Loona, a Hellhound. To those who know her either personally or well enough to be aware of her personality, she can be described as distant, aggravated, and generally pissed at everything. But beneath all of that angst and disdain for everyone and thing, there's a girl who, for reasons that are hers alone to know, is afraid to drop her guard and show everyone that she isn't a bad bitch 24/7. In her mind, she'd never be forced or placed in a situation where these other layers and sides to herself could be exposed; they've peaked out a few times to where those close to her knew they existed, but never enough for them to understand what they are.
However, that all flew right out the window in the present, as it had become her turn to hold an adorable brown bunny named Daisy. It'd been almost an hour and a half since Vega, BJ, and Stella all left to attend the meeting, and since then, the little lapin's been passed around to every eagerly waiting person that wanted to hold her, not that she minded. And once she was given to Loona from Octavia, all the while acting as if she didn't care, her entire mood shifted when Daisy was nestled into her arms. Now she wasn't suddenly moving around the room singing like a specific type of princess, you know the one, but she wasn't the same "grumble; I don't think she's cute grumble grumble" Hellhound she was earlier.
"How're you THIS freaking soft?" She asked Daisy in a quiet volume which was a first for her, "Like, I have fur too, you know. And yet I can NEVER get it this soft." She said, a small but noticeable smile present on her face.
Slowly and gently, she used her free hand to pet the rabbit's backside, occasionally even petting her head, much to Daisy's pleasure. To her, this didn't seem strange; if everyone else had been doing it so far, why couldn't she? The problem with that is she was herself, and herself up until now had been nothing but FUCK EVERYTHING. So for the others that were nearby, this was like their own personal Twilight Zone episode.
"Okay. I wasn't expecting Loona to throw Daisy across the room or anything insane, but I still didn't think she'd act like that." Vagatha confessed.
"You're not the only one." Octavia replied with a look of disbelief, "She and Blitzo have been living with dad and me for half a year. And sure, she gets relaxed and isn't always trying to bite someone's head off, but nothing like this." She shared.
"I think it's sweet, though!" Millie exclaimed with a grin, "She's always been so aggressive! So getting to see a more sensitive side to her is nice." She said.
"Agreed." Both Charlie and Velvet responded in unison, having the same thought.
"Daisy has that effect on people..." The Slayer spoke up, "Doesn't matter who you are, once she gets in your arms, you turn to putty..." He explained.
"Do you think we should call her out on it?" Millie suggested.
"Call her out how?" Vagatha questioned.
"Nothing mean like tease her or make her the attention of the room. But if we can get her to admit she's acting different and none of us embarrass her or make a big deal over it, then she could start opening up more often." She explained.
"That's only in the hopeful outcome she doesn't try to tear out the throat of whoever goes over and says something," Octavia said.
"You could." She suggested.
"So could you." Octavia countered.
"I don't want to die." She replied.
"Neither do I," Octavia told her.
"Well, it's between you or me since we've known her the longest. Wanna rock, paper, scissors for it?" She asked.
"Gee, deciding my fate with a game of rock, paper, scissors. How underwhelming." Octavia sarcastically answered.
"Hey, guys." Velvet spoke up before pointing ahead of them, "Will's beat you to it." She told them.
Having been distracted by their conversation, Millie and Octavia, as well as Charlie and Vagatha, hadn't noticed the departure of the Slayer as he walked towards Loona.
"Hey..." The Slayer greeted her once he was at her side.
"My turn's not done yet." She responded immediately, even sounding a bit defensive with her tone.
"That's not why I came over here..." He replied, which made her realize what she just did.
"Oh...right yeah no obviously...but ya know, if ya want, you can take her back..." She offered while looking away, trying her hardest to seem like she didn't care.
"Hmph, okay..." He said, reaching out to mess with her a little.
"Then again!" She quickly exclaimed, which made him stop, "If you take her back before I've had my full turn, then Charlie will probably get upset. You know how she is." She suggested.
"Hmm...I guess you're right..." He agreed, playing along with her act, "So...are you two getting along?..." He asked, returning his arm to his side.
"I mean, sure. About as well as Hellhound and a rabbit could." She answered with a shrug, "But don't take that as me saying that we're like, best buddies now or some shit." She added.
"I won't..." He promised, "However, she does seem to really like you...so if you'd like, you could watch after her while I'm gone..." He offered.
