Octavia laid in her bed, the morning rays of the Pride Ring seeping into her room as she mentally prepared herself for the day. It wasn't that spending weekends with her mother was a horrible experience, it was just the whole mess of now having to deal with spending time with each of her parents separately. Why couldn't things be like they were when she was younger, back when they were a happy family and her parents didn't detest each other?
Sure things might not have been perfect when she was younger but they were good enough, and her parents were still trying. Then her father had to cheat on her mother and cause this whole disaster. Still, despite that and their now constant attacks towards each other, she still loved her father. Especially after their heart to heart at Loo Loo Land and his more current apology about forgetting to show her Azathoth's tears, a once in a several thousand year to a millennia or so event. In the end she knew he was doing his best, and that's what ultimately mattered to her.
As for her mother...that was a complicated thing in of itself. It wasn't that she and her mother were on bad terms, they just weren't as close as they used to be, not that this whole situation really helped matters. It seemed like her mother was far more interested in yelling at and being furious with her dad; not really paying much mind to her even when she took her on the weekends. Not that it was too much different from recent years, but at least she never directed any anger towards her.
Octavia sighed, grabbing her phone and looking through it a bit, trying to find anything to get her mind off things. Hopefully it would get her mentally ready for whatever yelling her parents might do. Sitting up she scrolled through her phone, looking at various pictures and looking for any music she could listen to.
As she looked through her sinstagram she saw a picture she and Typhus had taken while shopping, her mind then going to what he had said about hellhounds. He seemed so nice and friendly, it was hard to believe that he might have at one point been considered property. It still seemed somewhat odd, that an entire species of hell was considered so low, it was definitely something she'd have to ask her dad about.
Deciding to skip the music she got out of bed, getting herself ready before heading to the kitchen for breakfast, grabbing some cereal before sitting down to pour and eat it. As she was finishing fixing the bowl she saw her father walk in, "Morning dad." She said before taking a bite of her breakfast.
"Good morning my little Starfire. How are you?" Stolas asked as he rummaged for his own breakfast.
"I'm alright." Octavia replied. "Say dad, mind if I ask you something?"
"Of course not Via, you know you can ask me anything." Stolas replied as he finished pouring himself some coffee. "What do you want to ask?" He inquired as he turned to look at her.
"Are hellhounds...property?" Octavia asked.
Stolas blinked, clearing his throat a bit. "That certainly is a question." he replied before moving to sit close to her. "The short answer is yes." He admitted. "While they are a native born species of hell, due to their tendency to overpopulate somewhat and more...complicated factors, they were set as the lowest in the cast to maintain their population."
Octavia arched a brow. "That doesn't really explain why they are owned."
"Like I said owlet, there are complicated factors." Stolas replied.
"But they're just as intelligent, and physically stronger than most."
"Yes, but…" Stolas sighed. "Octavia, it's just not a simple thing to answer, as this was something well established before my time. I can't give you the exact reason as to why, it's just the way it is. I suppose because they are more animalistic in certain areas of their biology, being a bit more in line with the canines on earth it was settled that they'd...serve a similar purpose here."
"Even though they're not that much different than you or I?" Octavia asked.
"I never said it was a great reason, just a widely accepted thing. What made you ask Owlet?" Stolas inquired.
"Typhus, I asked about his arm and the scars while we hung out the other day." Octavia explained. "He told me they were caused by his former owner..."
Stolas blinked, eyes shifting to the side for a second before looking at Octavia and placing his hand around her. "I see…" he said with some slight discomfort. "Unfortunately that can happen, not everyone will treat hellhounds well."
"But why can that even happen in the first place?" Octavia argued.
"...I'm afraid I just don't have an answer for that sweetie." Stolas said with some sympathy. "These things are too well ingrained like I said, it's just how things are. To even try to suggest a change in their status, even a little, and ensure some better treatment would take fighting centuries old institutions. Not to mention they mostly fall under Beelzebub's authority." He explained. "So I'm afraid unless Beelzebub, the other sins, and Lucifer himself all agree, there's not much changing it."
