Devouring midnight

He grinned and nodded.
"Alright, If I have to, but you might wanna give some more...noticeable hints next time you have something to say, we could probably avoid weeks worth of ignorancy"He nudged her back and winked, his body moulding itself back into the human shape it so often occupied, making for the door.

She forced a smile as she poised herself behind him, offering to help him get into a more comfortable position.
"You may not want another foal...but you wouldnt have too much of a choice if she decided she did" She giggled lightly as the door openedand M stepped inside, pausing to give a nod of late self indroduction to Laelia.
"That horse of yours certainly has a good few things to say, looks like we might have...a small complication concerning a piece of clothing..."

--

He struggled slightly under the pillow's force, his body rubbing against her as he caught onto what she had stated.
"Oh yes, extremly happy to see you..." He shuffled slightly then grinned.
"In fact...so happy...it hurts"

Toya scowled to M, her ears flickering back in mock anger.
"I'll try."
Watching M pass through the door, she walked round the side of the earthy mound, watching the horizon.

Haru nodded at Albanny's words.
"True, I wouldn't put anything past M though."
He suddenly became silent as M walked through the door, watching him with curiosity. His words echoing around the small room.
"...You can converse properly with her?" He shook his head brushing the thought aside. "What did she say?"

--

Sai smirked.
"Awww poor baby, we can't let you be in pain now can we?"
Holding the pillow down with one hand, she fingered his zip with the other.
"So very very happy to see me."

M shrugged although there remained a somewhat smug tint to his facial features.
"Yeah, we conversed, turns out your Sai was 'smart' enough to pick up a glove or something from one of Albany's previous outfits...if she's given it to sir loon then we might be in trouble...if they ever figure out a use for it that is...she said to tell you because she's been trying for weeks, which means unfortunately that we're somewhat behind...wow...really hungry...anyways...she's kinda hot..."
He became silent again as Albany gave him an accusing look, her eyes threatening to search his thoughts.
"...What?...well she is..."
"You're married"
"But she i-"
"MARRIED"
"...point taken" He lifted his cloak, revealing the ever present tutu, reminding himself of why he was cursed to wear it.
"...Bloody Wildfire..."

--



He whined lightly, muffled by the pillow.
"I would be, If I could see you..." He tugged gently on the corner of the pillow then slumped back, his body temperature rising the closer she got.
"But I can't...poor old me..."

Haru sat bolt upright.
"What?"
Sliding back down again as a wave of dizziness hit him. Laelia wandered over to his side, a glass of water in hand.
"Drink." She ordered him. "It looks like you've been without for a while."
Knotting her hands together as Haru sipped obediently at the glass, her eyes focused on M, a smirk on her face.
"I wouldn't try Toya, not only would she turn you down, Albany would plant her foot where the sun doesn't shine."
Flipping a lock of hair behind her pointed ears, she watched as the last drop of liquid was drained from the glass.
"...But as for "Sir loony" He's smart M and you know it...He's eager to have Albany all to himself for his own "experiments." She shook her head trying not to laugh at the tutu that presented itself.
"Nasty curse, I could remove it...But I won't."
She flashed M a smile before leaving the room, the front door banging, telling them she had left the home.

--

She slid her hand up his shirt, feeling his warmth.
"Yes...poor....poor you."
Her hand loosening on the pillow as she giggled.

M closed the cloak around himself once more, folding his arms beneath it.
"Meh, remove it, don't remove it, makes a nice ass cushion so I cant complain...now, the glove, Albany what do they do that might be useful to loony bin rejects?"
Albany looked thoughtful for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"There are lots of things my gloves can do...but I didn't think anyone else could use it but me...it's woven from ashes, my hair goes into the pattern...so it carries my scent...and my first body"
M stared then shook his head.
"You're joking? That's weak, if he has your hair he can control you with a bloody voodoo doll if he so chooses, how careless can you get?"
"That only works close range with us, you know that...besides...that's not all he could do with it..."
"What else?..."
"It works as a sort of...spying mirror...you can see anyone or anything by just naming it...even home..."
"That place isn't my home anymore...tell it as it is, it's hell, and only a fool would want to stare into hell"
"...Then I'm a fool for missing it, but it was different...I was a favourite..."
M stepped away, pacing in a continuous circle until a thought struck him.
"He can use your powers cant he?..."
"Yes...and he can exhaust them..."
"....shit"