Hearing that made Loona's ears twitch for a second, it was a quick and relatively small physical reaction, but the Slayer managed to notice it.
"You...sure you don't want Charlie or Nifty to do that?..." She slowly asked, once again trying to seem disinterested, "After all, those two are sunshine, rainbows, and that kind of bullshit, which is typically the kind of thing people pair with rabbits. Whereas I'm more...metal, violence, don't give a fuck." She told him.
"So am I. And yet, Daisy loves me..." He countered, "If anything, that could be one of the reasons she likes you...since we're so alike..." He suggested.
"Even so, I've never looked after anything before, especially not something like a rabbit." She said as she looked down at Daisy, "What if I fucked up somehow?" She asked a genuine sense of worry, albeit faint, present in her voice.
"If I thought that was possible, I wouldn't be suggesting it...but I trust you, Loona...and so does Daisy..." He answered.
Although they were friends, hearing him say in words that he trusted her meant a great deal to the Hellhound, enough to bring another small smile to her face.
"Wow...I...don't know what to say to that..." She confessed, "But...if you REALLY want me of all people to look after her while you're ripping out spines and using entrails as decorations...then I guess I-"
"AZRAEL!"
The voice of Gabriel came into the room like a powerful boom of thunder, even managing to shake some of the items in the space. And when everyone looked with their newly widened eyes towards the source, they found the archangel standing in one of the doorways, his eyes burning passionately with anger while staring at his sister.
"By father's name Gabriel! What is wrong with you?!" Azrael questioned when she saw him.
"THE SPEAR OF DESTINY!" He shouted at her, almost seeming as though he might explode at any given second.
"Oh...oh...oooooooooooh..." She responded, the reason for why he was so angry, slowly dawning on her.
"Could someone please tell us what the fuck is going on?" Husk requested. He and the others utterly lost on what was happening.
"Okay...so...here's the deal." She said while clapping her hands together, "As you all know, I've met Will's great grandfather before, twice, to be accurate. The first time was when he found himself in the company of a demon from Doom. And before you ask, it's a long story involving nazis, cult rituals, and a whole mess of other stuff. Anyway, his guns worked pretty well against the monster, but he needed some extra oomph. So I popped in, gave him my weapon, which is known as the spear of destiny, and he used it to send the creature crawling back to its master. Then the second time I met with him was when he died; I did so to inform him that he could keep the spear as I never had any need for it. What with being death incarnate and whatnot." She explained.
"...There is SO MUCH to unpack there, holy shit." Husk replied the first to do so.
"For what may be the ONLY time it happens in history, the beer cat and I agree." Gabriel spoke, regaining their attention, "So how about we start with one simple question. WHAT IN HEAVEN'S NAME WERE YOU THINKING?!" He asked, resuming his shouting.
"It was my spear brother. Emphasis on MY as in previously owned. Which means I and I alone decided what became of it." She answered before crossing her arms, "Besides, why is it such an issue? It's not like I gave it to a serial killer or a tyrannical madman. I gave it to someone whose soul was pure and who I was certain beyond any doubt wouldn't misuse it. So what concern is my spear, now BJ's, to you or Heaven as a whole?" She asked.
"The spear of destiny is singlehandedly one of the most powerful items ever forged by our father. In addition to sharing your power, it can imprison souls for all eternity should that be what its wielder intends. So regardless of WHO you gave it to, the fact remains that you GAVE IT. AWAY. ONE OF THE DEADLIEST ARMAMENTS IN CREATION, AND YOU CASUALLY GIFTED IT TO A MORTAL!" He shouted in reply.
"Reminder, it was MINE to give away." She told him.
If Gabriel's sanity were represented by anything at that moment, it'd be the violent snapping of a violin's strings. Thankfully, before he could spread his wings and fly across the room to give his sibling a piece of his mind, Stella suddenly appeared from the corridor behind him.
"Gabriel!" She called out, rushing to stand in front of him to keep him where he stood, "I understand you're angry at your sister. But of all the things we should be focusing on right now, is this truly one of them?" She asked, hoping to appeal to his reason.
"I am VERY reasonable, miss Stella. Which is why I promise not to strangle her so intensely my hands leave any marks." He answered.
"Remember, I am death. Try as you might, dear brother, I could hand you your Heavenly rear on a silver platter." Azrael warned.
