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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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Interlude - (Stella I)

Failure was never an option someone of her rank could ever accept.

That was something that Stella learned to accept since she became a proper member of the Goetia Family, but even before when she was groomed to become a noblewoman worth her salt and thought. In Hell, nobility was something that was never touched by the Sinners' affair, with Lucifer making it particularly clear that he was the keeper of their regalia, and also the one that gave them reason to be in exchange for their moderation when it came to his businesses. Not much of a real surprise considering the kind of individual he was. Jovial, but cynical when needed. He was a proper king, or so her educators had induced her to firmly believe. But the situation at the current moment wasn't tied to the King of Hell, and especially not to nobility. No, Stella's current conundrum was tied to the recent failure delivered by the mercenary she hired to deal with her unfaithful husband. Stolas had long started to show unbecoming behavior towards inferior individuals, commoners, and showed no sign of backing away from that behavior. As much as he tried to make it appear that this matter was not a concern he genuinely cared, the real issue that he seemed to ignore was that it wasn't a sword pending over his head, hanging low and ready to slam down on his skull, but the same predicament extended to the rest of the family.

Sure, she could have reacted 'barely' better had him and his Impish boytoy been more discreet with their visits as it would have made much more sense considering the slow burn-out when it came to their relationships and maybe she would have even forgiven him had he came clean about the matter, but the issue that really had her contemplate her husband's murder was tied to two big reasons. First, Stolas did this publicly, staining the family's reputation and giving reasons to enemies of their current posture to start diminishing their influence and power. Despite their noble blood, it would be foolish to assume that Stolas' line had kept this side of hell to themselves since the beginning. Hell had multiple civil wars between the various members of nobility, each seeing dynasties replaced from time to time with new ones. Stolas' goetic branch was enabled only because they managed to keep themselves away from trouble when they conquered this seat and established closer bonds with Lucifer to seek his protection.

Right now, that protection mattered little if the family was discredited harshly enough to see a subversion of their seat and a possible massacre of them all. Stolas was aware of this, that was something Stella had long known, but he seemed more engaged in his relationship with that 'little shit' to care about the repercussions currently unfolding. While she was far from being the best wife and mom, Stella still had a moderate love towards her daughter. So much so that she knew it was her responsibility to take some of the dangerous burden which will soon fall on her daughter by the time she is ready to take over this seat of power. She was of age and arranged marriage requests had been pouring in since she had been a month close to proper adulthood. Octavia was told of this, and, just like her father, refused to consider any of those. Which Stella would have been fine about if not for, you know, her husband fucking an imp without a sensible attempt to hide this matter from gossipers!

Failure was not an option, not when her family's lives – those members of the family she could trust and care about of course – was put in peril by the selfish decision of a man that had taken a life-changing decision with responsibilities tied to it. They had made it work for roughly two decades now, so what really changed? Stella had questioned herself about it, but she couldn't imagine what really gave Stolas the 'boldness' to make that big step. His celibate years as a hedonist had long passed when he decided to settle down as a family man – so what forced this kind of change to happen so dramatically quick?

She needed options, and she knew that no one in the manor would give her anything worthwhile because they were all yesmen. No, She needed someone to talk to that was willing to stand up to her and tell her what was wrong, even if the issue stemmed from her own actions somehow as she was not shy from admitting to having done mistakes on rare occasions. And her solution tied up to the failed assassination attempt on her husband, about a specific individual there that gained her interest and her surprise too. She had thought of searching more about the young man that helped her at the gun range a while ago, just because there was a sense of rough appreciation in having her learn new things that easily appealed to her to be taught by such a simplistic and yet honest mannerism. In private.

So, when Striker mentioned that this very individual, which matched the description of the one she found on that unusual day, had been invited by her daughter… Well, she grew incredibly interested and worried. Stella thought he was just a sinner early on, but if he managed to somehow bypass the powerful spells that prevented sinners from leaving for other rings meant for nobles and other demonic entities. Also, she also discovered that he lived with his great-granduncle, who was one of the strongest Demon Overlords in the Pride Ring, and one that was known to have a formal relationship with Lady Lilith herself. It was odd for this reunion to unfold considering how hell turned the sinners' souls to best represent their inner sins and darkness, thus making it difficult at times to recognize where family really was. There were some cases, but it was rather uncommon for this kind of 'recognition' of a bond this distant to be recognized at glance. Still, such a pedigree was impressive and the fact she made somewhat positive impressions to both her and her daughter…

Why not invite him for lunchtime on one of those days?

He should be easy to convince to come if she phrased it more as a 'healthy concern' to have one of Octavia's few friends come by to visit. Actually, would that be the first time Via had friends over at home? Despite the strained relationship between the two, Stella could easily find no memory of the girl ever bringing anyone home. Not a friend, not a schoolmate- she never did anything like that.

So… Would Via be happy about it? Possibly yes. But would he be open for a conversation in private? Maybe. She had to make it clear that nothing weird was meant to be discussed- or even that these matters were private things to not divulge to anyone. Yes, Stella nodded to herself as she finished eating breakfast on her own, with her daughter still sleeping and her husband out for a matter related to the Greed Ring, that was perhaps the best option to take right now. Her plans to kill that stupid idiot of Stolas would need to be delayed for the time being, at least until she managed to get some proper answers to her numerous questions.

For the sake of keeping this Family from collapsing to its own issues, Stella needed to find a solution. And she knew he was the one that was going to help her with it.

AN

Stella is quite the odd character in my own opinion. While current disposition would consider a selfish grasp of her familial plights, I couldn't exactly blame her on how she handled reputation considering how this might be much more important in Hell than for humans. Since Sinners have a tough life, what are the chances that political power plays are even worse and more brutal than those in the moral world? Then again, I might be wrong as I expect either Episode 6 or Episode 7 to bring her up and give a confirmation to her current character's interactions or give some substance.

Still, little interlude to discuss what is next chapter as it will give a little nod to a small comic I read about a while ago. Let's just say that someone Alan has already faced will meet him again in a neutral and non-violent situation. Also a quick hint about a possible new theme coming soon: Cherry Bomb!

REVIEW Q&A!

LucasVAMP:
1) Alan's harem is not the classic harem since Alan isn't in charge of it- rather, it's how a normal relationship generally work, but on a broader way. Alan is equal part to it together with the other girls. So, in a way, Loona is dating Mollie and Alan at the same time, the same goes for Molly and Alan;
2) The Harem size is currently planned to be at max 4. I have given a look on the possibility of adding a male element too just to equalize everything, but I believe that the situation would then escalate to an unwritable mess. I think there will still be male-on-male actions in some unimportant lemons that can be skipped, but I don't plan to add a male element, no.

Coldblue2015:
1) Maybe;
2) I can't say, but it will not be through Loona that she will approach the situation;
3) Soon;
4) Yes;
5) Mentioned in this chapter;
6) Yes;
7) I would say… three chapters from now if things go as I want.

Wacko12: Counterpoint, the inability is tied to magic and considering that Molly has a condition with Alan that allows her to travel on Earth, that means she is able to enter the other Rings if Alan is around with her.

SAK-96: It will happen, yes.