To call waking up easy is a joke. At some point in the night, I ended up waking up from the same nightmare despite Frost trying to calm me down. So instead of sleeping I take time to read my book until daylight where I find the morning light of Hell surprisingly bright for me. I stand up without needing help this morning, standing in front of the window to see the dreary city lights starting up. Frost eventually moves to stand beside me to poke my arm with his nose. Some part of me is missing the morning conversations I'd have with Louis… What's wrong with me?
Finally finding myself at my wits end with this, I open the book to a spell I remember reading about this morning. The spell reads as 'Veiled Sight' with a meager description listing that I can look into the minds of others. I figure I can use it to dig into the memories of Octavia's Mom or Uncle. If I'm lucky, I'll know more about the situation. Or maybe about Frost… Staring at the tall furball sitting on his back paws, I have to wonder if any of Louis is in there. No! Louis is gone, dead.
Frost nestles his head against my arm which just makes me hug him. I've been so stone-faced all my life. Why now am I breaking apart? I shake my head after wiping tears away with my sleeve. I pet his head with a smile touching my face, "Sorry. No more dumb ideas… Why can't I hold my emotions in check?" I shake my head no and look outside at the loaming city that's my new home. Soon I'll be in my own home with time to calm down and collect myself better.
I turn around to look around for clothes. Not finding much suitable clothing for myself that isn't sparkling white or crystalline, I sigh. Instead, I dig into my book and flip pages until I find a page listing a spell for altering objects I found while studying yesterday. It might work, though it is mostly used for weapons. One claw resting on a set of white dress pants with snowflakes on it and a white dress shirt with a dress jacket similar to the pants.
The room darkens as suddenly as the clothes darken to a black with a blue web holding pulsating symbols like that of my book. The shirt turns a royal blue, though the jacket fizzles a bit until the magic rebounds on me. Force alone throws me back ten feet into the wall above the couch I ungracefully fall onto afterwards. Groaning into the plush cushioning while I silently curse the demon for leaving me with no real teacher, I feel Frost's wet nose touch the side of my head with a whine.
A slam of a door tells me someone is charging into the room which I refuse to check who it is. My head is currently spinning too much. I roll off the sofa onto the carpet cushioned floor only to see the darkness around the room move like a wild flame into my jacket. Light returns to the room while my eyes… four eyes allow me to see Stolas and Octavia fully dressed staring in awe at the room.
Octavia finally sees me and rushes over to help me sit up. She pulls her beanie off only to use it to put pressure on my arm that suddenly hurts with the pressure. Her voice is bleeding with fear and worry, "Melody?! What happened here?"
A cold chuckle escapes me while I glare at the floating book next to me that sinks to the floor beside me. How to express this other than a flat, "Ouch… No one said magic could rebound. That hurt a lot." I use her help to stand while looking at the bed with the now changed clothes, "Just wanted clothes that aren't glistening with snowflakes… It was a simple alteration spell. It was supposed to be simple."
Stolas stares baffled at the new clothes and then to the wall then me. His voice is between disbelief and exasperation, "A simple… You changed your jacket into a malleable weapon let alone the darkness that showed up. I'd recommend not using that spell again till you study it further." He stares at the clothes with concern littering his face until he sighs, "Alright. Octavia, take care of her arm while I get things ready. Uhm… No more magic for now until you read more of your book."
Octavia helps me up as we both nod yes to him. He pinches the bridge of his nose and leaves after asking a servant to bring in a first aid kit. Octavia helps me to sit on the edge of the bed, allowing me to hold pressure on the wound I apparently have. She looks at the black leather open jacket with wool padding the inside liner with web designs on the shoulder pads almost like a library of symbols attached to the webs there too. She laughs a moment before looking it over, "Well at least the spell made better clothes than we found for you. This jacket looks pretty sick. Oh, thanks."
