[art piece I commissioned from my friend, Eldritch Chao]

"I am starting to think the second voice you heard was Azachiel," Velacera hummed as he placed the last letter down from sorting the over-piling mail, "as it seems the more words the second voice says sounds like the phrasing they would use." Kur tilted his head before looking over at the darkened hallway, Velacera followed his eyes as he sighed again.

"Don't freight," Kur hummed as he lifted his hand before snapping his fingers as a flicker of light lit the hallway lighting the candles down to the stairs to the second story, "I've watched you do it so many times with the candle critters that I picked up on the trick." Kur gave a gentle smile before standing again merely taking a step forward, "Would you be bothered if I did a bit of exploring around since you have things to attend to?"

"No," Velacera fiddled with the crest of the envelope with Bunkaisuru's letter, " you're back to speaking formally again... Will this be an every-transformation thing from now on?" Kur chuckled hiding his smirk with his sleeve.

"Not entirely," Kur continued to chuckle, "I merely wished for you not to be drowned by your thoughts again," Kur moved more away from Velacera, "After all like you said before old habits die hard. Stirring the dust is a bit of fun especially if it snaps one out of their thoughts, is that not correct?" Kur hummed as Velacera chuckled.

"I must respond to most of the letters before the postal office opens tomorrow morning. Just be wary I haven't kept up with this house as much as I wanted to so there might be aged crumbling floorboards," Velacera sighed as he grabbed his pen from his tucked-in pocket, "I need to think about this offer, if Burakku gave a word to Bunkaisuru about my books, I- I am not sure if I am really up to having such a figure taking interest in my books... I mean I've had Tsathoggua take a look at a few times ago, especially when I first began writing my books, but having a Celestial figure is something else." 

"Would you be more comfortable if you had to discuss it with Tsathoggua?" Kur asked as he walked closer to the table again. "Seeing how you give the impression that you would trust the words of a precious mentor for such a decision?" 

Velacera sat silently for a few minutes before looking up at Kur and giving a curt smile, "I'll be fine, Kur... I have to work up my confidence that is all. Besides if Burakku gave word then I'm sure he shares the same care that you express when you read my stories every time. I'm sure being a Devil has a bit more of a suggestion freedom than most lower rank individuals that are within the Celestial plain. I mean if it's a bigger hit in the Celestial terrain than the Mortal terrain then I would gladly keep writing my books and have them exclusively featured in only Makai, Conjinham, and the Celestial Catacombs." 

"I see well," Kur turned around, "I know for a fact there are many that will enjoy your stories more than cheesy romance novels that they pick up from the mortal realm. I know that for certain," Kur hummed as he walked away from the table once more and started walking away down the hallway. Velacera shook his head as he began to write letter after letter responding to all that he needed to respond to as in replies before going over the newsletters and looking through them. It seems like hours passed before Velacera set down the last newsletter and rubbed the bridge of his nose. So much has happened since visiting Conjinham the last time, Velacera concluded as he stood up and stretched. 

"I wonder where Kur had wandered off since it's been a while since I last seen him," Velacera mumbled as he looked around. The room seemed brighter than what he remembered before busying himself with his mail. "Kur where did you go?" Velacera called out walking down the first hallway before coming to a complete stop and seeing Kur sitting in a recliner that he had in the drawing room that Chuma and Orcus had insisted on putting in for other guests. Kur's eyes were closed as the little music box sat close to the edge still playing the light soft tune that Velacera seemed to enjoy while writing a story once. 

Velacera gave a soft chuckle before entering the room as the floorboards creaked and Kur lightly opened his eyes, "did you finish what you wanted to finish for the night?" Kur asked as he sat up and gently closed the music box. Velacera nodded his head as he sat in the chair that was adjacent to Kur. 

