[Zeon Arious]

As they fell together, everything else becoming unimportant, he found himself falling for her, a feeling he'd never known but knew was right, if only for her and noone else. He'd had many women try and take him like this, only to leave them teased and helpless as he left as magically as he'd appeared on the dance floor, never giving them what they wanted because they had nothing he wanted to take. But with Abbigail, it was different and he found himself sharing everything with her

**********

Morning came and for once, he wasn't alone and found that this turn of events was to his liking. With nothing important to draw his attention, he simply chose to lay there, taking in the moment. He'd never envisioned himself taking a lover, let alone finding someone that he'd want to spend more than a commitment free evening with but when it came to Abbigail, he was committed and was going to shame every other male she'd ever met and would ever meet with his presence in her life. Now that he had a chance to appreciate her, he noticed that both of their markings were bare lines, neither of them owing anything to the underworld at the moment.

Without disturbing his partner, he exploited his power to add wood to the coals that were all that was left of their nights fire so that it would slowly blossom into life again while he set out clothing for each of them beside the blanket. His power was working faster and less strenuously than ever before and he was going to make full use of it for their advantage. This cave had a lot of potential and he could make it into a temple if such would appease his Goddess. If not, it would be a great escape and hiding place if they ever needed to get away. He always made plans for things like that, even if he'd only rarely actually needed them. His silver tongue had gotten him into as many situations as it'd gotten him out of and he was not going to let anything happen to Abbigail that could be avoided with only a bit of planning.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

Abbi drifted awake to the dwindling thoughts of Zeon - thinking of her, of the cave, the odd, fast, and oh so right companionship they'd both quite literally fell headlong into.

"...Mmm. Absolutely, let's stay here. Can make it more of a home than those decrepit stone and mortar cubicles, anyway. Far easier to protect, too..." she responded, not really wanting to move. Contentedness was not a feeling she was accustomed to, and naturally, she wanted to steep in it. Even Hade -- no. She stopped herself there. She needed to stop comparing her present with her past, lest it mar her future. The here and now was all that mattered. The ability to affect her future was obvious, now. She hadn't quite dawned on it before.

Change. Was it possible? Could she become something different than what has been laid out for her?

"Before, when I was talking about my siblings, and how much I hated them. What happened? What was that?" she probed, half to him, and half to no one. "None of my kind can do that..."

[Zeon Arious]

He was more than please with her progress from one night of being treated the way any goddess should be. Before long, she'd be only thinking of herself in the right way for her to be seen as Abbigail and not the daughter of Lucifer. Her idea to stay here pleased him. The school had provisions for guests but given the controversy over her arrival, they may put her through more red tape than she'd be willing to deal with at the moment. Her thoughts on the flash of righteousness from last night brought him back to the now of things and he thought on it for a moment.

Settling down on his back and staring at the cave's ceiling, he came to a realization that they were probably going to need more information than what they had between them to figure out everything that was going on. They could probably figure most of it out but there were probably a few things that she'd have to make happen in order for them to confirm his suspicions. "Well, as far as what it was, that was the power you inherited by having a human mother. Not something you'd see often in hell, most humans there are dead and thus can't have kids, am I right? So, what exactly have you been told about the rare others that share your breeding? The blood of both devil and human?"

He left the question hanging for her to answer, using his power as a distraction to keep from over thinking things. If she wanted to stay here, he would not allow it to remain as barren as it looked. He began with short pulses of his scanning the very surface of the cave floor, walls and ceiling. pulse after pulse bringing into him material to use later and revealing the patterns he envisioned for this place. They could be changed later if they were found to be conflicting with Abbigail's taste in artwork but he hoped they'd please her. All around them a stone forest appeared, each moment adding more and more detail to the surrounding stone. After a while, it had all the splendor a colour blind person could find in a forest, he didn't feel the need to try and add colour to it since it was stone and that should not change. When creating art, give respect to the material you work with, just as his Goddess was going to become a masterpiece of truly divine radiance for all to behold and worship as he did now.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

Abbi pondered the question a moment. "Well," she started, closing her eyes to think on it. "All I honestly know is that my father hired my mother, whom was a hooker. She was brought into hell to please him, since humans are the center of his hatred, and he wanted to make her scream for him to make God angry, or at least that's my understanding. From a scientific perspective, I am the perfect hybridization of two species that theoretically should never mix."

