Here's the next chapter everyone
This one is gonna be well a bit more light hearted than the rest and that's for a good reason.
For what it'll be, you'll just have to find out for yourselves.
Destiny's bar comes into view where we see Destiny reading a very, very obscured and censored manga. Upon realizing someone was seeing it Destiny panicked covering the reading material. "Huh? Wait, what are you doing here?"
Panicking Destiny throws the manga away. "I wasn't doing anything." The being pointed at the readers/audience. "You all didn't see anything...."
*Meow*
Destiny turned it's head over to the side. "Shut up Mitty!" Clearing it's throat Destiny straightened itself up. "Any who, let's recap!" With a snap of its fingers, we clip of what transpired last time. Such examples included Blitzo, with the aid of Moxxie and Millie spying on Loona and her love life. "Although last time wasn't focused on our main characters, we got to see some of the others in action."
A few other examples included Miguel fighting the imps and Loona wearing a towel beating the crap out of her adoptive dad. Followed by the tribrid talking with Blitzo. "Naturally, drama comes in the shape of all forms and sizes. Plus, when you have possible future in laws, you practice and thrown into the frying pan. Because when you're in a relationship, you sort of embed yourself into your partners family and they do the same for yours."
The recap stops as we see Destiny holding a martini. "You know, sometimes when life seems to always give you speed bumps and rough turns, there's always a reason for that." Destiny drinks the martini. "And one such example is when we all need to stop for a brief moment and sniff the roses."
*Meow*
"Oh yeah, that is a good point that did come out stupid."
*Meow*
"I'm not an idiot."
We now have our focus right onto the screen of the old tv that zooms into it showing the title of the story itself.
Helluva Servant Chapter/Episode 11
Memorare of The Owlette
As of the moment we see Octavia's bedroom come into view. A light groan was heard, we see the female owl demon rise up from her bed. But something was off, she was a bit sluggish, it was all off.
With a sigh she got up and changed into her usual clothes opening the door but almost fell, she had used it for support and started making her way to the dining room to grab her something to eat. And just her luck both her parents were there. "Oh great…." She muttered underneath her breath composing herself and took her seat making sure not to draw too much attention to herself.
"Good morning, Via." Stolas greeted his daughter looking at a paper which was his way of ignoring the glare he was receiving from his 'wife'.
"Morning." As she greeted her father a plate was placed out in front of the female owl. It was a skillet filled with a few eggs and a few cooked vegetables.
"I'd advise not touching it. It is pretty warm." The one who served it to her was Donner giving a smile that she returned back. "Milady. Coffee?" He held up a metal container.
"Yes, please." Octavia didn't need to say no and accepted as he poured. "Thank you, Donner."
"My pleasure..." For a brief moment he paused noticing her demeanor but decided to keep quiet about it and act normal. "Anything else?"
"No, thank you." She replied drinking from her cup and he in turn bowed before leaving, he knew that Stella was glaring daggers at his back as he was leaving.
"Fucking little pest..." Octavia frowned overhearing her mother berating Donner like that.
"Just shut up..." The teen owl demon muttered as she was eating, earning a look from Stella. "Did you say something Octavia?"
"No." Octavia replied, making sure that her mother didn't hear what she said. Evidently the older owl did and took the answer with a hum.
"Anyway, I believe we should start discussing something."
Octavia groaned a little bit not wanting to deal with this crap so early in the morning. "Do we have to have this talk now?"
"Yes." Stella stated. "I believe it's very important."
"Well, what is it then?" Octavia had a feeling she wasn't going like what was gonna be said.
"I've received multiple courtship offers from a few other families and perhaps it'd be your best interest to look into them."
Octavia groaned, tipping her head back from her seat. This was not something she wanted to deal with today. Stolas lowered down the paper he was reading giving Stella a disapproving expression. "Stella, are you really going to put up such a fuss about this?"
"Yes, Stolas. This is something that we need to address." Stella replied in a calm tone which was very unusual for her as she'd be yelling. "Octavia will no longer be able to ignore this. She is coming of age, and this is something she must look into, hence since she is coming to be of that age."
"Don't I get a say in this?" Octavia questioned burying her face into her beanie.
"No, you do not." Stella turned to her daughter. "In the coming days, you will start to make time to get to know these possible suitors. And it will be your choice, to select one of the possible candidates."
The poor owl demon pulls her beanie down on her face. Two minutes in and already she's in a bad mood. "This isn't up for debate." Stella said firmly. "This will begin next week, so it'd be in your best interest to study. Do I make myself clear?"
"This is fucking bullshit." Octavia's voice was muffled even as she mumbled that.
"I said; Do I make myself clear?" Stella questioned again, slightly raising her voice a bit.
The girl pulls her beanie backup to show her beak. "Yes, mum." She answered, cringing in the process.
