AN:

Ragnild belongs to kaledya on twitter and tumblr

Fan The Flames pt2:

Elanye's return to the pride ring was during the most quiet hour for citizens she always welcomed. On her broom she sat so high in the air for one of her favorite views. Street lights flickering on as flashing neon signs were turned off. Sounds of gunfire got fewer and fewer as minutes ticked away. Until a faint scream filled terror or two followed by usual tire screeching. Welcoming sound to her after weeks spent with her niece. She knew the girl had her insecurities about her newly acquired gifts and abilities. Putting them to rest was harder for Elanye until more help came. Allowed Elanye to return while exchanging notes with Constantine through her owl.

She gradely descended to the sight of a castle in the sky belonging to a quiet someone. Soft click of her heels modeled off a single slices of custard pie. First thing on solid ground when she dismounted her broom with an alligator bag. Into her drawn hood she reached to tap one of her earrings. Drawing back her broom when she fully stood as she set her bag down. In turn her bag stood on its own four feet with a shake.

"Miss. Bloosmarch," A familiar timber greeted her, "I did hope your journey back wasn't too harsh."

"Have you at least followed your sister's sleeping schedule?" She couldn't take her eyes off the view below, "Any progress in your search for your mother? How is Mirabelle and her caregivers behaving?"

"Nothing has changed," His tail swayed as he looked at her bag, "That is new."

"Authentic Alligator," She happily chimed, "Family heirloom I thought I put to use."

She kneeled down to welcome Maverick into her arms when he ran to her. Purring followed by a wagging tail as she stood back up with Hoo Hoo landing on her shoulder.

"Were you the only one that missed me?" She asked Maverick and Hoo Hoo.

"Can we take this inside?" A suggestion was made, "Tad to chilly out here for my personal taste."

"Grumpy much?" She walked to figure in the shadow.

She was greeted by Constantine casually dressed and his hair neatly braided with a red ribbon. His composure laxed over the more restrictive manner. Whom she got close enough to place a kiss on the side of lips, before he could speak.

"Just impatient." He pointed out she arrived a few minutes off her arrival back.

"How can I make it up to you?" She asked to avoid this repeating.

"Next time your family in the living world calls on you," He shared how irked he was by her sudden departure, "I would like to make arrangements, then play carrier pigeon with your owl."

"Lonely?" She asked.

She saw through their unspoken bond how he quietly missed her. Even when he didn't show it to everyone around him in an outwardly sence. Inwardly and hours spent without her beside him felt empty in a foreign way. After talks with Charlie, Serenity and Wywave about what he was experiencing for the first time.

"My other living relatives aren't like your usual sinners." She warned him.

"They are anything like the family I already met," He wasn't really bothered, "I don't see the problem."

"You're telling me after putting up with Hephzibah as a receptionist while I was away." She couldn't believe how calm he was on the subject.

"She has potential." He remembered he had to speak to her about the spell Hephzibah used.

Rest of their conversation was filled with them walking to his personal chambers. Both of them shared what the other did while they were separated from the other. She brought up how she worked with her niece to understand changes happening. He informed her about the apple picking party he participated in. Their walking became synchronized with lace slowing down or speeding up in places. He didn't object when Elanye's head dropped to his shoulder. She gently coddled Maverick which had him drawing an arm around her waist. Drawing her to his form when they neared the doors of his personal chambers.

"Come lay with me.

I wanna talk about nothing with someone that means something." He didn't want her to leave him just yet.

"I just need you and some sunsets." She wasn't ready to leave.

"I regret to inform you," He thought to warn her beforehand, "I am not much of a morning person."

"I am dead a log once my head hits the pillow." She informed him.

One of these heavy oak doors opened on its own for them into a candle lit room. Her joke about his lack of electrical power was brought up. He pointed out the light fixtures he had throughout. Starting natural light from his windows and fireplace was enough for. He rarely used antique lamps located around the massive space. Got turned on when they were truly needed for some purposes.

"Oh." She remembered, "I have these grimoires I most share with you."

"Then let us see what you acquired." He put some room between them.

To allow her bag to walk ahead of them into the room. Hoo Hoo flew after the bag as a sleepily Maverick stayed in her arms.

"Is that a bird perch?" She asked, noticing what her owl landed on.

"Thought to be more comfortable than always landing on top of furniture." He countered.