Octavia's expression turned somewhat sad, looking away slightly. "That's not really fair, especially for someone as nice as him…"
Stolas' expression softened a bit as he placed a hand on her. "I know Via, but at least they are treated mostly well." He tried to cheer her up. "And then there are those like Blitz who treats hi-...Loona like she's his daughter. It's rare, but not uncommon. I myself try to treat them with as much respect as I can. And besides, he's no longer bound to whoever owned him, so he's better off now at least."
"True…" Octavia said as her spirit lifted a bit.
Stolas smiled. "And, sense he's your friend, Typhus is welcome by anytime if you ever want to invite him over to hang out."
Octavia blinked before smiling slightly. "Thanks dad, you really can be pretty cool."
Stolas chuckled a bit. "Thank you Via. So, are you ready for the weekend with your—mother?" Stolas asked, doing his best to stay civil when referring to Stella.
"Yeah, I suppose." Octavia replied, her tone shifting to a more unenthused one.
"Well you know you don't HAVE to stay with her if you don't want to." Stolas offered. "We're not divorced yet so legally you could stay here." He explained. "Though being the bitch she is, she'd use that against me." Stolas added under his breath.
"It's not that I don't want to, I'm just...I'm tired of all of this." Octavia admitted. "We were doing just fine as a family and then you…" She sighed. "Forget it."
Stolas blinked, a pain of guilt seeping in as he looked at Octavia. "I'm...sorry Owlette. I know this is hard on you and I didn't mean for this to hurt you. But...I just...well...your mother...we…" He sighed. "I wish I knew exactly how to explain it to you, but I just don't know how."
"Will you ever?" Octavia asked as she looked at him.
"I—yes, I believe I will." Stolas replied. "It's just there's too much going on right now for me to properly think of how to put it in the right words."
"Do you promise to tell me?" Octavia requested.
"Of course owlette." Stolas responded without hesitation.
Octavia smiled as she went to hug her dad. "Thank you."
Stolas smiled as he hugged her back. "Now, best get ready, we don't want to keep your mother waiting when she arrives."
"Alright." Octavia said as she left to go get ready and her things packed to stay with her mother at her uncle's palace. She didn't care all that much for it, it was always a bit too...icy. Then there was her uncle, while seemingly nice, there was always something seemingly fake about it. There was just the feeling that he didn't really care too much about anything but himself, a condescending superiority that he masked. At least with her mother she knew how she felt and where she stood.
Stolas finished his coffee, mentally preparing himself to deal with Stella before going to get ready. Walking into the bedroom his eyes moved over to the family picture next to the bed. Satan he looked so awkward in it, formal pictures were not exactly his forte. Octavia was what...twelve when they had that painted? It was when she had gotten her Beanie, custom made because she refused to wear any crowns and Stella wanted to commemorate the occasion. Stolas found himself chuckling slightly at the thought. He had almost forgotten that Stella, despite her formality, was so willing to let Octavia get away with having a crown beanie and casual clothes instead of an actual crown and formal attire.
His eyes shifted to look at Stella, she did seem happy, so proud of her daughter and the fact that they could look like a real royal family. His eyes moved to their hands, she always held it when he got awkward, to help him look the best he could. He felt a bit more guilt, but the truth was their marriage had been declining slowly in the past century or two. It seemed to strengthen a little after they finally had Octavia, but that only lasted so long. No, the truth was despite what he and Stella tried, their marriage was heading towards it's end. The by random chance hook up with Blitz was just further confirmation of that. the truth of the matter was Whether he had slept with Blitz or not, it was going to end; he just couldn't love her like he first thought he might could.
Stolas' eyes then shifted to the portrait next to it, the one of him hoisting his goblet as he smiled on his engraved chair. He looked so confident, so regal, so full of nobility and pride...what happened? Maybe he had changed. Sure he was a bit nicer to the lower class, especially compared to most of his peers, but he seemed to have gotten a bit softer. Did changing what was at first a one time sexual release to an ongoing arrangement to satiate himself have an effect on him when he started to find more appealing things about Blitzo, or was this just a crisis he was going through?
