"We'll need the red chalk for the spell," Patchouli mumbled over her cup of tea. "Koakuma, how many do we have in reserve?"

"There are two sticks left, Mistress," Koakuma replied with a nod of her head.

The mage grunted in response and took another sip. It was a typical Friday evening at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. The guard was failing to perform her duties, the mistress of the mansion was entertaining another slew of guests, and the maid was working her fingers to the bone. Remilia was the most sociable creature Patchouli had ever known, and she doubted there was any other, living or dead, who surpassed the vampire. That said, the reclusive mage wisely went off and away from the noise and commotion, her head buried in her books with a cup of hot tea to comfort her.

It would have been typical, had the devil not been there. Usually Koakuma would be off working extra hard to prepare the library for the next day, not sitting back to drink. However, ever since Patchouli offered her servant the opportunity to sit down with her for tea, she found herself extending the offer to every week instead of once every other blue moon. She tried to convince herself that she was only doing it for a few weeks, but as time passed, she kept inviting the familiar back, all with some excuse to cover up her unconscious, ulterior motives. There were plans to go over, books to order, supplies to take note of, and schemes to create.

All Patchouli wanted to do on Friday evenings was to continue her studies. She just didn't know it yet.

"Good, good," she said. She fixed Koakuma with an inquisitive gaze. "…You are a succubus, are you not?"

"M-Mistress, you know that," Koakuma whined, flustered by the question.

"It was rhetorical. I was wondering why you chose to spend your time with me when you could be off enjoying one of Remilia's parties." The mage looked into her teacup and stirred the blackish-brown liquid. "A succubus, like a vampire, is a social creature."

"Yes, this is true… But…"

Patchouli cocked an eyebrow.

"But…"

"I'd… rather spend time with Mistress," Koakuma forced out. She caught the unimpressed look on the mage's face and stammered, "I m-mean, Mistress could use the company! I mean, she's lonely! No no no, I-I mean-"

"It's alright, Koakuma," Patchouli interjected. She waved her hand nonchalantly. "I understand what you mean."

The devil's wings drooped as she looked at her mistress from her seat. It was no secret that the librarian of the mansion was an introvert. Her condition, her lifestyle, and her occupation all factored into a reclusive existence with nothing but her books and spells to comfort her. This is not to say that she despised the company of others. Every month when her condition bettered, she would make the trek to the front of the mansion for tea with her best friend and her sister, and if she stumbled across the guard and found humor in her poor performance, then all was well. However, the familiar had the sneaking suspicion that her mistress did not need to be reminded of her lack of a social life.

She fumbled with her hands and squeaked.

"I'm s-sorry, Mistress…"

"No need to apologize," Patchouli replied in her monotone voice. She drank from her tea again before looking up at Koakuma. "Why would you rather spend time with me? Surely there are better things to do with your time."

"B-but you invited me…"

The mage thought for a moment.

"That's right, I did. But why have you taken up the offer?"

"Because… I w-want to spend time with Mistress," Koakuma squeaked.

They had gone full circle. Pressing further would make the familiar uncomfortable, and Patchouli wanted to keep her at ease. Why though, she had no clue. Why was it that her familiar was so interesting all of a sudden? Was it the books she had read on psychology, the stories of social terrors, and the romantic novels? The mage did not place as high of a value on romance as she did on intellect and magic, but still, there was something interesting about the genre that she could not place her finger on. It infuriated her, but with Koakuma dipping into that field in her free time, Patchouli figured she would soon understand.

But why would the devil want to spend time with her mistress? Patchouli figured that the familiar would desire to spend time away from her to collect her thoughts. Sakuya used her free time to recuperate from Remilia's taxing requests, and she never spent more time with her or her sister than what was necessary. She was as loyal as a dog, but even dogs needed to get away from their masters at times.

If that analogy was correct, then what was Koakuma? Why did she desire to stick around? Was she doing this because she believed the mage was lonely? She did say that out loud, after all. Patchouli felt conflicted about this revelation. On one hand, she wanted to defend her position by saying she had no need for social interaction, but on the other hand, she felt touched by her familiar's thoughtfulness. She had given Koakuma time to do whatever she wished, and she chose to spend it by keeping her company.

"I understand." Patchouli could see Koakuma's expression twist into one of confusion. She was hoping for an elaboration. "Koakuma, these past few weeks with you have been… interesting, to say the least."

Koakuma's breath hitched. She was anticipating something negative, but she didn't dare interrupt her mistress with an apology.

"You are interesting for a devil. You've served me well, and you continue to do so. Even your treatment of my books is laudable." Patchouli set down her tea cup and rose from her seat. She approached the devil and stared down at her. "Not only that, you sacrifice your own free time just to keep me company. For that, I offer you my gratitude."

Surprising herself, the mage reached forward and placed her hand on Koakuma's shoulder. The devil widened her eyes at the contact and looked up at her mistress with quivering anticipation. She hardly ever touched her familiar like this. Koakuma smiled wide and sniveled, nodding her head once in acknowledgement.

"You're welcome… P-Patchouli-sama," she said.

Patchouli, her lips set in firm line, patted the devil's shoulder once more before returning to her seat. She enjoyed the smile on Koa's lips, and as she lifted her book to hide her face, she too smiled.