Couches. They're meant for sitting, rarely for lying down. Sure, there are couches with pull-out mattresses. But those are specially made for that purpose; it is not a standard design feature for all furniture referred to as a couch.
Yet, depending on the couch, it could be comfortable for sleeping. There are L-shaped ones, and those so large they could be considered miniature beds. Still, most people might not enjoy using a couch over a regular bed or mattress. However, some might not be allowed the choice.
"Ngh...Blitzy...you're stabbing my ribs again..." Stolas groaned. He was trying to get some more sleep since it was still so early in the morning. Unfortunately, his lover's clawed feet were jabbing into his sides.
"Sorry...I forgot to put something over them..." Blitzo replied as he curled his toes.
This odd couple of an Imp and an Owl Demon of Noble status had been stuck with the living room couch for the last two weeks. Millie and Moxxie were granted a room since they weren't directly responsible for this situation, and Loona became a roommate to Stolas's Daughter Octavia. Furthermore, neither Octavia and Loona nor Millie and Moxxie were allowed to offer to share their rooms with Blitzo and Stolas.
Although, regarding Octavia, she wouldn't have been so kind to her father, anyway. Ever since Stolas started seeing Blitzo, everything at home has steadily worsened. But then, to learn what he did for their relationship was the final straw. To think, the Grimoire entrusted to their family had been given away for nothing more than consistently kinky sex. Fucking. Fantastic.
Octavia remembered when he used it for her when she was young to show her the stars of the mortal realm. The beautiful planets that were teeming with life that wasn't the same as Earth's. So many wondrous celestial sights and discoveries, all exchanged for some blowjobs and anal. She didn't want to think about it, yet now that both were under the same roof, Octavia struggled not to vomit when she saw or thought of either one.
Luckily (or unluckily), she wasn't alone in dealing with this. There was her Grandfather, Paimon, and her Mother, Stella. They, too, had to deal with the shame and embarrassment of Stolas's infidelity and his ridiculous handling of the Grimoire.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Ugh...what the fuck is that?..." Blitzo groaned while burying his head in Stolas's chest to try and block it out.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"I...think...someone's at the door..." Stolas responded.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Who in HELL would be here at five in the goddamn morning?..." Blitzo questioned with a grimace. The plumage of his boyfriend's chest didn't dampen the sound.
...
...
...The knocking...it stopped?...
"Did...they go away?..." Stolas wondered aloud.
"Figures...it was some homeless psycho..." Blitzo mumbled.
"No...that couldn't be it...the guards at the gate would've-"
BOOM
Blitzo and Stolas fell off of the couch in a startle. The entire estate shook violently, and a loud explosion filled the air. Yet neither they nor the other occupants of the manor, who'd also been awoken upstairs, needed to ponder the cause. It revealed itself with a voice that reached every part of the building from the entrance.
"STOLAS! YOU WORTHLESS BASTARD! WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME?!"
It...was Paimon, and he was PISSED. Never before did he sound so angry, even when the Grimoire business had happened. Knowing well their lives would be in danger if they didn't act swiftly, Blitzo and Stolas rushed to the front of the estate. Upon arrival, they discovered Paimon struggling to maintain his form due to his immeasurable rage.
"THERE YOU ARE!" Paimon continued to shout. His face and body were that of an Owl, like Stolas, but the rest was the shapeless mass that represented his true self. Additionally, behind him were the front doors of the manor, which had been busted open.
"F-Father! What's going on?!" Stolas asked with a mixture of panic and fear.
"DO NOT DARE PLAY THE FOOL!" Paimon boomed. Stolas and Blitzo's knees were on the verge of buckling from the force of his voice alone. "THERE I WAS, SLEEPING PEACEFULLY IN MY CHAMBER, WHEN ONE OF MY SERVANTS WOKE ME AND TOLD ME I HAD A CALL FROM A FELLOW NOBLE! AT FIRST, I ASSUMED THIS TO BE A JEST! AS I'VE RECEIVED COUNTLESS SINCE YOUR INITIAL FUCKERY! BUT THEN THE NOBLE PROCEEDS TO TELL ME THAT THEY WERE CONTACTED BY THE FUCKING QUEEN! CAN YOU GUESS WHAT SHE INQUIRED?!" He asked.