"With your spear, we are equals. Without it, nothing is preventing me from skewering you." He countered, ready to summon his weapon.
"I am! The woman who is standing right in front of you!" Stella interjected, keeping his focus on her, "Gabriel. While I do not know all of the reasons this angers you, should there be more beyond her giving away her weapon. I'm asking you to take a moment to clear your head, remember what is happening right now, and decide if this even comes close to being our top priority." She told him.
For Azrael and the others, Stella's attempt to calm the archangel seemed pointless, as even Charlie, who hadn't known her uncle for too long, knew that once he set his mind to something, he was determined to see it to the end. But Stella and Octavia, who was the only one who didn't doubt her, had spent a fair amount of time in his company, so they knew he wasn't as thick-headed as the others might assume. Because of this, only they weren't surprised when after a few seconds, Gabriel relaxed.
"Yes...you're right...forgive me..." He apologized while breathing out a sigh, "This matter can easily wait until the war at hand is won. I lost my composure, forgive me." He added, though he only directed that towards Stella.
"Seriously? I don't get an apology?" Azrael questioned.
"You'll be lucky if you don't receive a new orifice by the time this is over." He spat back, still upset at her for her carelessness.
"Gabriel," Stella said to keep him on track.
"Right, sorry." He apologized a second time, again only to her, "Speaking of our priorities. Slayer, our meeting has all but been concluded. If you would, it'd be preferable for you to accompany me back so you can learn of what our plans are." He informed.
"Right..." The Slayer replied as he looked back to Loona, "You two keep an eye on each other..." He told both her and Daisy.
"Sure thing," Loona said as Daisy simply nodded.
And with that, Gabriel left the room just as quickly as he'd entered it, only this time with the Slayer following him instead of Stella. But once both men's footsteps could no longer be heard and the door closed, Angel Dust said something that caught everyone off guard.
"Okay. Be honest here. You're fucking him, aren't you?" He asked Stella, a big toothy grin present on his face.
Meanwhile, In Pentagram City...
Blankets. Lovely, soft, warm blankets. This is the first thing Lucifer felt as he returned to a conscious state. Slowly opening his eyes as more sensations met him, he felt the comfortable cradle of a pillow that his head rested on and the warmth of a lamp that stood close by in a corner on his face.
But before he could turn his head to look around in the hope of gathering his bearings, he felt someone gently take his left hand into theirs.
"There's my husband." The voice of his loving wife graced his ears, her volume low to further soothe him.
"Lilith...I'm in the hospital, aren't I?..." He asked, for even in the state he'd been in, he remembered what happened last night.
"You were. But I had you brought back home so you could sleep in our bed." She answered.
Before saying more, Lucifer turned his head in the direction of Lilith's arm, expecting to find her sitting on the bed. To his surprise, he found his beautiful spouse lying next to him, a happy yet worried smile present.
"I bet the doctors weren't happy about that, now that they care about doing their jobs properly and everything." He said, turning to lay on his side so he could look at her more comfortably.
"They were adamant about keeping you for observation. But then I reminded them that you are a child of God, which means you're much more durable than most." She replied, "Also, my fucking husband collapsed due to exhaustion. So either you were coming back with me to our home, or I was going to lose my goddamn mind." She added.
"Ah, one of the many reasons I married you, your ability to become murderous in the blink of an eye." He joked, which made her laugh.
"I thought it was because you like women who are taller than you?" She questioned.
"That was a joyful bonus." He replied with a smile, "Besides, you can't tell me you don't like being the tall one in our relationship." He told her.
"Touche." She said.
Allowing a pause to happen in their conversation, the devil and his wife enjoyed a few silent seconds of staring into each other's eyes, savoring a moment of intimacy they hadn't had in some time.
"...Lucifer..." Lilith spoke after a minute or so.
"Yes, dear?" He replied.
"Don't think that just because you collapsed, it means we're not going to talk about your drinking." She told him.
"How'd you find out?" He asked casually, for he knew playing dumb would only make things worse.
"Honey, all of us were watching the broadcast. And maybe to everyone else, you could play it off that your behavior was due to a lack of sleep. But I've seen you hammered before. I KNOW what it looks like." She answered her expression became serious, "Which brings us to the question, what were you thinking?" She asked.