An imp comes in and hands her the first aid kit. I let go of the pressure and set the now bloody beanie on my lap. Awe fills me when I see the small scrape of three clawed lines that are only slightly deep as bad as it bleeds. She starts to clean it out which for some reason doesn't hurt at all. After a moment, she starts wrapping it while a thought enters my mind unwarranted. Words spill out without thinking, "Still doesn't all feel real, ya know? Being out here with Frost with a real friend or people that are worried about me."
Octavia tapes the wrap and hooks it just to be safe. Her expression turns almost sad, but happy despite, "Well you have us now. We may not have found my mum, but I'm glad we could help you. Guess I have to take you shopping though since you like the same clothes I do."
I really don't know how to say that I dress this way because of business up there… I think looking more like a Gothic teen might be better off for me here. Nodding happily and smiling at her, "I appreciate it. I'm not really a fan of the bright colored ice theme." Frost whines with his head down from where he sits in front of us. Stutters and stumbles become a rushed apology, "No, you're great Frost. I'm not saying I don't like you! You're- Ah!"
Frost lifts his head to bark and lurches forward to rub his head on me which flattens me. Tail wagging the whole time he's trampling me. I can hear Octavia laughing near me as she helps me push Frost off me. We both end up laughing as Frost whines again as if apologizing. I get up and pet him, "Thanks… We should probably get ready. You get dressed while I get something from my room. No more magic!" She chides me while leaving with a smile, yet I feel the warning is real enough. I stare down at the black leather jacket with the webbed raised collar, symbols littering it like an infection. Gotta wonder about these weird occult symbols.
The symbols I can even describe remind of the Creole voodoo that I knew about back home. One symbol is Marasa the twin spirits, forever connected and powerful. Another the intertwined snakes of Damballah and Ayida Wèdo; duality of two inseparable spirits. The next is Legba who guards the gates from the world of spirits to the living world. Funny considering my current situation honestly. Simbi is the last as the spirits of water that sidles besides Ogou of the warrior spirits. Curious, there's more but I can't remember them right now. Still, these were the symbols that the Creole woman who raised me after my mother passed taught me about. She told me the spirits that haunted me were between the duality of serpents and the spirits of water. As if something lurked in the waters of my life. Never said if it was good or evil.
Honestly, I'm surprised as I stare at myself in the mirror with Frost beside me. This dark brown owl demon is someone I barely recognize yet this is me. I rest a hand on the spot where my arm is wrapped with a sigh, squeezing the wound frustratedly. Suddenly my left eye lights up red as if in response which makes me let go suddenly to watch the eye turn to a darkened dim red instead of going back to blue.
Letting go, I find myself getting dressed to ignore the hetero-chromatic issue. Each piece of clothing allows me time to recite my usual words, "Don't dwell, don't regret and don't belittle. Smile at the world and keep it guessing no matter what… Never let it find you cherishing something under that smile or they'll take advantage of it. Like… Her… She practiced voodoo so maybe she's here… Frost, you think I could find her? Or he could?" Frost looks at me curious, head flopping to one side like a question. I chuckle, "Maybe when we're alone at our new home, I'll tell you about her." A careful claw pulls feathery bangs to cover my left eye where the dim red hue taunts me. We head towards the door together while I'm left with a small glimmer of hope in me. Maybe she's here…
Octavia smiles at me and walks around me, "Nice. Definitely need to find you more clothes like that. Come on, Dad is waiting by the car for us." We start to walk downstairs through the maze of halls that still confuse me. Halfway down, I focus on the spell as the book lights up blue and red as Frost shrinks to a small puppy size. Holding Frost, we come outside to find Stolas waiting for us talking on the phone.
"Yes… Yes… Thank you for helping me with this on such short notice. Promise me you'll stop by sometime. I will. Bye," he says into the phone until he ends the call and looks at us. His smile is oddly warm for being a stranger to him, yet he went out of his way to get this sorted in two days. Guess I'll play the grateful victim for being saved. He leads us into the car to head towards the maze-like mansion that belongs to a fake father I never knew.
