Nameless

I live now only for my children: Bambi, Denzel, and Dyfri, and for no other reason.

Romantic love, I have come to believe, does not last forever, because forever is a very long time. But the love a mother has for her (or his) children is of the undying sort. The love for another person romantically, however, always does die in time- particularly if you happen to fall in love with a dumbass or a human, or both.

Do pardon my language.

My mother did not have the time to raise me, so much as give me a name. I am sure that in some way he cared about me- but it does not matter now. He would come and go as he pleased, and I was left to my father and Skye...

What bugs me now is that Skye has all a person could ask for when he does not deserve it. He has a handsome, loving husband, and two beautiful children with that man. He is loved, yet he goes off and sleeps with me anyway- Note that he does not remember who I was. He talked for me for five minutes and then started making moves on me. How am I the whore? I started nothing. I just agreed to help him become miserable. If not for our children together or Elias, I would kill him, and make him so miserable that he would have to fade. But Elias deserves no more misery- and certainly not the kind that I suffered through.

He was never the "bad guy", stealing Skye away from me. It was all Skye. I am still hoping that Elias can change him, make him realise that what he does is wrong. It upsets me when he does stupid things because he tends to hurt others while doing them. I would like him to actually learn how to think things through. That would make me so happy, perhaps happy enough to drag me out of this depression that I cannot ever seem to escape.

I suppose I am a whore, though- ...At this point, I will sleep with anyone, just for a kick, because to love, or make love, is utter bullshit. Who will come to me next?

Keaira

...I have not seen anyone but Echo and Johanna in the past... five days. I don't even know where Cambion is, and I am getting more lonely than horny. I hate this time of year. He is probably avoiding me. It's unfair. I want to cuddle him. I'm going to cry. I hate suffering alone. I hate being alone! Damn it. Cambionnnnnn. Where are youuuu? Dx I need... alone time... with youuuu... Please? D:

Johanna

Mum dyed my hair black. I came across Nemo yesterday, and he failed to recognise me. I was rather hoping it would remain that way, but it didn't. I have never met someone so infuriating as he, but I think I am doing a better job between the two of us of being annoying, which, for me, is good. I honestly don't care what he thinks. He speaks bullshit quite fluently- I think I will have a talk with Denzel about his lying habits. I would love to see Nemo get told off, he really is such a chld (then again, he was raised by children). He calls me a pest, because I am a dragon fly. The only pest I am aware exists is him.

I am currently working on a top secret case... It really feels quite cheesy working as a special agent, but I suppose someone has to do it. It also is quite entertaining, anyway, so I am not really complaining... Perhaps I will be allowed to share details sooner or later.

I wonder how Levi is doing? Last I heard, he is with Eliphas... Not that I mind. I can understand that. I think I will go see him again soon... I wonder if he will recognise me?

Sebastian

Nemo gave me a kitten. So now I have two babies to take care of- and one more name to choose. I hope I am able to attend work tomorrow because this spending all day laying around and doing nothing is really quite irritating. Perhaps I will get Denzel to babysit for me as long as he refrains from dressing Nikola up like a girl...

Ulixes came to be the other day in tears- I had always noticed that there was a place on his face that looked as if there were eyes just dying to be revealed, and now they have been... I never thought he would actually have any (and I wonder if the ones he had on the palms of his hands are still there?). That aside, he told me that Riley had tried to commit suicide. I will have to have a serious talk with that idiot soon...

Nemo says my facial features are cute. I do not approve. I wonder what Ciel thinks? I will have to ask him later... Speaking of which, the day I delivered Nikola, he suggested that he and I be "swingers". I didn't answer him. I figured he would ask this question eventually- but this seems a bit sudden. Perhaps we should test it out... But I really would rather not. I don't like anyone else touching him. He is mine. I worked too hard to make him mine. He is mine. I am far too possessive...

