Chapter 4
Kira192015: Here we are, back again with Chapter four. This one's going to be a bit of a filler chapter. (Expect a lot of those actually.) We hope you enjoy this chapter regardless though.
WingcommanderWhitewolf: We may downshift a little bit, we have cranked out three chapters in a month. It's a bad Idea to get burned out before we even get though season one lol
The ride back to the Goetia mansion was filled with a very different air than the trip to Loo Loo Land. Stolas watched his daughter observe her new taxidermy. The head of a goat with three eyes in a large jar. While he didn't see the appeal of such a thing himself, the fact that his daughter's disposition was far better than it was before was more than enough for him. He turned to see Maximus look at him.
"Holding up?" he asked through his mind.
"I'm…doing better than before," Stolas replied.
"But there's still a lot on your mind."
"Yes…I know that telling Octavia the truth was probably the best option, but…I'm afraid of what's going to happen next."
"Whatever happens, you'll have me by your side," Maximus reassured, "If you and Octavia need a place to stay for the time being, I have plenty of room to accommodate. Rosemary would appreciate it."
"I may have to take you up on that offer," Stolas replied.
"I'll let her know you're coming," Maximus said.
As he took his phone out to call his wife, the rest of the IMP crew was talking to Dakken.
"Heh. I shoulda known you were a slugger when I first saw ya!" Millie said, giving the Oni a playful punch on the shoulder.
"It wasn't a big deal," Dakken said.
"It was kinda cool," Loona said, texting on her phone.
"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" Blitzø asked, eating some popcorn.
"I've been learning martial arts all my life, ever since I could walk," Dakken said.
"Maybe you can teach me a thing or two," Millie said.
Dakken simply shrugged in response before they returned to the Goetia mansion. Octavia and Stolas stepped out.
"Thank you for this Max," Stolas said, "I'll talk to Octavia later."
"Very well," Maximus said before the father and daughter went inside the mansion.
Afterwards the crew went back to the IMP building.
"All the bullshit aside, I'd call that a job well done," Blitzø said.
"Indeed." Max said simply before looking at the Imp, "Now with that over with, I suggest we take tomorrow off. I think we all need a break after this."
"Awesome! See y'all the day after tomorrow!" Millie said, taking Moxxie with her.
"I'm getting a drink," Dakken said.
"Want some company?" Loona asked.
Dakken resisted the urge to groan. Bertholdt noticed this and smirked.
"Aw don't be that way, big guy, you can't stay cooped up in the dojo forever," he said, patting him on the back.
"Fine," Dakken said, "Max, let the old man know that I'm going out tonight."
"I doubt you'll have to worry," Maximus said, "Today's his Stories day."
"He's still watching those Soap Operas? What is he, a granny?" Dakken asked.
Maximus shrugged in response before they all left, turning the lights off in the office beforehand.
(Next day)
Octavia sat up from her bed with a yawn. Surprisingly there wasn't any shouting or yelling this time. She got up and cleaned herself up in the bathroom before heading out to go get some breakfast. She saw a note on the fridge before she read it.
"Had to take care of some family business. I've left some money in case you wish to go out. Make sure to have security if you do."
-Daddy
Octavia rolled her eyes before she went to go get some coffee. As she made it, she noticed her dad's phone on the kitchen table.
Dad forgot his phone? Octavia thought.
She was about to go about her business before a thought occurred to her. She went to her dad's phone and noticed that he hadn't set up a proper password for it, making her sigh.
Her father really needed to keep his phone more protected in case someone stole it.
She looked through her father's contacts and spotted…his number.
The one under the name of "Blitzy."
She glared at the number. A part of her was tempted to delete it altogether, but then she remembered the conversation she had with her dad. Then another idea came to mind. She took out her own phone and typed in Blitzø's number.
It's time you and I had some words you little red dickhead, she thought.
Blitzø was currently watching one of his favorite movies that he snatched up from the Human World, Spirit. Due to his immense love for horses, it was a no-brainer that he would love it. His phone started ringing, resulting in a groan of irritation.
"Unless you're looking for someone to die then fuck off," Blitzø said.
"It's me dickhead," Octavia said on the other line.
"Uh…"
"Octavia! Stolas' daughter!"
"Oh shit right, right!" Blitzø said remembering, "Wait. How'd you get my number?"
"Don't worry about it," Octavia said, "Look. We need to talk, and as much as I don't want to, it's best we do it in person. I'll send the Address for you to go to do we can meet."
"Uh kid, I don't know if you know anything about this, but I don't just go to random places people tell me to," Blitzø said, "For all I know you could be setting me up."
"If you don't come, I'm telling Max that you tried to get into my DM's," Octavia threatened.
