Chapter 6

L

Though classes didn't start for several days I still kept everyone in the house on schedule. I Arose at six in the morning as usual, dressed and began to check on each of my brothers as I walked by. Most of them were only just getting up and Asmo of course was deep in his beautification routine he is the only one who gets up as early as I do. When I happened on Mammon's room I found he was still asleep and it was his turn for kitchen duty! I decided to gently wake him with a foot in his ass.

"OOOWWW! Hey what did you do that for?!"

"You are supposed to be in the kitchen getting breakfast ready! How could you be so carless as to shirk your responsibility!"

"Hey I'm sorry, Ow don't kick me like that! I forgot Alright, I thought I wouldn't have to!" I stopped, confused.

"What are you talking about?"

"When it was Beel's turn, breakfast was done when he got there; the time before that Levi, Belphie and Asmo said the same thing happened so I didn't worry about it." I pulled him up by his ear and lead him to the kitchen and to my utter surprise the kitchen was full of already prepared food. In the other door strolled Jetèa who grabbed several dishes to place onto the table.

"Huh, so it was her; I just know that when it was my time for kitchen it was done when I got here. I'm not complaining." They each get three days of kitchen duty at a time that rotates through the seven of us, it would be eight now that she was here…but she seemed to have taken it upon herself to do this for them for two weeks. And none of it was simply made either, she made a spread that seemed to actually be able to satisfy Beel's appetite. I never noticed it before…

"What is it you think you are doing?" She didn't even stop, but walked around me to grab the remaining dishes to take to the table.

"Good morning Senpai, you better get to the table; sufficient concentration begins with good nutrition, and today I made a favorite of Beel's." I grabbed her by her upper arm.

"I asked you a question, I demand you answer."

"And you are violating the code of conduct with your unwanted contact; I demand you get your hands off of me." I released her and she went back to her task. She read the policies and syllabi I will give her that. Mammon shrugged and went on to take his seat as the other brothers came in. I stood and watched as she sat down as though she came down with the rest of them! I never noticed it before…she has been getting up earlier than the rest of us and preparing meals. What was she scheming this time? They continued to chat and eat and I watched as she barely touched her own food. Was it poisoned? No, even if it was it wouldn't affect us…but even still…

"Jetèa why aren't you eating, you hardly touched your food?" The look in her eyes was of complete indifference before going back to talking to Asmo. She ignored me!

"Jetèa and I are going to work out, eating much doesn't bother me but humans get cramps."

"Beel anyone but you would get cramps."

"So Jetèa, I'm a really busy demon and all but if you really need it I guess I can watch out for you on the way there, I mean I would be running late myself but since you're so frail and all it would be a waste to let you get eaten before I get paid for it ya know."

"Thank you Mammon, but Beel will be there with me, but if you would like to come along that is fine we can all use the run over there."

"Don't you have more constructive activities to do today?" She slowly turned to my direction with the most curiously calm expression.

"Are you implying that I do not know the value of responsibility? Along with nutrition, a body needs to be trained and managed like anything else; one needs to be physically healthy in order to perform mentally as well. Although…I can understand your concern, wanting what is best for the students of the school. With all of the important duties you take on you are beyond your limit. And yet you are driven to push us to the finest of our ability. Classes start in a week and I'm sure you are so pressed to get us ready, but you do your best anyway. That's so sweet." I saw red and I wanted to go over the table and rip her apart.

"I don't see what the big deal is, you never care when I work out alone Lucifer." Beel shrugged as he shoved another forkful of food into his mouth. I cleared my throat; she was playing with me but I wasn't going to give the reaction she wanted. She knew I was the avatar of Pride and she was working that to her advantage by saying I was stressed and worried. I can play as well.

"No Beel, of course I don't. By all means go, just make sure you don't overwork yourself; and don't forget your cardio, humans get flabby very easily."

"Oh I won't, my body is a temple."

"Well done; have fun with your little jump rope and treadmill."

"Oh I'm going to be practicing my Iaido and Shotokan, you can join if you like…but then I'm not sure you'll be able to last long; unlike some I care to keep my stamina in check." W-was that a low blow?! Her and Beel got up and left from the table and it was then I noticed the hushed whispers my brothers were engaged in.

"Did you see that?"

"I know any more tense and I would have ducked under the table."

"That had to have been the most passive aggressive fight I've ever seen."

"Well it's no wonder they don't get along, they are like carbon copies of each other."

"No, my little rose isn't that bad; she just likes order and rules, a little uptight but I'll work on her."

"At least she's a little fun, we did get some gaming in and she is a novice but had a good spirit about it."

