They Knew Before I Did

"What in the Devildom do ya mean yer struggling to figure out what to do?!" Mammon whisper yelled taking extra care not to wake you. If he held you a little tighter he would never admit it. "You're the future King? Are you not? Ya never have a hard time coming up with any manner of punishments for us!" He could not repress the shudder that wracked through his whole body. The memories alone were enough to make him anxious.

"Enough Mammon! You still need to show Lord Diavolo the respect his position deserves. I understand that this is very frustrating for all parties involved which is why Lord Diavolo is in such a precarious spot" Lucifer was quick to chastise his younger brother even though he was thinking the same thing he was just unable to speak on it. He always envied that about his brothers... their complete lack of a filter, never worrying about what they say and whom they said it too.

"Na this ain't the time for respect. The person that deserves any of that is sleeping here in my lap. They are counting on us to do somethin' about this" Mammon huffed as you nuzzled your face impossibly closer to his chest. "This happened right under our noses for god's sake, can you even imagine how many times this must happened before and they didn't tell us? How severe was it and not one of us noticed? How much pain was she really in? What use is being one of the seven rulers if we didn't even see this. Gods only knows what would've happened today if that lousy angel hadn't shown up!" Mammon would never admit it but he hated that Simeon was the one to have found you, you were his human.

Diavolo visibly deflated there was nothing he could say to Mammon the demon was right how had this happened. He may crass, uncouth and far blunter then the situation warranted but he was right none the less. "If ya want my opinion ya can lock her up and throw away the key. That always seems to be your solution"

Lucifer rolled his eyes none of them were particularly over how Beelzebub had been treated during the Siren Song incident. But now was not the time to reopen old wounds especially those that had not been completely healed. "It is not that simple you must understand that much. Her family is very involved in the political climate that makes up the Devildom. They have been crucial participants for millennia now. Lest not forget that family was one of the only ones to stand by him when Lord Diavolo was subject to his trial. Any rash judgements or decisions can jeopardize Lord Diavolo’s place as the next King. Morrigan is not just some random Bully she is not to be taken lightly." Lucifer hated to admit that but it was the truth and the Devil he did know was better than the one he didn't know. He could not imagine whom they'd choose to take Diavolo's place should the issue get pressed for a second time...

Mammon would not give up his human was hurt and the fact that they were tip toeing around this was blowing his mind. "But Morrigan jeopardized the exchange program. One that was sanctioned by that very same family. She harmed someone directly under the protection of Lord Diavolo" and me... the last part he left unsaid. "Has any one stepped forward to affirm their version of events?"

"What do ya mean no one came forward!?"

"It is exactly as I stated previously Mammon no one came forward. All of the students that were present were questioned at length by myself and Satan and no one would say anything"

"The Demon Lord's Butler and Satan could not get a single one of the to open their damn mouths. I have a really hard time believing that" Mammon was flabbergasted by what he was hearing right now. His ears had to be clogged, maybe he is hearing incorrectly. There was just no way that some random Demoness was scarier than the literal Avatar of Wrath. *Ya mean to tell me, we are gonna stand here with our wings between our legs we are going to fail them again? Did I get that all correct?" Mammon barely waited for an answer. He carefully picked you up as not to jostle you. You and him were going to nap in his room where you were safe. Cause he could really use some time to cool off before he really did something he regretted. Without saying anything further he merely walked out the door.

Lucifer pinched the bridge of his nose. He was far more exhausted then he had been all day. He could not in good conscience say anything to the white-haired demon he was just saying what everyone else was too afraid too. He feared that Mammon was blaming himself for what happened. When it was not just on him but all of them. He was right they had all failed you and he would sooner leave the Devildom then allow that to happen again.

"Barbatos don't you have more creative ways of encouraging people... to be honest?" Barbatos struggled to hide the smile forming on his face. He in fact did have a number of more "creative" ways in fact he had a whole room dedicated to those ways. "And can't those skills be used on Morrigan or any of the demons that were present to encourage their cooperation? Or perhaps jog their memory in the event that the incident slipped their minds?"

"At Diavolos word I will begin at once" Diavolo let out a breath he was unaware he was even holding this was bound to blow back in his face but he had to take some of the responsibility if not all of it. He rested his shoulder against the door frame, was there enough cause to go after Morrigan in such a manner?

Barbatos was very well known for being cruel and he had nothing but faith in his abilities probably too much faith if he was being honest with himself. He would set up a conference with Ernmas before the night was over and explain the situation.

"I will do what I need to do, do as you see fit. Please get a full confession to everything if possible. I want to know everything she has put them through and I want it by the end of the day. Also find out what she has over the other demons I find it odd no one was willing to talk"

"As you wish my lord. May a request Satan's assistance once again" Satan was not about to say no to an invitation to one of Barbatos interrogations. It fed something deep inside himself he was unwilling to admit out loud. "I doubt he would listen to me if I say no so take him" the second the words left Lucifer's mouth the two were gone in an instant.

