Lights danced across the sky, orange and red and yellow ranbows bouncing off of the smokey gray cloud that seemed to rise and hover over one specific area. Somewhere in the center of town, a building burned. Flames licked upwards with a fierce hunger, like a snakes darting tongue lashing at the air for a scent. A great creaking sound as the house gave a horrific groan. Following the protest from the building, the top floor of the three story building collapsing onto the second under the force of burnt and charcoaled roof.

People had gathered, as was expected. Aa man in a heavy yellow and black rubbery suit was busy shooing people back and running a strip of yellow tape. The tape trailed him around a perimeter of five hundred feet out from the fire. At the back of the burning building, a cop in a stiff blue uniform was also running police tape to rope off the area. Many others were busy trying to get the hose hooked up, cops questioning people to see if everyone had gotten out. This had been the eighth fire in the past week in that area and still, the unninitiates hadn't thought to link them yet.

It should be painfully obvious by now. Eight fires in the same district, cause, presumably by the same source, never a known suspect, and each fire, one person did not escape. And all that work was just being waisted on the stupid minds of today’s society. Doubt crossed the mind that anyone would ever find the pattern. Or maybe they had, and just didn’t want to follow the lead through.

Tomorrow the police and the news reporters would tell the public that the source of the fire was a small gas leak in the basement. But nearby, his pale, white-gray face being lit up with orange glow that was cast from the flames, stood the true source of the fire. He wore a pair of loose black pants that contained many usless straps and rings. He also wore a tight black shirt with the sleeves cut out, a chopper symbol across the back.

The figure stood in the opening of an alley way, shoulder against a red brick wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His fingers were tipped with sharp granite claws. His hair hung loose in blue black layers, the longest reaching to his elbows, the shortest at his eyes. His eyes.

Those eyes.

Those eyes were untainted by color, a shocking white, the iris was white, the pupils were white. His lips were painted black and with a black eye pencil, he had heavily lined his eyes in black causing a mime from hell sort of appearance, designs drawn over his cheek bones. Little symbols actually, looking much like Japanese writing only from side to side instead of up and down. But a Japanese man couldn’t read these symbols. They were forgien, from a different relm.

He wore a collar of leather and metal, eight metal black rings bound by strips of leather. It fit tightly to his throat. He was tall, standing six feet nine inches, and his body is thin, lined and padded with tight, taut muscles and ligaments.

He appeared amused at the scene displayed before him, a small smirk lay on his black lips.

The 6'2" form was out wandering in the streets for a while. Much was on his mind. He ignored the gatherings of people that were watching the fire that burned brightly. He had his mind on other things and was too deep in thought to pay them any attention.

Tonight he wore his usual black jeans and black combat style boots. His shirt was a bit different than usual however. It was bright red with black letters across it that spelled out 'Love Will Find A Way'. His black drench drapped loosely around him. His raven black hair hanging around his face.

What exactly was it that caused him to be so deep in thought that he wasn't noticing anything around him? That was easy. Lucifer of course was on his mind. He was glad that he had finally gotten back most of his memories. The rest was coming back in small bits and pieces.

His deep blue eyes dreamy and distant as he walked along. The noise around him went unheard. The scurrying people went ignored. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't even see the form that stood in the opening of the alley way he was approaching.

A smell.

Yes, smoke was heavy in the air, clogging even the dog's notrals, and the smell of heat, being so close to the burning apartment building, the smell of people's sweat. But Verkur's nose was just a little different from your average dogs, and he had picked a specifically firmiluar scent out of the air. His white eyes came off of his master piece before him and focused down the street just a little ways.

Andlagur.

A slow smile replaced the smug mask that had been over his lips. Erik seemed to be walking aimlessly, and he didn't seem to notice the burning buildings or the shouts of firemen and police just going about their civic and sworn duty to put that fire out and control the gathering crowd.

Verkur did not move. The dmon remained as he was, watching his human walking closer to him. Verkur rolled his shoulder back, flatening his wing against he wall, rolled his back against tthe wall, rolled off the wall until he was two feet back, standing in the exact same position as previously. The smug look returned. Would his human remember his given name?

"Andlagur,"

a whisper, meant to be heard and then questioned whether it was really heard or not. His eyes were on the fire again. Those white eyes reflected the scene like a miror. The shadows engulfed his gray-pale body, all except those white eyes.

Erik had been just about ready to pass the alley way lost in his thoughts. That dreamy far away look in his eyes. Oblivious to everything going on around him.

