More snippets.

Enjoy~

Carmilla, Zestial, Odette, and Clara all sat scattered around Carmilla's office. Zestial invited the Carmines out to dinner to celebrate the newest (and largest) contract the weapons dealer obtained thus far. As usual, he arrived at her office early. The girls, who had already finished their work for the day, joined him in waiting for the last few pages of paperwork that required Carmilla's attention.

The pleasant idle chatter that filled the room was instantly silenced as the door to Carmilla's office flung open.

All eyes snapped to the unannounced visitor.

Carmilla's assistant nervously peeked around the doorframe. "I'm sorry Ms. Carmine! I told her you weren't available now, but she didn't listen."

"It's alright, Marie." Carmilla sighed. It wasn't the first time that one of the Vees barged into her office. It certainly wouldn't be the last. After all, Vox was the only one who had the decency to call ahead. "Velvette. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I have something for you."

"Terrific."

Velvette continued toward the matriarch's desk; a smug grin spread across her face. Coming to a stop at the front of the desk, she slammed down a single piece of paper.

The matriarch raised an eyebrow. Red eyes flicked down to the paper, then back to meet Carmilla's own. Resigning to her fate, she brought the paper closer. Carmilla let her gaze travel over its contents.

"So." Velvette said impatiently.

"So?"

Her girls, who moved to stand on each side of Carmilla, leaned in trying to get a look.

"Do you know what it's supposed to be?" Odette asked in a hushed whisper, leaning towards her sister.

"I think it's a death threat." Clara muttered back.

The smug smile fell from Velvette's face. Furrowing her brow, she straightened herself. "What? Are you blind? It's a rifle blueprint. If you can get these made, it'll change the game!"

"That's a rifle?"

"Duh?"

Zestial, whose curiosity peaked, came to stand directly behind Carmilla's chair. Without question, Carmilla handed the paper upward to Zestial. Tilting the page to the left, his upper two eyes squinted, trying to decipher the drawing. "I doth think its resemblance is that of a telescope."

"No one asked you, old man!" Velvette huffed. Obviously, none of them could appreciate a real work of art. After all, she'd spent nearly an hour sketching out the idea for her perfect weapon. "What, you think I can't draw a gun?"

"No. It's... nice." Carmilla folded her hands in front of her, trying to stifle the chuckle. It was apparently clear that the pig-tailed sinner was very serious about monstrosity she'd drawn. "I've ne-never seen a better blueprint."

"Then why's Grandpa laughing?" Velvette pouted, putting her hands on her hips.

Zestial and her daughters paid no attention to the fashionista's growing ire. Instead, the three continued to whisper amongst themselves, pointing (and laughing) at various parts of the drawing.

"Laughing is just Zestial's way of saying it's a great drawing." Odette snickered.

Clara stopped her own laughing fit long enough to add. "Yeah, it's a real masterpiece."

This time, Carmilla couldn't hold her laugher.

Velvette snatched the paper out of Zestial's hand. Turning around, she stomped towards the white door. "You wouldn't know talent if it hit you in the face with a baseball bat. Kiss my ass, fuckers!"

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No."

"You're going to tell the King of Hell, no?"

"Yes."

It was Lucifer's title alone that kept her from slamming the door in his face.

Being the most popular (and best) weapons dealer in Hell left little room for time off. Her days started early and, more often than not, extend into the later hours of the night. The spare time she did have would usually be spent with her daughters.

But a few decades back, the girls convinced her that once a month she needed to take a day off. They'd handle any business that arose that day, while she got to relax.

So, the last thing she'd expected (or wanted) was for Lucifer, himself, to show up on her doorstep at eight in the morning. The fallen angel wasn't alone, either. A small blonde toddler sat cradled in his arms, holding a small stuffed lamb.

"Please Carmilla?" Lucifer nearly begged. "Just for a little while."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the only one I could think of that has experience."

"Where's Lilith?"

"She had to go topside for a meeting for a couple days. And I said I'd watch Charlie, but I completely forgot about this super important thing I have going on with the Sins today. It's not something that I can really show up with a kid to."

The matriarch resisted the urge to groan. "Don't you have a royal babysitter or something?"