"Wha-!? You little-! Ugh…fine," Blitzø growled, "On my fucking day off too…"
Blitzø entered a Coffee Shop called Satanbucks and looked around before Octavia whistled for him to come to her. He walked over to her table at the corner of the store before he saw several red lights moving towards his head and chest. Octavia signed before waving her hand downwards and the lights vanished.
"Security?" Blitzø asked.
"Dad won't let me leave without them," Octavia said.
"Whatever, now what do you need kid?"
"I want to know what my father sees in you," Octavia said, "I want to know why he would risk his marriage falling apart and his position for you."
"How the fuck would I know? As far as I know he's just horny as shit," Blitzø said.
"If that was the case then why did I find these?" Octavia asked, taking her phone out.
Blitzø sees Stolas' Voxtagram account and it's filled with pictures of himself and the Goetia Prince. Some were, to no surprise, raunchy as Hell while others were surprisingly wholesome. At one point it showed Stolas learning to cook one of Blitzø's favorite meals.
"The fuck is this housewife shit?" Blitzø asked as he looked at them.
"Dad's only ever done things like that for me," Octavia said, "He would always make my favorite meal whenever mum wasn't around. He hasn't even done that for his own wife! So I ask again, what the fuck makes you so special to him!?"
"I don't know, okay!?" Blitzø shouted.
This resulted in the multitude of lasers appearing on him again before Octavia waved them off.
"I don't know," Blitzø continued, "We met when we were kids and I hadn't seen him again after that! The only reason I even met your dad was because my piece of shit dad sold me off to be his friend!"
"You…you were sold?" Octavia asked.
"Oh don't pretend to care princess, your people have treated mine like shit for years," Blitzø grumbled.
"I…I'm sorry you had to endure that," Octavia said, "I'm just…I'm just learning so many things right now and…I thought my father was the one who ruined his marriage with my mum. I'm…afraid to confront her about it because I don't know how she'll react."
"Pfft, if her Voxtagram account is anything to go by, it probably won't end well," Blitzø said.
Octavia out of curiosity, pulled up her phone and started to go through her mother's Voxtagram, first image that popped up was a picture of her mother in a set of black lacy lingerie. It contrasted against her own feathers quite distinctively. Another image showed her frequenting the Wrath Ring with messages like:
"Visiting Wrath on business."
After about a minute of going through it she put it screen down on the table.
"I… don't know who is worse, but I'll say this… at least my dad is honest about his end of things," she said, rubbing her temples.
"See what I mean?" Blitzø asked.
"I still can't believe that she was abusive to him all of this time…," She laced her fingers together, resting her head against them thoughtfully, "I've lived with them the entire time… I should have seen the signs… He has no self respect because she won't let him have even that."
Her eyes flicked up to Blitzø.
"The fact that he kept you a secret for so long… means he was protecting you from what he was getting dragged into," she said, "You were his first friend, hell technically you're the only one that still carries that title…mom would have killed you the moment she found out about you. Friends or no."
"Yeah right," Blitzø said, not looking Octavia in the eye, "Why would a rich guy like him really want to be my friend?"
"Did you not just hear me!?" Octavia said, slamming her hands on the table.
This caused Blitzø to jolt as he finally looked at her, seeing tears creep from her eyes.
"You're the one who made him happy!" she said, her voice faltering, "You did for him what that woman never could. You're the first person that allowed him to truly be himself! Does that mean anything to you!?"
"Well…well why should it!?" Blitzø retorted, "He's got everything a demon could want! So what does it matter!?"
"You really don't know anything do you?! Do you know just HOW ABUSIVE my mother has been?" Octavia asked, "She treats him like garbage every chance she can get, and my dad was forced to marry her…all so I could be born! He endured so much ridicule and torment for my sake! I wouldn't be surprised if he was drugging or drinking himself half to death just to cope with it all!"
"Well…I mean…couldn't he just get a divorce or something?" Blitzø asked.
"It's not that simple," Octavia said, slumping in her chair, "I have no idea how the Goetia family would react if he tried to leave her."
Blitzø and Octavia simply sat there for a couple minutes in silence.
"Besides…if you had a kid…would you do everything in your power to make them happy?" Octavia asked.
"Well…I kinda do," Blitzø said, "Loona's…my daughter. She was adopted, but…she's still my family."
"Wait…the Hellhound girl?" Octavia asked.
"Yeah. She can be a bit…uh…strong-willed, but I still love her and do anything for her," Blitzø said.
"So you do get it," Octavia said, "So why can't you understand that my dad needs you? Probably now more than ever?"
"I…I don't know," Blitzø muttered.
