Cooking with the Silken:

Packing away the decorations Bloodmarch family used around the hotel was fun. Charlie discovered the spirit lanterns were collected by Wywave during his travels around 7 rings of hell. Pumpkins and offerings he grew in his garden while candles came from lust ring.

"I don't want to be thanked," Wywave stopped Charlie, "This was nothing more than a shared celebration we would like to continue. "

just one lantern in a skull shaped and attached to a water jar and made of raw iron ore. Depiction of screaming skulls the gave anyone chills when they stated at it long enough.

"Um…." Charlie was having a hard time asking Wywave about the skull lantern.

"Unless you to control someone against their will," Wywave explanation had her looking to lantern, "I give you the Lantern of Servitude."

"How did such a dangerous magical relic come into your possession?" Vaggie couldn't believe what he said.

"Junk shop in Greed Ring," Wywave pointed out, "Paid barely a handful of coins for it."

He had to take it out of reach of Alastor's shadow when Charlie got chills. Setting it down near to a settled Chewy curled around the bowel of fingers with a mild interest. Showing he was scared of the lantern as Charlie was showing while being so close to it.

"Where has Chewy been this whole time?" Vaggie noticed Chewy wasn't around of late.

"He's been in the harpies' nesting ground in the woods," Wywave watched Chewy, "Living among them before Corbin found him as he picked up infertile eggs."

"Had fun terrorizing the local wildlife?" Vaggie asked Chewy.

Not like Chewy would get a chance to look her way when up from his place he was grabbed. Mirabelle happily cheered about kitty being found by him she missed when he was lost. brought up he was going to have a tea party with her at that very second. Off Chewy was dragged by her to the hotel's library that was also her playroom.

"She's warmed to him," Hephzibah watched Chewy get carried off, "Rather quickly."

"She is her mothers daughter." Wywave nodded to Charlie and Vaggie.

On to the coffee table Hephzibah set the serving tray filled with a tea set down. Laying out three cups she would fill with freshly brewed blend for her uncle, Charlie, and Vaggie. Offering a pear tarte tatin she just baked according to Elanye's recipe.

"Fulfilling your goal to be more lady- like?" Charlie asked Hephzibah.

"Mastering baking skills with burning anything is tough." Vaggie shared.

"Don't remind me." Hephzibah cut up the pear tarte tatin.

Crate where the last of the spirit lanterns were packed away was picked up by Roh in passing the parlor. He grabbed a slice of the pear tarte tatin when he saw the familiar dessert. Stopping when he took a first bite and admired the flavor was different.

"You're getting there." Roh addressed Hephzibah.

She sighed while Charlie came up with a new bonding activity everyone could do tonight. One that invoked the residents all working together for a family meal. She just needed a list of what they had in house and recipes.

8*8

Constantine ended up sharing the pearl filled with a single copy of Corbin's concerning Lilith. Information provided to Serenity narrowed down the search for his mother a great deal. Apart of the discussion the two had beside his most recent activity.

"Got in late did we?" How Serenity asked Constantine about his night.

"One could say my night ended in a carnal delight," He spoke in passing, "A shared treat Miss. Bloodmarch and I both came to enjoy."

"This I must hear." Serenity was all ears.

He went to tell Serenity how he spent his Halloween with his family during the day and Elanye at night. Went alongside with them further sorting out growing warmth within his chest. Strong support she showed Charlie while cheering her up over the absence of her mother. Showing him the positive parts of the living world like his sister would do. Way she socialized with his father when the two were in his company. Her baking skills and other little parts of her he never saw coming as time went on. Not going into detail too much as cocktails were refilled and usual business was discussed.

"She really addressed Mammon with an unphased smile as other Sins backed her?" Serenity was in disbelief.

"Took what Mammon called her during his usual temper tantrum as a compliment," Constantine slowly swirled his glass, "Surprising that the other sins showed up for an actual meeting."

Telling Serenity what went on at the last meeting of the Sins with Elanye present was entertaining. Since their acceptance of Elanye with Constantine was a lot more positive then he thought. Along with the already established bonds she had with most of them. Two of them started out as business relations as others were more personal ones. Showed in his eyes how she came so far while still turning their heads.

"Way she speaks with a noble tone and shows that she is intelligent when she speaks," Constantine said of a few things he came to notice about her, "She's also confident, kind, and carries a maternal energy."

"I always get an Overlord vibe from her." Serenity shared her first impression of Elanye.

A servant imp knocked on the doors of the Main Hall announcing the other guests had arrived. Two people that were being excepted were shown in with one added guest. Constantine wasn't happy to see despite what he overlooked about him. Which Elanye pointed out before she pulled her hood off and put down her basket.

8*8

"I heard rumors among seasoned and veteran exorcists about Adam having a special guest," Zon shared what he knew, "Who and terms of their deal were never revealed or shared."