At last, the rest of the estate's residents came rushing down the stairs. In the lead were Millie and Moxxie, followed by Octavia and Loona, with Stella casually strolling behind as she expected what was happening.
"See? What did I tell you, everyone? It's Stolas and his pet's fault we're all awake." Stella commented as they approached. Unlike her Husband, whose feathers were blue with dark accents, hers were a beautiful balance of white and black.
"Grandpa? Why're you here?" Octavia inquired. Her feathers were a mix of her parents, mostly gray with black here and there.
"THE RETARD THAT IS YOUR FATHER HAS DONE SOMETHING AGAIN!" Paimon answered as he pointed a tendril at his son and the Imp. "LILITH HAS BEEN ASKING ABOUT HIM! SHE'S CALLED COUNTLESS NOBLES ACROSS THE CIRCLES OF HELL! SO TELL US, YOU DAFT IDIOT, WHAT DID YOU DO?!" He demanded to know.
"F-Father, I know you have no reason to believe me, but I swear on everything I have, including my soul, that I've done nothing!" Stolas exclaimed with widened eyes while placing a hand on his chest. "Ask anyone here! My guards, those that Lord Lucifer sent, my staff, and the others, Blitzo and I have remained under supervision!" He promised.
"Far be it from me to defend him, but he is telling the truth, Paimon. For once." Stella interjected as she got closer. "To avoid pouring more shit onto the Goetian name, neither of these morons has been allowed privacy except for the bathroom. Yet leave it to Stolas to somehow cause problems from the lavatory." She told him.
For a minute straight, everyone watched Paimon slowly calm himself. Admittedly, it was fascinating to behold as his body focused and became more of an Owl.
"If it's coming from you, then I believe it," Paimon said once he was composed. "Even so, this isn't an elaborate prank by the Nobles to mock us. I assured as much after receiving the news. The Queen is looking into this situation; she'll likely be here within the hour. That is if she isn't already on her way." He stated.
"Then we need to prepare," Stella replied before turning around. "I'll wake the staff if they're still asleep. Also, would you mind fixing the doors? I don't think it'd look good for us if the Queen saw a busted entrance." She requested.
"Agreed," Paimon said.
Although there was still much confusion and questions to be asked, everyone understood it could wait until later. If anything, once the Queen arrived, they'd receive clarity on what was happening. The estate came to life during the next half hour as everyone prepared for Lilith. The staff busied themselves cleaning everything from top to bottom while ensuring the kitchen was ready in case she wanted something to eat.
Paimon, with the same effort as snapping his fingers, repaired the entrance. As for the others, they showered and dressed. No one was allowed to look or smell even slightly unusual. You can imagine the difficulties Blitzo, in particular, faced as a result. Eventually, everything was ready, and everyone in the estate awaited the Queen.
Maids and Butlers stood side-by-side in the entryway. Paimon and Stella stood at the end of the lines, ready to greet her majesty when she walked through. Octavia was right behind them, with Loona standing next to her. Millie and Moxie were on Loona's left side, allowing them to see the doors. Stolas and Blitzo were in the back, and neither could see anything. Paimon was taller than his son and was adamant that his face should be the first the Queen saw. NOT. STOLAS.
"Before she gets here..." Stella whispered, speaking to Paimon. "Do you have any thoughts? Perhaps if it is about the Grimoire, it's been recovered." She inquired, followed by a suggestion.
"That is possible. Now that I'm not ready to rip Stolas's head off, this might not be as severe as before." Paimon whispered back, giving it some thought. "However, if it were so simple, would she bother calling other Nobles? It comes across as an inquisition." He said.
"Hm, good point. If push comes to shove, we'll use Stolas as a meat shield, so he takes all punishment instead." Stella replied, making him chuckle.
"While a good plan, we wouldn't need to put forward the effort. We've done nothing wrong. He's going to get what is deserved no matter what." Paimon reminded her, earning a smile.
Knock. Knock.
Suddenly, from the front doors, knocking was heard again. Yet, unlike Paimon's earlier pounding, this was gentle and polite.
