Empty Books. [Open]

[Alexiel BookMan]

Good, Reikas appeared to have enjoyed the hug about the same amount as Alexiel did and it was a relief and the little mara gave a soft happy sigh, sitting back on his seat on the desk. "No problem!" He grinned, crossing his legs rather gentlemanly and shivering a bit at just how happy he had made the other man, the joy mixing with his own made it twice as good. "We all make mistakes though, best to talk about happier things!" He then had his hand taken, and for a few seconds he blinked confused. Reikas' words seem to cling to him and his face went rather a wonderful shade of pink, and he used his spare hand to try and hide this fact. "I'm not that great!" His voice was slightly higher than normal, only proving he was embarrassed and he peered between his fingers, the little mara being a little modest now.

The mara did enjoy the touch though, and his thumb absentmindedly made circles in Reikas' palm. That was it really, Alexiel had made his mind up and this demon wouldn't easily get rid of him: The mara now saw Reikas as someone to look up to and someone to learn from and knowledge was one of his favourite things. "I just did what anyone would do..." He muttered, calming down slightly and his cheeks and nose becoming a little less red, taking in a deep breath. He eventually moved his spare hand from his face and placed it on top of Reikas'. "You do realise I'm going to hug you a lot now right?" He grinned, his cheeks still red but he obviously felt a lot better now.

He could imagine it now. Seeing Reikas in the street and just jumping him; those around would look shocked and horrified but at least Alexiel would be happy, and it would all be done in good faith.

[Reikas Esterion]

Reikas nodded in agreement with Alexiel's suggestion to speak of other things. And yes, people did make mistakes, but it was a rare opportunity when one screwed up as badly as Richard Esterion had.

He chuckled as Alexiel's face flushed. This man just had too much of an adorablility factor, and the fact that he looked so demonic actually worked in his favor, in Reikas' opinion. That well-meaning but scary monster in the dark who was actually a kitten in disguise.

He shook his head. "Actually, a lot of strangers don't find it socially acceptable to hug someone they've just met. You'd think they would, but..." And then he grinned as Alexiel informed him of the mara's future plans quite frankly. "I think I can handle that, but only as long as it makes you that utterly happy every time."

He wondered how relaxing Alexiel knew his simple friendly touch was. People just didn't touch each other like they ought to, society was so stiff and formal all the time, with head-nods and distant hand-waves and such. Just that simple little circling of Reikas' palm was a lovely sensation that added on to his restored contentment. He wondered if the mara liked giving massages. Or receiving them. Hell, if he didn't look so chilling, that probably would be a great career path for the guy, because he could definitely feel how even their simple interactions affected the mara.

[Alexiel BookMan]

The mara nodded, knowing all too well it wasn't the social thing to go about hugging people you didn't know, especially when you were in a public place. People were not as kind as Reikas and he had been kicked away before - but mostly politely. Then a strange look passed Alexiel face as Reikas asked about his happiness. Personally he couldn't see how on earth he would ever be unhappy with the touch let alone bored of something so wonderful so eventually he grinned and nodded. "Promise I'll be just as happy every time but you gotta promise not to tell me off it I catch you by surprise!" And that is exactly what the mara would want to do, surprise and happiness was a good mix of emotion that he could tell apart and it would amuse him greatly. He had always wanted a friend he could harass at more hours of the day.

The colour of his cheeks seemed to have passed very quickly, going back to his very pale and almost see through skin. He watched his hands carefully though, realising what he was doing to the other man but he was rather happy Reikas' wasn't pulling away. If the mara wasn't so content already with just massaging the man's hand he might have just hugged him again with some sort of strange noise and grinning. Alexiel felt the calming in the other man and it seemed to settle him also, he didn't feel so excitable now, but a blissful contentment - oh how easy it was to please him. "It would make me more happy if you wanna talk to me more~" He said without thinking, feeling really too calm to think first. Sometimes his mouth didn't communicate with his head first.

He only realised seconds later what he said and a small frown seemed to come over his face. "What I meant is..." His voice was still calm, and his tone was rather neutral, "Just tell me stuff if you want to..."

