Chapter Text
Dagon's footsteps echoed down the long corridor that ran past hundreds of cells for the poor, unfortunate souls who had ended up here. She stopped in front of one of them, unlocked it, and opened it. The door creaked and creaked open, letting in the little light from the dingy corridor.
" Hello, William, " she drawled.
The prisoner reacted immediately, beginning to panic even though he was still held by his chains, but after three, or was it four ? years in hell, he was beginning to know the drill. He had even stopped shouting that he would answer any question since he had understood that it was useless, torture was his punishment, whether he answered or not.
Dagon slowly walked into his cell and pulled a chair over, dragging it behind her before sitting down across from him on the chair she'd turned the other way, leaning against it with her arms crossed. Her gaze was blank, though, and she didn't seem too pleased, even the prisoner seemed concerned.
" Eh, are you okay ? " he asked very carefully, his eyes scanning the whole room.
" I have some question for you, " she said.
He huffed, already sounding exhausted. " I already know that... "
" No, it has nothing to do with it, " she said.
" Like, if I answer, won't there be any consequences ? "
" Yeah, enjoy it, I'm not in the mood for torture today. "
The Master of Torments, not in the mood for torture ? It must have been serious. He might as well take advantage of it then.
" So, uh, what's going on ? " he asked.
" You, humans, seem to know a lot about this, " she said. " How do you know you like someone ? " she asked then.
A question the prisoner really wasn't expecting.
" ...what ? "
" How do you know you like someone ? " she repeated.
" Is that a real question ? "
" Would you prefer a torture session ? Because we can always change plans if you want. "
" No, no, it's fine. "
" So ? "
" Hm... when you think about someone very often and miss them when they're not around, " he replied.
" What else? "
" Well, uh, if you think of that person when you see something they might like, or if you want to talk to them or see them just to share small talk, " continued the man. " Or talk about things they might like just to hear them talk. "
Yeah, that was exactly that, thought Dagon.
" Alright. And if so, what happens next ? "
" It depends, you can let the other person know and see where it goes ? "
" And how do we do that ? "
" Do you like someone ? " he asked, raising an eyebrow.
" I'm the one asking the questions, " she growled. " How ? "
" Just say it, " he replied, shrugging.
Very efficient way to die quickly, thought Dagon.
" Is there another way ? " she asked.
" There are more subtle ways, I suppose. With a gift, for example. "
" And what would be a nice gift ? " she asked.
" A piece of jewelry ? It's a basic. "
" No, it's not her thing."
" Oh, it's a her ? "
" Shorten it, " she groaned.
He rolled his eyes. " Flowers ? "
" Certainly not, " she said. " It's useless. "
" It's not meant to be useful, but to show your affection... Chocolate ? "
" She doesn't eat. "
" Your crush sucks, " huffed William.
Dagon glared at him.
" Okay, okay, sorry, " he corrected himself. " Each to their own, I guess. "
The demon tapped the wooden back of her chair, showing that she was growing impatient.
" Something personal, " he suggested. " Something with special meaning, something she's already said she wanted, even something handmade. And you could give it to her during a date, for example. "
" What is a date ? "
" Seriously ? "
William received another glare.
" Okay, right, I forgot that you don't know this. It's a meeting where you go with the person you like to a nice place that you like or that you would like them to discover. "
" And then ? "
" And you spend time together, " he said, shrugging. " You talk, joke. Use your body language, test her touch barrier, compliment her, try to make her understand that she matters to you. And with little luck, it could end in a declaration, a kiss, or even fireworks. "
" What ? "
" I'm not going to draw you a picture... "
Ah. Yeah, well, we're not there yet, thought Dagon, not that she wouldn't like it.
" Ok, " she said suddenly after several minutes of internal reflection.
She stood up to push the chair back further and head for the exit, turning around just before leaving.
" You're actually quite useful and helpful, " she told him. " What exactly are you doing here ? " she asked, arms crossed, leaning against the doorway.
" Murders, embezzlement, armed robbery, trafficking of all kinds, the choice is yours. "
" Hmm hmm, charming, " she said before leaving.
" Good luck ! " William told her from afar.
----
A few days had passed since her "accelerated lesson" in relationships. A gift, a nice place and chat, it was all within her grasp... After checking out several options, she decided the beach was the best bet, not that she had much expertise in other subjects.
She pulled out her phone, rummaging through the few contacts she had, clicking on the one she was looking for until she heard someone answer.
" Yes ? "
" Ah, Michael, my sweet sweet favorite Archangel, " said Dagon.
" Are you drunk ? " the brunette answered on the phone.
" Not yet. "
" Not yet... "
" Tell me, what are you doing tomorrow night ? "
" What do you think I'm doing ? "
" Boring angel stuff, probably, " replied Dagon.
" It's called work, you should try it. "
" Like I say, boring, whatever. Listen, meet me at 8pm in Southend-on-Sea. On earth. "
" Why ? "
" Because I have something to show you and to tell you too. "
" Important ? "
" Yes. "
There was a pause on the phone, Dagon felt surprisingly anxious, then she heard a breath.
" ...fine. "
" Great, angel. You're rocking it. "
" You're going to get me into trouble, " muttered Michael.
And yet, you still don't know what I'm planning to tell you, thought Dagon.
" From the moment you agreed to see each other, that should have been your problem too. "
The redhead heard Michael let out a laugh.
" Idiot. "
" I know~ "
" Let me work now, " the brunette told her.
" Yes ma'am. See you. "
The demon put away her phone and exhaled heavily. It was more stressful than she imagined, but at least she had the first step covered. Now she had about 24 hours to find a gift worthy of an Archangel...