"Is...that her majesty?" Paimon asked on everyone's behalf. The reason behind their shared confusion is that there was no announcement. Why had none of the guards come to inform them of the Queen's presence?
"I would assume so," Stella said as she looked at one of the maids. "Open the door. Don't let her stand there." She commanded.
Simply nodding to show her Mistress she was heard, the maid hurried over to the doors and opened them. When they parted, a bright light shined through the opening. For a moment, everyone's confusion worsened as they didn't know what was causing that. But when the doors were fully open, that confusion became numbing shock.
No one moved. No one spoke. No thoughts entered anyone's mind. Across the threshold, they hadn't seen the Queen standing there.
"Greetings." The booming voice of Gabriel spoke once the doors had been opened. His holy visage illuminated the still-darkened dawn outside the manor. With no exaggeration, his radiance surpassed that of Hell's sun, yet it was not blinding nor hurt to gaze upon him. "I am Gabriel, Brother to your Lord, Son of God, Judge of Creation." He introduced himself as if there was any need to.
...
...
...Silence. Everything and everyone was frozen. Sure, they were already nervous at the expectation of their Queen. But how would ANY Hellspawn ready themselves for the arrival of someone who was simultaneously a high-ranking Angel AND a child of God?!
Thankfully, Gabriel anticipated such a reaction due to his long life and experience. The Virtuous, the Sinful, and the mortals were the same when it came to this. So, he knew precisely how to proceed.
"Excuse me," Gabriel spoke again, this time to the maid standing directly before him. The poor thing looked at him with amazement and fear. She worried that somehow, some way, she'd upset or insulted him and was about to receive Divine punishment.
"Y...Y...Y-Yes...s-sir?..." The trembling maid responded. Her body shook uncontrollably, and tears formed at the bottom of her eyes.
"Your eyes are watery," Gabriel noted. "May I?" He requested.
The maid didn't say anything. Her mind was too overwhelmed to form a response. Seeing this, Gabriel proceeded as if she had. What followed managed to shock everyone more than his reveal.
The Archangel of Justice, an entity known, respected, and feared by all, especially those in Hell, took a part of his robe and wiped the tears from her eyes. Of course, the maid was the most surprised. Yet, like before, she was incapable of doing or saying anything.
"I am sorry to have caused you such distress. An unfortunate effect of my presence." Gabriel stated as he was finishing up. "No matter the nature of the soul, Sinner or Saint, something about myself instills such emotions in a person. Please, forgive me for the discomfort. It is not my intention." He told her.
When Gabriel was through drying her eyes and pulled away, the maid's mind finally began working again. After processing what had just transpired, she was overcome with a new worry. However, it wasn't what one might assume.
"OH MY GOODNESS!" The maid shouted in despair before grabbing the part of his cloak he used to wipe her eyes. "I...I've stained a holy garment! I...I..."
Gabriel prevented her from saying anything else. He gently touched her shoulder, once again earning her attention.
"Miss, please, do not fret." Gabriel requested. "My attire cannot be so easily affected by something as simple as water. Furthermore, it is I who used it to tend to your face. You are guilty of nothing. Be at ease." He told her.
Although lacking a face to smile with, the maid and everyone else felt a comforting warmth from the Archangel. Like the rest of Hell, they believed Gabriel would be this imposing menace. And while he unquestionably commanded the attention of a room merely by existing within it, he wasn't rude or belittling to anyone there. If anything, the aura he exuded made them feel safe and secure.
Unbeknownst to those in the manor, this was exactly what a certain Royal predicted.
Meanwhile, In A Limousine At The Front Of The Estate...
"Michael, you shouldn't press your face so hard against the window. You'll hurt yourself." Lilith told her Brother-In-Law as she watched his behavior with amusement.
After speaking with the staff at the Magne's castle, the trio of Lilith, Michael, and Gabriel departed. Charlie and Azrael returned to the hotel after calling ahead. They didn't need to come along for something so simple. Additionally, Lilith believed it was wise to wait for the return of the Grimoire until they had all the details. Everyone agreed with this logic.