Good, then- what else should be expected of the devil, after all?~

"I'm your Opheliac
I've been so disillusioned
I know you'd take me back
But still I feign confusion
I couldn't be your friend
My world was too unstable
You might have seen the end
But you were never able
To keep me breathing
As the water rises up again
Before I slip away..."

Luca sat at the dinner table, though the moon was still out, shining brightly, though it was eight in the morning... He sat, stirring at his little china cup of Assam tea... A silver streak out of a thousand dancing moonbeams caught his eye, and abruptly, he rose with the cup and flung it- tea and all. The chair he had been sitting in flipped over with a crash that echoed through the room.

"...You worthless bastard!" he screeched, delusional. Before him stood the butler, bleeding from the forehead, as the china had severed his flesh; and yet, he remained otherwise emotionless, his sliver hair illuminated with his blue gaze by the moon.

"Master Luca, have I done something wrong?" he said.

Luca reposistioned his chair correctly, and sat back down in the silence...

thinking.

***

"You know the games I play
And the words I say
When I want my own way
You know the lies I tell
When you've gone through hell
And I say I can't stay."

***

I don't  know why I just did that.

He really is worthless, but he didn't deser- Yes, he did. Of course he did. Everyone deserves worse than that, I let him off easy. He's only a butler, after all... Still my friend...

If this is anyone's fault, it is Aranis's- All right, let me organise this for myself...

Aranis took advantage of Denzel. Denzel is my friend. Denzel is now pregnant.

Denze's fiance is Caru. Caru is my nephew. Shit, he's going to be upset...

Aranis is with Gabriel. Gabriel is my brother. He wanted to be with him. He shouldn't have done this. He's an idiot, he's disgusting. He is supposed to take care of Gabriel- If you love someone for real, you aren't gonna fucking cheat on them. He's a liar...

"G-Gabe... Love... him..."

...Bullshit. That dream was bullshit. I can't believe it wasn't real. He deserves to die, why the fuck is he alive? Why wont' he stay dead?! All he does is cause problems... And Johanna! I trusted him with her- But, damn, if she stays with him any longer... He's going to touch her. What am I going to do now? I can't take her, and I can't just leave her- Oh, and Gabriel has died. Wonderful. Chester... Chester, what's Chester going to think? "Oh. That's sad. What are you going to do with the baby? Put her up for adoption, I'm not ready yet. I'll never be ready."

No, you wouldn't even have to take care of her if I brought her back. Sascha and I, and even mum would. And you can sit there on your ass and not be a part of her life- I don't care. Don't act like you feel guilty...

Stupid dog.

I, however, refuse to simply sit around. Insane as I am, my insanity is only just beginning... And no one is doing anything much to fix it, and so they shall suffer the consequences in the end...

Compiled information: This affects Chester, has affected Gabriel, as he has passed suddenly, Johanna, Denzel, Caru, it shall affect Keaira, and indirectly affect others, such as Sebastian, Ciel, Mello, L, Valdus, Skye, Elias, etc.

Oh, what a mess... What a shame...

***
"You know how hard it can be
To keep believing in me
When everything and every one
Becomes my enemy and when
There's nothing more you can do
I'm gonna blame it on you
It's not the way I want it to be
I only hope that in the end you will see
It's the Opheliac in me."

***

Sascha's gaze never once left Luca's, and when Luca said,

"Nothing, Sascha. Go away," Sascha did  just that with a smirk on his face...

***

Master Luca really is a vengeful little brat. He makes himself miserable... Just like Aranis does. I cannot believe I am related to either. They are both pieces of pure rubbish. Everyone in this pitiful place is rubbish- this place is a literal dump.

Still, I do not like what is going on here... It makes Luca upset, and that will not bode well... I suppose it is my turn, and job, to intervene.

***

What are you thinking about me? About this? Oh, stop playing games, you twat.

***

I hate everyone here, but they are still so entertaining- So I'll just play along. Such is a butler's duty, after all, is it not?

***

You have cake frosting in your hair... It's pink... Stop staring... I dismissed you, you fool.

***

Oh, you did... My apologies; I shall leave, master. And do stop singing in your head, you sound miserable.