"We've never needed one until now." Plus, if he were being honest, out of all the inhabitants of Pride City, it only made sense that Carmilla was the one he went to. He would, in no way, trust any of the sinners that littered the streets. Unlike her, who willingly came to hell, they'd earned their spots. Not to mention that he trusted her to not try to make a deal for his daughter's soul. "Please, I really need your help."

Carmilla sighed.

So much for having a day off.

She relented, motioning for him to hand over the child. "Fine."

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! You are saving me big time. Next time you need a favor, it's on the house! Everything you could need is in there. Food, toys, diapers." Lucifer handed over the toddler along with a largely overpacked backpack. "Charlie, this is my friend Carmilla. You'll be hanging out with her today. Be a good girl, okay?"

Before the child could respond, he placed a kiss on top of Charlie's head and stepped backwards through a glowing golden portal.

A soft rumbling came from the child. Red eyes met large yellow as the toddler's lower lip started to wobble. "Come now, Charlotte. Let's get you some breakfast."

As it turns out, Charlie was a truly well-behaved child.

After eating breakfast, Carmilla brought the girl into her expansive living room. She pulled the toys out of the backpack she'd been given. Instantly, Charlie moved to a pair of dolls. Even at such a young age, the girl seemed to know how to keep herself occupied.

Carmilla couldn't help but wonder if it was a product of being royalty or a lack of interaction.

A knock at her door pulled her from her musings.

"I'll be right back, okay?" Carmilla said. Charlie looked up from her dolls and gave a nod.

As she approached the door, she instantly knew who stood on the other side. Zestial's thin stature was easily recognizable. Glancing to the clock that hung on the wall, she cursed herself.

Originally, she and Zestial made plans to go to brunch. However, with the sudden appearance of Lucifer and having to tend to Charlie, telling him she'd have to reschedule completely slipped her mind.

Opening the white door, Zestial greeted her with a smile. Without hesitation he leaned down, capturing her lips with his. He chuckled slightly as he felt her arms instinctively wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. Breaking their kiss, he spoke. "Good tidings, Beloved. I have procured a reservation at thine favorite restaurant."

"Zestial," Carmilla began returning his soft smile with his own. "I'm afraid I'll have to reschedule. I'm terribly sorry."

He righted their positions before reaching one hand out to cradle her face. "Art thou feeling well?"

The weapons dealer covered his hand with her own. She could feel the guilt rising at the disappointment and concern that flashed in his four eyes. "Fine, amor. It's nothing like that. Actually-"

"Milla?" Charlie's voice called down the hallway. "I thirsty."

"I'll be right there." Carmilla called back. "I'm truly sorry. Lucifer showed up this morning practically begging me to keep her for a while."

"I understand. Would'st thou prefer if I left?"

"Not at all." Carmilla assured, turning back towards the living room. Zestial followed close behind. It pleased him greatly that even though their plans might have changed, she was still willing to allow his presence.

As soon as they reentered the room, Charlie waddled over to Carmilla. "Drink, peas?"

"Of course, little one." Carmilla said fondly. Walking to the table that held the backpack, she began to rifle through the bag. It took nearly two minutes, but finally she managed to find the apple juice and a pink bedazzled cup.

Zestial felt a tug on his cloak. Glancing down, he watched as the princess's chubby hands tugged again. Instead of fear, as he expected, the girl's eyes were filled with curiosity. "Who you?"

"Greetings, Princess Morningstar. I am the Overlord Zestial." He introduced with a slight bow.

Charlie furrowed her eyebrows. "Sestial?" The Spider Demon nodded. Pleased with herself Charlie couldn't help but smile. A hopeful expression filled her little features. "Want to play?"

Zestial stared at the child for a moment, uncertainty filling his mind. Even when he lived, he'd never had any interactions with small children. Being a hitman left little room for such things. The closest experience that came to mind was that of the time he spent with Clara and Odette. But the two were already grown by the time they'd crossed paths.

"She won't bite, amor." Carmilla assured as she brushed past him, handing the blonde her drink.

"Very well. What doth thou desire?"

And that was how Lucifer found the Zestial, the eldest most powerful Overlord, covered from head to toe in pink stickers.