Chapter Text
Lullaby could get used to this.
Mirajane had appeared once or twice, explaining the occasional odd occurrence or setting a few firm ground rules on when he was and wasn't allowed to look through her eyes- a moot point, seeing as she could easily stop him from doing so, and he had no intention of actually engaging with her pathetic 'rehabilitation plan' besides- but had mostly left him to his own devices.
He'd yet to make a serious attempt at getting out of this foolish Demon Eater's head, but he'd quickly realised his cursory prodding at the confines of his new home had done little more than amuse her, giving him free reign to poke and prod her defences.
What he found had been, frankly, disappointing. Most demons- made or born- had heard countless tales of what it meant to be Devoured. Endless labyrinths, filled with torments far beyond the remit of even the cruelest of Demons...
And yet. The worst she had subjected him to was her younger brothers absurd rants about 'MANLINESS!'.
It was... confusing.
Still, if she were to continue to underestimate him, he would happily take advantage. And it was hardly as though he lacked for entertainment, within the endless dark- although, he wondered idly what it said of his captor, that her own soul sat so devoid of anything- given the madness of the daily life of one who saw demons as something to tame...
"YOU WANNA FUCKIN' GO, TINTITS?!"
Case and point...
"Oh please... Such an overreaction, as always..." her red haired rival sighed, dropping her fork onto her empty plate with a clatter. "Very well- let us cross fists!"
Lullaby settled back to watch the chaos. Being in a non-corporeal form freed his Etherious form from it's restraints, another check in this situations favour- while the Flute was technically his true form, his Etherious form was always far more comforting. He couldn't quite stop himself from cheering his host on- sue him, something about that redhead just felt off.
"Hey, Erza!" the dragon boy hollered, throwing himself onto a table, "What about that fight ya' promised me, huh?!"
"Hey!" Mira growled, stepping back despite her words, "No cutting in, brat!"
Well. That was that, he supposed. He didn't even bother to surpress his sigh, as the two redheads made their way out of the guild hall.
"I can take you to go watch, if you really want," Mirajane whispered under her breath, making her way to the bar while the guild gathered outside, "You're not missing much, though. Erzie's gonna play with him a bit, then remind him why he's scared shitless of her."
"...I don't care." Lullaby growled, bemused by the offer, "Do as you will."
"...if you're sure." she chuckled- such a strange, strange human. "Yo, Lis! Want me to tag back in at the bar so you can go watch?"
"No, no, it's fine." the youngest Strauss said, waving her hands idly. "Not like there's anyone in at the moment, anyway..."
"...he's not gonna pay attention to the crowd, while he's fighting Erza." Mirajane sighed, gently laying a hand over her younger sister's.
"...I know. I don't want to talk about this." Lisanna said, not meeting Mirajane's eyes.
"...alright." Mira smiled, ruffling Lisanna's hair.
Lullaby really wanted some popcorn right now.
"...really Lulls?" Mira growled, rubbing the bridge of her nose "We're having a moment."
"And I want some popcorn!"
Lisanna giggled, busying herself with some dishes behind the bar, "Your latest tenant being annoying?"
"He wants popcorn." Mira sighed, "We don't sell popcorn, do we?"
"...I wasn't being serious, you know."
"Nope! Closest is peanuts, probably, and I think Miss Porlyuscia might kill you herself, if you go to her for another allergic reaction..."
"...they're so tasty though." Mira pouted, "Is there anythin' else you wanna try, Lulls?"
"I... have no need for human food." It wasn't the first time she'd asked something along these lines. He... really didn't understand.
"Well yeah, but it's tasty," Mira shrugged, "Guess just my usual, then..."
"Coming right up!" Lisanna said, scrawling a note to send through to the kitchens. "Do you-"
Mirajane's head snapped to the side.
"Hold that though- one sec, Lis, I'll be back before the cooks are done-"
Frantically, Mirajane slipped out of her human form, bolting across the near-deserted guild hall to catch that brunette who'd been there for his defeat- Canada or something?
Lullaby leant forward, but kept his thoughts to himself this time.
"Cana- Cana, wait up!" Mira shout-whispered, grabbing Cana by the shoulder. "Quit avoiding me already. Tincan's getting suspicious something happened between us. You know I can't lie for shit."
"...something did happen, Mira." Cana sighed, fists clenched tightly at her sides. "Are you... seriously going to ignore... that?"
"...Cana, how many years has it been now since Lisanna and Natsu spoke, properly?"
"...two?"
"Exactly." Mirajane sighed. "Two. Years. Since my little sister spoke to her cutsey little boyfriend. And I don't know any more about what the fuck went down there than you do. I'm not going to pry- not yet, anyway- so just. Talk to me again, dammit."
"...alright." Cana sighed, smiling softly. "I have missed... the bar."
"Oh please," Mira laughed, gently shoving Cana's shoulder, "You know you've been lost without my wonderful presence."
"hmm..." Cana said, barely suppressing a chuckle. "I guess there are a few other downsides to avoiding you..."
"Like?"
"Your cooking."
"Oh screw you!" Mira laughed, grabbing Cana's hand and pulling her eyes away from the way the brunette flinched. "C'mon- catch me up with Gratsu's bullshit this week-"
"What are they, one person or something?!" Cana laughed, rolling her eyes, "I was going somewhere y'know..."
"Is it more important than gossip?"
"...no..."
Lullaby leaned back, sighing quietly enough his host wouldn't hear. There goes the end of the interesting gossip. He really, really couldn't care less what the hot headed dragon and cool headed Maker Mage had gotten up to. It was always the same variations of brawls and violence, Lullaby didn't need to know anything about them to know that. His host on the other hand...
He had an inclining what that had been about. Unlike his previous host, that edgelord assassin who sought to tame him, he'd been paying the Wind Wall close attention, while Red battered the wind mage around. He knew the telltale signs of demonic magic- and no matter what she claimed, it had not been demonic might to breach that barrier. Such a fascinating puzzle to piece together...
Was this, he wondered, what the Devourer had meant, when she claimed he would come to love humanity? The endless mysteries they posed, an ever-changing, writhing web of connections...? It could certainly keep him entertained for some time, he supposed, but...
No. Mirajane rubbed her temples, glancing away from Cana, No that's not the point of this. A good start though. Keep it up.
...what in the seven hells was that supposed to mean...?
"Uh... you good Mira?" Cana asked, laying a hand on Mira's shoulder.
"Oh- yeah, fine." Mira lied, particularly poorly even for a self-professed awful liar. "Totally fine. Just... thought I heard something..."
"...You sure?" Cana asked, eyebrow raised, "Cau-"
"Two bagels, freshly toasted!" Lisanna interrupted, gracefully sliding the plate into Mirajane's table with a warm smile, ignoring the thankful look her sister shot her, "One pizza, one chocolate delight! Do you want to order anything Cana, while I'm her-?"
"ERZA'S BEEN ARRESTED!"
...a pindrop could be heard.
And then, Lullaby burst into laughter.
Yes, he could certainly get used to this...