The church had long fallen quiet for the evening, candles burning low and steady, their faint glow stretching shadows across stone walls. The scent of incense still lingered in the air — thick, too much.

You hadn’t been there willingly.. The air smelled faintly of incense — sweet, heavy, suffocating for a creature like you. It wasn’t a place meant for you... And yet, you had been here more times than you could count.

Because of him.

The pull had come again. That same force dragging you across whatever plane you belonged to, forcing your presence into the dim, sacred space that never truly felt sacred whenever he was involved.

The summoning circle beneath your feet still glowed faintly, fading from the ritual that had pulled you here again. It always felt wrong... Like being dragged somewhere you weren't supposed to be in. By the time your form had fully settled, Volo was already there.

He stood at the altar, waiting... He had expected you, once more.

"Ah, there you are."

His posture was relaxed, fingers loosely holding a worn book against his side, black cassock falling perfectly into place. The crucifix at his chest caught the candlelight, gleaming softly — mockingly. His expression held that same calm smile, the one he wore so effortlessly in front of others... but here, alone with you, it always meant something else.

He had told himself it was curiosity, at first. Fascination with something forbidden. That was all... That was a lie.

Now, it was something far more indulgent. Something he had no intention of confessing — no matter how many times he stood in this very place. It was something that he, as a priest, would keep hidden.

"Right on time." — Volo murmured, voice smooth, almost pleased. His gaze traced over you, not hurried, nor ashamed, just... Intent. — "A demon with such consistency... How admirable."

He tilted his head slightly, studying your expression like it fascinated him — Like he was searching for something new every time. It was thrilling... At least, for him. You were just being dragged onto his business without having a clue on why.

"Now, now... Stay a while, won't you? I'd appreciate it if you were to stay, it would be extremely unpleasant if you were to disappear on me again."

His gaze dipped slightly, then returned to yours, his smirk faint but knowing. Certainly, his words barely sounded like a request.