--

He felt goosebumps prance along his skin at her touch, refreshingly cool against the heat of his chest which rose and fell with each soft breath.
Again he tugged at the pillow, pulling it away, his eyes peering over the edge.
"Ooooh, now I see you"

Haru listened intently, biting his bottom lip with worry, only realising that it was bleeding when the sharp taste of metal entered his mouth. His head swam with all the words, struggling to make sense through the hazy fog that still captivated his mind.
"...Albany..."
He paused, standing up, he staggered slightly. Shaking his head to get rid of the wave of dizziness, he grabbed his cloak off the wall, knotting it around his neck, he stepped out of the small house his mind askew.

--

Removing the pillow, she tapped his nose lightly.
"Cheater."
She sat back on her heels, slipping her hand back out from under his shirt.

Albany had prepared to open her mouth and complete her one sided argument when she noticed Haru stumbled out of the house.
"Haru?..." She stepped over to the door and peered out after him.
"Are you OK?...I didn't say something did I?..." She muttered to herself, glancing back into the house at the equally confused M.

--


"A cheater?...me? Never....."
He sat up on his elbows, a hand reaching up to softly stroke along her throat and along the curve of her cheek.
"How could I ever cheat you?"
With a slight smirk he sat up completely, both hands slipping up under her clothing.
"My turn"

He smiled lightly to her.
"You didn't say anything, I just wanted some air."
He walked around the mound, climbing up the slope. He stopped when he saw Laelia. The dizziness had faded, but he chose to sit down in the long grass, barely listening as she approached him.
"...You know what'll happen."
"Yes."
"And you're willing to deal with that."
"Yes."
She sighed, ruffling his ivory hair.
"You're a lot stronger then when you left, you used to be afraid of everything." She muttered, suppressing a smile.
Haru shrugged.
"Mind over matter." Pausing for a moment as the mid afternoon breeze hit his face. "I'm sorry to drop in on you in such a state, perhaps next time it will be on my own terms."
"You're not staying?"
"I doubt it."
The druid nodded once, pulling him into a tight hug. Upon releasing him, she smiled once more making her way down the grassy bank.

--

She shivered lightly.
"You are a cheater and you know it."
She stuck her tongue out at him, mildly amused as she felt his hand under her clothing.

"So if those things work as mirrors then why don't you use them to check out what those jackasses are up to?"
M questioned as Albany paced in a continuous circle.
"I wish it was that easy, I haven't told anyone but that poison still lingers in my body, clings to my veins, I cant do anything without it burning and bringing me to my knees, I want to be able to fend for myself but I cant, I don't have the energy to use my own birthright and now...I may not even be able to walk with that stupid little leach stealing my power!"
She slumped back against the wall and rubbed at her eye irritably.
"...If you cant walk, then I'll carry you, if you're pursued I'll escort you to safety, so don't act like this is the end of the world cause it ain't"
He tilted her head upward so that her tearful eyes were forced to look at his.
"You should be more worried for your boyfriend, he's the one missing a soul"
"And the only one I'll allow to kill me if the time comes"
M let out a light sigh, embracing her softly, a hand reaching down to push the bulge of the tutu aside so that she could lean against him comfortably.
"Don't you speak of dying, not now"

--


"Oh, I may think of myself as a cheater, but I'm nothing if not a sly cheater"
Sliding his hands over her skin he reached around and tugged the confines of the fabric away, gazing at her skin and adoring the way her hair fell against her skin.
"You're not having this back you know" He said, wrapping her shirt around his fist, inhaling her warm scent.

Laelia walked back inside the house, glancing at the two on her floor. Saying nothing she went into a separate room, coming back moments later, a vial of black liquid held in her hand.
"Here."
She held the vial out to Albany.
"Take a drop once a day and it will dull the pain of the poison. I haven't the time to make one that will clear it completely...Barnelby is far smarter than me. But I do not wish to see people in pain in my home, so take it and keep it."
She smiled lightly.
"And no I haven't told mister, I don't think it's my place to say. If you wish to tell him what still lurks within your body then be my guest."


