Chapter 5

J

"So Red you really clean up nice don't you? I see you flirting with Diavolo, what are you planning?" we all stood in the garden outside as everyone else had begun to get up and mingle some more.I swear the way she talked reminded me of Asmo. One thing I liked about these two is from my first impression of them I saw no faults, along with their kindness I was able to become acquainted quite easily with them.

"What on earth could I be planning with Diavolo?"

"You could want to make a pact with him; someone of that position would bring you great fortune. Or misfortune to those who you use his power on."

"And why would I do a thing like that? I have no qualms with anyone and that isn't right to do."

"Judging from your encounter with some of the others hear and what we are hearing around here, you don't quite click with a lot of people."

"What is that supposed to mean?!" she took my hand and stared at my palm, tracing the lines gently.

"Just as I thought, this slash here, represents pain and sorrow in your life and the way it strikes through this line that means emotional bonds, I say you were bullied." I snatched my hand away; how dare she try to read me that way…but then…isn't that what I do?

"For your information this is a scar, I was cut."

"How did it happen?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Come on red-"

"Don't call me RED my name is Jetèa!" they were quiet for a long moment and I could feel myself hyperventilate. No…no not here!

"It started because of my hair and my skin…I'm one quarter Haitian so I am a little darker than most people at my school but with this red hair I only stood out more." I hadn't much cared for friendship even then; I had always believed that as long as I had knowledge I could be happy. But when I shared it with others to give them the same satisfaction, they laughed at me more. So even when I tried to become friends with others they rejected me. I never knew why…I had always looked for a reason I wouldn't be successful in life or relations. But my peers never told me what I had done so I never got to fix it.

"Damn…they sound like Assholes."

"Don't worry about it Red, I won't be horrible to you. I love your hair." She ran a finger along a strand and I felt my face get hot.

"And call me Eliza." Her smile seemed off and it raised red flags.

"Excuse me." I felt incredibly awkward at her behavior and left. Why is everyone so odd? I couldn't take all of this interaction, it made me exhausted. I spotted Levi nearby by the fountain with Mammon and I decided to walk over but stopped when I heard them talking.

"So get this, she told Diavolo that you guys were trying to make him laugh so that Lucifer wouldn't be on edge about it. it didn't quite work the first time but she is planning something big in the next hour."

"The nerve of that human; so come on, spill the beans."

"Ok so she is going to take the wool from this bag and cover herself with it then she is going to come out and tell Diavolo this Joke: 'what do you get when you make a fool out of a sheep?"

"And then what?"

"And then he's supposed to get it, some sort of inside joke they have."

"Ah ok."

"And get this, she wanted me to help her out and had me get this wool and glue for her."

"Give me that, yeah I see what she's doing, she things she can turn my brothers against me. But I'm much smarter than that!"

"Right…I'm only telling you this so you can even the score, I didn't much like what she had to say about me."

"Oh anytime that little know it all opens her mouth I get angry. We'll fix her up good now that I took her bit from her, she has nothin'" I turned and walked closer to the mansion out of sight, Levi sauntered up about five minutes later.

"He took the bait."

"Like a hungry shark, so you told him where to be right?"

"Yup, under the big Oak over there as you said."

"Wonderful! Levi you are awesome!" He blushed again and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"So you never told me how this is going to work; I thought you were going to win this wager, why give Mammon your bit? Do you have something better?"

"Nope."

"I don't get you human, not at all; most people when they make a bet they want to win."

"Oh I'm going to win Levi, just wait over on the other side with your camera and watch the magic happen." He shrugged and left. I pulled a seed from my hair and flicked it just ten feet or so from the tree. Now to get all of my pieces into play.

L

I stood by Diavolo as he spoke to more of the students, and acquainted himself with the rest of the transfers. They seemed nice, respectable but it was only he first day after all, my main concern was keeping them in line and keeping them safe. Luke would do well to keep Azrael in line himself since this isn't his first time here so they would be much easier. However it is the humans that worry me; I can tell that Elizaveta dabbles in the Occult, it would leave one to wonder if her attendance is for personal or for academic reasons. Riley on the other hand seems to be normal he doesn't raise any flags but it doesn't mean I wont have an eye on him. But Jetèa Minamino…I want my personal bias to be rendered out but my instincts tell me something is wrong. She is hiding something…however one thing she isn't hiding is her distaste for me. I have seen her spiteful looks and her sarcasm as she says my name; she thinks herself above me, and approaches Diavolo with such feigned authority! What could she be planning?

