"But it still sounds incredibly tacky regardless. So very, very tacky."
"Intensely so. But by now there's all these cities on it. Getting rid of it would inconvenience a lot of demons and nobody's had much success making more tasteful masses and getting them populated by more than a handful of demons. I live well above a city on it."
"So the tacky golden plane is there to stay. Not because it was the best, but because it was the first, and won over the hearts of demons everywhere. With the urge to stifle it utterly."
"So," he says, "not that I'm not having fun talking - because I am and you should absolutely re-summon me if you need more demoning done - but how long are you planning to keep me, and is there a reason besides my stunning charisma? I'm not missing an appointment, I'm just curious."
"I'm being quietly a little worried that right before I put you back you grow huge fangs and are like, 'Bwuahahaha, you have fallen into my clever trap!' But there's also the charisma."
"Fangs are even less popular than horns. What if you want them gone? It's like pulling teeth. ...I didn't have that one saved up, that was on the fly."
"You should be. But if you're still scared - and I wish you wouldn't be - why haven't you poofed me gone? I have my data stick, I cannot crawl out of Hell to haunt you unsummoned."
"Because it seems really rude to just poof you back without permission. And I mean - yes I'm still scared but I'm... Less scared, now, and as far as I can tell you have been exceptionally nice to me, so it's - wrong of me to be rude to you just because I am scared."
"I'm used to it, you know. I've been answering summons for a hundred fifty years when I could get them, and you're the politest summoner I've ever had. If you want my express permission to send me home you may have it whenever you want; I don't prefer to overstay my welcome in your space station."
She smiles at him. "I'm sorry you haven't had any polite summoners! I think it's because I'm used to angels and it's all - floofy little clouds and changing minor things for the benefit of all and such. Thank you, for taking my preferences into account."
"You're welcome. I know angel culture principally by reputation - I'm not friends with any, so I don't try to beat my way past throngs of demons who are - or the larger throngs of demons who think we should all shun them permanently - when we get a concordance with Heaven. Are they really that - twee?"
"... Kind of twee? I mean they have personalities and there was one who was incredibly unpleasant to work with, but overall they are helpful people. At least the ones I work with, anyway. I have a few angel friends, I'd introduce you but I'm pretty sure they would be upset with me for summoning you, letting you talk, and not putting you back at the first opportunity."
"It's okay. I'm not that bothered. I know why the reputation exists."
"I will tell them that I met a nice demon who built me a space station?" offers Adana.
...He can't resist.
"As far as you know."
"Sorry, sorry, I don't have your soul, I promise, I couldn't resist!"
"I'm very nice. I am the nicest of demons. I do not have your soul, I will not take your soul."
"Thank you very much," she says. "For leaving my soul where it is. Ostensibly. Whatever it does."