Chapter 68: Familiar Faces
Sterling pulls his car up to one the apartment complex's building. As he parks in one of the empty spots, Fantina quickly opens the door and gets out of the car, much to his surprise.
"Ah! Fantina! For God sake…", he remarks putting the car in park then gets out. He then closed the passenger side door, "At least close the door, geez."
As Sterling goes after her, he takes in the appearance of the building which was a bit more unique compared to its neighbors. There were various colorful plants growing in the ground, from junipers to lavender, that looked recently planted along with a fence and various garden statues designed after Pagan gods and idols. The whole area had a sweet, flowery aroma and surprisingly warm atmosphere despite the several magic seals drawn in every corner of one looks hard enough. He notices near an entrance with large cherry wood doors was a stone carved baphomet statue. Except THIS baphomet was obviously female embracing two little girls dressed as witches in her arms.
"Come on!" Fantina calls out to Sterling, clearly very anxious to get inside.
"Alright, calm down. No need to rush, no one is going anywhere." Sterling told her as he pulled out his except badge and places it on a small scanner opening the door. The two walk inside together.
As they continue inside, Sterling takes in how the inside of the building had been changed. The upper floors have been shifted to give more room on the ground floor turning the stone floor into a field of green with flowers growing and a small river flowing under a large well-crafted bridge. The source of the river water he didn't know but it flowed deeper into the building. Not to say this in itself was unique since the complex that housed the liminals that had connection with nature had similar floor layouts. The only difference was that it took ICEP a couple weeks to set up all that in a building this big. Meanwhile, these witches had achieved this in only a few short days from what he read in the report. He couldn't help being a little impressed.
"Morning Agent Sterling. I've been expecting you.", spoke a human male agent with a gun in a holster, standing on the bridge like a guard getting his and Fantina's attention, "I trust there was no issue getting in?"
"No, we are just here to check up on the people here and make sure they're settling in with no problems."
"Well sir, if you would like, I could tell you about my own observations if that helps?" The agent offers them.
"Actually we-"
"Enough! Can we focus on why we are here?" Fantina said, getting even more impatient as she grabbed his hand and started pulling him by his hand as they cross the bridge.
"OW! Ok! Just write down your observations and we will pick up the list on our way out and I will contact you if further information is needed! Will you stop pulling? " Sterling yelled as Fantina dragged him off.
"A-Alright?" The agent replies, questioning, what he saw. He couldn't help chuckling a little never imagined he'd see what a grown man getting dragged by a child looks like.
After about two minutes of walking, Sterling and Fantina the pair arrive at the entrance to the village. They could see the witches going about their day, doing chores, cooking, practicing spells, or just playing games. Some of them could even be seen with the human partners doing these activities together.
At the same time, Fantina noticed that, while some of her children were wearing their usual witch clothes, many others were wearing dresses or more casual clothes talking with others. Strangest part is all of THOSE witches had mates. There were also a few buildings in the middle of the village that Fantina didn't recognize. One appeared to be a makeshift laundromat with washing machines, dryers and witches exiting with floating baskets of clothes, another was storage room for food and gallons of fresh drinking water, another appeared to little movie theater area with a 70 inch TV and assortment of DVDs. Did they really need that last one? She wasn't sure.
"Wow, it's good to see Greenley kept his word. It looks like most of their basic necessities are accounted for.", Sterling spoke then looks to Fantina, "Shall we?"
"Y-Yeah."
Fantina takes a step forward but stops upon seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of her children. They seemed happy enough without her. Would she just be in the way right now?
'Should I really be intruding on their happiness after everything I did?', she thought, regretfully.
"Is...something wrong, Fan Fan?" Sterling asked, becoming concerned.
"M-Maybe it's best if I just wait here. You can just bring Venus here."
"Ok, you were just dragging me here by the arm like a rowdy kid at Walmart like five minutes ago and NOW you get cold feet?", He raises an incredulous eyebrow.
"Look it's not like I DON'T want to see her…and the others…it's just, well…they probably don't trust me. Maybe even hate me.", She spoke lowering her head, only for Sterling to kneel down to her level and tilt her chin up to her surprise.
"W-What are you doing!? " She questioned her old partner, her cheeks flushing pink.
"Fan Fan you don't need to punish yourself. I can see you really want to see them and I'm willing to bet my entire bank account, plus my arm, that they want to see you too." Sterling told her looking her dead in the goat eyes, "Besides, aren't you the same Fan Fan who once stared down Minotaur. Then stopped her when she charged you before forcing her to the ground with magic?" Sterling raised an eyebrow at her with a knowing smirk.
Fantina was taken aback then chuckles while shaking her head in disbelief, "If you're going to sing my praises at least get the details right. She wasn't charging at ME, she was going after you, remember? You were wearing that ugly as red tie that waved in the wind like a 'kick me' sign. If I hadn't stopped her, you would have gotten gored or suffocated under those fat bags of hers." Fantina corrected him with her pride in her voice.
"To be fair, they said we were meeting up with a weremouse liminal, not a Minotaur. Besides, my black tie had gotten a stain on it." Sterling remark nonchalantly shrugging
"After seeing how you live, I'm not surprised."
"...Fair enough. The point is, you're one of the most fearless women I've met. If you can face liminals three times your size on a regular basis, this should be nothing, right?"
"I...guess you're right.", Fantina before realized what he was doing as the guilt from before was no longer weighing on her as heavily, "That was sneaky of you."
"I don't know what you mean. I'm only speaking facts. So, you wanna just stand here like Gnomes or do you want to introduce me to these kids of yours. Either way, I'll be right beside you." Sterling asked before taking her furry hands, surprising her.
"A-Alright, you made your point! Haa, ok, let's go.", Fantina spoke, carefully ripping her hands away and trying to hide her blushing face as she walked ahead.
"Right beside ya.", Sterling quickly catches up to her.
The pair walk beside each other, crossing the village gate. Fantina looked up at Sterling then looked to his hand swinging beside him. She reaches for it and quickly withdraws, feeling uncertain, before Sterling takes her hand surprising her. He gives her a supporting smile to which she smiles a little too, feeling at ease.
Her little goat tail could be seen wagging as they continued into the village.
…Back to Caleb…
Caleb wore a deadpanned expression seated on the couch while Sylvia and now Sharron sat on either side of him and Heidi, Hana, Drei, and Jocelyn sat on the floor chatting near the TV chatting. All the while, Scarrlet sat in the chair furthest from him as she observed him. It almost looked like he was a kingpin surrounded by beautiful women. Though, he hardly felt that way at all right now.
'How the fuck did this happen!', He screamed internally with a straight face.
~Flashback~
"Y-You?! W-What are YOU doing here?!", Scarlett blurts out.
"I could ask y'all the same!", Caleb stated, taken aback.
"I live here!" Scarlett nearly yelled panicking slightly
"Well I live here!", Caleb stated pointing towards the inside of his unit before realization dawns on him, "Aw hell…"
"No way! You're living here now Caleb-kun?!", Hana asked, happily running up to him.
"Wait, ARE you?!", Scarlett stated flabbergasted.
"N-No! It's not like that! Let me explain here."
"Yeah, Sharron? Get the others and meet me at Scarlett's place, you are NOT gonna believe this, girl!", Sylvia said, talking on her phone excitedly.
"What the? Sylvia!"
"What? They gotta know he's here too!", Sylvia shrugs.
"No they don't!", "No they don't!", Caleb and Scarlett expressed simultaneously, as they look at each other surprised
"If you guys have time to stand around and yell, you can also help bring in our bags.", Drei remarks, sprinkling a fine white powder on the doorway as she walks by.
"Oh, I can help you!", Hana immediately offered, creating a blue magic seal in both palms.