The mare walked over to Haru, his head resting on his knees. She nudged him with her nose, causing him to smile and raising a hand to pat it lightly.
"You smart person." He wrapped his arms around her neck, inhaling her familiar scent. "I'm sorry I wasn't listening properly."
She nibbled the ends of his hair affectionately, making him laugh.
"Stop being silly, maybe next time I'll bully M into shifting ever so often just in case...You see more than me..."

--

Sai pouted.
"I'm not? Well that's another new shirt you owe me then."

"...I don't want him to have more cause for worry...if the time comes where I need him to know...then I'll tell him...but not for now" She smiled up at Laelia, still resting against M she took the vial appreciatively.
"Thank you...but Barnelby isn't smarter that you...that's not possible...He just has a lot of preparation time...when you say you've got no time...it makes me wonder how long he spent on this..."
She placed it in her pocket and pulled herself away from M.
"Hey! I was enjoying that..." M mumbled, folding his arms childishly.



--


"mmm, I think I can afford it" He winked as he dropped the shirt which slid to the floor silently. His hands slid up once more to roam about her body, in a swift curling motion he swept her bra away.
"Oh dear...looks like we may have to go on a long shopping trip..."
He leant in kissed along her throat while his busy hands rolled over her skin.
"...by the time I'm finished with you" He purred.

Laelia smiled and raised her form from the ground.
"Well, take care then. I hope to meet again one day. As for you M...Keep it in your trousers."
She left the room, smiling to herself. Her hand tightly gripping a small peice of paper.

The mare butted the male once more, rubbing her snout along his face. Her forlock falling into her hazel eyes. Haru sighed lightly.
"You're right...of course you're right..."
He twined his fingers together looking thoughtful.
"Do you want to leave...I know he creeps you out."
The mare stood firm, although the worry was clear on her face.
"Ok, ok..."
Walking over to a sharp stone, he dug his hand into the point until the crimson liquid flowed.
"Come out come out Lucifer, we want to play." He muttered.

--

(>:3 Just to be evil I cuts of noaw! These scenes are uncomfortable for me to write, especially as I am in school and am currently being molested)

M smiled to himself, rising to full height as he proceeded to make his way out of the small house, leaving Albany to herself for a moment of quiet before their intended leave, just as he reached the outside he paled and his eyes became dark with what could have been fear although he recognised the potential threat, it's mere presence sending unearthly shivers down his spine as he pressed himself against the mound, listening out for the voice he dreaded among others.

The atmosphere changed almost immediately, the air became dark and claustrophobic and the life seemed to drain away from the greenery of the previously peaceful setting.
But instead of menacing eyes emerging from the darkness as they had so often done to invite fear into the soul of the summoner, distracted eyes stood atop a rather puzzled expression which studied a handful of playing cards.
"Hmmm...ROYAL STRAIGHT FLUSH!" The hand flipped around to reveal it's set of cards proudly, the eyes opening to a seemingly different surrounding.
"...Eh?...I was winning!" He sighed and thrust his wrist backward, the cards slipping away into thin black wisps which quickly became nothing but air.
"What is it you want now that is more important than my poker game?!" He said angrily, anger that seemed harmless in accordance with his sarcastic voice.
He smirked smugly as his eyes fell to Haru's bleeding hand.
"...You only had to ask,you simpleton"

--

His hair was now a mess of auburn streaks against the creamy colour of the creased pillow case. He was smiling though his eyes were closed and he could have been asleep, his arm resting beneath Sai, keeping her body held close to his. He nuzzled her softly, rubbing his face into her neck, feeling her hair tickle his cheek.
"Did we have fun?" He purred quietly, twisting a strand of her ivory locks lightly between his fingers.

Haru smiled tilting his head to the left.
"It's only so I could call you without you knowing, I tire of your dramatic enterances. Besides this way is more fun."
He ran a finger along the graze, sealing it.
"I have a proposition, I give you back the powers you gave to me, I almost hurt Albany very badly and I don't want that. But then that means you still owe me something, so in exchange for your daughters safety once more...I want my soul back. You know I'll turn into a mini version of the Master without it and will no longer be able to help her."
He folded his arms across his chest, mildly amused.
"So what's it to be Luci?"