The city flies by while I listen to Octavia talk about stores as we pass them by. I smile and look at the occult stores with her discussing decorations we could put up. She talks about webs and how she knows a shop I'll love. I take her word for it as we arrive at the glistening behemoth of a home. A team of servants, imps and a few hellhounds, stand near the front door as if waiting to go in. As we exit the large limousine, they all greet me as 'Lady Melody' which makes me hate it already. My voice pipes up with a nervous edge to it, albeit a well-acted edge, "Uhm... It's nice to meet you all."
Stolas motions to the imps in black vests and white dress shirts, "These will be the main house staff. Cooking, cleaning, and the like. The hellhounds are acting as security. And the gardens are maintained by the imps on the end there." He briefs me that the imps in overalls are gardeners. Next up is a tour that still makes no sense, though Frost seems to understand it somehow. Maze guide hound is apparently a go.
The tour lasts longer than I thought it would before he tells me to order food on a new phone. This one is a dark brown case with Octavia, Stolas and Asmodeus programmed into it already. I smile at the phone while partially real relief and comfort comes knowing I have others to rely on. He fills me in that Asmodeus hired everyone for me. If I have trouble or need help with the estate, he will help. By this point, the light dims in the sky as Octavia yawns. They both leave, promising to return in two days. Octavia, of course, promises to bring me catalogs to dig through to plan the decorations.
After I head back inside, I move to the large study Frost guides me to in deep thought. The servants leave a pot of tea and some snacks of cookies, casually leaving a large steak of something for Frost. While he chews away, I try to focus on how to reach the Radio Demon before finally dropping my head in my claws, "Frost, I never got to tell Louis, but I was raised by two different women. My real mother until ten when she was killed by rum runners with the rest of my family except my missing deadbeat Dad. Then I was taken in by a voodoo woman who taught me everything about Creole Voodoo Culture… I felt normal in her home until those rum running hicks killed her in front of me. She has to be here though since her culture was an affront to God in its own way."
Frost walks over to jump on the couch, paws resting on my legs. I hug him with a small, silent lump in my throat while I try to choke back tears to hide them. Frost stays there until I feel his fur raise and both tense into a low growl.
"Well hello dear. Enjoying Hell are we? Splendid, just splendid… Now how do you feel about your new book?" the Radio Demon pipes up near me with one of the teacups in his hands. He seems at home or just comfortable.
I let go of Frost, who sits next to me, while I look around to make sure of us being alone before I snap. The pitch is even with a careful note of betrayal, "It's great here, although you know no one can teach me, right? This book isn't the same as theirs anymore… Don't know if it's normal or not, but it's got Louisiana Creole Voodoo symbols with the same language. Seems Prince Stolas can't read it." I open the pages and face them towards him as the book hovers in between us.
Curious, he gets up to come see the book with a few 'hmms' and sets his teacup on the table nearby. He thinks it through until he claps his hands together, "Well isn't this just marvelous, dear! It seems you have a teacher after all. This book is full of interesting spells that I'd love to help with. I'll be back first thing in the morning, shall we say here? Great! Sleep well." He vanishes as soon as he appears, leaving Frost and myself speechless.
Part of me wanted to stop him to ask him to look for her, but I think I should look for her instead. Maybe there's some information here about it since somebody treated this place like an office. I stand to move behind the desk with a claw picking at the lock in the center drawer. It doesn't budge as my anger flares with a side thought of needing a flat piece of metal to pry the drawer open. As if answering me, part of my sleeve oozes up until it reforms to a leather strip holding a small flat metal bar that I was imagining. The words 'variable weapon' enters my mind which makes me smile. One quick tug with the bar and the lock snaps off in the drawer.
