Chapter 11. Double date, double kill.
Moxxie and Millie drove up to an apartment building. Moxxie wore a white dress shirt and black slacks, while Millie wore a red striped tank top and black shorts. From the front door came out Solis and Shelly. Solis wore a green sleeveless shirt that said radioactive in yellow letters and had a hazard symbol, and a pair of jean shorts. Shelly wore a black short sleeved shirt and a black jean's. They all decided to go with casual wear. The two hounds got in the backseat.
"Hey guys!" Shelly greeted them.
"Hey! Glad we're able to do this early!" Millie replied.
"Poch ok?"
"He's fine. Loona's with him," Moxxie answered.
"Is she now?" Solis said with a sly smirk.
"Probably giving him a comfort hug!" Millie said.
"That sounds so cute!" Shelly gushed.
They all laughed before Moxxie put the car in drive. They were heading to a casino that Solis visited before. He thought it would be a good place to have a casual double date.
"I'm gonna do the slots first!" Shelly said.
"Oh, can I join ya?" Millie asked.
"Sure!"
"In that case," Solis looked at Moxxie, "how bout you and me do some cards?"
"Poker?" Moxxie queried.
"Poker."
"Sounds fun! I'm actually decent when it comes to reading someone. The trick is,"
As Moxxie went on Shelly and Millie were discussing game plans on how to best win the slots. They came up to the casino called Snake Eyes. It was your standard sized casino with a picture of a snake with dice in its mouth on the large sign. Moxxie parked and they went in, buying the token cards needed to play the games.
"Meet you guys at the diner in an hour?" Shelly questioned
"Sounds good!" Solis and Moxxie agreed.
They split up, the ladies going one way and the guys, the other way.
"Ok, remember the plan?" Solis asked Moxxie as the two got some poker chips
"Yeah! Let's poker!" Moxxie told him. He took a detour to the poker table, making sure to come a few moments after Solis did, sitting next to him. Other demons came by and the dealer imp dealt the cards. Moxxie looked at his cards, they weren't bad. He looked at the others faces, seeing some with good poker faces, and some with none. He focused on the poker faced ones. He looked at Solis, seeing him make a sour expression, grunting when Moxxie looked at him. He traded in two cards. Once he got his new hands, he tapped his heel twice.
Solis traded one card and his brows furrowed, taping his elbow furiously. He sighed. "I raise." He said, trying to sound confident. The others around him chuckled, thinking he was an amature trying to bluff.
"I call, and raise myself." Moxxie tossed in a few chips.
Some folded, some called and raised. When it was time to lay down the cards, everyone was shocked while Solis acted surprised. His hand beat their's. "Wow, I won!"
"You got lucky!" Said a grumpy Moxxie who fist bumped him under the table.
"Cmon, lucky 6!" Millie said, excitedly watching the slot wheels turn. She got three apples. "Shoot!" She snapped.
"Not bad!" Shelly told her, getting to tows on her end. "Wanna switch now?"
"Nah let's play it out a little longer!"
"Alright!" She went for another spin along with Millie. "If only I had Dust, then I can rig the rigging!"
"How many Shadow Demons do you have?"
"Three. My unique one is Le-armes, then my common ones are Dome-don, and Juggernaut."
"Juggernaut?" Millie asked, moving to a new slot.
"Basically two giant fists. I only ever use them for close combat, really." Shelly also moved slots.
"Cool! So how many does Dundy have?"
"He has two. His unique one is Asura while his common is Warrior."
"Warrior?"
"A heavy suit of armor."
"Oh like a knight!"
"Pretty much, yeah!"
"Think you and him can show us it someday?"
"Of course!" The one she was at got real close to a triple 6. "So close!"
"Let's try the fancier ones!" Millie pointed to the more digital ones across from them.
"Oh! Those look fun!"
The two got up and walked to said machines.
Moxxie laid down a royal flush. "Hah!"
"Damnit!" A demon at the table cursed.
"Oh fuck off!" Another demon came close to throwing his cards.
"Jeez, glad I folded," Solis said.
"Yeah, that wasn't something for amateurs," Moxxie commented.
"Hey, this "amateur" has actually done pretty good."
"It's called beginner's luck, or in your case puppy luck!"
"Oh yeah?" Solis pointed at his winnings, showing a slightly bigger pile than Moxxie's. "Seems this puppy luck beats you imp luck! Could have something to do with lack of manliness, scrawny!"
"Ooooh!" The demons at the table reacted to the burn.
"Oh yeah," Moxxie glared, "well I guess you got enough to get yourself neutered, though I doubt you'll need to since you'll never get laid with a face like that!"
"Ohohoho!" The dealer nearly slowed down his dealing, enjoying the show.
