Stolas wants to be relieved, but it honestly feels like everything has been coming apart at the seams. He's suffered through neglect, abuse, humiliation and heartbreak, and now that he's officially declared a divorce on Stella, he feared his suffering will only get worse. In truth, both he and his wife would've wanted to get away from each other for years now; he honestly thought Stella would've called a divorce before him. But he believes that she's only been around long enough so that when the times comes, she would inherit everything while he seemingly drops from existence. Had it not been for Samael explaining his motives and actions against Stella, would the Owl Prince fall into more despair. He knew from his daughter, and they both understood that if you catch Samael's eye, you're bound for a world of pain. It was something he could get behind, as Stolas was currently going through some papers...when, a familiar banshee's shriek echoed throughout the house.
"STOOOOLLLAAAAAASSSSSS!"
He sighs, saying "What could I have possibly done now?" while his soon-to-be-ex-wife comes, kicking the doors open, even though they were unlocked.
"YOU...UNFORGIVERABLE, INSUFFERABLE, DIRTY, DISGUSTING, CHEATING, FUCK-CHILD, BASTARD!" Stella rants. "You have stooped incredibly low this time!"
"What are you talking about?" Stolas asked, and his question was immediately answered by Stella yelling out "You! Sent someone to kill me! Admit it!"
But Stolas merely lifted an eyebrow, as if he had no idea what she was talking about. But then it came back to him how the Blood Prince sent his own Bounty Hunter against her, and it was about time she figured it out.
"I did no such thing, woman." Stolas answers truthfully. "But why would you think someone is trying to kill you?"
"HAVE YOU NOT SEEN THE NEWS?" Stella ranted. "46 Goetia members were brutally attacked by a lower-ranking demon. An IMP, no less!"
"Really?" Stolas said, casually. "Huh. Well, isn't that a coincidence." But Stella smashes her fist onto his desk.
"DON'T PLAY STUPID WITH ME, YOU IMBECILE! I know you went as far as to send your little walking fuck-toy to get back at me! I just know it, because you had enough of me, haven't you? Even if it was for a small, forgettable moment, you truly have no shame, you treacherous little shit..."
It was then that Stolas rose from his seat and met his wife eye-to-eye.
"...The only contact I've had with him as of late was when I found out ahead of time and acquired his professional services." He growled. Just before Stella could say something, Stolas retorts "And before you even dare to make another pointless insult, I mean his services in investigation, and possible assassination. I hired him, to see if he could possibly find this imp whose been after you and try to keep him hurting my family! I did that to try and PROTECT you, Stella!"
But Stella merely scoffs as she says "Please. As if you would ever care enough to protect me in such an idiotic way. Not that I would have any need of it."
"...Once upon a time, I did care enough..." Stolas said in a low, maddening tone. "But then, I woke up from fantasy and realized the family I tried so hard to sustain...was doomed from the start." Stella looks at him with a raised eyebrow as he continues. "You can make all the assumptions you want, spend hours in denial for all I care, Stella...but I am not responsible for the situation you are in. That is your own fault."
"You dare to put the blame on me? After everything you've done!" She was about to backhand him when he grabs her hands and clenches it tightly.
"I admit to every deed that was harmful to you and this family! But this...is your own fault...for trying to kill me! And now, you must and WILL pay for it. Someone else wants you dead, and when you hear his name, you will shiver..." And with that, Stolas starts to walk away from Stella, only to be annoyed with more of her screeching.
"Who?! Who could possibly want to kill me? And just for you? HA! You're not even worth a fair bounty!" Stolas just continues to walk without even facing her, cringing at her insults. "Tell me, you bastard! Who wants to see me dead?!"
"SAMAEL!"
And with that name spoken, any wrath, hatred or vanity that filled Stella was almost instantly gone. Stolas once against faced her with hatred and sorrow in his eyes. "Samael is the one who wants you dead! For you have committed a crime that was enough to gain his attention!"
"B-...B-B-But that's...ridiculous! What could I have possibly done for him to try and erase me? Try and kill you?! Bah! He should be after you for everything you have done!"
"He is the moderator to all of Hell, Stella!" Stolas yells. "If he sees a threat to the balance, he exterminates it! And, if it aggravates him, he sees to it personally!"
Just when Stella thought she could regain her prowess over her husband, her reminds herself why every High Ranking Demon, especially in the Goetia family fear Samael. She did not want to believe it, because if she did, her whole life may as well be over right now.
