Harmony in the Shadows:
What better way to lighten the mood after a demonstration and returning from sloth ring. A small family and their close friend are just gathering to take up the leaves. Piles were formed when Wywave and Zon showed everyone what to do.
"Careful." Vaggie warned her daughter.
Mirabelle giggled when she was in Lucifer's arms when they fell into one of the pre- made piles. Scattering carefully gathered leaves everywhere back onto the ground. While putting a smile on Charlie's face when she watched the two. Unlike Vaggie whose warnings were falling repeatedly on deaf ears. Left her hand to be taken by Charlie in an assuring manner about Mirabelle. Drawing attention to a pile of leaves one pairing was laying around. Constantine quietly sat up with a crunch of dried leaves under him as he moved. Elanye tried to not laugh at the way most of him looked covered in leaves.
"Uh…." Corbin tried to not to interrupt them, "Auntie and Your Highness … are you ok?"
"We are fine." Constantine answered, brushing leaves off.
"Auntie Elanye tested her new teleport spell on him," Hephzibah explained, setting a plate down, "Guess what she teleported onto him?"
"I am seeing it." Corbin watched Constantine hold Elanye still in his lap.
"He then tried to retaliate and she ended up countering," Hephzibah lay down the napkins, "Then they threw leaves at each other until they fell on top of each other into another leaf pile."
He looked down to find these festive soft, chewy, and gooey filled milk chocolate cookies in the shape of Jack-O-Lanterns. Way the chocolate gooed out of the grinning mouth and eyeholes. Tempting sight halted when a tea kettle was put down on the table by Zon.
"Tea is ready." He announced.
At the table everyone went with Zon and walked over to Elanye and Constantine to help them up. Offering each one of his hands to them with Elanye quickly accepting to be pulled up.
"I know you do not trust me," Zon noticed Constantine didn't take his hand right away, "At least take a leap of fate."
"Constantine," Charlie waved one of Hephzibah's cookies in the air, "Chocolate goos out of the mouth."
A secure grip ended up being taken when Constantine took hold and a grip formed between them. On his hooves he soon stood with a hand quickly discounting from Zon. Didn't stop Elanye from taking that hand and towing him along with her. He didn't try to object to his sister's and Elanye's encouragement in enjoying the moment. He came to follow when he got close enough to take up a cookie. Left Corbin to recall Serenity's message about arriving late since she'll be running late.
"Life beside an Overlord," Wywave joined them, "Responsibles I don't miss being a part of."
"A past you still haven't shared." Constantine reminded him.
"Where would you like me to start?" Wywave looked around.
"Story time." Mirabelle wanted to hear.
"Keep the gorey details to PG rating." Vaggie warned him.
"Go on." Lucifer insisted.
"I died in a house fire with my family's grimoire in my possession and ended up in hell after my judgement. Grandfather was there to greet me when I singled handed climbed from the pit," Wywave explained, "He took me to his ranch in the wrath ring as I adapted to hell. Just the fury I carried didn't go unnoticed by Satan or his assistant."
He then unfastens the buttons of his high collar to reveal a circular scar he hidden to everyone else. Faded skin was neat in appearance and looked perfectly placed down the center.
"I explored hell from pride to wrath when I discovered I wasn't limited to just one ring," He kept his neck uncovered, "I became a free agent of sorts until I met Carmine. For a short time and after forming a contract, I blindly worked beside her daughter as a weapons designer. While acting as a pet for her amusement to the other Overlords with my other talents."
He reached toward Corbin and flipped up his end glove to reveal his black corded bracelet. His fingers tracing over the beads he molded for his nephew until they stopped on sword one.
"I could infuse magic/ craft into bladed weapons and everyday objects that morph into weapons," He looked at the sword bead, "For a short time my talent was sought after by demons of old. Also my anger started to fade when I was also reunited with my sister."
He pulled Corbin into a tight hug when more of his unpleasant memories flooded his mental space. Ones that had him thankful he lived through his near brush with death to be here.
"When my sister came to hell, everything changed for me," He released CorbIn, "Wanting out my deal with Carmine left me in a puddle of my own blood and my sister's confronting an Overlord. When I knew she could handle herself when she got me out with help."
"Satan was disappointed that my brother wasn't as furious as he was, but was curious at our potential," Elanye added, "I returned us to grandfather's ranch and my brother recovered. I also cleaned up his blood as in not wanting the poisonous quality to harm anyone. Carmine was quite accommodating the whole time I was there."
"Uncle?" Corbin and Hephzibah asked him.
"Now we heard our story," Zon chimed in, "What do you say?"