It was hard to tell. When he ran into Blitzo he first saw him as just an imp to enter an arrangement with that seemed to have mutual benefits so he could be satiated and maybe...hurt Stella as their marriage got worse. But that experience, Satan that experience rocked his world and he found himself finding attractive traits about the imp. And maybe—maybe he deluded himself a bit into thinking it was a somewhat romantic arrangement until what happened at Ozzie's and what Blitz said afterward. Then finding out how easy it was for someone to steal his grimoire from Blitz made him start to see the imp wasn't as perfect as he had seen him. That, and it made him realize that he was more using Blitz than truly having something.
Stolas sighed as he moved to get ready, still stewing in his thoughts. Did he want something with Blitz, or did he just think he did? Did Blitz even want anything to do with him romantically? It had gotten so murky and as he thought about it, the times where Blitz seemed hard to get over the phone now came off more as truly not in the mood. Perhaps it was time to act a bit more like his old self, be less immature and give Blitz a means to do his business without being tied to him and see what happens now that things have gotten so tense between them. If there was potential for them, he had to know by giving Blitz the choice. Stolas looked in the mirror as he finished getting ready, doing his best to compose himself for Stella's arrival before heading out.
Stella sighed a bit as she mentally prepared herself. For the past few days she had somewhat managed to keep Andrealphus from really knowing about her visiting Camazotz and staying nights with her, having first just mentioned she was going to spend some time with a friend and then using the portal spell she was taught to sneak to and fro from the bedroom her brother provided, not that he cared to even take notice of anything she did at all. Sure he was letting her help lay out the terms they'd present and voice her opinion, but it was clear his interest was far more self serving. The only reason she hadn't rubbed her new relationship in his face was because she didn't want to risk him potentially using anything to try and undercut her or gain more control. Although there was potentially no way of hiding it from him now that she was going to introduce Octavia to her, it was likely she might bring it up. Then again, if she managed to handle introducing Camazotz just right, maybe she wouldn't.
It was tough enough as it was, especially since it seemed he was trying to sneak in little clauses or minor terms that seemed harmless at first, but if inspected well enough had it where he'd benefit in some way. He might be insufferable and someone she didn't want to be around too much; but he was damn good at not just bullshitting, but legal workarounds among other things. She'd much rather risk dealing with him than someone who'd potentially be nowhere near as good. Though while she could trust him to do a good job, she could also trust to not fully trust him. She especially didn't like how it seemed like he, while helping as asked, was trying to make sure that Octavia would either get little when she turned of age or could easily lose it to someone else in their family if certain things happened.
And that, that was something that made her despise her brother all the more. From the time Octavia was hatched he never seemed to really see her as anything other than how her own parents saw her, a potential nuisance. Sure Andrealphus acted nice around her, doted on her. But like most other things, he was only acted the good uncle. If he ever dared to do anything to Octavia or her try to undermine her future, Stella would make sure he'd NEVER live to see it to fruition. At least the love of their daughter remained one of the few things that she and Stolas still had in common. Other than that, she'd rather spend five minutes with a peasant than spend prolonged time around Stolas.
Stella walked out of the guest room and started to head down to the main foyer to leave, though not before talking to Andrealphus first. "I'm off to pick up Octavia for the weekend, are the divorce terms finalized?" she inquired as she walked in on Andrealphus as he was sipping some tea.
"Just about my dear sister." Andrealphus replied. "Would have been finished sooner if it weren't for your surprising intelligence and keen eye…" He added under his breath.
"What was that?" Stella asked as she spun around to face her Brother.
"Nothing, just making a mental note for some business I need to take care of." Andrealphus lied.
Stella narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. "Right...So, I assume I can give Stolas a time and date for when we can go over the terms?"
"Yes, we can go over the terms this Monday after you drop Octavia back off. Perhaps in a social setting like Richest Cup? Just so no...unpleasantness happens." he suggested. And while it may have sounded an innocent enough suggestion, Stella got the feeling it was him insinuating that she couldn't act civil in private.