[Reikas Esterion]

Reikas grinned. So Alexiel wasn't so innocent that he didn't understand the concept of bargaining. Clever. "I promise," he said, and he meant it. If he could trust that Alexiel only ever meant well, he wouldn't mind being suddenly set upon by a burst of joy at the most unexpected moments. A mara and a happiness demon truly were perfect companions for one another. Why didn't either of these men own slaves? How he longed for a master as easy as either of them.

He chuckled as Alexiel seemed to say something he thought wasn't quite appropriate. "Well, I don't exactly need a therapist, though I appreciate the offer if that's what you meant," he began. He could feel that Alexiel was calming down, as well. Maybe he was letting Reikas' own emotions effect him. Well, as long as they stayed happy. "I like to think I'm mostly stable. However, I don't mind just conversing at all. Here, do this hand, it's not getting enough attention." He grinned and offered his other hand. It was feeling unloved. Might as well take advantage of this service if it was going to be offered with pleasure. "Do you like massaging people, Alexiel? Has anyone ever let you massage them?"

[Alexiel BookMan]

Promises meant a lot to the mara, and no matter what he was going to hold the man to it - though he wondered what would happen if Reikas' master caught him being jumped upon by a strange demonic and winged looking creature. It then occurred to the mara that people usually got rather protective of their property... damn, he'd have to get around this somehow. It was then that Alexiel mentally kicked himself, what he said must have sounded like was not exactly how he wanted it to come out. However, he used Reikas' few more words to his advantage though, making it appear as if that is what he meant. "Well it was worth a try~" He muttered, still calming himself as the joy bubbles settled in well in the small of his unused stomach. "I'm always here to talk to. And knowing me, as I do, I'm going to be asking you a lot of questions anyway."

And he meant that, he wanted to learn everything about Reikas, and not only that he wanted the demon to teach him anything he didn't already know, someone who he assumed was older than him must know an awful lot. He looked a little surprised as he was offered the other hand, but looked very please seconds after, taking it and massaging it very gently and well. "Don't want it getting jealous!" He chuckled, making sure to rub out any tense muscles that needed working on - though he hadn't practiced much, he was rather good at it. "It's rather nice, and it's an easy way to touch people... but no, I've only ever done it to hands before... Hands and once a foot!" Alexiel seemed pleased that he had done this, but at the same time it pained him he hadn't done more.

"Maybe one day I'll get to find out if I'm any good at it~" He sighed rather wishfully, making sure that Reikas was enjoying the small touch to his hands as much as the mara was. "Might be a conversation starter?"

[Reikas Esterion]

Well, if Alexiel wanted Reikas's mood to fluctuate between not good and flat-out awful, the demon would be happy to tell him all about how horrible he'd been as a human to his family and how terrified he was of his sire coming to claim or kill him and what the exact dollar conversation in today's economy would have been for the price he overpaid for a life of servitude. But he wasn't about to say that. If Alexiel wanted to pry it out of him, more power to the mara, but Reikas wouldn't offer any further information than asked. Unless the mara really was genuinely interested and didn't mind Reikas having sharp mood swings, which the demon knew Belial never cared much more. "Questions I can handle. I just don't really want to bring the mood down by volunteering information of my own," he told the mara.

He grinned and nodded in agreement with the mara about not making either hand jealous. He could tell that Alexiel was skilled at this sort of thing because even though it was such a small amount of the demon, it was still quite relaxing, and even more so now that both hands had equal attention.

"Conversation starter?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "As in 'Hey, my name is Alexiel, you look tense, want me to take care of that? But don't mind the eyes, I'm not going to eat your soul, promise!'" He chuckled, hoping Alexiel found that amusing, too. "I could see that going over quite well. Tell you what though, if you ever do try to find out if you're any good, make sure I'm in line for practicing on."

That seemed like a safe enough way to ask for a massage. The idea of a man close enough to touch him and dripping with joy at the prospect was highly appealing. He could always go for a massage, and if a meal came with it, even better.

