Persephone's Steps

Just Your Casual

The sun setting - God had granted him a warm red sky - it was beautiful and breathtaking; he drew in a deep breath and let out a sigh of acceptance. He felt in his glove his leather rein shift, something had drawn the attention of his horse, and he looked up curiously as another man approached. Instinctively his blue eyes narrowed and he stood a little taller his armor and leather creaking accordingly.

“Aodhan” a familiar voice called and he relaxed again turning back to face the sky aflame “This is foolishness...you know that. I have warned you about this - would it help if you saw? See what good this foolishness will do to your wife..your children and your tribe”

“No - it wouldn’t change anything - it would only take my peace in death. It won’t change what I must do; the world is changing and the old ways are dying. I know enough that I must die with it if nothing else; if my name is forgotten then so be it. I have faith that I will find peace in Avalon..” he turned back to his light haired friend and chuckled at his anxious green eyes.

“Ciel you have been a true friend - whatever you are - travel safely back to the Otherworld…” looking into those earnest eyes he extended his one free arm and placed it on his shoulder.

“You have been a true pain in the ass.. Maybe your last battle burn as bright as your obnoxious hair” Aodhan chuckled at that and mounted his horse; enough was said and he had to go to the rest of his men. There was a war to fight and die in…

Ciel stayed on that hill - watching his love ride away to inevitable doom - it wasn’t something he had grown used to. Her coming back so different. When he saw her born as Aodhan he never thought they could love each other; though it ended up being a different kind of love. A different kind of relationship. This life she lived made him admire her spirit all the more - Did she have to suffer so? With each life she gets closer to him and then with the next further and further away. He hoped to see her as a woman next time, he chuckled, that was always much more fun. Whistling he blinked back to the “Otherworld” and waited.

. . .

Kora tensed - meeting a court of ancient demons had her understandably nervous and it seemed Ciel was able to pick up on her mood “Not to worry - I am taking you to meet only the most trusted of my court. In all honesty- I am mostly bringing you to brag that I got your soul to synch as well as it has to your body. It’s not everyday I do such magic. I am sure Alaster wants to see his handy work as well; after all he was the one that initially sculpted your body” his expression changed for a moment and he looked slightly annoyed “Either way I have to attend this meeting; I have neglected work for a few… “Days” if you will. When I put you back to sleep you didn’t wake up exactly immediately and I didn’t feel like working until I was sure you had stabilized. I am behind on affairs so this meeting will allow me to delegate the delegation of tasks to lesser demons”.

That explained the stubble on his face - she wasn’t sure if he had seen it the first time she saw him - the thought of him watching over her anxiously while she slept made her heart soften. It seemed he really did care for her; in his own strange way. It was in fact his fault he was a demon but perhaps it wasn’t his fault he fell in love with her human spirit? For the first time she wondered what it must have been like for him to watch her age and die again and again...having the devotion to see her in every lifetime no matter her gender or status. Watching her love others.. Marry others, have babies with others and die with others.

“What will I do? In the meeting?” he had just mentioned there was a good amount of work so she assumed at the meeting he would delegate some tasks to her “are you sending me to work with another demon at the court?” Ciel stopped in his tracks and let out a hearty laugh “Are you so eager to work? Your only job here is to accompany me as my dear pet”

Pet?

Her eyebrows raised as her face took on an incredulous expression “Your pet? You can’t be serious? You truly expect me to be a mindless little doll here? Doing nothing for the remainder of my afterlife? That is ridiculous! - if what you say is true then you know the thought of doing nothing irritates me” crossing her arms over her chest she couldn’t help but challenge him. For his part Ciel remained quiet watching her with a bemused grin “Well well - I didn’t expect this fire so soon; what could you possibly do or offer me in assisting me with political matters of the underworld? You just arrived here and while I always admire you eager spirit you know nothing about this place. Let yourself first settle in...and if you absolutely need something to do…” he leaned in pulling her forward by her captured arm and backed her in the wall by pressing his hips against her “I am sure I can think up some fun physical activity for you” Kora’s breath caught in her throat and she turned her face away from him. Was this his power? His magic? She was already breathing a little deeper and slower - which was ridiculous because the body she had didn't need to breathe at all - she was doing this out of habit. Again she found herself in a mixture of anxiety and arousal.

What would be like to kiss him? I mean it’s not like she was going anywhere anytime soon...all she had was time and GOD when he was this close she felt her inner thighs quiver.

“Lost for words Kora?” he hovered near her face a second longer before pulling away with another dramatic sigh “Well either way - we can’t stall any longer. Lets go; I am sure the boys will be thrilled we kept them waiting” pulling away he tugged her with him gently by the arm. And she still felt like she was lost in a daze...and in trouble if she truly was meant to be his personal pet.