Andlagur

He froze. The word was just a whisper but he heard it as if it were said loud and clear. Of course he remembered the name that had been given to him. A name that he had tried to object to being called but in the end gave in.

He stood where he was for the longest time. He finally noticed the heavy smoke in the air. He saw the dancing red and orange flames of the burning building. The people and firemen and policemen rushing all about.

He closed his eyes tightly for a moment. Anyone passing by would think that it was because the smoke was bothering him. But that wasn't it. He was trying to decide if he'd really heard that single whispered word or not.

With a deep breath that resulted in a slight cough he finally turned around towards where the sound had come from. It took him a moment to be able to force his eyes open so that he could look. He was hoping that it was only his imagination playing tricks on him.

But it wasn't his imagination. He was standing there in the opening of the alley way. Erik's eyes filled with panic at that moment. They were out in the open with many people around. Would anyone even notice? Probably not.

He stood there staring at him... Verkur... in silence. Verkur's loose black pants with many straps and rings. His tight black shirt that looked like the sleeves had been cut off. He saw the collar on Verkur's neck and shivered slightly.

Finally Erik's eyes reached the demon's face. Erik saw that Verkur's lips were painted black and that his eyes were heavily lined with black eyeliner. There were little designs drawn over his cheek bones. Erik didn't know what they were. He'd never seen anything like them before.

And those eyes... Colorless. White. Creepy.

"What?" Erik finally managed to force out. The one simple word was shakily spoken. It was painfully obvious that Erik was scared of this demon and not at all happy to be encountering him at this moment.

Erik saw him.

He smiled.

That sharp toothy smile that so many feared or saw in their nightmares. He'd taken that game up recently, haunting Emrys' dreams all over again, haunting his visions. He lowered his chin, causing those already evil appearing eyes to look, if at all possible, more evil.

"Come here, Andlagur."

He pushed off the wall. Obviously he wasn't that worried about anyone seeing them. That or he was confident no one woul, because here he stood, with his sharp teeth, white eyes, six feet ten inches, winged self, all unhidden. All of him that should be a secret is there for the worl to see. Claws and unbleeding gashes in his arms. Every bit.

He rolled his shoulders, taking two more steps back into the ally mouth, further into shadow. His arms were still crossed over his chest. He reached out one hand, claws extended off of loose, relaxed fingers, moving slowly towards his human, palm up. A 'take my hand' sort of fashion.

Obviously, he wasn't theatening Erik this time. Of course not. The damned human hadn't summoned him this time.

"What were you thinking about?"

Curious question, not a demand. This was smoother, seemingly more civilized then their first meeting....even there second one. Why did the demon seem so pleasant....and pleased with himself.

Erik cringed when Verkur smiled. It creeped him out almost more than if the demon had kept a straight face. But it was those eyes that creeped him out the most.

Come here, Andlagur.

He didn't want to. Not at all. He wanted to turn and run away. Run as fast as his long legs could take him. But he didn't. He didn't turn to run. It would have been useless to try for he knew Verkur would easily catch him and then there would be hell to pay.

Slowly he began moving towards the demon. Painfully slowly. His movements almost as if he was being drawn in by some invisible string connected to him and forcing him to move forward. As the demon took a few steps backwards further into the shadows Erik obediently followed.

Erik watched as Verkur reached out one of his hands towards him. The demons claws were extended but his fingers appeared relaxed. Erik's own hand came up and extended towards the demons out reached hand as if it had a mind of its own.

What were you thinking about?

"Nothing of importance," Erik heard himself reply. He really isn't a very good liar.

His clawed hand closed around the smaller hand belonging to Erik....no...belonging to him, used by Eric, which was also his. He drew Erik closer to him but not so close that he would be breathing on him, touching him too much. Not yet anyways.

White eyes never wavered from the fire, that oh-so-proud-of-one's-self look never left his features. He stood so much taller then Eric, a head and a half even...He could be taller, he'd chosen not to. He'd decided to stop growing when he could still just barely fit to human culture and still be intimidating.

Yes. He'd been allowed to choose his own growth patterns.

The demon kept Erik's hand encolsed in his own, his other hand reaching out to touch Erik's hair, finally turning his eyes from the fire to the human. His arms had gouges, like unbleeding cuts from his own claws.

"Did i ask you if it was important or not?" He questioned, his tone that whispery non-whisper. "What were you thinking about Andlagur?" He asked. "Don't be a liar." He'd called Erik a liar in their first meeting for saying he'd heared him when he hadn't, so now he used the word to shame his human.

