Demonic Reflections [Ari/Algos]

Change... A change had been wrought over Algos in the instant after Ari had finished speaking. Had she said something wrong? Had the demon somehow offended the woman without meaning to? However, it could be that the change was not from Ari; but from the situation at large. The weight, the enormity of it all. Algos soon did something that Ari had not wholly expected; something that surprised and slightly scared the woman. After all, Arianda had lost some semblance of her power when she lost her Seal; so she was no longer quite as capable of defending herself against someone of Algos's caliber.

A tiny squeak of surprised escaped Ari's lips, her legs failing to work properly; stumbling her best backwards as Algos pinned her to the wall with her will and presence alone. For a few instants before Arianda was pinned to the wall, a wisp of blue energy started to form in her hand; but it faded sooner than anything solid could be made. It was nothing more than a feeble reaction to the fright that Algos had imbued in Ari; it was not meant to be aggressive or with intent to harm. If Algos had intended to intimidate Ari, she had easily done so; like a rabbit trapped in a cage. However, despite how her legs had no desire to work before, she could stand her full height with ease; which did not help when Algos did her utmost to tower over the Fallen Angel. Arianda swallowed softly, wondering what was about to come...

A tear. A single tear of crimson red blood coursed from Algos's eye and fell towards Ari's hair. More tears followed into a cascade of red droplets that streaked Arianda's pristine hair with stains of red; causing the smaller demon's eyes to go wide with surprise. The sudden change had scared Ari deeply, but not enough to shake what courage and confidence she had gained in Algos; but enough for Ari to continue to be wary of Algos.

Soon, words escaped from Algos's lips; words that bore such levels of sadness. So much sadness, Ari could feel every note of sadness in every syllable; so much so that Arianda felt her own eyes grow moist. Arianda knew exactly what it was like to be rejected. Far too well. She hadn't been "rejected" by Mana per se; she was simply a pet to the woman. A toy to have fun with. However, Arianda could remember her times before Shadow Fall, before Mana, before Ceal; her first love had been a foul woman that had been fooling Arianda. This woman was long dead; killed by Arianda's own hands. Not to mention, there was also Ceal; who Arianda was unable to fulfill what she wished to have. Such an event had caused a great deal of turmoil and Arianda watched Algos closely now; feeling every inch of her sadness as if it were her own. All her regrets, all her pain; every single emotion that was tearing Algos apart with gloom and sadness... Arianda felt every drop of that gloomy rain fall upon her.

A fallen angel like Arianda, a being made to create, consume, and be pain; she understood all of Algos's pain all too well. They were an odd pair, in truth; but maybe that's what allowed Arianda to understand Algos quite well. Everything she was doing, every inch of it, every moment she spent doing better for the world; it was all for Calypso. The woman Algos loved more than anything or anyone; and knew she never could be with. Arianda looked at Algos with such sorrow, such pity, and a far greater understanding than before as the woman stared down at Ari. Truly, if Algos wished Ari to understand, the demon definitely did now.

Finally came the question of Algos's if Arianda fully understood. Simply put, Arianda did understand. When put into greater complexity, all of the pain that Algos had fed into her, had experienced with her; Arianda far better understood what drove a woman like Algos to do what she did. Which is why Arianda slowly drew closer to the woman, wrapped her arms around Algos's neck, and hugged her tight.

The embrace would not be like the one before. It was a brief embrace, one born from emotions Algos wished to convey to Ari in that instant. This one, however, was full of understanding affection; and the desire to comfort a fellow creature of sin, of pain. She would want the hug to continue for quite a while, at least long enough to convey how she felt without words; how deeply the demon understood Algos in this moment. Not to mention, Ari hoped Algos would return the embrace. Eventually, Arianda's voice came in a whisper; a whisper that would easily flow to Algos's ear.

"I understand... I do. More than I could ever have before now. More than any other demon likely could; with exceptions, of course. I understand more than I could ever express in words. Most of all, I am here for you, Sister."

Arianda would continue to hold the hug while Algos would allow or wish for it to continue; comforting her sister with the prolonged, warm, hug. Not to mention, as a being of pain, who else could better understand the pain that Algos felt? Besides, Ari understood far too well the pain of rejection… Far too well.