Scene V - Darkling Companion.

Takes place in: Month I - Day 6.

Many would think that walking around in the dead of the night in the middle of the Cannibal Colony would be a mistake.

Most would be right.

Marcela wasn't most. And she had company.

The young goth girl found a niche outside of her new home. Everyone seemed happier with her attire than they were with everyone else in her family. It was endearing to most of the local Cannibals. And her companion? It seemed delighted to walk along the girl.

Who'd thought a ravenous cat demon like this stripped, eyeless feline would delight in the human's company? A dark fleabag, more bones than flesh, with a grin like a cheshire cat. Owned by no one, discarded by everyone else. A stray in a little town that made mincemeat of those that didn't fit, like this particular little thing.

And yet, the demonic cat with no eyes danced around the teenager with a loud purr to sing along their night stroll.

A lot of souls would say that this wasn't safe. Marcela would agree. But the three bodies the small cat, no bigger than an earth born one, in fact small like a runt, had left behind would tell you the real danger was following the teenager around.

You don't survive in Hell long without being a monster, or having a monster watch your back.

Close to Rosie's Emporium was a gazebo, in the middle of the plaza at that. Somewhere where many little events took place, or so Rosie said. Marcela barely had any desire to come out when there were people around, so she wouldn't know. And for Hell, and such a little town, Cannibal Colony didn't have that much nightlife. It was her preferred time to be about.

Marcela approached the first step of the little gazebo, ignoring the bloodstains and body parts around, if not looking at them with morbid fascination as the cat grabbed a mostly intact arm with teeth thin like needles and sharp like scalpels. She just chuckled like a child seeing their pet playing with a toy. For all she cared, it was just like that.

There she sat, patting at her knees to invite the cat over. The scrawny thing didn't do much more than purr in delight as he used those legs as a perch, tail going to and fro as the ravenous tom began to eat at the treat in his mouth.

The teenager let out a happy sigh. This was much more peaceful than their old home. And here she felt more content than within the Tower. It had been four days visiting at night, and the little cat had followed her every night without fault. She even gave him a name.

"It is a nice night, isn't it, Thor?"

Another voice would've startled her, if Marcela didn't know of him watching over her. "God of thunder?"

"Fast as lighting." Marcela smiled as she petted the happy cat. "Hello, brother. Cannot sleep?"

"Don't want to." Carlos walked to his sister's side, sitting down before scritching the tom's lower muzzle. The cat only purred louder as he kept on chewing the arm apart. "I have too many things in my mind."

"I can guess what." His sister looked at the monstrous little cat eating that arm. Thor was using his claws, ungodly long and just as sharp, to tear it apart. "I always thought my morbid interest came too natural to me. I didn't think it had to do with grandma's story, with her family."

"Most of us are dealing with that mess in our own ways." Carlos nodded. "But I worry about you."

Marcela smiled as she petted the cat. He had eaten his fill and discarded flesh and bone away as he begged for his tummy to be rubbed.

"I have the darkness to turn back to."

That answer made her brother snort.

"Screw you, brother."

Carlos didn't seem to mind. "Come on. You know it is cheesy as fuck how you talk about it."

"It isn't." If it wasn't so dark, and her hair didn't hide it, you'd be able to see Marcela's cheeks darken. "Shut up." But despite the embarrassment, and there was a lot of it, Marcela's words had little bite to them.

A soft thump could be heard the moment Marcela's head connects with her brother's chest.

"I love you, asshole."

"Love you too, you little shit."

Finally the tom had enough attention, or the business was getting to the hellcat. The named 'Thor' got up, stretched, let out a raspy meow and jumped off. The siblings didn't pay it much mind. The cat was a stray and he acted like one. It was enough for Marcela that the little cat came to her every night.

"It feels wrong to like it here." Marcela admitted. "But it also feels… comfortable."

"You still dislike when lots of people are around, tho."

Marcela let out a loud snort. "That is the least of my worries." Then she remained silent for a second, until she made it clear. "It… I just feel more comfortable here than back home. I don't mind the smell of blood, or the sights. It… worries me."

Carlos didn't know what to say for a moment. What came was… depressing. "The Cannibals are nicer than the people we knew back home."

"But wasn't that because of the curse?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Carlos squeezed his sister against his chest, the teenager clearly troubled. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that we are here. If you feel better here than back home, then I don't care. You are my sister and I will do everything to keep you happy."

Marcela looked up at her brother, then at the collection of bones and parts around. "Even if I enjoy all of this a bit too much? You know I like macabre things more than most."

"Even if you want to make a house out of bones." Carlos messed with his sister's hair, much to Marcela's frustration.

"Quit it!"

"You may try and act all mature and shit, sis, but you are still twelve." Carlos stopped and straightened his sister's hair. "If you know what makes you happy, even if it is this mess, then you know more than most. Do not worry about it, okay?" He hugged Marcela tightly to his side. "I'll be here to make sure it stays that way. I'll be here to keep you safe." Carlos gave his sister a kiss on the forehead. "I'll be here for everyone."

"..." The teen let out a tired sigh as she scooted as close to her brother as she could. "Thanks, brother."

Unbeknown to either sibling, Rosie was looking from her emporium's door. The coffin shaped entrance just slightly ajar, with a nightgown wearing Rosie smiling a gentle smile where she stood. At first Rosie had worried about the teenager, but that was a fleeting thought now.

"You keep her good company?"

The question was directed at the cat, now lazily resting in front of Rosie's workplace. The Overlord had been so busy today that she couldn't get back home, but this was basically her second abode anyway. And the cat didn't seem to mind lazing around whether Rosie was here or not.

Speaking of the cat; eyes opened everywhere on its body, fixating on Rosie with a baleful and multicolored gaze. All those eyes seemed to nod before the tom opened his mouth wide, a monstrous maw that could've eaten a cow if he so wanted. Then it curled on itself and began to rest. There was no fear or care from the 'animal', nothing here could harm it, and almost every resident was more than aware enough of that notion. And those that weren't? They kept the animal well fed and were quickly forgotten by everyone else.

Rulebreakers weren't appreciated in the Colony.

For Rosie, a demon that knew what this thing was, this creature was the best answer she was going to get to any nightly worries. And it pleased her that such a little monster had taken a liking to one of her charges.

She'd let the siblings roam at night if they so desired. They were safe here.