[Alexiel BookMan]

The little mara chuckled a little as he continued to play with the other man's hands carefully. "I'm not going to ask anything scary! Just... well I crave knowledge like I crave friendship~" He seemed to pleased with being so open towards someone, and it was no word of a lie because he didn't want to pry into anything that might upset his new found friend. He did however seem to shift a little uncomfortably when Reikas mentioned his eyes. Though feeling completely safe around this man and trusting him almost whole-heartedly already he wasn't about to feel right when talking about one of the very few things he naturally hated about himself - He really did want normal eyes like everyone else, it would always make things easier, especially when it came to looking for love.

"Going as well as a ship made of rock..." He joked, smiling at the other man, trying not to look him in the eyes, now very aware again they were red. "But if you want to be my practice model that would be great!" He seemed excited once more, his calm mood seeming to be going out the window now with the idea of someone trusting him and wanting even more touch. It would be a little strange though, having someone who may or may not decide to be topless laying in the library getting touched up by a red eyed, scary looking tall man. No, that might not seem like a brilliant idea. "Maybe when I close the pla- Oh Hell!" He let go of Reikas' hands, falling backwards off the desk and onto the floor with a thud. He jumped up, as he had done before and scrambled around. "Oh hell!!"

The repeat of these words were the first ones that might have come close to panic and a little anger. It was past closing time and look what he was doing. He had been asked to do three things today: keep the place clean, help people, close up and he had forgotten the last one. "Sorry Reikas!" He jumped around the desk again and almost ran around the library, checking there was no one else in the place.

[Reikas Esterion]

Reikas felt Alexiel's reaction to his comment about eyes, and he made a mental note about it. No mentioning his eyes. Got it. It slightly surprised Reikas that such an easygoing man couldn't laugh at himself about that, but if it caused real problems in his life as Reikas imagined it did, the demon understood why he couldn't.

But the massage comment brought the mood right back up, exactly as Reikas had hoped it would. Excellent.

The demon jumped when Alexiel began cursing and fell. Was he having some kind of fit?? Reikas rose immediately to check if he was alright, but just like before when the mara had tripped, Alex was already up and running.

"What??" he called, perhaps a little too loudly for a library, trying to take a few steps to follow Alexiel but giving up when he realized the mara was darting around everywhere. Was it really that late? He returned the chair back to where he remembered Alexiel had gotten it from. "Can I help at all?" he added, missing the mara's warm joy and wanting it back.

[Alexiel BookMan]

Alexiel seemed to be running around like a little bit of an idiot, taking the last few remaining stragglers in the library and shifting them out almost like you would do to a stray cat you secretly wanted to keep. He was currently trying to ignore the very horrid throbbing pain in his shoulder blade, which was now sticking to his shirt with the smallest hint of blood, but he would sort that out later if it got any worse. "No no it's okay! Just sit there and look pretty!" Obviously he was still a little too flustered to think about what he was saying. He just just shifting the last few people out when he seemed to stop at the door watching something; a mix of happiness and wistfulness passing over him like a wave hitting the shore suddenly. The little mara watched for a few seconds as a couple held hands and kissed before closing the large library doors with some effort and locking them with the keys he found in his pocket. Alex sighed, resting his head on the doors for a second before turning back to Reikas.

There was no hint of what Alexiel had just (and was still) feeling on his face, though if he had normal eyes he was sure there would be a slight hint of longing in them, and there was nothing but a smile but he could still feel it bubbling inside him. "Sorry about that Reikas!" He chuckled, trying to act as normal as possible whilst walking back over to him, using one arm to reach around his own back to try and rub his slightly pained shoulder. He didn't seem all that fussed that there was a little blood on his fingers when he looked at them once again. "We close early on Wednesdays." The mara didn't seem to think that Reikas might have wanted to leave, but if he did there was always the back door, which was only meant for librarian use (Alex himself only using it when he fancied going on walks because he lived upstairs and usually kept to himself).

There was something bothering him though, and it was clear to tell and despite his blatant comfortableness around the demon, he seemed uncertain if he should ask about it. Romantic or not, Alexiel wanted to find out a little more about Reikas and his knowledge of the world. "Strange question..." He warned, thinking it best that way before sitting back on his desk, "Surely hugging is better than kissing... contact wise?"