Once inside the limo Lilith said they should take, she called nearly every Noble faction and family in Hell. She didn't need to tell them who it was; they recognized her voice when she spoke. After that, they were VERY agreeable and HAPPILY shared everything they knew about a stolen Grimoire in Noble society. This is how the trio found themselves at the Goetia Estate. However, none of the Nobility knew the specifics surrounding the theft since King Paimon had kept a tight lid on it.
Due to this, Lilith made a strategically sensible decision. Rather than going in together, which might overwhelm the Goetia, why not send only Gabriel? He was diplomatic, calm, reasonable, and compassionate. Whatever the scenario was, he'd not only be able to sort it single-handedly but also would gain their trust nigh instantly and make them feel comfortable.
If Lilith accompanied him or went in alone, they'd be frightful and expectant of punishment. If Michael had gone, he might try to help in his special way. Unfortunately, enthusiasm and emotion wouldn't be of much assistance here. In conclusion, Gabriel's pragmatism made him the ultimate diffuser. Plus, if it turned out these Nobles were secretly plotting something or anything else to that effect, he'd be able to maintain his demeanor and not succumb to impulsive thinking or behavior.
"I wouldn't NEED to if you let me go with Gabriel!" Michael exclaimed, somehow pressing his face against the glass more. "I'm trying to gauge what's going on in there! If he needs my assistance, I must fly to his aid!" He told her, making her laugh.
"I'm sure Gabriel's a big enough Angel to handle something like this alone," Lilith replied. "Wouldn't you be more comfortable sitting on the seats' finely made leather?" She asked.
"I won't deny this limousine is unmatched in quality." Michael acknowledged. "However, my Brother is in a den of Demons who may have nefarious intentions. If a fight breaks out and I can't offer assistance because I'm lost in the comfort of the leather, I'd never forgive myself." He said.
Tap Tap
That sound came from Lilith's window. Looking beyond it, she saw one of the people her Husband staffed here on the other side.
"Yes? Is something wrong?" Lilith inquired as she lowered the window.
"Forgive the bother, your grace. We thought you might enjoy some tea while you await the Archangel's return." The Demon informed her while holding up a fully-brewed teapot.
"Aw, that's so sweet of you. Thank you." Lilith accepted their offering with a smile. Additionally, she was handed two cups. One for her, one for Michael.
"Think nothing of it. We'd feel horrible leaving the Queen without refreshment." The Demon stated before returning to their position.
"Michael," Lilith spoke as she raised the window. "Would you like to share a drink with me?" She inquired while holding up the other cup.
"That'd be lovely." Michael accepted, taking the cup from her.
"Oh, look. You've pried your face away from the glass." Lilith jested.
"Well, it'd be hard to drink tea if I didn't," Michael replied as his tea was poured.
"I don't know. I think you could manage it," Lilith complimented him.
"Hmm...maybe..." Michael muttered with a narrowed gaze as he gave it some serious thought.
"Mmm. This tea is exquisite~" Lilith hummed in pleasure, savoring the flavor. "Who would've thought our security was so skilled at tea brewing?" She asked but expected no answer.
"Um...about that..." Michael started with a nervous smile. "You're...not mad at Luci, right? For not telling you about this?..." He asked.
One of the things the trio learned from Lilith's many phone calls during their drive was that Lucifer already knew of the Grimoire's theft. He'd gone out of his way to ensure Lilith caught not a whisper about it. As you can imagine, she LOVED learning about this from a Noble and not her Husband. Although, to his credit, he did it to keep from adding more stress on her shoulders as it happened simultaneously with the souls that went missing.
But with how Lucifer behaved less than an hour ago, Lilith, to be blunt, couldn't give a hot shit what his intention was. Ignoring her justifiable, objectively right reasoning for remaining angry with him, she WANTED to be, too. However, Lilith wasn't like her spouse. If the Queen of Hell were filled with fire, she wouldn't explode and make it known. Only by paying close attention could you glimpse the inferno within.
"Mad? No. Not at all." Lilith answered with a smile of her own. Everything seemed genuine. Her tone, expression, and body language were normal. Nothing implied she was lying. Yet still, Michael felt uneasy.
"Are you sure? Not at all annoyed, frustrated, or irritated?" Michael pressed, having no sense of self-preservation or danger.