Inside of the white bark desk's locked treasure chest contains a sealed letter, two sheets of business information I didn't understand due to the shorthand and a contract. Sitting down in the plush chair, I start opening the letter to reveal a well-written information dump I didn't expect. This fake father of mine was trying to turn Stolas in for relations with an imp and broken rules for his spell book. Great, the rules for spell books are something I forgot to ask about. The receiver is Paimon, though he calls him father. That means this Paimon my grandfather. I look to Frost with a cautious thought of if I should keep it for later or….
Frost whines at me when I suddenly feel guilty as Octavia enters my mind. I can't do that to people who have taken care of me and still offer to. I instead take the letter and dump it into the fireplace as it burns to ash and then less. Leaving the deciphering of shorthand to last, I read the contract instead. The contract lists Striker's soul and services to the holder of this contract as their servant until her husband has been dealt with to the contractor's satisfaction… Striker, huh? A contact number too. He might be able to help. Contact information makes a clawed hand hover over the phone in my pocket. Do I call this number and hope for his help looking for her or… Instead, I do the next thing I can think of while my new friend enters my mind again.
I dial up Asmodeus with a quick thought without remembering it being so late until a deeper voice answers, "Asmodeus… Oh, Melody, right? If you need help with anything, can we schedule a meeting tomorrow? Its-"
"I found something that belonged to my father… It's important, I promise! Please, can we talk? I apologize for how late I'm asking, but this is really important. Stolas told me to call you if I needed help, and I promise you that this qualifies as helping him too. Please Asmodeus," I cut him off with a worried tinge to my voice while I hope he's not mad I called him so late. Something inside me is dredging up feelings I had buried in the past, yet something about this contract and that letter make me worried. Although urgent, I'm glad I burned the letter and pushed for a meeting instead. This shouldn't be talked about over some phone line.
Asmodeus' voice seems a bit more awake as something shifts in him with concern infecting his voice, "I'll send a car to bring you in for a meeting. I'll send… Hold on, Fizzy should be heading home now. Stay on the line and let me call him." The phone says 'Call on Hold' while I wait. Carefully, I dig through the drawers on the right side of the desk for a folder. Folders fill one of the drawers with, at a glance, more financial information. I find one empty folder in the front and place the documents from the locked drawer inside. The thought of a carrying case attached to my jacket siphons some of the material to have a file holder bag attached to the coat. I slide the folders inside with a careful notion to put the important one in the back. Once it closes, the bag actually seals shut which is convenient.
"Alright!" Asmodeus comes back on the line which makes me jump a little before he continues, "Fizzy… My partner Fizzarolli is on his way home, but he's going to swing by and pick you up. Should be a couple of minutes. I told him that you needed to talk about something important so he's okay with it. I'll see you here soon." The phone hangs up as I look at Frost.
Frost barks at me with the magic shifting him back to his full size once he runs out the door. I follow him out and jump on his back to make it easier to keep up. He runs through the halls efficiently in a way I wish I could. Navigating the maze, I jump off by the front door to open it with a surprised male hellhound that resembles a 6 foot tall black German Shepard with a lean build, short spiky hair styled to his ear with gleaming gold eyes and a bushy tail.
He speaks up quickly as if in alarm or concern, "Uhm, did something happen? Or did you need us for something?" His look to Frost is skeptical as he looks back at me as if at a loss. Despite the black pants and dress shirt, he kind of reminded of one of the rum runners from the surface that looked weak yet had more strength than he showed.
Cautious to say too much, I speak up with a half-assed smile to hide my concern over the bag, "Nope. I just got an important meeting I forgot about. Do me a favor while I'm out though. Tell all the staff including the cleaners that the Study on the top floor is off limits. It's important that they're told." When he nods, I speak up one more time as I see the limo at the gate, "I have a meeting with Asmodeus. I'll be back soon. Just need to discuss a few things. Thank you for watching out, though I apologize for surprising you."