"Good." Stella was pleased with the answer and got up. "I'll be sure to send you a file on them. Please actually do try dear." With that said she left while Stolas on the other hand was appalled by this but given their status and the traditions demon royalty always had, this was unavoidable. He wanted to stop this, but he remembered the days when he was younger, forced to 'engage in activities' with Stella by his father. He didn't want what happened between them to happen to his daughter, but for right now all he could do was support her anyway he could.
Speaking of Octavia, she'd just finished her breakfast and her cup of coffee slamming the mug down and stood up making her way out as he sighed. In the halls Octavia slammed into a wall letting out her frustrations but almost lost her footing in the process. "Dammit..."
"Are you ok?" She turned to see it was Donner and he clearly was concerned.
"Does my mum selling me to some assholes sound okay to you?" She retorted, raising her voice a bit.
"No..." Donner shook his head understanding where she was coming from knowing she had to vent out a bit. "No, that is not ok with me at all. Didn't your father say anything?"
"He didn't say anything..." Octavia straightened herself out. "Not like he could really do anything..."
Donner walked up to her. "What did your mother say?"
The female owl demon scoffed. "That next week I'm supposed to get to know some fucking guys that I never met once in my life." Octavia started to explain. "A whole week, just so I can find a damn husband, and make a choice. And my mum already knows what my choice is going to be..."
"I know..." Donner put a hand against her back patting her lightly.
Octavia began walking with Donner right behind her. "I need to lay down and try to calm myself down. The sooner it's done the-" She suddenly tripped, losing her footing.
"Whoa!" Donner sprung forward using his large wings as a cushion to catch her. "Are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine Donner." Octavia replied as she got up, but Donner wasn't gonna have it and helped her out, dragging her arm over his shoulder for support.
"How about we take you back to your room?" Donner suggested. "You don't look so good."
"P-Please don't tell my parents..." Octavia requested.
"It'll be between you and me." He winked. "I promise you."
Octavia appreciated it very much, not giving an answer, regardless Donner nodded as he helped the female owl get to her room. Once there, one of his wings closed the door behind and brought her over to bed. "There you are."
"Thank you." She laid down and Donner lifted up her legs onto it as he draped her with a blanket.
"How long have you been like this?"
"Not long."
"..." Donner raised an eyebrow not buying it, making her sigh in defeat coming out clean since her bodyguard was onto her. "Ok, a few days. Two at best"
"Why aren't you wanting to say anything to your parents?"
She scoffed slightly frowning. "Why bother? Just so they can start arguing and I get caught up being in the middle of all that crap? No. I don't need any of that."
Donner sighed, feeling bad that it's gotten to that point where she was willing to risk her health and well-being to avoid her parents fighting to this extreme. "Look, how's about you get some rest, and I'll talk to Merida." Before she could speak Donner held out a claw in protest. "Don't worry, she'll understand, but you are going to need something to help you feel better."
"This suck." She groaned.
"I know, but just get some rest, ok? I'll be back with something." Donner proceeded to leave the room leaving Octavia by herself laying back down.
"At least there's a few here that show that they care..." It was right there and then that Octavia did something she rarely ever did, look back and reflect. The image of her younger self comes into view.
'Growing up back then, it was just simple.'
She began to recall herself playing with her father, giving her piggyback ride's, telling her all sorts of fascinating things about stars, and astronomy. While on the side with her mom the only things she'd remember were the 'lessons' on how a lady should properly act. Being five at the time, Octavia was still innocent and thought it was just a game, even when her mother read bedtime stories the cliche 'story's' about the prince rescuing the princess and living happily ever after.
It was a very simple childhood, or at least she thought it was. It'd probably had to do with her naive child innocence; it was uncertain. But, around the age of nine, things...really started to change from what they used to or rather appeared to be.
She remembered one night when she heard odd noises through the halls and her family arguing about something. She spotted them in her father's study, when her mother smacked him across the face. It scared the owlette then.
But she didn't leave. She witnessed as her mother continued beating on her father. Calling him various obscenities, an embarrassment most obviously. Hell, she remembered every word after that. 'The only reason I'm married to you is because my family benefits with our precautionary heir.'
Those words broke the little girls heart that day so badly. She cried herself to sleep too scared to even look her mother in the eye.
Octavia had learned a very chilling and sad truth. She was born solely as a 'precaution' incase her father died. It was a hard pill to swallow. And she never told anyone about that, except for Donner, but didn't tell him the full story. Afterwards, a couple of years go by, she's now at the age of thirteen the steppingstone when you're officially a teenager, almost close to becoming an adult in a number of years ahead. The young owl had made some friends when she was twelve and they did well, everything together.
She remembered some of the games she played when they came around. However, no matter how many times she tries to have some kind of amusement. Her mom was right there, bringing some snot nosed piece of trash periodically. Almost as if she were some slut to be bought off.
Octavia scoffed at the thought. Was that what she was to Stella? A trophy? Yeah, she was sure that she'd found a safe haven with her friends. She thought that they really did care for her. Whatever problem she had, they'd be there, because that's what best friends do.