"Come on Lucifer, lighten up, you have been a sourpuss all night! How are you supposed to have any fun with such a furrowed brow like that?"

"it's nothing Diavolo, I have just been thinking…"

"You think too much old friend, but then that is why I like you by my side! Let's say we stake a stroll in the garden? I'm sure the night sky will take your mind off of things." I'm sure it wouldn't, nothing ever seems to. We began to walk and to my displeasure she happened to be there as well. Diavolo Beamed and called her over and she smiled so sweetly that it seemed sickening. She was planning something…and my mind wouldn't let it go.

"Jetèa! Fancy meeting you over here, in the garden no doubt, I knew a plant connoisseur such as yourself wouldn't be able to stay away from my collection of botanical beauties."

"Why yes, I simply had to take a look at the variety you have here, they are nothing like in the human world. They are all so unique and beautiful, if I may I would like to take some pollen samples from the Geraniums, monkshood and wolfs bane there and that species there."

"Yes, those are called the Bleeding Heart, they are also found in the human world but are much more plentiful here due to the climate, I will actually let you take a live one if you like."

"Oh no, I couldn't, I have nowhere to keep it."

"Then why don't I let you use the green house? We have one on the rounds, I'm sure Lucifer would help you find it won't you?"

"Hm? Yes of course." She looked at me with a bi of timidity before smiling at me. Why did this girl take up so much of my mind tonight, I have felt nothing but utter disdain at the thought of her but seeing her smile this way under the moonlit sky gave her a different air; was she trying to win Diavolo's favor in order to get back at me? Was she adding even more insult to injury by keeping herself around me, knowing my displeasure?

"Oh, I must show you both something I have found; this way." She lead us over to the large oak and pointed to a set of flowers. They were very dark with bright yellow stamens and there was a small cluster of them.

"Odd, I've never seen those in this garden before; are they some sort of weed?"

"No, these are Hellebore! They are closely related to the buttercup and are known to be evergreens meaning they can take the cold climates. You know, the Hellebore have a lot of history, given their nature."

"You don't say?" she looked up at me as though she weren't sure if I was interested or being sarcastic.

"Yes, you see the Hellebore are toxic; it is how they protect themselves. They contain Protoanemonin which causes vomiting and diarrhea so animals do not eat them, they can even be irritating to the touch. You can say that they are beautiful to look at but very toxic to interact with."

"Oh wow that is very amazing! And do they only come in that color?"

"Oh no there are many species and types. But this blue is my favorite color…this flower in general is my favorite really because I can relate to it. But you see there is a lot of history behind this plant; many believe that they have ties in summoning demons. And in Greek mythology Melampus of Pylos used them to save his daughters from madness. In the siege of Kirra in 585BC they were used to poison the water supply thus giving the Greeks the upper hand in battle. But the bulb of the white Hellebore can be used for medicinal purposes such as to treat gout and cholera." Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she spoke of this plant like it were a friend to her.

"So even though the plant is so highly regarded as poisonous and a threat it is really just misunderstood?" Now I get it, she was trying to soften me up after her outburst earlier; make herself out to be some sort of unfortunate misunderstood soul... pathetic."

"Yes, I think there are a lot of people like this beautiful flower, feared for its poison, revered for its beauty but never truly understood…Like you Lucifer."

"What?!"

"I said some very harsh things to you earlier; and not only was I out of place to do so but outright rude. I had apologized before but…I had still not tried to understand at that time. I do hope that you can fully accept my apology and we can start things on the right foot? I was wrong to refuse companionship with you so readily." So she was going to turn it around onto me; make me out to be some weakling that needed sympathy and in front of Diavolo in order to force my hand and submit to her demands. Clever girl, I had misjudged her after all.

"Is this what has you so sour tonight; did she hurt your feelings?" Damn her!

"I do not know what you're talking about, my mood hasn't been any different than normal. And I wouldn't know what her words have done as I don't remember them." I leaned closer to her so that I could whisper in her ear.

"I have entirely too much to do and too many responsibilities to mind to care in the slightest what an irrelevant human who knows nothing of me or responsibility has to say. So there is nothing to apologize for because any opinion you have of me is worthless and your little scheme to get me to make up with you is childish, reckless and therefore pointless. You need to focus on making sure you make Diavolo look good and not get killed; he holds value in you but to me you are nothing." I stood with a feigned smile and looked into her eyes waiting for her response. There was nothing but a stony expression with ice in her eyes.

"Well if there is nothing to apologize for then we can go about things as normal then. I'm so glad to get that settled, my conscience is now clear." Oh She's good.