"Y-Y-You're lying! I may as well go over to Samael right now and see the truth for myself!"
And then, Stolas gave out dead-sounding laugh as he replied "Do so, and you save him the trouble of hunting him down. I've done many things, Stella, but not once I have I lied. And if you won't take my word for it, then I have nothing left to say to you...except that you're on your own from here on out."
And so, Stolas walked away, leaving Stella with mixed feelings of shock, anger and fear. If Samael was really after her, then she is the most definite of trouble. Her options were limited, as well as her allies and she may as well be dead already. Stella decides to take her leave, no longer concerned with breaking and killing Stolas, but simply just trying to survive...
"So, Andrealphus, Great Marquis to the Ars Goetia, who also happens to be Princess Stella's Brother is next on your list?" Moxxie asked as he, Millie and Loona were following Benny down a street as the Rorschach Demon sharpened his Kandarian Dagger on a whetstone.
"Yep. Virtue already sent me the coordinates and I'm heading over there asap." He drops the whetstone and watches the blade glisten in all its sharpness.
Moxxie replies "Sir, with all due to respect, you've been at it for two already and have ruthlessly beaten and mutilated almost every one of the Goetia family members. I fear that you have painted a giant target on your back, so it may be best to lay low and take a break for a while. Don't you think?"
Benny did think about taking that into consideration, but something else was on his mind...
"...Did you just call me 'sir'?"
Moxxie then clapped his hands over his mouth, as he realized what he just said with Millie, Loona and Benny looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"Really, Fatty?" Loona asked. "I mean, he's identical to Blitzø, but you think the curved horns and eyepatch would be a dead giveaway, right?"
"...Sorry." Moxxie said, embarrassed. Fortunately, Millie puts her arm around her husband, saying "Relax, Moxxie. If anything, Benny here would be a great boss." She whispers to him. "Probably a little better than Blitzø." Moxxie nodded in agreement to that.
"Well, in any case, I can't really wait." said Benny. "Andrealphus isn't like the rest of the family members whose wings I've clipped and won't be easy to get access to in public. Due to my actions, he's barricaded himself at his palace, so that's the only place I can get him."
"Wait, his palace?" Moxxie asked. "If what you say is true, don't you think he might have the place fortified with armed guards and security systems?"
Benny looked at his other weapon, the bloody crowbar, examining it as he answers "Possibly. But that's never stopped me before. And that's not over confidence, it's just me, talking from experience."
The I.M.P trio found it hard to believe that this guy was their boss' brother, since he was an actual professional assassin who knows how to run a business, work and plan things out and manages to walk away unscathed and without any "hiccups" in his missions. Benny was about to continue down the sidewalk...when a familiar looking limousine pulled up on the road. The Succubus pop-star, Verosika and some of her crew, being Vortex, Ace, Josh, Kat and Kiki, step out of the car, albeit with the leader and her guard dog, looking pretty beaten up. Verosika had bandages all over her body, and her neck and right arm were in casts, while Vortex has braces on both of his arms, due to Blitzø breaking them. Upon approaching the four, Verosika held a scowl on her face until she saw Benny's eyepatch and softened a little.
"Well, well, well...here I thought I would be given the chance to kick Blitzø's ass after what he did." She said, as Benny scowled himself. "But I'm honestly glad that's you. Benny Rorschach. Didn't expect to see you outside of Limbo City."
"Verosika." Benny simply said. "What happened to you?"
The hand of her broken arm tightened into a fist, even though it hurt as she said "Your brother happened. Went all psycho when I told him about you. He sure doesn't not how to handle truth."
"So, why the hell are you back now?" Moxxie asked, approaching her but was stopped by Benny.
"Right now, it's just business. Benny, I have something to discuss with you. If you'd be so kind as to come with me for a moment?"
Benny fiddled with his dagger, replying "Sorry, but I got places to go, birds to hunt down. If you'll excuse me." He turns to say his farewells to the I.M.P Trio. "Moxxie, Millie, Loona, always a pleasure." But, just before he could, Vortex got in his way, towering over him and growling. But Benny was unphased.
"Pal, you had your arms broken by my brother of all people, you really think you can intimidate me?"
"Don't think I still fight, pal." The hellhound growled. But Loona decided to intervene, saying "Tex, please. Just let him go."
