At this point, Clair finally stood up, moving for the door. Madoka caught her wrist.
"Stay," he begged. "Please. Everything will be alright, I promise. I'm right here. I-it's going to be fine."
Clair shook her head miserably, reaching up a hand to scratch at her cheeks. Romano watched her.
"Miss Vivara, if it is any consolation, Miss Clair has been utterly silent since she arrived," he said. "I have attempted multiple times to call a temporary truce. If we can all honor it, I am sure your presentation will go smoothly."
Faqir mumbled something, but at least seemed to be taking Romano's advice to heart. He offered Graham a bitter smile.
Oni cleared her throat. "Our time is being occupied by demons! All of us are possessed! This much negative energy can only be their work--why, Lucifer himself must be in this very room!"
Clair actually let out a scream at that, dropping to her knees. Madoka was at her side in an instant. Oni winced.
"But there is no need to worry, mortal swine! For your Great Demon Queen can rid this room of all demons present with but a few words!" Oni looked longingly at Romano as if searching for approval. He nodded to her. "Butler! FETCH ME MY HOLY SALTS!"
Romano pulled a salt shaker out of his pocket and passed it to her.
Oni immediately began to sprinkle it in a circle around the table, reciting Bible passages she had obviously memorized long ago. Oddly, the mesmerizing motion of her movement around the table, the confidence in her voice, and her unshakeable resolve seemed to strike something in Clair and Faqir. Clair slowly regained her composure, taking deep breaths, and moved back to her chair. Madoka followed, relieved. Faqir leaned against the back of his chair, eyes closed, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Oni finished scattering her salt and stepped back, reaching out a single hand to Romano. He reached into his other suit pocket and handed her a vial of water.
Without even asking, Oni opened her vial and began to sprinkle it on every student in the room, beginning with Romano himself and moving on to Vivara before tackling the rest of the inhabitants. Each sprinkle came with a murmured blessing on the student.
Clair yelped when the droplets hit her face, but seemed oddly calm as Oni pronounced a brief blessing on her and moved on to Madoka. The Ultimate Exorcist finished her rounds, handed her vial back to Romano, and stepped towards the table, raising a single hand. The jewelry Faqir had made her--which Romano suddenly realized had been crafted in the shape of a cross--was clutched in her palm.
"Most Holy Lord God, I call upon thee and invoke thy name upon these demons! Send your Archangel Michael to banish the beasts back to Hell! Bathe us in your light and holy presence! AMEN!"
Oni was no miracle worker, but there was something in the sheer assuredness of her voice and the confidence of her pose that calmed Romano's thoughts. It was clear that she was 100% positive her exorcism had worked, and the very knowledge of that had Romano convinced as well.
Faqir seemed entirely relaxed, taking a deep breath. His usual casual grin had returned, and he turned to strike up a conversation with Graham about which gems sparkled best.
Madoka was smiling as well, gently caressing Clair's hand. She took a series of deep breaths, keeping her eyes firmly shut.
Oni placed her hands on her hips, beaming. "And that, mortal friends, is how you send the denizens of hell back to the fires from whence they came! Of course, not even invoking the Lord's name could ever banish myself, the Great Demon Queen! I am FAR too powerful and magnificent for even God to purge! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
She was loud, obnoxious, and far too absorbed in the character she played.
And yet, Romano found he had never been more proud of being Oni's "Demon Butler".