"Hey I'm just happy she doesn't beat on me like Lucifer does."

"You sure about that Mammon, you are a masochist."

"I aint no masochist!" I got up from the table; tired of their conversation. I had thought her antics were over when I put her in her place two weeks ago; but it seems she had hard feelings after all. I searched her room for strategies maybe a diary or something to tell me what she was planning. I found her research and the notes she wrote on the classwork that would begin next week. She was already prepared for classes, and from the looks of it I was sure she would do well.

I found nothing of suspicion, but I couldn't let go that she passively attacked me in front of my brothers. I saw fit to take her up on her invitation.

J

I pounded into the dummy imagining his face on it. I couldn't stand him, and he looked at me so smugly as he made that snide comment, calling me weak like I'm some sort of fragile flabby little girl! Like I don't work hard, like I don't adhere to my responsibilities! The dummy broke and fell to the ground damn…I hope no one saw that. if he knew the amount of training I received from my parents and several other masters during my life it would shut him right up. But even so if he knew just how powerful I was I would be in even more trouble. In this situation I had to swallow my pride, classes started next week and I had to be at my best; there was no way I could focus with Lucifer on my mind.

"Someone broke the dummy I see, what a shame; I really wanted to see this skill you were talking about." Speak of the devil.

"Oh, Senpai, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You can cut it out now; you don't have to pretend here. I know how much you hate me."

"Do you now?" he walked toward me slowly; his eyes glimmering in a hypnotic crimson glow like a predator. But I was not about to be his prey.

"Yes, you seethe every time you see my face; I can feel your rage even now and to be honest it excites me." I felt my face flush and my heart flutter; he was trying to get at me with mind games. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of getting to me. Two can play that game; I was wearing a sports bra and pants set that wasn't entirely revealing more than it hugged my body in all the right places and I knew he could see my toned stomach …oh yes, if the game is to distract the other I have more ammunition than he did. I tilted my head to the side, letting my ponytail fall from my shoulder as I crossed my arms under my breasts.

"Now Mr. Pride, are you taking pride in being my object of revulsion? Now I have heard of arrogance but you sir are quite exquisite. You walk in here head high as though I should be grateful for your presence; and you look at me in a way that you believe would either make me run in fear or submit to your extensive and immaculate power." I stepped closer to him until we weren't but inches apart and locked eyes with him, waiting for him to look down from my eyes for even a moment.

"You want me to submit, to admit that the Mighty Lucifer is the greatest there is, without flaw and maybe…even profess my desire? Is that what you want, oh talented, powerful and noble eldest? Do you want me….to tell you how great you are? Because I would rather eat glass." He reached his gloved hand to touch my face and then moved it down to my throat and gripped it tight.

"On the contrary, I know my strengths; and last I remember I said that your opinion is worthless to me. However…It seems you are the one who wants to be desired, to be validated. You want me to want you is that correct? Or was this display for another reason?" He whispered in such a way that made my face flush and he smiled and released me.

"This is what happens when a human tries to play a demons game. I do not blame you for wanting to try; but next time do come prepared." He got me damn him! He turned and removed his overcoat.

"Why are you here?!" he turned, a smile of amusement on his face.

"I simply wanted to make you angry; and now that I have you fired up I want to see what you can do." He rolled up his sleeves and placed boxing pads on his hands.

"Since the dummy is broken the only way I will get to see is if you come at me head on."

"Are you sure that is wise?"

"Oh I think I can manage; this should be a wonderful opportunity for you anyway, you get to punch at me for real." I couldn't use a lot of power against him; if he caught wind that I was half-demon I would really be in hot water, but the thought of punching him in his smug face would be so satisfying. I went at him, two right hooks and a left jab that he blocked effortlessly.

"So slow, what's the matter are you tired already?" I went again two right jabs a left hook, a right uppercut and a left haymaker much faster than my last set. He blocked those as well, and I went harder and faster; he didn't know what I was coming with and I surprised him with a right footed roundhouse. I stopped midway and swung with a left haymaker. It was a shame he blocked it; at the very least it would've knocked him off his feet but he did slide a few inches.

"How is that for tired? He looked at me with a calm expression but I knew by now his gears were turning.

"I was thinking of what you said, how you perceive me to be. And you are correct, I would not be the Avatar of pride if I were not arrogant; but what is your excuse? A simple human girl wins a few prizes and passes a mediocre school system and she believes that she is better than me? And then you tried to seduce me? Just like a human female, when your own abilities are shorter than your expectations you use your own bodies like it is any type of applicable currency. It's Pathetic, and even still I got the very reaction you wanted me to give right out of you." I was so angry at this point; but I knew even at full strength he was stronger than me so a real fight wasn't an option. He pulled two swords off of the wall and tossed me one.