--

"Yes we did...But I think Barnelby heard..."
She sat up grinning to herself.
"Well...it is about time he learned the facts of life."


(OOC: Tbh I don't care if we're fighting, I'ma still gunna reply cause it makes me happy =D)

Lucifer desguised the somewhat insulted look of dislike for having one of his most simplest loopholes discovered.
"I see, your powers, for your soul...well I cannot say an immediate no..." he began pacing slowly.
"Should I return you your soul, you will no longer have a duty to your 'master' and he will have no perticular reason to be lax with you...and as much as I admire your courage, I doubt you'll be much good at protecting her, should he decide to continue his previous game...but if you insist, then I shall have no reason but to accept, and return what you were so quick to relieve yourself of"

--

Pyro grinned.
"Very true, I'm tired of trying to convince him his mother was a stork, it's just too exhausting"
Just as he too was preparing to sit up, the door to the bedroom burst open as an excited Barnelby exploded in on them.
"I can't believe it! It's actually come out from the-..." He blinked several times, a deep red blush decending upon his cheeks. Silently, he lifted his arm, twisting a small dial on his goggles, a visor slipping over the thick glass, blinding him from their nudeness.

His ears flickered back in disdain.
"You know as well as I do that I will be more trouble for her, besides having speant a little bit of time with him...I know what makes him tick. Right barbie boy?"
He smirked, a brow raised.
"So we have a deal?"


--

Sai giggled, covering herself up with haste. A grin on her face from Barnelby's embaressment.
"What happened Barny?" Placing an innocent look upon her face.

Taking a single step toward him he cpntinued to retain his look of deep thought.
"Indeed we do, but it is such a waste, such a tattered rag in exchange for such great power...you're not yet a man for such dealings" He clicked his fingers rather lazily.
"Done, but remember this, there is now nothing stopping me from tearing apart everything that is you and sending them to the depths, should my daughter be put in danger down to you failing to protect her, then I'll be more than happy to send you down. Shame you wont be seeing your sister any time soon, eh?" He sighed then turned away, preparing to leave.
"And M..." He called back, sensing the intruding presence.
"Don't forget about our little deal will you?"

--

Barnelby began stumbling over his own words before finally settling his embarrassment.
"...Luficer is...he's walking around...he's actually come out from Hell...and I hope to use some of that power...using the gloves..."

He nodded lightly, biting his tongue to avoid a retort. Turning away, he walked back down the side of the hill, brushing past M. He avoid looking at him, his golden eyes glued to the floor. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair, before stepping inside the house, glancing to Albany.
"...We better leave...They can probaly track you now so it's best to keep moving."
He walked back outside, the black mare falling into step beside him as he walked. She snorted lightly, rubbing her nose against cheek.
"...Yeah I did."
She nickered with content, and Haru was pretty sure that if she could smile she would.
"But, now he will come back harder and angrier than before. You know as well as I do he does not like being gyped. If I distance myslef with her, do you think it'll make things easier? No emotional ties that sort of thing..." He shook his head, ridding himself of all the thoughts. "Still, do you think you could take us three towns over? In one go? I know it's far, but it's the closest safe place. We have days at most here before they ransack here. He's gaining recruits...that's not hard to see..."
He leant against the mare, his head resting on her shoulder.
"C'mon, we best go back."

--

She climbed off the bed, throwing Pyro's T-shirt on to conceal herself.
"That's not like him, to come out of hell for anyone..."
She placed a finger to her lip, thinking.
"...That means someone summoned him...most likely for a deal. They must have some form of knowledge to deal with him in the first place....so they must have met him before..."

