“Is everything all right?” Az's deep voice dragged her out of her reverie. He was standing perfectly still, quietly watching her. His long black fingers holding the mirror hadn't budged. They came to dull points, but other than their length, seemed remarkably human-like. His skin looked like a peach's surface, like it would be velvety-soft to touch.

She shook her head slightly to dislodge the strange thought and refocused, glancing up at him. “Ah, sorry, it's taking a while.”

“I do not mind.” She couldn't read any expression in his white eyes, but Evelyn felt her face growing warm at the idea that he was simply watching her, even though it was probably out of boredom at this point.

She hurried to finish, then handed the brush back to him, taking the hat-headband and placing it on her head before nodding with satisfaction. She glanced back up—and up more—at him. “Th-thank you.”

He tossed the mirror and brush in the air with one hand, snapped his fingers again, and they vanished before they even reached Evelyn's eye level again.

He opened his mouth as if to reply to her, then paused, looking over her shoulder. Evelyn could see a slight ripple in the air somewhere near the center of the room, like it was above a hot stove, but wasn't sure what that meant.

Az answered her unspoken question. “She has arrived. Please behave properly.”

The brief moment of positive feeling she'd had towards him evaporated like a drop of water on a hot skillet.

Behave?! If I were a purse dog, my first order of business would be to pee on his leg in front of whoever it is he seems like he wants to impress!

That was the thought, at least, until there was a tear in the air in front of them. Her eyes widened as two humanoid hands, black with pointed fingers like Az's, but fading to a tan gradient near the wrists, pulled it apart and stepped through.

The woman who stepped through was breathtakingly beautiful. She had large eyes that were so dark they appeared black, but positively glittered as they reflected the light. Tightly curled locks of black hair and the tips of large, curved horns framing her face peeked out from under a light grey hood. Her dark olive skin covered a round, human-like face, but flatter, somehow, the opposite of Az, whose pointed face seemed almost wedge-like.

She was wearing plain gray clothing, including a cape, that loosely draped around her, and her hood fell into a long scarf. The look reminded Evelyn of sci-fi shows that took place in the desert, although her hood seemed slightly more like a hijab than protective wear against a bold sun.

The woman smiled at her, a calm, warm motion that made Evelyn feel like smiling too. She looked up towards Az, and her smile became more familiar, as if she were seeing someone she hadn't seen for a very long time, then a little sad, as if it hadn't just been physical distance separating them.

“Hello, little A. I am—am arrived for Miss... Ev.” Her words were slightly chopped, and something about some of the vowels seemed a little off. It was clear that she wasn't speaking her first language, but it seemed it was less like she didn't understand grammar and more that she was having trouble making certain sounds, and changing her word choice to reflect that. She'd also called Evelyn a nickname she didn't particularly care for, but she was absolutely going to forgive her for that as those beautiful eyes and smile turned back to her. She nodded to her in greeting. “I am happy... to have met you.”

Her name is Susu, right?

“S-same,” Evelyn managed. As Susu stepped forward, she realized that her first impression, that she was small like her, was completely wrong—she had to be nearly six feet tall, although she was still much shorter than Az.

Evelyn glanced at the other demon. It looked like he was standing straighter than usual, and even though his face was expressionless, he seemed nervous. He glanced down at her with another unreadable expression, and she tried not to frown.

Does he really think I'm going to give him a poor reputation, when it seems like him kidnapping me hasn't even dinged it? She's gotta know that's how I got here, but she doesn't seem particularly worried. Maybe that's just normal behavior for demons.

“How are you, Susu?” Az asked with a quiet, gentle tone she was surprised he could actually make. Susu closed her eyes and gave a slow nod.

“I am well, now. Thank you, for your part in helping when I was Above.”

“Think nothing of it. You may call upon me if you are ever again in need.” Az gave a nod that felt more like a very small bow.

Susu's eyes downcast briefly as she nodded. “I will. Thank you.”

Evelyn observed the interaction and took a stab at the emotion behind it.

It seems like they used to be close, but grew apart. But more importantly—he likes her! Mr. “You're Wrong, I Have No Emotions” has a crush, I bet!

Evelyn tried to hide a sly grin. It quickly left as Susu looked at her, then at Az, then back to her. Her smile became delighted.

“You are a matched set!”

Evelyn hoped her disgusted face was clearly directed to him and not Susu—she could already understand why he wanted to impress her. She didn't want to leave a bad impression for her own sake rather than any worry for his reputation.

Az gave a small cough—something that seemed unnecessary because, as Evelyn had noticed, he didn't breathe normally. “Ah, yes. I thought you would find it aesthetically pleasing.”

“I've been told I'm going to class?” she interjected, hoping to change the subject or at least interrupt what was probably a puppy-dog stare at the woman, who was either oblivious, or, more likely, carefully ignoring it.

“Yes. My wife will be your... educator. Take my arm.” She held out her arm at an angle, as if waiting for a hawk to land upon it. Evelyn stepped forward and awkwardly placed her hand on it. Susu shook her head. “It is your first time? Hold with both your hands, strongly.”

“Uh, like this?” Evelyn wrapped both hands around it. Susu's arm felt unexpectedly large under her hands, and she guessed that the loose clothing was hiding some serious muscle. She looked back to Az and was delighted to see that he was trying and failing to not look on with what had to be jealousy. She tilted her face out of Susu's view and stuck her tongue out. His head tilted slightly and his tail curved up as it swayed, giving the impression of confusion.

Susu nodded firmly. “I will return her in evening. Good-bye, Little A.”