[ Sometime after his and Mammon's arrival back to Reverein, Satan still hasn't properly processed things. He's tried to. But he thinks about it, about how both people he's made pacts with are hurdling toward non-existence in different ways, and the wrath inside his very core boils.
He knows that while he's here, he's helpless to do anything about his first pact. He knows that, but knowing that doesn't make him any less irritated. As for his second pact... what can he do? Physically restrain her from becoming an eternal light dragon that's not even Zelda anymore? Sure, maybe he could, but she would never forgive him for that, and honestly he wouldn't forgive himself either.
He had become so used to things being solvable, even if it took some time and effort. But both of these problems seem impossible for him to tackle at all.
Right now, he's skimming a book he'd come across in an effort to get his mind off things. He's retaining absolutely nothing and instead keeps thinking again and again how solutions are so far out of reach and--and there goes the book, thrown across the room so hard it's stuck in the wall like a dart on the dartboard. ]
DAMMIT!
[ He takes a moment to calm himself down, to take a deep breath, to find his peace, only to find himself kicking over the nearby table for good measure as well. ]
[ It was hard for him to get readjusted here, especially with all the ridiculous going on around them, but they managed to find their previous home still in tact and because they deal with crazy demonic things all the time it wasn't going to scare them from their dream home.
Mammon knew something had to be up since returning here though. He didn't want to pressure Satan into talking about it, maybe it was something he wanted to solve on his own, or maybe it was just something that ain't a big deal until it's brought up by someone else. Either way he wanted to keep an eye out on Satan.
Aaaand apparently that was a good idea on his part because he almost got a book lodged right into his head as hew as walking out of the room. He lets out a surprised yelp and stumbles backwards. ]
[ Luckily, there is nothing else within arm reach that he can grab and throw. Unluckily, he can just create more things to throw with magic if he wants to. He doesn't, but he's not that far away from doing it. ]
[ He's already at 100, but somehow, he managed to get to 110. ]
Do you think I'm stupid?! That I didn't already try that?! Do you think I just sat here and thought, wow, it's been a while since I lost my temper, let's just put a hole through the wall?
[ So much for "I'll avoid saying calm down because it will surely make him angrier." But what the hell has he been thinking about so heavily that he just popped like a balloon of anger like this?! ]
L-Look I didn't say all that, Satan! But I can't help ya if ya take off my head with the next thing you throw!
[ Sh-shit shit that's strike two. Mammon flinches a little as he slowly moves backward, unfortunately remembering he was already so close to the wall. His hands patting the wall behind him as if trying to will a door or something to appear.]
How the hell am I supposed to know if I can help or not if I don't even know whats wrong?! Just tell me whats wrong, Satan!
[ Satan slams his hands on either side of Mammon against the wall. ]
How can you go on, and on, and on about being their First, and then not even seem concerned? Why are you fine? Why are you okay? I know you care, you have to, so why are you so unbothered?!
[ He realizes just then the very simple reason why Mammon is so unbothered. Satan had forgotten until just this moment that when they first arrived, they weren't pulled from the same point in time.
His anger fades a little, but he doesn't move his hands from the wall. ]
[ Mammon lets out a little yelp of a sound, like a dog being cornered with its tail between its legs as he stares up at Satan. Damn what he wouldn't do to be a little taller right now. He probably seemed so pathetic in Satan's eyes right now. Uuuugh.
His eyes were clamped shut, waiting for Satan to hit him or headbutt him or something, but then he mentions Mammon being 'the first' and his eyes shot open. ]
Wha— Why are you bringin' them up here?? It ain't like they came here too! ... right?
[ If they'd come here, he wouldn't be half as angry as he is now. If they'd come here, at least he could see them, and maybe work out a solution to the problem together. ]
No. They're not here.
[ Satan pulls his hands away from the wall and takes a step back. Ignorance is bliss, right? Mammon is happier not knowing. But... Satan knows if he were the one in Mammon's shoes, and he didn't know... ]
[ Satan turns so that his back faces Mammon, his tail whipping through the air in irritation as he does so. A moment later, he coils around his leg again as Satan folds his arms. ]
I should rephrase.
[ Satan may be calmer, but his anger is definitely crackling through the air. At the very least, it seems to be contained to this room. ]
They're not anywhere you or I can reach. Someone, or something, plucked them out of the timeline and put them somewhere else. I have... an idea as to where, but unless Barbatos ends up in this place, it's out of our hands.
[ Which, as Mammon probably can figure out, is the most infuriating part of this whole thing for Satan: that no matter what he does, he can't fix things, nor does he know anyone that could really help. ]
I wasn't trying to keep it from you. I assumed you already knew, but I... didn't realize that you were pulled here from an earlier point in time. Sorry.
