@[DorothyZbornak](/user/show/977065) I agree!

@[Pwrliftermscl](/user/show/941605) glad you liked it! with the serum he’s permanently jacked/stupified! he’s also the first convert/employee of the gym, apart from the owner, i should have specified this. if i add another part, i’ll have Connor become the next recruiter, taking the young unsuspecting jocks that wander off alone into the gym, turning them into dumb himbo’s, like himself.

@[JSN](/user/show/10029968) Thank you. To be honest, looking back it seems that in many cases, ones desires dominating over the appearance of the one that converted him seems to occur- such as with covetous who despite being converted by most of Collins demonized family at the time shows characteristics related to bathing and soldiers and looks more humanoid than the others, nothing like the others, while in other cases like those converted by another demon- like garret- they look more like those that converted them (which I believe was either Gregory or william...both of whom share the same large muscular build and hot-headed personality.) I remember a comment I think in the last chapter from @Pcm that those converted by forlorn will retain his physical attractiveness and how he looks to some degree (as per his photo in the last chapter of his demon form)- as he's meant to he the most encompassing demon in luring people to be seduced and converted. Forlorn also retains his healer persona even if altered by demonic desire (he outright confesses in this chapter that he sees demonization as a kindness and means of liberation in light of how eastern cultural norms and self sacrifice harmed him in his final discussion with eddie before he becomes callous- though i imagine albert will have a very different view on that), so that kind nature Alfred possesses would likely remain, even if initially altered by the demon transformation before seeing more changes as Albert goes on his journey, though I'd imagine always retaining his kindness- which is a crucial part of him. In light of that, I'd see Albert at the end of his journey looking like a kinder forlorn to some degree in appearence, and far less sinister in his beliefs and behaviors. I'd imagine him as akin to somebody like tamayo or yushiro in the manga demon slayer, or the non villainous ghouls of tokyo ghoul in personality- clearly not human in body, but not inhuman (lack of virtue) in deed. Though since I come from a culture which holds belief in spiritual beings that may be good or evil (the genies/jinns)- Albert's journey would be similar to one of those creatures introspecting and changing themselves and being capable of doing so (an established principle in theological understandings of said culture in relation to religion), and so it wouldn't be odd that albert as a "demon" is changing in his mentality and deeds. A major part of Albert's journey I suspect is accepting what he is now, coming to terms with the past, forgiving himself, and despite being a demon- figuring out how to be more than what he was, while not trying to deny what he is to the point of self harm (self repression I feel is a major reason why the east fell apart so quickly in the first place to the demons- so Albert replicating that in his healing wouldn't seem logical- he might do it while initially traumatized and just starting to work through things- but not later- though I suspect he will relearn restraint to a degree.

@Anon You make a good point about Forlorn's charms was inherited by Albert, and with his kind behaviour, his method of transforming is through showing kindness to the victims and persuade them to join the horde. His kindness even make him lovable as a demon, the demon princes included. Albert’s other employers, you will see them in his flashback. Albert is from somewhere far from East, maybe near the West, I think. There's people living in the South, even if it's not an ideal place to live. And with Albert, things will likely change for South.

@[JSN](/user/show/10029968) If Albert is from the border regions near the west that would also imply some potebrially interesting run ins with beastfolk. Wolfheim was running kidnapping rings (though they did take in the destitute to give them a home so its complicated, though theres the whole eerie aspect of the primal beast) in that region to bring in new people to convert. Or do you mean that his homeland being far from the east means that the western regions are to the east of his homeland? Albert converting people with kindness is a very interesting method but on brand for him. Would that mean like helping refugees with their fears and traumas or physically assisting them, or being a helpful presence to convince them, alongside use of intimacy in a kindly way, thereby shoeing that the demons aren't monstrous? If so that is a very cunning PR campaign there to kind of sidestep the more dubious concerns about making more demons, though Albert is definetly entirely sincere about his kindness. The demon princes liking him is interesting- do they like him for his results or his methods- after all, in this chapter alone one of forlorn family members say human feelings do not matter- only the horde. So I can see maybe not at first, but after Albert loses his family some major friction could occur between them. Or perhaps maybe the opossite will happen because they all like him and are distressed over his distress. Alternatively, they may see his way of conversion as less messy and a better way to integrate any remaining survivors that didnt escape. Though considering most refugees and survivors would likely be very scared of demons- so he must really be kind and empathetic. I wonder who Albert's previous employers were...will they be important in the south, or just to establish Alberts character and past? I'd also argue that in this chapter, it's implied Albert's demon form is very beautiful, and also muscular. I'd imagine he looks a bit like forlorn but also not, but with his kindness aspect he's probably akin to the himbo archetype but not dumb. Just very kind, muscular and good looking, as well as able to sympathize and help people with their fears and troubles. I'm trying to think how that could work as a description to feed to perchance ai, which was used to make the demon portraits in this chapter and earlier.

@Anon It's mostly just to establish Albert's past and his behaviour, honestly. As for the previous question, it took some time for them to like Albert, his caring nature and understanding earns the demon princes approval, even the normal demons likes him for who he is.

@Anon In your opinion, what is the general climate of the south? Is it a desert region or something else? The mentions of it being empty lead me to think something akin to deserts and arid areas, so people living there would likely be nomadic and congregate near an oasis, though likely avoiding the sea and estuaries, and likely staying away from any rivers that connect to the sea, unless they have to do so. Are the people there currently economically struggling? And what is the culture of the place? I fear I may have asked these questions beforeN in which case I apologize, but the South just fascinates me as to what it could be. How will they see Albert?

@[JSN](/user/show/10029968) In light of this, I sense that Albert's method of sexual activity is generally very much pleasure oriented for both parties. So I'd imagine him akin to a pleasure dom in a way and being a figure somebody can confide in and trust, but also having the increased sex drive all demons have. Would that be a good way to understand how his personality and demonic nature intersect and show themselves in how he engages in sex?

@Anon I hope so, it's my first time writing a story after all.

@Anon As for the climate, I haven't come up with one yet, but it's probably a place where water is regular occurrence to them. If they see Albert, maybe they would have give up from that point, it shows how badly their town have been, and they want to release their fears.

@[JSN](/user/show/10029968) So something perhaps more akin to a swampy area? Or an area with lots of rivers and lakes and trees? The ideas you've been discussing here have been fascinating overall and with how much depth youve given albert i think youll be able to write a really good story for him. I think what's interesting is that you seem to have Albert be happy in the east after becoming a demon and rising in prominence with his slightly unconventional means of conversion, lose his family and have an existential crusis, and then go south and then have a journey there and heal. With him kind of serving as the demons PR representative (I'd imagine forlorn is like this too), I wonder what the demon princes reaction to all of this would be when he decides to go south? Something tells me they're going to go after him... As for Albert's sexual dynamics (i fear i may have repeated myself on this topic), would it be accurate to say he's a pleasure dom, focused on making his partners feel safe and pleasured? Most demons seem to take on a dominant role in intimacy. As for the southern towns, I'd imagine they might be dealing with poverty and abyssal gaze attacks. So if they see Albert in his demonic form they may very well give up- good for them that Albert is there- any other demon would have taken advantage of that very fast.