"I wasn't." He answered with a sigh before saying more, "I was tired, stressed, and I've had next to no time at all to spend with you or Charlie. I've had my brother's company since he became the bridge between the reform and the Eldritch's movement. But that only lasts for the early morning and the late-night, every other hour of the day I'm alone in my office doing mountains of paperwork, it's depressing." He explained, "I promise, I'm not an alcoholic. I got carried away when my father told me of our current dilemma. So I went overboard with our wine." He clarified.
"So if I were to go and check your office right now, I wouldn't find a bar's worth of alcohol?" She inquired.
"No. Though you might find a dried wet spot on one of my couches where I cried uncontrollably." He confessed.
In response to that, Lilith put her arms around him and pulled their bodies closer.
"Lucifer, I'm worried about you." She whispered to him, "The only time I've ever seen you so stressed was when we fought a war. And I didn't like the toll it took on you then either." She said.
"It can't be helped. So long as the Dark One continues to be a horrid bastard and the politics of our circle become more intense, it is my duty as Lord of this domain to do what must be done." He replied.
"True. But that is also the queen's job." She countered, "For so long, I've done nothing but perform. However, that was when our circle was a cesspit of sin, and we didn't care about making things better. So the only excuse I have for why I'm not helping you would be that I'm lazy, which I most surely am not." She said.
"You'd be willing to take on all of my responsibilities? Truly?" He asked.
"Do you think I'm lying?" She questioned as a sly smile appeared, "Or, perhaps you think I'm not as fit to rule as you, hm?" She suggested playfully.
"Heh, if anything, you'll run me out of a job." He replied, going along with it.
"Ah, so it's jealousy then." She said as she pressed her forehead against his, "Well, too bad. Whether you like it or not, you're relaxing from now on, mister. Your time as Lord is temporarily over, as the age of the Queen has begun." She told him before she pressed her lips against his.
Kissing back while also wrapping his arms around her, after they finished showing their love for each other, Lucifer and Lilith would remain in bed for a few hours, wanting to make this alone time last as long as they could.
Elsewhere, At The Same Time...
"So, how do you feel?" Valentino asked, speaking to his newly acquired pet.
Helsa Von Eldritch, a woman who had a long-standing reputation for being one of the meanest bitches in the entire circle. However, after the invasion six months ago and the epiphany she and her family had, she slowly but progressively became a better person. Unfortunately, the Dark One has no use for such worthless souls who're bogged down by trivial things like morality or ethics. Which, as hard as it may be to believe, even Helsa had, or at the very least, she would never be comfortable or approve of what the Dark One desired.
Sadly, she no longer had a say in what she wanted. As Valentino called it, the Mind Fragger controlled her body and soul, allowing only her personality and any pertinent information to be spoken. Additionally, should she attempt at any point in time to try and resist this control, the Dark One will immediately punish her, which Valentino promised would suck.
"I feel great," Helsa answered with a grin, looking herself over in her body-length mirror, "Thanks for giving me this new suit to wear..." She trailed off as what the worm was trying to make her say caused some resistance.
"Hm? What was that? You didn't finish your sentence." Valentino said, a smile slowly stretched from ear to ear.
"...D...Daddy~" She replied, the worm's power pushing Helsa deeper into herself, "Sorry, I'm just not used to calling you that yet. But I promise I will." She told him.
"Aw, what a good girl you are, Helsa." He praised as he walked over to stand behind her, "Say, if you keep this up. I might reward you sooner rather than later, would you like that?" He asked.
"Yes, daddy." She answered, causing him to wrap his arms around her.
"That makes me happy to hear." He said before he blew into her ear, "Now then, onto business. I need you to set up a meeting with all of the dumbasses who are a part of your movement. Gather them all in one big place for me. Can you do that?" He asked.
"Sure I can. But why do you need my followers?" She inquired.
"Ah, ah, ah, you leave the thinking to me." He replied, "Just do as your told, get them all rounded up, and when it's over, I'll give you your reward." He promised.
"But what about Stella? Or Verosika? Won't they be suspicious?" She asked.
"It's possible. But so long as you get them there, it won't be a problem. Remember, just do as your told." He repeated.
"Right. Sorry daddy, that was a stupid question." She apologized.
With their "conversation" at its end, Valentino moved a hand to her chin and turned her face towards his own, allowing him to not only kiss her but to wrap his tongue around hers, a final exchange between them before things got underway.