(AN: Just using the date. Since oddly enough the series seems to be running in almost real time. This is post ep6 so expect tensions to get a little odd especially with this out of the blue introduction. Please don't flame me, but constructive criticism and directional suggestions are very much welcome.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Helluva Boss/Hazbin hotel. They are created and owned by Vivziepop and Spindle Horse.
Journal entry date: August 31, 2021
I didn't want this assignment, but it was my extended family. A family that was slowly tearing itself apart, but they were still family, mistakes, flaws and all.
I could even forgive my uncle's infidelity and even clear disregard of the social ladder because honestly… the entirety of the family circle didn't care as long as he didn't outright embarrass the family. Even if the partner in his infidelity was an imp, which was the main point of contention within his family… the disregard of the social ladder. But if applied… counseling could still help them even if they wouldn't admit it… even for their daughter's sake.
Unfortunately rumors started to arise that my uncle made a pact with the imp in question, which by itself isn't exactly illegal, although it is what has been causing the commotion I've been assigned to investigate regarding the family… is of a much more serious nature. Allegations of near blatant misuse of the powers of his station from the pact were starting to crop up from new arrivals, and evidence that a human organization has collected-and thankfully intercepted and destroyed by an argent sanitation pulse after the fact- proving the existence of the demonic realm has caught the attention of the Office of the High Inquisitor, my boss.
I was given this assignment as a rare show of courtesy, to attempt to assist my family to save face in the wake of potential embarrassment. This is supposed to be my most difficult assignment of my career yet… and if the rumors are true… it definitely will be. As failure could and more than likely would mean the undoing of our realm.
I am Maximus Pa-Leon Ars Goetia son of Professor Orias Ars Goetia, and Agent to the Office of the High Inquisitor.
Pride ring. Just outside of Imp city.
A tall, cloaked and hooded figure was dropped off at the gates of one of many of the Ars Goetia estates by an innocuous black car. Boiling rain was pouring down, refracting in a myriad of colors in the Pride ring's soft violet evening light. The figure walked to the gate unfazed by the heated rain, two cases in hand one long and thin, the other small and slightly bulky talons light scratching at the cobblestone path as it moved. The gate opened on its own accord admitting the figure to the grounds without interference.
Under the hood, a pair of red eyes glared at the manor with righteous annoyance. If it were any other reason the visit would have been fairly enjoyable, however given the seriousness of the situation pleasantries would have to be set to the side. Standing on the front porch, setting the two cases down before reaching up and pulled the chain for the door bell, a deep droning of a large bronze bell could be heard across the gardens and apparently across the manor as what could only be described as hostile shouting could now be heard from within. Moments later an Imp dressed in a butler's uniform opened the door and regarded the figure wearily.
"Is there something I can do for you at this late hour, sir?" the butler couldn't see though the shadow of the hood, even as the figure's glowing red eyes looked down to him, almost giving him the feeling that he shouldn't have answered the door. A feeling of dread started to take the Imp until the figure finally spoke.
"Good evening, Mister Watts." The voice was male, young, almost proper and polite setting the older Imp butler at ease a bit, "Might I come in? The weather has not exactly pleasant this evening." The speaker asked as he used his right claw to pull his hood back a little so the butler could see his face slightly.
It was an action that caused Watts to recognize him, "Ah! Young master it is nice to see you again, it has been quite some time." He stepped in and opened the door wider admitting the male inside, "Please do come in. You shouldn't have to stand out in such dreadful weather at this hour of the night." He stepped outside ever so briefly to collect the guest's bags they walked in together. The shouting of the lord and lady of the house-more her than him- still echoing though the halls even as the front door closed again.
A detail that didn't go unnoticed by the taller male as he reached up with his right hand pulled this hood down revealing his avian features, specifically that of a snow owl, whites and muted grays. His crest feathers long and bound in a pony tail on the back of his head almost in a colonial fashion added a bit of regality to his look, were damp as the warm water had permeated the cloth of his hood as well as the rest of his clothes. "How long have they been at it?" the owl demon asked as he pulled the scarf from his neck that served as his hood, handing it to the imp before releasing the chain of his half cloak pulling it off his shoulders handing it off as well. Uncovering the fact that his left arm was bandaged and in a sling for some unknown reason. Beneath the sling a cross draw holster with a semi-automatic firearm could also be seen, as it contrasted against his red formal coat
Watts sighed, as the he looked up stairs, "The majority of the day, sadly. I feel so bad for Lady Octavia…" the Owl cocked his head lightly as his attention was on the butler spoke, "She's a strong young woman, but under that strength you can almost definitely see her trauma. This scandal has cut her deeply, due to the conflict it has created between her parents."
"Shall we ease her burden… at the very least for the rest of the evening?"
"I do believe we shall," The Imp smiled, knowing exactly what to do as he grabbed a nearby microphone which was wired to speakers through the manor, "Now presenting, His noble Lordship, Maximus Pa-Leon Ars Goetia!"
