Loyalty, obedience, a gesture or two in all good faith. I want to expose your full potential-- [ His hand lifted away, tenderness denied at the same time as he implied his doubt: ] You do have potential, don't you?

[ No soul binding contracts. Demons collected souls, and while Lucifer was tempted to try and tap into that strength, repower himself back up to his former glory, it was yet to occur to him as a necessity. He was the most powerful creature here, as far as he was concerned. That hadn't changed--yet. When he did work it out, it may or may not prove to be impossible anyway. Besides which it was good to break with expectations now and again, especially when most monkeys wouldn't know what their soul was if it rose up and slapped them in the face...

He folded his arms behind his back, cocking his head to one side. ]

I'm not remotely interested in threatening you, no matter how much you might enjoy it if I did. God gave you free will so that you could make your own choices, no matter what those are.

If you want to flee, then flee, but then you will stay out my way. If you cross me, I will destroy you. Or stay, and be a part of it. Those are your only options.