The dark-colored hellhound nods to me while he turns around to see an imp stepping out of the car, "Oh! I'm assuming he sent Fizzarolli to pick you up. Uhm, ma'am… Is it okay if I give you my number? This place is larger than most of our assignments, so if you had my number then I'll be able to send the guards running if you need help. I'm the head of security, Chesh." I offer him my phone which makes him sigh with relief. Once he hands it back, I notice the gate open up with his wave, "I'll tell the others about your request. Safe return." He goes back to patrolling while I rush over to the limo.
The imp that greets me is wearing a pale pink dress shirt, overalls in pink with the pants in multi-colored rainbows with bright pink sunglasses and heels. He waves me inside as Frost shrinks to jump into the limo and onto my lap. The imp, Fizzarolli if I had to guess, speaks up, "Wow-ho! Aren't you a little hideaway? That's a cute trick the way you shrink like that." He pets Frost who all too happily lets him as his tail thumps on my lap like a propeller. He turns his attention to me, "My name is Fizzarolli if Ozzy didn't say. I'm pleased to meetcha!" His arm twists into a 'Hi' before offering me to shake his hand.
I shake it since Frost doesn't seem to mind him at all. With a less than formal greeting mixed with nerves, I hesitantly reply, "I'm Melody and this is Frost. Thanks for picking me up so I can talk to Asmodeus. Sorry if it's an inconvenience." Can't quite place it, but I think she mentioned something like him before. A type of gypsy or clown entertainer she told me about when I was still a younger adult.
"It's all good. Besides at least this means I get to meet the dress up doll in person. Oh yeah! I'm going to get some clothes for you to try on tomorrow when Ozzy comes over to look at the office. Don't worry, this look gives me all the information I need. You'll love it," he sounds all too excitable while I watch the lights in his eyes gleam. There's a sinking feeling that this could either be a good or bad thing that I can't quite figure out as he talks through ideas, leaving my thoughts in the dust. My eyes follow the streets where I feel like this world is still so confusing as it feels normal to see others walking together until one act of violence or another reminds me I'm in Hell. Fizzarolli taps my arm to get my attention, "Hey I know it's overwhelming out here, just don't worry about it."
"Thanks… For everything. I'm really glad that I found my way to helpful friends. It's kind of nice not being alone," I say as I pet Frost thinking back to my life before. Something Louis told me in the past surfaces as a random quote I think I kind of understand, 'True connections are ones you'll feel. Not some cheap contracts or pawns. Real people you get to know.' Guess this is what he meant. Part of me finally attempts to speak up until my voice dies off as I see the mansion littered with sex toys as ornaments while I'm left at a total loss.
Fizzarolli gets out and motions me out in an extravagant wave of his arms, "Welcome to our home. Ozzy is probably upstairs in his office." He shows me which I follow with my eyes mostly on the floor. Never been into intimate relations honestly since the people I knew weren't great people. Heading to the elevator, we ascend towards the top while I stare at the small eyes of Frost as he stares up at my face. The same eyes as Louis used to give me to remind me to be strong. I look up once we get to the top floor, seeing a completely normal apartment where a large flame-like three-headed bird demon sits drinking coffee in a suit.
Fizzarolli creeps into a door off to the side while 'Ozzy' I assume looks up with a level gaze, "Alright, Miss Melody. How can I help you tonight?" Quick to hand him the contract and documents I found in the drawer, which he begins reading.
"Uhm… I also found a letter that was supposed to be sent to Paimon about gaslighting a slew of crimes. Part of me sees the use of the spell book as a problem, although this all made me worry… It did mention other solicitous rule breaks… But uhm… I kinda burned the letter," I say looking at the ground while I hope he won't be mad. Based on Frost's reaction it seemed like a good idea. Who knows since I only have Prince Stolas' word that he'll be helpful if something happens.
Asmodeus taps the table to get me to look up while he speaks up, "It's fine. I'm glad you brought this here instead of leaving this at the house. Who knows who might have come back for this." He reads a bit more while he pages through the contract with a magnifying glass, "Seems we need to talk to this Striker character. Or rather order him to talk. He can't deny an order from you… How confident are you that you can play the big bad royal?"