Erik gave no resistance as Verkur pulled Erik closer to him. He was thankful that he didn't get pulled in too close. He didn't want to be this close to the demon as it was. He didn't like it one bit.

Erik flinched slightly as Verkur's other hand touched Erik's hair. He noticed the gouges in Verkur's arm. Those hadn't been there the last time they had met. Without thinking about what he was doing he brought his other hand up and touched one of the gouges. "What happened?" he heard himself ask. To him, his own voice sounded so far away and distant. As if it wasn't really him speaking in the first place.

Erik scowled when Verkur called him a liar. He didn't like that in the least. But not as much as he didn't like being touched by this demon.

"My memories. My life," he finally replied an answer to Verkur. He didn't want to tell him details of what he'd been thinking about. He felt that it was his own business and no one else's unless he wanted to tell anyone else. Which he didn't. At least not Verkur anyway.

When Erik touched one of the gouges that should have been bleeding fiercly, he was suprised. That touch to that kind of wound should have hurt fiercly as well, but it hadn't. That hadn't been what suprised him. What did suprise the demon was that Erik touched it in the first place. He did not let this show on his face.

When Verkur had shown Erik this before, he'd shyed away from it, frightened and disgusted. Verkur chuckled, deep, throaty, satanic chuckle. So weird, so cruel, so...humorous. Shockingly, the gouges that looked to be from his claws were not.

"Emrys slashed me. He wanted me to go away and this was the most polite way he thought up."

There was an edge to his voice that said numbers. Emrys was crazy for thinking he'd leave over that...crazy to think it'd kill him. This Emrys was an idiot, a fool...and then there was the possessive tone.

Emrys was his. Just like Erik was his.

On to another topic, Verkur made it sound as if the whole issue had been unimportant and uneventful. And to him...it was.

"Your past? Memories?" He even managed to sound mockingly suprised. Claws did not leave Erik...Andlagur;'s hair, and he allowed his human to continue touching the would-be wound. "Really? You have your memory back."

He'd ask for details later.

When Erik finally realized that he was touching one of the gouges on Verkur's arm he brought his hand back to himself quickly. Why had he done that? He honestly had no clue at all. However, a frown found it's way to his face as Verkur told him what had happened. But he didn't ask anymore questions about it. And he ignored the creepy chuckle that Verkur let out.

Erik somehow just knew that the surprised sound in Verkur's voice was not of real surprise. Maybe because he is an empath after all. He ignored it though. Just as he was trying to ignore the claws in his hair.

"Yes. I have most of my memories back. There are still places that are quite blank but they are slowly filling in," he replied. Again with that far away voice that made Erik think it wasn't really coming from him at all.

Verkur smiled as Erik realized he'd been touching one of the ripped open places on Verkur's arm. He glanced down at Erik's hand. Should Erik look, he'd not the cold violently red blood on his fingers. Verkur didn't bleed, his blood was 'frozen in time' in his veins, but the blood sat at the very edge of the opening in his arm.

Erik's fingers had brushed the veins, and that little bit of blood had touched him. His other clawed hand still held Erik's in his own and he took the free hand with bloodied fingertips into his other hand after letting it leave Erik's hair.

"Bits and peices mm?"

He closed his eyes breifly. Time for another game.

"Was I in any of these memories of you mysterious past?"

The way the demon said it seemed to only leave room for one to think that he expected a yes. That he knew something that Erik might not remember, that he'd been in Erik's very past.

No smile stood on his lips. No amusment in those white eyes. Only a seriousness that put people on edge.

Erik looked down as the clawed hand left his hair and took Erik's other hand into it. The hand that had just been touching Verkur's wound. What was that on his fingers? He moved his face only slightly closer to look and quickly brought it back. His eyes wide.

"I... I thought... I thought you didn't bleed?" His voice almost a panic'd sound.

Bits and peices mm?

"Yes. Bits and pieces. I'm not totally certain just how much is lacking but I know some is cause there are odd gaps," he answered without hesitation.

Was I in any of these memories of you mysterious past?

Silence... A long silence...

He brought his gaze back up to the demons face. Verkur's face was one of seriousness. Erik frowned. In all honesty he prefered the serious face over that of the demon smiling. When Verkur smiles it really creeps the poor guy out.

"N... no," he stuttered out finally.

"I... I thought... I thought you didn't bleed?"

Verkur smiled and brought the hand with the blood on the finger tip to his mouth. He stuck his tongue out slowly and licked the blood away from Erik's finger, then dropped that hand.

