Mephistopheles

Mephistopheles is a demon whose first appearance in Obey Me!'s Main Story was in Lesson 63-1, though he was mentioned much earlier in the chat The Popularity Contest. His first appearance in Nightbringer's Main Story was Lesson 13-8. He is a dedicated member of the RAD Newspaper Club, and is considered a side character in both Obey Me! and Nightbringer, meaning that he is not currently included in either game's Intimacy system.
== Appearance ==
Mephistopheles has deep magenta hair that is parted on the left side, and black eyebrows. Unlike most other characters, Mephistopheles's eyebrows do not match his hair color. As shown in the card art for Bragging Rights and Demon King Who?, as well as in his sprite, the hair on the back of Mephistopheles's head is black. It is currently unknown if this is his natural coloring or if he dyes his hair. He and Thirteen are the only two characters whose eyebrow color do not match the hair color on the top of their head.
He has tawny brown skin, and his eyes are a gradient of pear green and chartreuse. He's almost always seen wearing a pair of white gloves. When without them — as in the card art for The Dancing Creature — it can be seen that his nails are painted a similar magenta color to his hair.
== Personality ==
Mephistopheles is a very dutiful and dedicated demon, and takes any tasks that he's given very seriously. When working as a journalist for the RAD Newspaper, he is often either researching for a new article, or attempting to find the next big scoop, which tends to involve following people around. In the Devilgrams for both A Fly-by Scoop! and Let's Take Photos!, Mephistopheles attempted to follow both Lucifer and Raphael respectively. However, as Raphael commented, Mephistopheles doesn't seem to have much talent for being subtle, and both Raphael and Lucifer knew right away they were being followed.
Subtle or not, Mephistopheles does have a talent for finding out information. One example of this is in Lesson 33-6 (NB), when he knew that Lucifer would be giving a speech during RAD's founding ceremony even before Lucifer himself knew. When questioned, Mephistopheles replied that Lucifer should "never underestimate his network of informants."
Despite his talents for journalistic research and dedication to the job when working on an article, Mephistopheles told MC in the Devilgram Lead On, Mephisto! that he isn't actually interested in a future in professional journalism.
Mephistopheles is very expressive with his emotions, and generally does not try to hide what he's feeling or thinking in the moment. He seems to genuinely enjoy new experiences, such as visiting an arcade for the first time in the Devilgram Let's Take Photos!. However, he can become easily flustered or anxious when he's tasked with something he doesn't fully understand or isn't certain how to complete flawlessly, as seen in the Scions of the Devildom Devilgram.
As frequently - and loudly - as he takes the opportunity to compliment Diavolo's appearance, he seems less confident of his own appearance in comparison. In the Devilgram Scions of the Devildom, while he was convinced to take on the temporary job of a model, he was initially too stiff and nervous. If MC asked for a "sexy" pose, Mephistopheles also said he would "only mar such glorious perfection" when comparing himself to Diavolo.
Mephistopheles has a very strong sense of integrity, as demonstrated in the chat Lucifer's Paparazzi. However much he dislikes Lucifer, he would never fabricate information in the articles he writes, and always strives to publish the truth, even when that means portraying Lucifer in a positive light.
He also is known to go out of his way to do kind or polite things for others, even when he really doesn't want to. In Lesson 70-16 Hard (OM), he delivered a box of fan letters for Asmodeus, despite complaining that it isn't the Newspaper Club's job to deliver mail. He stated, however, that because someone took the time to write the letters, he couldn't just leave them undelivered. In Lesson 31-8 Hard (NB), though again he complained about doing so, he helped Thirteen carry her shopping bags, and also held her umbrella to make sure she wouldn't get wet. When Thirteen commented on this, Mephistopheles stated that "that's what any proper gentleman would be expected to do."
In the same Nightbringer Lesson, Mephistopheles explained to Thirteen that he has no interest in things like romantic relationships, because he is "wholly devoted to ensuring the stability of the Devildom" and in supporting Diavolo. He said that he would only marry if Diavolo asked it of him, but is sure such talks would be far in the future.
It seems that Mephistopheles knows a great deal about the history of the Devildom. When mock lessons on Devildom history were being taught in both Lessons 26 and 33 (NB), Mephistopheles was chosen as the class's teacher.
=== Preferences ===
==== Likes ====
* Mephistopheles appreciates rare varieties of Demonus, as mentioned in his Introduction video.
** When MC asked for his help with a task in Lesson Lesson 72-2 (OM), they had the option to successfully bribe him by giving him rare Demonus that Lucifer knew was one of his favorites.
* Mephistopheles's favorite food is orthrus teriyaki with quetzalcoatl brain sauce made by his personal chef, as he stated in the Devilgram Connecting Through Fangol.
* He prefers his tea to be extremely sweet, and in Lesson 14-A (NB) mentioned that he'd added the full pot of sugar to his cup of tea.
* In Lesson 52-13 (NB), Mephistopheles commented that after a hot bath, he enjoys drinking strong soda water because he finds it refreshing.
* As seen in the Devilgram for Bragging Rights, Mephistopheles is quite proud of his younger brother.
* As seen in the Pop Quiz The Fangol Ultra Bowl, Mephistopheles's favorite Fangol team is the Steel Falcons.
** He became quite knowledgeable about Fangol through one of his relatives being a sponsor of the Steel Falcons.
==== Dislikes ====
* Mephistopheles doesn't much like horror movies, as he told MC in the chat Taste in Movies.
* He dislikes rude behavior, and is easily aggravated by people's poor manners.
** He frequently scolds others for their lack of manners, as he did when he found MC reading his paperwork in Lesson 63-1 (OM).
** An enraged Mephistopheles ranted at Satan in the chat Unacceptable Behavior about Lucifer's rudeness in "suddenly disappearing" after MC successfully summoned him for the first time.
* Mephistopheles also hates being ignored, especially if it's Lucifer that's doing so.
** When Lucifer didn't respond to Mephistopheles teasing him about an embarrassing outfit in Lesson 68-1 (OM), he yelled at Lucifer to stop ignoring him.
** In Lesson Lesson 31-8 Hard (NB), Mephistopheles yelled at Thirteen because she kept ignoring his protests about carrying her things.
** Lucifer intentionally treated Mephistopheles as if he wasn't there in Lesson 36-3 (NB), knowing that this would infuriate him.
* He dislikes tongue twisters because he has such difficulty reciting them, as seen in Lesson 67-A (OM).
** It took him at least 30 minutes to recite a tongue twister five times with no mistakes, which was his task during the RAD Sports Festival.
* Mephistopheles seems to have a general dislike of humans, and told MC in the chat For Use in Emergencies Only that he "doesn't like the idea of consorting with [them]."
* He dislikes bugs, as he stated in Lesson 39-8 Hard (NB).
* In multiple instances throughout the main story, Mephistopheles demonstrated a strong dislike for Lucifer.
=== Talents and Skills ===
* Mephistopheles is a skilled horse rider, and was complimented by Barbatos in Happy Birthday! Dear Barbatos '22 for having excellent horsemanship.
== Powers and Abilities ==
Mephistopheles explained in Lesson 37-9 (NB) that he has a special power. Once he has an agreement with someone, he's able to "harness any and every sort of power" to accomplish what is asked of him. He can use this ability after making a deal with anyone, not just humans.
According to Mammon in Lesson 72-2 (OM), Mephistopheles is "as good at magic as Lucifer."
== Etymology ==
* Mephistopheles's name comes from a demon featured in German folklore.
** He "originally appeared in literature as the demon in the Faust legend."
Category:Characters
Category:Demons