"What are you doing now?!", Caleb stated becoming frustrated.
"Do you WANT us to get bugs?", Drei replies before resuming sprinkling.
Caleb pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh as Scarlett looks at him inquisitively.
…. Present…
Scarlett looks over at Caleb who was pinching the bridge of his nose. Apparently, Heidi, Sylvia, and Scarlett share this building with him while Jocelyn and Sharon live just across the street. It was easy for them to gather here.
"Hahaha! This is GREAT! Reunited again with our little human hero!", Sharon happily expressed, leaning against Caleb, her brush his ankle making him uneasy..
"Oh, wait, he doesn't like us calling him that.", Sylvia says with a giggle and sultry gaze
"That's right, we're on a first name basis", Hana teases.
"That's one way of putting it. Also, thanks for bringing our stuff in by the way.", Caleb replies as his and Drei's belongings sat in their room still in their bags.
"No problem! A little gravity magic makes moving in hella easy.", The blue-skinned devil emphasized showing a little blue magic seal on her fingertip.
"Speaking of which, it's about YOU fill us in. Are you guys moving in here or something?! And where's Camilla and the rest of your little harem at?", Sharon inquired, half teasing.
"Don't call it that also…it's a bit complicated to explain but the short of it is I'm doing some volunteer work here at this facility for like the next six weeks or so. It's part of liminal work incentive thing for my company.", Caleb answers, making something up on the spot, "As for the others, they're currently still at home and in the care of temp."
Scarlett and the other look to him with a mix of intrigue and surprise.
"Wait seriously?! And you're ok with some guy in your house with them?!", Sylvia expresses.
"Better question, are you ok having some guy with CAMILLA in the house?! I don't know if you know but she can be intense.", Sharon questioned, a bit worried.
"Believe me, we know."
"Anyway, It's a woman. One with questionable career goals but a decent substitute for the time being.", Drei remarks as they look at her curiously.
"Why are you here then, Drei-san?"
"I'm his bodyguard, remember? Somebody has to keep him out of trouble. Would've brought a leash too but decided that would be too much.", she replied as Caleb scowls at her and incites a few chuckles from the girls.
"Haha! Is he that much of a handful?"
"You have no idea.", Drei comments, eyes closed.
"You're really doggin' me today, huh?", Caleb says in a neutral but annoyed tone to which Drei shrugs.
"Well, whatever the case, it's great we get to hang out with you again! It's a shame Camilla-sama can't be here though."
"Yeah, I hope you don't get too lonely while you're here.", Sharon spoke in a sultry tone, pressing herself against him.
"Of course, we're always here too if you need to talk or whatever.", Jocelyn whispers in his ear, the heat of her breath making him tense up.
Scarlett facepalms with a deep sigh at both her friend's behavior.
"I'll…manage, thanks."
"Can you two give him a break? Let the man have time to START missing his mate before comforting him in his weakest hour. That's what mom always told me.", Sylvia remarks.
"Is home wrecking her side hustle or something?", Drei questions.
"Sigh, anyway, I'm actually really interested in what you girls have been up to since last time we met?", Caleb asks, changing the subject.
"Oh my Chaos, SOOO much has happened! It's been crazy busy around here with all these classes they make us do!", Sharon stated with a groan.
"Some of us are more efficient at studying than others.", Heidi remarks as Sharon shoots her a look, "Well it's true."
"We even started our own club here for all the Chaos Borns like us! It's called the Chaos Faction!" Hana said excitedly to him with a big smile on her face.
"I'm sure you guys notice some of our banners outside. That design was my idea.", Jocelyn proudly says, puffing her chest out a bit.
"We know. You won't let us forget.", Heidi remarks, giving a side eye.
'Huh, so that's what those are? I'll admit the design is kinda cool.', Caleb thought to himself.
"Plus, I'm sure you heard about what happened in the news lately. About this ICEP host that apparently took on crime syndicate and liminal assassins to rescue his homestay?!", Hana stated, grabbing Caleb and Drei's attention.
"Y-Yeah I'm pretty sure everyone and their grandma knows about that. It went viral as hell after it was announced. Crazy.", Caleb replies as casually as possible.
"Crazy?! Try AMAZING! To think some human would risk their lives for people like us AND they brought down the crime syndicate exploiting our people?!", Jocelyn expressed in clear support.
"You can't tell that isn't a sign that times are changing. I just wish we knew who they were. These ICEP dipshits won't give any details on it.", Sylvia folds her arms.
"Well WHOEVER they are I'm sure ICEP has a reason for not releasing that info. For all we know, they could've been just another ICEP agent hosting a liminal.", Drei points out as Caleb looks to her in appreciation.
"I suppose that's true.", Hana ponders touching her chin, "Honestly, as soon as I heard that it was a human, my mind instantly thought of Caleb-kun."
Caleb eyes widen, tensing up as his heart races and Drei side eyes the blue devil girl. Scarlett looks at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Same here. It just made me think of our little hero from that night. Though they couldn't be the same, riiight?", Jocelyn playfully teases, hugging Caleb's arm tighter, making him tense even more. To her, it was a joke, to him, it was his trauma.
Caleb takes a deep breath calming himself down, "C-Come on, you guys really think I'd put myself in a situation like that willingly? That I just go around freeing trafficked and enslaved liminals like Harriet Tubman? No, whoever did that must be a new breed of different. Way different than me that's for damn sure."
Scarlett and the other devil girls look at him curiously while Drei nods in approval of his lying skills.
"Who's Harriet Tubman?", Sylvia asks, looking at Heidi, who shrugs.
"Still, it's good to know there ARE people just like you out there Caleb-kun. For all you know, maybe what you did for us inspired them too.", Hana points out.
"I can believe that. There are those humans supporters for interspecies marriage, 'LiLSir'. Could be one of them."
"Actually, Sylvia, I think they're call 'YSSIR'. Frankly, I like the new name. More confident sounding.", Jocelyn corrects.
"Whoever they are, I hope they reveal it soon. If it's a guy, I'm DEFINITELY doing like the human girls do and throwing it on if I meet him.", Sharon says with a sassy smirk, crossing her legs seductively as Scarlett rolls her eyes.
Caleb was taken aback but averted his eyes.
"I think the phrase is 'throw it back.' Like a frisbee.", Sylvia corrects.
"What if they're a girl though?", Heidi asks.
"Same rules apply. This ass is rated 'A' for 'All genders can get it'."
Hana then notices Drei pointing a remote at Sharon, repeatedly pressing the mute button.
"That isn't going to work. Believe me, we tried.", Hana informs.
"I know.", Drei says, still pressing the button, "It's just satisfying."
"Haa, I think you guys are overlooking an important detail of that event as well.", Scarlett says, getting their attention, "Regardless of whoever it was that's responsible, we can't forget about the liminals, especially our fellow Chaos-Born that we rescued that day. The ones that TRULY suffered because of the Malones. Dozens of which were relocated to this state since the other one in Georgia is full to capacity. We still need to help get them situated."
Caleb looks at the red hair Greater Devil with intrigue, sensing the sincerity yet sternness in her voice. At the same time, he appreciated her viewpoint, considering those liminals the media conveniently glossed over.
"Y-Yeah, you're right Scarlett-san. We definitely need to make everyone feel welcome today.", Hana agreed.
"Wait, today?", Caleb raises an eyebrow.
"Oh, on Monday and Friday we have meetings with our fellow Chaos-Born to discuss everyone's progress, complaints, group activities or just share opinions.", Hana answered.
"It's not mandatory to attend but it helps to make sure ours and other Chaos-Borns are treated fairly. ICEP can only do so much for us after all.", Scarlett points out.
