Carnavont made his way through the hospital, packed food and means to eat them packed securely in the travel bagshe carried. It wasn't much of an issue to make his way to where Loona was recovering, taking not all that long to reach the room she was in. As he got to the door Carnavont stopped, thinking a moment about knocking on the door before entering. There was a good chance she might be awake, but given the fact she was hospitalized for the past two days and didn't quite seem all the early riser type from at least what he gathered...and when she had stayed the night meant he did have the option to potentially surprise her with breakfast in bed.
The mere idea of doing such a thing at all for the female hellhound caused Carnavont to blush ever so slightly, it wasn't exactly something he'd ever be against doing in a less...clinical setting. But now was not the time for letting the idea he had get the better of him by leading to a more...admittedly pleasant almost fantasy. Carnavont weighed his options for a moment, it was just a little after six so she more than likely was still asleep…so why not? Taking a slight breath Carnavont quietly opened the door just enough to take a peak just in case. Sure enough, Loona laid there sleeping and rather contently it seemed despite the opened mouth, it was quite the...cute scene.
Carnavont shook his head a bit with a smile, opening the door more and entering before just as quietly shutting it behind him. Once he made sure he didn't wake Loona, Carnavont got to work unloading the breakfast he made, setting out the plates and utensils and trays and then opening up the containers he packed the food in and putting it on the plates. He had made quite the meal; a stack of pancakes with eggs, some hash browns, and both bacon and sausage to add a bit of choice along with some fruits if desired to put on the pancakes. When he had finished setting the plate Carnavont went about pouring the coffee out of the thermos he put it in for both of them, fixing her cup the way he remembered Loona had fixed it when she had stayed with them, and for a little extra touch he cast a small spell to heat up the food a bit more. Once Carnavont was sure it was nice and ready he took the tray that had Loon's breakfast over near her bed, making sure it was where the smell could be picked up.
Loona's nose twitched, the smell of the food causing her to stir as she started to sniff. As she opened her eyes Loona blinked as she saw Carnavont. "Carnavont?"
"Good morning." The crimson Hellhound said with a smile.
Loona blinked before looking at the tray of food in his hands. "Did you get me breakfast?" She asked as she sat up.
"Better." Carnavont replied as he continued to smile. "I made you breakfast and brought it here. Figured I'd treat you to a bit of a surprise breakfast in bed.
"You made me…" Loona trailed off, blinking before blushing a bit. The mere thought that he was kind enouhj to make her a homemade breakfast and brought it to her was something that she didn't expect. And then her imagination kicked in, taking her to a potential future that made her blush before shaking her head. "Thank you…"
The crimson hellhound's smile never waned, though seeing her get a bit flustered caused him to be as well. "Heh...no problem."
Loona blinked as something popped in her mind. "Wait, don't you need to be at work?" She asked.
"Normally yes, But it seems my employees saw fit to all agree I needed to have a day off and...made it very persuasive to do so. Not like I was doing much anyway, well, in terms of field work." Carnavont replied as he sat the tray on Loona's lap and went to get his own, pulling as chair next to her bed to sit by her.
"How persuasive?" Loona asked.
"Oh, just that they rigged some areas to prevent me from teleporting in, made some valid points about me setting an example for Typhus and not being hypocritical, and uh...telling you that I thought work was more important than visiting you." Carnavont replied, somewhat rushing through that last part.
Loona blinked, giggling slightly with her hand over her mouth. "Wow, they really put a gun to your head didn't they?"
"Yeah, I'm both proud...and a bit annoyed." Carnavont admitted. "Sorry for not really visiting the past two days, I should have, but I wanted to make sure things kept running smoothly and got done. I also had some paperwork to do and wanted to be there just in case something came up and I was needed."
Loona smiled as she took a bite of her breakfast. "It's fine." She assured. "Unlike Blitz I know if you don't show up it's either because you're too busy or have an actually good reason. I mean, it's your company after all, you gotta be there to run it. I honestly wouldn't put it past Blitz to blow off being at the office for some dumb reason."
"Is that some responsibility I here?" Carnavont chuckled.
Loona blushed slightly. "Maybe. You did say to show him fully by acting my potential, I'm just testing out doing so." She replied. "Baby steps."
"Fair enough." Carnavont shrugged as he took a bite of his breakfast.
"Did they really rig the office?" Loona asked with slight amusement.
"Yeah, even had Zever and his girlfriend keeping an eye on both the front and back of my house." Carnavont remarked.
