After a few minutes of reflection, the imps and Stolas resumed eating the food that was brought to them.
Considering what had just happened, the group was silent. Not even Blitzo said a word. There wasn't a sound except for the flowing air conditioner and the clinking of silverware against plates.
No one knew what to say after experiencing something so profound, so moving, so…heavenly. Their minds were all full, but what could they say? Words felt useless.
It only ended when Moxxie blurted out "Thank you God for this food."
Stolas, Blitzo, and Millie looked at Moxxie in surprise as the latter covered his mouth.
Millie chuckled under her breath at first, but when she couldn't hold it in anymore, she busted out laughing.
The laughing set off a chain reaction. Millie started laughing and then Blitzo and Stolas joined in.
Finally, Moxxie started laughing along with them. The laughing continued for several minutes until everyone finally calmed down.
"Awwww, honey!" Millie giggled, giving her husband a side hug.
"Hey, Stolas? Is this normal?" Blitzo asked with a chuckle.
"According to my family's texts, yes," Stolas explained calming his breathing. "The spirit of reform imps grows more open to God and his love."
Blitzo scoffed, "So, will Moxxie start singing hymns on us?"
"That depends," Stolas said with a light chuckle. "Moxxie, do you know any hymns?"
"No," Moxxie said before pausing. "Wait. Are there any hymns in musicals?"
"Didn't Andrew Lloyd Webber make a musical about Jesus?" asked Millie. "And what about that one about Joseph and the multicolored coat?"
"Yeah, but I've never seen it performed," said Moxxie. "But I have seen Godspell."
Stolas loudly gasped and cried, "You've seen Godspell?! I love Godspell!"
"You like musicals, your Highness?" Moxxie asked excitedly.
"I love musicals!" corrected Stolas.
"Your majesty, I had no idea," Moxxie began excitedly. "Besides, Millie and a few other friends, I've never met anyone who enjoys musicals as much as I do!"
"Besides Via, I mostly see musicals alone," Stolas said. "I also enjoy operas."
"You like operas?!" cried Moxxie.
"I love operas!" Stolas replied.
"Me too!" Moxxie yelled happily.
Blitzo scoffed and said, "Nerds."
"I got a question, Stolas," Millie interrupted. "Do you know what heaven is like? All we know is what we've seen on the C.H.E.R.U.B. commercials. And, uh, what is God like?"
"Woah there, Mils," Blitzo said. "Stolas has lived in hell his entire life. I doubt he knows anything about what it's like on the other side of eternity. Do ya, Stolas?"
"Well, I know a little," admitted Stolas.
"Say what now?" Blitzo and Moxxie perked up.
"My father and many other of the Ars Goetia and rulers of Hell have described Heaven as being God's house, with thousands upon thousands of rooms for every person who enters."
Moxxie and Millie both oohed. Blitzo sat there listening intently to what he thought he'd never know.
"As for God Himself, He's described as a being of bright light," explained Stolas. "And it's not just bright. It's holy. It's purifying. It's fatal. Most creatures can't see the face of God and live. Most of his prophets on earth had to hide their faces. He only let a privileged few see him and live. Even in heaven, there are angels with three sets of wings for this purpose: one pair to cover their feet, a pair on their back to help them fly, and a final pair of wings, I believe on the shoulders, that reach their faces so they can cover their eyes."
"So, God looks like a bright light?" asked Moxxie.
"That's one of the many forms God takes," Stolas explained. "God can take many forms, but when you see him, you feel overpowering love and overpowering fear that you can't describe."
"That sounds intimidating," Moxxie said nervously.
"I'd think so too, but I've heard the love is stronger than the fear," explained Stolas.
"Really?" Moxxie asked. "How much love?"
"The love is so overwhelming and warm that it consumes your very being," Stolas explained. "But it doesn't eat your individuality. It strengthens it, purifies it, and fulfills you in ways that I can't even comprehend."
The three imps looked astonished.
"That kinda love sounds unbelievable," Blitzo quipped. "It almost sounds like you wish you could meet God yourself."
Stolas paused and looked askance.
"Oh, you do," Blitzo said a bit awkwardly. "Do you wish you could go to heaven?"
"I do," admitted Stolas. "I don't really understand why the Ars Goetia left in the first place. I'd go to heaven if I could. I've heard the love and acceptance there are wonderful beyond words, but none of the other Ars Goetia could ever know. They'd call me treasonous. But that love sounds wonderful."
"Then why don't you ask the cherubs to take you?" Moxxie asked.
"I have duties here," Stolas explained. "I couldn't go…"
"You don't want to leave Octavia," Blitzo realized out loud.
"I can't leave Via," Stolas said. "She is still my child who needs my guidance until she is old enough to take my place if that ever needs to happen. Regardless of that, I made a promise. I told her I'd never leave her."
"I can't leave Loona either," Blitzo replied. "Neither of us can leave our babies."
"I will never abandon her," said Stolas. "If I were to leave, I'd have to take Octavia with me."
"You're a good dad, Stolas," commented Blitzo.
"As are you, Blitzy," said Stolas with a smile.
"He's okay," they heard Loona's voice say from the hallway.
"I'd say they're more than okay," another voice added.
The group looked around to see Loona and Octavia in the doorway.
"How long have you two been standing there?" asked Blitzo.
"Long enough to hear your conversation," Octavia answered.
"I see," Stolas said. "Octavia, I don't plan on leaving you. You don't have to worry about…"
"I'm not worried," Octavia said, stepping into the room. "Actually, we were wondering if you could tell us more about heaven."
Blitzo and Stolas looked at each other, and they looked at Moxxie and Millie. Then everyone smiled and looked at the girls.
"Alright, let's talk about it," said Stolas.