"Alright, limp dick," Solis took his cards, looking at them, he wagged his tail, mostly pushing it to Moxxie before grinning, "let's go all in!" He slid all his chips to the center before replacing one card.
Moxxie looked at his cards. He tapped his tail on the floor before scowling and tapping his fingers on the edge. "...Alright," he slid in all his chips, "all in!" He said with a lack of confidence.
Everyone was more focused on the twos bet with each other so they all folded.
Solis held up his cards. "Ready?"
Moxxie did the same. "Yeah!"
They dropped down their cards.
"Hah!" Moxxie cheered.
"Damnit!" Solis growled.
Moxxie had another royal flush, beating Solis's four aces.
"Who's the limp dick now!" Moxxie taunted.
"Whatever!" Solis got up. "I gotta get back to my girlfriend!"
"And I gotta get back to my wife!" He collected his winnings, smiling smugly before the two separated, the others at the table collecting their winnings from their own side bet.
As Moxxie went one way, Solis soon caught up with him when they were out of view. "Hey uh...sorry for the scrawny insult."
"It's fine," Moxxie smiled at him warmly, "sorry for the neutered joke."
"It's cool. Fifty-fifty split?"
"That's what we agreed on." They saw their lovers at the meet up spot, waving at them. "Hey y'all!"
"Hey hun!" Millie said to him, hugging him.
"Hey babe!" Shelly fretted Solis with a kiss. "How'd it go at poker?"
Moxxie held up his case. "Went well. Solis and I really cleaned house."
"How were the slots?" Solis asked.
"Went great! We did the electronic ones and Millie got real good with the power plays!" Shelly informed.
"Wanna get some lunch?"
"Yes! But do you mind if we try the slot machines again? We're feeling lucky!" Shelly asked.
"Sure, we'll wait here!"
"Thanks!" Millie and Shelly said in unison before hopping to the slot machines.
Solis and Moxxie looked at them and sighed contently.
"I feel like the luckiest imp alive to have her," Moxxie swooned.
"I hear ya. I'm so lucky I met Shelly," Solis replied.
"How did you two meet? I'll tell you if you tell me."
"Well...I used to work at a convenience store, and three months in she started becoming a regular. When she first came, she talked my ear off, but I didn't mind and it wasn't that busy so I let her keep talking with me, even let her show me some cute things. Everytime she came I made sure to make time to listen and chat with her. It became a regular thing with us. Then one day she came by, she left without talking. I was worried and left to go after her but she wasn't there when I came out. Same thing happened the next day, sadly I couldn't leave cause we got busy. Then on the third time I asked her what's wrong. She looked sad and said she didn't wanna bother me with it. I urged I wouldn't mind and she said it'd gst in the way of my work. So I told her to meet me somewhere after work. We met there and she told me something was wrong with a friend of hers. She told me that she was not only worried about him but said friend's brother as well, the brother not knowing what's wrong with him. She nearly cried, afraid that she's losing them. I hugged her, telling her everything's gonna be ok. That place became a special meet up for us. I'd always see her there after work and we'd always talk and comfort the other about our problems. One day she came to me, bawling her eyes out, telling me that one of her friends died. I felt guilty since I said everything would be ok, but she wouldn't let me even apologize for it, saying it's not my fault. Still I felt it was, and that guilt stayed….so I was surprised when she asked me out the next day. That's when I learned she was an exterminator, and that's when we started dating. Been close to two years now."
"Wow...on the first ever cleansing, is that when you found out she became an exterminator?"
"Not...really...it's complicated and not really my place to explain the whole exterminator thing."
"I understand."
"Yeah. Now it's your turn!"
"Oh right, well...we actually met in highschool. I started becoming a gun enthusiast around that time so I'd always make model guns when I had time. One day, when school got out, I tripped and a few of my guns fell out. Millie was by me at the time and saw them. She gushed over them, bombarding me with so many questions about them. She took me to her place the next day and showed me her knife collection, telling me where she got each one, what it is, what it's like, and even let me hold them. I was thoroughly impressed by what she had. Day after that, I showed her my gun collection, giving her the same experience she gave me. I was honestly afraid I'd bore her with how detailed I went, but she said she loved hearing how I explained things, and how thorough I was. The next few weeks we'd sometimes show each other our new editions, let the other try it out, or just hang out. One time I was getting picked on by some jerk in school. He punched me and as soon as Millie saw that, She went wild and stabbed the guy. I was lovestruck at that moment," Moxxie swooned, he went home crying and bleeding. Next week he came back and was picking on Millie with some friends of his. They managed to get her alone and as soon as I found her they had her pinned. That's when I lost it. I pulled out my gun and threatened them. They thought I was joking till I shot him in the ear. They were model guns but they packed a punch so it caused a gash in his ear. I dared him to test me again and I swear he pissed himself, running with his tail literally between his legs. When I checked on Millie, she kissed me. It was our first kiss. We've been a couple ever since and six months after graduation, I proposed."