But then, 'that faithful day' happened. The day after a party her mother had arranged last year was when the big can of worms was opened.
Early one morning she'd heard seven words from her father. "That...was the sound...of a fucking divorce!" And along after that was laughter triumphantly. That was the moment when everything went from bad, to way fucking worse. Stella wasn't trying to hide her abuse anymore. Going as far as to assault some of the employees whenever enraged. Poor Stu, had some misfortune.
Stolas, meanwhile, was so caught up in his 'passionate fornications' to really pay attention to Octavia. All that got his attention at the time was that little red asshole.
Loretta also had to deal with some of it too, everyone was feeling the aftereffects of what her father had done. She wondered did he take into consideration how it'd affect not just everyone else but her as well? Evidently, he didn't.
Because her social life was completely destroyed. Starting with her friends. One day she was at school and approached them, saying 'Hi' like she usually does and instead of the usual responses she'd had been receiving for many years, instead she got the complete would instead be met with disgust, people poking fun at her family. Even having some of them spreading rumors about her fucking another lowlife. And her so-called friends... Where were they when she needed them most?
"Why would I want to be friends with an Imp fucker?"
"Yeah, for all we know your part of it."
"For someone that's supposed to belong to an important family well I just find it hard to believe now."
"Ha! What a fucking joke and embarrassment!"
"B-B-But I thought...we...were friends?" She remembered those words and what their response was.
"Pah! Friends!? No, how stupid are you!?"
"We only hung out with you because our parents told us too."
"Not to mention other motives that were beneficial to our families. But after today, we can't be seen anywhere near you."
"So tough fucking luck, you daddy's girl slut." Those words shattered her heart beyond healing and started running ignoring the comments of those she trusted in the process.
'Everything...was in shambles...and I...was in a very dark place in my life...'
We proceed to see her walk through the halls of a school using her beanie to hide her face as she continues on through ignoring some of the stares, she'd receive not to mention the words they were saying too.
'I did my absolute best to make sure I wouldn't make that same mistake again.'
We now see her in the back row of desks, and even sitting by herself anywhere she was. During break time when class wasn't in session, lunch time, it didn't matter she'd distanced herself away from everyone, cutting herself off to avoid the verbal abuse and insults she'd receive.
We now cut to see Octavia doing a little doodling on a sketch pad outside and suddenly a loud crash from inside caused her to rip the paper. Growling in frustration she tore it and crumbled it into a ball before putting in her ear buds to drown out the noise coming from the house, having to start all over what she was making.
'I wished whoever was listening would somehow make it all stop...but, I knew that was a childish thing to pray for...'
A knock on the door was heard snapping Octavia out of her thoughts and looked to see it was Donner standing in the doorway carrying a tray that had a bowl of soup, another small bowl of fruit and a cup.
"Room service." He had his wing close the door behind him. "How are you feeling?"
"Crappy." Octavia replied as Donner brought her the tray. "Thank you, Donner. "
"I can take the thanks, but it's really Merida you should be thanking in terms of food. If I did, I'm afraid I'd make things worse." The avian demon said as he passed her a wrapped napkin that had the silverware inside.
"I still can't believe you couldn't compare sugar to laxatives." She laughed a little, before coughing in her fist.
"Well, all the more reason I leave the cooking to Merida." Donner replied, joining in on the laugh. "Also, you're in luck. Both Master Stolas and Lady Stella are out of the building."
"Thank Lucifer." She sighs in relief, adjusting her seating as she grabs the spoon and the bowl of soup. Upon first taste she absolutely enjoyed it. "Merida's cooking never ceases to amaze me."
"Feeling mutual." Donner agreed. "Every meal I get from her is like a blessing in disguise."
"On this occasion, I can agree." The owl continues to scoop up a few sips of the soup. Savoring every single bite, she takes.
"So, how long did you think that you'd be able to hide this exactly?"
"I don't know, maybe a couple of days. It shouldn't take long for me." She shrugged. "With our luck they'll be too distracted to notice."
"Yeah, but did you really think it wouldn't go unnoticed for that long or just until you fall to the floor? Which would also leave your mother blaming me for the state you're in now."
"So, what if I'm sick? It's not like she'll blame anyone for something I don't have control over." Octavia frowned. "It's probably just a fever, not some tumor."
"I'm a tumor, you're a tumor. I'm a tumor." Donner sang jokingly. "Your mom is a tumor."
She smacks the thunderbird in the beak with her spoon. Not hard enough to hurt. Just to shut him up. He in turn laughed at that action. "Oh, come on, you opened yourself up for that one."
"Shut up." She chuckled through her coughing.
Donner rubbed the back of his head realizing it'd be best not to make her laugh too much. "Oh, sorry."
"No, it's fine." Octavia waved off. "They say laughter is the best medicine. Lord knows I could use something like that, all things considered."
