divinetree | ⬢⬡⬢GLUTTONY RING⬢⬡⬢

[Giggling a little, still surprised but laughing nonetheless, Poppy nodded.]

I believe it!! Wow, you turned the heads of two of the Sins, that's really incredible. You must feel things very strongly, Denji, that's special!

[Denji is a weird, weird hellhound but he's quite nice, so it falls on the side of "cool".]

I haven't been to Lust ring yet, but I heard the skies in Lust are beautiful with their own glittery starscape, like what they have on Earth. My friends keep telling me I should go there for any kinky stuff, but I wimp out and buy online instead, hahaha.

[--She laughs and turns red again.]

S-sorry, that is super over-sharing, right? I'm sorry.

[Feel things strongly... yeah, that sounded like a good reason for two Sins to turn their heads. Lust because of how good it felt to be touched and his own wants and goals, and Gluttony out of a sheer enjoyment of food, not wasting it, and indulging for the first time in a fucking lifetime.

Oh, Poppy, you've got no idea. Would Lucifer get angry if anyone knew the truth...? Dude seemed like a weird cheeseball, but he was the King of Hell...

Now that she mentioned it, though, the skies in Lust were pretty close to the one on Earth. He was about to confirm and maybe clarify, but he was caught off-guard and was stopped with his mouth slightly agape.

One of his first experiences with knowing the internet had anything you could ever want was being very aware of the WEALTH of free porn, smutty art and buying stuff for fun- and learning about aggressive malware and pop-ups in the process (earning him his current factory-reset phone). Red though he was, he laughed.]

Pfft... nah, you're fine! But holy shit, props to you for gettin' stuff brought to you instead of takin' the elevator and lookin' for shops, maybe get lost along the way or dazzled by all the lights. Online shopping's been really convenient.

[He pushed aside his empty glass, not noticing it had refilled with what looked like cola. Denji rubbed his chin a little.]

Man, but I feel like I should balance things out with somethin' personal. I didn't ever buy anything dirty online, though maybe I should? I just would find some stuff in the dumpsters, like older magazines when someone upgrades their personal collection or whatever. I've found loads of tapes one summer and was so mad I didn't have a VCR to see what the hell was on 'em...!

Oh... right, so, fun fact: I was homeless most of my life, up until a few months ago. I mean, I promise I wasn't diggin' in the trash for fun! But the amount of stuff people would just throw away, some days it just bothered the shit outta me... but anyway, that's mostly why I'm behind on pretty much everything from movies to food and all.

[Oh. Wait. No, this was beyond over-sharing, this was pathetic. Don't push the person away!]

I'm- I'm fine now, just... y'know, context...!

Oooooh, I had a feeling it was something like that. Congratulations on no longer being homeless! It sounds like someone took you in, I'm really glad to hear.

[It's not the first time she's heard of someone being homeless, after all, this was hell and that was common.]

What's your "demon-dad" like? I hope you get treated well!

[The fact that she could suss something like that out was kind of embarrassing. He wondered what it was he'd said or did, and for a moment that concern came back- he needed to figure out how to keep his story straight if it was something he needed to keep straight.

Hmm... but what was Blitzø like? How best to describe him...? He was chaotic, he was loud and very unabashed.]

He's... weird. But he's a good kinda weird. He's ride-or-die for the people in his life, he's a dork for horses, and he's... really good at bein' there when you're feelin' lower than shit. I figured it'd be too late for me for some kinda parent figure, but... I don't regret takin' his offer. It feels nice, where I am now.

It's chaos sometimes, but... that means it's not boring.

That's awesome! I'm happy for you, he sounds really crazy in the fun kind of way.

[Giggle! And well, that was a little prying, it's only fair--]

I grew up with my uncle and his wife and husband! So I technically have two uncles and an aunt. My mom wasn't ready for me with her job so my uncle raised me - but me and my mom are good friends. My uncles are a little kooky, but really, everyone's kinda screwy, right?

