Azazel Lorē's Story

Azazel let out another hard breath, his feet were aching and the hell guards didn't seem to be getting tired as he was. Of course they couldn't. They were in there demon form, he was stuck in his human form for the time being. He thought back, where could he take shelter away from the hell guards? He took a quick glance behind him, the night would hide him. He made a quick turn into a nearby alleyway. Running forward he hid behind a dumpster, peeking out to the street. A few figures past the alley, as if they didn't know he was there. Two figures stopped and turned into the narrow passageway. "Azazel, if we take you back now. You won't be punished as bad." The first demon hissed. Azazel felt around for something, anything.

A round pipe found its way into his hand as he wrapped his hand firmly around the rusted metal. A few more steps… The demon rounded the corner and Azazel didn't miss a beat. He stood straight and brought the pipe smack middle in the demons head. The other demon was ready and lunged at Azazel. Plummeting into his side he was hurled backwards into a near by wall. He was dazed for a moment but quickly re-grabbed the pipe. Landing a blow on the side of the demons head. "Ca fa seriklo." Azazel hissed the spell and the two unconscious demons disappeared into the ground. Azazel collapsed to the ground. His side hurt as though someone had ripped out his kidney and his blood was pounding against his skull. 

After re-cuperating, Azazel stood up with a massive headache. Regretting his human form. Anything that could kill a human could kill him in his human form. Anger boiled up and he had a sudden urge to punch something. He hit it down, taking a deep breath he thought of a place to go. Only one name came to his head. Itzal. She might, but what was he supposed to tell her? Hey I'm a demon from hell running from people trying to take me back. Can I stay here for a few days, maybe months? Sounded good enough…

Azazel glanced up and down the street, the other hell guards were gone. Good. He continued forward, trying to think back as to where she was staying at the moment. A building slipped its way into his mind as he walked toward it. Perhaps she wouldn't think he was crazy if he showed her his demon form… When Azazel was positive this was the house Itzal was staying at he knocked on the door. Not a loud pounding knock but not a knock that would be over heard. He silently hoped she would answer the door…

Itzal felt better than she had in a while.

She had been mostly clean this week, only passing out once. It was a good start, though she would be breaking it tonight. From out under the confines of her friend Abbey's eyes, tonight was party night. Itzal hated her own ornery nature and didn't care at all. Simultaneously. Her brain was always a catalyst for confusion, never a solution.

Whatever. All that mattered was tonight was her night. It was a school night too, but it was still hers. She knew clubs that still harbored her favorite types of filthy people even on the holy Sunday. Those would be where she ventured tonight. 

It was nearing close to eleven and her appearance was nearing completion. Hydrated, made-up, and curls carefully brushed. Clad in what might be called a dress and could certainly be called revealing. She felt good and ready. All that was left was her guitar and ID.

Itzal smiled. Tonight was hers. All hers. That was, until a knock extinguished the sleepy silence of Abbey's apartment. This better be a permitting face.

Itzal strode unsteadily to the door. She never knew why she continued to subject herself to damn red stilettos. With a quick furrow of thin brows, she opened the door to find... Azazel?

Though they were acquainted, becoming friends, and Itzal had a certain admiration for his ahem hotness, he wasn't exactly a regular visitor. At all.

Her lips formed around mute words. Searching again, she was able to grasp ones with sound.

"Uh, hey man. You need the English homework? Ah, I'm being rude, come in for a sec. Want a drink?"

Despite any circumstance, Itzal could never pry away her inner hostess. She liked people too much. Without an answer of any sort, she herded her guest inside and closed the door behind him. While the drink had bee offered to him, she didn't wait for an answer about that either. She plucked two beers from the fridge, set one under her armpit with a delicious shiver, and sent the other across the room to Azazel.

--

Torus liked to think that after 100 years of his human guise and human life, he could appear as pretty damn human.

