Ask Sebastian

[Linx]

What determines the quality of soul? And how did you become a Faustian Demon?

[sebastian]

"As you know, a Faustian Demon is considered a 'picky eater' by other hell spawn. You have heard we only chose quality souls... There are four main considerations which involve our choosing of a quality soul. First, the flavor of course; which I spoke of in an earlier reply. Then there is also the age of a soul, how long it will sustain me, and how much strength I gain from it.

When age is involved, a younger soul tends to be more tantalizing to us. As a human child grows and matures, they tend to not be exposed to the cruelty of the reality they live in. Such a childish innocence frenzies a Faustian Demon, because there is no tainting of the soul to be consumed which causes an unwanted flavor. That is one reason for my obsession with Ciel Phantomhive's soul. He had already been exposed to the reality, and he was approaching the teen years where most innocence is corrupted. He was forced to grow up too fast; and yet... His soul remained pure and untainted. Despite everything he had gone through; his soul was still at the point where it was most desirable to a demon.

Souls are my sustenance; I am unable to 'eat' anything else, this body is not suited to that task. So when determining a soul's quality arises; I take a guess as to how long I will be able to to function properly without swallowing another. Ciel's soul would have sustained me for a good 50 years or so, before I would begin to feel a craving for my next meal. Sir Integra's will support me for near 100 years; simply because of the power she holds which will be swallowed along with her soul. However, just because I will be able to carry on with that energy in store doesn't mean I won't immediately begin to search for a new contract. Choosing a quality soul can take years, centuries; as the decent meals have slowly become rare. So I will be seeking out a possible new master as soon as I have finished with my current lord.

Finally, the amounted strength gained from a soul... This is what makes a Faustian so hated by other demons. Our willingness to become servants to inferior humans is an insult to their pride; but it is also a fear of what we can do. When one consumes only quality souls; we grow in physical and mental strength. The older we become; the more powerful we become, the more experience and knowledge we gain. That is one reason why our kind are so rare; because most Faustians are killed off at a young age by other demons in order to prevent a future attack by a nearly invincible opponent. I am well over 3000 years old, I am among the most aged of the Faustian species. Throughout those years, I consumed only quality souls. I have lost count of how many times other hell spawn tried to end my existence, and I have reached a level where only the best would stand a chance; and even they fear for their lives if they confront me. They leave me alone, and I leave them alone. It is a mutual respect and fear for each other which prevents the bloodbath.



Now then, about my becoming a Faustian Demon... I was born as one; asexually as I mentioned in an earlier reply. When you are granted eternal life, and have lived for many years; life tends to become boring. So a Faustian usually seeks out a way of self-destruction as they approach 2000 years old. One such way of self destruction is by reproducing. A Faustian can take on any form, we can become male or female at will. So when one has become bored of existence, the easiest and quickest way to fade away is through the asexual splitting oneself. The demon which is born from the parent demon is ravenous upon 'birth', and so we turn on our parent demon and consume them. Normally, it is very difficult to take a demon's soul; but the splitting of the parent detaches the soul, weakens the older one. Therefore, the parent's soul is quickly swallowed; and the newborn Faustian moves on to begin its life. That is how I came into being.

It is possible for a normal demon to become a Faustian. However, there are certain terms to be met. One would need a Faustian Symbol cut into the back of the hand by a true Faustian Demon. Unlike the humans involved in a Faustian pact, we have no choice of where to place our own symbol. Once that symbol is cut into the hand, the blood of the same Faustian is to be placed upon the wound; sharing the Faustian genetics. Finally, it is required of the Faustian to close the wound. Demon saliva has its healing properties. Upon the conclusion of such a ceremony, the normal demon becomes no different from a newborn Faustian. But that also means the new Faustian will end up becoming hated and a target by other Hell Spawn as well; just as any other Faustian."

[Linx]

What determines if a soul is pure and untainted? Why is it so tempting? And why is it that you only eat human souls?

[Cap'n Failz]

Is it possible for a Faustian to be killed by purely physical or mortal means? And in the same vein, is it at all possible for a Faustian to die of old age?

[sebastian]

What determines if a soul is pure and untainted? Why is it so tempting? And why is it that you only eat human souls?

"You ask a good question, Sir. I think the best way to explain this is to return to what I mentioned of the 'childish innocence'. A human child upon birth is entirely pure, because they have yet to be exposed to the cruel reality of the world they live in. Purity gives a fresh taste to a soul. That freshness is what so tantalizes a Faustian Demon. A human would prefer to eat a ripe and just harvested apple; than one which has become bruised, rotten, or otherwise overly soft. It is much the same thing. A soul is very quick to start having an 'aged' taste to it as the child grows; then the reality comes in and tampers with the flavor by presenting them with new beliefs and experiences. There are countless things which taint the human soul; there is no avoiding it. I shall not list these, I'm sure you can figure them out on your own.



My definition of a pure and untainted soul is once which retains that fresh childish innocence which is so quick to be corrupted. My former master; Ciel Phantomhive... Despite everything he went through; losing his family and everything he had known at a young age, being sold into a form of slavery, branded and nearly sacrificed in a ceremony meant to summon me... He somehow retained the innocence, which is why I was so obsessive over his soul. His lust for revenge added a nice spice to the soul flavor, he strength of will created a bittersweet touch. But of course, I now have a new master, and a more desirable soul to look forward to.

I believe I informed you of my reasons to swallow only human souls in the 'Dance with the Devil' thread. A Faustian's diet is limited strictly to human souls; because those are the only form of soul we can utilize. Other souls would have a very different effect on us. Some are deathly toxic, some would simply make us have a rather bad stomachache. There are a select few which wouldn't harm us; but those do not carry the same variance of flavors or satisfaction."

Is it possible for a Faustian to be killed by purely physical or mortal means? And in the same vein, is it at all possible for a Faustian to die of old age?

"I can't help but wonder why you would ask this question; so I hope you'll forgive me if I gloss over some things. I have no intention of giving away my most secret weaknesses. Yes, a Faustian can be killed by sustaining enough injury to the physical body. If we are harmed to a certain extent, our own soul will begin to lose its strength and either fade or implode. But Faustian's are gifted with a fast-working, miraculously self healing body. Weapons of pure holy energy, or of certain pure demonic auras; would inflict injuries which could not heal over. In order to kill a Faustian, the soul must be separated from the body, which is not an easy feat. There are countless ways to do so; but I will not be speaking of them.

In reply to the second part of your question, the answer is no. Granted with eternal life upon birth, we age over eternity. Our physical form does not shows signs of age as humans do; we can chose how we appear and change as we see fit. However, living for eternity; with the same old schedule of eat and be lazy...A Faustian's life becomes boring quickly. That is why most seek out a form of self-destruction as they approach 2000 years. I am well over 3000, and I haven't destroyed myself because I am far more picky than my fellow Faustians. It provides me with a challenge when I chose my next contractor, and it allows a new adventure to begin when I chose a soul such as Integra's. More entertainment for me."