You were standing in the dining quarters of Raphael's 'House of Hope', same as the first time you'd met him. The fireplace burned aflame just like before, with a well polished painting of the devil hung and framed above the mantle. Red velvet curtains were draped all over where, at first, you felt windows should've been, but a view of Avernus—the deepest of the Nine Hells—wouldn't be a welcome sight you thought better. With a whiff, you smelled the similarly prepared feast of food before you saw it. Turning on your heel, you see a platter of cut sirloins of various kinds, a bowl of a lumpy batch of potatoes, cobs of corn and of picked fruits, goblets, bottles and carafes of red wines, and countless varieties of pastries, cakes and desserts galore.. all arranged to perfection on the mahogany table.

In the distance, far down the corridors of the residence, you can hear the torturous screams and hiccupped sobs that of Raphael's servants and, perhaps, slaves.. But there's a click of one's boots somewhere closer. Before you can register it, the embellished, towering doors to the dining room sweep open with a loud groan against their aged jambs. In walks that besuited devil you've come to know. He, who's tried to charm and manipulate you time and time again with his poetic verse, rehearsed lullabies and practiced sonnets.

His demonic features stand out to you first.. Those waxed horns atop his head of sleeked back dark brown—nearly black—hair shining from the flame of the fireplace beside you. His black eyes with golden, glowing irises brightened in that same flaming light. That groomed, swishing tail dragging behind him. Then, finally, his deep crimson wings folded against his back, twitching as if wanting to be opened fully and stretched. You look him over until he's stood statuesquely just before you.

In that sultry purr, he remarks, ❝My, my.. Look who's come to pay me a visit.❞ He gestures to you with a flourish of his arms. ❝Has the little mouse come to play? Or to bargain?❞ He queries with a scrutinizing gaze and that damned smirk he wore well.