"Positive," Lilith assured as she raised her cup to her mouth. "I can say with absolute certainty that none of those emotions are what I currently feel toward my Husband. The same can be said for mad. Although, maybe I'm so overcome with anger that I've gone full circle and am numb. We'll have to wait and see." She told him, followed by her drinking her tea. At no point during that did her friendly smile falter.
"I wish I had gone with Gabriel..." Michael thought with an expression of terror. For the first time in his life, he felt afraid.
Back Inside The Goetia Estate...
Gabriel had seen and heard many things in his life. How could he not? He was the Judge of Creation. As such, whenever a soul was brought before him, he'd hear their testimony as part of the proceedings.
Despite not being a trial, the current scenario within the Goetia manor wasn't too dissimilar. Gabriel spoke with every family member and even the staff since they were here daily. He wanted to, unsurprisingly, have all the information. Who were the "bad guys"? Were there any at all? Was this a massive misunderstanding? He needed to figure that out.
However, when Gabriel had everything, he could safely say, without a doubt, that this was one of the strangest cases he'd ever seen in the realm of Hell, which was an important distinction. Regarding Earth and humanity, he's seen every possible sequence of events that can play out at any given time. So, when a mortal or mortals were brought to him for judgment, there was zero chance they could surprise him.
As for Heaven, VERY rarely did ANY issues appear there. The Divine realm's residents respected each other and the established order, from the Angels to the mortals. Any problems that arose were light and, more often than not, trivial. Yet here, this business with the Grimoire and what led to it perplexed the Archangel for a single reason.
"...If I may," Gabriel spoke. He'd been quiet for several minutes now. The Goetia, the Imps, the Hellhound, and the staff anxiously awaited him to speak. "Could I run through the events? You need not do anything; I only wish to ensure I have this right." He requested.
"Of course, sir!" Paimon immediately exclaimed. To Lord Lucifer, he showed respect. To Gabriel, he displayed a never before seen eagerness to please. Undoubtedly stemming from the desire that he shared with everyone to avoid incurring the Archangel's wrath.
"Thank you," Gabriel replied before proceeding. "For several years now, maybe even the entirety of their union, Stolas, and Stella Goetia have been unhappy with their marriage. Each of them felt and grew displeasure for reasons unique to both. Regarding Stolas, he felt a lack of intimacy with his spouse. Combined with a few other factors, such as mockery and spiteful commentary from Stella, it left Stolas desperate for a new relationship. Then, after a chance encounter with a childhood friend he hadn't seen since youth, he entered a sexual arrangement with the Imp known as Blitzo. The Grimoire became involved as this was entirely transactional from Blitzo's perspective. In exchange for sexual pleasure, he, Millie, Moxxie, and Loona could go to Earth to conduct their mortal assassination business. However, another important detail was that Blitzo could keep the Grimoire at their office so long as it was secure. Somehow, the thief learned about this and believed it would be easy to steal it. Given where we are now, that was well beyond accurate." He stated. "Is all of that correct?" He asked afterward.
"Yes, sir. Precisely as you say." Paimon confirmed with a nod.
"Hm, I see..." Gabriel hummed, briefly considering something. "Alright. Before we go any further, I'd like to speak to Stolas again." He said.
"Me?" Stolas questioned while pointing at himself.
"Yes. You're the only one who can shed light on my confusion." Gabriel confirmed with a nod. "It's your behavior. I...don't understand it." He confessed.
"Could...you be more specific, please?" Stolas requested, uncertain of what the Archangel meant.
"Simply put, you don't act like a Demon, Stolas." Gabriel began as he folded his arms. "Hellspawn are meant to revel in violence, depravity, and Sin. This isn't to say I encourage or endorse these things or others like them. But that is because I'm not of Hellish origin. Demons treat violence with the same laxness as breathing. They don't think about it or consider it special because, to them, it's not. Yet also, from the perspective of a Demon receiving pain, they don't think much of it. Lucifer has told me many stories of when he's out in Hell. He sees everyone, including children, abusing and killing each other, and they enjoy it. Part of it may be due to their inability to die from anything that isn't a Divine weapon, but still, one cannot deny that Hellspawn are the embodiment of wickedness. Even my Brother and his Wife are known to get violent with each other occasionally, but it's different as they aren't human or Divine. Ignoring my sibling's past, of course. So, in conclusion, I don't understand how you've acted recently and during your life. You show cruelty and reverence when it comes to inflicting harm or suffering onto mortals, which makes sense given your position as a Noble and that you are a Demon. But where your personal life is concerned, you instead behave like a human and react as humans would. If I weren't aware you were Paimon's son, I'd honestly mistake you for a Sinner because of everything I've said." He told him.