He brought his own hand to the arm in which he was holding Erik's other hand in a relaxed manner. He pushed one of the gouges further apart to show Erik.

"I don't. But that doesn't mean I haven't got blood." He raised his black eyebrows in an almost amused way. "Would believe I actually have a heart!" False excitment in his tone. "Granted it doesn't beat." He shrugged.

Then he frowned.

"Are you sure I'm not in one of those memories?" He managed to sound hurt, convincingly so. Sick. He was just a sick man...no...he would have been a sick man. But he's isn't man. "Maybe it's one you can't..." He said this in a way to himself, a thoughtful look on his face, then trailed off.

He looked at Erik. "Nah. Nevermind." Such an actor...such a twisted game!

Erik gagged as he watched Verkur stick his tongue out and lick the blood from Erik's fingers. Openly gagged. Might have thrown up even if Verkur hadn't dropped Erik's hand just then.

Erik watched with a sickened frown on his face as Verkur pushed one of the gouges on his own arm apart. The last time Verkur had done this Erik had recoiled and looked away. But since one of his hands was still being held by Verkur he really couldn't.

Would you believe I actually have a heart!

Erik new that was spoken with fake excitement. And in all honesty Erik almost laughed at the thought of the demon with a heart. Why? Because he is a chaos demon after all.

Are you sure I'm not in one of those memories?

Erik's frown deepened. This was not funny in the least. Was the demon serious or was Verkur just fuckin with Erik's head? Either way Erik didn't like this.

"No. You're not," he replied back. "Get over it." He really had not meant to say that out loud but now it was too late to take it back. Erik flinched as he heard the words come out of his mouth.

Verkur's eyes flared, his nostrals flared, his grip on Erik's hand tightened. Just enough to cause a little pain, like a pin prick to the finger. Then he released the tight grip for a small one. He shook his head slowly.

"I'm hurst, Andlagur, really I am."

Was he kidding? How could you tell? He left no signs to be seen. What a bastard.

"I would have hoped that you'd remember me. But I guess I didn't make quite a good enough impression on you then."

He almost sounded pained. He had brought his free hand up and placed it over the heart he said did not beat.

"Everyone else always remembers me."

Maybe that was because everyone else had actually met him when he was refering to that meeting. How could Erik possibly remember a meeting that didn't exist. Of course, if Verkur kept this up, he was sure he could really have Erik believe in that meeting. He'd done this same thing, after all, to his other being with no memory....

Emrys still could not remember his child hood or anything beyond age ten. Not even his real name and age.

Erik flinched again as he felt the hand that held his tighten. He wanted so bad to pull away. As soon as he felt that grip loosen he attempted to pull his hand away.

"Stop it. Just stop it." He'd said it before he could stop himself. He didn't like mind games and he felt that was all this was. One sick mind game from this damn demon that he wanted nothing to do with.

"Are you finished? I'd like to get back to my own thoughts." Erik's anger flaring there for a moment. He wanted away from Verkur and he wanted away now.

The demon was not pleased at all.

He narrowed his eyes, still refletcing the fire and the image of the burning building perfectly even though he was not looking at it. He'd frozen it there on purpose. The fire flared, unlike the real one, when his temper flared.

He did not release Erik's hand from his grip. Instead, he brought the other one to Erik's other arm and pulled them out tho his sides, like a human cross, this caused Erik's body to be pressed against his own.

The demon glared down at him.

"You do not speak to me in such a way. Do you understand me?"

He didn't raise his voice, which would probably been better then the unnerving calmness he had over him now.

"Your thoughts?" That did it. Erik reminded him of the memory returning. "What we're your thoughts, exactly, Erik?" He stressed that word. Exactly.

You do not speak to me in such a way. Do you understand me?

Erik clenched his jaws tightly. He suddenly felt like a rag doll that was being played with for someone else's ammusement. And in a sense he kind of was. He 'belonged' to Verkur according to Verkur.

"Yes," he managed out between clenched teeth.

He really did not like that he was pressed against the demon but didn't attempt to pull away even though he wanted to.

'Dammit,' Erik muttered to himself in his mind. He shouldn't have mentioned his thoughts. He didn't want to share his thoughts with Verkur. Not at all.

"Of my friends," was all he answered with.

While Erik may not like such pysical contact, Verkur did. He enjoyed such pysical contact with his beings...and shadow.