"Well...I'm happy to help." Donner smiled a bit. "I know I'm maybe not the most reliable...but I'll do what I can. Despite other circumstances." He put his claws around his eyes to make them look rounder before hooting. Octavia already knew where this was going.
"Oh really?" She raised an eyebrow and held out both of her hands over her beak making herself look longer before cawing. He waved her off. "Look familiar?"
"I do not sound like that." He denied, his laughter betraying him.
"Could've fooled me."
"Ok, here's one for you." Donner cleared his throat doing an imitation. "Don't listen to your mother sweety, I'm not that bad, I'm just very easily ruffled with my feathers. Especially when it comes to a red-hot chili pepper, says so I Stolas."
The owl demon couldn't help but snort from that, holding her beak shut despite herself. She then smirked, returning the favor giving into the temptation. "I'm Stella, and I enjoy the exquisite and lavish luxury. I love basking in my status rubbing into other people's faces due to insecurities and other possible treatments I was forced to endure at a young age. While also wishing I had a man that'd satisfy me."
Donner stared at what she said considering who she was impersonating. "Holy crap...that was brutal."
"At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't already done that."
Hearing this coming from Octavia was kind of sad, in a sense but at the same time too, given how Stella was and has treated him over the years as well as seemingly shutting out her emotions to Octavia all together, he sorts of had to agree.
"No offense, Octavia, but I sort of have a hard time believing that." This earned a raised eyebrow from her. "Plus, someone else would have to be rather submissive to get into that honey pot."
"Eww!" The owl demon felt even more sick at the mere thought of that. Donner shrugged in response to that not really bothered. "Well, again the door was open for that one."
"I thought you were trying to help me? Not making me lose my lunch." She took a sip of her cup, glaring at her bodyguard.
Donner chuckled in response. "Sorry." He held back his laughter. "But look at the bright side, you're laughing, I'm laughing, that's a good thing."
"You've got me there." Octavia nodded, a small smile forming on her beak. She took another sip.
"I know." Donner took the tray and her now empty cup. "Anything else for the time being?"
"I think I'll be fine for now." She answered. "Thanks."
"Right on." Donner went over to one of the walls and knocked on it. Upon doing so the piece of the fall spun around and he put the tray onto it before knocking again making the tray go away sliding could be heard. "Hey, um...question. Since I'm technically supposed to keep an eye on you, hence Merida's instructions, you don't mind if I snooze on your couch, do you?"
"No, I don't mind." The princess shrugs. "Just don't go out and advertise it." She winked.
"I won't." Donner waved her off and sat down putting a pillow in place. "Dang, comfy. By the way if I snore, just throw a pillow or something, not something hard."
"No guarantees." She chuckled, laying back down on her bed comfortably. As the female owl did, she instantly heard light snoring getting up to see Donner was already fast asleep. "Geez, he's already out like a light bulb." She remembered the last time this happened. Getting snagged by him was hard not to forget. Luckily, she's not in the mood to check up on him again.
Octavia couldn't help but chuckle as she laid back down. But suddenly she gained an idea and reached under her bed pulling out one of her few most private things. Her journal, she hasn't really done much with it for a while but with everything that's been going on and the time she has, she figured why not while doing her reflecting, writing it all down.
'It feels weird, and odd. In only seven months, things have been better. Well, not completely, but just different...My mother continues to try and find me a 'suitable' husband. Which much to her displeasure and my own pleasure hasn't happened. I've been getting out the shell I've made for myself dealing with all the fighting, even making some new friends in the process, including getting better acquainted with some of the staff. Like Stu and Loretta, who I dub as the 'bickering love' twins.'
We cut to a flashback from last week where we see Octavia having some lunch and, in the process, she was listening and watching them debate about something.
"So who do you think would win tonight's match?" Stu asked his big sister.
"I'm betting on Jager. The guy might be small, but he's freakin quick on his feet too."
"Against the Ripper though?" He gawked. "That sinner would tear him apart before the match even starts."
"Hey, c'mon the dude is mostly buff and has all that weight. Which is mixed with body fat and muscle doesn't always help. Plus, Jager has a winning streak sixteen wins without a loss."
"Oh, I dare you to say that to him when you get to ringside. That guy would slit your throat for calling the big guy fat."
"We'll have you seen what he wears?" Loretta questioned. "There is too much shit hanging out, he looks like a bigger whale compared to Andre the Giant."
"Hey, I'll have you know, if I wasn't dating Sallie I'd actually like to have feel for him." His sister gagged hearing this.
"Did you not hear what I just said?" The older twin questioned her brother. "The guy's got genital herpes, like Verosika Mayday's got hoes."
Right on que, Arnold comically passes by. "Not from what I heard recently." He commented leaving the room making Octavia raise an eyebrow in confusion by what he meant by that.
"Plus, you think he's bad? Look at Joyce Grinder, that chick is freakin skinny as a damn pencil! There has to be nothing but legs under that thing, no breasts or nothing, just legs going all the way up!"