"Something has been on my mind since everything happened," Velacera started as Kur looked up and hummed, "I noticed it right away after you went to Izanagi after you awoke, but my nightmares came back all of a sudden when for the last 3 to 5 years they diminished and they didn't bother me as much before they disappeared entirely. Then, on the upcoming nights, I had drastic nightmares and at first, I believed they were entirely real and I couldn't properly sleep until I had confirmed them as nightmares. Your Devil, Burakku was explaining how your sphinx mares worked and Chuma backed it up with a book he had borrowed from the Celestials Catacombs well, I had asked if when purifying a nightmare there was any feeling like a tingling or anything and Burakku shook his head no... but I have this knowi-"

"Yes I have been purifying your nightmares for quite some time," Velacera stiffened as he looked into Kur's eyes, "truth be told the moment I look directly into one's eyes I can see all their memories and thoughts as well as their wishes and dreams... don't worry only I can see it as my position as the Neverland Star. I didn't have the conscious state to tell you that, it's something that I see without restraints I will never tell others stories but I know them I felt it would make you feel better to tell me your story by verbal means as you seemed very stifled and self-conscious about what happened in the past that rather than admitting that I already saw everything that was verbally telling me would ease your mind and thoughts. Which it did, for some time before I started to purify your nightmares night after night. The first night I admit I witnessed your stifling sobs as your nightmares toyed at your mind."

"Wait," Velacera sat further into the seat pondering over his thoughts, "you saw all my memories just by looking directly into my eyes... you witnessed my nights where my nightmares brought me to tears and sobs?" 

"Yes," Kur said curtly, "I have and I am sorry for not telling you sooner. As the mortal term of 'I didn't have the heart to tell you sooner,' I couldn't find a very reasonable way of telling you I knew everything and that I was subsiding those awful nightmares from your dreams. You began getting much more sleep and you began to lose the bags around your eyes and you seemed much happier so I could never find the reason to bring it up." 

"Does that mean," Velacera was hesitant, "you have seen Chuma's memories as well?" Kur nodded as Velacera crossed his arms in thought, "You won't tell me what you saw?" Kur nodded his head in silence as Velacera bowed his head, "So let me get this straight, you have been able to see everyone's memory from the beginning but being respectful you have never told anyone and let everyone open to you."

"Correct," Kur hummed as he stood up, "I view it as once you tell me yourself that is your form of consent to what everything happened," Kur smiled and tilted his head, "It also helps with coming to terms with your past trauma and history. Those feelings will remain but once you tell a story about yourself you start the process of healing and learning. Sure those memories are harmful and tragic but they can heal and become life lessons. But that is all dependant on those individuals who want that change."

"I see," Velacera sighed as he raised his head, "so this whole time you knew everyone's story just by looking them directly in the eyes. If I had known that sooner I might've warned everyone not to look directly into your eyes." Velacera heard Kur chuckle as a small smile crept onto his face, "you find that amusing, Kur?"

"Correct," Kur chuckled more, "it's like what I read in the books inside Ethmnaluthayl's castle library, do not look into the eyes of an Eldritch God as the worst lies in their eyes." Velacera gave a blank stare before snapping out of his thoughts.

"What the? Which book was that?" Velacera asked as Kur merely shrugged, "your not going to tell me are you?" Kur shook his head, "Buzzkill, I think we should rest, and perhaps tomorrow I can take you touring around all of Conjinham and show you to many others and show you the library I volunteer at here as well." 

"That sounds like a plan," Kur smiled as Velacera stood and he followed after. Velacera showed Kur to a spare bedroom saying that it would be his when they visit here from now on and they merely settled down and the lights faded out. Velacera had merely begun to take off his glasses when he noticed a small soft blue light coming from under the crack of the door. Becoming puzzled Velacera pushed his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose before the light seeminglessly slid under the door and came in when Velacera realized that it was a sphinx mare coming closer.

"Kur sent you, didn't he?" Velacera reached out and allowed the sphinx mare to land on his hands, "heh how come I've never felt one of you guys coming and going out of my room... You won't be able to answer me... I feel much better with Kur's presence so I am guessing this is merely to filter and eat away at my nightmares tonight?" The sphinx mare merely sat upon his hands. Wings making a gentle flutter before moving off of Velacera's hands and landing on the bedside table, "you want me to set my glasses down don't you? Very keen on my habits of resting," Velacera chuckled as he reached for his glasses once more before taking them off and setting them down next to the sphinx mare and laying down before pulling the covers over him as the sphinx mare moved from the flat surface over to the edge of the pillow, "good night little mare, thank you for the peaceful dreams you bring," Velacera trailed off before closing his eyes and having sleep wash over him.

