you were also there thousands of years ago? Please do me a favor and let me know if I happen to have anymore creepy demon stalkers” crossing her arms she glared up at him refusing to back down. 

Grinning he pulled away “Yeah Kora - I was there to - got any questions?”

Yes…

“No. I don’t really want to be around you - I'd rather take my chances in the library” pivoting quickly Kora scurried away down the hall.

“Seems like an awful waste when you have such a powerful and knowledgeable source with you” he cooed. Kora rolled her eyes “You know what? I don’t remember you being this chatty when Ciel was around. In fact at that little court meeting you only seemed to speak when spoken to - why don’t we try that again” he whistled impressed “Man - so this is what you are like when all your lives are thrown together huh?...You sure are a feisty little soul. I was always impressed you managed to stay in the light - well until now” 

Walking faster down to the library she opened the doors and closed them quickly behind her locking them in hopes of keeping him out. 

“Seriously? After everything you have seen and everything I told you I am capable of you really think locking a f*****g door is going to keep me out?” Kora huffed before turning to the side where Alaster had suddenly appeared.

“Why are you pestering me so much? I don’t exactly feel good and… should you even be around me so much? I don’t think Ciel would like it” he shook his head looking at his nail curiously “No I was given pretty strict orders to stay by your side and help you get comfortable”

Some help he is..

Her shoulders dropped and Kora walked to the nearest chair defeated; falling into it with a sigh she rubbed her temples “Does your head still hurt?” 

“Mmhmm - you can see why I don’t particularly want to be around yo-” Alaster was before her grabbing her face with his hand again inspecting her eyes for something “Ouch” she whined dramatically “Oh please - I made your body more resilient than that. I am going to give you something to help with the pain okay? It’s actually kinda like water - but our water - it will help you to integrate your memories and merge with this body”

“I thought that already happened” he shrugged “Kora’s have - but that was only one lifetime and you have lived many I am afraid. Stay here” again he disappeared and reappeared holding a teacup. Looking down she saw a warm bright blue liquid and hesitated “Drink it” Alaster commanded.

Again with that growl…

With a small growl of her own she brought the warm ceramic to her plump lips and took a sip - taking her time she relaxed her shoulders away from her ears. Her jaw softened “Feel better already huh?” nodding softly at the irritating demon Kora reclined in the cozy chair. 

“So you were an angel like Ciel?” his body stiffened from the question; she watched his jaw clench and his hands tighten into intimidating fists “No...No I am a son of Lilith the mother of monsters. I have no wings. I made no great sin rebelling against God; I was just born into evil. Pain and Pleasure. Manipulation and Lies - Do you want to tell you something you won’t remember?” The way he walked towards her again made her feel like prey and despite her fear she found herself nodding “Day after day Ciel would visit Killa; what initially drew him to you I don’t know but I do understand. The “great” angel Michael began to notice and unfortunately for everyone...so did my father” he practically spat out the word “and then mother sent me to watch day after day. Even when Ciel left back to “heaven” I watched over you. And after all these years people are still commanding me to do it” he growled.

Finishing her cup she looked up sympathetically; she had many new  questions - Lilith? Michael? Those names sounded familiar but she couldn’t be sure that was who he was talking about..

 “I am sorry you have had to watch me all this time - I really don’t understand what’s so great about me to need so much surveillance and protection but thank you all the same” his thick eyebrows furrowed and he pulled away crossing his arms this time 

“I do” 

“Huh?”

“I said I do - I made your ears I know they work in spite of that slow brain in your skull” she pouted upset at his condescending words “I understand why Ciel is obsessed with you. Why my father is weary of you - when you remember being Killa. I hope you know that he still thinks you were worth it. And I wouldn’t have made your body with this much detail and care- I wouldn’t be here now - and I certainly wouldn’t teach a human magic if I didn’t agree. Instead of sitting in this boring f*****g library lets go outside yeah?”