I smile sheepishly while debating how to answer his inquiry. My voice falters a second until I straighten up in confidence and as much as a flat demeanor I had in my old life, "Like this?" When he nods approvingly, the facade fades into my awkward self before, "What's the plan though? Soul contract or not, shouldn't we aim for an ultimatum to get towards?"
His sly smile makes me think I asked the right question. A hand pans over the page while I wait through his series of 'hms' patiently. Finally, he speaks up with a thought, "Well killing him is messy. But being new to your spell book might make a good excuse for a bodyguard. It keeps him close while we figure this situation out. Besides, he might know more about what happened to your father and aunt. Alright, call this number when you're ready and we'll set up the meet for a little after lunch."
I dial slowly while I debate the next words I speak to this demon. Finally, someone answers with a simple, 'What's the job?'
My voice picks up slowly, but authoritatively like an old habit, "I'd like to talk in person. My Father Andrealphus is dead which means we need to talk about the terms of your contract in person. How about tomorrow just after lunch?"
"Fine. In person. When and where?" Striker lets out with a decidedly course tone.
Forcing my voice back into authority, "Shortly after lunch at the family estate." He gives a quick 'Fine and hangs up. I let out a sigh of concern as my mind digs through plans and thoughts. What to say or do and even how to handle this.
The large demon smiles down at me with a pat on my back, "There. I'll stop by before lunch. You go home and get some sleep. Your little friend is already in snoozeville." He motions me, walking me to the elevator, "My driver will take you home. Just try to get some sleep till then."
The ride down the elevator and in the fancy limo is long, but I watch Frost sleep with a smile. At some point my eyes close deep in my thoughts.
A cold voice calls out from the dark, a static edging the tone of discontent, "Well well dear, seems you have a powerful pawn to hold your own chains over. I wouldn't lose that. Plenty of use of a deal like this one."
Before I can turn to find the face to the voice, a corpse-like version of the female white owl demon I saw the day I made that deal points a menacingly claw at me. Dead black eyes leave no room for interpretation except for the twisted grin it shows me, "You really think that none of this will escape his notice? Start counting days, faker."
Finally forcing my eyes closed, one last voice reaches me in a softened tone, "It really is too bad… I thought you were your mother's daughter." That woman!
Claws grip so tight I feel blood trickling down my palms with pain sharpening my mind. Words like venom spill into a flood, "I was never a daughter… Just a pawn you abused even after you died. I will NEVER be anything like you!"
A familiar presence causes me to open my eyes to see Louis separating claws from wounded palms with a sigh. The sigh causes the other illusions to fade away until only me and my shadow remain with him. His form mutilated in front me just like it did on the surface to see Frost resting his head on my shoulder. Frost whines, prompting me to hug the large hound. Frost knocks me aside in time for me to see a wave of bloodied water wash away Frost.
Suddenly the contract floats in place in front of me where I see Striker's name in red. A dark figure stands behind it with a cold and callous male tone, "A
Goetia is a royal. Sheltered or not, learn well and quickly before you catch my eye again. I won't tolerate another mistake like your father and aunt. Another sale of souls can easily be set up if you cause me trouble, caged pigeon." His claw reaches out past the contract to grab my shoulder. Claws dig into my shoulder painfully while I begin to hyperventilate.
Snapping awake, I tumble off whatever surface I was sleeping on. The fall is short since Frost catches the collar of my coat. Unfortunately, searing pain echoes in my shoulder which makes me cry out in agony. One look tells me that I don't think that was a dream at all since the red staining my shoulder is all too real. My palms ache as if a knife went through them. Carefully, I get onto my own two feet to walk out of the study I recognize to the large master bedroom.
A female imp in a vest and pant getup stops near my door with a glance of concern. Her voice is small and nervous, "Uhm… Ma'am… Are you-"
I'm quick to give a blanket excuse in hopes she believes me, "Uh… Sorry to panic you. Some magic went rogue on me. I apologize. Just heading into my room to find some bandages to patch up so I don't have to worry about ruining my clothes anymore." Carefully I try to assess how well she's taking the lie. Unfortunately for me, she isn't buying this at all, yet she somehow seems to leave it as is.