No, he didn't get off on it, nor did this arouse him in any way. He was ever faithful to his god in that department. Of course, he knew viol was somewhat of a'sleep around', if you will. But that did not matter. Viol was devin, a god, he could do as he pleased, he was simply glad that he was Viol's "chaotic angel' and he made sure he was no one elses.

But the contact with his things, his beings, his creatures, was good. Healthy for them, he thought. It helped them to realize they really did belong to him.

"What of your friends? Tell me your life story Andlagur. I would love to hear it."

There was only one that Erik enjoyed any sort of physical contact. But would he tell that to Verkur? Hell no. He wasn't that stupid.

What of your friends? Tell me your life story Andlagur. I would love to hear it.

"Oh I'm sure you would," Erik replied back sarcastically.

He really did not want to tell Verkur anything about himself. He felt that would give the demon more power over him. And he was probably right too. The more you expose yourself to another the more power they end up having over you. Erik had only told one person all about himself and he'd like to keep it at only that one person knowing all about him.

"Why should I?" Yes Erik is indeed the fiesty one when the mood so comes over him. And it appears that he is feeling quite fiesty at the moment even though he should probably just go along with what ever he's told or asked.

Verkur's lip raised into a snarl like an animals snout would rise.

He'd been trying to be pleasent. And yes, that was pleasant as he got. How could expect a demon of chaos to be even nearly as pleasent as he was being now. And this was what he got for it?

'Fuck it."

Those two words could mean death even, when spoken through those lips. He was through with this.

"Why is it the ones with the memory problems are the most trouble?"

His hand was off of Erik's wrist and around his throat. He let his hand slid down to the human's...his human's collar of his shirt and lifted him up. His claws put holes in the shirt, a shreding sound accompanying it.

He gave him a swift little shake.

"Why?"

Fuck it.

Those two words made Erik cringe outwardly. He watched as the demon raised his lip into a snarl. Frightening sight really. Now would be a good time to get the hell out of there... that is... if he could. But he can't because the demon still has a hold of both his wrists and spreading his arms outwards as if he was a human cross. Not really a nice feeling actually.

Why is it the ones with the memory problems are the most trouble?

Erik had been just about to say something to that when one of his wrists was suddenly released. A slight relieved feeling began to wash over him. But that relief was very short lived as he felt as he felt the hand that released him go around his throat and slide down to the collar of his shirt. His feet were suddenly not touching the ground. He heard the ripping of his shirt.

"God dammit," he muttered at the sound. Oh yeah isn't that great? He's worried about his damn shirt ripping instead of being held up in the air by a fuckin demon. Great going there Erik.

Why?

His thoughts didn't stay on his shirt for very long as he heard 'why' and was given a shake by the demon. His eyes widened with panic. A slight warmth traveled down his leg. He suddenly had no voice to talk with. He was too scared at this point to even try to say anything. He did the only thing he could think of. He went limp.

He went limp.

Verkur gave him another jerky shake. He only needed the one arm to lift Erik, the powerful little bugger.

“Stop that.”

It was said fast, though not panicked or rushed. Why was it, every time he threatened them, they went limp. It added more weight, but not much more. In fact, it didn’t phase the demon at all, except that he didn’t want that reaction.

He shook his human again.

“Andlagur. Stop that!”

He brought the limp body close to him, his nose only a few inches away from Erik’s. If erik wasn’t so panicked and could do the calculations, he was being held about eight inches off the ground.

“Tell me.”

Tell him what? About the past of course. He wanted to know. “Tell me everything you remember.” He was not seeking more power over Erik. He had all the power he needed, that was apparent by the scent of urine wafting to the mixture of smells now. He still seemed to not care if anyone saw them. He just wanted to know.

Stop that. Andlagur. Stop that!

Twice more Erik felt himself shook by the demon that held him up. It wouldn't have mattered if he was only two inches or two feet off the ground. And stop what? Being limp? No way. It was either go limp or struggle to get away. And he felt that it was safer if he just went limp.

"P... please... p... put... m... me... d... down..." he stuttered out in a whimpering whisper as the demon brought Erik closer to him.

Tell me everything you remember.

A quick nod of his head. He didn't want to but he was now pretty scared that if he didn't cooperate he could very well die right there in the alley and no one would even notice. He was sure of it.

"M...my mother was a whore. I...I don't know who my father was. S...she didn't either. S...she'd sleep with anything to get money and drugs." His replies were slightly stuttered out. His Russian accent thicker than usual because of his fear of dying at the claws of this demon.

"A...at five years old one of her boyfriends... r...raped me. M...many times. A...after that... her other boyfriends would do similar things to me."

