Whoever had designed hell hadn't done a very coherent job of it, and he walked through the hospital wing to yet another caved area, the bracketed hellfire torches throwing weird shadows on the rock walls, into more endless corridors broken only by various doors to offices or classrooms. And they never attempted any sort of seamless merge. One just stopped, and another started. It was disconcerting if you weren't expecting it.

"Heyyy..."

For the second time in too short a time period he found himself being hailed thus; this time, however, he knew it wasn't going to work to greet the hey-er back with a fireball.

"Evenin', Umber", he gave an oily smirk to the stocky demon sidling up beside him. Here we go.

'Umber' was very definitely not his human name, but the demon tried to hide any mention of the fact that he, too, was not a True Demon. Umber was another one of Boss' little projects – not unlike he himself – something in the order of a fussy administrator than anyone ever likely to get his hands dirty. And as such, of course, Umber loved being in on the secrets.

That's fine. Playin' with him ain't so hard, either.

"So." The squat demon attempted to sling a pally arm around his shoulders, missing by about a foot and having to settle for pretending he was making an expansive gesture instead. "Good to see you! You look...well. Where are you going? Time to see Boss? I hear there's something interesting going on."

He fell into step with Umber, not having a lot of choice. Incinerating him would be frowned upon – the demon probably had his uses, after all – but unfortunately, so would be, being outright aggressive to him. He stifled a snigger at Umber's awful attempt at a passingly curious expression. Although they may be officially colleagues, he was fairly sure Umber had to know what he really thought of him. Probably. Surely?

"An' who ya been talkin' to, eh? You know Boss don't like his secrets getting' out..."

"Oh, well, you hear things, about the place, don't you?" Umber blustered. "Filed in triplicate as is standard."

"Course," he said, dryly, and looked away from Umber, strolling on as if he had all the time in the world. He could feel Umber's frustration pouring off him. Sometimes, this is too easy.

The other demon cracked first. "Well?" he insisted, hurrying to keep up with his longer stride over the rocky floor. "After all, for the good of the team it's vitally important you keep us all up to date with any new...occurrences. I'm thinking about everyone's well-being on the job, of course. There's no 'I' in team, you know. And as our esteemed Boss' right hand captain..." He tried another smarmy smile.

And received one right back. "Umber, soon as everythin's ready to go you'll be the first to know. But hey, like ya said. Everythin's gotta be filed in...triplicate...an' it ain't everyone as gets to do that, is it?"

"No, I suppose not," the other demon muttered, sullen. He gave him a wide, chummy grin.

"Aw, don't be like that," he patted his shoulder. "You'll find out soon, don't ya worry. Soon as I can get ya involved I'm on it. Promise." If there's anyone as needs a memory wipe an' bein' silenced, it's you. Anyone as I'm gonna suggest, it'll be you, mate, don't worry about that...

"Thank you," sniffed Umber, although something suddenly wary in his gaze suggested he'd read the double meaning in his words. He widened his smile, innocently, and the stocky demon returned it uncertainly.

"Anyway, things to do, things to do...I'm sure I'll see you at the monthly briefing, won't I?"

"Sure," he confirmed. "Go have fun with the filing..."

"I always do! Have a productive day. You all know we're so admiring of all the work you do." Umber offered one more greasy grin and detached himself from his side and hefted his bulky way through a side door, muttering under his breath. He was just close enough to be able to hear '...isn't even qualified! Stupid brute...' before Umber was gone into the recesses of whatever infernal pit he dwelt in.

He gave a short laugh, aloud, because Umber was just too easy to wind up sometimes. Mind, it helped to keep him reasonably on side. That was probably true of almost all the other demons, in fact. Keep 'em sweet as ya can and be ready to stab 'em in the back at any moment. Wouldn't be the first time he'd done that. Wouldn't even be the first time he'd done it in his human life...

He pushed aside the memories. Somewhere in the back of his thoughts, Daniel was laughing. She'd like him, he bet; he could already see her taking Daniel's hand as he gave her a courtly, graceful bow, pulling her to his side, a well of nasty, familiar sickness clawing in his chest. He paused, pulling out the bag with the syringe full of her blood and staring at it for a moment, exasperated and confused by the sudden presence of her in his angry daymares. The hell? Who cares what she'd think of him? It was easy to link the two – the angel and everyone's hero – that was all; too easy. A perfect pair.

Like that matters. She'll be Boss' next silent prize by the sound of it. Probably end up under my command, if anythin'. The thought didn't fill him with satisfied viciousness as he'd expected; just a vaguely uncomfortable emptiness, and he didn't know why, and he didn't like it. It was hard to imagine her face – so bright and sweet – wiped of emotion. She was about the most alive thing he'd ever seen down here. She'd smiled at him, looked him right in the eyes, how long since someone had done that? If ever? He rubbed one temple – a sudden headache had started up – down his jawline, over his short beard.

What has gotten into ya? It don't matter. They're all goin' to be...crushed under yer feet or whatever that sayin' was, like ya wanted, like ya always wanted.

Growling to himself, he knocked on the Boss' door.

Yer alone at the top, but yer there. That's what matters.