what a strange being you are / private

[Luca]

It was no easy task being a demon, either. Especially when raised in an environment where holiness was held above everything else. Everything he had done as a child was to get in favour of the angels- the hours of prayer, consuming only what he needed, enduring all the harsh punishments that had scarred him (quite literally) for life. It was only natural, then, that he felt betrayed when he had to give all of that up in return for his freedom. He spent years wondering if it was worth it, if he should have endured the abuse in order to become holy instead of throwing away all his progress by making some stupid deal with a dark god. Elias always said that he made the wrong choice, and not a day went by without his words echoing in Luca's ears. It made him ashamed. He had spend his whole childhood being told that demons were filthy, disgusting sinners with no life outside corrupting people an causing pain.

He tried to cover up the fact that he was a demon, although perhaps his way of doing so was a little unethical. He had learned that consuming enough angel souls could mask his demonic presence. His black, leathery wings sprouted pristine white feathers, and his spaded tail faded into a more pale colour as well. He had forgotten how many angels he had killed and consumed, but it was worth it. Anything was worth getting rid of that self loathing. The angelic shield that surrounded his corrupt soul was starting to fade, though. At this point the fact that he was a demon (and a rather embarrassing type at that) was pretty much common knowledge. The stigma that surrounded demons didn't seem to be as bad here, since a few of his crewmates wielded the title proudly, but that didn't stop Luca's shame. After all, after idolising them so much in his childhood, he was still very much attracted to all things holy.

Perhaps that's why Junji caught his gaze so easily. Luca stopped in his tracks, eyes bright with curiosity as they stared the pretty feline down. He hesitated for a bit, but then he turned on his paws and headed towards the shoreline. He was in a pretty sorry state, but hopefully his gruesome appearance wouldn't scare the angel off. The incubus stopped on the shore, standing behind Junji and resting his gaze on the faint scars on his back. He was unwilling to go any further, the distant memory of being drowned keeping him from joining the feline among the waves. While Junji seemed to be able to control them at will, fire was Luca's domain, so he would much prefer to stay dry. "Hey there," he greeted, feminine voice quiet against the ambience of the ocean. "I don't think we've met before." There was something predatory about the intensity of Luca's gaze, although he didn't have any plans to hurt the angel. Not yet, at least.