[Her tail wags!!]

[What the-! His drink...! Challenge accepted. He scooped it up and drank. Ooh. This was cola... but it had an odd, kinda fruity flavor in it, too. Today would be his introduction to a touch of rum.]

Heheh, there's always gotta be somethin'! That was cool of your uncles n' aunt to take you in.

[But thinking on it-]

Huh, so my havin' like, three dads ain't all that outta the ordinary, huh? I think every day since I was taken in has been like...

[He gestured from his forehead in his mind being blown into little fireworks.]

"Wait, THAT'S a thing?" Pow! "Wait, that exists??" Bang! "Wait, what CAN'T I do?" Pop! Do I have sparks flyin' outta my ears yet?

Heeheehee. I think it's really great! I could see it in that picture I took, with the cotton candy - it's a really great expression. Most people are so used to stuff they don't get that dazzle in their eyes about it. But you get really excited to learn and experience new stuff, it's really cute!

[She might be. A little drunk.]

I think it'd be a lot of fun to go on a bunch of adventures doing stuff that's new together. Like, I was thinking of going to a museum or the circus or something again someday anyway, but going with someone who's never gone sounds SO fun!

[That was really nice... he was ready to get the shit for being so new to everything and trying so hard not to gawk. He snickered, his head feeling so nice and light from all the music and the vibes and maybe a little more drink than he had any business having.]

I'm just enjoyin' life 'cause I finally got one! You're cute.

[And then she's smiley and her giggle and her eyes and her ears and she needed to stahp.]

And nothin's fun when you do it by yourself, that's just science!

[GOT CALLED CUTE AAA... avoiding the temptation to hide behind her sangria glass, Poppy's tail wagging betrayed how flattered she was.]

I try! Hard to balance 'cute' with 'still likes slasher flicks', but I think I'm rocking both.

[She laughs a bit more bashfully, but still.]

Right! Fuck yeah, there you go... own it.

[He was about to put the glass down, hesitated, and chose to keep holding on to it instead. Man, he was feelin' super relaxed. This was why people did shit like this after work to unwind. It really just let all the shit roll off you.]

I mean, it sounds like someone told ya that was weird before. If that's the case, they can lick doorknobs. If there's ever a crazy slasher weirdo situation, you'd be the one who knows to lead 'em into a trap before ya yank the lever and fry the killer like a twisted tater tot. They didn't listen to ya, they called you paranoid or 'you worry too much, lemme go answer the door'.

[He clenched a determined fist.]

Poppy, Final Girl!

[Poppy has to cover her mouth in a giggle, or else that Sangria is gonna spray out of her mouth and nose.]

Ehehehe! Final Girl Poppy, I love that! I may be short, but I'm VERY scrappy!

[He couldn't help but think of Kobeni, who didn't look it, but was really terrifying when the time called for action.]

Badass. I mean, who knows if there'll be aggressive art critics at the museum or nightmare clowns at the circus? I feel safer already!

How's your growl? You gotta hit 'em with the first bit to show you mean business.

[Snorting, Poppy bared her teeth and snarled, turning a few heads - not because she was any degree of threatening, of course, but curious onlookers checking that there wasn't a fight about to break out. When she immediately started laughing, their attention went elsewhere, too.]

Heheh... my voice is too squeaky.

[Were he a more perceptive person, he'd notice the stares, how things would have to look with him slouched and smiling before a snarling little hellhound lady.

Yet his tail wagged away. Let's not bring up the fact that her teeth bared and snarling at him was actually kinda hot. Demon-Dad can't judge his taste in women, not for this. That'll be his dyin' hill.]

Y'know what, though? Anybody after you wouldn't expect the sound anyway. It'll surprise 'em enough when you flash your teeth n' snarl that'll give ya that opening to swing or run.

