Lucifer took a sip of his brown, aged coffee. The smell was overpowering, lovely. The mound of paperwork did something horrible to the coffee after-effects. Rather than boost him, it dragged him down instead, the reluctance growing even more.

He stared down at his cup. His thoughts began to trail as he watched the contents swirl, and eventually, it led to their newest residence. Why was she coming home late, always an hour or two before curfew? Add to that, there's always what felt like an eerie presence beside her.

A smirk tugged at his lips. However, it is rather impressive that she could last this long without protection, from him or his brothers. Well, now that he thought of it, Mammon's visits to her room have been doubling recently.

He sighed. He'd have to ask Mammon about this. For now, he thought pessimistically, glancing at the pile of paperwork, he'd have to deal with this first.

* 3rd WEEK, 2nd DAY | 3:21 PM *

You arrived at your shift, 30 minutes earlier then you should. You planned to ask if you could take an earlier shift, but as you thought it over and over again, is it already the appropriate time to ask for such a thing?

You knew you started working just last week, and the treatment was leaning towards a negative end slightly, but you felt like you had the right to ask for an earlier. Besides, as you've discussed with Chara already, the busiest hours are always in the hours between 3-5 pm. You began walking back towards the House of Lamentation, then stopped.

What would be the point of going back? You're already here, might as well start your shift without acknowledging your plan. You turned and strode back into the cafe, trying to forget your plan. Chara noticed your indecisiveness.

"You went through an entire kingdom and saved everyone without hesitating even once, but you're struggling to ask for an earlier work hour? What's the problem?" She asked, frowning.

"Hormonal problems?" You signed.

"Just do it, Rubina." By now, you've entered the kitchen and clocked in, heading straight towards the produce corner, doing the opposite of what you intended to do.

"Rubina..." Chara could only say helplessly as you continue your job.

The day was over before you knew it, and you're dragging your feet towards the House of Lamentation. Today was normal, with a few busy hours.

You'd have to try your luck again tomorrow.

* 3rd WEEK, 3rd DAY | 3:21 PM *

Karen, or as you knew it, manager, walked your way as soon as you entered the kitchen, purring. "Rubina!" She tossed you a garment that had dark and white clothing mixed. "Be a darling and put this on for me?"

She cleared her nasal throat. "Now, I'm sure you noticed that none of us are dressed like you. That's because we have a 'maid of honor' hour, where one of our employees struts out into the cafe for an hour, 4-5 PM, wearing that outfit. Usually, it gets a lot of attention, which is how we mainly raise sales, but once Tryxona left, it isn't as up par as usual, but with a human, it's going to raise the sales again, especially if it's a human teen."

You looked at her, confused. "But I'm in my uniform." You took the garment by the sleeves and examined it. A black dress with white trim and a full skirt (with pockets!). White half-apron covered in ruffles covered the skirt. Without a doubt, this is indeed a maid outfit.

On one hand, it would be am embarrassing thing to do, strutting out in public, where maid costumes are not the norm and possibly, raise the sales. On the other hand, it would be a fun thing to do and look back on; Alphys would be thrilled to know you'd played a part in anime history.

With those contradicting thoughts in mind, you've chosen the latter option, which was to have fun!

"Ooh, as for the time-raise!" Chara suggested, red eyes lighting up. Yes, this would be a good opportunity, you supposed!

You faced Karen, who was staring at you with an expectant look. "Well...?"

You gave her a wink. "On a deal. If I wear this for a day, you're going to raise the time from me. Instead of 4-9, it's 3-8 pm. How about it?"

She nodded. "Sounds fine to me. It's busier during those times anyway. Now, come on!" She clapped her hands. "Off you go!"

In the bathroom, you admired the simple outfit, twirling around a few times for good measure. It fitted snugly on you like it was tailored to fit your size. As expected, the dress took in your shape until it was at your waist, then ballooned out at the bottom, little white ruffles decorating the edges, accompanied by a lace headpiece and black shoes with straps.

Before going, you took a selfie of yourself, then headed out, ready to serve for the day.

She told you how to act in front of customers- "be polite, but also embody a trope. I'd consider going for a deredere-"

"What's a deredere?" You asked. She sniffed haughtily into the air. (excuse you, how are you going to be a 'deredere' when one doesn't know the meaning of the term?!)