***

...You'll be my alliance in all this, Sascha. That's an order.

***

Yes, of course; I swear it, and so shall it be.

***

Pft, bullshit... And good riddance...

***
How cute... Good night, young master.

***

"Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt thou the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
But never doubt
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt thou the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
But never doubt
I love..."

Luca

I have no idea why I react like this.

I don't know why it still makes me angry, and sad, confused, frustrated- After all, I knew what was in store.

And still, I cannot help myself; as Johanna's mother, I have a right to feel this way, I think. I gave birth to her; went through the pain; was ill my entire pregnancy; and then something absolutely incredible is the result- the reward- for, to, my suffering; and such is... or was, rather, Johanna.

Chester is unprepared to be a father, and that is his excuse for not wanting to raise her:

"Is she a burden to you?"

"No, she's not."

"A burden is something that weighs heavilly, as responsibility or anxiety... Somthing one does not want, or is unprepared for."

"Maybe she would be at first if I had to raise her myself. Feeding, changing nappies, and being responsible for her, but I'm not as such, am I? Gabe is. So she doesn't bother me... She's making someone else happy and that pleases me to an extent... Plus, I had time for it to settle in. Things haven't changed for us. Yes, I have the title of "dad." But... so what? It's still just me and you."

Just me and you? You and I? I know that in some ways, if not most, Chester is correct about this all- Johanna is not ours to raise, and I decided that when I offered her to Gabriel.

But I can't help but want her all to myself- No, not just for little occasional visits, but for eternity. She is mine, for I birthed her, conceived her, was pregnant with her- She is mine.

If I did not care about what Chester wanted, I would be raising her right now. And I wouldn't care about what he thought- And at this point, I don't know which of the two I love more, although, since I am sitting on my ass doing nothing to help my own wants, I suppose it is Chester who is the winner.

I do not wish to antagonise him, although with this situation, he leaves me very upset at times... Last night when he asked what had happened to Johanna, why she was kidnapped, and where she was taken, I did not answer because I did not think he deserved to know.

It is his choice to make; whether he wants her to know he is her father, or vice versa. Upon the moment that he makes that decision, I shall watch him, and if he does not want her to know- I shall look at his face, into his eyes, and henceforth, his soul- and if he looks as if he cares, then maybe one day, I will tell him what happened to her. If he appears to be indifferent, then it is not his business. She is not his business; he has no right to know a thing, then.

After Bernard's murder via Sebastian, the celestial beings have become angry; and they swooped into the manor and stole my daughter and had plans to destroy her- Why her, I do not know. And because even the "special, chosen ones" seem to be all of the same importance here- aside Sebastian, and, less importantly, Ciel- perhaps I will never know, even if I try to dig a little deeper.

Johanna and I were both tortured until I managed to, with her, escape; and she is safe and yet again in Gabriel and Aranis's care- I do not want to see her for a long while, because I know I will surely go insane and do something immensely stupid and selfish due to my current emotional state...

Sometimes, I don't even want to look at Chester... It's very sad, really. I told him last night, that when he passes, I want to go with him; and that, if we get married, I will become human. Such is probably a lie- but that's what you do in relationships... Make promises you don't intend to keep, and hope that somewhere along the road, he'll just forget all about it...

But I suppose it doesn't matter- I don't plan on marrying him any time soon. It'd be too much at once...

Oh, shit- Oh, shit, Cosmo is eating Chester's eyeshadow. Crap crap crap shit fuck fucking Chester leaving his stuff lying around Dad was right I am going to kill him god fucking dammit!

[End of Post]

Group Blog

Sebastian Michaelis

Nemo keeps suggesting that I take a break, and relax, when I have told him time and time again that I do not take breaks. I have a kingdom to run, after all- to neglect my responsibilities as a leader would be irresponsible, and that, I am not.

But at the same time, I would simply love to spend more time with Ciel, and unfortunately, it seems, that when I do  have time for him, he does not have time for me, and it really is rather painfully amusing...