[ His eyes widen, and the fear in his eyes were probably obvious. His breath hitches a little as he listens to Satan. But with Satan's back to him it was easier for him to try and pull himself together. He had to pull himself together for Satan's sake. (For his own sake.) ]
But.... that can't be all. R-right? There's somethin' else.... weighing on your mind....
[ Because even though they all loved MC, the fact that he just exploded like this... he's not sure MC's departure would cause a full blown burst like this. He'd try to think more logically about the subject...
He swallows dryly, reaching out his shaky hand to rest on Satan's shoulder. ]
What's weighing you down.... suffocatingly so?
[ If he focused on Satan, if he put all of his focus on Satan, he could wipe the fear and pain in his heart building up. ]
[ Satan grabs for Mammon's hand before he can touch him. ]
I made a pact with them. It wasn't for some petty reason. I made a pact with them... because I respected them and cared about them. Because I wanted them to be able to call upon me should they need it.
But now they're somewhere I can't reach. I'm not--I can't--I'm not Barbatos. I can't just just play with reality and timelines as I see fit.
What's worse is that they weren't even the only one I made a pact with. I made a pact with Zelda, too, for the same reasons. But you know what happened? We were gone from this place a year and a half. And for her, decades have passed. I'm surprised she could even remember me. And in that time, she--
[ Even in his anger, he stops himself. It's not his secret to tell. ]
I can't help her either. I can't help either of them. What good am I if I'm unable to do anything for either of the two most important people in my life outside of my family?
[ Well two can play this game. Satan may not want Mammon to touch him, but since he grabbed Mammon's hand like that, Mammon squeezes his hand in return and doesn't let go of it. Staring at Satan as he just vents out his worries and frustrations.
So... Zelda must have went home at some point herself and.... something terrible happened to her there... and now the realization of all these bad things are just flooding Satan's brain. Deep breath Mammon. Deep breath.
He squeezes Satan's hand tighter and then reaches out to cup the other side with his other hand, now holding his one hand with both of his own. ]
She still remembers you. Right? She still remembers all the little things you two have done together. Maybe there isn't something you can think of to help her now, but the fact that you both fully remember each other means that there is an important bond keeping you two together. Whatever it is that happened in her own time... there is still that strong thread. And if parting from one another before didn't break it, surely you'll be able to do something.
It's not... as simple as that. I've been thinking of what to do ever since we came back here. About what to do to help either of them. And I've got nothing.
Without the ability to view and alter timelines, I can't get them back.
And as for Zelda... I could give her everything I have. I could give her the entirety of my lifespan, and all of my magic, and it would still fall short of what she needs. No matter how many ideas I come up with... none are truly solutions....
Ya can't just give up like that, Satan. Of course it seems impossible, but ya think the heros in all those movies ever think they're good enough? Ever think they have the right answer? No, cause thats not what it takes to be a hero or someone who wants to protect. You ain't got the answers right now, but that ain't mean you can't find the answers. ya just gotta keep lookin' Lookin' an Lookin' until you've finally tripped over the right solution!
An' maybe it doesn't seem like enough to you, but I can guarantee ya Zelda prolly thinks the world of ya even carrin' this much about her.
Mammon. I don't want your sappy bullshit. We both know the universe doesn't work that way outside of books and TV shows.
[ He roughly pulls his hand away from Mammon and turns to face him again. He leans in close, but at least this time Mammon has room to step away. ]
It's been over six decades for her. I made a pact with her because I--
[ He cuts himself off. It doesn't matter why at this point. ]
I'm grateful she remembers me and that she cares about me. But that doesn't make me feel any less pissed off that I can't do anything to help her. I never needed...
[ For her to love him back in the first place. He just wanted to be by her side and protect her. And he has failed spectacularly at both. ]
[ Mammon frowns deeply, but he doesn't run. He reaches out to poke Satan's forehead instead. maybe he should pry into that "because I—" but right now it doesn't seem like Satan wants to talk about that.]
All I'm sayin is how can you be sure you've exhausted every single possibility. You look into the dream magic of this place? Read every single book there is here? Ask everyone you can about world hoppin? You ain't Barbatos, you're Satan. An' I have never known Satan to just throw in the towel cause somethin' seemed hopeless.
I'm not giving up. Even though I know it will be fruitless, I'll keep trying on both fronts. I could never live with myself if I just gave up. I just... wish there was something.