"That's good to hear.", Caleb replies genuinely, catching her attention, "It's an admirable thing to know you're each dedicated to the improvement of your people."
Scarlett's expression softens a bit, a blush forming, but remains stern, "Your words are appreciated but not something we aren't aware of."
"Yeah, you're right. I'm just talking.", Caleb chuckles in slight embarrassment as Scarlett glances at him.
"GAAAASP, girls, he's TOTALLY gotta meet everyone!", Sharon suggested as Scarlet, Caleb and the others look to her in surprise.
"Gotta do what now?", Caleb double takes.
"Ooooh that's a great idea! I bet the others will go NUTS knowing the 4th of July hero is with us!", Jocelyn cheerfully stated with sparkling ruby red eyes.
"Good Gehenna! That IS a great idea! Herr Caleb(Mr. Caleb) won't you join us in today's meeting?"
"Wait, hold up a second! I just got here. Can I have at least a few hours to get settled in?"
"Plus, we still haven't found a place to get breakfast.", Drei points out.
"Really?"
"What? You haven't eaten breakfast either."
"YOU ate my breakfast!", Caleb scolds
"It wasn't filling."
"That is no problem at all. The meet is in an hour and a half from now. We know a few good restaurants nearby you guys can try out until then. While we're at it, we can give you two little tour of the place.", Hana suggests.
"You had me at 'restaurant'.", Drei says standing up from the floor, brushing her clothes off.
"Come on, slow poke, don't let this no time to laze around.", Sharon expresses, raising from the couch and pulling Caleb by the arm.
"Yeah come on! It'll be fun.", Jocelyn says, pulling in his other arm.
"Ok Ok, geez!", Caleb relents, standing up, "Guess I might as well get familiar with the place since I'm gonna be here for a while. Plus, I am pretty hungry now."
"Huhu, don't worry you're in good hands. We'll fill up that tummy of yours.", Hana assures, pushing him from behind out the door with the others following.
"And maybe later you can fill up my tummy.", Sharon lustfully whispered lowly for him to not make out but Scarlett managed to catch it, tensing up.
"What did you just say?", Caleb looks at her, eyebrow raised.
"Let's get going girls before they run out of the good stuff!", Sharon cheered with a grin, arm raised like a cavalry leader then mushed her breast to Caleb arm while Jocelyn did the same.
Caleb's heart races as he tries to calm down, "Do both of you really have to be so close?"
"Of course, you don't wanna get lost, do you?", Jocelyn asks with a sweet grin.
"Yeah, you're wayyy safer with us.", Sharon assured, hugging him tighter, enjoying his scent as he recoils at the sensation of her breasts between his arm.
"Somehow I highly doubt that", He spoke plainly, trying to ignore the sensation, as they let out a chuckle.
"Chaos, you're so funny.", Sharon laughs.
"I'm serious."
Behind him, Scarlett glared at them, annoyed at the behavior of those two. Then she looks to Caleb, unsure of how to feel about him being here at all. She could tell he was hiding something.
Not only that…he seemed different? Particularly his scent. He didn't smell very much like a human anymore. In fact, it was quite intoxicating…and arousing. Scarlett decided to keep her distance from him seeing how it's affecting the others.
'I've got a very bad feeling about this.', Scarlett thought, preparing for the worst.
...Back at the witch village…
In a large dirt field for sowing crops, three witches could be seen wearing gardening attire for people of their size and carrying large hoes.
"So Nova, did you try that 'DoorDash' thingy where they bring you food?" a magenta haired witch with pigtails asked her friend, a dark blue haired witch with a beauty mark who's long bangs covered her eyes.
"I remember Libra's big brother used it the other day to get ravioli for dinner.", Nova replied before looking to a red haired witch, her hair short and wavy, "What about you Mars?"
"Nick once told me about it, and said it's more convenient than going to restaurants. Apparently, there are a lot of different kinds of options too based on your preferred diet. Honestly though, I wouldn't mind dining out with him on a real date at least once." Mars said, getting a sad look on her face as her hands trembled holding onto hoe and tears formed until she felt a hug from the magenta haired witch, "I'm sorry Gala I-I just miss him so much."
"It's ok, Mars. Venus said he and the others will be back soon." Gala comforted her friend, seeing her still sniffling and trying her best to hold back tears. That's when Gala gets an idea. "Hey, I have an idea. After we're done here, we can go find Gamma and Libra and together we can practice making some recipes. I found in this neat book that you could use it to make something really sweet for your beloved big bro." Gala said, conjuring a magenta magic seal and materializing a magazine from a small pocket dimension.
The front cover consisted of Cupid wearing an apron and nothing else while holding a mixing bowl and whisk on the cover which said 'Five Desserts to Win His Heart.' Mars and Nova stare at it, intrigued.
"W-Where'd you get that from, Gala?", Mars asks, intrigued by the cover, as Gala hands over the magazine.
"Oh, it was from a collection that those friendly gnomes next door gave us. She said it basically saved her marriage."
Mars proceeds to flip through the book scanning the content and questionably arousing illustrations wondering if this tome was really that powerful.
She quickly glances around making sure no one else was too close. "Gala, a-all these girls, they're…quite lewd don't you think .", She whispers to Gala, cheeks flushed pink embarrassed.
"Damn, look at the buns on her.", Nova expressed wide eyed, seeing a Cupid female bent over on a table with cinnamon buns resting on her plump butt cheeks.
"What's wrong with that? It's ok for us girls to want to be sexy for our men. Well, I don't have one yet, but you…don't you wanna surprise Mark when he returns?"
"I-I do but–"
"Then you got this. Look at that body, petite, sweet, and a nice ass, you'll drive him wild!", Gala encourages gesturing around Mars' body, " Besides, don't forget rule number six of the coven."
"Devote thyself to love, pleasure, and depravity in thine union, for it is beautiful in the eyes of Sabbath.", Nova and Mars repeated in unison with a monotone, drudgery voice
"We know. Haa, ok i'll do it but will storage have what we need?", Mars ponders.
"If not, we can try asking that cute ICEP guard near the front entrance if we can go pick up supplies for that general store up the street. Maybe we can even ask if one of our neighbors can help, like Bree.", Gala suggested, remembering the Halfling she met.
"Hmm, I guess that could work."
"Just to be sure, that's not an excuse to talk with the guard, right Gala?", Nova asks with a sly smirk.
"I will not confirm nor deny that coincidence.", she replies, lightly blushing as Nova and Mars chuckled at her response.
Suddenly, Mars notices two people in the distance coming closer, the bigger of the two she didn't recognize but the other one caused her eye, seeing it was their beloved leader.
"Madame Fantina!" Mars yelled in excitement, conjuring her broom then flying towards as other witches heard her turning the once quiet village into a roar of excitement.
Sterling and Fantina stop in their tracks, seeing dozens of short girls come running or flying towards them.
"Madame Fantina, your back!" Mars stated, leaping off her broom then tackling Fantina in a hug almost knocking the baphomet over if not for her sturdy goat legs. She was quickly joined by more little witches swarming them.
"Madame Fantina, we missed you so much!"
"Madame Fantina you're ok right?!"
"You're not in trouble are you?"
"What's this thing on your neck?"
"Ack, GIRLS, GIRLS ENOUGH! One at a time, geez!" Fantina scolds them, prompting all the witches to give their goat leader some breathing room. She takes a deep breath then looks around at her children's anxious faces, "I'm ok, everyone. Really. Truth be told, I was more concerned for all of you. I messed up and I put you all in great danger. I'm so sorry."
Mars and the other witches look at her and each other in confusion as Sterling quietly observes how things will play out.