Silent pause...

"The state finally took me away from her at thirteen. I was put in a foster home. I ended up in several foster homes by the time I reached seventeen. Then I ran away to live on the streets."

Verkur ignored him when he pleaded to be put down, continuing to hold him over the ground, level with his gaze.

But then Erik spilled. He began telling the dmon exactly what he'd asked for. None of the human's past came as a shock to the demon. He already knew about the rape parts. That was no secret, not after Erik's nightmare.

Verkur slowly lowered Erik until his toes were on the ground, though not the rest of his foot yet. He nodded, as if to tell Erik to go on. He wanted to know Everything

"And...?"

He knew Erik was not seventeen, the man had never told him this, so how did he know? Who knows where Verkur gets his information, most of it is instinct. But somehow he knew and he knew not everything was told yet.

Erik felt his toes touch the ground. Oh how he wished the demon would just set him down completely. He didn't like being this close to Verkur. Not at all.

And...?"

"I spent the next two years living on the streets and doing odd... jobs... for people. I learned how to steal as well. I slept where ever I felt like it."

Silence...

He had left out what exactly he had done for money. It wasn't something he was proud of and would gladly not disclose that information about himself.

"When I turned nineteen I met someone who took me into their home. We fell in love and did everything together. Nine months later we were walking through a park and were mugged."

Sad silence...

He had left out the bit of information that his lover was a male.

"I refused to give the mugger what he wanted. As a result my lover was shot and killed. I was also shot."

He brought his free hand up to his shoulder and touched the location where his scar was under his shirt.

"The bullet went right through. I laid there bleeding and no one came. It was like... I don't know... No one gave a shit that two people had just been shot right there in the park." His voice sad and angry at the same time.

"I went back to our house, packed up a few things and left. Became a wanderer. Ended up here."

odd... jobs... for . That had caught his attintion. As did the fact that no name was mentioned while speaking of this lover. Lovers and companions of this beings...and shadow, always caught his attintion. So far, his little blind boy was the only uninteresting one with no life. He blocked the world out. Verkur hated it.

"What sort of jobs?"

He lowered more of Erik's feet towards the ground, as if letting him know what his award for telling him might be. Maybe he would put him down?

he frowned when the lover was first mentioned. A potential play thing! No. He was dead, shot. Hey! To Verkur it was still a potential play thing. He had contact with the gods just like everyone else.

"What was his name?"

How had he known it was a him? That instincts maybe?

"What was their name? Your lover?"

He'd changed it that time, to 'thier'. He wasn't completly sure it was a man that his Erik had been with.

What sort of jobs?

Ack. Erik didn't want to answer that. He really didn't want to answer that.

"Sexual things," he heard come from himself but yet it didn't sound like it was him talking at all. No mention of what sort. Again, not something he wants to talk about because he's ashamed of it.

He felt more of his feet touching the ground. Relief. Now if only he was completely on the ground.

He watched the frown cross Verkur's face and wondered why.

What was his name?

Erik's eyes widened slightly. How did Verkur know? He hadn't specifically mentioned if his lover was a he or a she.

What was their name? Your lover?

He raised an eyebrow slightly at Verkur's change of wording. Maybe the demon didn't know after all.

"Mark," he answered in a whisper. It hurt to even say the name. The pain obvious in his eyes.

Verkur nodded. He was sure it was along those lines. Or he'd waited for a pain in the ass answer to the name to be like Chris. Now how was he suposed to know if he was right or not if the he/she lover had a 'two way' name? But he'd confirmed his suspisions with Mark.

He didn't seem suprised. Not much seemed to rock the demon. He'd been around the world and back, and at different times as well. He'd seen worse.

"Mark." He nodded again and lightly pat Eriks cheek. It was oddly comforting.

In a 'comfort always had five inch long black claws-didn't you know?' kind of way. Then he let go of Erik's shirt quickly, wondering how good the man's balance was. If it wasn't too good, or this was just a huge suprise he'd fall. But Verkur still had hold of his wrist. He wouldn't hit the ground if he fell.

"Life goes on, Andlagur, it's one of the harder lessons I've learnt."

Harder for him because some of his victums just didn't seem to die. And harder for him because that code seemed to cause a small crack and trip up in his life.

As he spoke those words, his white eyes specificlly focused on the scars on Erik's arms, makeing an obvious point. He now knew why Erik had wanted to die.

