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[ By the time Sebastian reaches out in Communion, he’s already felt the fullness of his rage and taken it out. Viciously. It’s an occasion where he’s grateful for what Ryad provides, lest he had to express it in a more troublesome way.

Sebastian’s usual affect is warm and friendly, if with a polite distance, but today, it’s ice cold. His Communion is always expressed as something dark, but there’s a secondary sensation that comes today as well. It’s the unsettling sensation of being watched that makes someone’s hair raise. After all, there’s uncountable eyes in that abyssal dark. ]

I shall be brief. Someone broke into my home a few days ago and left a “gift” most unwelcome. A Shard belonging to someone from my home. Yet, though I kept it isolated to inspect it further, that did not seem to matter. It infected the Shard that Lady Yima gave me. A Shard that is now no more, for it burst. The soul that was in that little rock is no more.

[ His voice becomes more tense at that last sentence. It’s clear he’s very intentionally holding back his temper significantly. ]

I make this announcement for my fellow Zenites’ sake that they might destroy any they come upon immediately. Also to inform them that there is a way for these Shards to be tampered with that has been exploited. But let me also be clear.

I will find whoever was unwise enough to step into my home and play with my pet. I went through great lengths to obtain that soul, and I do not take kindly to being robbed of it. But there is no need for threats beyond that, is there?

[ So he says, but it’s crystal clear—Whoever it was, they’re in grave danger if they’re discovered. ]

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[ Gen is right, because so far as Sebastian is aware, every Zenite has one. Conveniently, he and Amos have never talked about it, so he’s just making an assumption here… ]

Really. [ His response is flat, not a question. ] And who might that be? Experts on Shards or the like seem to be rare in Kenos.

I have seen no evidence of it in my Shard. It is something I am able to see, more or less.

[ The qualifier is only because it isn’t truly sight, but that’s the best point of comparison. It’s hard to explain a sense that someone doesn’t even possess. ]

Why that is, I cannot say. But it only infected the Shard I was granted as my boon.

I thought it was personal, perhaps, but there are others who were affected. We share nothing in common besides being Zenites, I fear.

[ He’s still surprised to receive sympathies, but at this point, he’s accepting them a bit more gracefully. There is a pause, but his voice is gentler when he says: ]

Thank you.

[ That’s it, but admittedly, he also just doesn’t want to talk about it, lest he get worked up again. So, business. ]

I can only assume they are someone quite high ranking. It is a dangerous thing to do in the first place. I cannot imagine someone who is only pledging the most basic of loyalty to be willing to undertake it.

"Your kind?"

So, you are not human? Hah... That explains it. Your presence feels too...dark.

What are you, then?

Well. That's no good...

[ She grumbles. It's disgruntled and worried and more than a little irritated. ]

Means I gotta keep an eye out now! Ugh! This sucks!

[ He doesn't wanna snitch. ]

I will look into it myself and I will see what I uncover.

[ Sebastian is met with silence for a moment -- not hesitation, but deliberation. The connection between them stews with sharp consideration and unsubtle caution. Gen's never been shy about how little he trusts (or likes) Sebastian, after all. But after that moment passes, there's a little psychic puff of resignation -- the equivalent of a sigh -- before he grits, flatly: ]

Aetos.

[ There's no sigh of falsehood or duplicity across this Communion. Gen is either telling the truth, or is a phenomenal liar. ]

I have an in with him.

A demon, huh? That reminds me of the time I tried to summon one in the kitchen...

[ anyways! if flat is aware of sebastian's bafflement regarding the person he's currently engaged in mental conversation with, he doesn't seem to do anything about it, as he continues barreling through the conversation as if they were discussing something casual.

flat seems to nod, with a little 'mhm, mhm' added for emphasis. ]

Well, I guess that's about what I expected. You've already voiced your intentions, so hopefully the culprit doesn't feel too confused when you go to take their soul or torture them for eternity. [ again, this is said just a little too casually? but, again, flat isn't trying to make fun or light of the situation... in his opinion, he's just stating facts. ] But hopefully this can help narrow down suspects so there's less chance for a mistake.

[ The echo of a laugh flickers through communion, enjoying the promise. Of course he did, because while Raphael may be weaker than Sebastian, he was a devil, and they were the same. Would Raphael do the same thing? Of course he would! Though he did not know of much that could be offered by Zenith that would be so valued.

(He had considered, what he would ask for. Perhaps the pitch-black soul of his father to crush in his hands personally? Or perhaps, just maybe, he would show ambition, and ask for the shard of Asmodeus himself to consume?)

Regardless, the flicker of enjoyment is subdued, understanding how angry this must make Sebastian. The insult alone would certainly motivate him. ]

Ah, I do hope that they learn what an enemy they have made of you, then. A proper punishment, then.

Then again, they should have considered that, before they insult a demon, hm?

[He frowns, the concentration coming through on his end.]

It'll mean there's a very narrow amount it could be, but I don't know anything about Meridian loyalists.