Her heart sank as M confronted her, having returned to her after feeling Lucifer's presence.
"...why was he...couldn't he just..." M sighed as she spoke, looking down at her less than happy expression which seemed determined to keep it's gaze locked on her shoes.
"That wasn't his purpose for being here...and don't forget why he didn't come looking for you...he received a trade...you know that, he isn't allowed to speak to you...or offer you help..." He stroked her hair gently, she shied away but he pulled her back to him.
"Come on, cheer up kiddo...you get to sit on me again, surely that's something to smile about? you get to make a fat guy run..."
"Why should that still be so? He isn't after me anymore...there's been no indication of that...why cant he call that stupid deal off?..."
"Would you go back if you could? Back to hell?"
She didn't answer him, he hadn't expected her to and he slowly walked away, shifting forms as naturally as his clumsy movements allowed, digging his hoof into the soil.
"We should really think about some tack you know..." He called back to her as once again she sought solitude.
"You felt as if you wanted to side off last time"


--

Pyro stretched out, his nude form gradually forcing itself into a sitting position.
"Well, we've all had some connection to him at some point right? I mean who hasn't, if you believe in sin. First guess would be Albany, but since Lucifer is forbidden from coming into direct contact with her, that possibility is outlined. Maybe it's no one we know, maybe it's our master, he could have found somewhere he liked up here to play...who knows...you figured out how to use those gloves to our advantage yet?" He finished, looking over at Barnelby who was gently rocking on his feet, singing the endless tune underneath his breath, an over dramatic groan erupting from Pyro's mouth.
"I give up"

Haru climbed onto the mares back, shifting his form about until he felt comfortable. He waited patiently until Albany felt ready to go, letting Toya stand facing M.
"...We're heading for Kalium this time." The mare shifted her head slightly as she spoke. "I know it's quite a way but...I think I can make it...Although I'm not to sure about you old man."
Her eyes glinted, ignoring Laelia as she placed a few more things into her saddle bags.
"We weigh the same now at least..."

--


Sai giggled , trying her hardest not to encourage Barnelby.
"I doubt it's Master, he wouldn't have summoned him, he would've just gone Luccciiiiii! I want to playyyyyyy! With a big pouty face on. So I guess that can be ruled out...."

M could say nothing about his age, although he clearly disliked his weight being referred to as similar to the overweight mare's and so, with a false look of disliking for her he merely stuck his tongue out, feeling Albany struggle to mount him.
"I can make it, and in half the time if I wasn't expected to travel with you, age goes into experience you know, and I've got plenty, of both" He stepped away from her, flicking his tale irritably.
"We'll need to do some shopping when we get there...she could do with a saddle and something to grip onto if we can find somewhere to supply it...and I really fancy a decent meal...hm..." He shook his mane, flicking it onto the favourable side of his neck, stretching his legs out individually until one of them clicked and he allowed for a satisfied grunt to pass his lips.
"Are we leaving yet?" He spoke in a voice that portrayed mock boredom and he winked at the mare cheekily.


--


"True..." Pyro sighed.
"But master does summon him more than anyone I've ever known...and yet I doubt it would show up noticeably...a well organised summoning would require some input from Lucifer himself...this looks like something...random...unexpected...against his will...poorly conducted" He thought for a moment then snapped his fingers.
"What about cat boy?...I cant think of a reason why he would summon him...but I don't see why he wouldn't either..." Barnelby blinked from under the visor.
"The Master's missing a soul from his collection...maybe the feline male bargained it baaaaack" Pyro stared at him then shook his head to bring his mind into focus.
"...Are you THAT obsessed with master that you have to keep tabs on who's souls he's got?"
Barnelby tilted his head then pointed to a spot on the wall behind him where a calendar hung, numbers strewn across it, out of place against the aged dates.
"Master lost a soul moments after Satan plopped out of the ground..." He let out a series of light chuckling outbursts before becoming silent once more, Pyro staring at him as if worried.
"...your logic scares me"

Toya snorted with mock irritation.
"Experience, I doubt it. Otherwise why have you been snoring Msies?"
She tilted her head, raising a brow.
"I know more than you think."
She shuffled from foot to foot, her eyes narrowing.
"If you get there first, I owe you a pie." Sticking her tongue out at him, jolting forwards into the forest.
She laughed to herself lightly, knowing that she wouldn't win. If there was food in the offering M would get there first.

--

Sai sat in silence. Thinking, she walked from the room, making her way outside. Leaning on a barrier, she rested her head in her hands.
"It makes no sense..." She muttered to herself, feeling the breeze run over her skin. "No sense at all..."