Before Octavia could grill him any further, a notification appeared on her phone. She looked at it and saw an old family photo. It has herself as a child, Stolas, Maximus, Rosemary, and Yohana. They were all there except for her mother. The memories came flooding back to her, the happiness on her father's face, Yohana and Rosemary doting on her, Maximus performing magic tricks for her. For a moment, a smile appeared on her face.
Another image popped up before Octavia scrolled on it. It was a picture of Rosemary and a pair of eggs in her arms, with Maximus and Yohana on either side of her. All of them looked so happy, and it was enough to bring a tear to Octavia's eye.
"Uh kid? You okay?" Blitzø asked.
"I'll…I'll be fine," Octavia said, wiping her eyes.
"Um…if it's worth anything…I'm sorry," Blitzø said, "I needed his book for my company and…one thing led to another-!"
"I get it," Octavia cut in, "Look…my dad means the world to me, and I think you care more than you realize. If the book meant that much to you, you would've taken it and bailed without sleeping with him. But instead you stayed with him when he needed you. I know you care about him."
"I…I don't know…" Blitzø said, "Fuck I'm not good at these kinds of things."
"Because you felt that your closest friend, the imp that was like a brother to you growing up betrayed you? Because you were sold to my family as a kid? Because your father…" She stopped herself because all she was doing was reminding him about all the negative painful details that effectively made up Blitzø's entire life until this point. "You're in so much pain… everything you've been through…"
"How do you…" the imp started to ask before it hit him, "Max…"
"...yeah," Octavia admitted.
"Of course he can't mind his own damn business…especially after he took over mine," Blitzø muttered bitterly.
"You don't know who he really works for do you?" The teenage owlette asked, "Who his orders for the most part come from? Who gives him the authority to operate as he does? It's not our damn family, let's get that one straight and he didn't take over your business so much as ensured it stayed off his master's radar."
She took a breath before she continued her eyes never leaving Blitzø's
"Max is a blacksheep, his father never cared about him, and his mother… Stolas' aunt was in the same crappy position grandma was. Stuck in a loveless marriage with a husband that only cared about pumping out heir after heir until the right one surfaced… In the case of Andras, Max's dad he also bred hellhounds… either with other strong bloodlines or he bedded them himself… so when he says that his hounds are also his siblings, chances are he probably means it."
"He still shouldn't be sticking his beak where it doesn't belong." Blitzø gripped.
"But you got to admit… It's keeping you from going all crazy and getting any unnecessary attention." Octavia reasoned.
"This is Hell girly, Attention comes with the territory."
"Demon hunters are a thing you idiot." The owl shot back, "The reason Max took the book from you is to prevent you from opening a door that you are prevented from closing, last thing hell needs is a bunch of demon hunters rampaging and killing everyone."
"Wouldn't be the first time…" Blitzø replied, his tone getting calmer, "It kinda does happen once a year."
Octavia opened her beak to speak only to find herself not having an argument, because she knew what he was referring to so she quickly changed the subject.
"Look… my dad cares about you, he wants you in his life, I'm… willing to give you a fair chance. You make the guy happy, and that is leagues better than the near literal purgatory that my mother puts him though. And don't judge Max too harshly; his upbringing wasn't exactly the smoothest either."
Blitzø clicks his tongue in annoyance but otherwise says nothing. His phone then rings and he sees it's from Moxxie.
"What is it Mox?"
"Me and Millie are going to try and get to know our new coworker better. She figured you'd want to come along," Moxxie replied.
"Fine," Blitzø said with a sigh before hanging up, "Thanks for the coffee kid."
"Octavia. My name's Octavia," Octavia said.
"Thanks Octavia," Blitzø said, "You're a good kid."
"Hey um…mind if I come with you?" she asked, "I haven't gotten much of a chance to talk to Max and me and Dad are gonna be getting ready to stay at his place for a few days."
"Sure. Just let your dad know, I don't want him breathing down my ass."
Octavia cringed.
They ended up driving to the location where Millie had texted Blitzø. It happened to be a park that Maximus had "appropriated" so that they wouldn't be interrupted for whatever reason.
The aforementioned owl dressed in jeans and a simple gray shirt, was carrying a cooler to a bunch of picnic tables and a grill pit and the others were actually enjoying themselves. Max apparently was doing the grilling for everyone as he looked up and saw the company van pull up, with a smile he started to wave at them acknowledging that they had indeed arrived.
Moxxie, Millie, and Loona were already there conversing with his men. Loona and Bertholdt were chatting it up in particular.
As they went over to him, Octavia gave Max a hug.
"Hello Via," he said, "I'm glad you could make it."
"Thanks Max," Octavia said, "Sorry dad couldn't come."
"It's quite alright," Max replied, "His job is important. We'll make sure to take plenty of pictures so he'll see."
"Hello Via!"
