Micky sighed, glancing at the blonde woman lying next to him. He’d just met her, thanks to Damian... and he didn’t even know her name! It really didn’t matter, though. They’d had a great time together in his bed.

She slept peacefully now. Mick slid out of bed, currently wearing only his boxers. He snatched up a dark maroon, silky robe draped over his desk chair and wrapped it around himself. He left his chambers and started down the hallway. As he was about to pass Damian’s chambers, the Count stepped out.

"Ah, Michael, I’d so hoped I could catch you. How are you getting along with your lady friend?"

Micky nodded. "Fine. She’s sleeping so I thought I’d step out a moment."

"Very good. I do have few more things to teach you, Michael. You’ve already got a firm grasp on the idea, but I want to teach you control."

Micky tilted his head. "Control of what? What do I have a firm grasp on?"

Damian rested a hand on Micky’s shoulder. "Controlling your emotions. I’m going to show you how to turn them on and off," he snapped his fingers, "like that."

"I like that," Micky commented, the slightest hint of a smirk appearing.

The two men entered Damian’s chambers. The room was a dark cherry wood finish and furnished with gold tinted furniture. The current room was merely a sitting room. Damian motioned for Micky to take the chair in the middle of the room. Micky sat and glanced up at Damian as he walked around the chair.

"This is actually a very simple mental trick. I feel the need to teach you this because of what I learned from the Devils about your little... problem... when you get angry. Your being already has the ability to do this and you’ve shown the beginnings of it, but I want to bring it out of you."

"What do I do?" Micky asked.

"Without closing your eyes, I want you to empty your mind, then think of some like either a heavy curtain or a think blanket and use the item to cover your current emotion. Only those that have the ability can unlock this trick. Most of the time, however, those who can, never learn how." Damian paused, smirking, leaning on the back of Micky’s chair. "Now, Michael... how do you feel about the Devil Alexander?"

Micky growled. "Alex..."

"Michael... think of your curtain or blanket and throw it over that anger..."

Micky blinks, the anger dissipating from his face until his look becomes neutral. He sighed, the spoke flatly, "I don’t like Alex."

"Do you feel like you could throw him through a wall?" Damian inquired.

"No," Micky replied, shaking his head slightly.

"Excellent. You are a quick study, Michael. I am most pleased," Damian said. "I want you to continue to use your control. I believe that the friends you knew as a human are on their way in an attempt to bring you home. There is nothing they can do to you that will return you to human form. I must step out for a short time as they arrive. I would like for you to keep them occupied for as long as you can until I return."

Micky nodded. "I can do that."

"Very good, Michael. Now, you are free to leave. Return to your chambers or the party, whichever you wish. Just remember, if you wish to go outside in the daylight, bring sunglasses." With that, Damian slipped a pair of sunglasses on... and vanished in a poof of smoke.

Micky rose from the chair, the look on his face remaining neutral. "Perhaps I’ll see if my lady friend is awake yet..." He left the chambers, not even the slightest grin or smirk on his face.