"What are you babbling about, girl?", came the voice of Venus who floats down from above on her black broomstick as the other witches quickly make room for her, "You're the reason everyone is ok at all. If the Malones got to us before your message, who knows what could've happened. You did well, none of us blame you."
"Venus…", Fantina utters, then looks at the smiling faces of her children, sensing no resentment from any of them. She wipes away tears that were forming the smiles back, "Thank you, all of you."
"Madame Fantina, who is this man?" One the witches asked as she and the others turn their attention to Sterling.
"Hi there. It's a pleasure to meet everyone", Sterling smiles awkwardly introducing himself as the witches stared at him with curiosity and interest. A few already gathered around him, intrigued.
"He is the man I told you all about. The one helping out beloved Madame" Venus says in a knowing voice which Fantina caught.
"So that's him. He's quite handsome isn't he?", Nova whispers to Gala who nods in agreement as Fantina shoots them a look.
"Aw, thank you.", Sterling bends slightly, overhearing both witches, startling them.
"It's so nice to finally meet you Mr. Sterling. I'm Callista. ", A blonde witch with a black star on her right cheek reaches out her hand with a smile.
"Hehe, nice to meet you all as well.", Sterling says with a smile, taking the witch's small hand which was by his own.
'~Ahhh, his hands are so big and firm but kind.~', Callista thought, surprised with a heavy blush.
"Thank you for taking care of Madame Fantina, Mr. Sterling.", A silver haired witch with long hair expresses looking up with twinkling gray eyes and smile.
"You're welcome but lately it's kinda been the other way around. Right, Fan Fan?", Sterling admits as Fantina gives him an incredulous look.
"Fan Fan? Is that what you call her?!", Gala stated.
"That's so adorable!", Callista stated as the others crooned equally as hard.
"Gahhh! Enough, forget he said that!", Fantina stated in annoyance and embarrassment.
"Congratulations, Madame Fantina, you certainly picked up a good one.", Mars expressed, happily.
"They look so cute together."
"She finally found hers."
"I'm so happy for her. I wonder if they've done it already."
"Eclipse, Astera, Sunaru, what are you three whispering about back there?" Fantina asked the three witches a suspicious look on her face.
"I'm so happy for her. I can't wait to see what their daughter is going to look like.", A green haired witch wearing her usual witch outfit croons.
"WHAT?! WHAT DID YOU SAY PHEOBE?!", Fantina shouted in surprise as Sterling equally as purtubed by her statement.
"I'm sorry, WHAT exactly did you tell them about me and our situation? I think this is a HUGE misunderstanding."
"I simply told them that you're both living in the same home which is true. You know, in our culture, that only means ONE thing."
"You did WHAT?!" Fantina yelled while sterling brought his hand to his face rubbing his forehead knowing this was gonna be a LONG visit.
"OK, I'd love to clear ALL of this up but we're kinda on a schedule so, Ms. Venus, kindly show us somewhere we can talk more privately to cover more… delicate matters that we needed to discuss with you?", Sterling replies in a professional tone, ignoring the gazes of the witches.
"Oh, we can use Madame Fantina's old home. It's quite spacious and hasn't been used since move here.",
"My home?!" Fantina asked, not liking the idea.
"What's wrong? You've already seen his home, so it's only fair he see yours and it IS private."
"Sure, that works for me. Lead the way. You coming, Fan Fan, or do you wanna talk more about our 'relationship' with your friends?", Sterling teases with air quotes.
"Shut up! Dear Sabbath you're annoying! It should be this way if the damn layout hasn't changed." She glances at Venus for confirmation who nodds.
The other witches watches as the pair leaves together, some giggling and gossipping about them already.
"They're definitely gonna fuck in there, right?", Callista remarked, getting a few blushing gasps.
"Come on, with Lady Venus with them? They wouldn't do that, right?",Gala asks.
"H-Hey, what's got everyone together here for?", Came a familiar voice.
Gala and a few friends turn to see their fellow witch Moon standing before them. She had dark circles under her eyes from poor sleep, her black hair was a bit messy and unkempt.
"O-Oh, hi Moon, you're awake. Anyway, Madame Fantina's back.", Mars answers as Moon flinches hearing that.
"And she's got herself a super handsome big brother–ow!", Gala blurted out before Mars hit her in the back of the head knocking her over with her broom trying to stop her but Moon heard more than enough.
"O-Oh...really? T-That's good…for her. Now she's got a big brother to l-love h-her." Moon said, her voice cracking near the end, hands clutching at her skirt.
"Moon…", Mars softly spoke, touching her shoulder to comfort her only for the raven hair witch to pull away.
"I'm fine! I just…need to s-shower.", Moon stated, summoning her broom then flies away.
Mars releases a sigh as she turns to Gala, helping her up "I'm sorry about that."
"Poor Moon. She's still upset over Keith huh.", Gala spoke, rubbing her head.
"It's still fresh for her. She needs time. Besides, he was her longest lasting big brother so she was desperate to make it work even if it meant…" Nova said
"He was also a huge prick that Nick didn't like being around. He once said to him he wanted to 'trade girls'.", Mars bitterly remarks then sighs, "Still he meant the world to her."
"Hey, while we're getting our plans ready. Why don't we do something for her, cheer her up you know?", Gala suggested as Mars and Nova look at each other nodding in agreement.
…Elsewhere…
An hour has passed since the group started their little tour. They showed Caleb and Drei some of the specialized areas for mana-user type liminals like them. Mostly, places they like to hang out. A target area to practice spells and blow off excess mana, a liminal salon run by female Axolotl, along with a small shopping area with a clothing boutique, bookstore, and a GameStop. Caleb cringed at the last one.
In that time, they stopped at a nearby Hardy's that was run by a couple of golden retriever-type Kobolds and was still serving breakfast.
"Enjoy your meal sir! Happy Monday!", The female Kobold with short blonde hair happily spoke, handing him the bag.
"Thanks, you too.", Caleb smiled back, taking his food out of her soft, yellow furred hands. The second he took the bag and recipe, he noticed something on the back of the recipe. He was surprised to see a phone number with a heart next to it and the name 'Looloo'. He looks up at the Kobold lady questioningly.
"Come again, sir.", She says with a blushing smirk, furrowing her eyebrows, and tail wagging.
"Uh…sure. You too?", Caleb replies, quickly turning then mentally slaps himself at how dumb he sounded before hearing the Kobold worker giggling as he leaves.
"Oh, good for you to join us.", Drei remarks, before taking a bite of her sausage biscuit. She and the others stood outside on the large sidewalk with their Hardy's bags as other liminals in the background went about their business.
"Yeah, well, sometimes fast food is slow as hell.", He shrugged, discreetly crumbling up the receipt.
"Hey, that can be a new restaurant slogan.", Jocelyn pointed out.
"Are you trying to set a record for how fast a place can go out of business?", Scarlett questions, raising an eyebrow, getting chuckles out of Heidi and Sylvia.
"Plus, we already have a restaurant with that slogan. It's called 'Popeyes'.", Caleb added, getting a few more chuckles from the girls. Scarlett looks at him with curious eyes.
"Hehe, ok, let's keep moving.", Hana urges, walking ahead before the group all follows along.
"Gotta say, this place is pretty nice.", Caleb admires, looking around, also noticing ICEP security walking by.
"It really is. There's so much to do and plenty of programs for liminals to gain valuable intuitive job training and human standard educations up to 2-year college standards.", Hana explained.
"That's just her way of saying there's plenty of stuff to help us "fit in" better in human society.", Sharon clarifies, doing air quotes.
"Plus, ICEP just wants us to have skills that we can at least survive besides magic. Apparently, humans get freaked out by a few harmless spells and start making bullshit accusations.", Jocelyn added, arms folded in annoyance.
"Still upset about what happened at work?", Scarlett inquires.
