The Light of my Life

In early history the name Lilith became synonymous with disobedience, vulgarity, and a promiscuity that rivals no other living creature. She is said to be the mother of all Succubi, but these tales are simply legends that are meant to overshadow her achievements that place her at the peak of existence. She was a mother, a queen. She had many lovers, but only one king. With him she had many children. With her lovers she bore countless Bloodlines. 

She was a monster to some, but a savior to many. The Devil would save the neglected children of every race, Devil, human, Demon - it did not matter.  She would raise them as her own, suckling them and instilling a love for life's pleasures. These acts of fostering had earned her the title: Mother of Demons. Every daughter she bore with her husband were called princesses and were lauded every privilege Lilith herself had been denied early in her life.

Lilitu was her youngest of this generation of offspring. As a daughter of Lilith, the young girl was someone to be feared. A vessel of power, a visage of a modern-day Venus: Lilitu was unmatched when compared to mortals and most Demons. Her father, Illyana's grandfather, was descended from the purest line of Sarim, powerful and ancient beings long changed by history. She was the definition of power and did her damndest to lord that privilege over all others. Her friends were few, and only sought to revel in the presence of her fortune. Her sisters shunned her: the egotism of the youngest a poison among their ranks. She was a menace among her peers, a terror to the naysayers. 

But nothing stopped her. Lilith allowed nothing to forestall her daughters' progress, their desires. With this Lilitu rose with nothing baring her way. Nothing to stop her.

The one who suffered most by way of Lilitu's narcissism was her only daughter. 

She had no escape. Even now the woman seemed to control everything in the grown woman's life. Illyana could not eat without her permission, orders on what she was allowed to pick for her plate. Her every move was monitored. Even her first steps into fashion were forceful at the hands of her mother. Illyana was used like a bargaining chip among her parent's seemingly endless conflicts. Illyana had only the company of her sisters, but even those chains were starting to break. Mina, the youngest, had grown distant since they moved to their own apartments. Illyana soon learned that anything she would tell Mina in confidence would make its way to her mother's ears and it left Illyana to suffer against her mother's wiles. 

Now she wanted him?

Tamotsu had come into her life four years ago. For four years Tamotsu had taught her to be a little more independent. He was patient in the face of her many mistakes. He made her tea every night, knowing the night terrors that afflicted her. She never told him. He never asked. But no matter what troubled her Tamotsu was there for her.

Only her.

She had to keep her from Tamotsu. Her claws kept digging deeper. Even though Tamotsu seemed a tough and resolute man, she saw what was behind his screen. He was unwilling to confront things he found uncomfortable. He was shy and had trouble expressing himself, lest he trouble those around him. He was gentle. Easily coerced. It infuriated Illyana. But what could she do? She was always being watched. But no one was here now, but Tamotsu

Her hands wrapped around the man's body, like a steel vice, refusing to let go. Her heart raced with a distinct fear that crawled from the corner of her heart and buried itself deep in her stomach. She wasn't sure how long they were there. Her senses had become fuzzy, but what she was aware of was Tamotsu's heavy breathing hanging over her head. Her lips still tingled from the contact and if not for the taste of him still on her lips, she would have thought the moment nothing but a twisted dream.

She knew what she had to do. "Momo." Still trying to recenter himself, the manager leaned as his back was supported by the wall as he didn't trust his legs right now to keep him standing. He gave Illyana his undivided attention. "Since you belong to me, you can't do anything my mother says anymore."

The manager quirked his brow. "But, Lily she hired--" Tamotsu found himself grunting when Illyana yanked on his vest and was pulled down to her eye level. 

"I know..." She whispered. "And I know I can't stop her from doing a lot of things, but trust me okay?" The man didn't look convinced. "Momo... you belong to me, right?"