Loona couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Sounds like they really care about you and want you to make sure you take care of yourself, unlike Blitz and the other two."
"Moxxie and Millie seem nice, like they'd be good coworkers." Carnavont remarked.
"They're both pains in my ass with how much a stuck up hard ass Moxxie is and how nausiatingly cheery Millie can be." Loona commented as her expression showed her annoyance.
"If it wasn't for both of them I wouldn't be here right now." Carnavont commented. "They're good demons, you just need to give them a chance, they deserve it far more than Blitz and I'm trying to get you to give him one in spite of that."
"...But they can be so grading on my nerves and Moxxie especially with how pushy he can be along with his pointing out of my flaws…" Loona argued.
"Have you ever considered it's because he might care?" Carnavont asked.
"Fat chance." Loona scoffed.
"All I'm saying is maybe try to be a bit nicer to them, try to get to know them. Who knows, maybe you might actually get to enjoy working with them and actually like being at work." Carnavont mused.
"…I promise nothing." Loona said before drinking some coffee. "This is really good by the way, you're really good at cooking…" She said with a blush.
"Thanks…" Carnavont replied with a blush. "I dabbled a fair bit and picked up a few cooking skills here and there. I might not ever be a hoity toity gourmet chef, but I can make a mean meal." He smirked. "Oh, by the way, Zever's girlfriend wants to meet you, possibly set up a double date."
Loona blinked as she looked over at Carnavont "Zever's girlfriend?"
"Yeah." Carnavont affirmed.
"He has one?" Loona asked. "No offense, it's just he seems...too work focused and serious."
"Not unlike me you mean?" Carnavont smirked.
"You're different though, you're a bit more laid back." Loona said before blushing.
"Fair. But yes, he does. Her name is Sinder, she runs a circus." Carnavont explained.
Loona blinked again. "She….runs a circus?"
"Yup." Carnavont nodded.
"And he's dating her….Zever, the most professional stick up his ass looking hellhound I've ever seen. Again, no offense to him." Loona remarked.
Carnavont chuckled slightly. "I know it sounds weird when you don't know them, but he used to work at the same circus and they only started dating after I recruited him….though I'm pretty sure they were practically dating before that."
Loona looked at Carnavont a moment before blinking. "Nope, can't see it. I cannot see him as a carny."
"He was an acrobat and knife thrower." Carnavont explained.
"...OK, that explains his skills then." Loona remarked. "Because I could not see him as a clown."
Carnavont laughed. "Yeah, he'd suck as one."
"Yeah." Loona giggled.
"So, do you want to do it...the double date I mean?" Carnavont asked. "Sinder's expecting an answer and she's not really one to like waiting too long on an answer. Don't have to if you don't want, so there's no pressure."
Loona blinked as she thought about it, the mere thought of such a normal and rather domestic couples activity, something she wasn't sure she'd ever get the opportunity or think she'd be...right for made her unsure. But the encroaching imaginations of it being with Carnavont and a somewhat routine thing that they did every so often caused the female hellhound to blush profusely. "I...uh….yeah...sure. I'd...like that." Loona replied.
Carnavont smiled a bit, finding her blushing and seemingly now bashful demeanor rather cute. Well, not quite as cute as how she normally was, there was just something about her tough and...not quite stand offish personality that he found appealing. Maybe he just had a thing for tough somewhat aggressive girls that were both tomboyish and still could be normal and vulnerable when they could. Or maybe it was just the fact that she was just really relatable. In either case, Loona was someone truly unique and special in his eyes. "Great, I'll let her know."
"Alright." Loona said as she slightly smiled as well. "So, how's things at HOUND been?"
"Oh the usual, word of mouth and the advertusing campauign really have helped things stay busy enough. Thankfully it's not been to where we've been swamped." Carnavont replied.
"Wish Blitz would take some notes from you." Loona remarked with annoyance. "Did you know he tried to do an advertisement but put it on a channel that literally no one watches?" She said with even more annoyance. "Not only that, but the one fucking billboard he got he manaaged to utterly botch not just in what he had on it, but where it was? Literally not far from our office, which mind you isn't in the busiest part of the city. I swear he should have let me or one of the dwe-" Loona paused as Carnavont arched a brow. "Moxxie or Millie take care of that so it didn't look like a child wrote it."
"So he's not just an idiot, but illiterate." Carnavont muttered. "How do you guys manage to stay afloat so well?"
"I have NO fucking idea." Loona replied bluntly. "He somehow manages money just enough to where the business keeps going, we have a place to stay, and the other two get paid. Though whether he pays them enough or not I'm not sure. Then there's the fact that there are times where we are hurting for business."