"Seriously, that bitch Ashley started it so I ended it.", She huffed.
"By using wind magic to create an updraft to blow her dress up in front of all those guys.", Scarlett skeptically raises an eyebrow.
"Hey, not my fault she picked then, of all days, to go commando. Either way, that sure, showed her."
"And your boss and ICEP showed you a pink stamp. You were on clean-up duty for a week.", Hana points out.
"Pink stamp?", Caleb inquires.
"Oh, it's like a punishment system they have in these facilities. Here…", Hana informs taking out her I.A. identification card, showing her photo, species, weight, DOB, the usual info. Then she turns it around showing five blank boxes, "Whenever we behave in poor conduct or cause trouble, we get a pink stamp on the card. If we get five, we get removed from I.A. and deported back to our original country."
"Wait, seriously?" Caleb asked confused
"It is something they came up with recently to encourage us to THINK before we act. Not just here but in the outside world, where we HAVE to weigh our decisions carefully. ", Scarlett adds in a slightly cold tone.
"The fun part is, depending on the severity of the misdemeanor, you could get two or three stamps right off the bat. I saw it happen with this High Orc lady a while back that got a liiiitle to forceful with a volunteer. She already had two stamps then they just kicked her out,", Sylvia spoke before taking a bite of her sandwich.
"Alright, is there any way you can get rid of a stamp you've received?" Caleb asked
"Depends on the misdemeanor, but you can either complete a certain number of community service, like Jocelyn or get a letter of forgiveness from the party you wronged.", Hana explained.
"Typically, it's the former that usually ends up happening.", Scarlett points out.
"There is a good side though. Receiving no stamps every month gets us a reward point to use on goods and services, even discounts on all expenses.", Heidi adds to the conversation.
"Sooo, it's basically a social credit system meant to deter and cull undesirable behaviors in certain liminals to fit ICEP's ideal societal standard? Questionable ethics but I can understand the end goal.", Drei chimes in with a ponderous expression.
"What do you think the end goal is? Trying to make us as much like humans as possible? Are we really so bad as we are? ", Scarlett remarks bitterly as the others look at her with concern.
"H-Hey, what's that place?", Caleb asks, pointing out to a large building with 'Rocking X' spelled in green neon lights, changing the subject, "Is it some kinda gamers club or something?"
Scarlett's eyes widen upon seeing the building then looks away in shame, remembering that night.
"It's A club but not a gamer one. Honestly, it depends on the kind of games you're into, if you know what I mean?", Sylvia playfully nudges his shoulder with a knowing smirk, "The kind with toys, no brakes, and lots of sweat. Know what I mean? I'm talkin' about foreplay."
"I got it, thanks."
"It's a nightclub owned by the nocturnal liminals.", Hana gave a real answer.
"They really allow that kinda stuff here?"
"Pretty much. It's just another place for liminal species to relax, you know?"
"This place used to be a college, right? I heard human colleges have something similar. Think they're called frat houses?", Sharon ponders.
"Yeah, we've got a couple party schools in this state but still…"
"If you're worried, don't be. It's still ICEP owned after all so nothing TOO fun can happen in there", Hana added.
"Yeah, they don't even sell REAL booze. It's just some fermented flower alcohol stuff those Mothmen drink. Still good as fuck though and their raves are pretty damn fun and lively at night.", Jocelyn admits.
"Oh, you guys have been there before?"
"You could say that, ja. In fact, it was so much fun we…are currently banned from going there ever again.", Heidi says, clearly embarrassed to admit it.
"Damn, what happened?"
"It's a…long story that involves six sexy devils, fake booze, some asshole orcs with rainbow mohawks, and a well-choreographed ass whooping. So a typical girls night with us.", Sharon nonchalantly shrugged.
Caleb gives her a strange stare trying to imagine that scenario described..
"She left out some important details but that is, unfortunately, the gist of it all.", Scarlett confirms.
"Wow. That sounds pretty crazy."
"It IS 'pretty crazy' that we just want to have fun and it ends up getting ruined? So, now we're just banned for something that's barely even our fault.", Scarlett remarks bitterly, still a bit upset about that night.
"Yeah, that's terrible y'all had to go through that. It may not mean much but I believe you. You girls are sweet so I know it's not your fault at all. It's those…rainbow orcs.", Caleb said, hardly believing what he said near the end. Scarlett and the other girls blush slightly.
"Awww, that's kind of you to say Caleb-kun", Hana beams at him with a smile.
"I'm just speaking the honest truth.", Caleb replies with a shrug.
"He's also speaking from experience since he's banned HIMSELF from cloth shopping with his girlfriends.", Drei comments as each of the devil girls ears perk up.
"Wait, what?!", Sharon stated, an intrigued smile growing.
"Why?", Caleb stated to Drei incredulously, who ignored him sipping her sweet tea.
"What? Was Camilla putting on a little show for you and you couldn't handle it? Or maybe someone's a little squeamish around ladies underwear.", Sylvia teases, crawling her fingers up his back like spider legs, making him arch his back at the unpleasant sensation.
"Nnnyahh stop that!", Caleb stated making the girls burst out laughing, even Scarlett couldn't help softly giggling. He rolls his eyes, enduring the relatively tame humiliation.
"Maybe while you're here, you can help out with picking a few new outfits?", Sharon suggests in a sultry tone before leaning in his ear, "Maybe pick out a few nighties. I'd be happy to model them for you."
"I'd like a piece of that action. How bout it? A little fashion show striptease just for you?", Jocelyn whispers in his ear, pulling her shirt down to show a bit more cleavage.
Scarlett gives an annoyed glare and was about to say something before Caleb interrupts.
"T-That's ok! My 'clothes shopping with women' days are over. I made sure of that.", Caleb replies as Scarlett looks at him in slight surprise.
She was honestly trying to get a read on him but it was surprisingly troublesome.
"Well that's a shame. ~I would've loved to model for you, Caleb-kun~", Hana slyly remarks in a lustful tone, catching him off guard.
"I admit, I'm not against it myself. Would be a good opportunity to show my gorgeous thighs in red tights and why they should be worshiped!", Sylvia stated, raising up one leg showing off her plump, curvaceous thigh, "I'll let you become my first follower to a new religion, Cal."
"I-I'm agnostic.", Caleb says, looking away with an embarrassed blush as Sharon and Jocelyn smirk, finding a weak point.
"Ignore her, Caleb, it's just her delusional ramblings again.", Scarlett replies plainly.
"Don't feed her ego and she'll stay in check. Like a cat, just don't feed and it'll go away.", Heidi added.
"Unless you're talking about my sexy catwalk, don't you dare compare me to some house cat!"
"Why? Living with you is EXACTLY like having a house cat except none of the quiet."
"Sounds like me and one of my sisters, minus the cat part.", Drei added.
'I am so ready for this day to be over.', Caleb thought to himself facepalming while rubbing his temples.
"Hm? I've never seen that store before. Did they just put that there?", Hana points out, getting the other's attention. They see along the alignment of stores was a place with yellow and black sign, patio furniture, ice machine,yellow shopping carts full of discount items, and Halloween decorations.
"Dollar…General. What the Chaos is that?", Sylvia questions, tilting her head.
"It's just a dollar store.", Caleb answers.
"Ooh, is that some kind of new liminal business?", Hana curiously asks.
"What? No, we have like a billion of those here in Alabama. Hell, in some parts of the South there's more dollar stores than ACTUAL people."
"Dollar store? Whoa so EVERYTHING in there is a dollar?!", Sharon stated.
"Nope, that's 'Five or Less'. Everything in there is just relatively inexpensive depending on the county you're in."