[ He sighs, sounding so defeated that with the expulsion of air that his demon form dissipates, leaving the pant leg that his tail had been coiled around so tightly torn. ]
Look, the odds might not be good. But you'll regret everything if it just settles right now.
[ He reaches out now that Satan's demonic form had dissipated and ruffles his hair a little bit. ]
Zelda... she's your important person, ain't she? Important enough that you gave her a huge chunk of yourself already.So keep tryin' but... don't get so wrapped up in it that you forget to give her the happiest now.
[ There's still a flash of irritation in his eyes at the hair ruffle, but he doesn't have the energy to do more than that. ]
I know. That's what I tried to keep telling myself after we talked.
[ But it's hard. The more time passes, the more the dread of what will become of Zelda consumes him. ]
You know what the worst part is? That I understand Lucifer a little bit better. Why he was so determined to keep us together by force if necessary. Because I'd like nothing more than to tell her no, and just... not allow her to be burdened by her responsibilities as the Princess of Hyrule anymore. And if I did that, I'm not sure which one of us would hate me the most.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
🐱 Lights 😸 Camera 😺 Action 😾
He knows that while he's here, he's helpless to do anything about his first pact. He knows that, but knowing that doesn't make him any less irritated. As for his second pact... what can he do? Physically restrain her from becoming an eternal light dragon that's not even Zelda anymore? Sure, maybe he could, but she would never forgive him for that, and honestly he wouldn't forgive himself either.
He had become so used to things being solvable, even if it took some time and effort. But both of these problems seem impossible for him to tackle at all.
Right now, he's skimming a book he'd come across in an effort to get his mind off things. He's retaining absolutely nothing and instead keeps thinking again and again how solutions are so far out of reach and--and there goes the book, thrown across the room so hard it's stuck in the wall like a dart on the dartboard. ]
DAMMIT!
[ He takes a moment to calm himself down, to take a deep breath, to find his peace, only to find himself kicking over the nearby table for good measure as well. ]
uwaaaah!!
Mammon knew something had to be up since returning here though. He didn't want to pressure Satan into talking about it, maybe it was something he wanted to solve on his own, or maybe it was just something that ain't a big deal until it's brought up by someone else. Either way he wanted to keep an eye out on Satan.
Aaaand apparently that was a good idea on his part because he almost got a book lodged right into his head as hew as walking out of the room. He lets out a surprised yelp and stumbles backwards. ]
Hello????
no subject
WHAT, Mammon?!
no subject
[ Because he just got pissed out of nowhere and it's alarming!!! He hadn't seem Satan this mad in a long long time. ]
no subject
[ He's already at 100, but somehow, he managed to get to 110. ]
Do you think I'm stupid?! That I didn't already try that?! Do you think I just sat here and thought, wow, it's been a while since I lost my temper, let's just put a hole through the wall?
no subject
L-Look I didn't say all that, Satan! But I can't help ya if ya take off my head with the next thing you throw!
no subject
[ Satan approaches him, his body shifting into his demon form as he steps closer. ]
I'm not the one who needs help. What would you even do? What could you possibly do, especially from here?
no subject
How the hell am I supposed to know if I can help or not if I don't even know whats wrong?! Just tell me whats wrong, Satan!
no subject
[ Satan slams his hands on either side of Mammon against the wall. ]
How can you go on, and on, and on about being their First, and then not even seem concerned? Why are you fine? Why are you okay? I know you care, you have to, so why are you so unbothered?!
[ He realizes just then the very simple reason why Mammon is so unbothered. Satan had forgotten until just this moment that when they first arrived, they weren't pulled from the same point in time.
His anger fades a little, but he doesn't move his hands from the wall. ]
no subject
His eyes were clamped shut, waiting for Satan to hit him or headbutt him or something, but then he mentions Mammon being 'the first' and his eyes shot open. ]
Wha— Why are you bringin' them up here?? It ain't like they came here too! ... right?
no subject
No. They're not here.
[ Satan pulls his hands away from the wall and takes a step back. Ignorance is bliss, right? Mammon is happier not knowing. But... Satan knows if he were the one in Mammon's shoes, and he didn't know... ]
They're not anywhere, Mammon.
no subject
Wh-What do you mean they aren't anywhere? They have to be somewhere that makes no sense?
no subject
I should rephrase.
[ Satan may be calmer, but his anger is definitely crackling through the air. At the very least, it seems to be contained to this room. ]
They're not anywhere you or I can reach. Someone, or something, plucked them out of the timeline and put them somewhere else. I have... an idea as to where, but unless Barbatos ends up in this place, it's out of our hands.
