Someone on AO3 requested for Odette and Clara's father to appear and this is kinda what I came up with.
Enjoy~
Two familiar heads of hair caught Zestial's attention. Odette and Clara stood across the road. An unknown sinner stood in front of the girls. His features were rat-like. His face was thin with teeth peeking out from his overbite. Even from this distance the tense atmosphere could be felt.
Green eyes narrowed at the scene. The lack of weapons made it apparent that it wasn't a delivery. If it were a meeting, it certainly wouldn't be done on the street. The shorter man seemed far too comfortable speaking in such a mannerless way to the Carmines.
The sinner made a chopping motion with his hands as his tail whipped around in annoyance. Zestial watched as Odette rolled her eyes, turning her head away from the shorter man.
Only to look right at him.
"Zestial?"
Taking it as an invitation he began to cross the road. Paying no mind to the car that swerved to the right in an effort to miss the Overlord. Instead, he split his gaze between Carmilla's daughters and the demon.
The sinner in front of them cast a nervous glance at the new arrival. "I'll see you girls later." He muttered before backing away from the Eldest Overlord.
"Good day Odette, Clara. How fare thee, this day?"
"We're good, how about you?" Clara grinned as any lingering awkwardness from their encounter faded away.
"Well."
"It's odd for you to be in this part of the 'Gram."
"'Tis a lovely day." As if to accentuate his point, gunshots echoed from the next street over, followed by panicked screams.
"Mhm." A blonde eyebrow raised skeptically, clearly not believing the words spoken. Overlords tended to stay in their own territories. Most being far too occupied with tending to their own matters to bother to leave. Zestial, himself, mentioned weeks ago that with the recent influx of sinners he'd found himself much busier than usual.
So, what possible reason could he have to be here at the same time as them?
Odette felt her eyes narrow as she craned her head upwards, looking at the much taller sinner. "It wouldn't happen to have anything to do with Mother being gone for the week, would it?"
"I know not of the implications of thine words. 'Twas simply recommended a new cafe in the area. Mayhap, thou would'st accompany me?"
"You're treat, right?" The curly haired girl asked excitedly as she bounced on her toes. Her sister wasted no time, elbowing her in the side. "Ouch! What was that for?"
Odette adjusted her glasses, giving the youngest a pointed look. "Don't be rude."
"I take no offense. T'would be discourteous to extend such an invitation and not incur the tab." Zestial chuckled.
"See? Zest doesn't mind." Clara put her hands on her hips, giving her sister a wide, smug grin. "So, you tagging along, Odie?"
"Fine."
Clara practically jumped for joy. Odette rolled her eyes fondly at the youngest's enthusiasm. Even though both had spent more than a couple lifetimes worth of time in Hell, Clara still continued to act as if she were only twenty.
The trio fell into a comfortable silence as they continued towards their destination. Most pedestrians threw themselves out of their way. A snail-esque sinner even went as far as to slit his own throat.
"Can I ask you something?" Odette asked, unfazed by the reactions around her. Between traveling in the company of her mother, Aunt Rosie, and Zestial she'd grown used to the theatrics of the lower demons.
"Certainly."
"Did she ask you to babysit us?" The blonde paused for a moment, rethinking her words. "What I mean is: Mother didn't ask you to follow us, did she?"
"No." Zestial offered a reassuring smile. "'Tis an honest coincidence."
Of course, he'd known about Carmilla's venture out of the city. Three weeks ago, the pair finally found time to spend a (much needed) night together. It was in the tender moments afterward that she'd confided in him.
As they laid together, his head nuzzled against her neck as his finger traced patterns along her bare toned stomach, she explained her predicament. One of the newest Goetia Heads requested her presence, hoping to strike a deal to get some personalized angelic weapons. Carmilla offered to send over the paperwork, but the Goetian was very adamant about the business being done in person.
Normally, it wouldn't pose a problem. In the past, Carmilla had traveled on numerous occasions. However, the Owl Demon's home sat at the very edge of the Pride Ring. Which meant it would take nearly three days just for her to arrive at the destination.
Since entering Hell nearly two centuries ago, not once had she left her daughters for such a length of time.
