“I know I’ve said bizarre things ever since you came to Earth to appear human. I never cared before whether anyone liked me or not before that,” said VD.
“Well...” Poisonous paused, thinking. “You and I have always enjoyed trading stories of the havoc we wreaked in humankind’s soul. I’m not exactly sure I have any further desire to do what demons normally do. You and I have always been partners as demons, but now I no longer am that partner you once knew.” She paused, smiling. “Now I’m your friend.”
VD remained silent, sitting there in the chair, swinging her legs back and forth.
Poisonous turned on her bed, and lay upon her side. “But since I’m new at this, what exactly do friends do, VD? I’m familiar with having lovers: you know of Snakebite, whom I adore. But being friends—hmmm --- that requires opening up your soul to someone without getting anything in return.”
VD still said nothing. She looked away, leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. Eventually, she said, “I’m not exactly sure, but I’ve heard humans have friends, and they seem to like the idea. We should work at it. It might not be that hard. All I know is that they spend a lot of time together, and they don’t seem to mind baring their souls, even when they fight or disagree.”
Poisonous’ face softened some. “I can’t see that it would be so bad. We have spent a lot of time together. I must admit there is no longer any point in doing evil: neither of us wants to any more. I guess I’ve rather grown used to you always being there with me. I sort of… well I suppose I...” She forced herself to say the words. “I miss you too.”
“Oh, Poisonous, you’re such a good friend…” VD gave her a big hug, and started to kiss her too.
She involuntarily backed away. She noticed the hurt look on VD’s face, and felt bad. “I…I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to hurt your feelings.”
VD blinked back tears, but said nothing.
“VD. I’m still getting used to seeing you as a friend. It’s going to take me some time, but I think I can get used to the idea. We are more like lovers of The Lamb every day, and that’s a good thing.”
VD found her voice. “I agree, and all I know is that I... well, I guess I miss you. I don’t like the idea of you not being around. You’ve always been my partner.”
She walked over to VD and hugged her back. She and VD had never done this before, but it felt nice, actually. “Thank you, old friend.” There was a brief, awkward silence.
VD managed a small smile. “Well... I guess I have to go find something good to do. I’ll see you around. You take care of yourself, okay?”
Poisonous nodded. “Take care, old friend. I look forward to seeing you again. I actually think that our being friends is rather nice.”
She shuddered as emotions flowed through her heretofore empty, black heart. “I like her, and she and I have a long history together. I’ll just have to face the fact that maybe I could be a nice young woman. I’m not throwing away my friendship with VD, no matter what the other demons or the Lamb’s followers think. After all, followers of the Lamb do have a justifiable disposition to hate dark angels.”
She watched VD walking back into the spirit realm. Just before she was out of sight, VD turned and said, “I know we might be looked on as Followers of the Light, but I don’t mind telling you how I feel. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetie.”
VD smiled and left.
On her way back to her apartment, VD ran into another demon. Face twisted in disgust, lips snarled, and teeth gnashing, he said, “You make me sick...you’re worse than the humans. ‘Friend... I love you...’ indeed. You’re going to give us demons a bad name if you keep this up,” he said.
Recognition hit her. “Conniver, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll just leave me alone.”
“I’ll do no such thing. I’m going to tell my squadron and yours about this. You’ll be the brunt of all the demonic jokes, and eventually answer to Lucifer.”
“Conniver... it’s obvious to me that you’ve never heard of the saying, ‘Heav'n has no rage like love to hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a fury, like a woman scorn'd.’ In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m a woman, and you’re really plucking my last nerves.” She took off her earrings, laid them down, and laid into him with a fury fiercer than she had ever felt before, fists flying. When she had pummeled him into submission, she stood him up, and spat her words out angrily. “Now get out of here, or I’ll give you more.”
Conniver winced as he hobbled away. “You haven’t heard the last of this.”
The truth of his words made her sigh. She would be answering to Lord Lucifer before long. Then she stopped in her tracks. She had known anger and hatred so well that they were second nature, but something different had motivated her to tear into Conniver. A much stronger passion she couldn’t quite