Almost by magical means or some blessing of some earthly deity, the shouting instantly ceased. Absolute silence reigned though out the manor for several minutes before Maximus could hear a distinct pair of footsteps coming from the upper floor heading to the foyer, within moments the lord and lady of the house were up on the second floor looking down, like a pair of disturbed predators. Fellow avians, one owl demon with four red eyes, the other a near generic while still beautifully colored avian demon
"Uncle Stolas, Aunt Stella." The younger avian demon smiled up to his relatives as innocently as he possibly could, considering that he had to believe that they had to at least a little suspicious as to WHY he was there, "It is a pleasure to see the two of you again, after so long." His tone was pleasant and respectful especially considering that Stolas was a higher rank than his father Orias.
The expressions between the estranged couple ranged from being neutral to being confused by Maximus' sudden appearance or in the case of Stella, ranging from indifference, to anger, to a neutral expression with a mild undertone of fear in her eyes. They weren't at all bothered by the fact their nephew decided to pay them a visit unannounced, they were family after all.
What alarmed them was by that same logic alone an Agent of the High Inquisitor was in THEIR home unannounced with everything that has been going on. Stella for once in the several months since the fighting began kept her beak shut and actually let her husband do the talking as the owl in front of them was the son of his brother. "Max my dear nephew, what brings you out this way on this stormy night?" The question was plain and generalized almost as if he was avoiding asking the question he knew he dread the answer to.
"A number of reasons Uncle Stolas, either it be just to see family, investigate rumors, or questionable activities within the family is for you to discover on your own… at least until the morning." the younger male stated just as plainly causing a slight ruffle of irritation to run the Goetia prince as his nephew blatantly dodged the question by being cryptic, "For now I'd rather not go into it. I've barely slept the last two months, and in case it eluded your notice I am soaked. So if there is a guest room available I would like to retire for the evening."
Stella stepped up and responded before her husband was able to, "Yes we should actually have a guest room available, I'm sure Watts can show you the way." Stolas just gave her a look which she glared back at him as if to say 'not right now'. Granted she hated him presently, but she had enough self control not to let her anger embarrass her in front of the other family members. If his presence would force a truce between the quarreling couple to save face, then she would accept it for now. She did however know this; she had a phone call to make, because if her assassin made his move at the wrong moment it would be her head on the block and possibly making Octavia an orphan.
Watts simply nodded to his lady's request, and grabbed Maximus' bags and started to climb up the stairs with the younger owl demon in-toe. The couple behind them started to talk in muted tones to one another; Stella was mildly panicking while Stolas was concerned as to why their nephew was even there. He took that information in and committed to memory as Watts escorted him to the guest suite. He could tell something was wrong, and honestly he knew the first person he could ask, once he was rested. That was, provided she didn't wake him up first in the morning.
The butler stopped at a familiar door, Maximus smiled when the door was opened seeing the room he shared with his parents anytime they would visit the estate. He even saw the light scratches on the door frame from where he would try to get out in the middle of the night to try to see his cousin Octavia so they could try to map what stars they could see from the balcony. He could feel a familiar presence in the room and he could only sigh a little, "Thank you Watts, I think I can handle it from here." He smiled and dismissed the imp butler as he bowed and bid him a good night before closing the door.
The owl grabbed his bags and put them at the foot of the bed before tossing the smaller of the two up on the bed. Opening it he started to pull his clothes out arranging them so he could get them into the armoire neatly. Keeping a pair of pajama pants out he started to undress, a task made difficult since he only had one of his arms to work with, but he managed to get the formal wear off and his night wear on. Setting his wet clothes near the fireplace to dry, he then addressed the presence in the room. "You know it's impolite to spy on someone who is trying to change their cloths my dear cousin."
Almost as if phasing in from the shadows, her dark pink eyes appearing first Octavia made her appearance, dressed in a long dark t-shirt with a large pink star on the chest. "Damn I keep forgetting you can detect me as well as you can dad…" she cursed halfheartedly, "And I wasn't spying, if anything I just got here." She lied, before looking to cousin with a smile before rushing to give him a tight hug, "Damn it's been too long Max, and this year has absolutely sucked." She started to rant before noticing that he was only hugging her with one of his arms. Pulling back she saw his left arm bandaged up from his wrist to his shoulder, "What in the hell happened to your arm Max?" as she gently touched his stricken limb.
The snow owl demon chuckled a little bit, "A bit of a long story… one I don't care to discuss tonight. If possible…" he nodded his head to the bed. "I'd like to get some sleep… and you look like you could use someone to snuggle with." He smiled to her putting his good hand on her shoulder as he looked her in the eyes.
"And you look like you still have night terrors my dear Maxy." She mocked him good naturedly which earned her a bit of a glare but he forgave her, because she wasn't exactly wrong. She pulled the blanket and the inner sheet back for him on the left side of the bed, which he gratefully climbed in and pulled them over him while Octavia slipped into the bed from the other side just covering herself with a the blanket, so there was always a sheet between them. Something the two of them figured out early on to help avoid awkward situations.
The moment his head hit the pillow he could feel his cousin snuggling up next to him on his good shoulder. "I think you'll be able to sleep tonight, I think you're parents have called a truce for the duration of my stay." He tells her, only to look over to find her fast asleep on him. Smiling and giving a light sigh he gently wrapped his arm around her and kept her close. After giving her a small nuzzle he let himself drift off to sleep.
It would more than likely be the best rest he would get in the coming weeks.