In the end, it was his assurances that the girls were not only capable of tending to the business, but also seeing to their own safety. After all, the girls did have their own fair share of contracts. However, if something should arise that they couldn't handle, he'd step in.
"Whilst true that Carmilla informed me of her absence, she only requested that I come to thine aid if necessary."
Both girls shared an unsure look.
"I sense uncertainty. Thou doth not believe the words I speak."
"I mean. We all know that mom can be a bit, protective." Clara shrugged. The Spider Demon came to a stop in front of a small shop. Opening the door, waiting patiently for the girls to enter first.
"'Tis only natural to protect what one holds close to the heart."
The Spider Demon caught the mischievous glint in the red eyes as Clara stepped past him and through the doorway. "Oh? Like you do with mom?"
Truly, he'd set himself up for that one.
Clearing his throat, he gestured to the empty counter ahead of them. "'Tis time to submit our order." Ignoring the smug smirks, Zestial moved closer to the counter. Slowly the sinner on the other side peaked up. Shakily the woman asked for their orders.
After gazing at the menu, the trio placed their orders. Zestial opted for the newest brew of tea. Odette ordered a cinnamon infused blend of coffee. Lastly, Clara requested an iced hot chocolate.
"How doth a drink be frozen yet scorched?" Zestial questioned as they found a small table to sit at.
"It's not actually hot." Clara chuckled. "It's a normal hot chocolate, but they blend it with ice."
His two upper eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. "Would'st one not consider the beverage to be a 'frozen chocolate'?"
"I mean, yeah." Clara furrowed her brow trying to find the proper way to explain the drink.
"Think of it as a coffee-smoothie." Odette offered.
"Ah." Zestial nodded.
If he were honest, he didn't understand the Carmines' fondness for the bean-based drinks. Over the years he'd tried the many variations the women offered him. Early on he'd learned Carmilla's choice was, by far, his least favorite of the trio. Unlike Clara and Odette (who added different flavors and sweetening) their mother drank her coffee black.
"Order for Zestial." A shaky voice called out.
Clara made a move to get up, but Zestial held out his hand, halting her movement. "Allow me."
Zestial retrieved their drinks and returned to the table. Sitting the coffees in front of their respective drinkers, the Spider Demon took his own seat across from the pair. He felt the familiar flutter of content as the trio enjoyed their drinks continuing to prattle on about the events since they'd last seen each other.
The pair's interaction with the stranger continued to float around his mind. By now, everyone in the Pride Ring knew of the Carmines' weapons empire. There were few who dare act in such an aggressive manner. Those that had the nerve, well, Zestial knew everything about them.
Finally, after their drinks were nearly finished Zestial decided to ask. "Might I inquire to the identity of the sinner from earlier?"
"That... was Antonio Diaz... Our father." The tense atmosphere returned in full. Clara shifted uncomfortably, suddenly finding a scratch on the table much more interesting than the Overlord.
"Don't call him that." Odette sneered as she straightened in her chair, focusing her bespeckled gaze out the window.
"Your father? I was unaware he resided in Hell." Zestial resisted the urge to shift his own position at the information.
"We weren't either until he showed up on at the office the day after Mother left."
The topic of their birth father was one that never came about. Obviously Zestial was aware that someone helped Carmilla bring her girls into the world. However, none of the women ever actively spoke about him. He'd assumed the man was lost.
Would his sudden appearance shift things? Would he seek out Carmilla in hopes of rekindling whatever relationship they had? How would she react to such news? Did the girls wish to spend time with their actual father?
No.
Their less than pleasant reactions to his arrival could only mean that the man wasn't in good standings.
"Hast thou sent word to thine mother of his return?"
"No." White curls bounced as Clara shook her head. They had a discussion after the man shown up unannounced at their office. Both decided that it would be best if they kept the information to themselves until their mother's work was finished. Once she returned, they'd tell her everything. "If we did, she'd come rushing back."
Odette sighed, finally returning her attention back to the Overlord. "This meeting with the Goetian could change everything. If he likes her work, then he'll spread the word to the others."
"Plus... We really want to show her we can do this." Clara added softly. "She works so hard to keep us safe. The least we can do is handle the business for a single week."