Abbi bit her lip, mulling over the information bobbling about in her head. "The beginning of my species was the Nephal; they were the offspring of the Angels and Demons and the Humans that raped them, in biblical times. They were very chaotic, because angels exposed to the sinful nature of humanity corrupted them. Nephal is the greater term of what I am, only I am the product of a demonic royal incubus, instead of an angel, which makes me a Cambion Demon. The sheer impossibility of my conception makes it so rare, we are supposed to be the most powerful demons - which is why I am ranked as a Luciferian. I'm supposed to be more powerful than my father."

She spoke the words with a mild indignation. "That's why he rode me so hard. I was supposed to be his heir; I was supposed to grow up with such a blood lust that I was able to take over the command of hell for him, but because I'm part human, that side of my nature interfered..."

As she spoke, she noticed the simple little cave beginning to transform. She hadn't really paid much attention to his powers, but now she was beginning to. Before her eyes, he was making the cave beautiful - all for her. He was obviously just getting started, but it would end up being an expression of his emotions for her - and it made her smile.

"It's beautiful - and it will be magnificent." she granted him another kiss.

[Zeon Arious]

He could tell that she believed everything she was telling him and it made his heart ache that she had been raised like that. It wasn't all that different from how he was raised, being told how he was supposed to be with noone truly acting like a parent by the definition of the word. With her kiss, he finished his work on their surroundings, glimpses of wildlife almost visible among the shadows of the deeper trees to keep the scene from getting boring since upon close inspection, there was nothing physically there, it was done through letting the light create the shadows of the things that he wanted to appear in different places, different lighting revealing slightly different things depending on the angle and given part was seen from.

It was heaven to have her lips upon his again and he let the feeling linger as much as he could before sharing his revelations about her past. "I'm completely certain that your father lied to you about who and what your mother was, the only truth being that she was human and likely nearly as beautiful as you are now. As far as racial terms go, I see no need to use either when referring to you. Both angels and devils were begot by god, so arguing that different terms are needed just because some began living apart from the rest and then breed with humans in a different time makes no real sense to me. A child of God shared their blood with a human and You, noone but you were the result. It is the Devil's folly to expect you to be a stronger version of himself for him to mold and prop up to rule behind. Maybe someday we shall take that throne he wanted to put you one, but on your terms and not his because you will have the power, once you find the source of it within you."

He was basically trying to re-write he past for her, but there was no reason why what he was telling her was any less the truth than what her father had told her and every reason for her father to have lied about it in the first place. Belief and truth often varied greatly in result but had the same math. Sometimes, it was just a matter of being right in a different way and he doubted anyone other than Abbigail would assume anything else from the devil, to arrange a truth in such a way that it would cause such a depressing belief.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

Abbi smiled confidently. She knew what he was trying to do, and even though she saw through it, she played along, draping herself playfully on him. "Oh, you mean to tell me I'm not powerful, and I'm not completely demon OR human?" she plastered on a fake pout, masking sadness in her eyes. "Aww, and here I was thinking I was some ultimately powerful goddess with no end to her powers, fully demon and fully human all at once! Oh pooh, now I have nothing to be proud about."

She laughed, unable to tease him any longer. "You know, I rather like not having to live up to anyone's expectations except my own. The only problem is, I don't know what to expect of myself. Though, I suppose you'll teach me, won't you? I mean, look at this beautiful cave you've created. I mean, I can't even call it a CAVE any more. It's like a temple in here. You can turn the raw, the boring, the menial, into something beautiful - maybe you can do the same with me?"

She looked up into his eyes, happy for a change. It was so unnatural of her personality, but she found he brought out her human nature more than anyone else had. Maybe this is what her mother was like.