I would love to take him out more often, he seems happy when I do... And it makes me happy to see him happy, but that's a given.

Nemo is to become the head of my guards in a few days; and I know Denzel will not approve. Nemo says he will just tell him that he is my  "gardener".

Angel fish, perhaps you'd do better to use the term "weed killer", because that would be more precise, I think.

The best of luck to you- and please, do not get yourself killed, you reckless child.

Lucius Caesar Trancy

I fear Chester will have a go at me if he discovers Johanna's true identity. I mean, why would he not be angry? I was pregnant, and gave the child to my infertile and adopted brother, and I did not tell Chester a thing; as I did this all behind his back.

I do not regret having Johanna, but I do regret keeping her a secret from Chester.

...But what difference would it make if he knew? Johanna is better off in the hands of Gabriel, and, dare I say it, even Aranis. She'll have a better life with them, I think. I cannot just thrust a child at Chester so early in our relationship... It is my fault for not listening, yet again.

I am depressed away from my daughter, and I am afraid, so afraid, that something bad may happen to her.

But when am I not afraid? Doing this has but proved my cowardice...

Gabriel Dae Keehl

Luca gave birth to Johanna on Monday night.

I kind of wonder how he kept his pregnancy a secret, he was rather unstable at the time. He told everyone it was food-poisoning from Addis's nachos; and so he spent the entirety of his pregnant severely ill; he water broke in front of- actually, on- Chester, and the idiot didn't even know better.

When he first found out he was expecting, he came to me immediately and asked me if I would like to take care of a baby. Well, sure! After all, I am infertile... The only reason I took up the offer was out of greed; altough Luca would have aborted it otherwise. The greed to be with Aranis, and to never lose him again... The greed to have a child when I knew I could not...

Aranis appears to be smitten with little Johanna, but who could blame him? She is simply precious...

There will, I know, be a point in time in which either Aranis or Chester will find out what Luca and I are hiding, and then, we wil both be in trouble- And over what? A baby.

My greatest fear is that Aranis will leave me again... I honestly don't know how I am going to deal with that. This time around, I took a girl's virginity, and I don't even know why.

Anyhow, until that day comes that Johanna's secrets are revealed, I shall make it my duty, and my very promise to Lulu, that I will protect her with my own life...

And if I fail, may God strike me down.

Myka Ophelia Trancy

It really is difficult being incapable of speech, but luckily, I can write...

I don't understand why people want to bloody keep me. I mean, honestly. First, there was that psychotic blonde girl with the yellow rodent hoodie, then there was my idiot brother, and then there was that blonde transvestite.

I am not a dog, I am a wolf. I am not a freaking pet, people.

Cambion says I should stop killing little animals, but I can't help it. They just look so funny when they are about to die... I am amazed for some reason that he does not agree.

I found a white turtle yesterday crawling about the woods, so I picked him up and put him in Cambion's treehouse. When I showed it to him, he told me not to touch it; but I guess that's what I get for killing lizards and frogs and throwing rocks at crows... I did, however, kill a dove, and he seemed pleased about it.

Oh- And I have no idea why I had the urge that one day to take Luca's scissors and carve "Vermin" into Cambion's wrist. I suppose I was bored, really; when I stop thinking as such, I do odd things; and yesterday, I ran a finger along the letters on his wrist and they changed to spell out "Jazabel". Mr. Mello the transvestite says that was his daughter, and that she is dead. I stole a box of pictures she took from under the zombie panda's bed, and I gave Cambion a picture of her because he asked for one. She really interests me for some reason, and I wish someone would tell me more about her...

Oh- Has anybody heard of The Game? Because if you have, you just lost it. Hehe~

Group Blog

Sebastian Michaelis

Ciel, my love... Do you realise what you have done to me? Or do you even care? When I formed a contract with you all those years ago, I hadn't one idea that it would lead up to this...

That was over a century ago.