8*8
Corbin was doing a clean out of the mail slots of hotel's residents that Alastor wanted done. Between the pornography magazines and sex toy catalogs for Angel Dust. Advertisement for sock garters starting Alastor in a dressing gown. Dated public music announcement for all living in the seven rings. Handwritten letter addressed to Cherry Bomb stopped him from going further.
"Everything ok?" Octavia asked him from the other side of the reception desk, "You seem out of it?"
"Something for Miss. Bomb." He held up the letter.
He had to explain Sir Pentious must have left this for Cherry Bomb, Which reminded Octavia of when Charlie told her of a sinner's sacrifice. One that was the reason behind the rather large painting that Elanye leaves flowers in front of. Had him using his aunt's owl to deliver the note to her room.
"What are those wrapped brown paper?" Octavia pointed out.
"Gifts from uncle Jack to prince of hell." Corbin pointed out.
Clicky- clack of white frostings and piping, vanilla cake with cherry wedges stopped before them. Dressed in professional red attire she always wore when working in the hotel. Leaned ever so slightly to wonder what was being looked in her nephews's hands.
"Uncle Jack's gifts arrived safely?" She asked.
"On time." Corbin set the picture down.
Elanye slid a glove hand over each one with glowing eyes at what lay on the counter before her. Beyond the brown paper her brother wrapped each one after its creation. Artistry behind each one left her impressed with the skill her uncle perfected. She gently unwrapped one to reveal a motion shot of a woman. She wore all golden and dawn orange colored, Traditional Belly Dance Costume. Polished and shaped Amethyst stones were found throughout the golden beaded chains. Her face was covered by a carefully placed veil worn to hide her identity.
"What a pose," Octavia looked at the woman, "Such confidence."
"That's my aunt." Corbin knew who it was.
"From when she was wearing one of the outfits from that fashion competition?" Charlie asked as she joined them, "The others he sent us have to be this good."
Charlie allowed Elanye to keep the self portrait of herself as others were unwrapped by her. First two were portraits of her, Vaggie, and their daughter in the parlor of the hotel. Another was a portrait of a smiling Mirabelle hugging Razzle in her mom's old playroom. Drew tears to Charlie's eyes as he heart was filled with sudden bursts of joy. had Corbin relocating a box of tissues toward her when tears welled up.
"We'll make sure to pass on your sentiments." Elanye figured Charlie was too overwhelmed to talk.
"You don't know how lucky you are to be visiting a legend," Octavia wished her father would allow her to go, "A human who bested Lucifer."
Corbin never knew Octavia was a fan of the old legends older demons of hell knew unlike younger ones. Spoke of a human who is able to talk his way out of most situations while also being very deceptive. Throughout the tale Jack proves himself able to manipulate the situation and convince those around him to take pity on him, even if they know he's untrustworthy.
"I'll get you an autograph." He offered.
She pulled him into a hug before he returned to sorting packages and other items that were delivered. Ended up getting handed to residents of the hotel before lunch was served. Angel Dust offered to show Corbin and Octavia some x - rated ways of life. Got his mail and packages almost flung at him by Corbin when they moved on. Husk and Alastor didn't seem to take up much of his time when he visited them. When they came to the apple tower to deliver a wooden duck decoy ordered from Wywave. He was nearly knocked off his feet despite Cornelius on his shoulders, and Octavia beside him.
"Careful," Lucifer ended up breaking his fall, "You ok? I mean a few days ago you faced off against Ragnild."
"Thanks goes to people who taught me well," He hands him the duck, "I'm quite fine."
"After beating she gave you," Octavia agreed with Lucifer, "It's amazing you're still standing."
Recalling using risky elemental magic of amorphous ice and equinox wind combined with a ghost coral blade. Corbin pinned Ragnild by almost unselfishly sacrificing his hand and out of the box thinking. Showing mercy at the last minute and how one shouldn't underestimate a sinner, or a human soul. Left him to wear a brace Over said hand after a trip to the sloth ring for treatment.
"Ever thought about becoming a knight?" Lucifer asked, seeing a talent before him.
"That would rad idea," Octavia was excited over it, "Who knows what else you could archive?"
"No thanks Your Majesty," Corbin kindly rejected his offer, "Path I am on is enough for me."
Their conversation was cut short when a crystal clear voice with the mellowest undertone entered the air. One Corbin knew belonged to his aunt and Octavia quieted down to listen. Lucifer froze in place to take in the melody then the words she sang. Left Corbin to excuse him with a bow from Lucifer as Octavia followed him. They made their way to parts of the hotel Octavia haven't seen since rebuild. Entering a laundry room area with machines on one wall and shelf of chemicals on another. Sitting area where cleaned clothes sat to have buttons replaced or rips and tears mended. They were stacked neatly on a table as Elanye sat on a rickety only chair.
