"A message for you, your highness."
Stolas glanced up at the waitress with a silver plate, on which a small piece of paper was put. The prince only thanked the demon girl and sighed heavy, when she left. He didn't have to open the envelope to know that Stella wouldn't come. (Again.) She was probably having another migraine or invented some other excuse. But why did she have to make a show of it and involve the staff of the luxurious restaurant, where he was presently waiting for her? His wife could have just texted him. No, wait. Stella had to be still upset about his one-night-stand with that muscular sinner from last week. That would explain a lot. Ugh...
Indeed, their marriage wasn't perfect, but the prince was ready to try repairing it or starting anew. Truth to be told, he was doing it mainly for the good of his daughter, but Stolas was also hoping that they both could have a less frustrated relation. Surely, if he and Stella couldn't fall in love, they could still be friends. It would be fine then, right?
With another heavy sigh, the owl looked at the empty chair in front of him. He shouldn't have asked to prepare a second place to his table, as he was receiving a pitiful glances from practically everybody in the restaurant. (They became acquaintance with his solitude visits a long time ago.) Oh, joy. Another lonely night. Or maybe not... That handsome purple demon in the right corner of the room was actually smiling in that mischievous way, which was promising an interesting evening with a passionate journey to his home. Stolas smiled back, but a moment later - the demon was nudged by his colleagues, a whisper into his ear, he paled and in a few seconds the creature was gone.
It was a reaction, with which the prince was well familiar. It was actually expected, as talking with beings like him was dangerous and the person had to be very well-spoken to survive to the next day. Well, Prince Stolas Goetia was powerful after all... but it still didn't allow him to gain any true friends...
"Would you or your quest like to make an order?" the waitress asked the owl, who silently returned a few moments ago.
"Yes, I'll take..." Stolas stopped immediately. "Wait, what quest?"
"What the fuck does mean 'make an order'?" A new voice appeared in front of him or more precisely in Stella's chair, startling the prince. From where did that imp come from?
"Don't you know who he is?" the red creature in black clothes asked furiously. "We should have already had our food on the table hours ago. No fuck, you should have already known what he wanted in the moment, when his leg touched the floor of that shitty place!"
"What's...?" The owl was confused.
"Shut up, I'm talking now!"
The royal demon should have been outraged, but he only became speechless and... excited?
"So go and piss yourself." the unwelcome quest told to the vanishing waitress. (It was surprising how fast some creatures were able to run.) "And pray that we wouldn't demand to see your manager and kill you on the spot!"
"What? How? Who are you?" the prince demanded, when he regained his voice at last.
"I'm Blitzø, 'O' is silent." the imp answered with a smug smile.
"What 'O'?"
"It seems that I'm your quest."
"I've never invited you, beside I'm waiting for someone."
"Oh, yeah? I've been watching you from there (well not you, exactly, but you still were close by)," Blitzø pointed at the ceiling. Stolas realised that he must have meant a ventilation shaft, where a creature of his posture was able to fit in. "and I haven't seen anyone coming for... hear that, for fucking TWO hours."
"She is late." the prince said automatically and managed to not wonder why the imp was hiding in such strange place. Two hours? Seriously?
"Yeez, keep try ensure yourself, big guy, but I would leave just after fifteen minutes."
What an awful behaviour! Stolas would have told Blitzø what he thought about him, if not for the waitress, who inconveniently just put two huge plates on the table, which contained a tiny piece of meat with few lettuce leaves. The imp wasn't happy.
"What is that?! You fucker, get back here!" the red creature called after the demon girl, who unfortunately already left the grand room. "You know, you should consider changing the place, because with shit like this, you would need to spend a fortune to get something eatable. Gosh, so that is why there aren't any rats. They just starve them to death!"
"No, stop." Stolas tried to calm down the imp to avoid further unwelcome attention. "Those are only appetizers."
"Apply tasers? WTF!? They want to kill us or what!?"
"Appetizers. It is food." the prince explained. "They are supposed to be that small. They are served before the main meal."
"... say again? What for?"
"It's... why am I even continuing this obnoxious conversation?"