This was not the case. The smallest slip up always ended in the scene he currently found himself reenacting. It was like a perverse cartoon in his head, himself a wiley character running from some relentless carnivore that craved to digest him.

And there they were, always at that unexpected turn.

"You do know that you're one of Hell's most wanted Torus! Every year that you run, your sentence grows. Submit you fool, end this game. You're only damning yourself!"

Torus noted the anger in the Hell Guards sounded even angrier than they had the last time. He was really starting to get on their nerves, wasn't he? He would have laughed so if his possible doom wasn't but a few paces behind him. 

His blue eyes scanned for an exit. He knew they were too close and that he wouldn't be able to fight them off. Heh, they had sent big guns this time. Big as in three times the size of his human form. Looks like it was online option then.

His eyes kept racing, fast as his legs. 

When suddenly, salvation. A dimly lit balcony, straight from the scene of a romance novel. His princess must be waiting, then. And there she was. All too blessedly, a cutie from his school. Had they talked before? Didn't matter now. A plan formulated in all of two seconds and suddenly, he had jumped onto the above roof. With their mass, the Hell Guards wouldn't be able to catch up yet. In a few more striding jumps, his face was but centimeters from the girl. 

"Okay look. Niah, right? It's Torge, from school. Well anyways I am going to pass out in a minute, and I trust cute girls like you. So just violate my unconscious body a bit and make sure you keep me safe in your lovely room for a few hours. Okay? Okay."

Torus never was one for words in times of crisis. He leapt backwards off the balcony to the stable floor. They were in range... now.

"Lickela grous uln!" he shouted, without a trace of stress.

The hulking forms disappeared in thin air, before the mortal behind him could see. He felt his energy fade. Then, there was ground. 

The worry in his stance was palpable. Itzal learned why as he spoke. She took a swig to the tale, eyes a light and alert for the first part.

Her gaze took less than a second to fall to negative temperatures. 

"I really hope you're either bullshitting me or get drunk after a single gulp."

She believed him about the chase. People were cruel to each other, it was a reality. She wasn't even angry about the kink in her plans. She would have gladly toted him along if he had been willing.

No, she was angry because she believed him. Itzal had an odd relationship with the supernatural. She believed in it wholeheartedly and feared it more than anything.

She was the odd one among her friends who could watch horror involving the most brutal torture and laugh. But once a Spector of any sort appears, she could be sent into tears.

She couldn't explain why. Only that the unexplainable terrified her. Itzal struggled once again to find words for this boy.

"You can stay. But how in the hell will this damn plaster protect you from demons?"

Her hand found to opposite arm and began to quietly tear at the skin. She always hurt herself in one way or the other when she was nervous. Scratch scratch. She was able to let out a shallow breath when the pain gave way to blood. 

--

Without warning, the blackness behind his eyes gave way to the sensation of  a battered back and a jabbing finger. He realized that he had fallen. At least nothing seemed immediately broken.

His brows raised with play, mouth pulled straight in concentration. He had apparently gotten better at handling himself. Either that or he wasn't as tired as he had thought. Either way, the unconsciousness had lasted little more than a minute. But hello.

He turned his head, caught her eyes with his own. 

"Are you hurt? You smell, mm your blood smells so..."

Torus' previous state seemed to have never existed in the first place. He was full of movement, gaze fluttering every direction.

And then he was on top of her, knocking her to her back softly so she would feel no pain. 

"Don't scream please, rape isn't my style. I just want to propose an arrangement."

Torus enjoyed his current vantage much more. Arms straight, seated on the girl's hips. Damn he would enjoy this one.

"Look, you're hot, I'm hot, I need a place to stay, a healthy young woman like yourself needs a boyfriend and sex. What do you say? My services for your lodgings?"

His voice had returned to it's normal cadence. Slow, content, desiring. His eyes met hers once again and his finger met her sternum. It sojourned down, down until it rested just between her breasts. His sin stewed in his stomach. A smile promised on his face. 

