marlowemuses | Two Demons and a Cutie

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Two Demons and a Cutie

The strangest news Huaisang has received all year, perhaps all decade, is that there are two kings from the demon realm in Qinghe. His province of Qinghe is a wealthy place, with a thriving capital city, and as the kings are directed toward the fortress residence of the Sect Leader, they'll find it to be a seat of immense power, built upon and as part of a mountainside.

Immortals are rare enough that some people don't believe in them, and gods and demons are even more legendary. So Huaisang has no idea at all what to expect when they're brought before him in his throne room.

He doesn't feel like an imposing sect leader, not half the man his brother had been, but he still rises and comes forward to greet his guests, looking between the two of them in awed confusion at their gleaming horns and bizarre attire. "My lords. Um. Welcome? I am Sect Leader Nie Huaisang of Qinghe."

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Tripping to Earth isn't exactly...Common, for devil kings. It shouldn't be for devils in general, but it's not as though that's ever stopped nobility from slipping between realms and causing a little havoc, as a treat. But even...Even the kings get bored from time to time, and need to go somewhere they're unrecognisable. A little talisman trickery from one Zepar to transport them and keep them from exploding the locals with pressure, and it's Mammon and Satan's turn to head to Earth for a vacation.

...Except they end up ushered to the sect leader due to...Both being so unabashedly themselves, alien on every single count. Not that Satan minds; it's a damn good way to learn how the locals live, make it clear that they're not threats unless pushed. Even if the throne room is...Colder than he'd like. Sombre, beautiful, distinctly unlike his own Gehenna with her warm tones and cobblestone streets. (Unlike Mammon's Tartaros too, but this ain't about him right now.)

Anyway, all those thoughts? Leave Satan's head in an instant once they're actually facing this sect leader. Immediately he straightens up a little, grinning all teeth and jamming his hands in his pockets. Almost like a sheepish schoolboy or something.

"Lords, huh? You really know what you're about, right off the bat. I like that, kahaha! I'm Satan--"

He almost says more, but...Cuts himself off, giving Mammon a sidelong look. Best to see what the standard is for diplomacy before he goes and risks it all for a pretty face.

...could use more gold. But everywhere could use more gold! Still, the land, palace, and their people seem well kept. Behind, as expected with mortals, but still what Mammon imagines typical for this time period. It's been... awhile since they have been to Earth, hard to keep up in what is 'normal' time period to time period. Some of the nobles got to Earth more often then they did, but Kings tend to avoid it.

Unless you're Asmodeus, of course...

As always Mammon is calm and happy, after all, this is his! Of course he would be comfortable anywhere, he owns everything. Smile in place as Satan speaks up first, as always, it widening as he pauses for Mammon. "I am Mammon! Thank you for welcoming us! We are not planning to stay long, but wanted to see how your city ran while we were here." Never know what fun things you may pick up from humans; new games, sports, food. Things they can take home to enjoy and show their people.

"This humble one is honored to receive you both," Huaisang says, bowing deeply to them until his long sleeves sweep the floor. It's certainly lower than he'd bow to another sect leader, though perhaps not as deeply as he might bow in a formal reception before the emperor. He doesn't yet know the status of the two demons, though their obvious magic and immortality earns them much respect all by itself. They're both dazzlingly attractive, and Huaisang doesn't know whether he's more distracted by the beautiful pink hair or the wall of muscles. They have other traits, of course, but Huaisang's a little too fixated on those items to be able to fully categorize the rest. The two of them together are a bit like drowning in beauty, and Huaisang can't help the pink flush on his cheeks.

"May I offer you tea or wine? Food? If you have particular tastes, my cooks will do their best to provide." As long as they don't eat people. Huaisang really hopes they don't eat people. "If you would prefer to rest after your long journey, I would be happy to show you to private quarters instead."

"Food! Food and wine sounds real good; whatever you eat is good enough for us!"

As if that's not probably already fancier than the average citizen's diet, and he knows it, but still; how better to learn what's good eats in any place, right?? "And...If you got a while, getting a tour from the head honcho himself's always the best way to get a look at the sights. Right, Mammon?"

Says Satan, even though he's not looking away from Huaisang one inch. Part of him wants to see if the pretty little thing actually will explode, though from admiring their God-given looks instead of the pressure they'd otherwise exude, and part of him is just admiring away. Why not, right?

"I agree. Part of our time here is to learn of mortal culture, so us seeing what you eat and drink is part of it." And maybe set up trade later for said food and drink, but Mammon will leave that to Bimet if it comes to that. He likes having Earth businesses.

Mammon raises a brow at Satan's suggestion, before grinning widely. "That is a wonderful suggestion! I agree." Though Mammon's mind is partly on eyeing up the rest of the palace and its wealth. But also how small and cute Huaisang is.

They had some time to stay and enjoy themselves, right? Right!