S'one of those... "tricks of the trade" when you're fighting somebody who wants to make lunchmeat outta you. Keep 'em guessing.

Right! Having a little trick up your sleeve, that's another saying for that, yeah? Someone trying to corner me will find out I have a pretty dang good right hook, and I am exactly at crotch level, hah!

[FLEX!]

Comes from a lot of heavy lifting at my job!

[YUP, he crossed his legs all of a sudden.]

H-huh... part of the therapy work, lifting equipment or somethin'?

Yeah! Anything from mobility aids to helping the kids with their textbooks. I make sure I can carry anything.

[He canted his head. Wow... Hell's got its problems for sure, but it seems like there's stuff and people around to help others, too.]

Is that kinda work rough to get into? Like... school, certifications and everything?

It's not the hardest field of study, and I'm still taking classes and certifications as I go, but it has been taking some work! But I love it, there's a lot of places for hellhounds to be muscle or receptionists or whatever... doing this, I feel like I'm doing something special. It took me foreeever to figure out this was what I wanted to do, even with my family already in this line of work!

Huh... and you're like, glowing. You're really happy, and it's really inspiring.

It makes me hope someday I'll run into somethin' I'd like to do that could even make me feel like 50% of what I'm feelin' from you. I did... bounty hunting for a while. I'm good at it, but I feel like people hated me more than felt relief that somebody was lookin' out for 'em.

I don't wanna give that kinda thing up, since I know there's a lotta people who need the help against others who would take advantage of 'em, but... man, all the stories make it sound so easy to play some kinda hero.

Y'know... Somebody that people would like n' notice, cheer for a little bit. I mean, who doesn't wanna be somebody that others can look up to? Just... you enter a room and people see you and everybody lights up.

[He rubbed his neck awkwardly and sighed in defeat. Steam rolled from between his teeth.]

Sorry... I'm really fuckin' buzzed.

No, that makes sense... like, I have plenty of hard days and people that don't like me, but I also have plenty of parents and kids that are grateful. Finding the spot where the good outweighs the bad is important.

[She offers him a smile! She'd missed the steam entirely.]

But! It doesn't have to be your job that makes you feel warm and welcomed. A good circle of friends can be the huge difference maker. People can be so judgmental about homeless people, so I know it can be hard for them to make friends... it sucks that that's the case, but I hope this here's the start of your first circle.

[She offers up her glass to 'cheers' with.]

Edited 2023-07-05 01:17 (UTC)

[The good outweighing the bad. When everything started, he had more good days than bad. But as time went on, it reversed and cascaded...]

...Yeah...

[But not anymore. His smile was one of relief. She was right... in these last few weeks, this complete 'change of address' has come up with a lot of new and interesting faces, so many supportive folk... and save for the kind of freaky meeting with the King, maybe there was nowhere to go but up for him.

He raised his glass as well.]

Yeah! Kanpai!

Cheers!!

[She'd have to ask him what 'kanpai' meant later, but she could guess - she knew a few weebs from school.

After taking a sip from her sangria and laughing a little at her head swimming, she finally set down the alcohol and obeyed her body begging her to stop.]

That's all the booze I can handle. Let's get a huge plate of cheesy nachos!

[His own brain was begging a whole drink and a half ago, so by the time he was done he sort of wanted to find a table and sleep under it. But no... he would endure...!! Pochita was strong and so was he. Chainsaw Man (Man? Dog? He remembered talking with Octavia about a name but thinking was hard right now) wasn't going down without a fight!]

"Nah-choze"~ I have no idea what those are, but I'm so fuckin' in, Poppy! Lemme at 'em!

[V's for victory!]

Ohh, I think you'll like them! They're tortilla chips covered in cheese and all kinds of toppings! I loooove them with olives and bell peppers, maybe a little chili and sour cream!

[There is absolutely no wait time before that plate is summoned right in front of them, the proportions truly monstrous.]

--Right! Like that! Thank you, Queen Bee!

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