"We all have our vices. Indulging in rage can't really be that different from indulging in booze and drugs," she laughed with a shrug.

"Well, in that case, let's go. I'm sure there will be enough bar fights and angst teens like myself to satisfy you. Oh, should explain. I play gigs with my guitar in bars and clubs. Well, I'm planning on partying more than playing tonight but, you get the gist. And although you're from hell, I'd watch out. Some of the people in these places are pretty damn weird."

She gave a full gut laugh that was all her own, slinging the instrument to her back and the rest of the beer down her throat, she strode over to Azazel and took his arm.

"Our subway tickets are on you my little fugitive."

--

"A free room? For serious?Oh my Satan yes! Thanks Niah. You're the best. And since you didn't succumb so easily, I'll be able to play with you!"

Torus leapt up like a small child, bringing her to her feet as suddenly as her had taken her off of them. His hands slinked around Niah' curves to trap her in a tight hug. But then there was that awful, gorgeous aroma again. As he held her, the trickle of blood sent him into a beastly arousal. 

Forgetting his promise and her protest, he pressed her closer to feel the outline of her breasts. One arm stayed at her waist, the other became lost in her tresses.

He was himself right now, the demon self that he hated and loved. Torus eye her with diapers pupils. His nearly white blonde hair fell onto her face as he neared in. Closer. There was his prize. A small lap of a quick tongue and he had tasted the blood, then her lips. He deepened the shallow touch to a kiss, but only forma teasing moment.

 "Like I said, I'm not into rape, but it's a different story when you're asking for it."

His body serrated from hers. His causal tall stance told that his words were true, and the eagerness he had showed moments before was not quenched.

"So my gracious host, where will I be staying? I'm not picky, a closet will do if you need me out of the way and the parents."

((Sorry for the delay.))


The girl was a good deal smaller than him, her demeanor was further diminished her stature. He stepped a good ways back, let his eyes take hers in. Conversationally, this time. He tilted his head a bit.

He spoke lightly, “Oh… I’m sorry. I figured that you had already been kissed. Not to sound like a smothering Aunt but I’d expect that boys would be lining up at the door. I know that stuff like that is special for you humans. Are you… are virgin then as well?”

He licked him lips. If that was the case, he would have to feed more often than he thought. But the thrill of the chase still lingered in his nerves, he wasn’t upset.

“Promise. Don’t want to steal any other firsts from you. That is… until you want it.”

He sent her back a smile. It lingered as the illustrated the house rules. This was truly a sweet deal. He had nearly free reign under the presiding of a timid and lovely overseer.

“I’ll be asleep, so I should probably be out of sight. And 9? Hmm, looks like I‘ll have to get good at sneaking in.”

Torus padded in quietly as was instructed. Damn. Nice place. When dad was out of town, it was safe to say that he would be throwing some ragers. That was, with Niah blessing. He could smell the traces of her blood; they led him to the stairs. Before continuing, he put a hand upon the bannister, turned his head back to face her.

“Not trying to sound un-greatful, but you’re a bit odd, ya know? In the good way, the kind way. Not many girls would let a random guy into their house like that for free. I think we’ll get along fine my dear.”

--

Itzal boarded the train a bit on edge. Thinking back, the stilts and skimpy slip hadn’t been the best idea for her this commute. And as the old saying went, the freaks came out at night. She thanked whatever higher power that her guitar guarded her rear from wandering hands.


“Forget about it silly. We’re not going anyways. Just deal with the grief once you’ve slept off the party,” Itzal snorted.

She settled into a seat, patting the one beside her for Azazel. She watched the concrete walls sprint by with glassy eyes. Her peace was soon and she craved it.

“Well, I’m kind of a wanderer in need myself, so I’m not one to turn down those looking for a room. And… I believe in most everything. When my mother found the time, she was a great storyteller. But not for amusement, for warning. I’ve held a great respect and fear for things that aren’t human or animal since I was small. I can’t explain it, but I know that they’re around always. I’m probably the crazy one, huh?”