For a moment, Stolas was stunned. He didn't expect to hear that from Gabriel. But after a few seconds, he was ready to give his response.
"It...is true that I don't behave like a typical Demon or Noble. But...does that excuse Stella's behavior? Isn't she at equal fault?" Stolas asked.
"Before I answer that, I must say you seemed confused. I'm not blaming you for how you are as a person, Stolas. After speaking to you and everyone else here, it is clear that your marriage and the overall situation was a powder keg waiting for detonation." Gabriel stated before looking at Stella. "Now, as for your question, the answer is no. Stella isn't at fault for anything because of the greater context. This would be different if Hell's society, culture, and species weren't how they are. Again, you seem to view this from a human perspective, which is peculiar. Stella's actions and attitude are not exclusive to her or a selective group she fits into. As I've already mentioned, all Demons everywhere are horrible and evil. But this is not an insult or a means to make them sound lesser than me. For everything that exists, there is an equal and opposite. Relevant to this conversation, Virtue must have Sin. So, for a Demon, in this case, Stella, to be abusive isn't something to be punished for. However, and I cannot stress this enough, I am not saying your unhappiness is invalid. You are who you are and shouldn't be faulted for that. But neither should Stella, as she isn't doing anything abnormal in the broader scope. The two of you are incompatible in nearly every sense. If I were to blame someone, it'd be your Father." He said.
"M-Me?!" Paimon questioned, but purely in shock.
"Was the marriage not arranged?" Gabriel inquired with sincere curiosity. "Forgive me if that isn't so. My understanding of Hell's Nobility is that there are rarely unions formed from love. It's always been a matter of politics and business." He stated.
"Well...that is...correct..." Paimon hesitantly confirmed for him. He could already see where this was headed.
"Ah. Good. I wasn't mistaken." Gabriel replied before continuing. "So, if anyone is to be held accountable for the unstable nature of Stolas and Stella's marriage, it would fall onto whoever made it happen in the first place. Of course, Stella's family is also guilty. Unless you forced them to agree to the engagement, if so, then it does all fall onto you." He explained.
Now, it was Paimon's turn to be speechless. Everyone could hear small noises come from his throat as he tried to say ANYTHING.
"But...I...Stolas..." Paimon stuttered before suddenly clenching his fist. "Stolas...he's the one responsible for ALL of this...never has he been normal...you said as much yourself...please, enlighten me, Archangel...who could I have set him up with? WHAT DEMON IN HELL IS REMOTELY LIKE HIM?!" He asked, shouting at the end as his frustration overwhelmed him.
"Yes, a point we keep coming back to..." Gabriel acknowledged. "Truthfully, Paimon, I don't know if you could find a match. Stolas is an abnormality, but I believe there is a logical reason for it. If I am right, it's very obvious." He said.
"There...is?" Stolas inquired with a noticeable hope in his eyes.
"When Hell began, and for a long time afterward, it was vastly different from its modern incarnation. The same can be said about Heaven. But as humans came to both realms, they shaped it to fit their wants. Lucifer and my Father allowed these changes because they didn't ultimately affect anything. At least, that's what we've believed. But as we've seen here with Stolas, perhaps mortal influence goes beyond the shape and form of Heaven and Hell. That could have also played a part in my Niece's development. We always assumed she was naturally kind-hearted and compassionate. Be aware; I would not dare imply that she isn't, only that humans may have influenced her too. These traits she possesses grew as she watched the Sinners be slaughtered every year in the Extermination. But only the Sinners. While the occasional Imp or regular Demon might be caught in the killings, they're always thrown back into Hell when it's done. So, being exposed to humans and their misery made her wish to see them saved just as it may have caused you to want a life that wasn't in Hell. Since Hell mimics Earth so much now that they're nearly identical in many respects." Gabriel explained.