She leads me into the bathroom to clean up the wound and put gauze on the clawed shoulder. Next gentle bandages wrap around cleaned cuts on my palms while she carefully works. Slowly but surely the wounds ache less as the medicine she puts on the gauze helps immensely. Her words are careful as she speaks up, "There. You should take it easy for a bit. Maybe rest or eat something. I can bring something to the Study if you want."
Words can't muster enough of the gratitude I feel for her help. Instead, I simply offer a bandaged hand, "I'd like it better if you called me Melody or something less formal than ma'am. Being caged for so long, I don't stress the titles with really anyone if I can help it. What's your name?"
Her expression goes pale for a moment until she timidly takes my hand, almost shaking, "Im… I'm Serville…" Her hair is tied back in a short black ponytail, being a third of my height she definitely has more muscle than me. Her simple white dress shirt goes to her wrists with blood spackling her cuffs and black vest. Thankfully her black pants aren't stained.
"Well Serville, if it's okay with you, I'd like to ask a favor. After my magic practice I'm going to nap for a bit before we have guests… I might need you to patch me up again if a spell backfires. Can I count on you to help me out again? Magic isn't my best strength yet, so I tend to have complications," I offer her sheepishly with a nervous smile. I'm asking her a lot at this moment, servant or not. So, I finish it off, "You don't have to help. I'll never make any of you do anything. But I'm asking if you could in a request. Feel free to refuse if you don't want to."
Seville shakes her head vehemently with a bright smile, her bangs moving to reveal a patch of white, previously injured skin over her right eye, "Of course, I'll help ma…. I mean Lady Melody. Call for me when you need me… Besides, you don't have to request anything from us. We'll do what you a-"
"Wrong. I'm not my father or my extended family. My viewpoint on life and raising is different from theirs. All of you are considered to be able to come to me if needed. Or to refuse if needed. I may be a Goetia, but I'm not like them no matter what he says. I'll always request because not everyone will be okay with feeding Frost, the giant behemoth that he is, or be comfortable with other tasks. Promise you, this is how I want things to be here. I don't want you all afraid of us because it isn't going to help put you all ease either way," I smile at her as Frost whines from the door with a growling stomach suddenly. A chuckle escapes my lips while I look passively at bandaged hands.
Seville pipes up almost out of her stupor with a bright smile on her face, "Let's get Lord Frost some food. I had some raw meat from wrath brought in for him. I can even see if there's something for you to eat as well." She leads the way after Frost licks her face. We follow her down to realize she plates a perfectly good raw steak perfectly sized for him. She scrounges out some tea bags and starts messing with the stove kettle and a pan. As if in my head, she sets wonderfully brewed dark colored tea in front of me with a plate of scrambled eggs and sliced meat cooked just like bacon strips with bread.
Serville and I talk about the dynamics of hell since I've been 'imprisoned' for so long. Her information helps me a lot. So, I ask the one thing I need to say, "Serville… Do you know anything about Striker? Anything at all helps because I really don't know much."
Suddenly tense again, she fidgets while cleaning the pan at the sink. The uneasy silence is killing me until she speaks slowly, "He hates royalty. He calls them blue bloods. Recently his luck hasn't been good, though luck can change quickly in Hell. Whatever made him hate blue bloods, especially Goetias, is nothing short of venomous."
"Thank you. If you manage to hear anything about a surprise royal visitor besides Octavia, Stolas or even Asmodeus and Fizzarolli, let me know immediately. I need someone on my side here, can I count on you?" I ask carefully while staring down the hopeful new insider knowledge I could get. Plus, I'm not good with controlling my emotions at times apparently. Appealing to the few good ones might make the masses themselves working here happier.