Erik was relieved that Verkur didn't question him any further about the 'jobs' he had done. But he didn't let the relief show in any way. He figured if he did that would only spark more interest in it and bring forth more questions from the demon. Questions that he just did not want to answer.

Comforting to who? Erik flinched ever so slightly as the clawed hand patted his cheek. Remember this is a guy who just does not like being touched... except by one these days. He almost smiled as the tought of his current lover came into his mind.

Erik hadn't been expecting for the demon to let go of his shirt so quickly. He stumbled forwards a bit but didn't fall. He had brought his free hand up and for a brief moment it had touched Verkur to keep himself from falling forward. He recovered fairly quickly and pulled his hand off of the demon. That was more contact that he didn't want.

Life goes on, Andlagur.

Yes indeed it did. For the longest time Erik only wanted to die. And would be dead already if it hadn't been for one. He almost smiled again as once more his thoughts turned to his current lover.

Erik noticed the demon focusing on the scars on Erik's arms. Without thinking at all about what he was doing he absently reached up with his free hand and brought the sleeve of his trench back down over the scars. He did that every time they showed and someone was staring at them. They weren't something he was proud of at all.

"I suppose," he replied making himself sound almost like he didn't believe it.

He chuckled that morbid sound first when Erik's hand came against his chest. His chest was even colder then his hands were. Then again, he laughed when the sleeve of his trench was pulled over his scars.

I suppose it does.

"Yes. It does. And then you move on."

Oh! If Erik couldn't see that Verkur was building up to something, then the demon may as well be speaking to a brick wall, it was only just that obvious.

Verkur kept his clawed hand on Erik's wrist. His eyes no longer reflected the fire that was blazing so close to them. Though, the fire still raged on.

"And you fix your life," who knew what that was suposed to mean. Verkur knew, did Eric? "And you....find someone else."

Eric had been only to happy in his thoughts for Verkur to not notice when he'd approached. Everything Eric discribed so far had been sad, but he'd looked happy walking earlier. Oh yes, Verkur knew. Now, who was the question. Bluntly, he said:

"Tell me, Eric, who is he? She?..." He changed that so it could be eaither answer. Then paused. "No. It's a he," that he wasn't really sure of, but he wasn't letting on to that.

Then a sharp turn in the subject.

"Are the voices gone?" He meant was Erik still hearing other peoples feelings? Had his suggestions worked?

Erik cringed inside as Verkur laughed. Erik found it to be a creepy sound.

And then you move on.

"I suppose," he replied again. He wasn't about to admit that the demon was right in that. Although at one point he really wouldn't have believed it if someone had told him that.

Erik really was oblivious as to what Verkur was getting at... for the moment anyway. Or maybe he had an idea but wasn't going to admit it.

And you fix your life.

Erik just shrugged in reply. Again, still playing as if he had no idea what the demon was getting at although he was beginning to catch on.

And you....find someone else.

Silence...

Tell me, Eric, who is he? She?...

Erik's eyes widened slightly. He was taken aback. He was silent. He didn't want to reply. The thing that really caught him off guard though was that Verkur had called him by his real name instead of the name the demon had given him. He cringed at the sound of his name coming from the demon.

No. It's a he.

His eyes widened a little bit more and he sucked in his breath.

Are the voices gone?

Whew. He'd just answer this one and pretend the other questions hadn't been asked.

"I guess. I listen when I want. And when I don't want to I just close my mind to it all."

He'd watched Erik's features closely, watching for signs of shock, suprise, anger, fear...hate. And he read his empath like an open book. Really, it was entertaining.

But then Erik hadn't answered the questions, and he grinned as the man answered the last question. Verkur had provided a false sense of security by leaving that question at the end. Something he knew Eric would cling to as if it meant his dear life.

I guess. I listen when I want. And when I don't want to I just close my mind to it all

He nodded. Clicked his claws of his free hand togather once, then stopped.

"What about the name Erik."

Erik, he knew he didn't want Verkur to call him that. He knew Erik would rather be called the name in which he didn't know the meaning before he'd be called Erik by Verkur.

"Tell me who he is Andlagur. I want to know everthing."

Obviously when he'd said everything the first time...he meant Everything.

Erik cringed inwardly as he watched the grin spread onto Verkur's face. Why was he grinning anyway?

What about the name Erik.

Erik didn't hide the cringe that time when he heard his name come from the demon again. Oh how he wished now he'd never have told the demon his name. But it was too late to change that. What's done is done.

Tell me who he is Andlagur. I want to know everthing.

There was the name he'd rather the demon call him. The name that Verkur, himself, had given to Erik.