[Zeon Arious]

He smiled lovingly at her as she turned to him for advised and guidance. He bent in and kissed her deeply for a moment and stroked the side of her face with a gentle caress. "Abbigail, how could I do that to you when as far as I can see, you are perfect the way you are. With enough time, I could turn this mountain into a diamond but that would not change the fact that we're in a cave in this mountain. Who and what you are are perfect and I would not dare change anything like that about you. What is going to be important is what's inside you. You have a heart and a soul, same as me and you need simply use them to realize what you should expect of yourself. Regardless of what you choose, I will follow you to the ends of existence and back even if noone else would and nothing short of a god could."

At this moment, he was completely captivated with her being with him, he knew their surroundings were as beautiful as he could have made them but compared to the woman before him, it was still just stone not worthy of looking upon compared to seeing his Goddess next to him. The situation was nothing even his wildest dreams or fantasies could have let him plan for and it certainly ran counter to the ambition that had been left imprinted by Arious, to become as powerful as the gods and bring one to earth to take their place above mankind. But perhaps, this path would lead him to that anyway. He was already doing more in this cave with his power than he'd expected to be able to with decades of practice, why not raise Abbigail to her rightful spot and follow her to the one beside it? It would seem lonely to not have her there if he had the potential to get there himself someday on his own.

Ambitions and future events aside, he didn't feel a need for anything more than to be by her side at this moment. She needed him as much as he needed her and even without that need, there was their bond and now even their relationship. In one day and one night, he'd gone from being without his powers and not knowing of how to do anything beyond surviving to having a dream, a belief and someone to share both with along with improved powers with which to help realize them. As far as he was concerned, all was right with the world and He and Abbigail would make it better for everyone else one way or another.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

He didn't want her to change. He simply wanted her, as she was - simple, and honest. She didn't quite understand why he didn't, but the answer to that wasn't terribly important - not compared to the fact itself. No one she'd ever met hadn't at some point wanted her to change. It was always "grow up", or "be more demonic", or "stop helping the humans", or "stop being so irritating". But she didn't need to change for him. The knowledge both settled and unsettled her; she didn't know how to be, or who she truly was; now that she had little real purpose, she wasn't sure she wanted to. But, if there was no expectations on her, she couldn't let him down. Perhaps that's why he said what he had; he wouldn't be let down by her.

But, would he truly follow her in whatever she chose? He trusted her that much?

"Would you follow me to the gates of heaven to surrender, if I chose? Would you stay with me if I decided to become the head of a cult, where we dressed like rabbits and screwed the congregation? Would you follow me if I decided to just...be? Just live life, and just become...nothing?"

[Zeon Arious]

Her question caught him a little off guard but only for a moment. He didn't even have to consider his answer and answered without reservation. "If it meant being with you, I would fight off your father with nothing but my wits and a wooden spoon if I had to. Right now, you have the freedom to become anything and everything, a change few beings ever get so if you aren't certain of yourself, I will be for you and walk or run along any path you choose until you find the one that beckons you forward to your destiny like your call brought me to you last night. Be it heaven, hell, earth or somewhere beyond them all, I will follow you."

He had no doubts that her wavering spirit would soon settle but until it did, he'd continue to support her like this and once she settled, his support would match the path she chose. If she wanted to surrender to heaven, so would he. If creating a cult similar to the playboy mansion was her desire, he'd build her a castle to host it in. If she simply wanted to settle down and be human, he would walk through life at her side and make sure she would want for nothing. They had the power, fortune and looks to take whatever path on earth they could desire and the potential to reach beyond. If she was happy, he would be as well and that was not going to change.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

She reserved a smile, but a gentle smirk played across her face. Maybe she would have fun with him, for a little. She thought up a perfect speech, and dashed about, touching the freshly created decorations in marvel.

"Alright, let's get down to business then!" she exclaimed, dancing about to put her clothes back on, and peek around the expanse of the cave-temple she was in. He really had done a marvelous job; it looked like nothing else she'd ever seen. In all honesty, it was almost perfect. Very natural looking, very nature-like. It was nothing like the buildings the humans seemed to enjoy; nor was it a thing like hell. She loved it. But, she still couldn't resist teasing him.