These days, you lay about the same old manor house and dig though the same old ice box for food. Darling, I won't lie- your rump is getting a little more round every time I look at it. Which, I'm lucky if I get to do so at least once a week. When you are not having cat-naps or snacking on junk food, you are hard at work in your study (or tossing Alois out a window. Remind me again why he is still alive?). I don't see you as often as I wish I could, and that has led me to make some very wrong choices...

It may not be wise to live with regret, but there are far too often times in which that cannot be helped.

As the ruler of Averno, and as an ancient devil who has been living since the dawn of time itself, I am not the best of people. I do stupid things and at times, I do not think them through. I give into temptations, I lie, steal, cheat, etc. Or, I did for a very long while.

I have people, children, who look up to me now (no pun intended, due to the fact that I am the tallest being here). I am more than proud to be a role model for them all. I have been taught to care, and I do not mind it one bit.

Ciel, devils such as myself should not be allowed to sleep. A nap, perhaps, is all right, but to sleep leads to endless nightmares. I have been sleeping by your side the past few months, and each time, the nightmares become worse. You would think that I'd have learned by now... Last night's regarded me stabbing you several times with a holy-water laced blade, killing you.

I'll never forget that face you gave me, even if it was only a dream.

Have I betrayed you so much that I am dwelling on the guilt? Perhaps...

I miss you sometimes, even if you are right here in front of me.

Lucius Caesar Trancy

All right, let me get this straight...

Valdus loves Genevieve. Valdus is one of my best friends.

Genevieve is my ex-girlfriend who apparently dated Valdus only out of pity.

Valdus had sex with Aranis, my adopted brother's lover. That brother is also Valdus's brother. Aranis laced brownies with an aphrodisiac and took advantage when Valdus consumed them. Valdus is innocent. He does not deserve to be hurt any more, by anybody.

Genevieve broke up with Valdus upon finding out and returned to ask for me back. This girl claims she loves me, and I am tempted to give into her. Even if it only means she'll "love" me for a little bit, it's still something. As soon as she gets bored with me, she can go right back to Valdus. Who, at that time, will probably realise she's not... worth his time. Until then... there is no way she could hurt me more than she already has- she is my friend. We grew up together. I want to trust her again, but at what cost? She frightens me so much.

Then again, everything these days seems to frighten me.

Along came Chester in the midst of my pathetic suffering. He showed an interest in me and, wanting the attention, I played along and he and I started to play a dirty little game. He's a tramp, no matter how much he attempts to deny it.

But that tramp has become my best friend, my "'coon"hound puppy. He has a certain charisma that I cannot ignore no matter how much I scold myself. When we first spent a night together, he said that I should not become attached; he does not believe in commitment and hence, does not want a relationship. However, it's been a few weeks now since I've realized that it's too late for me.

I'm falling in love with him and it feels horrible, because he'll not love me back.

The hexed rose I gave him has multiplied into three red blossoms- Such symbolises "I love you". Although Chester adores roses, he is clueless when it comes to their symbolism, and for that I am grateful- for the rose changes in accordance to my feelings toward him.

There is a fourth hexed rose that I keep from him that has turned orange- and I know that it reflects Chester's own feelings for me: "We are friends, but I want more".

...No, you don't.

I don't ever want to be with you. I am not yours, I don't belong to anyone. And I don't want to. I can always get by on my own. I can't say yes to Genevieve, and I cannot be with you. Can't things just carry on without people caring so much about what I want from them?

I want friends. That's all I want. I don't want to be hurt again. I don't want to be in love...

I hate people...

Gabriel Dae Keehl

I miss my sister, even if I hardly knew her. I wish she was here now, to help comfort me. She didn't have to die... She could have accomplished so much more...

It's my fault, really. Everything must be.

Aranis doesn't love me. He just wanted me for sex. Now that I'm sixteen, I'm too old, and he didn't want me anymore.

I should have known better than to date the insufferable bastard who killed my beloved sister, and manipulated, tricked my little brother.

Mark my words, Aranis, I will make you pay for what you've done to me and my siblings, and I will show no mercy! How dare you do this, you arrogant fool?

