The Questionnaire

       “How can I be of service?”

       Mercy stares across their desk at one of the newest members of Burrowgatory from breeding season year 98. They vaguely recall seeing this little white and pink bun as a baby, and now as an adult, the only major difference is a deep red scar cut through their left eye. But the most noticeable trait of this doll is their ever-present smile.

       “I beg your pardon?” Mercy says.

       The doll smiles sweetly and leans in, arms tucked behind their back. “How can I be of service to the Church of Sulfur and to you, Minister Mercy?”

       Mercy sighs. Normally, they would personally scout buns to bring into the church staff, with occasional “recruiting days”, but it was rare for anyone to ever approach them of their own volition. Mercy reaches into a filing cabinet behind themselves and withdraws a clipboard with a questionnaire on it. They motion to the doll to sit across from their desk, and they do so without a sound.

       “Let’s find out together. Now, what is your name?”

       “Lillith.”

       Mercy scribbles that down onto the page. “And how old are you, Lillith?”

       “I arrived in the burrows a few months ago.”

       “Who was your demon caretaker?”

       “Ri’Shar’Zen.”

       Mercy gives Lillith a quizzical look, Lillith not even remotely picking up on the nuance of their facial expression.

       “Who is that?”

       Lillith tilts their head slightly. “Oh, you don’t know? I suppose that makes sense, I only had one other littermate.”

       Mercy takes a moment to process their thoughts. “And what does… Reshirzen govern?”

       “Ri’Shar’Zen dominates the realms of power and life force energy.” Lillith grins, revealing bright white fangs. “He’s a very strong demon, I’d like to think my littermate and I were chosen to be raised by him for our potential.”

       “…uh-huh.” Mercy furrows their brow. “Well, we here at the Church of Sulfur worship all demons, regardless of their affiliation. Though we owe our largest thanks to Murmur, the originator of our society.”

       “Originator?” Lillith tilts their head.

       “That’s correct.”

       Lillith nods. “Very interesting.”

       Mercy stares at them again before clearing their throat and returning to the questionnaire.

       “Anyways. What vice would you say you connect to most?”

       “We are one and the same, Minister Mercy. My covetous desires drive my daily actions. As Ri’Shar’Zen intends.” Lillith taps one of their horns with their hand. “I would also say I have an affinity with pride, though not nearly to the same extend as my vainglorious sister.”

       Mercy thinks a moment. Well, they are both non-binary, with white hair, and black greed horns, who have found themselves in service of the Church of Sulfur willingly. Maybe they should give Lillith a chance, something about them is… so frighteningly intriguing. Their very presence unnerving, as if one moment they would flash behind you with a knife held to your throat. Even with that thought in mind, they seem almost… obedient, waiting for a command that they fulfill without issue, regardless of circumstance.

       “And what vice would you say you have the least connection to?”

       “Lust. I’m asexual.”

       Mercy looks up, surprised. It’s not unheard of for some succubuns to have no interest in sexual desires, but the rarity of it surrounding the church makes these few buns all the more valuable.

       “Well, that’s good to know. Hopefully you won’t draw the eye of Father Oleander.” Mercy coughs. “If you pardon the personal intrusion, are you sex-repulsed? If you don’t mind me asking.”

       Lillith smiles and subconsciously licks their lips. “No, not at all. I’m more than willing to be of use to the Church, in whatever ways I am desired. I simply do not feel the desire itself.”

       Mercy nods. “I see, thank you. You do know there’s more than sexual lust, surely?”

       Lillith leans back in their chair. “Absolutely. I do desire power, though again, in a more straightforward sense. But, who knows? I may yet change my mind someday.”

       A beat of silence passes. This questionnaire is going much more interestingly than Mercy first thought. They scribble down Lillith’s answers on the page, adding a few of their own remarks and details in the margins.

       “How would you say you view the demons below?”

       “With reverence, of course. They’ve given us life, hope, goals, they’ve cared for us and sent us out into the world to pursue our own ambitions. I thank Ri’Shar’Zen for his protection and knowledge every day.”

       Mercy draws in a breath and folds their hands together, putting their elbows on the desk and head on their hands. “Are you able to give your service to other demons besides the one who cared for you?”

       Lillith nods vigorously. “Absolutely. I am elated to meet their requirements of me in this church, that I may spread their sin throughout the burrows.”

       Purely bewildered and fascinated, Mercy eyes the rest of the questionnaire. Regardless of whatever Lillith’s answers to the rest of the questions may be, Mercy is certain that a bunch of this unique will be a great boon to the clergy… in whatever ways they need. They put their hands down on the desk and sigh.

       “There are more questions, but frankly I don’t care to ask them. I’ve heard enough to make a decision.” Mercy stands from their desk and rounds it to look into Lillith’s dark eyes. There’s a confidence in those orbs, something sinister and grim, yet… begging for approval. Lillith’s smile falters ever so slightly, unusually unnerved by Mercy’s presence so close to them.

       “You asked me how you can be of service to the Church when you first entered. I think I have an idea.” Mercy walks to a filing cabinet on the other side of the room, slipping a key out from their sleeve to unlock it. They rifle around for a moment before returning, something concealed in their hands. Turning to Lillith once more, an apprehensive look crosses their face.

       “Would you say you have a certain set of skills?” Mercy says, deadpan. Lillith’s eyes squint ever so slightly as their smile distorts into a sneer.

       “Beyond a shadow of a doubt.”

       With a small clanking sound, Mercy moves their hand over the desk. A small ritual dagger sits, clearly worn from age but still in good condition. Lillith picks up the blade and inspects it curiously.

       “Good. I would love to see what the demons will make of those skills.”

       Lillith draws the tip of the knife across their tongue, a small string of blood following. “I cannot wait to prove my devotion to the Church.”

        Mercy smiles sweetly, the two dolls’ gazes crossing once again. “Oh my child, what they have in store for you.”