She laughed and ran a hand through her hair. It pooled around her and onto her lap in a golden puddle. Itzal hadn’t cut it in years and liked it that way. The immense strands were a part of her somehow, just as her mother’s lore that refused to leave her

((To my lovely partners:
I won’t be posting as much in the next 8 days. I’ll be out of town with some friends.))

“Awesome!”

He felt more devilish than usual with his vague happy quip. This girl was too much fun to tease. He entered her room, took a position opposite to hers against the door.

“Well, it’s nice to hear that I’m crafting a good reputation. Well, good fort his circumstance at least. For your trouble, I’ll make sure you’re the envy of the entire female student body,” Torus answered.

He pulled a piece of gum from his pocket and mawed it quietly while listening to her inquiry. He relocated the wad to his back left molars to answer.

“No problem.”

Torus struggled to quell another devious smile. This was the actual trial of whether or not she would kick him out of the house. A rare flock of nervous butterflies beat his stomach walls. He inhaled quickly and exhaled answers.

“Well, no use trying to hide it. Whether or not you choose to believe me is up to you, same with whether or not I’m allowed to stay after what I tell you. I won’t blame you and I’ll be on my way. I’m… Well, I’m a demon. I’ve lived on earth for the past century or so after escaping the Second Circle where I worked. I have to feed off human lust to survive. And I’m constantly chased by demons trying to drag me back to hell. Attaching myself to a human like you, especially since you’re a virgin, helps keep me out of reach.”

He spoke slowly, trying to get her to understand the importance of his tale. He slouched against her door, features smooth. He had been rejected from sanctuary before, but it was better to avoid the risk. He had pulled it to close tonight. And besides his own safety, Torus wanted this girl Niah.

To be around, her inside her, with her. She was his now, decidedly. Her blood smelled too good and her demeanor was too alluring.

--

Itzal snorted at the retort. At least he was honest. He’d be entertaining to keep around.

She saw him grow tense first then heard his words. At east these hell guards had decent timing. They were only a few blocks off from one of her stops.

“This is going to be exciting, I can tell.”

There was no malice in her tone, but a dose of sarcasm nonetheless. Itzal pulled him along as he had done to her. A few minutes later, she was leading him down a grime caked staircase. Just these few minutes away from her relatively suburban residence was its shameless urban cousin.
There were two sides to this city, the beautiful and the grotesque. Itzal tended to indulge in the opposites depending on the day. Indulging herself in the pretty people and delicious food by the sun’s hours, it’s freaks and dirt by the moon’s.

She put a careless hand upon the railing, leading them down three flights until the neon lights were gone behind them.

The bar’s moniker was not on display, only the outline of an apple, lit in green fluorescent bulbs.

“Welcome to Granny Smith’s Azazel!” Itzal happily proclaimed. She let go of his arm, not realizing her prior grip, and bid him to follow with her body.

The interior was as secretive as the exterior promised. All black, chairs, floors, bar stage. Scant bulbs fluttered scant light overhead. A few people greeted Itzal on her way in, with hugs, crude words and questions of a boyfriend she just laughed and made her way up to the stage.

“Hey all, good to see some of the regular patrons!”

7 feet of 30 year old goth, about three martinis deep called back, “Good to see you too sweetheart!”

“Stop it Marshall, sit down!” she laughed.

“Anyways, I’ll be playing a fair amount of stuff for tonight. Some Spanish guitar, some metal covers, some jazz. So just enjoy. Throw tomatoes if you don’t like it, but expect some retaliation from yours truly!”

That elicited a laugh, echoed by her first few chords. The bar settled back to its loud and raunchy rhythm as Itzal’s fingers ran across the strings.

((Sullen--
Do you mind if I skip ahead an hour or so? That way Itzal can finish her set, Azazel can omnomnom and they can share some dialogue ^_^))