Lucifer sank further into his arm chair as silence fell between all parties. "I for one am glad they will be on the receiving end of their wrath and it will not I. Satan looked almost feral" Diavolo laughed "The two of them scare even me from time to time. Especially when Satan brings out that one particular book it has an eye on it I think"

"I do have one request" Diavolo looked at Lucifer seriously it was rare for him to ask for anything...
"Please keep me abreast of what is going on... to satisfy my own curiosity. I also have five brothers who will not stop till they know what's going on" Diavolo agreed instantly and without a second thought he truly needed Lucifer and today proved that. Especially when it came to matters such as this. He wanted to respect his wishes. If he learned anything from today, he truly was unable to do anything with out the Avatar of Pride at his side.

"Thank you. Also... I do not believe it is in MC best interest to tell them anything further. They would only feel that they are at fault and I do not wish for them to feel that way. After everything it would not be fair"

Diavolo smiled "It is always nice to see how far you are willing to go for a mere human. Going to all this trouble to spare their feelings it is a pleasant change of pace for you"

Lucifer waved him off refusing to acknowledge what he was insinuating. It was his duty to attend to your needs and ensure your safety this was part of that and nothing more. "Well I assume you have much to do we shall not keep you any longer. Plus, I really need to speak with my brothers we have all had a rough day"

Diavolo could not help but agree and his work had barely begun. *Yes, yes I know when I am being kicked out" With one final smile he left out the main doors of the House of Lamentation.
Asmo and Beel peeked their heads out from around the corner "That was far more intense than I was expecting"

Lucifer outwardly groaned rolling his eyes "how long have the two of you been hiding there? How much of that did you hear?"

"Long enough. You could have cut the tension in there with a knife" Asmo leaned down hanging over the back of the couch. Beel had opted for standing in the doorway. "You really think keeping them in the dark is a wise decision?" Beel did not like lying to you. The last time he did you locked away all his snacks

Lucifer sighed in defeat of course he didn't "If I am being honest with you I am not sure. But I wish to

"And this is how you are going to do it? Lying is how you are going to protect her? Asmo eyed his older brother skeptically he was never one to question Lucifer's decision's but this was not the right call. "You know how much they hate being kept in the dark." The Belphegor situation was still all too fresh in everyone's minds.

There it was that throbbing headache he was so hoping to avoid. He rubbed his temples furiously in an effort to provide himself with some relief. "Yes, but she is under my direct care, and while she is here ! will decide what is best for her. I do not owe any of you an explanation"

Asmo and Beel sighed this was not sitting right with either of them but it appeared that Lucifer was not going to budge. And Asmo did not have it in him to fight Lucifer on this right now. Beel on the other hand..."Technically it was Mammon who you placed in charge of them. You said it yourself that very first day don't you remember"

Lucifer's eyes went wide as he took in what Beel had just said he was already at his limit and this was dangerously close to pushing him over. He was in front of Beel in an instant "Do you wish to keep pushing my buttons or are you looking for trouble. What position are you in that you can question a decision I have made"

Asmo quickly worked his way between them as he saw literal sparks flying between the two of them
"That is not the case let's just calm down all of us are on edge today so it is in our best interest for everyone to retreat to their designated corners"

Lucifer rolled his eyes heading back for his chair, meanwhile Beel had already stomped up the stairs most likely to his own room. "Go get working on dinner I do not wish to clean up from one of Beel's hunger rampages tonight" Asmo sighed he was being shooed away as per usual the eldest did not want to talk about his feelings how typically boring.

"Yes, yes oh great Avatar of Grumpiness right away" Asmo couldn't help himself sometimes he was always poking the bear. Before Lucifer even had the chance to respond Asmo was out the door hoping to avoid whatever wrath Lucifer would send his way. He truly was not envious of the position he was in.

But something was nagging at him, something did not feel right about keeping you in the dark he would talk to Mammon about it later. For now, he would make your favorite chicken that were cut into Dinosaurs.

Lucifer took a deep breath before burying his face in his hands. "This is just so troublesome, the whole situation my brothers included." Maybe it would have been better if they all hadn't gotten so emotionally involved with you. He would never admit that out loud for fear of you hearing him or being right. He truly treasured every moment he got to spend with you. You made each of them better and you undoubtedly brought all of them so much closer. He and Satan could have a full conversation before turning to blows. Their feelings were clouding their judgement and nothing good ever came when their judgement was impaired. One instance stuck clearly in his mind and that time he lost someone in the process.. He would not let that happen again.