When he was done talking, Gabriel looked at everyone to see their reaction to his words. To his surprise, they had a mixture of awe and bewilderment. What he said made all of them think, but not in a reflective way. This theory he concocted on the spot was equal parts interesting and insane. Did humans have such an effect on Heaven and Hell? No one had ever considered that.
Unfortunately, this subject matter wasn't the purpose of Gabriel's visit. Yet currently, he seemed to be the only one with that still in mind. So, it was up to him to get things back on track.
"Ahem." Gabriel cleared his throat, snapping them out of the daze he unintentionally put them in. "I am deeply sorry for that, everyone. I tend to let my mind explore concepts and ideas when it is inappropriate to do so, such as when I am in conversation. Again, I am sorry." He apologized.
"N-No, sir! Please! Do not say such things!" Paimon quickly exclaimed. "Stolas and I are the ones who made the conversation divert further from the reason for your visit." He said.
"On that, we agree." Stolas joined in, wanting to accept responsibility.
"No, no. This all started because of a curiosity I had about Stolas's behavior. I will not allow you to take or share the blame." Gabriel asserted. "However, speaking of blame, some must be given for the Grimoire. And, I'm afraid, it does fall onto you, Stolas." He stated.
"Because it was my responsibility, correct?" Stolas guessed.
"Indeed. Although it was clear from the start that you and Stella would not go well together, that didn't have any bearing on your duties. Your infidelity isn't an issue. As I've said, many times already, such things are common and accepted in Hell. However, you had no reason beyond personal interest to agree to Blitzo's terms. I cannot fault him for seeing an opportunity and making the gamble. In the end, he reaped the reward and then some." Gabriel told him.
"Does...that mean I am to receive Divine punishment?..." Stolas asked with a fearful expression.
"No. My Brother has already punished you. The purpose of my coming here, at the request of my Sister-In-Law, was to learn how mercenaries acquired a Grimoire. Further discipline would've been given had there been something afoot. But, as I've discovered, this is an immensely complicated personal issue for all parties involved. As someone with a colorful family history himself, I can empathize." Gabriel answered.
"So...can we...leave?..." Blitzo inquired while gesturing to himself, Millie, Moxxie, and Loona.
"Yes. Your house arrest is over. That is also because of my Sister-In-Law." Gabriel confirmed with a nod. "However, there is something that we require of you. But not in exchange for the Grimoire or your punishment ending." He revealed.
"Who are you referring to?" Blitzo asked since the Archangel was still looking at him when he said that.
"The Goetia family and the four of you." Gabriel clarified, surprising them all. They were about to start asking questions, but he prevented them by raising his hand. "Before you say anything, allow me to state the following. The answers you seek to the inquiries in your minds are far too many. We've spent enough time dealing with this issue. I apologize for how rude this comes across, yet it cannot be helped. This is of great importance, and what permits your presence is your association with the Grimoire. Unfortunately, that is all I can say. Any further explanation will only create more questions and uncertainties." He told them.
"Excuse me, sir," Octavia spoke up while stepping forward. "I know you just said we don't have time for more questions, but I must ask this one. When you say the Goetia family, are you only referring to my Grandpa and Dad? Or are my Mom and I included?" She inquired.
"Do not worry, Miss. You and your Mother are not excluded." Gabriel promised. "What's in store for all of you will eventually be shared with all of Hell. You are being included ahead of time because it was YOUR Grimoire that was stolen. As such, to return it to its rightful owners, we can't avoid giving you all the details." He said.
"Someone stealing our Grimoire will affect all of Hell?" Paimon questioned with widened eyes.
"Not the theft itself. It merely serves a role in the larger scheme at play." Gabriel responded before turning around. "However, we shouldn't spend more time here. Please, follow me." He instructed.
Although filled to the brim with a new array of inquisitive thoughts, neither the Goetias nor the Imps and their Hellhound dared to keep an Archangel waiting. So, after giving an order to the staff to watch over the estate in their absence, everyone followed Gabriel back to the waiting limousine. Blissfully ignorant of what was to come.