Hm? You know all about the cruelty of demons, but not about what they're actually capable of? My form right now only mimics that of a human, that doesn't make me one. In fact, it makes it far easier for me, since I don't have to concern myself with finding a suitable partner to breed like you humans do.

[The panic is palpable, and Kazuya rises, moving to grab his own pants to put them back on, seemingly not caring a bit about the others state of mind. If he'd done something foolishly, then that was on him.]

Consider this your lesson then, if I caught you by surprise.

( He doesn't understand. How could he have shown him kindness, and then speak as though this was common sense? Basil couldn't know the extent of what demons can do. At this point, he knows that it's too late to take any of this back.

He feels deceived. How could he have known the extent of any of this? )

... What makes me suitable for any of this? Why me?

Why you? You're the one who summoned me.

[It doesn't make sense, to pin the blame for what the other had done on him. He had been desperate enough to summon a demon, and to summon a demon without any sort of bargaining chip other than his life.

The kindness is that Kazuya didn't eat him. The kindness is that at the end of it, he won't consume his soul.

The kindness is that Kazuya will keep his word, and not play dirty to end the others life early to breach the contract.]

Your suitability is that you needed protection, and I offer that. That your body can support such a thing is also attractive.

( Basil falls silent then. He was indeed the one who asked for this. He was the one who was so desperate that he would have done anything to save his own life. And, this is the price he has to pay.

He reaches then, picking up his shirt and pulling it over his head. He falls silent. He wants to run, but there's no where to go. He wants to take back what happened, but there's no way he can. )

There's no way to stop this now, is there...? T-These - eggs... they won't be human...

No, there isn't. You'll be incubating them for the foreseeable future. At least a few weeks.

[He doesn't understand the issue, since not only had Basil agreed to this, he'd agreed to do whatever Kazuya had wanted of him. Maybe he won't ever understand them, though he hardly needs to understand them to use them as he sees fit.]

And no, they won't.

[He'll go find his shirt now, a quick moment to remember where it'd been tossed in the heat of things is all he'll need.]

You'll be well taken care of in that time. You don't have anything to worry about.

( "Nothing to worry about"? He's not so sure. Humans weren't meant to carry eggs like this. His body wasn't meant to carry something like this.

He'll finish getting dressed, but it isn't an easy task. Not when his hands are still shaking. He's taking in a breath. He's trying to tell himself that everything will be okay. )

T-That's-- But, won't it be dangerous to carry something like this? I don't understand...

You don't have to understand. All you need to know is that I wouldn't do anything to endanger your life. You will be fine.

[Uncomfortable later. Bloated and heavy later, but it's nothing dangerous. It would go against his contract to keep him alive for the rest of his natural lifespan if it would be so dangerous.]

Especially as this won't be your last time carrying my spawn.

[It's not meant as a threat, but it likely sounds like one considering the fear he has in him right now. Truthfully, it's meant to be reassuring, to calm him down that nothing bad will happen, but his experience in comforting humans isn't particularly strong.]

( It does sound like a threat, and Basil freezes a little at the idea of doing this more than once. Kazuya may be trying to be comforting, but it's only making him want to run away all the more.

He closes his eyes, attempting to even out his breathing. He can't meet Kazuya's gaze. )

I... I don't-- feel well.

( His heart is thudding in his chest with anxiety. He feels trapped. He doesn't want to be killed, but he doesn't want to be the reason for more demons to come into the world, either. )

You don't?

[He was just fine before, though. Or maybe it's just an uncomfortable adjustment. Kazuya moves, reaching out to press a warm hand to Basil's forehead. If he has become suddenly ill, then that won't do at all.

But... He doesn't feel like he's ill, so maybe it just things in him settling as they should.]

Have you eaten recently? [The next part he mumbles to himself:] Maybe everything was a little much for your system... You'll adjust in time, but I probably should have at least fed you before I took you like I did.

( Basil finds himself flinching away at the touch. At this point, he's not sure what to make of his concern.

It's too late to get out of this, isn't it? He'll have to adjust to this idea of a new life. )

N-No, I-- Sorry, I... n-need to go.

Can you even walk?

[ Humans can be delicate, can't they? And beyond that, if he feels ill, then it may be more likely that he encounter something problematic.

Though... No demons will bother him, given the marks and scent emanating from him. And since he's human enough, surely others won't bother him. ]

You should be safe enough to wander on your own, but I'd hesitate on letting you go too far on your own if you're not well enough.

