Chapter Eight: Hermione Lodge and Eltarina
When people talk about mothers, they'd talk about mothers being the number one housekeepers, or as protectors of their children, or gossip seekers trying to escape the monotony of domestic life. But sometimes, a mother might choose to become an abuser, no matter how gentle she did it.
"Ronnie, mija, be a good girl when your father comes home, okay?"
"Why? He never cared about me."
"He's still your father. It's only natural to show some reverence."
"What about you? Do you revere him in any way?"
"Of course I do, sweetie. Without him, we won't be the Lodges."
Veronica couldn't comprehend how or why her mother, Hermione Lodge, decided to welcome back a person that she considered the worst father in the universe. Ah, Hermione, with her striped hyena Daemon on her side, she could get away with any decision she made.
Have a troublesome person be murdered and frame it as an accident? Call the local police to do a crackdown on the local drug dealers? Put herself as the number one candidate to become Riverdale's mayor? The Latino lady could do it, as long as she has the right mole working in the right location, to inform her of when to make the right move. If anybody asked questions, her Daemon Eltarina would scare them away.
The love between mother and daughter was one-sided; Hermione loved her little girl like she was everything to her, but Ronnie and her snake Daemon despised her out of fear that the mother would kill her own daughter in her sleep. So far, Hermione hadn't make any such move, but you wouldn't know it until it's too late.
"Bien! Now be a good girl and tell the servants to prepare the dining table."
"I thought we'd be eating out tonight."
"No, not yet. Your father needs time to readjust into society."
"Ugh, yeah, okay. Whatever."
With a disapproving look, Hermione watched her daughter walked away before going into the living room, waiting for Hiram's arrival back home. After years of imprisonment, the family was back again. It was a moment worthy of celebration; after all, with the family reunited once more, the lady could do anything.
The rest of the evening went by quietly as the family servants, aided by Veronica, set up a lavish 'welcome back' dinner for Hiram. Eltarina the hyena stalked around the dining room, checking every detail and reported back to the older woman if there was anything she didn't like. Fortunately for the servants tonight, all seemed to be in order. The sole exception being her daughter, who put one elbow on the table whilst playing with her phone.
"Mija, what are you doing?"
"Hmm, what?" Ronnie gazed up at her, so did her Daemon from her shoulders.
"No elbows on the table, did I forgot to tell you that?"
"Oh, wait. Sorry," Veronica put her elbow away, still playing with the phone.
"Now, I believe your father will arrive any minute now. Go change your outfit to something more presentable."
The mother turned away to address her servants, unaware that Veronica just stuck out her tongue in spite. Both of them went about their business until a car pulled up just outside the residence. Hermione excused herself to answer the door.
When Veronica returned to the dining room, she noticed how the family servants all immediately stood in attention, seemingly waiting for… hold on, where was her mother? Oh right, daddy must've arrived and she answered the door. Ronnie rolled her eyes and sat on the farthest chair. Avarie slithered down from her neck and coiled on her lap.
As soon as Avarie disappeared from view, Hermione returned to the dining room, bringing with her Hiram Lodge, tired but immensely pleased to be back home. His crow Daemon could be seen nuzzling against Eltarina.
"Bienvenido a casa, querida," Hermione whispered in his ear.
"It's good to be home, oh darling," Hiram whispered back.
All the servants and their Daemons stood at attention, having already prepared some exquisite Mexican dishes for this… special occasion. Hiram's eyes instead fell upon his daughter Veronica and her Settled Daemon.
"Welcome back, father. Oh, how we missed you so much," Ronnie gave a fake smile.
"It's good to see you too, mija and Avarie."
"Don't you want to greet your father and Jezebel, Ava?" Eltarina chided the snake Daemon under the dining table. Ronnie rolled her eyes; since when did the hyena became so attentive to her? He used to keep his sights on everything and everyone else except the family's daughter.