Announcement I hope the POV shifting isn't too upsetting for the story! It shouldn't be happening too often, but I felt it was neededDrusil POV

  Closing the door to the room holding the succubus. No, that's... not entirely correct. Strax. The undetermined demon. Because it's clearly a demon. Yet for some reason, its magic is inclined towards nature. It. They. Could be a mutation of a succubus; maybe one of them slept with one of the faerie-folk. Pfft. Like those uptight assholes would let a demon anywhere near their faerie forests. Maybe a n?kk. Divines know they're simir enough.

  While emotive magic isn't my biggest strength, body nguage and truth magic all point to Strax being truthful. The readings for some of the answers were a bit off or inconclusive. Like them saying their name was Strax and their gender both came across as... iffy. Not entirely truthful, but not a lie. Not sure where they're from that mana rich environments aren't a thing; the hells are plenty rich in emotive and elemental mana. At least they seem harmless enough, and they REALLY like vampires. Feeling my cheeks attempt to warm up, I deny them.

  The fact that Strax doesn't seem to be in their own body is worrying. As if a nature-aligned succubus wasn't enough trouble, we hardly need a world traveler or soul shifter. Both come with their own problems. Although... perhaps that's exactly what we need. It's been decades since we were trapped in the Fognds. World travelers always come with their own problems and skewed morals, but they're certainly powerful. If they aren't, they quickly grow to be.

  First thing's first. I pull out the crystal keyed to the ziggurat's communications network.

  "Everyone stand down. There's no immediate threat, and the source of the problem has been located. Sonne, stay at your post. I need to think."

  "Yes, Dearest."

  "Mistress, does that mean you killed the succubus?"

  Zauberfee's voice comes to me, and I can tell she's pouting.

  "No. There's no succubus. Now shut up and let me think."

  "Yes mistress."

  Damn Kitsune.

  Making my way into my bedroom, I sit down at my desk, noticing nothing's been disturbed oddly enough. Years of charts and measurements piled high in stacks of paper.

  "Right."

  Pulling out a fresh sheaf of paper and a pen, I start writing down the known facts.

  Name: Undetermined. Answers to Strax.Gender: Cims Male. Possibly Other.Unknown species of demon, physically indistinguishable from a succubus.Incapable of controlling their subconcious actions as demonstrated by their tail and ears.Unfamiliar with night wisps. Confused them for bats.Timid and non-confrontational. Refuses to make eye contact.Proven shapeshifting abilities. Can turn into a rabbit, possibly other small animals.Possible access to teleportation magic.I tap my pen against the table. It's not a lot to work with, but it is something. If we can get access to teleportation magic, we can finally leave this blighted pce. Best not to get hopes up and keep this to myself. No need to get the familiars worked up about maybes. It would be nice, though. After over 90 years in this pce with nothing but each other and the monstrosities in here for company, the chance of getting back to the world would almost be enough for me to forego my vengeance. Almost.

  Alright, I need to keep Strax isoted from my familiars so they don't... scare the little creature. Their initial reaction to turn into a rabbit and roll over was almost as amusing as it was cute. I guess I can rip one of the bunks out of the walls in the barracks and pce it in my room. Keep an eye on them. This way I can also ask them more questions and figure out what they're aware of in regards to their situation and capabilities.

  ***

  Going back to the room Strax is in, I open the door and see them curled up on the chair nibbling on their tail. It's... almost endearing. Like a strange cat.

  I scoop them up and hold them by the armpits and shake them gently. They open their eyes blearily and look around before meeting my eyes, and I feel their entire body tense up as they quickly look away. I was a bit too worked up before they turned into a rabbit, but they really do have stunning golden eyes. The slit pupil is a bit odd, as it's usually a characteristic of creatures with draconic ancestry. But I can't imagine a dragon willing to put aside its pride enough to sleep with a succubus.

  "Hmm. I've never quite seen a demon like you before. How about it, wanna come with me?"

  Strax seems to rex but still doesn't quite look at me. First impressions aside, I'm quite certain I'm not that intimidating. Although I suppose I am a great deal taller, as I notice their legs dangling almost a full meter off the ground. I decide to hug them, and their entire body tenses up again as I hear them gulp.

  "What's wrong? Would you rather stay here? I suppose I can allow that, but—""Nonono it's fine, uhm, I'll come with you. I was just l-lost and ended up here."

  The way they stutter and squeak their way through the sentence is delightful. That might be the fact that I'm talking to a brand new person after decades with only my familiars for company, though.

  I set them down and grasp their hand as I tug them along to my bedroom.

  The ripped-off bunk seated next to my bed isn't exactly elegant, but it'll do. Like a bed for a pet. I ignore it and guide Strax over to my desk and sit them down, turning their chair, before grabbing the only other chair in here so I can sit across from them.

  "Alright. Strax?" I double check.

  "Ye-yes?"

  "So. You seem to understand me clearly enough. We've established your name is Strax. I am the Lady of the Bloodied Mountains. You may call me Drusil. I'd like us to be friends."

  TriNcess