"Sorry, Loona. But this isn't your concern."
However, Tex suddenly stiffened with Benny had his Kandarian Dagger at his throat, saying "Do as my niece says, boy."
"You niece?" Tex asked, confused until Benny answers "She's my brother's girl, and that makes her family to me."
Loona did feel a bit touched by that. She could only hope that Benny wasn't as smothering as Blitzø was. Seeing that this was going nowhere, it was Verosika who surprisingly was the one to tone down the situation.
"Look, Benny. There's no need for things to get bloody. I don't plan on tricking you or subducting you in anyway..."
"Oh yeah? Even if it's in my nature?" Benny asked, which did raise Verosika's eyebrow, but she didn't question.
"...Please. Indulge me, will you? I promise to keep it professional if you do."
'Professional'. That word would've been enough to convince Benny, since he knew how to talk business. But he still didn't completely trust Verosika, even if he did share his life story with her, she's a succubus, and a infamous one at that. Perhaps it would be best to humor her for the time being, since it seems like her intentions were ironically pure, as calls Vortex off.
"...Make it quick." He sighs, as a smile appears on her face. They all head over to the limo, but Benny was stopped by the trio.
"Benny, you can't seriously go with her." Moxxie said. "She's bad news! She and her crew nearly made sport of me when I simply tried to talk to them!"
"I'll take your word for it." Benny said. "But if Verosika says that's professional, then I'll make it strictly professional."
Millie then replied "Just be careful. Since our boss, who is also your brother, happens to be on her shot list..."
"I get it." Benny interrupted. "Just worry about what you're gonna explain to Blitzø."
That didn't cross their mind until now. What are they gonna say to Blitzø? That they've been in contact with their brother, but have decided to work with him instead of killing him off like the job requires? They pondered this as Benny stepped into the limbo, which speed off and almost splashed street muck onto the three.
"I hope Benny knows what he's doing." Moxxie said.
"He'll be fine. He's be at this more than you have."
Hearing that voice behind them, the three turned around to meet the Incubus, Todd Virtue behind them.
"In the meantime, I have something for all three of you to do."
"And why exactly would we do anything for you?" Loona asked "We are barely know you."
"But you're getting to know Benny. And he tends to trust me. So you'll have to do the same if you want to help the Rorschach Demon."
The three glared at the incubus, as they still didn't trust him as much.
Inside the limo, Benny sat in attention to all of Verosika's posse. Kiki, Coco, Milky and Apple were eyeing him rather lustfully, as they admittedly found him more handsome than his younger brother. Ace, Josh and Kat were looking at him the same way, but with a tad bit more respect...
"Heard you managed to put the hurt on bunch of those birdbrains." said Apple, scooching up to the Rorschach, who was looking a little indifferent about being here. "How does a demon like you manage to deck all those high class cunts?"
"All while looking awesome while doing it." said Coco, who feels the sleeve of Benny's coat. "Are these real snake scales."
"Forget the jacket. Check out his ink." Kat said as he was admiring Benny's chest tattoos, which were actual Rorschach inkblots in the shape of (what I'm hoping some people could see as bugs). He was about to get himself a closer look as he said "Is this where you get your name from-GAAAHH!" And then, Benny bent his middle finger backwards.
"Note to self, kid, never touch a straight demon." He hissed at the incubus, who rushed to Josh, who winced at the sight of the backwards bent finger. "So, Verosika...tell me why I'm here before I decide to simply jump out a window."
"Okay..." Verosika started. "I wanted to talk to you about this job of yours. Heard you're going after Prince Stolas' wife."
"So what if I am? I kill her, I get my life back. Plain and simple."
"Well, I'm still willing to help in anyway I can. I know I can't help you buy your way out of this debt, but I might have a way of helping you track down Princess Stella."
Benny replied "I was planning on paying a visit to her brother, Andrealphus. But, if you really do mean to help me, I'll humor you."
Verosika smiled, thinking that this was going well until Benny also said "I just wanna know what do you expect from me in return."
"Benny, can't a gal do something nice without having interior motives? I like to think I owe for how you treated me at your club, and for leaving you to fight thugs on your own."
Benny thought about it as they rode over to Verosika's place. He honestly hoped that the time spent with her and her crew wouldn't get too personal, since he really didn't have time to socialize. He lets them in and sees the place filled with a lot of stuff. Sexual stuff, since they're all pleasure demons, and a lot of other stuff regarding Verosika and her music career.