Just as Carmilla would do anything for her daughters, her daughters would do anything for her. Though he knew all too well that the opportunities to truly prove themselves were scarce. It took nearly twenty years for the girls to be involved in the business due to her fears that they'd be targeted.
Zestial nodded. "I understand. Should'st his sudden presence cause thine any further distress or discomfort, I implore thee to inform me so I might handle the situation."
He felt the familiar warmth growing in his heart as both women's wide smiles beamed up at him.
A soft beeping sound was heard. Looking at her watch, Odette took note of the time. "Sorry to cut this short. But we have to be going."
The trio cleared the table. Once again, Zestial opened the door, allowing the girls to exit first. As they stood on the street Odette adjusted her glasses, a sign that the eldest was back in her 'professional mode'. "Thank you for the drinks."
Clara threw her arms around the Spider Demon for a quick hug. "Yeah, thanks Zest! Same time next week?"
"Certainly."
As soon as the girls were out of sight Zestial outstretched his hand. He wanted to know more information on this… father.
A small black shadow appeared only a moment before a figure grew out it. The form wore a vintage black tailcoat with a dark grey shirt underneath. A black wrap covered almost the entirety of his face. Solid, white, glowing eyes were the only things visible.
"You summoned, Lord Zestial?"
"Hark Draven ." Zestial greeted his long-time servant. "I have need of thine services."
"Of course, my lord. Anything you wish." The figure spoke in a smooth tone.
Draven's ability was truly unique. The sinner's ability to blend in with any environment was detrimental in gathering information. A useful tactic in many ways.
He was also one of the first conquered contracts. Taken over from a prior Overlord who met his agonizingly slow fate at the hands of Zestial himself. Draven had no qualms with the new arrangement. Unlike most who sought out power, Draven wanted nothing more than to be useful. To serve and devote himself to those more powerful.
"Find all the information you can on a sinner named Antonio Diaz."
Finally, Draven lifted his head to meet Zestial's eyes. "Anything in particular?"
"I want to know everything."
"As you wish." With a nod of his head Draven disappeared back into the shadows.
"Lord Zestial." Draven's smooth voice called out as he materialized beside Zestial's desk. With a quick bow he reached into the pocket of his tailcoat, pulling out an envelope. "I have returned."
Just as expected only two days passed since his order was given. "What have you discovered?"
"Here's everything I could find on him since he's been in Pride."
"Excellent." Reaching out he plucked the envelope from gloved hands and replaced it with a small black velvet sack. "Your compensation."
"Thank you, my lord." Draven straightened, tucking the money into his coat. He watched as green eyes scanned the contents of his findings. It seemed as though the more his master read, the more irritated he became. "Might I ask something?"
"You may."
"Would you like me to dispose of him?"
A simple request, really. It certainly wouldn't be the first time, nor the last. While he prided himself on information, the truth of the matter was, anything Zestial willed would be done. No matter what the request. His devotion was absolute. Even if he were to ask him to end his life, Draven would not hesitate to drive the knife through his own heart.
"No." Zestial rose to his full height. Red irises flashed as he attempted to contain the thrill that came with hunting. "I will attend to this matter personally."
Draven offered another piece of paper. "His current location, my lord."
With a predatory grin, Zestial stepped into his shadows.
From his spot in the top corner of the room, Zestial observed the area around him. Antonio and another nameless sinner sat in the poorly furnished apartment. Empty alcohol bottles and trash littered the floor and table. A dirty mattress lay in the corner opposite of the kitchen. Three of the doors were missing from the cabinets.
Antonio leaned back in a wooden chair. Using his foot as balance he rocked himself back and forth with the two back legs of the chair.
"So, how's your little plan coming along?" The nasally voice asked from across the card table.
"I'm working on it, Benny." Antonio growled as he lifted a cigarette to his mouth. "I've tried to see those little bitches for the last three fucking days."
"Why go through all this trouble? Why not just take one of the daughters and use her as ransom? It'd be so much easier, baby."
"That was my first idea!" Antonio shouted.