"Well Then, now that's settled how about you tell us more about these flowers around here? I walk by them all the time but I never once thought of the history behind them." She held eye contact for moment longer as smile stretched across her face and she turned back to Diavolo to ramble on about other plants. Then a rustle in the nearby Bushes drew our attention; to my surprise and horror my idiot brother Mammon jumped out of the foliage covered in what looked like wool as though he were a sheep! He had the biggest grin on his face

"Yo Diavolo, what do you get when you make a fool into a sheep?" Ugh, I forgot about their wager; I had enough of a headache as it was. A Ma-a-a-a-a-a-mon. the thought crept into my head without a single warning, and the more I thought about it the more I couldn't hold back a chuckle, and looking at him; an utter fool made into a sheep I just couldn't help but laugh! Diavolo looked at me confused and when I struggled to get it out between breaths it clicked and he guffawed as well.

"Yeah! I won, that's right I the Great Mammon am the best!" He jumped up and taunted Jetèa to make her defeat more painful.

"You win Mammon, you are the greatest; seems like you can conquer anything you set your mind to."

"You're damn right, now pay up!" She slipped him some grimm and he counted it twice before bounding away.

"Oh no, I'm sorry Jetèa better luck next time."

"Of course; it is getting late, I would like to retire if that is alright?"

"Well yes it is just after midnight, I know you sleep is very important to humans and you have had a busy day. I hope to see you around to talk more of your research!"

"Thank you Diavolo I enjoyed our talk goodnight, and goodnight senpai." There was venom in her voice on that word. So we were no longer on first name terms then? Fine, all the better.

The rest of the night went off without a hitch and when it was all over I made sure my brothers stayed to clean up; I should have made her stay too but she was a guest. It was late when we got back to the house I noticed Beel by Jetèa's door looking upset.

"Beel I am pretty certain she has no food to give you, even so she is asleep."

"I think she's crying." I stopped short and turned to him, he had whispered so low that I must've heard him wrong.

"What do you mean?"

"When I went into my and Belphie's room I could swear I heard sobbing…her door is locked and she won't answer. I think she's really upset about something that happened at the party."

"Was Mammon's victory truly too much for her? It seemed too trivial a matter to be bothered by." Beel turned to me incredulously and kept his voice low.

"No…she made this whole thing so that Mammon would win by making you laugh; she wanted to make it up to him by getting his confidence back. Something else upset her." I didn't understand…what else could of…was she really trying to apologize to me at the party? Could her words have been sincere? If this was the case then what I had said to her was completely out of line! If she went through such lengths to make amends with Mammon, then had I misjudged her after all? Either way it was far too late to take back what I had said. She would either get over it or not, it truly didn't matter to me, I was not going to apologize only for her to act out in hatred putting me in the position she is in currently. I was not going to let her win I am the avatar of pride after all.

"If she will not come out than simply let her be, she will speak when she chooses and not until then." I walked to my own room, ready to complete another list of paperwork before bed.

J

You are nothing….you are nothing….You are nothing! I heard the words over and over again in my mind, plaguing me like an aggressive virus the images of that school year striking my heart like a cracking whip. Those damned girls…they said they wanted to be my friends…Miki Hanake and Kijo Tamata, they were pretty and popular. They had most of the year bullied and teased me but this time they swore it was different. They said I was so pretty that I had to be friends with them that they already had a blonde and a brunette but they needed a redhead for their group. They told me I was nice…they said they liked me. One day they said that they had a special surprise for my birthday and blindfolded me, I was so excited! I felt like I walked in circles for ever before we stopped.

"Are you ready for your surprise?"

"Yeah!" they then shoved me and I felt so far until I landed in the dumpster outside the school. The whole class was there and laughed throwing old rotten cake at me.

"Calculator Brain think she's special because it's her birthday!"

"She's not special at all!"

"In fact, she's nothing!"

"Ha ha, you're nothing!" They taunted me with those words for the longest, I had to escape and I ran home in tears while they chased me with those horrible words. I never told my parents about that day, or that every year on my birthday they lay garbage on my desk to remind me. Damn that Lucifer….damn him to hell! I reach out my hand and he bites me! I knew I shouldn't have tried to amend with him! I tried hard to pull myself together and stop my tears; clawing at my thighs until they bled…until the pain matched. Tears are not constructive…weakness will get you nowhere… feebleness will be punished….stop crying!

If I am nothing to him then he is less than nothing to me, he never knew what irrelevant was until he met me…and when I am done, it will be him that's left to feel inadequate and broken. He wanted war, and he got it.