Belial took another sip of hir tea and aimed a glittering smile at the being
across the table. "So. We’ve caught up on gossip, traded fashion tips,
and one has flattered your latest blend. Don’t you think it’s time we got
around to business?"

Kanzeon lips curled up in a smile. "I still say sheer is the perfect look
for you."

"One will keep it in mind," Belial promised. "You’ll see it
the day one sees you in a hat. A curl-brimmed felt number with peacock feathers,
perhaps."

Kanzeon laughed. Belial half lidded hir eyes.

"Did you do it on purpose?"

"Do what?" Kanzeon asked, innocently, immediately continuing. "I
would never interfere in the working out of a Heavenly sentence."

Belial took a demure sip. "Excellent delivery," se judged. "Good
form, not over-exaggerated. But the gleam in the eyes somewhat detracts from
the sincerity."

"I’ll make a note of it," Kanzeon promised.

"You gave them their original names back," Belial murmured.

"Only my nephew, who has, no one could argue, been making excellent progress.
Barring that lingering taste for guns." Kanzeon leaned back and crossed
hir legs. "I certainly can’t be responsible for what two random humans
name their children. Perhaps the mothers thought the names would be efficacious
against the demonic blood from the fathers." Kanzeon’s smile was angelic.

Which was to say, Belial reflected, it was vicious, ruthless and hungry. Se
couldn’t help approving, really. "Well, one will keep an eye on them,
then," se said, rising. "Since they are, after all, the children
of one’s own people."

"I wouldn’t have it any other way," Kanzeon purred.

End