Tell me who he is Andlagur.

Not a question. He couldn't get out of answering that. He'd only anger the demon again if he refused. But he didn't want anything to happen to his lover either.

Then he got an idea. He wondered if the demon could read minds like he could. He decided to give it a try.

He forced himself to bring his gaze up and look the demon in the face.

'Lucifer,' he replied without his lips moving at all.

"You mean Satin?"

He asked with a soft chuckle. Of course, Erik had meant to send the thought, Verkur knew this when he'd looked him in the face. Erik did not look him in the face. Not often anyways.

Of course, he knew Erik wasn't just kidding when he'd thought 'Lucifer'. And Verkur knew that. But he was going to joke horrificly like that anyways. He found it un nerved people more to get a half-ass answer that said everything then a direct one.

"I'm sure he's charming."

No mention of wanting to harm him, but then....Verkur never said anything like that in the first place. And he didn't want to kill or harm lucifer...Just meet him.

"Tell me about him."

That slow smile crossed his lips again.

Erik's eyes squinted into a glare. A flash of anger shown in them at Verkur's 'joke' that Erik did not find funny in the least. His eyes not leaving the demons face.

Verkur replying also answered Erik's question that he was wondering about when he said Luc's name in his mind rather than out loud. Verkur could hear his mind speak.

I'm sure he's charming.

"Much more than my present company," he replied coldly.

Tell me about him.

Erik watched the smile cross the demons face and he fought with himself to not look away. His eyes still glaring at the demon.

"No." Open defiance. Smooth move Erik he told himself.

"Much more than my present company,"

No reaction what so ever.

His face was straight, eyes empty, the fire near by was slowly begining to die under the firemen's hose and due to the fact it'd run out of anything to feed on, his lips were turned down slightly at the corners.

No.

Still no reaction.

He looked as if he were dead, rather then just not alive. He made no move to hurt Erik, no move to harm him at all. His eyes didn't shift from Erik's face, his mouth didn't move to mouth words to the defiant Man.

Then, hauntingly slow, a smile crept onto his lips. Verkur's eyes, face, still didn't move, nothing on him moved at all, his grip on Erik's wrist didn't tighten or loosen, nothing. Just that single slow smiled.

Am I creeping you out Erik?

He thought it, but not in English. It was a language that was uninterpetable in this world and relm.

Then, suddenly, as if someone had his play on a remote control, the demon laughed. His laugh was haunted, echoed, not in the ally but in itself, it was cold, his breath was hot. It was the laugh that didn't rightfully belong on this world. It didn't belong anywhere. It had no sense to the sound, no place it belonged, no form or structure like the laugh of a human.

It just was.

Erik just stood there defiantly looking at the demon. He wasn't really liking that there was no reaction coming from the demon at Erik's obvious show of defiance.

He watched with disgust as the demons lips slowly twisted up into a smile. Erik wasn't ammused in the least.

Erik heard something in his mind and knew it was Verkur's voice but... He couldn't understand what was said. He raised an eyebrow slightly.

Erik jumped backwards slightly as the demon suddenly laughed. Very creepy laugh it was. Erik wouldn't ever be able to explain to anyone what the laugh sounded like. It was just... not human.

All too suddenly, like most of his actions were, he stopped dead. His mouth closed, his eyes had never left Erik's face. He raised one clawed hand slightly and brought it down across Erik's cheek. His claws just barly scratched across Erik's ear, leaving little scratches.

The most sting from that light tap would be from his palm. The sting that should resgister.

"Defiant human." Said he as he slapped his human.

He did not care about being called 'uncharming'. Actually, to this hansom monster, it was a sweet compliment. It was the 'No'. Had he asked Erik he wouldn't have cared so much about the answer, but he'd defied a specific demand.

Ever the defiant one, Erik just stood there glaring at the demon when Verkur suddenly stopped laughing and his mouth closed. But what happened next Erik was totally unprepared for.

Verkur's clawed hand came across the side of Erik's face. He could feel the little scratches on his ear. Reminded him almost of paper cuts. But it was the sting from the demons palm that got him. His head turned slightly to the side.

Defiant human.

Erik brought his face back to look at Verkur's. His glaring eyes showing anger and... fear. But it seemed that tonight Erik wasn't the same person that Verkur had met twice before. He wasn't being the meek and obedience person as before. It seemed he has a knack for pushing buttons and pissing Verkur off or something of the sort.

"Do not touch me," Erik whispered between clenched teeth.