[Amos Burton’s Home for Wayward Youths…]

Shit…

[The mismatch of emotion barely even registers with as focused as she is on the things she’s learning here (This dude can see souls? If anything happens to these little rocks, the people inside are just gone gone?). In person, she’s holding onto the Shard she’d recently been gifted pretty tightly. Here in the communion space, there is a bit of a roiling undercurrent stirring up in her presence and a much harder edge bleeding back into her tone.]

I hope you can find whoever pulled this stunt, then. I think you’re owed some revenge.

[Does she even know this guy? No, but she’s an avid believer in making people pay when someone you care about gets killed! A little off the mark in this particular instance, but…]

Is it possible they destroyed each other, somehow? You're sure it... infected the other one?

[Maybe this is some kind of misunderstanding? It's serious either way, though, and something to watch out for.]

Oh, yeah? I guess we'd have something to talk about then!

[ Of course, at this point, he has no idea who that is, given his total ignorance of foreign mythologies. In any case, it's good to know there's someone on the same page. He's used to being the only voice in the wilderness, so it's a welcome bit of solidarity with a stranger out there. ]

It's my understanding that Meridian doesn't discriminate about whose worlds get brought back, and they aren't forcing anyone to go anywhere in particular. I don't think I've got a number big enough for how many worlds probably exist out there, especially if you consider how many different people there are in Kenos who all come from slightly different versions of Earth.

I'm sure everyone can find a place to go where they can be happy. That's why I don't really understand the point of fighting when there's a place for everybody.

[ Sebastian sighs, not for any sense of being bothered by the question, but it’s more because if this is a problem, he’s hardly in the mood… But he gives his answer simply all the same. ]

Not in the slightest. I take on a human form for convenience, but I am a demon. The very sort from Hell, if that is a realm that your world has.

Precisely.

[ Raphael’s easy, understanding acceptance at least does a little bit to soothe the upset that Sebastian feels. It’s not because he finds any particular comfort from Raphael himself, but it’s nice to simply say it without having to worry about appearances or what mortals may think. He cares about those things deeply, but sometimes you just want to rip someone in half. ]

I take it that if I ever discover this unlucky culprit you would like to watch?

Normally, I would not, but in only this… I wish you luck. I hope that you will at least do me the service of telling me who is responsible should you find them.

[ Sebastian at least listens seriously. It’s hard to tell in Communion when his emotions seem to run very dull (minus the occasional burst of anger at the moment), but he’s considering it. He also considers whether to give a real response or a dismissive one, but… Considering his foul mood, he leans towards the former. ]

A noble thought. However, it does come with some assumptions. There is one that is most relevant to me, for I am a rather unique case.

[ He pauses, but for once, it’s not to give it any sense of gravity. It’s just another pause of consideration of whether to say it so straightforwardly. ]

There are few worlds where I would be welcome, I imagine. Who would willingly accept a demon coming to their world? It is little different than letting a wolf roam a pasture.

[ …Interesting. He’s surprised yet again, but maybe he shouldn’t be. Zenith were more vengeful sorts, in his view. ]

I believe so too. Investigating it properly will be difficult… But perhaps someone will give them up for the crime.

[ Truly shattering a soul was a step above, after all. ]

[ Of all the people that Sebastian would have guessed to have an “in” with the masked wizard, Gen is surely among the last of them. The surprise is clear in Communion, and he’s briefly stunned into silence, but it’s quickly followed by the proverbial hum of consideration. If there was anyone that could… Well. It would be Aetos, wouldn’t it? ]

An interesting admission. And how did you get involved with them?

[ It’s a serious question, but as if to encourage Gen to answer, he quickly follows it: ]

In that case, I accept.

[ With every sentence Flat says, Sebastian’s confusion is only growing. On one hand, this is an excellent way to get him focused on something other than his bad mood. On the other, summoning demons in the kitchen? Also, he’s far too casual about that! ]

I—

[ It’s a rare moment where he’s just stunned into silence, and while everything Flat has said is good and well, Sebastian’s bafflement just produces a much simpler question. ]

Who are you?

[ He sighs ]

The one I know best is the one I also know absolutely could not have done it.

[ …Is Set a Meridian loyalist? Maybe, maybe not, as contrary as he liked to be. Regardless… ]

There is another who I certainly would not be surprised, but if Hayame is able to enter my home without leaving a trace of it, she has changed considerably since we last met.

[ Since, you know. Centaur. He doesn’t even think she’d be able to make it up his stairs, large as she is. ]

I cannot be certain, but it is the impression I got. There was a sort of taint in the one that was placed in my home, and a while before the other was… destroyed, I saw a similar note of it in the one I was given. It seems a logical conclusion, I fear.

It isn't.

[Yuber's consciousness coils.]

But "demon" is a term I'm familiar with.

What is your true form?

We will see.

[ He doesn't know if he will. Some part of him believes that it would be right to say... and another part isn't sure if he ought to. ]

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