Aron, at some point during the next day, knocks on Azalea's door.
Azalea answers the door, perfectly groomed, in the same clothes she wore the night before.
Aron holds two cups of coffee, both black. "May I come in?"
Azalea opens the door wide, bidding him enter.
Aron steps in, glancing around instinctively before offering the cup. "I don't know how you take your coffee. I take mine straight and bitter. I hope you like it that way."
Azalea says "Not particularly, but I'll drink it anyways."
Aron nods and offers the coffee. He cradles his own. "I have an odd and occasional dislike for additives." He finds a surface against which to lean. "How are you?"
Azalea says "Concerned."
Aron smiles, but barely. "That's a good answer. A wise one."
Aron says "I came to a realization last night. Would you hear it?"
Azalea says "I have a number of somewhat distressing threads to snip before I can even consider a career in the brighter sphere."
Azalea says "Certainly."
Aron nods. "I was thinking, you see, about how to give you answers and it came to me that, right now, you don't need answers at all."
Aron says "You need the right questions."
Azalea says "You're likely right."
Aron nods. "So, I'm here to offer you some."
Aron sips his coffee. "Caveat: my questions are not unlike my coffee."
Azalea says "I'd prefer it that way. Liz is well-meaning, I can tell. But sunshine and love and this touchy-feely nonsense are not the way to a demon's heart."
Aron simply nods. He wets his lips with a sip of coffee. "There's really just one fundamental question."
Aron says "Why."
Azalea says "That might be the fundament, but a few additives would help. Why which?"
Aron says "Why leave Hell?"
Aron holds up a hand. "You're going to tell me you're bored. I know."
Azalea says "No, I wasn't."
Aron looks somewhat surprised and dismayed, at once. "Correct me."
Azalea says "It's more than just boredom."
Aron says "Good."
Azalea says "It's - inadequacy. Why should I bother tormenting the innocent and the pure when mortals are completely content to do all that themselves? This century was the start of a brave new world, and demons became just so much wasted breath about thirty seconds after the Great War in Europe began."
Azalea says "I want a purpose. And I'd much rather torment the tormentors, I've discovered."
Aron nods, thoughtfully. "That's something." He sips his coffee. Pensively, he asks, "You do this out of jealousy for humanity?"
Azalea says "Not jealousy. Some awe, perhaps. But really, they've sickened me. I had no idea how wretched my career really was until I saw what they can do to themselves. Have you ever watched people in the midst of chlorine gas? That was the first straw."
Aron nods, quietly. For some time, he provides only the sound of coffee sipped. Finally, "I'm not a Sevitor of Fire, but I shall ask a question on their behalf. Do you know why they punish humanity?"
Azalea says "I haven't the slightest idea."
Aron says "Because they love humanity."
Azalea says "That I even know that Fire exists is remarkable."
Aron smiles.
Aron finishes his coffee. "Why does humanity disgust you," he says suddenly. "Beyond the simple fact of human violence and atrocity?"
Azalea says "Did I say humanity disgusted me? No. I said human atrocity disgusted me."
Azalea says "If humanity as a whole disgusted me, I wouldn't mind harming the innocent."
Azalea says "Or even the less guilty."
Aron does not quite smile, though his face softens somewhat. "As it is, you do mind?"
Azalea says "Would I be here if I didn't?"
Aron says "Perhaps. Some run simply out of fear, or misguidance."
Aron says "Some run out of instinct."
Azalea says "I had nothing to fear."
Azalea says "And all my instincts are telling me to rush back to hell."
Aron nods. "Courage is an interesting quality in Nightmare's creation."
Aron says "I will say this. It is becoming easier and easier to not kill you."
Azalea says "Is it more difficult, usually?"
Aron says "Yes."
Azalea says "Why? I thought your sort were supposed to be all sunshine and light."
Aron looks thoughtful. "Sometimes," he says, finally, "sunshine burns, and sometimes light can cut through steel."
Aron says "There are those who would say that my brethren and I are Heaven's vengeance."
Azalea says "I don't know anything about your brethren and you."
Aron says "I am a Malakite. We are the Virtues, the Kings, the pure."
Aron smiles, suddenly. "We're generally as stuffy as that sounds, with occasional days off."
Azalea says "It's familiar."
Aron nods.
Azalea says "I really didn't pay much attention, to be honest. Heaven didn't concern me much; we were winning, after all."
Aron nods. "Though not everywhere." He waves a hand, dismissing the thought. "I'm relatively certain you don't want to serve Dream, but in the interest of solidarity, I should ask."
Azalea says "Why would I want - or not want - to serve Dream?"
Aron taps his finger against his empty coffee mug. "I am one of Dream's darkest. Dream specializes in hope, inspiration and healing. But fear, also, has a role."
Aron says "Your Mistress was once the Archangel of Fear, you know."
Azalea says "Was she? We don't spend a lot of time in memory lane."
Aron nods. "She was."
Aron says "So, there's room for you there. Fear is a powerful force, and a force for good when wielded right."
Aron folds his arms over his chest. "Though that sounds like party rhetoric. If you decide Heaven is your path, then be assured Dream wants you."
Azalea says "That sounds even more like party rhetoric."
Aron shakes his head. "It's simpler than that. You have the skills we require, and understand the importance of dreams, the subconscious."
Aron says "You'd be useful. Now, be warned. You'll be loved as well. There's nothing I can do about that."
Azalea laughs, lightly.
Aron allows himself a faint smile.
Aron pushes away from his seat. "At any rate, if you need anything, ask. I don't promise to tell you what you want to hear, but I'll tell you something."
Azalea says "I need to break my Heart. But more importantly, I need some good lies."
Aron nods. "You do, but going in right now - well, it's going to be tough."
Aron says "Lies to tell your employer."
Azalea says "Falsified information, actually. Something to tell them, about Liz."
Aron nods. "Speak to her." His lips imply a smile. "Marc's angels are notoriously good at such things."
Aron pauses. "It should go without saying, but you understand the consequences if you really are with the Game, or any such, yes?"
Azalea looks amused. "You're really just going to have to trust me." A mocking smile dances in her eyes.
Aron says, "I really am."
Aron rubs his chin. "How will you feel about giving me information on Nightmare's other operations in this area?"
Azalea says "How about I break my Heart first, and worry about surviving that without the added fear of being caught before I've *done* anything."
Aron nods. "If it's reasonable, I'll help."
Azalea says "If I survive that, you can have all the information you like. Hell, I might even be able to gather more when I go back."
Aron nods.
Aron says "If my presence won't endanger things, I'll come. At least into the Marches."
Azalea says "I will have to think about it. It's hard to see what good you could do."
Aron quirks an eyebrow. "If there's pursuit in the Marches, I can end it."
Azalea says "Very well."
Aron considers. "Actually, I'm better off protecting your body when you do this."
Aron picks up the empty coffee mugs. "I should leave you to your thoughts."
Azalea says "Thanks."
Azalea pushes coffee away.
Aron nods, quietly, and departs.
---