What is that demon thinking, anyway? I'm curious myself.
NOTE: This story contains spoilers for "In the Ever Afterlife."
Q and A with Ashmedai
TW: A number of you have been implying that Ash might be getting sweet on his summoner, Evie. He agreed to come here today to clear up this matter.
Ash: And also because I was told there would be cake.
TW: So are you sweet on Evie?
Ash: Define "sweet."
TW: You know, are you falling for her?
Ash: Me? She's the clumsy one, I'm afraid. Always tripping over something or another.
TW: No, we mean, are you beginning to maybe fall in love with her?
Ash: *laughter* You're kidding, right?
TW: So you don't have any feelings for her?
Ash: Oh, I have plenty of feelings for her.
TW: Will you describe them?
Ash: I also have plenty of feelings about this line of questioning, and plenty of feelings about cake. Which I have not yet received, by the way.
TW: Why did you send her red roses, then?
Ash: To fuck with her head. Why else? You should have seen the look on that summoner's face when I told him what I wanted him to do. That was priceless.
TW: Are you disappointed you couldn't make her a familiar?
Ash: *shrug* I've got a familiar. I like her just fine. And I've got the only other known female who can invoke demon magic stirring curses for me three days a week. Why on earth would I be disappointed? The only disappointing thing was not being able to bargain her up to five days, but we have plenty of time for that.
TW: Who is Solange, and how did you catch her?
Ash: I don't remember who she was. As to how I caught her, I didn't, actually. I got her in trade from another summoner.
TW: You mean someone gave her to you in exchange for something?
Ash: Yup. I love it when mortals do all the work for me.
TW: What'd he or she get in return?
Ash: He got an eternity in a bottle on my shelf. He wasn't all that good at bargaining. And it turned out Solange was far better suited for the job of familiar than he was. When I'm pleased with Solange, I let her play with him. You might be surprised at how creative she can be.
TW: Do you love Solange?
Ash: Do you love your pets? I'm fond of her. She's a good familiar. Obedient, good at stirring curses, good in bed, and she plays the harp.
TW: Does she love you?
Ash: Does it matter?
TW: It might to her...?
Ash: *shrug* She might. I'm all she's got, after all. And I'm not all that cruel to her, as demons go. For example, she still has her tongue.
TW: What are your plans for Evie?
Ash: Wouldn't you like to know? *smirk*
TW: Why did you let her mark you?
Ash: I did it to taunt her. And scare her. And could not believe my eyes when she completed the ritual exactly as any demon woman would- assuming they accept, and don't bite your head off for your temerity, that is. And I also couldn't believe that it was functional. There was no way on God's green earth I would have let the woman mark me if I'd known. I certainly wouldn't have tried to steal her soul, that's for damned sure. But...what's done is done.
TW: You don't like it?
Ash: I didn't say that.
TW: You like it?
Ash: I didn't say that, either.
TW: Can you take it off?
Ash: Not...easily, no. I'd have to admit to her that I'd need her help to do so, and she doesn't need to know that. Renouncing a mark is...well, it's a touchy subject among us. As you might have noticed. Don't tell her, or I'll have to devour your soul.
TW: Do you think she's attracted to you?
Ash: *smirk* You think? Now the more important question is, where's my cake?
TW: Do you think she loves you?
Ash: Evie? She's not that stupid. I love the way she tries to fight off her instincts. She can't stand that she can't resist me. It's wonderful.
TW: Do you think she wants you as a mate?
Ash: Does it matter? *eyeroll* And "mate?" We're demons, not animals. We don't "mate" any more than you do.
TW: Do you want to marry her then?
Ash: We don't "marry" either.
TW: Do you want some sort of permanent relationship with her?
Ash: Oh, yes. Preferably all seven days a week under my thumb, but I'll be happy with three for now.
TW: No, some kind of long term equal commitment. You know.
Ash: That would imply she is somehow an equal to myself. What a ridiculous notion!
TW: You think she's a lesser being?
Ash: I didn't say that.
TW: You think she's better than you?
Ash: If you don't stop putting words into my mouth, I shall force them down your throat by way of your eyeballs. And there is no such thing as equality in any relationship.
TW: Are you going to try to trick her into getting pregnant?
Ash: *horrified look* That's...not something you want to trick a demon woman into. *shudder*
TW: But you do want to? To save your race, and all?
Ash: My race can go hang itself. This interview is over. I believe I want that cake right now.
TW: What's your favorite kind of cake?
Ash: Devil's food. Duh.
TW: One more question? How did you feel when you caught Evie in "In the Ever Afterlife?"
Ash: Well, now….why don't I simply tell retell it from my point of view?