[Reikas Esterion]

((Reikas: How about I show you and let you decide...*Kissy face*))

Reikas rolled his eyes and grinned as Alexiel told him to look pretty, leaning against the desk. He'd have to monitor where this one's hands went very closely if the mara gave him a massage one day. He was actually impressed by Alexiel's apparent indestructibility; that had looked like a rather damaging fall from the desk though Reikas hadn't actually seen the floor collision, but the man was handling it like a champ.

He likewise watched the couple kiss before leaving, smiling as he did so. Chaste love was like chocolate to him, satisfying and indulgent but not very healthy or substantial. Alexiel's unchecked joy was a much meatier source of food.

He watched the mara lock them in with great interest. Did Alexiel have some sort of plan for him? And there was something on his back, too. A dark stain. He'd fallen on that shoulder, hadn't he? Was it bleeding? Alexiel seemed to hesitate at the door before turning 'round to face the demon, by which time Reikas was again leaning his elbows on the desk behind him and folding his fingers tightly across his stomach, his eyes closely studying Alexiel's body with a slight frown.

He nodded slowly as the mara informed him of the library's weekday hours and pushed himself from the desk, allowing Alexiel to climb back on it.

"Hold still," he said, heading around to the librarian's side of the desk without qualms. He reached up to Alexiel's undamaged shoulder to steady him so the mara didn't turn or try to hide it. "I think I saw you're bleeding, let me see." He reached down to the slits in the back of the man's shirt to try to lift it so he could see the damage, his fingertips sliding along Alexiel's back gently to do so. He imagined the mara wouldn't mind.

"Hugging?" he asked as he inspected. "Well, kissing is more intimate, the lips are more sensitive than regular skin and are always bare. More of you contacts someone when you hug, but most of it is covered by clothes," he explained distractedly. "So it really sort of depends on what you're going for. What did you hit when you fell?"

[Alexiel BookMan]

Alexiel seemed relatively happy that he was now sat down again and his panic had died down considerably, feeling happy and content along with curious. He seemed a little startled that Reikas wanted to walk behind him and he did try to turn around but the gentle hand on his unhurt shoulder stopped him. It was a strange and very careful touch that made the little mara shiver. "It doesn't hurt that much Reikas, I'm sure it's only a small cut." He muttered, far more distracted by the touch than he should have been, but he was a little off about the bruised shoulder. Though a thin cut that didn't bleed much, his skin, being normally pale had already gone a little blue and purple. The mara also seemed rather pleased that the demon didn't mind taking his shirt off a little; he personally not liking to wear them at all. "I can take it off if you like?" He offered rather innocently - hopefully Reikas wouldn't think anything worse about it. Besides, he might get more touch out of it.

He listened to his words about kissing though, and nodded along to them as if he knew what the demon was talking about; but he didn't. "Not many people hug naked I guess..." He commented, rather off offhandedly, mostly to himself rather than Reikas but right now he was thinking about kissing. Alexiel decided to touch his own lips with his hand to try and see if they were more sensitive than the rest of his skin; but he guessed it was most likely not the same as someone else doing it. "Hmm..." He murmured, not seeming to mind all that much that Reikas was touching where might be sore; as a man he had rather a high tolerance to pain, and he had learned by many a mistake that he would heal no matter what. "You kissed a lot of people?" He questioned, looking at the closed door since he couldn't turn towards the demon.

[Reikas Esterion]

Reikas nodded as Alexiel offered to take off his shirt. "Yeah, do that, it's getting stained, we can soak it in a bathroom sink before the blood dries too much." He had a history of being responsible for getting blood stains out of clothing. He stepped back and let Alexiel's shirt go, figuring that the mara didn't need help stripping, but he did want a better look at that bruise. It didn't look pretty.

He laughed as Alexiel mentioned people hugging naked. In fact they did do that quite often as a species in general. He didn't correct the kid though. He was much too innocent.

"Yup," he said openly. "It tends to make people quite happy. Men and women." He almost asked if Alexiel did, but he got the feeling that it would embarrass the mara to reveal, and he realized that the answer was probably negative based on the initial question asked.