"That's so sweet!" Solis told her.
"Think so?"
"Yeah!"
"I think yours is sweeter."
"Keep thinking that if you want, but yours is Sweet too!"
Moxxie blushed. "Thanks...Wonder how the others are doing."
Blitzø excitedly held Jack's scythe. "So how do I do that multi blade thing?"
"Twist the center like this," Jack told him, showing him the hand motions he does to unlock mode two on his scythe.
"Ok!" Blitzø did so and when the blades multiplied, he nearly lost balance. "Whoa! It gets heavier!"
"Yeah. Now to shoot the blades you gotta grip the top half of the pole, then squeeze, and Jack up. Think like you're jacking it and about to pop."
"Oh, so Wednesday!" Blitzø aimed it forward and pumped the staff, blasting one of the blades forward at high velocity, knocking himself back. "Whoa!" He looked forward and saw one of the scythes etched deep in the wall.
"Little to hard there."
"Oh I gotta get me one of these! Where'd you get it!?"
"It was made for me, actually."
"By that Gen guy?"
"Nah, by a friend of his, someone much better at weapon making. Gens more of an accessory type demon cat."
"Think he can make me one like this?"
"Maybe, if you got enough halos."
"What's halos got to do with it?"
"There's what's used in making demon items. See when they get corrupted, they become hell jewels, a special type of ore that can be used in making demon items."
"Really? Is that also how Pocho's daggers were made?"
"No, those are way different! Noone really created those, more so...they manifested it."
"How so?"
"I don't know how to explain it to be honest."
"Fine, keep your secrets then." Blitzø smiled.
"Oh wow, you just memed me!"
"Got ya! Anyways, let's get this client's target done with." Blitzø set down the scythe and grabbed the book.
"Uh, before that, might wanna recall that blade." Jack pointed at the scythe in the wall.
"Oh right," Blitzø picked the weapon back up, "...how do I-?"
"Pump it down this time from atop the center."
"Got ya!" Blitzø called the blade back and it nearly knocked the scythe out of his hands.
"So, what's this target?"
"Apparently this guy died fighting some other guys who were messing with his sister." Blitzø started the gate.
"What!? They were messing with his sis?"
"Yep. Ganged up on him too."
"Oh this ones personal! Let's roll boss! Straight into the middle of the crowd! Heads will roll! Blood will flow!"
"Whoa, what's got your panties in a twist?"
"Sorry…" Jack calmed himself, "I got a sister so I just imagined her being messed with."
"Oh shit, you got a sister?"
"Yeah. I'll tell you about her after this. Sound good?"
"Yeah sure, I'll tell you about mine too!"
The two hopped in the gate and started killing.
A large teen was crawling back in fear, going past the torn up corpses of his gang. "W-who the fuck are you!?" He said to the two imps.
Blitzo held Jack's scythe, a few of the blades sticking out, and Jack held his bloodied gun blades, both of them walking up to the teen.
"Two brothers who hate seeing a sister get fucked with!" Blitzø said to him, pulling out his pistol.
"Enjoy the afterlife, prick!" Jack aimed a barrel at him.
The two both shot him in the head, killing him. They sighed happily before Blitzø called back the scythes and gave the weapon back to Jack. The two headed through the gate back to Blitzø's office as he texted the client the news of success.
"So," Blitzo sat in his chair, "sister time! Go!"
"Right! So Nala, that's her name, is a badass sweetness. She's nice, kind, but brutal, and will kick your ass across teen streets if you tick her off. She's also really understanding. I tell her almost everything, cause I know I can trust her with secrets, but I don't tell her others secrets, obviously. But when I told her about being an exterminator, I was afraid she'd take it badly. Was honestly surprised when she took it alot better than I expected. She didn't flip or anything, just made me promise to keep her updated and told me she'll always be here if I need her. She also threatened to rip me a new one if I forgot about her."
"Ouch!"
"I haven't. I always made sure to visit her whenever I could...right now though...I can't see her due to...exterminator reasons...but she knows, we talked before it happened. She wished me luck...she's the best sis I could ask for."
"She older?"
"Nah, same age."
"Oh same. Got a pic?"
"Of her?...not...not on me at the moment. Maybe I'll show ya next time."
"That was a little dodgy Jack, you hiding something? Your sister a hottie and dont want me hitting on her?"
"Well she is hot, but no, that's not it. I know you wouldn't flirt with her cause you already got a hoot of a man."
"O-only for the book!"
"Uh-huh." Jack gave him a "yeah sure" look.
"A-anyways, my sister's a succubus."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. She actually has her own harem of the women she's lusted over during highschool."