Both turned to see Yohana walk up to them and give her a hug. Yohana nearly buried Octavia in her fur when she hugged her.
"Can't…breath…," Octavia tried to say before being given air again.
"Eheh. Sorry," Yohana replied, "You know how much you love my hugs!"
"I also enjoy breathing," Octavia said, regaining her breath, "It's nice to see you again. How's Rosemary?"
"She's doing good. She had to take care of some business, but she promised she'd call you once she was done," Yohana said.
"That's good."
"Hey Max."
The three of them turned to see Dakken with Katsura and Maiz following behind him. He was wearing a white sleeveless shirt and carrying two coolers.
"Glad you made it," Max said.
"Thanks. I got more drinks," Dakken said casually before looking at Octavia, "Hey squirt."
"Excuse me?" Octavia asked.
"Dak, this is Octavia. From Loo Loo Land?" Maximus clarified.
"Name's Dakken squirt," Dakken replied, putting the two coolers down.
Max couldn't help but chuckle at the banter, he just hoped that the two kept it civil, after all this was a gathering to break the ice and ease the tension.
"By the way," Maximus said looking at the two dragon girls, "Is your father going to be showing up soon?"
"He said he'd be here," Maiz said, "I wonder what's taking him."
"HEY!"
They turned to see Millie brandishing a knife at a short elderly demon behind her who held his hand up. The elder and pale green skin and pointed ears with a white beard. He was also bald and wore circular glasses. He wore a yellow kimono robe.
"Ohohoho. Very nice. I'd give it an eight out of ten," the elder said.
"YOU GRABBED MY ASS YOU PERVERT!" Millie yelled before Moxxie pointed a gun at the elder.
The elder vanished before appearing on top of Moxxie's head.
"You shouldn't feel bad," the elder said, "Asses like yours are very rare to see and must be appreciated."
"Daddy!" Katsura and Maiz exclaimed before running over to him.
"Ah there's my girls!" the elder said before they brought him into a hug.
"Excuse me! You just assaulted my wife!" Moxxie shouted.
This made Katsura and Maiz growl at him with their eyes glowing an amber color. Moxxie recoiled immediately.
"Geez, you really are a wuss," Dakken muttered before turning to the elder, "hey old man."
"Ah. Hello Dakken," the elder said.
"So much for keeping things civil," Maximus muttered with a sigh, "Everyone, this is Majima. Dakken's mentor."
"Hello," Majima said, "I've been hearing through the grapevine about a ragtag group of assassins. I thought I'd come and see what this big idiot has gotten himself into."
He pointed his thumb at Dakken, making him growl.
"What'd you say old man?" Dakken asked.
"You heard me you idiot," Majima said, "I thought you had some standards. That 'contract killing' was beneath you."
"Hey! Don't blame me, blame Max!" Dakken countered.
"Oh so now you're throwing your friend under the bus," Majima said, "For shame, for shame."
"I'll throw you off a cliff you old bastard!" Dakken growled.
"Are they…always like this?" Octavia asked Maximus.
"Pretty much," Maximus said with a deadpan expression.
"I swear if you corrupt my beautiful daughters any further I'll incinerate you!" Majima threatened.
"Oh please! You'd break a hip trying old man!" Dakken taunted.
Majima's eye twitches before he grabs Dakken's collar and throwing him across the park near the lake. Majima jumps all the way from his spot and right towards the Oni.
"Wha-!? How is he that strong!?" Moxxie asked.
"Because daddy's the best!" Katsura said pridefully.
"Guys come on…" The elder of the two Goetias groaned, "This is supposed to be a day of rest, enjoyment, as well as getting to know one another… not making someone else eat dirt…" Max felt himself twitching a little bit.
"He started it!" Dakken said, pointing at Majima.
In response, Majima put his hand on his back and held himself upright on a cane.
"Oh…blaming an elderly man…what has youth come to these days?" Majima said, putting on an act.
"You little bastard!" Dakken growled.
"Katsura…Maiz, protect your father from this hoodlum!" Majima fake cried.
The two dragon demonesses rolled their eyes before hugging their father again. Dakken gave a huff before crossing his arms.
"Whatever…let's just get this barbecue over with," he said.
"Thank you," Maximus said, silently thankful, "At this point I'm sure, the Radio demon generates LESS drama…"
These people are so fucking weird! Octavia and the IMP group thought.
A.N.: And this chapter's done. Sorry if it seemed a bit sporadic at points. We've been dealing with a LOT of IRL business both with work and family shit. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long.
WCWW: I also started a new job, so my involvement has been pretty bare, but with this being a filler chapter we kinda knew where it was going anyways. Spring break, well… we know what we're getting into there, so hopefully it will be up faster.