Edited (typos) 2024-09-20 06:31 am (UTC)

I-I'm okay. I won't leave the house.

( Why wouldn't he be alright? Did he expect everything that they had just done to be that damaging? Or, was it because they were so different?

With those words and Basil's clothing back on, he'll make his way out of the room. He had to be alone for a moment. He had a lot to take in... )

[ Well, if he can walk and move on his own, there's no point in hovering over him now is there? He has other things to do and attend to now that he's free, like getting something far nicer as a place of residence than this house.

He'll only peak his head out enough to call after him. ]

Call my name if you need help.

[ And with that, he's going to snap his fingers and disappear into the same sort of ominous portal he'd first appeared in, leaving Basil alone with his thoughts until either the other calls him, or he properly bullies lesser demons (all of them) into doing his bidding and finding a more luxurious place to live.

A King of his calibre needs a suitable castle after all, right? ]

Edited (mobile typo hell x 2) 2024-09-20 09:11 pm (UTC)

[In his time away, he's gotten things settled. A new home, where he can keep his promised human all to himself. A more comfortable place, luxurious and spacious and filled with anything and everything the other could possibly need or want.

It fits a King, and Kazuya has finally come to collect Basil to take him there.

However, when he sees him he's a little surprised by just how much he's filled out in the interrim. Has he really taken so long? Well, he's been stuck in the demon realm so long that maybe his sense of time has just become that skewed.

He knocks softly on the wall to get his humans attention before speaking.]

I've come to take you elsewhere so you'll be more comfortable.

[Though the plants in here are nice. It'd be a shame if they didn't end up being brought along, wouldn't it?

He'll have to get some others to bring them to the castle.]

( The soft knock is enough to make him jump a bit, and Basil blinks up at Kazuya in surprise. )

O-Oh... uhm -- hi, Kazuya.

( He shrinks back a bit at his words, hesitating. What did he mean by elsewhere? Where exactly were they going? )

What kind of place...? Where do you mean?

To your new home. As nice as a place this may be for you, it's not suitable for myself. Everything you care about will be brought over to your new home in short order, so you don't need to worry about gathering your things.

[He leans against the doorframe, keeping his eyes leveled at the other.]

I've instructed them to treat your things with the utmost respect, unless they feel like forfeiting their lives. Your things will be well taken care of, and I think it may help to liven up your new chambers as well.

( A new home. This is where he grew up. He's never even thought of living anywhere else.

He puts the watering can down, straightening. )

I've never lived anywhere else. Where exactly is it...?

Somewhere where we're less likely to be bothered by humans walking by and sticking their noses into things that don't concern them.

[ More easily defensible. ]

Of course, it still has to be close enough to the human settlements if I require supplies.

( Basil takes a step forward then. A place away from humans... Despite the last four years, the fact that he may not see any of his friends fills him with an indescribable loneliness.

Despite that, he steps forward - gently reaching for Kazuya's sleeve. )

... Will we come back?

Once you're settled, if that's what you want.

[ He has no reason to keep a leash on Basil, after all. He's the one with all the power, and the fact the other hadn't tried to even attempt to run from this place already deserves a reward, doesn't it?

Kazuya catches his hand as it reaches for his sleeve, and kisses the back of it gently. ]

You've behaved so well, so there's no reason for me to keep you locked away.

( His lips are warm and soft on his hand, and Basil can't help but think it's a contrast to how he had come across during their good byes. )

I... haven't done anything different. I-I've just been living my life like I usually do.

( It feels like instinct, how his hand curls around the others. )

Then keep living like that, if it pleases you.

[ It's one less headache for him to deal with. ]

You can decorate your room however you please, and order around the lesser demons to your hearts content. If there's something you desire, tell them to bring it to you, and they will.

[ Kazuya straightens upwards, snapping his fingers as a dark, ominous portal appears behind him. ]

If there's something you'd like immediately from here, you can bring it with you.

( Basil looks to the portal then. It doesn't have to be permanent. He can come back. He knows better than to trust in those words, but he wants to. )

What if... I want to stay here...?

( He doesn't think he'd force him. Despite everything, he's been gentle about everything for the most part. Then again, with what's coming... he doesn't think he should go through it alone, either. )

[That does manage to catch him off guard. Why would he want to stay here, alone? Wouldn't he want something more luxurious? Wouldn't he want some kind of companionship? It's not fitting for a courtesan to be so far away.]

Is that what you want?

[There's mild disbelief in his tone, but he doesn't oppose it, not yet.]