Tamotsu was feeling a number of complicated emotions at this moment. On the one hand it was his job to make sure Lily was happy, healthy, and making sure she did her work properly, so if he ignored the will of his employer wouldn't that mean abandoning Illyana's wellbeing? He wanted to stay by her side until she achieved her dream, but if he was fired for angering that red eyed fiend, could he still support her? 

"Of course Lily." He agreed. "What would you have me do? Illyana is the boss of me." Why did that feel so good to say? Was it because it would rub Lilitu the wrong way? 

Oh he hoped so. 

"Just keep working like normal. I'll tell you soon what I decide." She affirmed with a gentle tone. 

Tamotsu would nod. When Illyana released his vest he would tidy himself up, being sure to tuck any loose strands of hair into place. Illyana smoothed down her skirt and looked up to Tamotsu. He wasn't sure what to say, let alone how to express it. Touching the edge of his finger to his lips, which still felt like they were burning, he turned to go ahead, Illyana following behind. When the two returned to the table the drinks were being handed out. The pair would settle down back into their respective seats. 

"Ah, welcome back Tamotan~" Daido teased, moving to nudge the younger man. "We've already ordered, so I hope you're ready."

He turned his eyes up to look towards Daido, moving to rest his phone on the table, screen down. "Why would I need to be ready?"

"I decided to order you something that was more to your tastes, though it will be something quite new for you." Daido would admit. Tamotsu merely grunted in response.

"Tamotsu~" Lilitu's cool voice crawled up his spine. "Here, I ordered the drinks. You should try this one~" Tamotsu moved to hold up his hand to refuse.

"No thank you. I'll just drink water." Tamotsu didn't like alcohol. It made him act strangely and feel different.

"Now, now~ As your boss you can't leave me to drink on my own ~ come on!" She would insist.

It was the culture, so even if Tamotsu did not prefer to, he had to participate in Nomikai. It was the etiquette to drink the glass one's superior filled in order to promote good workplace relationships. But Tamotsu didn't have a relationship with Lilitu. She only butted in now because she wanted things from him. Gripping tightly to his phone he would nod, smiling warmly, though his mood was neutral.

"Well I guess you're right. I can't rightly refu--ff!" Tamotsu flustered when he felt someone push between Daido and himself. 

Illyana grabbed the glass and would sternly set it to the side. A quiet hush fell over the group. They had been calmly chatting, idling their time until their meal arrived, but the sudden, rash response from Illyana had caught their attention. The young model was always seen as a quiet girl who did well to go with the flow, but she seemed up in arms all of a sudden.

"Momo said he doesn't drink mother. Mind your manners." She looked to Daido. "If you'll excuse me..." She motioned to the space between Daido and Tamotsu.

Daido looked to his childhood friend who could do naught but shrug. Daido smiled weakly. "Y-yes. Excuse me dear." He scooted his seat aside, allowing Illyana to pull her seat between the two men.

"Illyana~ you aren't showing a pleasant face." Lilitu accused. "You shouldn't interfere with Tamotsu like that. As his superior it is within my right to build a relationship with my workers."

Illyana looked over to her mother and allowed her frown to pull up into a smile. "You don't need a relationship with Momo. He is far too busy helping me get back on my feet." She looked to her father. "Right father? It has been going so well, don't you think?"

Sahar was suddenly corered. At his side was his wife, on the other his eldest daughter Silvia. Illyana sat across from him and sought to pull him into the argument, provoking her mother. He had his glass to his lips. Taking a few sips he set the cup down. "Now, now... I will agree Mori-kun has done quite a bit to encourage your growth, but I think this isn't a topic for dinner. Let's let it rest. Since it is a French restaurant let's do things the French way and just relax and ignore talk of work for a while." He would expertly diffuse the situation.

He glanced towards Tamotsu as he pulled the cup to his lips again. Tamotsu motioned his eyes, silently thanking the older man. Sahar huffed and would finish his drink. The boy owed him for jumping into the fire. After that the group resumed their talks and would drink their preferred drink of choice, waiting for their meal.

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