Go burn in Hell where you belong! May Sebastian send you to the torture chambers to suffer! My hatred for you burns more passionately than my love ever did!

You are a thief, a whore, and a liar, and I will kill you!

Malphas Mephisto Trancy

Last night, I was minding my own bloody business. Y'know, just going to my son's bedroom to tell  him that dessert was ready.

As it turns out, he and Chester were RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF DESSERT. WITH LUCA ON TOP.

Please, do excuse me while I go die in a corner.

Luca - V-Day Post

"Originally Roses where white. One night the Nightingale met a white Rose and fell in Love . His love was so intense that he was inspired to song (for before that, nightingales only croaked and chirped). Eventually his love was such that he pressed himself to the flower and the thorns pierced his heart and coloured the Rose forever red."

I placed a snow white tea rose upon the nightstand astride the bed, as the entity before me still slept. I took one more glance at that flawless face, illuminated by silver streaks of moonshine, and I knew that it may very well be the last night I ever saw it.

It was an enchanted rose, in which, upon the touch of a certain being's flesh would become bloodied and crimson.

Pressed to the inside of my coat was a camellia, white as the rose in which I left upon the pile of cyclamen on the nightstand, in which I had hexed so that it was to never wither nor die so that it might truly reflect myself. But, maybe not really...

No, Chester, you are blinded from everything regarding me- Are you not? Whether or not you choose to be, you really have no idea. I cannot form a bond with you, though I know I already have. I must not fall for you- though I am chronically and innately ill-fated...

I cannot say the same for Valdus... However, I can say that he is in fact, clueless in another sense. He claims I am psychopathical, yet, he still lingers near me, so closely. He, along with everyone else, almost, refuse to let me leave to Germany to attend medical school. We are demons and angels, with the exception of my father and Chester- Twelve years is not so long; they go by in the blink of an eye.

"I shall not leave Friday, nor any other day." I had promised my father. I promised I would be around for Myka, my baby sister. I promised I'd not leave him, and I shall, technically speaking, not.

I'm never gone.

So- One more night, then? I'll need to get everything sorted out and put together, now...

 Perhaps I'd oughta pay Gen and Val a visit.

Father, Chester- it is because of you that I have become what I am today. Genevieve, I could not be happier than I am now, knowing that you've accepted my apology... And Valdus, take care of her...

Sebastian Michaelis

Life has come to a standstill, it seems, where nothing interesting is happening at all. I complain when peace is stripped away, but- ...Honestly. This is ridiculous. I'll stir up a ruckus in a few days if necessary.

I have always been one to become bored easily. Hence, why I still insist on playing the part as butler; I must always remain busy.

You can't really call giving a nine-year old boy a c-section "busy". It's not quite so interesting to dissect a body when you aren't allowed to kill it. And speaking of which, I'd love to "dissect" Riley. Asking for my eldest son's hand in marriage! The nerve of this boy! He really is quite ballsy, I'll give him that much. I dislike him with a passion...

I haven't seen Ciel in a while, and of course, I miss him. I mean... look what happens when I haven't got him to tell me off for things. "Don't do this, don't do that, bad Sebastian, you idiot!"

I need a slap, love. A real damn good one.

Caru Faustus

Nemo was born on Monday. Sebastian carried out the c-section perfectly... Denzel seems just as lively as ever. We're parents, he and I, now. And I couldn't be prouder.

Nemo looks plenty like Sebastian and Malphas. I'm a little sad, yes, that he doesn't look so much like myself or Den, but... nonetheless, I truly believe my son is perfect.

Mum says Ajax got Khod pregnant. He seems really excited that there will be puppies around soon. I think he wants another baby, to be frank- because he hates dogs, so why else would he be excited for puppies? But Cambion won't let him have another. He's probably afraid he'll be a failure of a parent, or just dislikes babies. I don't blame him- I mean... he is, after all, a failure of a hateful child and I hope that the fate that befalls him in the end is a tragic one. He deserves it.