Down to the first floor of Constantine's library he looked to see Corbin quietly reading. Teen had been allowed near the more advanced tomes to look over by Constantine. Maverick sat beside him since he decided to sit on an oversized chair with plush cushions. He was why he was here giving what he knew to Constantine and Serenity.

"Heck!" Zon grasped his beaded chain, "I never knew children of Nephilim descent were among the children in heaven."

Spending time bonding with Hephzibah and Corbin was welcomed as a learning experience for him. Times he found himself just talking with them over the smallest of issues. Late nights sitting side by side after one had a night terror or bad day. Giving advice on everyday life from friends to moments at a hotel. Waiting for the elevator board announcements after leaving the pride Ring. Fixing Wywave's motorized carriage after finally finding the parts. Sharing his dislikes and likes with them also taught him a thing or two.

"This even progressing?" Serenity asked, feeling like they were stuck on square one.

"At least you have something." Elanye set the tea infuser, "You know where she is and a part of a what."

"Filling in the rest is the problem." Constantine saw new holes in this newest led.

"Are we breaking for lunch?" Elanye noticed the time.

"Well?" Serenity looked to Constantine.

Hours he spent reviewing Corbin's actual memories to questioning Zon about what he knew. Picking apart and combing over every word or detail for a single clue. Brought him this far after spending all morning piecing this together with Serenity's aid.

"A moment's pause," All he could say, "Will not do us any harm.

Cheese and onion slices end up being revealed from her basket beside a jar of jerked meat. Zon took over for her to go to Constantine's side when he walked away. Staring at the wall covered in thumbnails and countless layers of sting and paper. Some were articles as others were hand written statements from fellow demons. Scene stills or capture from old securely feeds of his mother. All leading back to Constantine's hand drawn depiction of his mother.

"Two baby steps forward, one giant step back." Elanye's voice caught his attention.

"Seven years," He looked over the board, "I still feel like I am in the dark."

"She must have her reasons," Elanye folds her hands before her, "Whether they were shady as heck and not shared with her family. Will be revealed in the end when you find her after filling in those blanks."

Soothing flow of emotion through her side of their bond with cozy warmth and understanding. Followed by her memories of him throughout their time together. His calm and patient nature beside his rational mind. When he smiled while he laughed when away from the public eyes of hell. Kind way he was toward his sister and his niece during his visits. Mixed with a swirling mass of other images and bits about him.

"I concur," Constantine found himself agreeing, "New information from Corbin and Zon have gotten us closer to finding out circumstances. Since I spent hours on most nights just piecing together what I had together."

He went on to share through their connection how he didn't take his mother's disappearance well. After she vanished, someone whose words he trusted and took advice from, made him feel seriously alone. The search for her became more difficult as the royal affairs fell on him. Hating this uncertainty as he started the investigation, Using spells on himself to replay his last memories with Her, revisiting his mother's dialogues, examining her words for deeper meaning. Trying to manage or find even the slightest detail, he could finally find her. How his partnership with Serenity was founded these seven long years ago.

"Had made me realize about connections I am making," He looked at Elanye before turning to Serenity and Zon, "Some I prefer over others."

Earning him a gentle nudge from Elanye when she rested her head just below his shoulder. One he usually got from Charlie as a form of cheering up when it wasn't a sidehug. He welcomed as his tail coiled around the space of her waist. Serenity was heard laughing when Zon agreed to sharing a drink with her.

"I hear laughter," Corbin's voice came from below, "I miss anything too important?"

"We're about to eat," Zon answered, "Come join us and bring that bottle of Apple- of- Day Rose with you."

"Where do you find a revitalization wine?" Constantine was familiar with the rare brand.

"When of the first gifts I received under my alias of fabled red riding hood," Elanye pointed out, "Thought a hellochol that restores vigor would help you and spirits has a way of bringing people closer."

Corbin was guided to them by Maverick with Cornelius wrapped around his neck and Hoo Hoo flying after them. Being careful in carrying the apple corked bottle within her arms. He was careful in putting Constantine's book back and not touching any.

"Your Highness," Corbin faced Constantine, "Thank you for allowing me to read them."

"A child of your caliber should have access to proper material to advance and grow," Constantine recalled his own upbringing, "Parts of my library are open to you, ask myself during your aunt's visits to my castle."

Corbin almost dropped the wine bottle if he hadn't given it to Serenity out of shock. Replaced quickly by a joy Constantine recalled from his youth over a book. Danced in Corbin's eyes as he asked about having the wine.

"No, don't go using the argument that this is hell and rules don't apply." Zon addressed Corbin.

"I agree with uncle on that one," Serenity looked the bottle over, "Wait till you are of legal drinking age."

Corbin went on to make a comment about why he should listen to her in the first place. Brought up her former career as a doctor in the living world that left him to become qeuit.

8*8