Inside the two would walk with the door closing behind two of them for them to settle in. After she took off her outer garments and heels to be more comfortable. He directed them to his personal closet to store them away. Which wasn't the first time a large room pulled of clothes organized by season and color. What caught her eyes was a rack of shoe wear she never saw him in. Boots alone reminded her of what her brothers wear. He pointed out he wore them when the moment called for it.

"For you," He set a pair of house slippers down for her bare stocking feet, "I had to guess at the size."

"Perfect fit." She was surprised.

Her bag found a suitable place to rest as he put away her outerwear for her. Left her to approach her bag to unpack the spellbooks she told him about. Followed by a small souvenir for him she brought back.

"It's not much, but … " She timidly approached him.

She replaced the elastic hair band at the end of his braid with a hair ribbon with embroidery. One she placed a four pointed star with gold thread. To match the pendant he wore when they were childized those few days. Had him catching one of her hands with his own, their fingers were threaded together.

"I've come to cherish what you can craft." He kissed the inside of her palm.

Blush that spread across her face he welcomed as the two left his closet for his sitting area. Before a roaring fireplace to look over what she brought. Plans were made to test them as two sat close together. Also sharing with each other what they did while separated along with a few ideas Elanye had. She came to rest her head on his shoulder as pages were turned. His tail snuggled behind the small of her back as they also just chatted. Lost themselves to the ticking of a clock until late hour.

8*8

Elanye thought she would surprise everyone in the hotel with homemade breakfast with help from her niece and nephew. Hephzibah just was glad she was back since being a fill-in receptionist working under an Overlord and Princess of hell. Had the dear bucket of pearls as she hugged her aunt. Corbin was pulled into the hug before they started cooking in the hotel's new kitchen Just an extra guest or two were found in the dining room.

"Am I having a stroke?" Hephzibah whispered to Corbin.

"Should you?" He asked back.

"You're supposed to be the smart one." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Too early to be talking about 7th level or lower magic." He retorted.

"Next time you stay up for three full moon nights," She went back to setting the table up, "Just to make moonwater potion with amplifying effects."

Rustle of a book's pages being sorted through and placed downward by one of their guests. Had the other trying to not laugh at the pair's conversation.

"This is better than my dad's morning radio broadcast." Serenity was watching them.

"Are you talking about a legendary potion called Drop Of Moonlight?" Constantine's voice made Bloodmarch cousins pause.

"Your Highness," Corbin recalled, "Our uncle Wywave uses it for his gardening and new cosmetic line.

"Sin of Lust, sin of Greed's daughter, and sin of Gluttony are already fans." Hephzibah pointed out.

Serenity filled Constantine in how the perfumer he buys his fragrance was visited recently by a hooded figure. Where they were seen socializing or flirting with their shop by customers. Got an eyebrow raised from him when she went on about this cosmetic line. Included a line of lip paint all the way to a range of shimmering nail rogue.

Left Corbin and Hephzibah to finish setting up the table with one placing the latest arrangement. Everything else was laid out from how food was set out. To beverage station with tea, fruit juice, and coffee options. Took a half sleep, Charlie and Vaggie being pulled into the dining room by her daughter. By surprise as her dad was found sneaking a waffle.

"Your Majesty?" Elanye handed him a plate.

"Miss. Bloodmarch," Lucifer spoke with a mouth full of waffle, "Welcome back and thanks."

"You're welcomed and please be more aware," She reminded him of his granddaughter, Corbin and Hephzibah, "Proper manners."

"Ha Ha!" Lucifer waved at the three, "Will do."

Up to Elanye a pajama clad Mirabelle walked up with her

"Did you bring me a souvenir?" Mirabelle asked Elanye excitedly.

"One turquoise bracelet." Elanye handed her a piece of jewelry.

Earned her a thank you from Mirabelle before she ran off to show to Corbin and Hephzibah. Left Charlie to practically hugged Elanye as her way of welcoming her back. She had so many questions about how everything went with her family. Going on about what her niece wanted and how she helped her. Would be answered in due time as others flooded in. Vaggie was still waking up to give Elanye a proper response. Had her directed to coffee and a stack oof mugs that were put out. Angel Dust had to be sat down by Husk when he was still asleep. Alastor reached his usual cringed level with how pleasant he was at that time. Niffty quietly joined with Keekee and Razzle following.

"Eat and enjoy everyone" Charlie addressed everyone.

"Just my way of saying I am glad to be back." Elanye informed everyone.

Everyone thanked her in their ways before sitting down and eating at the set up table. She came to place a plate of waffles with syrup she placed on top. Reminding him that she agreed with his sister about sweetened coffee wasn't proper nutrition. Placing a fork before him when he was sipping from a mug.