"I would disagree. She's been runner up for fiercest sexiest chick on Death Brawler monthly."
"Pff." Stu waved her off. "And you question my tastes?"
"Yeah, as long as I don't get a disease from it." Loretta fired back. "Octavia what do you think?"
"No comment, I'm not part of this, no thank you." Was the female owl's response leaving.
"Oof, way to go rejected, Milley Cyrus." Stu taunted and in turn got splashed with soda right in his face.
Upon that instant Stu went into a rage and tackled his sister to the floor a dust ball was heard filled with the sound of them fighting. Octavia watched the spectacle before her. Ridiculous as the argument was, it felt endearing listening to the pair. Watching them duke it out being the most damning thing the owl demon ever saw.
'Yep, there almost never seems to be a dull moment with those two. I'd pay them to go onto sitcoms.' Octavia chuckled as she broke her pencil cursing a bit before resharpening it. She continues writing. 'Let's see oh yeah, then there's Arnold. Aside from Stu, he pretty much has the sort of position to be comic relief when he least expects it. I can't help but feel sorry for him, but at the same time it is pretty funny.'
We now get a flashback of five days ago where we see Octavia humming a bit as she walks through her fathers greenhouse looking for a nice flower to doodle and pass the time since Donner wasn't around that day.
"Ok, ok. Sherman, we've had this scuffle many times." She paused upon hearing the voice.
"Huh?"
"Which is why I'm gonna make it clear. I am not on the menu!" Curious, she heads over to the source and finds Arnold holding a pair of trimmers in self defense against one of her fathers more 'ferocious plants'. The kind that eat anything that passes by them. Sure it may look like a beautiful giant red rose, but once you see the teeth in the middle of it you'd think differently. Octavia watched as Arnold took out a few chunks of meat and tossed it up into the air. Instantly the plant dubbed as Sherman lashed out at them with Arnold running and closing the door behind him all out of breath and sighing in relief.
"Arnold, you are pretty brave to go and take care of my dad's plants. And I always avoid them like a plague."
"Oh, I have no problem with it." Arnold replied back making sure the plant didn't try to break the glass and go after him. "I just have problems when they try to eat me is all."
"Are you okay?" The girl asked the imp.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Arnold dusted himself off. "What brings you here? I rarely ever see you out of the mansion, milady."
"Just thought I'd do some sketches." She shrugged.
"Oh well that's cool. Find anything that caught your interest?"
"No, not yet."
"Well come on, I was finishing up and I might have a few that might catch your eye." She followed him into an area that was full of flowers. He sighed in content. "I never get tired of this."
"It has been a while since I was in here." Octavia commented before walking to an odd looking red one that had multiple petals. "What's this one?"
"Oh, those are Spider Lily's imported from the human world. They usually are pretty common in Asia."
"Yeah, this is really nice. I think I'll go for these."
"Ok. I'll finish up and get out of your hair, or in this case feathers." Arnold said before humming happily with a smile tending the plants before him with care.
"You really like doing this?" Octavia questioned.
"I sure do. The kick of it is, seeing satisfied expressions, plus seeing my wife's face brighten up whenever I bring her roses which I grow here. With permission from your father of course. She loves them too."
"You're married?" She inquired.
"Hm-hm. Four years."
"What's she like?"
"Well..." Arnold paused thinking for a moment. "She's competitive, snarky, and loves attention. But, deep down she's actually a really nice person once you get to know her. And I've known her for a good number of years. So, there's that. We've also lately or, rather I've been trying to bring up the thought of having a kid. Take that next big step." Arnold started picking off dead petals.
"Really?" Octavia opened her sketchbook, pen at the ready.
"Oh yeah, it took some convincing and she was open to the idea."
"And how's that working out?"
"We've tried a bunch of times, for these last few months. Nothing yet though."
"Well, I'm sure it'll work out." Octavia started sketching.
"I think so too." Arnold started clipping away a few of the withered dead flowers. "My wife on the other hand has a bit of doubts about the whole thing herself. She doesn't say anything, but I know."
Octavia turned her head around using her owl physiology. "Why's that?"
"I honestly believe it's because...she has doubts that she'd make a good mother. I understand why she'd think that. But I love her so much..." The groundskeeper frowned. "I just worry about her; you know what I'm saying?"
"I think so and that's good that you care." Octavia turned her head back around continuing to sketch. "Why does she possibly think that way?"
"We both were born and raised in a rough neighborhood. The kind where you had to do something to make a living, most of which don't always end well. Take me for example, didn't think I'd get good with plants and eventually get hired as a personal ground's keeper for a royal family. Yet I'm here."
"And your wife?"
"If things were different, she'd most likely would've had to keep putting her body for sale just so she could eat. Most girls, from where we were from, don't often leave there."
"Wow..." Octavia didn't know how to respond to that. Compared to them, her life was luxurious, and knew others had it hard. Only she didn't think she'd hear first-hand accounts that were as bad as that. "I'm so sorry to hear that."