"What do they even sell in there?", Scarlett asks as they walk past it seeing a male and female Lizardman pair leaving with a few yellow bags in hand.
"I don't know, food, clothes, furniture probably? Nobody really knows until they unpack everything in the boxes they have all over the place. Probably Halloween stuff given the decorations."
"Ok, now I'm curious. I'm definitely stopping there after today's meeting.", Jocelyn affirms.
"Same here."
"Me too. I'm sure they have plenty of very useful wares I need.", Heidi affirms with a grin.
"On my everything as an Alabama man, I'm positive they don't but wish you the best anyway.", Caleb remarks with a thumbs up.
"Hehehe you're weird. The cute kind of weird.", Hana remarks with as the group continued on to their destination.
….Back to Sterling…
Venus could be seen brewing some tea and macadamia nut cookies to the pair, placing them on a large wooden table where they were seated.
Fantina fiddled with her fingers under the table, nervous about having Sterling inside her old living space.
"Huh, so this is where you went when we were done on missions.", Sterling comments, intrigued by the decor as Venus levitates each of them a cup of tea, "Oh thank you".
"Thanks V. Yeah, this is my house. It might not seem as modern as you're used to but it's mine. Make fun of it if you want, I don't care.", Fantina spoke, becoming defensive for reasons even she didn't know.
"Honestly, I am always more into rustic design, probably because of my country upbringing. It always felt more like home to me. Yours is no different and it's got its own charm with all the magic related stuff everywhere. It's like the best of both worlds.", Sterling replies, taking a sip of the purplish-black liquid as Fantina looks to him intrigued, "Wow, this really good. What kind of tea is this?"
"Well it's special blend that me and Fantina mother made together using witch hazel and belladona.", said as she sat at the table and grabbed a cookie from the plate.
Sterling nearly strangles on the tea, lurching forward doing a double take, "I'm sorry, 'belladona'? As in the deadly nightshade? THAT one?"
"Oh, dear, there's no need to panic. Us witches have been consuming it for centuries so we've developed spells for removing the poisonous contents. Nothing deadly about it now except how addictive it is ahahahaha!", Venus laughs like an actual witch as Sterling gives a questioning look to Fantina.
"I's fine. Her sense of humor is just weird sometimes.", Fantina assures, casually taking a sip of the tea then asks,"Now, how is everyone? Any problems adjusting? Has there been anyone causing you trouble? If so, just tell me who they are and i'll-"
"Everyone is just fine, Fantina.", Venus interrupts her barrage of questions, "They seem to be adjusting fine. The only difference between here and the Malones is now we have neighbors. Speaking of them, the Halflings and Gnomes have been quite welcoming to us. We're also currently starting cultivating our own crops field so we don't get too dependent on ICEP's food donations."
"Alright good to know everything's peaceful on your end." Sterling says, watching her reaction noticing her demeanor starting to change, "It is peaceful, right?"
"...Well...there's one…incident I recently ran into when I and a few of the witches were borrowing farming tools from the Halflings.", Venus admitted, catching Fantina's attention.
"And what was that, exactly?"
"There was…this male Angel who claimed that us "vile sinners" with our degenerate influence where corrupting this otherwise sacred dwelling. He said us and the devils need to be purged from this earth. You know that old spiel" Venus told them, waving it off.
"They threatened you!? Where is this Angel?! I will rip off his wings and show them what happens when you threaten MY children!", Fantina stated, slamming her fist to the wooden table, knocking over her tea.
"Fan Fan, calm down."
"DON'T tell me to calm down. It doesn't matter who or what you are, nobody threatens my coven!"
"For Chaos sake, girl, don't go stirring up a heap of trouble! I already handled it, and I did it without resorting to violence despite that man's provocations. Nova and the others are fine too.", Venus scolds, summoning a blue magic seal on her staff causing all the spilled tea to gather in a tight ball and throw itself into the sink. The tea kettle then levitates over and pours a new cup and tops off Sterling's.
"Thank you. Now, Venus, I can say with complete confidence this coven is secure. Nobody is going to hurt these girls and any threats by ANYONE will be dealt with immediately. I will go talk to Mr. Bitchface before leaving about this issue and we'll work it out.", Sterling assured Venus' surprise.
"That…CAN'T be his actual name.", Fantina remarks.
"I'm 75% sure it is. Were his parents vindictive? I couldn't say but the man does his job well so that's more than enough.", Sterling affirms.
Fantina looks to him a moment in thought before responding, "Ok. If you're that confident in him, I'll leave to you for now."
"Thanks, Fan Fan."
Venus lightly giggles at the two of them.
"What's so funny?", Fantina asks skeptically.
"It's nothing just…I'm happy you have someone besides me you can rely on, Fantina. Not to mention someone so handsome."
Fantina blushes feverishly at her words.
"Awww, thank you ma'am.", Sterling nonchalantly replies with a smug grin at Fantina, "See? I'm not that dirty."
"She hasn't seen how you were living before I came along."
"Oh, you're already doing your best for him as a partner. How lovely sweetheart. Huhu hope you didn't, forget what I taught you about keeping them satisfied now.", Venus winks at her, prompting the goat girl to blush harder and Sterling chokes on his tea again.
"I'm sorry, what did you teach her?"
"IGNORE HER! And youuuuu…", Fantina, with flustered and frustrated expression, raising up pointing her furry, finger at an unbothered Venus, casually sipping her tea.
"It's not nice to point sweetheart. You may be our leader but don't make me get the 'Discipline staff'.", Venus warns making Fantina recoil a little before sitting back down and sipping her tea.
"Ok. Sorry V."
'Well, I see who's REALLY in charge here.', Sterling thought to himself, a bit amused.
"Good girl. Now then, Sterling dear, there's the matter of our witches husband's ICEP are currently holding in custody. When exactly can our witches expect their Big Brothers to return?", Venus asks, not breaking eye contact while sipping her tea.
"We ran the background checks on most of them already. We didn't find anything significant from most of the participants that'd raise some red flags. However... there's the case of the two that were apprehensive about coming with us originally…now we know why" Sterling said with knowing this was gonna be rough
Fantina looks at him with suspicion, "Why? What was wrong with them?!", she stated, wondering what he wasn't telling her.
Sterling hesitates for a moment as Venus gestures to her to settle down then him to continue.
"They were Malone spies sent in to keep an eye on you all. Though, they're both claiming they fell in love with their respective witch and loyalty lies with them and the rest of you. We are currently running a test to see if their claims of loyalty are true but, the fact they were members of Malones complicates their situation. Even if they are telling the truth, convincing others like Greenley to let two ex-mafia into the facility is going to be hard a sell though.", Sterling said with a sigh.
Fantina sat in stunned silence, horrified that she unknowingly let in members of Malones to be husbands for her children. That bastard Keith was bad...but this? She knew Mama Rose' didn't trust her but how could have been so naive to think she wouldn't send her own people to monitor her children.
"It's all my fault. I should have been more thorough about the kind of men my girls are exposed to.", She scolds herself clenching her fists and shaking with frustration, "I'm supposed to keep them all safe. Yet I'm the one putting them in the most danger!"
At that moment, Fantina feels a hand on her shoulder, giving her a comforting squeeze.
"Fan Fan, it's not your fault. You were doing the best you could at the time.", Sterling spoke, trying to assure her.
"He's right.", Venus spoke with remorse, "You were doing your best…for us. I was the one trusted to see after them when you were…working. It's mostly my fault."
Fantina look to each of them, sensing their sincerity, and sighs softly, "No, we're both to blame in one way or another. It's just…good everyone is safe now. Truly safe. Let's keep it that way."
"Understood.", Venus agrees with a small grin.
Sterling smiles at them before taking a deep breath, deciding to change the subject, "Now then, there's one other thing we'd like to discuss."