He'd spent the better part of six months trying to figure out exactly how he was going to be able to get access to his daughters. If Carmilla so much as thought he was hanging around, she wouldn't hesitate to end him. So, when he found out that she was finally away from the girls, he put his plan into action. What he hadn't expected was their reaction. Not once did he consider that they would loath him as much as their mother did.
Granted, he did leave them long before they died.
But that shouldn't matter! He was their father. They owed their entire existence to him. They should be grateful to see him.
"I need one of them to make a contract with me. Then I'll have Carmilla where I want her." Antonio mused to himself.
The soft sound of glass tapping wood pulled Antonio from his scheming. Glancing across the table, Benny gave a wide vicious smile as he waved a glass vial. "Why don't you try this?"
"What is it?"
"A potion. Slip a little in one of their drinks and they'll be eating out of the palm of your hand."
"If I can get close enough. Odette's almost as bad as her fucking mother. She wouldn't even let me speak." Antonio tilted the vial to the side, watching as the pink liquid sloshed around. "Maybe I can get close enough to Clara. You're sure it'll work?"
"Positive." Benny laughed. "Just remember, when you do have Carmine under your thumb, I want a piece of the action."
"As many guns as you want."
"I'll take a piece of that ass, too."
"That whore is all yours."
"Pleasure doing business."
Zestial heard all he needed. His patience had long reached its end. The pair below committed two unforgivable offenses.
Firstly, being the threat towards the Carmine daughters. He loved Odette and Clara as if they were his own. He cherished every moment spent in their company. Even in the earlier years where they had been less than accepting of his presence. And now, these fools thought they could use his girls to weasel their way into the empire Carmilla spent so long building?
The second, and most grievous, was the disgusting insinuation of the use of Carmilla. While true that only a handful of people were granted knowledge of their relationship, he refused to dismiss the vile offer Antonio made. Neither sinner had the worth to even gaze at her, let alone touch her. Did they truly think that he would stand idly by and let such a thing happen?
No.
Unaware or not, their arrogance would cost them greatly.
Only after the begged for death, would they receive a taste his true rage.
Sending out one of his spiders, he watched as it slowly crawled down the wall, making its way over to the two unaware sinners.
"How would you go about getting them to drink it?"
"Easiest way is to force them. Though you could always just slip it into their-" Zestial smiled wickedly as his spider sunk its fangs into Antonio's arm. The demon yelped in surprise as he slapped his hand against the bite. "Shit! That hurt!"
"What is it?"
"Some kind of spider?" Benny leaned over the table, looking at the smashed creature in Antonio's outstretched hand.
"Disgusting." Benny scoffed. He watched as Antonio's body started to go slack. His eyes blinked as if he were having trouble focusing. "What's wrong with you?"
Using the distraction, Zestial silently dropped down from his hiding spot. He felt satisfaction as Antonio's head landed hard against the table. "He no longer possesses the ability to retort."
Benny spun around in his chair with wide eyes. "W-what did you do to him?"
"'Tis a neurotoxin." The Overlord informed. He put a small effort to ensure that his tone was far more haunting than normal. After all, he relished the terrified looks of those he toyed with. "A paralytic. But unlike most, my venom keeps the inflicted conscious."
"Why are you here?"
Zestial didn't bother to answer. He simply stalked closer. Benny backed up, tripping over Antonio's chair, knocking the paralyzed demon to the ground. "Listen, there's gotta be something I can do? I'll give you anything."
"Anything?"
"You name it. It's yours. Whatever you want!"
"I merely request a 'piece' of thine soul." Throwing open his cloak, hundreds of spiders fell out. Instantly they moved to the cowering man. The spiders swarmed Benny, beginning to sink their fangs into his skin. The demon opened his mouth and let out a horrified pained scream.
"Ah, I do revel in the sound of screams." Zestial watched on in satisfaction as the spiders flooded into his mouth, muffling the screams. Soon enough his little pets would devour the fool, soul and all.
The Overlord focused his attention back on the main cause of his ire. Terrified tears rolled down Antonio's face. Reaching out, he picked the man up by his head. Lifting him to meet his eyes, Zestial spoke. "Thou attempted use of Clara and Odette to manipulate Carmilla 'tis unforgiveable. You shall regret your actions."
With a deep haunting laugh, he stepped through a portal dragging the sinner with him.