"Nice place." He said before taking a sniff. "But it smells weird."
"Hey, you try cleaning up when you're always on tour." said Milky.
Verosika brushed off her crew, saying "Alright, enough of that. Make yourself at home, Benny."
Reluctantly, the imp sat down on a recliner as he said "Let's just get down to business. What way can you help me with my obligation?"
Seeing as how Benny wants to keep things professional, Verosika sighed and got to decided to get the point, just for him. "I've been around many places and hell and met with some of the famous of demons, Overlords be Royalty alike. I have high connections with some of them, as even a few owe me some favors. I'm willing to bet that they can get you to Miss Pride and Anger herself."
Benny didn't seem swayed however, have finger tips touching and listened to every word.
"It would help if I told you that some of these demons are even Ars Goetia. I'm sure they'd be willing to sacrifice one of their own for their own security."
"Tempting, but I'm afraid this idea of yours is a little lopsided." said Benny, making Verosika drop her smile. "Given the fact that I've already crippled over half of the family, I see no reason to try and take a more scenic route in my mission. I should have already gotten Princess Stella's attention, and once I go after her brother, she either comes to me, or drives herself into a corner. I don't need connections. I just need my prey exactly where I want it."
Verosika had to admit, Benny knew how to strategize. But what he said next may have just put her into a corner.
"I know you're not an assassin, Verosika, so there's no way you could've thought of an actual plan that could help me." Benny remarked while looking at his fingers. But then he looks at the succubus straight at the eyes, which frightens her a little. "I know you dragged me here for another reason. So spill it."
Again, another person, or people if we're counting Verosika's entire crew, found it hard to believe that this was Blitzø's Brother. He was smart, actually professional in the things he did and was rather intimidating as the crew were huddled up, starting to get a little afraid of the guy. But Verosika refused to let Benny get the advantage here. She wanted him in the palm of her hand, all so that when Blitzø is down, she could kick him. But that might easier said than done, given how Mr. Rorschach here was entirely different from Blitzø. She thinks of another way to sway him, as she puts her game face on.
"...How about we talk about this in private?" She asks. "Like how you offered me when we first met."
"Privately? In you place?"
"I promise to keep my hands to myself." Verosika said flirtatiously, but Benny still wasn't buying it, as he said. "I don't play around."
"Hmph. That little show you put on at your club told me otherwise."
Benny glared and then sighed before saying "Alright then. Let's talk privately."
Smiling at that, Verosika leads him to her own room and lets him go first. Before she enters herself, she looks back at her crew and gives them a wink as they give her thumbs up, thinking they finally had Benny where they want him...but then about 10 minutes later, when neither of them came out, the rest of the crew were starting to get bored of waiting.
"It's been a while." Kat asked, as he looked at his phone, having a splint over his middle finger, thanks to Benny. "You think things going well in there?"
"Hell if I know." Kiki replied. "But if anything, Benny should be falling for Verosika by now. Then, if we're lucky, maybe we'll get to play with him."
"Doubt it." Said Josh. "Not while V is gonna try to make her Ex jealous."
"I never understood the grudge she held against that Blitzø guy." Coco said, with Apple adding "Yeah. He's an Imp. They're assholes by nature and it's not like we can really blame them for it."
"Would you like it if either of you stole money for each other for something as stupid as horse riding lessons?" Milky asked them both.
"We would never think about doing that to each other!" Screamed Coco as she held Apple close.
"Well whatever the case, we can only hope that Verosika finishes up with Rorschach in there." said Ace as their attention is all but driven back to the door. Not even hearing a sound coming through.
"What are they doing in there?" asked Kiki. And that's when they finally heard something. Screaming and growling that sounded like it's coming from both Benny and Verosika. Then the sound of things getting smashed and crashing all over the room filled the ears of the crew, who took a step back as they could've sworn the felt the ground shake. They didn't even know if the two inside were fighting or doing it.
"Um...do you guys think it's going well?" asked Josh, and the respond was a piece of ceiling cracking and landing on Kat's left leg. "Sounds like it's going well to me." He said.
A little while later, it was quiet again and they all stared at the door with a little bit of suspense. Eventually, Verosika came out, wearing a transparent nightgown and with a smile on her face, looking like she's had the greatest time of her life.
"...So how'd it go?" asked Ace.
Verosika started off by saying "Well..."