Demona: Dawn

Having woken up before the crack of dawn again, I decide to try to do something productive. Who would have guessed taking four 'naps' in a day would ruin my sleep schedule? Huh...it's not sunrise yet. I'm guessing Demona hasn't turned to stone yet. I walk through the near-silent prison, following the sound of quiet conversation as I get closer to Demona's cell.

"-eve you just let her wrap around you all day and night, now." Demona's gravely voice signals I'm getting close.

"Apart from when she wants to be with Dusk, yes." Belinda's monotone seemed to say that her head was detached.

"And even then?" The gargoyle uses a teasing tone, only to be quickly disappointed.

"No. Dusk has refused engaging with me thus far."

Now seeing the trio from behind, I prepare to whisper into the undead's ear before Demona beats me to it. "Don't take it personally. Remember that mark? He's being careful with his power over you. He's the kind of guy that doesn't want to take advantage of the ones under him."

There's a pause. "You sound like you have experience on the subject."

The gargoyle chuckles. "I'm older than I look, Bel. I ever tell you about Adalbaal?"

"No, but it looks like that story will have to wait for night. Sleep well, Demona." Belinda and Blobby head off, Linda and/or Blobby waving with the undead's free hand.

"Ah, alright. See you tonight." She waves, watching them leave before turning toward me. It's difficult to make out, but she seems to gesture for me to come in as she opens the dented metal door, the creaking echoing slightly against the stone walls.

After a few more seconds of making sure my 'subordinates' are away, I cross the hall and enter the open door. "How long did you know I was there?"

The gargoyle's face curves into a grin, her fangs protruding from her mouth. "Long enough. Gargoyles are only out at night, you know. We've got to be able to see in the dark." She pauses, before shifting the conversation. "What'd you wanna talk about?"

I rub the back of my head. "Eh, nothing really. I just woke up early and...didn't want to be alone, I guess."

"Well, c'mon. We can watch the sunrise together." She begins stripping herself naked, and while at first I'm startled, I remember my first encounter with her.

She sleeps naked because she doesn't want to rip up her clothes in a sex-fueled frenzy... "You...seem to have a thing for watching that. Any particular reason?"

"Heh, how old are you, Dusk?" She tosses her vest and skirt onto what's called a 'bed' in here.

I step closer. "Eh, I don't know about my body, but mentally, around twenty."

Demona nods. "Then you wouldn't understand, but I'll try to explain anyway." She clears her throat. "People, cities, kingdoms, even the gods...they won't be there forever. Someone will come along and destroy infrastructure, kill the rulers, and overthrow the gods. Even the moon has been destroyed before. The sun...I remember a man brag about how he was gonna destroy it...but when he tried, it was still there. The sun will always be there." She pauses. "I've lost a lot of people, Dusk. I can't think of a single mortal alive that's lived longer than me. The sun? It's always there, ready to turn me to stone when it crosses the horizon."

I hum. "It's odd that the thing that restricts you the most is what brings you the most comfort."

She chuckles, and I do the same before we enter silence for a bit, the sky getting brighter by the second. "Dusk, Bel may not show it a lot, but she's pretty self-conscious. I don't need to know why you're keeping your distance, but at least tell her."

I sigh. "Well, you were pretty spot-on before. I just...I basically **** someone before, and...even if she doesn't see it that way, it didn't sit right with me. I don't want to take advantage like that again..."

"Heh...looks like Adalbaal was right after all..."

I look over, about to ask what she means, but she's already turned to stone, streaks of sunlight entering the window. What could she mean by that?