"The key to sexuality is control."
This is the first thing about Asmodeus' voice: it
never seems to go above a whisper, yet it is always
audible. Certainly the group of quietly terrified
novice demons needed no help hearing his words as they
frantically attempted to write them down verbatim.
The Prince of the Game noted this, and continued.
"Put away the notebooks." The sounds of pens being
dropped, notebooks being whisked out of sight and
sweat beading on foreheads filled the room. "If you
are incapable of understanding this simple fact
instantly, then you will never survive your first tour
of duty on Earth, and your only legacy will be the
hastily-scrawled notes that the next candidate will
rip out of those notebooks without a second thought.
Do not waste any more of Hell's resources than you can
help."
After the fear cleared to a more manageable level,
Asmodeus continued. "There is no need for me to
discuss the mechanics of sexuality: most of you have
worked out that on your own. Those few who have not
yet focussed on this aspect of their future tasks will
be collected at the end of this session and brought to
establishments run by my esteemed colleague so that
they may acquire a grounding in the basics."
This is the second thing about Asmodeus' voice: there
is no inflection, no irony, not even cruelty in it -
but it is not emotionless. Those demons present
shuddered: both the ones that would be collected and
the ones that would not. It was hard to tell which
group had been derelict in their duties - but it was
grimly certain that either one or the other had been.
Possibly both. After a precisely-calculated moment,
the Prince of the Game began to speak again.
"So, instead of analyzing the outward form of
corporeal sexuality, I will instead speak of its core.
Control. Humans use sexuality to control each other,
and you will use it to control humanity. That much is
obvious. However, there is more than one kind of
control, and the adequate demon must show that he has
mastered the ways of both.
"The first kind of control is control over others.
This is the type that is most obvious: after all,
humans have used sexuality to break others of their
kind to their will throughout all of their history.
We of Hell are better at it than they are, of course,
but this is one place where their research will
actually prove of use. Never scorn a tool, even a
flawed one, if it will allow you to impose the Will of
your Prince on humans.
"Mortals have discovered that there are two ways to
control others through sexuality: by granting it, and
by denying it. Both ways have their uses. Some
humans wish to be provided with certain acts: some
wish to be denied them. Some wish to decry an
activity in public and secretly indulge in it: others
wish to be free to flaunt their activities to the
world. Very few will not tolerate having their
delusions reinforced, but even those that believe that
they want 'honesty' can be controlled. Study of a
particular human will show the best way to take
possession of his or her strings: sloppiness in this
is intolerable.
"There is some debate about whether allowing a
targeted human sexual pleasure is advisable. One
school of thought, ably described by a certain Saint
of Faith..."
The class rustled at the forbidden name. Asmodeus
looked - well, less bleak - for a moment.
"I see that some of you have mistaken tradition for
policy. While calling them 'Slaves' is, of course,
accurate, see that you do not continue the practice if
you graduate to Earth. The Word is currently in
disfavor among many human cultures, and many of the
Enemy will be eagerly waiting for those unfamiliar
with the corporeal plane to make just that sort of
slip. That is precisely why the word 'Saint' has
never been forbidden by the Game. Unlike our foes, we
are practical.
"To continue, the first school of thought believes
that it is not necessary to permit an act of useful
pleasure, as long as the subject desires it. This
belief has the advantage of being less work for us,
but unfortunately the days when gratification could be
denied entirely have passed. Many corporeal cultures
have made avenues for sexual gratification
sufficiently available that not even Hell may
effectively control them all. Thus, the second school
of thought postulates that any form of pleasure may be
safely granted, so long as the subject is fixated upon
receiving it from an appropriate source. Debate
continues: you would be well-advised to follow your
Prince's lead on this matter, as is only proper.
"The advantages of controlling humans through
sexuality are threefold. First, of course, is that
many humans consider the act of reproduction to be a
bonding ritual. It will be difficult to remember at
times, but humans expect this ritual to be at least
slightly reciprocal. They will expect you to actually
'care' about them, simply because a mere exchange of
fluids and the firing of certain neurons in their
brains. This delusion can even survive the revelation
that their 'partner' is a demon. Some will even take
pride in the fact. Needless to say, none of you will
share in this delusion: Hell has even less use for
lunatics than it does for fools.
"The second advantage is that sexual activity is a
necessary part of many Roles. Andrealphus and Nybbas
have made certain of that, if nothing else."
This is the third thing about Asmodeus' voice: while
it is always cold, sometimes it is ... colder.
"Depending on one's point of view, this is either a
unfortunate side effect of other policies or an
inspired method of blending in. No matter what your
Prince's personal views on the matter, it is something
that must be taken into consideration.
"The third and final advantage is that this type of
control will permit you a different way of exercising
your own birthright of power over mortals. Hell does
not mind when you demonstrate your superiority over
your inferiors - indeed, we encourage it, provided
that it does not interfere with your tasks. Some
Princes take more stock in this particular affirmation
of self than others, but few forbid it entirely. It
is policy to permit anyone to take what they can keep.
The fact that humans never can keep what they take
merely underscores the rightness of our cause.
"This leads us to the second type of control: control
of one's self. I have touched upon this earlier, but
now I shall say it outright for the slow: a proper
demon must always be in control of the weaker. You
all have your desires, and the Will to impose them
upon the universe. This is only fitting, for your
betters will do the same. The reason why they are
your betters is because they have learned to better
use their desires as a tool, rather than as an excuse.
There are no excuses. You control, or you submit:
but a demon that cannot control himself is a demon
that cannot control others. This is why Discord is
such a danger for most of you: it hints to the
universe that there are places where your Will is
weak. Hell will tolerate a hundred lunatics, a
thousand fools, before it will accommodate one
weakling."
The Prince of the Game stood: as if by signal, two
demons of the Game wheeled over what looked like a box
covered in heavy cloth. In a gesture almost
ostentatious in its lack of dramatics, Asmodeus
removed the cloth to reveal an open framework of bars
- and a softly moaning figure inside them. The room
grew so quiet that the Prince's voice, for once,
seemed almost a shout.
"This is an example. This demon was once an efficient
Servitor - until he forgot to control himself. He
allowed himself to be ruled by Lust, as can be plainly
seen. This made him weak. He became so weak that
when it came time for him to defend his Prince - and
of course, himself - from the Enemy, he failed. The
Enemy found him easy meat, and reduced him to a
pitiful Remnant, forced to wander the streets until
agents of the Game found him and brought him to me so
that I could restore enough of him to show to you. He
was unable to control even his own urges..."
Asmodeus, at this point, casually reached into the
framework and scooped out the lone Celestial Force.
The explosion was fairly spectacular, very loud and
quite messy, but no one dared remove the former demon
from their faces as the Prince continued,
"...and now he is gone, and none remember his name.
Take this lesson to heart, lest you be the lesson
someday."
This is the fourth thing about Asmodeus' voice:
sometimes, it is cruel.
"Are there any questions?"
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