"Because I'm a handsome devil," Another smug smile. "and you've clearly fallen for me."
"Oh, stars..." Stolas massaged his temple. "I should have already asked the security to take you out or just do it myself."
"Whatever, are you eating it?"
"No."
"Great, thanks."
"...what are you doing?"
"It isn't for me." Blitzø replied, while putting the meat from both plates into his pocket. "How long do you think we will have to wait until they would bring the rest?"
"You should leave."
"Or what?" he challenged the demon with his both hands on the table. "You would burn me alive, tear my heart out or do whatever wakes you up down there. I don't care!"
"Of course, you do." the prince said stoically. "If you didn't, then you wouldn't bother to have something for the next day to eat. Ugh, however distasteful it would be."
"Maybe I have a crazy hobby?"
Unbelievable. This small creature wasn't afraid at all.
"Seriously, don't you realize who I am?"
"Of course, I do."
"Yes?" Stolas inquired, when the imp didn't provide more details.
"You're some rich royal guy."
"...you are joking, right?"
"Listen," Blitzø leaned closer to the owl. "let's say that I'm in a a fucked up situation and even if you were Lucifer himself, I wouldn't care a damn."
"Would your child agree with you?"
"How do..."
The imp stopped immediately, but not quick enough and the prince knew. This bluff didn't work at each time, but it always indicated what truly motivated a particular person. Moreover, the expression, which suddenly appeared on Blitzø's face could represent only one - the shame and selfless worry.
The royal demon also spared a moment to take a closer look at the small creature in front of him. Blitzø was bigger than most of his kind and very thin, however the prince presumed that it was caused by a foodless diet, than by the imp's own decision. A loud growl coming from the creature's stomach, which made sinners of nearby tables to glance at them quizzically, was a proof of that. (Blitzy... yes, Blitzy sounded right... actually looked quite cute by being embarrassed.)
"Your current behaviour won't help your child." Stolas said gently. "She or he would actually be left alone. Especially, if there isn't anyone to take care of it in your place."
"You don't know anything." the imp crossed his arms and tried to bury himself in the plush chair.
"No, I don't. However, take in mind that you are still alive. Because, if I was somebody else, you would be a small pile of dust as soon as you appeared at my table."
"I know your kind," the imp sneered. "each one of you, bored to the death, because, oh my, I have money, a car, five palaces and fifty hookers waiting for my call, but I don't know what to with it. Oh, poor me. And why should I provide you any entertainment, Mr. Lick-My-Ass?"
"(Ugh, language, please.) Because I have a daughter of my own and I am aware what such commitment means." he answered harshly, but then changed his tone. "Please tell me, do you have a boy or a girl?"
It was clear that cogs in Blitzø's head started working and after a long pause, he spoke up.
"A girl... and she is the most wonderful creature in the world."
The prince blinked shocked by feelings, which poured from the sentence. It wasn't faked, it was real love. His strange guest was becoming intriguing with each passing moment.
"... I see... and your co-workers?"
"I was doing it alone." The stone mask was on.
"Breaking into the such establishment need a few extra hands. Especially, for an imp, like you." Stolas said. "I'm curious, what did you steal?"
"Nothing, actually..." The mask crumbled instantly.
"Huh?"
"Well, me and my team got inside, hid, waited for the green guy from other there to leave for a restroom and we did almost stole the thing, but then... Let's just say that it was that or the life of one of my co-workers. The choice was easy."
Very intriguing, indeed.
"Really? I doubt that the most people would do just like you."
"So they're heartless morons."
"Your highness?" a new voice appeared, making both of them to jump up.
While the prince and Blitzø were talking, none of them had noticed that a few hellhounds, the security of the restaurant, came near their table.
"We apologise for interrupting, but we we would like to ask your quest to come with us for a moment." the big grey hound said.
("No way. I'm hungry and I am not moving until I would get my hamburger! You have hamburgers in the menu, right?")
"Why?" Stolas questioned.
"It's only for a moment, Sir. We just want to ask him a few questions."
("No, fucking way!")
"Have something been stolen?"
"Your highness..."
("Maybe it was just lost. Have you trying checking inside your other pocket?")