"I do like the tea there." Stella commented. "But what's wrong with having it at either your palace or his? I really don't want anyone overhearing me and Stolas are divorcing...not that most would really care to listen."
Andrealphus arched an eyebrow slightly. "You would prefer somewhere more private?"
"Is that so surprising?" Stella asked. "This is a sensitive matter and I'd rather hold off on people knowing about it till it's happening...IF it happens." She continued. "I just don't want anyone potentially giving Octavia grief. Ideally I'd rather the whole thing happen privately. Again, IF it happens."
Andrealphus kept his eyebrow arched. "I see." He said as he steepled his fingers. "I must admit that is a rather unexpected request, but very well. I suppose we can have it at either location, so long as you are sure that nothing unpleasant will occur."
"I'm sure." Stella said as she crossed her arms.
"Very well, you may give Stolas the option of location." Andrealphus agreed. "So long as you're sure that any unbecoming behavior will be avoided. I really don't want to deal with any headaches."
Stella pouted slightly. "I'm certain."
"I hope for your sake you're right dear sister." Andrealphus commented. "Although, if you've hired a competent enough assassin, we hopefully won't have to go through with all this. I do hope your keen eye doesn't just extend to details on documents. Then again, this is assuming he's had things set up where you get anything if he dies." He further explained.
"I doubt he's that much of an ass." Stella commented. "Despite all of his failings, the one thing that's been constant is that he's nicer than most nobility...almost naively so."
Andrealphus looked at her. "Was that a compliment?"
"And what if it was?" Stella scoffed. "I might despise him with every ounce of my being for what he's done and how he's behaving, but that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge SOME of his more adequate traits."
"And those are?" Andrealphus asked with an arched brow.
"That he's been a good father to Octavia." Stella stated. "That BEFORE he became a treacherous embarrassment he was a decent husband."
"Well regardless, it's still a possibility he left you nothing in his will." Andrealphus pointed out.
"So?" Stella asked. "Legally, I am entitled to most of his possessions if he dies, so long as I am not tied to the cause of his death."
"Yes, but he could still have the majority of it allocated to be given to Octavia upon her reaching adulthood." Andrealphus explained.
Stella narrowed her eyes at Andrealphus. "Why are you even trying to discuss this like it's an issue that Octavia might be getting a chunk of his wealth?"
"Because we need to make sure you're not screwed over." Andrealphus stated simply. "That IS why you came to me after all."
Stella stared at him, she really didn't like whatever machinations were going on in that head of his. "I have plenty of wealth as is." She stated. "Yes having Stolas' would be nice, but I'm not about to screw Octavia over. She's MY daughter too."
"Fair enough, I'm only trying to look out for your...best interest." Andrealphus stated.
Stella highly doubted that. While she and her brother took to their parents lessons, Andrealphus seemed to take to them far more than she ever did. Anytime he seemed to proclaim to be helping it always ended up with some selfish ulterior motive. "Yes well, that's very considerate." Stella replied, playing his game with him him.
"You're welcome." Andrealphus said with that oh so slimy smirk. "Again, while I applaud you for sticking to our parents teachings on how to deal with situations like these, are you sure having an assassin kill your husband is best?" He inquired. "Sure you have the foresight to come to me in case the divorce goes through before he's killed, but are you absolutely certain you're even in his will?"
Stella rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "Again, I know Stolas. Being around and married to him for centuries has not blinded me to who he is and he's not that much of a dick, it's not in his nature." She said with annoyance. "Well, it might have been to anyone else at one point, but not to his family. We might have drifted apart and gone horribly sour, but there's no fucking way in hell he'd change his will out of spite like...others would." Stella said in a veiled jab at her brother.
"Fair enough, I was just thinking that maybe we could get far more out of him if we dragged this out, he does have a few good centuries left." Andrealphus explained. "Plus we do need the evidence of his cheating and treachery to the Goetias by consorting with a lower class peasant."