The morning came as Velacera grunted covering his eyes from the glare of the mortal realm's sun streaming into the room. "Morning already?" Velacera grumbled as he blindly reached over to the bedside table and grabbed his glasses before placing them on his nose and sliding out from his covers and looking around the room, "no heart racing," Velacera yawned as he walked over to the wardrobe in the corner of the room. "I guess I did get my answer after all as to why my nightmares came back with Kur away," Velacera huffed as he pulled out his normal attire and looked over to the bedside where he had last seen the sphinx mare last to see nothing there no more, "they must fade once fed off the nightmare and by morning as well."

There was the soft creaking of the aged wood from outside of the room. Narrowing it down to it being Kur, Velacera sighed as he adjusted his jabot before moving over to the door and opening it to see Kur gently closing the door. The Sphinx Mare that was sitting on top of the star piece above his head dimmed and had swirling energies before it stopped and returned to a glowing hue. "Good morning," Kur said and he gave a warm smile, "did the mare resolve your night terrors?" Kur asked as Velacera closed the door behind him and walked closer.

"Yes," Velacera sighed in relief, "the mare did settle my nightmares rather quickly," he looked back at Sphinx Mare on Kur's head before looking back toward Kur's eyes.

"Ah, you noticed right away," Kur gave a soft chuckle, "don't worry it doesn't affect me as nightmares and trauma do, my mares purify it and transfer it to me as energy. Since I expended it so much Father believes I overdid it and this form will need a lot to build in for this form to settle and to transform back to the other familiar form."

"O-oh," Velacera let out a sigh that he didn't know he was holding, "that's reassuring so that is what feeds your energy. I thought that nightmares just disappeared... Wait.... What do you mean that the mares merely gather the nightmare, purify it then transfer it to you?"

"Well," Kur folded his arms in front of him as the sleeves covered his hands, "to create a Sphinx mare is no effort and it isn't energy draining to me unlike per se one of the demons or Lumerians that serve under me it's as draining as a normal function to merely breath or blink." Kur chuckled slightly as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Im assuming there is much more to this than what you are explaining to me?" Velacera sighed as they walked into the living area of the chalet. Kur nodded as he merely flicked his wrists and the room became much brighter as the woodshutters opened and let in natural sunlight. "Will I ever be able to hear all and understand everything about these powers?" Velacera asked as Kur sat at the small table.

"Perhaps," Kur hummed, "that is if you're willing to learn and understand everything. It's a whole new perspective that might have to adapt into what was previously taught before our first encounter."

"If you adapted to our ways then," Velacera took a kettle and filled it with water before placing it on the old wood stove residing in the kitchen and starting the embers of wood before placing new logs into it, "then I can do the same. Besides knowledge has never been an enemy of mine."

Kur gave a light chuckle before nodding his head, "Very well we can certainly do so. An exchange of knowledge it is~" Kur's tone was light this time Velacera noticed and noted it. "Shall we get ready to head out so you can show me around Conjinham?"

Velacera snapped out of his thoughts again before nodding his head, "Yeah there's a whole village to show you plus I can do the errands today in response to what I received in my mail yesterday." Kur hummed as Velacera went over to the table picked up the few letters he had responded to and looked over to the stove as the water finally steamed and was now whistling through the kettle. "But I suppose it can be more detailed as we have our morning tea."

Kur chuckled as he sat at the table and watched Velacera move around the chalet kitchen space and set out two teacups on the table and poured the water into them before grabbing small teabags from a container in the corner of the counter and setting them into the teacups before heading back over to a small icebox fridge one of older style and reaching in and grabbing cream and looked at it before sighing and going over to the sink and dumping the little container of cream, "expired cream... Perhaps we should add grocery shopping to our list of errands to do today."

Kur tilted his head as he watched the cream pour into the sink before frowning and standing up, "expired due to age being in the mortal world?" Kur asked as Velacera nodded without turning to Kur, "I assume the passage of time varies between realms. But I suppose the quality of objects also varies on the realm."

"That is correct," Velacera sighed as he set the container in the sink before running the water and rinsing out the container, "if logic and quality run all the same then perhaps it could solve so many things but since logic and reasons vary between realms they all have the positive and negative ins and outputs. I might have to visit Dekko for a large block of ice for the fridge again it seems like the five years it takes for one of her ice blocks is up and that's why everything went bad in my fridge." Velacera sighed before turning back around, "I guess we have to skip the cream for the morning tea and just have the sugar cubes cause they never go bad." Velacera gave a nervous chuckle as he reached into the cabinet pulled out a box of sugar cubes and shook it hearing the loose sugar cubes hit against the box. "At least they haven't broken all apart or anything like missing entirely... I should've asked Chuma or Orcus and Futsura to visit here and check in on the place before now... Oh well," Velacera sighed bringing over the box of sugar cubes and sat down at the table in the other chair, "I may have to make it a habit again and come to Conjinham every few months to check on things inside my second home."