"Answer me."
"We managed to return the stolen object to its owner, your highness. However we still are conducting a search for the thief."
("You should fire the guy responsible for the security." )
"When exactly did this incident happen?"
"A half an hour ago."
("...")
The owl glanced at the imp, who grabbed something under his jacket, probably a gun or some other weapon, ready to fight. Stolas could only admire his bravado and also pity him, because in reality Blitzø stood no chance against five muscular hellhounds and as the result... The prince didn't want to think how it would end. He was wondering why he cared at all. They just met.
It was clear that the red thief loved his child dearly, also cared for his employees, which was a great value itself in Stolas' eyes, but there seemed to be more... The best of all was that Blitzø didn't just play a weak flatterer. The imp truly seemed to behave as his normal self. Even in such precarious situation as now. With all of that Stolas' decision was made.
"Oh, I see." the royal demon said. "In that case, my quest is not the person, whom you are looking for. He has been with me for a much longer time and he actually NEVER left my table."
The hellhound obviously wanted to object, but he forced himself to remain silent. Stolas was rich and powerful after all. And with a short apology, he and his goons left the room. (The imp naturally didn't miss an occasion to show the middle finger to the disappearing group.)
"Why did you do it?" Blitzø asked confused.
"I don't to want to see a child loosing its parent and your co-workers should be proud to have a supervisor, who didn't betray them."
"Well... if you say so..." the red creature glanced behind, probably to check if it was safe to leave the restaurant now, but hellhounds were still nearby. "Fuck. Another day wasted."
"If you would tell me about your problem, maybe I could..."
"I don't need your charity!" imp shouted. "I'm only in this deep shit because twenty hellhounds are standing between me and the exit door. But as soon as there would be a chance, you would be glad to hear that I would go back to my team outside and leave you alone just like you wished for."
Alone...
"Then... would you reconsider my offer of joining me for the supper?" the prince asked quickly.
"...what?"
"You're obviously hungry and it would be... a transaction. A meal for a good company."
"Is it some fucking joke?"
"No, not at all."
"Well... in that case I shouldn't say no, especially if someone with so beautiful eyes is inviting me."
"You are being silly now, Blitzy." Stolas blushed.
"Only, if it suits me. (And it's Blitzø.)" he smirked. "By the way, what's your name?"
"(But Blitzy sounds cute.) I'm Stolas."
"FUCK!" the imp almost fell from his chair.
"What's the matter? You said that you didn't care who I was."
"I didn't... I don't. But you are prince and all... You won't kill me, right?"
"Please Blitzy, I'm not such barbarian to do that to my guests."
"Listen, you helped me, so I'll be honest." the imp crossed his arms. "If you are looking for some suck-up, this is a wrong address. No one rules this bitch, I mean, this imp!"
"I don't see a problem in it."
"... I'm starting to wonder, if everything is okay in that head of yours." Blitzø blinked confused. "Don't you royals get upset with almost everything? Or freak out without a reason?"
"We are all in hell, it's reasonable to assume that each one of us is insane." Stolas chuckled, but then changed his tone. "However, I would like to ask about one thing, Blitzy?"
"Shoot. (And it's Blitzø. Fucking remember that.)"
"Why did you choose me? There were a few other tables with only one occupant around. Then why me?"
The imp hesitated for a moment, as if he wasn't sure what to tell him or to speak out at all.
"... you seemed to need a company..." he said quietly, intentionally avoiding the owl's eyes.
"Oh, I see..." Somehow his guest was able to make him speechless so easily. Maybe for now, it was better not to dig into those sad feelings. "Let's eat something. Do you like spicy food? Or would you prefer something sweet? Where is the waitress?"
"You bitch! The prince has been waiting for his food for ages! Move your ass or I will cut you in half!"
In the end, the evening defenitelly was venturesome and Blitzø was more than happy to be invited to Stolas' palace. However, the prince was also aware that the fun would be over in the morning. Was there even a way to keep the imp a while longer? Fortunately, a few moments later his guest's eyes unnaturally glowed up, when the grimoire was mentioned, and the rest was history.