Seville pipes up suddenly with a bright and cheery, "Of course. The security would mostly know, but I can definitely keep you informed. Uhm, one question, if it's okay to ask." When I nod, she continues, "What is Lord Frost? I know of hell hounds, but what is he?"
Part of my stress-filled mind dulls out to a comical release while I think of my new mutated friend. The relief pushes me into a fit of laughter, making both Frost and Serville question me. Finally containing my laughter, I feel real relief and calm for once, "He's… what happens when you mess with the dead and magic. But he's completely friendly to those he trusts. He trusts the staff and even the others I've met, though if you see him growl at a new guest then get a hold of Chesh immediately. Besides, he's just as brilliant and protective as the hellhound before him, right Frost?"
Frost looks up from the plate and bounds over to me with the wagging tail of a happy canine. I pet him with a small lost look, "He's kind of the only real thing that made me feel safe or even remotely confident enough to keep trying… Oh, uhm, I'm gonna head to the study to try some magic, but Asmodeus is coming with Fizzarolli after lunch."
"If it helps, should I check in before lunch to make sure you're okay? I'll be sure to have a kit on hand. Wouldn't want to wortlry guests right?" Serville says have set the dishes to dry with a conflicted look on her face. Guess she thinks I'll get injured again, though possible unless Frost catches me in time. I nod which makes her light up and start on the way mumbling about finding spare first aid kits.
I stand up and follow Frost somewhat still confused on the layout to the Study. Oddly enough, my radio-themed intruder is already in the room sipping tea on the couch. He looks up once the door is shut, "Seems you had a rough night. Enjoying hell too much maybe?" His laugh makes my ears hurt while I'm left wondering what to say. The Radio Demon stands up and moves just beside me as if walking out, "I came to let you know that I might have the perfect lesson plan, though you'll need to come to the Wrath Ring. Even if you break anything, it's a wasteland out there. I'll leave this with you to send you details and a date. For now dear, I'd sleep off those injuries if I were you." Once he sets a phone forcefully in my claw, he walks out into the hallway into a haze.
I slam the door out of a confused mixture of anger and anxious fear. Training and destruction? I wish I had asked Louis more about demon hierarchy. Still, Serville and the library might help for that. Tentatively I look around the library, "Hey Frost, we're looking for any books on history, legends or theories about the Goetia bloodlines. I need more information if I'm supposed to rest." Frost moves near me, searching the shelves. A small pile begins to build on the coffee table when we exhaust our shelves. I move towards the table until something snags my ankle and trips me up. When I look, there's a white whip holding my ankle which is blocking me from my book somehow.
"Well at least there you're an easy target- gah!" an authoritative voice says nearby until I hear a body hit a bookshelf.
Frost runs over and rips the whip off my leg, while I fumble to call my book to my hands. Even as I do, the gun shot in the air matches a yelp shortly after. Frost falls in front of me in a heap of labored breathing and blood stained fur. Something is rising in me that I can't explain as the voodoo symbols in my book light up. Black blots fill my vision with this migraine building underneath the darkness. Somewhere in the darkness I feel something or someone pushing me back from this dark edge I'm on.
Despite knowing I should stop, the image of Frost falling with an after image of Louis. I scream yet the only thing that escapes is a choir of angry howls. A bone breaks until I see underneath my feet a veil of fog above water. The reflection of a reddish-purple mass of feathers stalking under the surface as if walking upside down. Suddenly as a familiar pained cry of an imp, a bone breaks near me with a satisfied cry from the creature below my feet. For some reason, the sound made me smile…
*Author's Note* Sorry for the long wait time all. Between extreme levels of overtime and a lot of family stuff, I have always kept this project near and dear to my heart. I am already working on Chapter 3 and cannot wait to share more of this story with hopes that the deadline at the end of this note is the last possible day it will be posted. Please stay tuned and patient as the holidays means random overtime and family meetings to attend. I should have a new chapter by December 8th, 2024 or before then with luck.**