"It's the type of person that is sweet and energetic. Embody that personality, and address everyone with 'Master.'" After that, she handed you a notepad and pushed you out of the kitchen doors, "good luck~"

"WAIT WAIT WAIT-"

And so, your journey of working as a maid begun. The first customer to call for you was a young-looking demon with a bunch of friends They eyed you openly, like a bunch of perverts you'd love to throw hands-on. You forced a smile. "Welcome, Masters! What would you like today?"

One blushed and ordered some cute-looking pancakes, which is A3. You did a cute twirl then added, "Please wait for a few minutes. Is there anything else you'd like?" When they didn't respond, you pouted. "Are you sure you wouldn't want the..." You peeked the best you can at the menu. "A2, the yogurt of delectable oceans, inspired by the anime My Husband Became a Sea Monster and Now I Have To Take Care of Him?! It's a comedy anime. I'd recommend it to you." You lied through your teeth, having no idea what you just said.

They shook their heads. You pouted, before heading into the kitchen to place their order. Karen, who's in the chef department, turned her body towards you (how does she even chop vegetables like that?! Can she see the vegetables? You doubt it). "You handled yourself pretty well out there, but it isn't as deredere as I would've liked it. You have to give it more personality! More vibrant! Happier! If you don't..." She trailed off, then took your order.

And that was only the beginning. You tried again and again to maintain a happy and sweet personality. It was tiring, but eventually, you got into the pace of "Welcome, Masters! Is there anything you'd like?"

"Please wait for a second, dear master!"

"Thank you so much for waiting, master! You're so nice for waiting! Here is your order!"

"Thank you for coming and visiting me! Please come again!" Now repeat that over and over and over again.

As the hour went, more and more people began crowding the cafe and soon, your hour turns to two, three, up to five (basically your whole time working!). It certainly kept you on your feet as you had to remember from order to order, running back and forth.

In the third hour, a group of succubi's called for you, and so you came. "Hey, pose for us!" One called.

"Yeah, like Ruri-chan style! and use Levi's moe-moe Kyun!" They giggled at the last bit, then glared at you. "Come on! You can't have a maid cafe without fanservice! For the Blood Moon!"

What on earth is a blood moon? Unless you count the one from Terraria, you wondered, but this isn't the time to be asking that."How do you do it?" You asked. One of them sighed, raised their hands to their head, like cat ears, then struck a pose, with the hips slightly angled to the sight and leaning forward.

You do, albeit with a red face. They clapped. "Wait just a sec!" Before you knew it, they took a picture of you.

"Thanks~" Then started their order, although it felt like you were in another plane. Are they going to post it on social media? ARE THEY? ARE THEY?!'

***

You retreated into the kitchen, tired from today's work. Karen stood, among the other demons, with an absolute grin on her stomach. "WE DID IT! WE RAISED THE STATS!" The rest cheered.

"Good job human! At least you were a bit cute, huh?" She complimented (although you aren't exactly sure).

You exhaustedly raised your fist into the air. "Yay..."

You quickly changed into your regular uniform, waved goodbye (with a promise of coming back earlier tomorrow), and returned to the House of Lamentation.

"YES!" You cheered. "Earlier hours baby!" Chara laughed at your quick turn-around.

"Where was that energy a few minutes ago?" She teased.

A few demons eyed you as you walked back to the House of Lamentation, hungry looks in their eyes. You noticed and sharpened your senses. It became a regular thing, for demons to stare at you like you were a cuisine (you were) as you walked home without protection. At times, Mammon came with you, but occasionally, you'd go home by yourself.

The starry night sky, forever floating blissfully above you brought in a few questions, but one must be answered. Why is the moon red?

You didn't notice this while working in the cafe, but you heard demons talking about it. You pointed it towards Chara, who soon noticed, and added, "Hey, they look like my eyes!" You agreed, taking a picture of it.

You both theorized about the appearance of the said moon and before you know it-

BANG!

-1 HP!

You've hit a lamp post. Chara cackled at your accident. You glared at her, but the red bruise appearing on your forehead greatly lessened the threatening glare.

"Not. A. Word." You chose to reply instead. Of course, she didn't listen and proceeded to tease you the way home, shortly forgetting the crimson moon atop.

A few minutes before arrival, your D.D.D. beeped. A new message?

"Satan?" You wondered. Chara stopped poking fun and checked too. "What could he want from me?"

ꜱᴀᴛᴀɴ: ᴛᴏɴɪɢʜᴛ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴍᴏᴏɴ, ʀᴜʙɪɴᴀ.

You noticed. You glanced at the oddly-colored moon, then back at your D.D.D.