Stella sighed. "Isn't the fact that they were seen at Ozzie's enough?" She asked. "It's in the bloody papers after all!"
"It is...but the context is still hearsay." Andrealphus pointed out. "They weren't exactly acting like they were an item and more like Stolas was partaking in an idle fancy for the trill of it."
"Knowing Stolas he probably has pictures and a bunch of texts on his phone that'd implicate him." Stella mused. "We can just use that as evidence if he dies or not."
Andrealphus grinned. "Excellent point my devious sister, looks like I've underestimated you."
"In more ways than you know." Stella smirked
"Oh, do you have something up your sleeve that I'm not privy to?" Andrealphus asked inquisitively.
Stella's smirk grew. "I might."
"You sly minx you, I do hope it's nothing that'd hinder our efforts." Andrealphus smiirked.
Stella arched a brow at Andrealphus' remark, like he expected her to self sabotage through idiocy, he always treated her like she wasn't as intelligent. "It shouldn't." Stella reassured her brother. "It's just a bit of personal business that only affects me."
"Does it now?" Andrealphus asked as he looked at her.
"It does." Stella insisted. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go pick up Octavia. I don't want to start showing up late, punctuality is important."
"Very well, do give my soon to be former brother-in-law my regards." he said with a half-hearted wave.
"Fine." Stella said as she turned to leave. "Oh, I will be taking Octavia by to meet someone when I pick her up, we could be a while."
Andrealphus arched a brow as he looked at her. "Very well, though you didn't have to tell me."
"I know, but depending on how things go we MIGHT not make it back till tomorrow." Stella clarified.
"Okay…." Andrealphus said somewhat befuddled. "Is this the same someone who you spent the night with to cry about your silly woes?"
"Yes." Stella replied, ignoring the last part of the question.
"Very well." Andrealphus said simply. "If you have weekend plans for Octavia that might have you away for a while it's of no concern to me, just gives me more time to make sure the details of what we present to Stolas are fully finalized."
Stella narrowed her eyes. "And you will let me look the terms over before we present them of course." she more stated than asked.
"Yes, yes, of course. These are the terms for your divorce after all." Andrealphus replied with ever so slight annoyance. "I swear it's like you don't trust me."
"I seem to recall our parents teaching us to trust VERY few people, no matter what their relation." Stella pointed out with a smirk.
Andrealphus chuckled. "Touche. Take care Stella."
"You too Andre." Stella replied.
Andrealphus frowned. "You know I hate that nickname…"
"Of course." Stella grinned before leaving Andrealphus to his business.
As she walked out and headed towards the main foyer once more Stella let out a sigh. Dealing with Andrealphus was always an exercise in mental preparedness. Every little word, every suggestion, every little comment always had something laced behind it. Whether it be for a self serving advantage or gain, or to demean or misdirect from what his intentions may be. He was the most slippery and shifty bastard she had ever known. His cunning only outmatched by his vanity and selfish nature, it was why she had made sure to become just as shrewd and calculating. She never wanted him to EVER have the upper hand on her again after having it for so long in their early years.
At least dealing with him for the time being was over now. The only reason she had let him know about her taking Octavia to her "friend" and that it might turn into an overnight stay or so was just to add to the delightful shock he'd have when it was revealed who the friend was and that they were more than that. Call it childish or petty, but she had longed for the day where she could finally have something that left Andrealphus in utter shock. But if anyone knew him the way she did, no one would blame her.
Stella made her way out of Andralphus' palace, taking in the snowy weather that she always found so very odd for still being in hell. Sure Hell wasn't exactly an inferno, but snow and ice were almost a completely foreign concept for the rest of it. Of course it was due to Andrealphus' own magic that the area he resided in was an icy hellscape, he always wanted to show he had something others didn't.
The Peahen demoness walked a bit away, enough to make sure she was a good enough distance to not have her brother observe her if he had decided to and opened up a portal to what, in due time, would no longer be her home. She took a moment to look at it through the portal, sighing a bit as she hoped Octavia would take the introduction to Camazotz well, as well as pushing down the anger for Stolas, before stepping through.