Keaira Dimitri Faustus

Khod is having puppies.

Ajax is a man-whore. A total dog.

Cambion didn't seem so excited about it, I actually thought he might be. Perhaps I look too deeply into things.

I found out that I am highly allergic to the flowers he gave me yesterday- they make me act like I'm on crack, and I think I scared him a bit after sniffing them when he gave them to me. I still don't know just what I did. Which probably means I shouldn't find out.

I think I spend too much time at Claude's grave... but it can't be helped. Even though I'm with Cambion now... I want Claude back. I'm... so torn. It is possible to bring Claude back, but, I have Cambion to think of. I refuse to hurt him. Bringing Claude back is but a thought, and it shall remain that way. I need to learn to let go of the past and be grateful for what I have...

I don't know what to do.

***

"Lucius," called Malphas, his sinewy arm thrown over the back of a kitchen chair, his lengthy legs crossed in a casual fashion.

No response aside a long, high-pitched whine that droned from Ajax. The shepherd lay on his round belly upon the tiled floor, his neck descending in slow motion so that he might lay his chin on his golden forelimbs.

Malphas waited, his violet gaze shifting to the empty doorway as it tore itself away from Ajax. "Luca?"

Nothing.

The devil gave an exasperated exhalation of breath and rose from his seat, letting his arms hang at his sides in a manner that made them appear like he was burdened from the shoulders with heavy weights.

"Lucius Trancy, if you are ignoring me..." He shuffled to the stairway barefoot, and lifted his face from his position at the landing to stare at the very top. A solitary stained glass window glowed dimly in the silver moonlight, the twisted branches of dead trees and creeping vines casting shadows from behind, curling crookedly in the direction of Luca's room.

Malphas heaved a sigh and, lifting a snow-white foot, began his treacherous climb up the ancient staircase. The entire time, he clasped a hand to his abdomen in an almost protective manner. One wrong step, one little slip... It wasn't worth it.

Halfway into his journey, there was a sound so quiet that, at first, Malphas thought it to be the wind. As he came to another step, it sounded like a church choir- but in such a place that was quite literally Hell on Earth, why would a church choir even be near? He listened.

"A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze..."

Had he the ears of a fox, they would have perked up in frivolous interest, and carelessly, the demon continued to sweep up the staircase in utter silence, the pads of his feet leaving nary a creak behind.

"Come,  someone,  make my heavy heart light
Come undone
Bring me back to life...
It all starts with a lullaby."

And, for the longest of moments , Malphas stood at the top of the stairs in which led into a corridor and listened.

"This is who I am
Escapist
Paradise Seeker
Farewell, time to fly
Out of sight
Out of time
Away from all lies."

A burst of energy later, the malignant spirit threw open the door to his youngest son's quarters, a scowl contorting itself upon his flawless visage as his wine-coloured gaze seared through the blackness of the young hellion's den.

A pale body lay sprawled upon the bed, the cream dress shirt let loose from its embrace upon it, its folds gently rising and falling about from under the body's spine. A small, flat abdomen glistened a dazzling white as moonbeams shot the flesh from out a window, the outlines of pink scars painted brutally all about the body's left. A bob of flaxen hair fell over one eye, large and laced about with long, long, noir lashes, the eyelids of the revealed eye darkly shadowed, bags above high-cheekbones. The periwinkle orb marred brightly through all the darkness, directed solely on Malphas.

A grin creeped upon the mangled face.

"Who's there knocking at my window?
The owl and the Dead Boy
This night whispers my name
All the dying children

Come hell or high water
My search will go on
Clayborn Voyage without an end..."

The orb evanesced, swallowed within the shadows, and did not dare open again.

Malphas swayed his weight to the right, and took one more step and cascaded to a kneel before the bedside, taking his son's head in his hands. He bent his neck and kissed the little upturned, pink nose of what once was the most radiant face in all of Hell- for now, it was the most frightful.

"...Sweet dreams, Luca. I love you, my son. I love you."