"Yes?"
"Fantina tells me your skills in divination are second to none."
"She told you right. The witches of my bloodline, specifically, are quite attuned to the flow of naturally occurring mana. Is there something you're looking for?"
"Not someTHING, someone.", Sterling spoke as Venus raised a curious eyebrow, "We need to find a man called 'Sean Fitzpatrick' and your power would be quite helpful. ICEP would definitely appreciate your help."
Venus looks to Fantina who nods, already knowing it was best to go along for now. With a snap of her finger, the table surface started rippling with blue energy waves as a large, crystal ball emerges out of the liquid wood.
"Then…allow me to begin paying my dues."
….Elsewhere…
The group finally arrived at the meeting spot of the Chaos-Born. A large community center with basketball court on the back and an indoor swimming pool. Standing at the front entrance were two ICEP personnel in body armor.
"Hello sir, we're here for our 11:30 am meeting.", Hana spoke, showing her phone with an appointment message.
One of them takes a look at it then nods approvingly, letting them in.
Hana and the others walk up to open the doors walking inside through a corridor with Caleb and Drei right behind them as the sound of people talking could be heard behind the door.
"Sounds like it's a full house.", Drei comments.
"That's putting it lightly.", Caleb replies, not a fan of being around so many people in one room.
"Sorry. It typically is, I hope that's ok with you.", Hana spoke, as she and the others looked back at him.
"I mean…sigh you know what? It's cool, i'll deal with it.", He replied, taking a deep breath..
"No need to put on too brave a face, we'll be right by your side, hun.", Jocelyn assured, with a grin taking him by the arm as the others agreed.
"Try not to draw too much attention. I'm doing most of the talking anyway.", Scarlett advised him, looking back but finding it hard to maintain eye contact for some reason.
"T-Thanks"
"Here. put this on, now, if you want to survive.", Drei says, presents him a vial of clear liquid as the devil girls look at her strangely.
"O…k?", He takes it and inspects it for a moment before opening it and sniffing it curiously before raising an eyebrow. He sees Drei's staring intently at him and shrug proceeding to rub the liquid on his neck and arms.
Scarlett and the others are taken aback by the odd scent.
"Ugh, it smells weird, like Dijon mustard and pine sol.", Caleb remarks.
"That's the idea. Nothing kills a woman's mood, than a man who bathes in cheap cologne. It'll wear off in a few hours."
"Well she's not wrong.", Sharon remarks turning her nose away then softly mutters, "I almost turned off now…almost."
"Ok, let's just go in already before the scent lingers on us.", Scarlett says, nose covered with her hand as she summons a blue magic seal. The metal push handles glow blue for a moment then swing wide open.
"WASSUUUUP!", Sharon shouted energetically, forked tongue hanging and making devil horns with her fingers, getting all of their attention before several liminal respond with similar energy, including Jocelyn and Sylvia.
"Every freakin' time.", Scarlett sighs, shaking her head in disappointment as Hana pats her arm comforting over their friend's stupidity.
Caleb's eyes widened seeing a massive group of more than fifty liminals in a large room full of large tables with different liminal races seated at each.
He saw one with at least 8 short, insectoid women. They each had lavender hair, mischievous purplish-gray eyes, four of them, light purple carapace colored arms and legs, each ending in three digits, large insect abdomen protruding behind, light purple antennae, and large fly-like wings with a white skull and cross-bones pattern. Their attire was, for lack of better word, unique with outfits that matched their petite yet shapely figure and ravenous personalities. Beelzebubs.
The next looked to be at least a dozen Devils, except they looked quite different from Scarlett and the others. Their wings and tails had a far more intimidating look and they were constantly ablaze with orange flames at the tips. Their horns were long and thick, protruding out of the forehead much like an oni and matched the color of their mocha skin tone. Each of them had the yellow and orange flames pattern in a different hairstyle but each wore a similar punk rock style outfit completely with hoodies, boots, piercings, and tattoos. All were dressed unapologetically skimpy and showed off their proud, voluptuous assets. Their overall demeanor seemed carefree yet aggressive. Pyrows.
The next table was an assortment of Greater and Lesser Devils, like Scarlet and the others. A few of them noticeably had the same blue skin tone as Hana and dressed themselves in more formal Asianic fashion compared to the others more casual wear. All of them were notably attractive. Among them was a tall woman with large bat wings and ears that poked from atop her long brown hair. She had piercing red eyes and large burgundy segmented scorpion-like tail ending in a ball shaped mass adorned with large curved spikes. Her arms and legs were covered with shaggy brown fur, stopping at the joints and ending in large five digit feline paws. Her tan human skin was spotless and she had a muscular but well-endowed figure with large G-cup breasts and plump thighs. A Manticore.
The next table was filled with a dozen devils with more childlike appearances similar to Hana's. Only difference is their magenta wings were positioned further down to their lower back close to their tails, their horns were smaller and less intimidating, and each of them dressed in moderately attire. However, among them were a few devils with paler wings and tails and noticeable more developed figures, looking more like teens than kids. Imps and Arch Imps.
The last table…was surprisingly empty. Despite that, nobody seemed to want to sit there for some reason. Also, there was a huge bean bag chair on the end for some reason.
"Follow me, don't make eye contact.", Scarlett urged as she, Heidi and Hana get him to follow them to a set of tables at the forefront of the room. As they move, with Drei watching his back, several of the other residents quickly take notice of him, some whispering as he passes, some at him with great interest and curiosity, others glaring at him with clear disdain. Caleb was already on edge at this point, trying to ignore their comments.
Scarlet stood in front of the tables with Hana, Sylvia, and the others taking their seats behind her with Caleb and Drei motioned to sit on the far right of the table near some doors. The red haired devil summons a small purple magic seal in front of her mouth.
"HAIL TO DISCORD!", Scarlett stated, her voice amplified throughout the room. Every in the room, including Hana and the others repeating her statement in unison, "HAIL TO DISCORD!"
The entire room repeated again as Caleb and Drei looked around at everyone then at each other.
"It's a pleasure to be with you all again now let's begin with the group roll call. Chaos-Born representatives make yourselves heard!"
"Toakala Khan! Representing my fellow Pyrows!", A female Pyrow dressed in large black and orange leather boots, skirt, crop top, and cutoff long sleeve jacket, along with black flame-pattern tattoos symbols all over her body and silver piercings in her bellybutton, ears, and forked tongue. She had curvaceous hips and thighs, perky breasts, and an overall attractive figure, rivaling the others around her. Her fellow Pyrow loudly cheered in support.
"Malty! Proudly representing my fellow harbingers of pestilence! Embodiments of gluttony! Beelzebubs makes some NOISE!", The female Beelzebub, who possessed a slightly more mature figure compared to her peers stated theatrically with a haughty tone . She wore similar attire to said peers but had a large silver crown on her head to distinguish herself as the leader then raises what appeared to be a silver chalass adorned with red rubies. She chugs the chalass, vibrating her wings along with her subordinates creating a loud, grating buzzing noise the forced a lot of the other participants to cover their ears..
"Make some noise indeed.", Drei remarks with fingers in both ears as Caleb protected his ears from the grating sound.
"GAH! JUST SAYIN' YOUR NAME WOULD'VE BEEN ENOUGH, YOU FUCKIN BITCHES!", the female manticore shot up from her seat in clear irritation, startling everyone, before feeling hand grab her wrist.
"Let it go.", a female Devil with black wavy hair spoke with a serious gaze and stern gaze.
"...Tch, whatever.", the manticore scoffs, plopping back in her seat, arms folded. She then notices the Beelzbulb leader sticking her tongue at her and emits a low, threatening snarl.