"But you never answered my question; I can see in your eyes that you find me attractive."

"Says the male peacock as he shakes his extravagant feathers and struts towards the…very uninterested female." This caused him to laugh; I had never heard him laugh before.

"So you admit that you are like a peacock as well; I would be blind if I said we weren't just alike."

"I'm nothing like you!"

"That so? You allow my brothers to shirk their responsibilities by making all the meals, you already have notes for the first few weeks of classes prepared, you still dabble in your research and yet you have time to spend with my brothers and be friendly? You even have the motivation to try to best me at every turn. I could say that you take on all of this just to get back at me, it seems someone is infatuated."

"You came to me; I could say you are the one who has the obsession." He unsheathed his sword and took his stance and I took mine.

"Since you like to make wagers, then wager me this: Spar with me, the loser will confess their attraction to the other."

"You by making the terms you already admit you find me attractive!"

"You are beautiful; that I will confess, but beauty has nothing to do with my attraction to you. I see you merely as an obstacle, an opponent if you will. You are like an unruly pet who defies their master at every turn and I am driven to put you in your place once and for all."

"See how prideful you are, you already told me when those were the stakes. You cannot stand the fact that I don't fear you, that I won't submit to you. Come on, let's e tactful for a moment and lay it bare Lucifer. You only told me that so that I would be even more humiliated when I 'confess' to you because you are so sure that you will win. You want it to be that much more embarrassing if I was forced to tell you that I desire you, that I find you absolutely gorgeous and your work ethic and focus is undeniable. But you see Senpai, that is far from the case." He smiled again…and even chuckled.

"So it is true, you admire me; was that so hard to say?" He got me again!

"I said that it wasn't the case!"

"That isn't what your eyes said."

"Even you said beauty means nothing. The Blue Glaucus is beautiful too but in the end its nothing more than a poisonous slug!" he came at me and his skills were amazing; he had distracted me with our conversation, trying to make me look like a fool! I bet he's patting himself right on the back! Out of nowhere he grabbed my left wrist and pinned it behind my back and put his sword to my throat.

"It appears I win." He hadn't even broken a sweat this whole time! He got the better of me and because of that I felt such a rage at myself! He was supposed to submit to me, he was supposed to be begging my forgiveness and now he looked at me with such satisfaction! But all wasn't lost.

"Does it now?" I lightly twisted the sword in my right hand; he hadn't known that had the tip pressed against his side. His look changed dramatically and he let me go, and without a word he grabbed his coat and walked out to leave.

"Why do you hate me so much! What did I do to you to make you so evil towards me! Tell me!" I hated myself for that, I sounded weak and I knew he would only give me another self-satisfied grin. But when he turned he didn't; in fact he looked like he was deep in thought…somber even. He looked up at me and there was a moment of roaring silence between us.

"I don't hate you." Then he turned and walked away…I stood there stunned by what had happened.

L

It was a mistake going down there, talking to her that way. She had gotten into my head somehow she even got me to tell her I found her beautiful. But then I am sure she hears it a lot, she has such an exotic look and her fiery attitude made her stand apart even more. No, me saying those words meant nothing to her. Just as her admiration toward my own aspirations was just a drop in the proverbial bucket. I clenched my right fist and a pain shot through my hand, she had actually hurt me a little, how strong was this human? She would have to have trained all her life in order to do that. That only raised more suspicion… but then, could a human be that well rounded? Could a regular human be that intelligent attractive and strong? I had chosen her for this very reason hadn't I? Then why am I so distrustful that she is just as she was on paper?

I leaned over my desk and glanced at the stack of reports from the guides along with all of my other paperwork that needed to be done today. That was an hour of work I missed, why was I so unfocused when it came to that girl? I went through the reports until I got to hers:

The human seems to get along fine with everybody. One problem is that she is a little uptight and she even studies before school even starts, who does that? I guess she isn't bad, for a human anyway.

Typical Mammon, bare minimum at most; I leaned over my desk thinking of the words she shouted at me. 'Why do you hate me so much? Why are you so evil towards me?' In truth…I had no reason; this ill-fated feud with her was over nothing more than a misunderstanding. I expected her to simply get over it and move on or even better to revere me more but neither of those things happened. It was far too late to apologize to her, she would only lash out and make me the fool and that simply wouldn't do. But even still…I would back off of her as long as she didn't try to step on my toes further but even I know her pride will not allow it.