"Done so soon?" She asked as her song ended.
"That was beautiful." Octavia spoke in utter shock.
"Forgot," Elanye was touched by the compliment, "This is your first time hearing me sing."
"Can you do that?" Octavia asked Corbin.
Corbin recalled in Alastor's except phrasing that he sounded like a broken amp in need of repair. Which was why he couldn't use his voice against Ragnild when she tried to goad him. What she got was out pitch noise that pierced her ear drums for a second.
"Right." Octavia dislikes recalling.
"I did warn her," He recalled the minor moment when Ragnild asked him how much like his Aunt, he was, "I just hope she got her hearing back."
Down side of hearing an undeveloped voice like Corbin's whether their human or demon born. Tends to leave their hearing damaged in the form of ruptured ear drums or minor hearing lose.
"That's why we practice," Elanye pointed out, "Why not finish covering the front desk since you're done with mail for the day."
"Fine with me," Corbin faced Octavia, "I'll get back to you when I am available to hang with your brother and you. Between plans with family and holiday related activities Charlie has planned."
"Don't forget the brand launch Charlie wanted us to have here and our magic demonstration." Elanye sings.
"That new cosmetic line I heard about," Octavia brought up, "I have to be there."
Corbin ended up handing her an exclusive invitation To the event with her name on the envelope. He pulled from thin air with the snap of his fingers from a stack of them already made out. She excitedly accepted from him with one hand holding her envelope. Other hugging him somgithyl he was glad she wasn't strong enough to strangle him.
8*8
Arriving on the doorstep of a small rural cottage with decorative glass windows and a gated garden. Solar panel array in the shape of a budding flower was found beside the chimney. Had Constantine doing the knocking for Elanye, himself and Lucifer when they walked up the pathway.
"Painting of this place was one of the surviving heirlooms from house fire my brother died in," She shared, "Now hangs in Heather's bed room."
"A tad too big for one man." Constantine took in the size of the building.
"I had this place built for a family taken before their time," A gruff voice answered them, "Kitchen and garden for my late wife while plenty of space for my late daughter to grow. Even the windows are angled to where the sun sets and rises for them."
An old face, Lucifer hadn't seen since sin of wrath gave him a single ember from depths of wrath's ring. Whose eyes long lost their trouble making spark for a good drink and wore a wedding band. Wore Replaced with a grief of loved ones that never faded. Despite the modern touches to his attire, still wore his old style of clothing. With two mourning lockets on a silver chain hanging from his belt loop, First one modeled after his late wife's birth flower. Date of her death and name were intertwined in design with her hair. Second was a paw print of a cat with hjs late daughter's name and day of her death. Also used braided pieces of her hair integrated into the design.
"How were my gifts?" He asked about his paintings, "Where the wee ones? Wanted to give them my late wife's journal."
"She baked a pie for me to deliver." Elanye held up a covered dish.
"Looks like the charm of Bloodmarch," He watched how Lucifer placed Elanye behind him, "Made its way to House of Morningstar."
"Uncle," Elanye held his letter, "Not why we're here."
Inside they were invited by him for a more comfortable setting to chat about his gifts to Charlie. Gloved hands were taken when one led the other inside with the door closing behind them. Onto his hat rack outer attire was hung and walking sticks were placed. Along with a single hat box and wicker clutch Elanye rarely carried. Gave Constantine and Lucifer a chance to look around in the cozy lounge that came with an old radio. Dated furniture surrounding a fireplace with a decorative spark guard. On the mantle hung a portrait draped in black fabric on the upper corners.
"Painted that myself a few centuries back on the anniversary of my late wife and daughter's deaths," Jack answered, "Could never bring myself to remove the black material."
"Life- like quality ones rarely sees." Constantine took in the detail.
"When you can't join your wife and daughter in the afterlife," He sighed, "What else am a man to do? I followed my late wife's advice and reflected on my past while I tried to live."
"Gift to my daughter?" Lucifer asked him about the paintings.
"My way of showing my support for princess's cause," He plainly explained, "My late wife always believed in second chances."
Being reminded of their own family ties back home had Elanye choosing to call and check in. Lucifer was left in the living room with her uncle to further carry on their chat. Already figuring out a plan on how he was going to solve this problem as he listened. By taking a seat and finding himself reconnecting with his old friend over family.