[ Which, as Mammon probably can figure out, is the most infuriating part of this whole thing for Satan: that no matter what he does, he can't fix things, nor does he know anyone that could really help. ]
I wasn't trying to keep it from you. I assumed you already knew, but I... didn't realize that you were pulled here from an earlier point in time. Sorry.
no subject
But.... that can't be all. R-right? There's somethin' else.... weighing on your mind....
[ Because even though they all loved MC, the fact that he just exploded like this... he's not sure MC's departure would cause a full blown burst like this. He'd try to think more logically about the subject...
He swallows dryly, reaching out his shaky hand to rest on Satan's shoulder. ]
What's weighing you down.... suffocatingly so?
[ If he focused on Satan, if he put all of his focus on Satan, he could wipe the fear and pain in his heart building up. ]
no subject
I made a pact with them. It wasn't for some petty reason. I made a pact with them... because I respected them and cared about them. Because I wanted them to be able to call upon me should they need it.
But now they're somewhere I can't reach. I'm not--I can't--I'm not Barbatos. I can't just just play with reality and timelines as I see fit.
What's worse is that they weren't even the only one I made a pact with. I made a pact with Zelda, too, for the same reasons. But you know what happened? We were gone from this place a year and a half. And for her, decades have passed. I'm surprised she could even remember me. And in that time, she--
[ Even in his anger, he stops himself. It's not his secret to tell. ]
I can't help her either. I can't help either of them. What good am I if I'm unable to do anything for either of the two most important people in my life outside of my family?
no subject
So... Zelda must have went home at some point herself and.... something terrible happened to her there... and now the realization of all these bad things are just flooding Satan's brain. Deep breath Mammon. Deep breath.
He squeezes Satan's hand tighter and then reaches out to cup the other side with his other hand, now holding his one hand with both of his own. ]
She still remembers you. Right? She still remembers all the little things you two have done together. Maybe there isn't something you can think of to help her now, but the fact that you both fully remember each other means that there is an important bond keeping you two together. Whatever it is that happened in her own time... there is still that strong thread. And if parting from one another before didn't break it, surely you'll be able to do something.
no subject
It's not... as simple as that. I've been thinking of what to do ever since we came back here. About what to do to help either of them. And I've got nothing.
Without the ability to view and alter timelines, I can't get them back.
And as for Zelda... I could give her everything I have. I could give her the entirety of my lifespan, and all of my magic, and it would still fall short of what she needs. No matter how many ideas I come up with... none are truly solutions....
no subject
An' maybe it doesn't seem like enough to you, but I can guarantee ya Zelda prolly thinks the world of ya even carrin' this much about her.
no subject
[ He roughly pulls his hand away from Mammon and turns to face him again. He leans in close, but at least this time Mammon has room to step away. ]
It's been over six decades for her. I made a pact with her because I--
[ He cuts himself off. It doesn't matter why at this point. ]
I'm grateful she remembers me and that she cares about me. But that doesn't make me feel any less pissed off that I can't do anything to help her. I never needed...
[ For her to love him back in the first place. He just wanted to be by her side and protect her. And he has failed spectacularly at both. ]
no subject
All I'm sayin is how can you be sure you've exhausted every single possibility. You look into the dream magic of this place? Read every single book there is here? Ask everyone you can about world hoppin? You ain't Barbatos, you're Satan. An' I have never known Satan to just throw in the towel cause somethin' seemed hopeless.
no subject
[ He sighs, sounding so defeated that with the expulsion of air that his demon form dissipates, leaving the pant leg that his tail had been coiled around so tightly torn. ]
I hate this.
no subject
[ He reaches out now that Satan's demonic form had dissipated and ruffles his hair a little bit. ]
Zelda... she's your important person, ain't she? Important enough that you gave her a huge chunk of yourself already.So keep tryin' but... don't get so wrapped up in it that you forget to give her the happiest now.
no subject
I know. That's what I tried to keep telling myself after we talked.
[ But it's hard. The more time passes, the more the dread of what will become of Zelda consumes him. ]
You know what the worst part is? That I understand Lucifer a little bit better. Why he was so determined to keep us together by force if necessary. Because I'd like nothing more than to tell her no, and just... not allow her to be burdened by her responsibilities as the Princess of Hyrule anymore. And if I did that, I'm not sure which one of us would hate me the most.
no subject
Yeah, knowing the type of girl she is, she'd probably be furious with you. Like punch ya in the lower regions an' leave ya writhin' in pain furious.
It ain't easy... an even if you think it ain't enough... even the littest bit of help would mean the world to her.
no subject
[ Satan reaches up to remove Mammon's hand from his head. ]
Don't think I haven't noticed you haven't said much about the one we do share a pact with.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)