"We'll have a few nice days of touring, then. For now, we'll go up and have refreshments at the silver pavilion." Huaisang nods at one of his attendants to have the instruction carried out for food to be sent there. "I hope you won't mind all the stairs. Bujing Shi was built upon a mountain, it's all stairs and caverns."

Gesturing for them to follow, Huaisang leads the way out of the reception hall and up a grand flight of stairs behind it. "But what's nice is that there's a hot spring that has several outlets on the mountain, and my people have gotten very good at routing it, so most of the finer guest and family residences have heated pools, and there's running water accessible throughout the city."

What Mammon will have noticed by now, going through the city of Qinghe and now this fortress Bujing Shi, is that there's an incongruous air of neglect in all the government-owned buildings. The whole place is very powerful and imposing, but statues have gone unrepaired, ornamental plating has fallen off, nothing looks like it's been polished in years. The military presence in particular just looks shabby--armor has been patched too many times, weapons looking a bit makeshift. It looks on the surface like a place that doesn't have the money to keep up the shows of wealth and prosperity or to maintain its defenses. That's fairly obvious to anyone, but what Mammon in particular will have noticed is that all the underlying infrastructure is flawless: roads in good repair, people in the city looking well-fed and happy, hardly any presence of beggars or pickpockets.

Huaisang or someone else in power here has clearly put a lot of effort into seeming like the province is impoverished while making sure all the humbler needs of the people are met.

He takes them up another set of stairs, still imposing but more winding, by which point his pace has slowed and his breath is coming quick. They've just climbed about twelve flights worth of stairs and evidently there are more to go.

What...What a welcome. It's unnerving, the more Satan thinks on it; sure, it's the reception they deserve, and it's not like these mortals probably have a chance against two wholeass Devil Kings, but...
Hm. To offer a few days of just touring, on top of refreshments and the like. How interesting! How weird. Interesting more, though; Satan's not about to refuse free shit or some damn good exercise, after all!

All of these flights of stairs are nothing to him, and he pops along without breaking a sweat, struggling to not overtake Huaisang or push him out of the road accidentally. (A terrible guest, alas, he probably will make.)

"...You alright there?"

At least he eventually notices that their generous host is starting to wear down a little, spinning to face him with a curious expression. "Want me to carry you? Just tell us which way to go, where to turn, all that shit, and I'll get you there. I'd make Mammon carry you, but he'd just pinch your ass the whole way."

Certainly was quite a surprise from a human, but an interesting one. Would be rude not to take up the offer, and Mammon is also well used to being gifted such things, so it seems less strange to him. Only that it was coming from a human. He also makes note of the land as they pass it, curious at the details, a mental note in place to maybe gift something in return for the hospitality. This place could do with a few stacks of gold bars. Maybe that would help things! The structure was there, but it could be prettier.

He unlike Satan stays quiet at first as Huaisang works hard on those stairs, it bringing back memories of Mammon's own earlier life. And just how stubborn he had been as a child. That he could do such a climb himself, that he did not need help, that he could achieve it alone. It brings a smile to his face. Such wonderful memories. "Let him make his own way if he chooses to, Satan." Sometimes it is the achievement of doing something yourself rather than taking the hand that is offered to you.

"Oh!" Huaisang blinks at the offer from Satan, lashes fluttering in confused surprise, and then over at Mammon for the gentle smoothing over of that same offer. Back to staring at Satan, since he was the one who had made the original offer. "Wouldn't that be disrespectful to you? You're immortal demon lords. Wouldn't it demean you to carry a mere mortal?"

Then the next part of that clicks in his head and his blushes return, though he can't help but laugh a little as he turns toward Mammon. "Wait. Would you really pinch my ass?" Back to Satan, laughing a little bit more. "Was that a joke?"

"Disrespectful to me? If it was, I wouldn't offer. And yeah, he loves ass. You'd be sorer than if he didn't carry you."

Satan rolls his head towards Mammon, though his gaze stays on Huaisang, just to underscore how Honest And Truthful this is. "Fact he hasn't denied it means it's true, right? But he's also right, I'm not gonna force you. Just thought I'd offer since you're treating us real good."

...And look, Satan's also not above a little groping, it's just not as much of a habit. He'd hold himself back and stick to just feeling Huaisang Normally without squeezing and groping!!

"Is carrying a person really such a disrespectful thing? It is offering help when needed! And a King should always be there to help his people." Before that next part, Mammon forgetting letting Huaisang pick a choice when one of his favorite topics come up. "Yes. I would. It looks rather lovely from what I can see."

"Most people in Zhongguo are very reserved about touch," Huaisang explains, smile lingering even after his laughter has calmed. "I'm usually the exception, I like touching people I care about. I think I'd ... like that. If you're sure."

He takes a tentative step closer to Satan, choosing to trust him, though he does also glance over at Mammon, amused and interested in this apparent appreciation of his ass.

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Two Demons and a Cutie

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