They finally reached a large sleek red double door entrance - a strange language seemed to label the room - but even without knowledge of the words she could easily discern that this was their destination and an important or official place. As Ciel walked forward the doors flew open for him only closing after she entered as if controlled by a strong sentient wind. The room was dimly lit - the same dark obsidian like floors, the red-clay colored walls with strange patterning and shapes. Finally, in the center of the room, a large round dark table with a fine blue velvet looking chairs framing it. Directly across the room was one larger empty chair that seemed to melt upwards from the ground in a throne like structure, the blue velvet fabric centered where one would sit. Entranced by the room she didn’t initially register the men actually sitting in the seats around the table - five in total not including the empty seat where she imagined Ciel would perch. All at once the men stood waiting for Ciel to guide her to the other end of the room and take his seat before sitting back down. Her eyes traveled from face to face in awe...they of course all had to be beautiful. Strong sharp faces, built bodies and -

“Alastor - Did you want to come inspect your work? The finished product is perfection” Ciel sat back with a satisfied smile as the rest of the men sat down with the exception of one; he looked to be even taller than Ciel - Wider - seemingly more built. He had impassioned brown eyes and striking unnaturally red short hair. Without a word he strode over to Kora and reached out for her neck his paws pulling her in closer to his face; he truly seemed to inspect her facial features not bothering to subtly hide the way he checked out her body from head to toe. With his other hand he softly traced her lips with his rough fingers before shoving them into her mouth, opening it wide, and looking at her teeth; Kora struggled against him in surprise not that he particularly seemed fazed “Perfection is a strong word but she does indeed look the way you wished - a strange soul she must have to produce this eye color” he gripped a little tighter to keep her still and leaned in closer studying her eyes more closely.

“I believe the word you are looking for is special - her soul is indeed quite special. Now, now- gentle with her; you know better than I how fragile those dolls can be. I would like to leave her in tact. Kora the man whose fingers are in your mouth is the creator of that fine body and my dear friend Alastor; arguably my right hand man” some scuffs and chuckles could be heard from the table but she couldn’t see anything except the brown eyes bearing down on her with an almost physical pressure. He reluctantly released her and made his way back to his seat.

For a moment she stood dumbfounded attempting to collect herself - there was no where for her to sit exactly - Ciel made a small hum and gestured her to come to his side. Her pride gave a small whimper but she walked over to stand next to him. Almost absent mindedly his hand traveled over to hers and he clasped his fingers around her.

Okay so she got the message - he clearly wanted her to stand beside him while he sat; maybe he did just want her to be his little pet? She tried to school her expression into something calm and passive. Or at the very least apathetic.

This is an opportunity...yeah an opportunity to get to know Ciel’s allies and court; it’s not about her…

“Lord Ciel - let me be the first to congratulate you on finally procuring your pet. It will be nice to have you here permanently” the demon who spoke was another man in a soldier like uniform - his skin was an unnervingly pale, his eyes were covered with a dark mask that shrouded a good part of his forehead. His long black hair was pulled back and peeking behind the mask was his elf-like ears; however even with most of his face covered she could tell he had an attractive enough jawline and beautiful lips which was currently pulled in a soft taunting smile “It was always so troublesome when she would be reincarnated and you would be practically absent a whole human life-time… now that she has become settled in her body we can get back to work. Lady Kora; we have heard much about you - especially about this past incarnation - welcome to this court. Welcome to the underworld. My name is Amon. My hope is that we shall become good friends” from the chair she heard a starling growl

“Now, Now Amon. You said it yourself that I only just got her - And I am not really one to share” she felt his grip get tighter around her hand and she had to stop herself from gasping from the sudden pressure.

Amon chuckled “oh that’s a scary face - not to worry I have no intention of stealing her away from you” with that he leaned back in his seat with a satisfied grin.

It was all just a little too infuriating for Kora to handle; talking about her like she was something one could own! She stayed quiet in spite of herself because more than she was offended by their sexist behavior she was cautious about pissing off these men.

“Right, right - so introductions later then I get your point. Well? What pressing matters from my territory do you have for me? Some low-level slacking on soul quota? Alloces? Trying to best me again? Same old boring things...eon after eon. Just see to it that it gets done...are we currently at a junction where I must involve myself?” his tone dropped and he shifted in his seat leaning forward somewhat aggressively.

The temperature in the room dropped and the tension thickened - only one man at the end of the table dared to speak…

“My Lord Ciel - Angels have been spotted roaming our territory”