"Don't be." Arnold smiled moving onto some of the other flowers. "We're still here, and that counts as something. I know my wife is worried that she'd end up repeating what her mom did to her growing up, but it's all the more reason to do better. My parents were just as bad, shit, my dad had fits of rage and one time he burnt my tail over a stove."
He presented his tail to her and sure enough she saw the burn marks, they were faded out but the scars were still very much visible. "Oh geez. Did your mom allow this?"
"Wouldn't know, she was never around." Arnold continued working. "First chance I got a shot at attending a university and never looked back or have been there since. I hope he had what was coming to him."
"I'm sorry to hear that." She turned her head back to her sketch book, ashamed for bringing the subject up like that.
"It's ok, I look at it this way." Arnold glanced down to a single lone rose. "I get to have one over the old man and get the pleasure of being a better father than his ass would ever be."
Octavia felt it appropriate to tweak the subject a little bit. "So how many kids would you want?" The girl asked, continuing her art.
Arnold shrugged. "Don't know. Never gave it much thought. She feels the same way too. Maybe a good number like 2? Just see what happens."
"Well, as long as you continue being like you are now. I think you'll be a good parent." Octavia said, earning a light smile from Arnold.
"That just about made my day hearing that milady."
"This might help with that too." She ripped a page out of her sketchbook placing up to the short demon. "Here."
Arnold absolutely loved what she did, drawing the spider lily with great detail. In Fact, he was flattered.
'Arnold really does have a good heart, and I hope things go well for him and his wife. Better than how my parents turned out.' She paused for a moment thinking. 'It also makes me start to wonder, if I would do better than my mum. I remember Ferne saying so, but it'll be a while before that happens, and hopefully on my terms. Now aside from those three, there's also Merida.' Octavia smiled as she was now on a roll.
'You know, I get that she made mistakes when she was alive, but I'm really surprised someone as kind and thoughtful as her ended up down here. No one's perfect, sure, but come on, Heaven doesn't fair no better and she probably belongs up there instead.'
We now cut to a flashback of three days ago, Octavia had just finished one of her 'mothers' lessons, that were being observed by Stella herself while nearby Merida was by the door. One's that involved proper movement and such, noble lady business, including very tight dresses.
"Are we done yet?"
"Yes, we are." The white bird sighed. "I understand you wish to be elsewhere, but at least show some courtesy before you leave." She wasn't angry or anything, just a little disappointed.
Octavia sighed in annoyance. Having had it with the dress and the lesson, the girl wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there. But not wanting to anger her mother, she humored her. Grabbing the sides of her skirt with her thumb and index fingers, she turned her right heel behind her left leg and bowed her head. Her mother following suit.
"Thank you, mother." Octavia told her mother as politely as she could. But deep down she felt like this corset was going to choke her out before she could stand up properly. If it meant she could get out of this faster, she'd take it.
"And I am most pleased to aid you anyway I can my dear child." Stella said before walking off to leave, stopping at the door turning to the sinner. "Merida, see to it that my daughter needs any assistance if need be."
"Yes Madam." Merida bowed as Stella went through the door and approached Octavia who exhaled loudly. "Please, get me out of this fucking thing." The younger female avian demon whispered begging for aid.
"I know, come along Octavia." Merida motioned her to a wooden room divider. "You did much better than last time, though sweety."
"Agh, if I have to wear this stupid fucking corset again, I'm going to kill myself." She groaned, feeling the much-needed air return to her as the dress slowly comes undone.
"I swear, the women that wear this don't breathe at all." She sighs feeling the tightness vanish. "Merida, how do you even wear these things?"
"Well, it helps to be as skinny as me." The head maid joked.
"What? You're saying I'm fat?"
"Heavens no, you said it not me. Back in my time, it was always normal, and it was mostly easier for skinnier girls. The larger ones however, not so much. I was most certain to see one pop like a balloon."
"That's exactly how I feel, whenever I wear 'that thing'." Octavia finally discarded the clothes and accepted her usual attire. "Thank you."
"I know that girls your age have different standards, but sometimes you all whine too much. At least Donner wasn't a handful when it came to fitting and proper clothing."
"Well, he doesn't have to wear a corset now, does he?" The girl asked, rhetorically, slipping on her pink dress.
"Nope, but I absolutely adored dressing him up in clothing when he was younger." Merida gushed with a blush, putting both hands on her cheeks. "He was so adorable then, and so were you, including those little bloomers you wore."
"Ugh." She groaned at the mention of the garments and the way it made her look fat as an owlet. But then curiosity got the better of her as she put on her cardigan. "Do you have any pictures of him when he was younger?"
Merida smirked in response to that. "I do. But I don't see why I should show you."
"He's seen photos of me when I was little and said I was adorable. So this makes us even." Octavia replied back.
"Hmm..." The boney sinner, playfully, pondered what to do as the owl demon puts her beanie back on. "I don't know."