Kur chuckled as he opened the box and merely grabbed 2 cubes and dropped them into the teacup before taking the small spoon and twirling it around in the muddled water. "It seems so perhaps if it's alright with you if I could come as well," Kur looked up from swirling the spoon, "my brief encounter here seemed very pleasant despite what was happening."

"That is Conjinham for you," Velacera smirked as he took a few sugar cubes and let them dissolve into the tea, "quiet and everyone majority stick to themselves so there are no busybodies and other than the random traveler is mostly ideal for a hellspawn who wants to explore the mortal realm to start here since all the residents here are rather immune to the miasma and insanity that tends to come off our beings time to time."

"I am assuming it's all since King Ethmnaluthayl frequently comes to Conjinham?" Kur noted since he had asked around to begin with and noticed how when he asked about the hellspawn presence no one truly had an issue with hellspawns or the eldritch beings, "I asked around when I was investigating and that type of response is what I got when I asked about hellspawns or eldritch beings. Though I did receive a glare from one or two residents when I asked I could only assume they tangled me into the crowd of those Exorcists."

"They probably did," Velacera sighed, "most residents moved here due to the ever-changing era of times. Most of the world has forgotten magic exists in favor of little pieces of technology that can call over radio waves and much more. But people here reside and rely on traditions of old or have had bad experiences in the newer era of the world and chased from their homes or felt out of place." Velacera stopped speaking for merely a moment while he took a sip of the only sugared tea, "it doesn't taste the same without the cream."

"Agreed," Kur confirmed as he set down his cup, "do you plan on stopping by China's clinic on the tour you're giving me?" Velacera nodded his head as he took another sip.

"Yeah, but Chuma must still be at" Velacera began but a knock on the wooden door made him pause, "who's here this early in the morning." Velacera stood up before walking out of the kitchen and heading over to the door.

Vacera grabbed the handle before twisting and opening the door to see Chuma standing there, "good morning I tried to return to Arkham to come meet up with you but they said that you had already left for Conjinham," Chuma held up a book in his hands, "but also I found another book that might help us in what the Necronomicon said about everything. Oh hello, Kur I see you're stable enough to come back?"

Kur chuckled as he stood and moved over to the door, "Yes though it may have seemed to be I am stuck in this form until I can control it like the other form. The only difference is that this form has more raw energy than the last one I ended up transforming into," Kur held out his arms to show off his wardrobe.

"Interesting indeed, but besides that I grabbed a history record from the catacombs that could give slightly more detail than what was told to us by the Necronomicon that Burakku gave Velacera to hold onto," Chuma held the book out, "I found the information quite intriguing, to be honest."Velacera took it into his hand and opened the cover before looking at Kur.

"We should probably wait until after the tour around Conjinham to open this fully and discuss everything," Velacera closed the cover walked over to the drawing room, set the book down on the table in front of the recliner, and walked back to the door, "well should we head out since we had just finished our tea Kur?" Velacera gestured as Kur hummed as he merely swiped his hand to the side as the teacups were picked up with magic and set into the sink. Before Kur nodded they left out the door and started towards the town of Conjinham, "Now what to start with first?"

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Hey everyone sorry for the long delay with this one as I am busy and will be going on a break to participate in this year's artfight also I am moving platforms soon and I will be finishing off the stories I have here but also uploading the same thing to my toyhou.se Wattpad isn't what it use to be and frankly I grow weary of its over advertisements to its pay to read uninterrupted and as for my fanfiction I need somewhere else but I will be moving away from this platform so any suggestions will be fine and recommendations are welcomed. Plus it seems like this platform is becoming a standard for AI looking for love romance books and I am not into that type of viewing it, disgusts me a bit.

But anyway that's all I have to say for now and I will be resuming writing the rest of this story and the other before slowly retiring from this platform it was fun while it lasted. Bye~