ꜱᴀᴛᴀɴ: ʏᴏᴜ ꜱʜᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ ᴡᴏʀᴋɪɴɢ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ? ᴡʜʏ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴇ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴡᴀʟᴋ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴏ ᴍᴏᴏɴɢᴀᴢɪɴɢ ᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ?

ʏᴏᴜ: ꜱᴜʀᴇ! ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀꜱᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀ ꜰᴇᴡ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏ, ꜱᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ɴɪᴄᴇ.

His reply was immediate. You wondered why he didn't ask someone else, but you believed a companion is limited due to the late, and you'd enjoy talking to this all-knowing demon brother.

ꜱᴀᴛᴀɴ: ᴏᴋᴀʏ. ᴀꜱ ᴀ ʜᴜᴍᴀɴ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴏɴᴄᴇ-ɪɴ-ᴀ-ʟɪꜰᴇᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴠɪʟᴅᴏᴍ'ꜱ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴍᴏᴏɴ. ᴡʜᴏ ᴋɴᴏᴡꜱ, ᴡᴇ ᴍɪɢʜᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ʀᴜɴ ɪɴᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʀɪᴇʟ.

"Who's Sariel?" You wonder mutely out loud.

"It could be a conversation topic for later." Chara proposed. "Who knows, we might find out more about him."

You cheered happily at that prospect. The idea of becoming friends, or at the very least, acquaintances with the Avatar of Wrath pleased you. Satan began typing again.

ꜱᴀᴛᴀɴ: ɪ'ʟʟ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇ. ᴏʜ, ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ɪ ꜰᴏʀɢᴇᴛ***

ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴀʏꜱ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ʟᴜᴄɪꜰᴇʀ. ᴜɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ?👍

You have a quick thumbs-up back and scurried to the House of Lamentation.

*

Although it was quite dark, Satan's golden locks that framed his forest-green eyes caught yours as you closed the distance. You waved at him and he waved back. You took a few deep breaths to stabilize your inner workings, giving him a chance to smirk at you.

"Tired?" He asked, offering a handkerchief. You took it gratefully.

"Yeah- today was weird, but it was fun!" You admitted, wiping the last of your sweat away. "Sorry, I'll wash it and give it back to you later." He hummed in reply and began walking, leaving you to catch up with him.

The silence was awkward, so you decided to launch your first question. "In the text, you mentioned Sariel. Who's Sariel?"

"An angel. He was part of leader angels who lusted after the daughters of men. They descended to the summit of Mount Hermon, in the days of Jared, to acquire wives and lead men astray. Sariel specifically taught men about the course of the moon." Satan replied without a hitch. You tried to understand what he meant.

"But would he be in the Devildom, if he was an angel?" An amused smile flitted across Satan's face.

"Course of the moon." He pointed towards the crimson ball of light. "Red Blood Moon. Connect the dots."

"...He just shows up whenever there's a moon-related event?" You sheepishly replied. He clapped his hands slowly.

"No, but close enough." It seemed that the conversation about Sariel would stop there. You decided to enjoy the crisp night air, instead of trying to talk with the cunning demon beside you. You then came to a park, where the wind whispered gaily to the trees, the maroon moon casting a glow upon your face.

"So pretty... it's kinda weird though..." Chara commented. You had to agree, being human. Subconsciously, you began humming a little tune under your breath.

"Fly Me to the moon, and let me play among the stars...
Let me see what life is like o-on, Jupiter and Mars~"

"Is that a human song?" Satan piped up, surprising you.

"It is. It's called 'Fly Me to the Moon'. Pretty popular." You said You decided to dwindle through the park nonchalantly, humming the tune under your breath. The demon brother stared at the moon, ignorant of your playful walk. You decided to stare up into the sky too.

As the minutes pass, the moon grew closer and closer to the center of the sky, it's prominent red glow disappearing slowly. You gasped in realization as the moon faded into its colorless form- white and opaque, with a dash of shadows dancing on its unseeable sides.

"So cool!" You cheered. Satan managed a chuckle.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show." He checked his D.D.D. "It's probably too late to go anywhere else, so I'll take you home."

You followed him, still humming that same tune under your breath, then stopping suddenly. "Oh yeah, Satan. Why is the moon red?"

"Well..." His explanation interested you all the way home, which was approximately 20 minutes of walking, and questions tumbled into your head like waterfalls, even as you slipped into the House of Lamentation through a crack of a window and bundled into the covers just in time for Lucifer to check on you.