"C'mon please? What's the harm in it? Plus, I think I deserve a little compensation for being put in these lessons from my mum."
"Oh, alright." She conceded. "Come along, I'll show you."
...9p...
They now arrived in Merida's private quarters. Which was a very fancy Victorian era style bedroom.
"Ok..." Merida was searching through a small trunk. "Should be...ah. Here we are." She pulls out an old looking photo album.
"Well, here it is." Merida passed it over to Octavia who stared at it, her curiosity sparking interest.
As she opens the book, the first page the owl demon sees is of an infant bird. Feathers haven't grown out yet, but the eyes were unmistakably the thunderbird's. Sitting on the floor biting at his talon.
She chuckled upon seeing the sight. Octavia also saw him flapping his wings, shaking off water from a bath. There was also one where he was being fed with another showing a wooden spoon missing its end piece showing it got bit off.
The female owl flipped through the pages and found a photo of him wearing a little top hat. Although it was a little too big as it went over his eyes. "Aw..." She looked over to see him getting fitted into a little suit and tie.
"I recall trying to purchase the hat. I neglected to measure his size at the time. But I couldn't help but keep the silly thing." Merida remembered.
"Hard to believe a cute little thing like that is what he is now."
"Makes me wonder what else you put him in back then." Octavia pondered as she turned to the next page. We see a picture of him and Merida by a beach in Hell. The boy had his feathers all grown out and was wearing a set of trunks as Merida sat next to him in an early 20th century swimsuit. Donner was grinning as he made a sandcastle, while Merida spectated with a kind smile.
"He looks really happy." Octavia noted as she glanced over to see a photo of Merida reading a book to little Donner who sat on her lap. "You really did all of this with him?"
"I have. Your father asked me to raise him in his stead." Merida stated. "I never once left him alone when he wasn't needed. In a way he was like a son to me."
"What?" Octavia was confused. "Why don't you think that? You did raise him, doesn't that count?"
"It would. I just wish things were different. That boy means everything to me and yet I feel like I couldn't truly be there for him in the times they throw him out there." The head maid frowned.
Octavia flipped the page showing Donner sitting in front of a birthday cake blowing out some candles, there were about five in total with Stolas seen nearby. "MY dad was also a lot in his life too wasn't he?"
"He was, however, he needed to be discreet. Your mother is not a kind woman. Wouldn't be caught dead near a puddle of water, much less a little boy." The sinner scoffed at the last sentence.
"Why didn't mum not let Donner near me growing up?" Octavia questioned as she flipped another page showing him dressed standing next to Merida who patted his head. "We both grew up in this house, but only months ago I learned that he even existed."
"It was the condition that had to be met if he was to live here." Merida answered sadly. "Only because, the fact that Donner is lethal enough to begin with was enough reason to place him as your bodyguard and how you two finally got to meet one another."
"Was that why I never saw him when I was younger?" The girl inquired.
"That, and his...bloodlust..."
"Bloodlust?"
"Right around the age of nine, Donner began to show signs of aggression. He was changing, becoming violent and that's why he was trained to control it. Bruns did his part of making sure it happened, but, even by my standards it's not a very good thing to have forced onto yourself, even if it's for your own good." Merida recalled bitterly.
"His own good?"
"Octavia, you have to understand, every demon including yourself has bloodlust and it just so happened that Donner has a lot of it. Especially for someone so young."
"Had we kept him around in that state, he would've torn the entire palace apart had Bruns not come to his aid."
Octavia flipped the page to show Donner interacting with Bruns playing a game of chess with the bat demon. "He just didn't know how to control it, and then by the age of eleven his other abilities started to appear. So in a way, it was also for your safety too."
The pink eyed girl frowned, but she understood in a way. Looking through each photo between the thunderbird and the bat, she can see him starting to look more and more calm. Heck seeing Ferne in one of the pictures made her wonder about her own involvement.
"So Donner really doesn't know where he comes from does he?"
"No."
"Do you ever intend on planning to?"
Octavia flipped the page again, this time showing Donner resting on Merida's lap with the sinner having a very content smile. "..." She didn't answer that question.
"Let me guess, it's my dads call, isn't it?"
"He made it very clear on that note." Merida answered. "I want to, but he insists it has to be him to tell Donner the truth."
"Then why doesn't he?"
"Donner just doesn't seem to care if I'm gonna be honest." Merida walks over next to Octavia taking the photo album and smiles gazing down at the memories she had saved over the years of Donner. "He's just content with what he has and I think that's part of the reason."
"But wouldn't he want to know? The girl asked.
"Perhaps. But as of now, he has all that he ever wanted." The boney demon stated. "A home to return to. A family that cares about him. Good friends that he can always count on."
She turns over to Octavia giving the female owl one of her signature smiles. "You also happen to be one of those friends." The owl girl smiled as she turned the page once more. It showed him sitting next to a pregnant Ferne, as the boy held his hand out the bat's belly. Bruns was standing there, squealing in delight at the scene. He was 13 by her guess when Lesslie and Morgana had yet to be born.