"She's a lesbo?"
"Yeah!"
"Cool."
"Lust aside, she's still pretty cool. We don't talk much but I hear she runs a woman's only strip club in the lust ring."
"Oh sweet!"
"Sadly, no guys allowed. Y'know she's one of the reasons I made I.M.P.?"
"Now way!? Really?"
"Yep! She's the one who told me about grimoires, and the human world and I thought, "bet some suckers wishing they could go there and kill the person who got them here!" And then she told me, "or pay someone to do it." And then the gears went rolling!"
"Wow! Guess you owe your sis for that idea!"
"Yeah but dont tell her that, itll go to her sex craved head!"
The two shared a laugh before Blitzø asked some questions about Hell jewels.
Dundy walked up the hill. He carried a basket with him. He stopped when he reached a small stone step. "Hello father." He sat down. "Good to see you." He set the basket next to him and opened it up, taking out two small glass cups. "Things have been going well for me….mysterious things are happening with this Cleansing and Purge ordeal...do not worry though, I, and the others, will figure it out." He set a glass in front of him before setting another on the step. "We are strong in our determination to figure and fight this out." He took out a bottle of vodka. "Also...Poch is starting to get better….I'm glad...he also met a hellhound girl named Loona, so I'm thinking that helps. They seem to be getting along fine." He poured some vodka in both glasses. "It was...painful to see that state he was in….but we had to be strong and be there for him. strength is not only found in one's muscles, it is also found in one's will, mind, and other places. You taught me that." He smiled. "He was weak at that moment because of his will, and it seems to be finally becoming strong again." He took his glass. "I...we...will continue to be by his side, to make sure what happened before stays a one time deal." He clinked his glass with the other before taking both and raising a toast. "in ein anderes Jahr." He drank from one while pouring the other a stone slab that read "here lies Derek Adrich." Following two dates.
"v drugoy god." A voice came from behind Dundy.
Dundy looked behind and saw a six foot three inch tall green furred hellhound. He had green pupils but his left eye had a white sclera while the right had a black sclera. His ears were long and almost fox-like while he had big black tufts on the side of his face. His body was nicely toned and he wore a Gray undershirt with black jean pants. "Echo!"
"Hello my friend!" The hound said in a Russian accent. He walked up beside Dundy. "It is not smart to be in the living world with a lack of disguise."
"Hah! Ok mister kettle!"
"Haha, touche!"
"I could not hide who I am in front of my father."
"I understand. I could not do the same either in front of my family."
"Would you like a drink?"
"Just one, thanks." He took the glass Dundy handed him, the owl starting to fill it. "How are things in hell?"
Dundy finished filling the glass. "Things are well. Poch is getting better."
"Ah, good news!" Echo said, chugging down his drink. "Maybe the move to help with The Cleansing has a play in it?"
"Could be. How is The Purge?"
"My team is managing quite well….were actually thinking of moving to hell to aid you as well."
"As much as I'd appreciate it, do you think that would be wise? You'd have to fake your death and we don't need more suspicion or problems for Albest."
"I know but, with what Jared told me about the early Cleansing and the boss, I believe you could use the help more. The Cleansing seems to becoming as big as the purge.
"Agreed. Luckily, unlike the purge, it's only ring by ring, and they focus on us when they notice us so it helps with collateral."
"Yes, but if it were to get bigger, just four exterminators won't be enough."
Dundy Sighed. "I know you are right. If only the corps would decide to add a branch in Hell."
"While the voting for no is staggering to say the least, it's still a topic that's gaining attention, albeit only as a rumor for now."
"It's obvious someone is influencing the lack of info, but why?"
"It is unknown. Even Albest is afraid to talk about, only telling those he trusts. He doesn't want us getting too involved so there are some things he doesn't tell."
"He is a nice man, to say the least. It is understandable that he doesn't want us to get too much into this. Could be dangerous."
"Yes. That's why he said he'd think about us going to hell."
"I see….I wonder if the reason we're not going to hell is because of what an exterminator is."
"Could be but...it's not like we're that different?"
"Are we? If you compare what we can do with other demons, then..."
"Yes...that is true…and if we make a branch there then the world of hell will have to know. Demon royalty knowing is one thing, but all of hell is another."
"...crazy world we live in….where heaven is in the wrong. Saying that would be blasphemous but yet...here we are."
"I hear you...one can only hope for a future where all is different."
"Yes but we must be the ones to help build said future. Cannot stand around and do nothing."
"..." Echo took the bottle and filled up both glasses. He took his and raised it to Dundy. "v budushcheye my delayem."
"..." Dundy took his glas and raised it with Echo's. "in die Zukunft, die wir machen."
The locked arms in a brotherly way before drinking from their glasses.
End.
Next chapter. Bells
