Deja Vu

Chapter 26: Human Machinations

You wake up to a text from Barbatos.

[You have a large package being sent from an.. Idia? In the penpal system. I believe it is the experiment he was excited about when we first visited. Where would it be best for me to deliver it for you?]

That's a good question. You've been staying at the House of Lamentation for a while, and Grim seems comfortable here. You stop yourself at that thought.

How have YOU been feeling here?

Belphegor has been... good. Some moments are strange, but it's the kind of strange when you're getting to know someone who hurt you before you could really build a friendship with them.

The other brothers have been.. good to you. You've seen a marked difference in how often they look to you to solve problems. You've even seen them working to build better communication skills. Watching Satan and Asmodeus have a "When you say x, I feel x" style conversation the other day was probably the funniest thing you've seen in a while. Still, it was good to see them trying to understand each other in new ways and attempting to ensure that they are communicating their own needs.

You don't know how much of that is a show for you, but it's been nice.

Though, you definitely liked the safety that came with sleeping at Purgatory Hall. Whatever Luke or Simeon makes feels like a blessing, even if you have to dodge Solomon's lethal dishes. Sharing in movie nights and study sessions has been nice for its own reasons, and you were finally getting to know Luke and Simeon better.

Eh, you don't have to decide anything right now. Having it delivered to one location or another doesn't lock you into living there.

[Send it to the House of Lamentation. I'm going to ask Levi to help me set it up.]

You don't expect a prompt reply from the butler, considering how early you wake up by Devildom hours, but he gives you a prompt reply despite the ungodly hour you've texted him at.

[Thank you. I will be bringing the other letters as well. You have more than usual this time.]

[Oh? Any names stand out from the usual bunch?]

[I believe you have a letter from your headmage. Dire Crowley.]

[... You can't tell me that and then not immediately hand me the letter, Barbatos.] What did Crowley want? Did he figure out that you cursed him?

[I apologize, though I will be able to bring you the letter when I arrive. Would 6am be an appropriate time for me to bring it to your location?]

[Yeah, that should be fine - But wouldn't that be out of your way?]

[Not at all. I have business I'll be attending to in your area at that time, so it would actually be beneficial for me to be able to bring them earlier rather than later. I shall see you at 6am at the front gate to the House of Lamentation.]

Barbatos' texts are so curt but gentle, but learning that Crowley sent you a letter just has you on edge.

You move to text Solomon.

[Apparently Crowley sent me a letter. Also hit me up if you wanna hang. Grim's sleeping in. Stayed up last night watching TSL with Mammon. Levi's gonna find out this morning that they watched it without him and he's gonna fight someone, if you wanna stick around for the breakfast showing of the funniest betrayal ever.]

[What's the letter say? Sounds good. I want to see your progress on that casting machine you've been tinkering with anyway. Lmao - Does anyone else know this is going to happen, or is this just our little secret?]