She flipped the page one last time and this time, she saw a photo that had her and Donner sitting together. He was doing something weird with chopsticks sticking them up his nose attached to the lower part of his beak making a face as she laughed.
"What the fuck was he doing?" Octavia asked, trying to speak through her amusement.
"I don't know, I remember being in a sad mood that day and he tried cheering me up. And as you can see it clearly worked." Merida chuckled.
"He looks ridiculous!" She cackled.
"Oh please, I've seen your ridiculous faces. Like the one you do when your angry." Merida shows Octavia the said photo where the owl looked like she was about to blow a gasket, this was probably the one and only time she had her one of her mother's trait.
"Oh God! You kept that one?!" The owl girl is baffled by this damning photo of herself.
"Hey, I have to keep myself humored too, you know. Otherwise, I'd always be angry at myself." Merida said with a teasing smile. "I have all sorts of photo's of you both."
"Ones that aren't as ugly as this?"
"Who knows." Merida shrugged.
Octavia chuckled as she continued writing. 'I might not be too pleased with Merida not revealing Donner's past, it might be something I'll have to look into myself. I know dad has his reasons, but do they not really think I could stand the truth or something? I don't know, but one truthful fact is that she did raise Donner. And because of 'other circumstances', we weren't allowed to meet each other, up till recently.'
(Song playing in the background In My Life: The Beetles 'Reprised 2009')
She frowned a bit. 'She did have a point though; Donner doesn't really seem to mind it at all. But one part of me still wonders what the story is.' Octavia glanced over to the said avian demon who was fast asleep on her sofa.
'Speaking of Donner, it's hard to believe that only seven months ago we were just complete strangers to each other and now it feels like we've known each other since forever. As childish as it may sound, it's true though. He was always there when I needed him and never does complain about it. It's funny, I remember how much I hated his company. Especially at the beginning. Everywhere I looked he would be right beside me.' The owl princess snorted at the thought. 'But now I see him almost every day and I feel like I can trust him with almost all of my secrets. Almost.'
Taking out her phone she scrolls through the photos she had taken from when they went to Loo Loo Land. Even though she didn't want to be there, it was different than last time because she actually had a friend to go with and have a good time despite how it ended up in flames.
'Donner even helped me make new friends in the process. Like Rocky, and Miguel, not to mention meetings Bruns's family, the Penubra castle itself feels like a second home, always warm and welcoming. I even someone I can talk to there as well.'
She swiped right to the pictures relating to those events. Miguel was a reasonable guy, much more compared to any hellhound she heard of, his son was quite a charmer himself. Although he does like to talk. The next one showed Ferne using Octavia's phone, smiling enthusiastically compared to the awkward owl demon. She really was a sweet woman, although she could go for some personal space. The girl shivered at the memory.
'Plus, she has another baby on the way, and I'm honestly really excited to meet it if I'm able to...I'm still absorbing all of this...in the course of seven months, it feels like I have a life...I have never felt like this in so long. It feels so strange... In a good way. It's just hard to believe that so much can change after what happened And I'm thankful for it.'
Octavia finishes writing and tucks it back underneath her bed. Glancing over to Donner getting up and walked over to him kneeling down grasping his hand lightly caressing it with her thumb. She then grabbed a nearby blanket and threw it on top of Donner who seemed to enjoy the sudden new touch as she climbed back to bed finally getting her long overdue rest. Because once she was done with the objective her mother had given, the sooner she could go back and have more fun with her servant.
We zoom outwards from the screen of the old tv cut back to Destiny's bar and by now it was reading a whole bunch of dirty manga. The being looked to the audience/readers in annoyance. "What you all still doing here? Get out of here already." It returns back to it's reading material.
"I'm doing anything wrong here."
*Meow!*
"Shut up Mitty or I'll shave your ass!"
*MEOW!*
"Bet me! I swear on the existence of the universe!"
*MEOW!*
"Yes even the multiverse shut up and go sniff some cat nip!"
To be continued
Now replying back to reviewers
Gamelover41592: You and me both.
Guest#1: Yeah, I still don't know what that is sorry. But I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
ReadingBeta: I don't know honest, I don't.
The saiyan boy: Thank you.
Guest#2: A bit to early to say, but for sure Blitzo would be an extremely happy grandpa.
King of 2211: Well I'm glad that me and Pyro were able to bring out that aspect of him. Glad that you liked it and hope ya like this one too.
Marbled Gold: Yep, those kinds of characters are badass, and it's extremely fun writing on about Miguel and let's be honest, those 'kinds of places' are practically almost sent down from heaven itself. There's need to be more of those around. Anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter my friend.
desmondbot: Your very welcome, As for what you be suggesting another attempt with Stolas hanging out with Octavia, yeah, possibly consider it. And for the time being hope this quells the third and last need. As for the the mystery demon, well, don't worry, me and Pyro got special plans for him.