Scarlett audibly clears her throat into the magic mike, getting their attention, "Moving on."
"Name's Maria Maple, representative of the Imps and is welcoming to all our Chaos Kin. Not to mention that cutie sitting over there. What your name cutie?", The Arc Imp inquires biting her lip, pointing out to Caleb who tenses a little.
"Finally! Somebody said it! Who's the human male you guys brought in here? Also, is he DTF?", The Pyrow representative asks as she and her associates look at him with lustful gazes, one of them was even groping her breast while staring at him. Caleb was a bit creeped out now.
"Ignoring the second question, this is a meeting of Chaos-Borns ONLY. He nor his feline friend belong here.", The wavy black haired devil woman stated rising up from her seat, then glares daggers at Caleb.
Sharon and the others immediately take offense at her statement. With Scarlett speaking before any one could do anything
"I understand but there is a reason for him and his friend being here. We will get to him after roll call is done so lets—"
Scarlett was immediately cut off when the side door by Caleb's side of the table are thrown open.
"WE'RE HEREEEEE!", Screamed a pair of tall, around 7 feet each, hellhound females, bursting into the room with six more pouring in.
Caleb was taken aback in pure shock and horror, eyes widening up seeing the large Kobolds with dark gray skin, fluffy obsidian black and red fur covering their forearms and legs stopping at the joints and ending in five digit canine paws and small, sharp crimson red claws. They had large, black wolf ears and long, fluffy black tails with red highlights here and there. Their sunset orange eyes that emitted small, burning reddish-orange eyes, with orange flames flickering front the edges, complimented their large, sharp canine teeth that look strong enough to crush a human skull; which they can. They had well-defined muscles with plump thighs, a shapely firm rear, prominent rock-hard abs, thick muscular arms and legs, and perky breasts all ranging from C to G-cup in size with tufts of fur covering their collar. Their hair styles also ranged from one with long h All of them were dressed in slightly revealing attire that showed off their powerful bodies. From cargo shorts, denim hot pants, sleeveless crop tops, black vests with fuzzy, orangish-red padding on the shoulders and edges. They all walk in and start chatting it up with the imps, completely disregarding Scarlett and the other, to her annoyance.
"Yooo! What's good?! Sorry to keep all ya'll waiting.", Ecstatically stated yet another hellhound walking through the door. Caleb notices how this one appeared to be male and a bit shorter, around 6'2", compared to the females. He had a more masculine appearance and physique but similar features but wore bulky, dark gray cargo pants, and black tank with red paw print that exposed his toned abs and midriff while accentuating her firm pectorals. He smiles widely with a somewhat carefree yet malicious demeanor, "Hey, Kari, how you doing girl?"
"I'm feeling good since you walked in Tristan baby.", One of the female Pyrows flirts back, in a lascivious tone.
All of them spoke with an accent Caleb couldn't quite pinpoint. The best way he could describe it was like a combination of Australian and South African.
"I TOLD YOU ALL DON"T COME IN HERE ACTIN' UP!", Roared an irate feminine voice that shook Caleb and several others, including the other hellhounds to very core, as though their soul could feel the anger. Walking through the door, bending their head as they entered, was the largest female kobold Caleb had seen since the gym outing. She stood at eight feet tall with a similar appearance and features to the other females, except she had prominent claw and teeth scars on her large thighs, well-endowed H-cup chest, and a slash scar across her face. Her long black, shaggy hair reached down her back and tied into a ponytail with a peach colored metal band that matched her large cargo shorts and sleeveless sweater.
She towered over the other hellhounds, who were now struck speechless looking up fearfully to her irate glare.
"DON'T YA'LL TRY MY PATIENCE TODAY! I WILL BEAT THE HELL OUTTA YA! Then you will be just a HOUND! SIT DOWN!", The huge hellhound barked at the other hellhounds who immediately rushed to the empty table taking their seats. She then turns to Scarlet and her fierce expression demeanor melts away into a warm smile that radiates warmth. She then says in a calm, sweet voice, "So sorry about that. I know we're a little late again but we were caught up in something."
Caleb looks utterly perplexed by the change in demeanor yet finding it somehow familiar.
"Haa, it's fine. We were just doing roll call, you name was just about to come up anyway.",Scarlett calmly replies, already used to their behavior as Caleb looks to her incredulously.
"Oh! Well in that case…Amara Cerberath, proud representative and mother of the Cerberath clan of hellhounds in this complex!", The huge hellhound woman proudly stated, placing her fist to her chest with a wide toothy grin.
'Mother?! THOSE are her kids?!', Caleb thought incredulously, looking at the hellhounds seated at the long table also noting how much larger they were compared to…them. His heart starts racing remembering the hellhounds from that night then takes a deep breath, choosing not to look right at them, then looks at Scarlett and the others in disbelief, 'How are they OK with this?'
Amara walks over to the table, plopping her large rear down on the huge bean bag chair, since she was too big for the regular seats.
"Alright, moving on. We have a few announcements to make today followed by a round table report on everyone's progress and trials in this facility.", Scarlett spoke into the magic microphone, "We'll start off by–"
"WHO'S THE GUY ALREADY?!", The female Manticore shouted pointing at Caleb who recoils, getting impatient as the black wavy haired devil didn't even attempt to stop her.
"Yeah, stop holding it up!", Taokala stated as she and the other Pyrow grew impatient.
At the same time, the hellhounds and their mother quickly took notice of the dark skinned human with some looking at him intrigued. Caleb avoids eye contact with them out of fear before Jocelyn nudges his shoulder.
"Might as well give them what they want. Knock'em dead hun. Don't be shy.", she encourages with a smile.
"Try to imagine everyone in their underwear.", Drei also encouraged, then looked around at some of their attire, "Ok, nevermind, they cut out the middleman for you. In fact, pretty sure she's naked.", she says, gesturing to a Pyrow in pink short shorts with matching sports bra and legs propped up on the table seductively.
Caleb grumbles lowly, before taking a deep breath rising up from his chair and rounds
Scarlett cleared her throat, "I'm sure you're all aware of Fourth of July incident where a man named 'Caleb Bizzell' rescued several Chaos-Born that. Well…here he is.", She says, a bit embarrassed, presenting him.
"Um…hi? Yep, I'm Caleb Bizzell.", He shyly replies, forcing a small grin with his hand halfway up. His heart raced nervously, not fond of speaking in front of large groups.
Everyone, from the Hellhounds to the Beelzebub, are taken aback in utter surprise as the room fell dead silent for a couple seconds, processing what they heard.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!", The entire room erupts like a volcano of shock and disbelief their eye focused on the dark skin man as Scarlett, her friends, Drei and some of the other devils plug their ears.
"I don't think they were expecting that.", Drei utters to Jocelyn.
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WN
YOO! What's good Fam?! Hope everyone is doing well, I myself am blessed as hell to be here again. I am so ready for this three day weekend you won't believe. Father's day AND Juneteenth, which arguably both kinda fit a couple minor themes of this story, go figure.
As you can see, I've finally done. I have begun creating my Hellhound milf with black mother energy. Also can't wait to write for the other hellhounds, especially Tristan.
Special thanks to all my readers of this story, my beta readers, and my ever reliable co-writer Sandshrewmaster(be sure to check out his work). Without y'all these chapters wouldn't be what they are. Oh, almost forgot, I'm also adding a new chapter in Monster Girl Love Stories for Father's Day called 'Cookies and Creme'. Go check it out, it's got milk!
That's all for now. Don't forget to hug your mother, hug your father and let him know you appreciate it, drink water, get some sleep, be GLAD you're not a hellhound's kid, and I'll see y'all next time. Peace FAM.
'My-Mind' by ProducedbyMelv plays in the background