M blinked, staring after her dumbly.
"...bitch" He muttered, swinging his head back to his rider.
"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you...to hold on...for dear life" No sooner had he spoken his front legs had left the ground and pounded the earth leaving two deep imprints as his back legs leaped into the air and he catapulted into a furious gallop, Albany barely able to keep a grip on his mane, clinging on, as he had suggested, for dear life.
The stallion raced as fast as he could, darting between trees at an impossible speed, no longer following the mare but his own knowledge of the surrounding area and their destination, his mind set on the one thing he craved more than the cure to his deafening snoring. Food.
"Pie pie pie pie pie pie pie pie pie pie pie pie" He called out tunefully, ignoring the tiny cries from Albany as she was thrown about on his back, slightly reassured by his tendencies to slow down when crossing water or soggy earth.
"We're gonna have piiiiiiiiiie" He laughed, leaping over an overturned tree smugly.
Albany held her breath, admitting to herself, that looking back over the years, the most terrifying thing to ever happen in her life was riding her estranged brother whom she would never understand.

--


Pyro stared for a full minute then frowned.
"Barnelby...are you a pervert? or will you kindly leave the room and allow for me to get dressed?..."
"...it's my room"
"...you said we could use it"
"Never said I wouldn't watch..."
"...I'm bisexual..." And without another word, Barnelby fled the room, rushing around his supplies once more, his attitude suddenly changing to once of confusion.
"Oh nooooooo...no no no no no..." He flung the gloves to the side, which had melted slightly at the center, warming a spot on the stone which still portrayed very faintly, the depths of hell, the temporary connection fading.
"...gone gone gone gone gone..." Barnelby muttered to himself, his chance to collect some of Lucifer's ultimate power, fading with the light on the stone.

Toya ran faster, veering to a sudden left, making her way through a dank cave. The stagnant water clinging to the wall filled her nostrils.
Ew... She thought to herself.
"In a hurry are we..." Haru muttered, adjusting himself so that she could move faster with ease. She skidded to a halt at the end of the cave, trotting to the front of the village.
"How did you...? When did you learn that?"
She snorted with delight, walking into the village carefully stealing a pie from a vender, just in case.

--

Sai's ears flickered back.
"Gayboy!" She yelled to Pyro, sticking her tongue out to him. "And I'm keeping this shirt, it's comfy."
She rolled the sleeves up, so she could use her hands, laughing quietly as Barnelby made a mad escape from the confines of his room.

There was no hesitation with his relentless bounds and at one point he nearly lost his terrified rider altogether, slowing to allow his jolting movements to thrust her back into place. After several more miles of winding trails and swampy lagoons a village came into view somewhere below.
"One last run then PIIIIIIIIIIE!" He leaped into the air and cascaded down the steep slope they'd managed to climb in the eccentric run.
"M!" Came the angry but terrified voice from his back.
"What is it?!" He called back, eyes set on reaching the village.
"I HATE YOU!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, eyes tightly closed, hands buried in his mane, yet her serious voice was met only with laughter.
"I KNOW!"
Then silence, his hooves met cobbles and he walked around in a dizzy circle, shaking his head, panting hard as he tried to catch his breath, beginning a slow walk around the village, looking for any sign of Haru or Toya.
Albany finally managed to relax, swaying weakly in her seat, her pale skin paling further as she looked around, the slightest hint of vibrant colour sending dizzy spells through her mind, causing her to hold a hand to her mouth to prevent herself from vomiting.
"Never again...never...ever...again" She closed her eyes as her form sagged, not noticing M looking back at her. Had they not been so deeply immersed in the village, he would have spoken to at least ask if she'd made it.

--


Pyro chuckled, emerging from the room fully clothed and apparently, better dressed. He strolled up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist without warning.
"Keep the shirt, I left my whole wardrobe here last time I stayed, I think I'm good" He kissed her cheek then withdrew, making his way over to Barnelby's hopeless form.
"But Sai, If I were simply gay, would you really have any use of me? Or I you..." He winked then knelt beside Barnelby, watching him work with interest.