"Let's see! Lots of silver and rubies, I should think. Polished steel and glass work, as well. Oh, and room for animals. We can't run an animal hospital without animals! We will have to put in a ventilation system to help with the smell, though. We will even have a section for mythical creatures rescue, and have a hotel for cats! We shall--" she cut herself off. Suddenly, she became aware that her tirade could possibly offend him. She deflated like a popped balloon, and her smile faded quickly, replaced by an expression of concern.

"I'm sorry..." she lowered her head, expecting the smack at any moment.

[Zeon Arious]

He had actually started thinking on how to add and aquire everything that would be needed for what she was saying she wanted to do. He knew it as a joke the moment she started into it, but if it was something she wanted to try, even if only for a short time, there would be less than no harm done by indulging her. Her deflated reaction as she thought she may have started to loose him and obvious expectation of punishment for her foolishness left him saddened and angry with those that had conditioned this reaction from her in hell.

He stood up, forgetting to clothe himself as he embraced her with a tenderness he doubted either of them had ever known. He was deeply touched that she had shown both these side of herself to him. She was truly as innocent as a child when it came to things like play and joy and though they were new to him personally, he'd had many chances to observe other people enjoying them. "Dearest Abbigail, it is not something you should feel sorry for. You were enjoying yourself and seeing you happy is what pleases me the most out of anything else you will ever do. When in doubt, read my mind and then carry forth, just as I shall do with you if I'm ever forced to falter before a task I have little hope of accomplishing. Nothing is impossible for those who believe and I believe in you but I need you to believe in me too. Okay?"

Under normal circumstances, anyone else would have felt self conscious but the only thing he was aware of at the moment was Abbigail's soul was craving approval from those who cared about her, to help heal the scars growing up in hell had caused to one so pure of heart. He knew her like noone else and although her demonic heritage had been fed regularly, you can't leave part of who you are starving and expect to come out well rounded. No matter how long it took, he was going to help her come into her true self and they would carry on from there based on what she found.

[Abbigail-Marie Luciferian]

That was good enough for her. She honestly didn't need to hear any more reassurance. Perhaps it was his energy, spirit, soul, or something - but either way, it was enough. She grinned again, feeling rather like a toddler that got out of their safety harness.

"In all honesty, I rather like the natural look in here. Maybe the glass work, too. But, I don't think we're sharing it with anyone else. It will be all ours to enjoy. We won't spoil it with anyone else's eyes to ogle it." She grinned, as an idea struck her.

"I know. I will think of something, and without reading my mind, you guess what it is by making it! Should be fun since we both have limited knowledge of the objects in each other's worlds. Okay, go! She closed her eyes, and thought up the first object.

[Zeon Arious]

He was please to see she'd gotten a hold on her emotions again. It felt like a grave sin for anyone to put anyone in the condition where they thought acting like you're about to be beaten an appropriate response for anything and could see those same people trying to beat that reaction out of her as well, which of course wouldn't work once you got them trained to do it. But her new appraisal of the room pleased him as well, not just that she was complementing it but actually liked it.

Her idea of a game interested him and he had to make a conscious effort to try and keep her thoughts from drifting into his head. This was going to be difficult but from his carving, he had full count of material to work with so it'd be interesting to see what they could come up with. His initial thought was a typical one and with a smile, started playing with some clay between his palms. He didn't need to but it helped him focus and then spend less energy creating what he thought of.

"Well, seems like a good way to get to know each other and I'll see what I can do for you." The first thing on the list would be every man's default, jewelry. Most women seemed to think they couldn't live without it . So, with a bit of work with his fingers, he molded the clay into a small ring, etched their pattern into it and then made it vanish, only to reappear in his outstretched palm. For her inspection was a flawlessly smooth ring of diamond, edged with platinum and within the diamond was the shadow of the etching he's put on the clay. "If this isn't what you're thinking of, you'll have to give me a hint to try again."