[Alexiel BookMan]

Alexiel didn't even bother undoing the buttons of his shirt before trying to tug it over his head rather lazily. He got a little caught at times on his head and he hissed a bit as he moved his arms up to remove it, the bruise causing moving it to hurt the shoulder blade. It was off though, and the mara seemed to feel much better for it, his pale skin flexing a little over his body and shivering a little happily. His shoulder seemed to have taken the blunt of the damage from landing on it awkwardly; it was very normal for the type of creature he was to damage badly and heal really rather slowly, but he didn't seem to mind too much. "Blood doesn't matter much, I don't actually like wearing shirts~" He chuckled, keeping the little stained shirt on his lap.

He did seem rather interested in what Reikas was saying about kissing, playing with his own thumbs carefully, letting them touch very quickly before pulling them away, almost teasing himself with it. Alexiel seemed to be rather excited about sitting there topless with the hopes that the demon might touch him again but he tried not to fidget much, trying to hide just how excited he was. "So... is kissing men or women better? Or does it depend on the person... What if they aren't good at kissing? Do you tell them?" And these sort of questions seemed to go on and on, clearly the mara was worried about if he ever got to kiss someone, hoping to hell he wouldn't do it wrong at all, or that Reikas would laugh at him for these questions.

[Reikas Esterion]

"Same," Reikas muttered with a nod, thoroughly understanding Alexiel's distaste for shirts. His gaze dropped down to the mar's unusual back structure. He didn't know they could withdraw their wings like that. Belial never did. He lifted his gaze back to the nasty little bruise and laid warm fingertips gently against Alexiel's skin next to it, near the base of his neck.

He tried to get a word in edgewise about the bruise, but Alexiel seemed much more interested in kissing than personal injury. It was like having a younger brother all over again, except one he could do things right by and not abuse.

He did his best to answer questions as they came, seeking a pause to interject personal mara care. "Men or women is really your preference, that's whether or not you figure out what you're really attracted to. For me, it doesn't even matter that much. usually you don't tell someone if they're bad at kissing. Well, I don't, at least. Maybe other people do. I haven't bothered to figure out a way to do wit without offending the other person. But I'm used to dealing with those things. Slave, remember?" he smiled.

He gently wiped at the blood trailing down the bruise. "Hang on, I'm going to do something gross for a second, I promise I'm not diseased, just bear with it." He licked his thumb and wiped off the cut with it like a mother cleaning a child's face. He wanted to see just how big it was. "Do you have band-aids? I could use tape and tissues, too." He spotted them both on the desk near the computer, but no band-aids. They might have been in a drawer.

[Alexiel BookMan]

Alexiel seemed a little too happy to have all his questions answered one after the other and he wondered just how someone would go about kissing; he didn't want to do it like the books and just grab someone, so he'd have to ask about that later. What was it about this man though that made the mara so trusting? He felt even more used to him than anyone else he had met, and he assumed this is what having an elder brother was like, only with less fights. He didn't like the reminder of being a slave though, and he tried to wonder just how someone would live their dayly life trying not to offend anyone, would have been rather hard to try and think before speaking each and every time. "Being careful like that must be hard... I mean, at least you get to kiss people. Though if you don't wanna kiss them it might be bad..." He seemed really rather caught up in this.

Then Reikas mentioned something disgusting and Alexiel seemed highly curious, looking over his shoulder to see just what it was he planned to do. A shot of what seemed like pure adrenaline ran through him as he saw the demon licking his thumb and when he felt it against his skin he took in a deep sharp breath, but he was trying to hide it with little success. It felt a little strange, and he had never had something like this happen to him; It stung a little because of the cut, but the warmth and wetness felt rather nice. It took him a few seconds to retreat back to his mind and be able to think and he pointed sharply with his good arm at a draw behind the desk - blushing a little because he had made such an odd noise before.

"They are in there..." He muttered finally, breathing going back to a quiet and though his heartbeat still felt a little funny he was calming down - Hopefully Reikas wouldn't do anything like that again until he was back to his normal self.