"I like to review your earlier requests," He accepted the fork from her, "I have my concerns about the one having to do with your nephew."

"Where would you like to start?" Elanye took a seat on the table right next to Constantine, "Too young? Not experienced enough? No combat skills? He lacks demonic traits?"

"This I am not missing." Serenity wanted in.

Due to Mirabelle being a part of a royal lineage and a part house or Morningstar. She was going to need a form of protection upon getting older like her mother has. Elanye nominated her nephew before Constantine brought up appointing a knight. Her arguments on why he should left Constantine to contemplate. He knew and his cousin came to Hell willingly after meeting Sir Pentious, despite the danger factor. He saw Corbin's magical talent first hand during his lessons and when alone with him. Instant attachment to Corbin showed how much of his niece was like his sister.

"A demonstration would need to take place," He needed to see what Corbin could do before making a decision, "I have someone already in mind."

"Ragnild? No!" Elanye guessed who'd he chose, "Child of a sin is too experienced and has too much strength at their disposal. Usage of weapons with a tactical and strategic way she was taught to think."

"Being that he's trained by a former excorist when not attending lessons beside my existing student," He pointed out, "Unfair advantage and a strong opponent are one of many circumstances that makes up hell's environment."

"True, since he's traversed through woods alone," She shook her head, "Maybe, Yourself or a seasoned knight could do, weapon skills and magical combat abilities are more refined."

"Fact myself or his uncle will be playing doctor after he is left a bloody pulp," Serenity couldn't imagine, "Worries me."

"Char Char?" Lucifer leaned toward her, "They always like this?"

"Pretty much." Vaggie slowly blinked.

"God the tension alone." Angel Dust was getting heated.

"Too early," Hephzibah wasn't in mood to put up with Angel Dust's limbo, "Way too early."

Corbin had to excuse himself from Mirabelle for a second when she was still showing off her bracelet. Disliking how his aunt and magical mentor were debating. Making his way over to them with a new trick he recently learned. One having to do with the Bloodmarch whistling trick. Had to do with the hearing range difference between a demon and a human. His eyes glowed and the whistle made Alastor's ears twitch. Brought two people debating over him to a halt when they heard the pitch.

"Your highness and Misfortune, Sorry for the interruption," Corbin had three sets of eyes, "Ground or punish me later, but can I have some input?"

"I say hear him out." Serenity was impressed with how he got their attention.

"Go on." Constantine gave him his full attention.

"Just remember," Elanye reminded him, "You're on KP duty for interrupting. Ok?"

"Get me out of laundry detail with Niffty. Fine," He wasn't bothered, "I may have an idea that works for everyone."

8*8

Returning to the training hall appointed knight of Hell, where air was filled with a tangy scent and clash of metal sounded like thunder. Where spar of two armed warriors were trying to hit the other. Way one would try to quietly hit the other was calculated and precise. Wasn't a new sight to Corbin since he used to watch exorcists spar in Heaven. He watched the speedy Shiftwings and the versatile Vangaurds move. Which was reflected when he came face to face with a young knight. He was assigned to show him the ropes, His body was between ectomorph and mesomorph, he showed strong humanoid traits with blackened over eyes. Morden knightley attire intrigued Corbin as he stroked Cornelius between his eyes.

"Got a name or I just came up with one for you?" Corbin came to ask.

"I am a Dullahan named Teyollo." He meekly stared back at Corbin.

"True what they say about your head?" Corbon asked, staring at his neck, "Along with being able to ferry people to the afterlife?"

"Yes to both," Teyollo was coming to understand the rumors about Bloodmarch family, "Aren't you nervous?"

"Should I be?" Corbin went on to ask him.

He waved at Zon and Elanye across the way, One waved back at him as the other retracted his wings. Zon helped up a knight who had requested a spar against him. Elanye interfered near the end out of curiosity using weaponized ice magic. Left whoever was watching quite shocked at what took place.

"Does His Highness know," Teyollo asked, "You all aren't usual sinners?"

"Yes," Constantine's voice startled Teyollo, "Its been interesting finding out how different they are."

Their conversation would have carried out, if the training feild wasn't cleared off for what was to come. Since selected few would be arriving with who ever was chosen for Corbin's opponent in passing hours. Left Corbin to step up asking Teyollo to wish him luck when he passed him as he flexed his fingers. Fingering grazing his gloved fingers over black corded bracelet tucked under his sleeve. Each bead had its own shape with a familiar purple one to a sword made of coral.