Carnavont sighed as he placed a hand on his face. "That kind of thing isn't sustainable, it can't last forever, and it's not going to end well."
"Yeah...I'm just hoping that things do get better or the knuckleheads shape up." Loona remarked.
"So you do care." Carnavont smirked.
"I just don't want to be tossed out on the street because Blitz can't grow the fuck up." Loona muttered.
"You always have HOUND if it comes to that, or even looks like it might come to that." Carnavont reminded. "And even though we're hellhound mainly, I'd offer the same to Moxxie and Millie."
Loona blinked as she looked at Carnavont. "Why?"
Carnavont looked at her with a somewhat stern expression. "Because I can recognize good people, skilled people, those worth their weight in abilities that deserve their pay or better than whatever their pay might be. I don't know why you're antagonistic towards them when they seem genuinely decent and good demons."
"...I...nevermind." Loona said as she glanced away.
Carnavont sighed. "You know this has to be talked about eventually, that things need to be fixed with you guys if IMP is going to be a rival worth having."
Loona sighed in frustration. "But why not just let us fail, let me be able to come to HOUND, hell why am I still even with those losers when you said that the offer to come was-"
"Because that's not who I am." Carnavont interrupted. "I'm not like Blitz, or anyone worse. If I see competition I want it to be fare and square. Even if respect isn't given, I will give as many opportunities to start being better and someone worth having a rivalry with until it's proven beyond doubt you're not worth it. Plus it wouldn't be fair to your coworkers to sabotage the business or not try to help a bit. Moxxie and Millie don't deserve that and deep down you know that. If you come to HOUND I want it to be because it really was your best choice, doesn't hurt IMP, or Moxxie and Millie come with you. Because it shouldn't matter how hard or bad our past was, imp or hellhound, we're both at the bottom of the barrel, different demon species or no do we really need to let those bastards higher than us laugh as we mimic what they do to us already?" He added, causing Loona to look down a bit.
"...Sorry." Loona muttered.
"It's alright." Carnavont said as he moved to grasp her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Just...try OK?"
"I'll keep trying….even if I kinda don't want to." Loona smirked.
"That's all I ask." Carnavont said with a smile. "So, how have the past two days been for you?"
"Boring." Loona said bluntly. "While Blitz and...Moxxie and Millie popped by here and there, it's been rather dull. Although not having to deal with work and just chill out has been nice."
Carnavont chuckled. "I bet."
"That's not to say I wouldn't look forward to getting back to work if I was at HOUND…" Loona clarified before blushing. "With you…"
Carnavont blushed slightly. "Just...just keep holding out to see if things with IMP can improve. That's not to say that maybe if we…got further that I wouldn't then want you to be a part of HOUND regardless…"
Loona blushed profusely, tail starting to wag happily. "R-really?"
"I mean...yeah." Carnavont remarked. "It's not like I haven't thought about it, I wouldn't want things to be awkward IF we get that far. But it's still kinda early to be talking or seriously thinking about that kinda thing. Right now, I just want to enjoy getting to know you more and dating you." He smiled.
Loona swore she completely turned permanently red, Carnavont was so kind and considerate, not to mention level headed. He really couldn't stop making her heart race and when he said something, even if it was something she herself didn't want to admit or want to admit or address, the way he put things or expressed them just seemed...right or made her want to contemplate reconsidering some things. "Yeah…" Loona said as she gently squeezed his hand and kissed him, a kiss that Carnavont returned.
After taking the last bite of his breakfast and drinking the last bit of his coffe Carnavont got up. "I'll take that." He said as he took the tray with Loona's dishes, moving to where the saddle bags were and placing everything as neatly as he could back before looking to Loona. "One sec."Carnavont remarked before opening up a portal to his kitchen where he quickly put the saddle bags somewhere and the dishes in the sink before returning. "There, don't want to upset the staff by leaving a mess." He smiled as he walked back to the chair and sat down.
"Thanks again for the food…" Loona smiled.
"Anytime, so, anything else I can get or do for you?" Carnavont asked.
"No, I'm fine." Loona smiled. "By the way, since you treated me to a meal, does that make this...a date?" Loona asked as she blushed.
"Hmm, I suppose it does in a way." Carnavont admitted.
Loona smiled as her tail wagged again. "Then...could we maybe…"
"Can we what?" Carnavont asked.
"I...kinda missed being cuddled." Loona admitted.
Carnavont chuckled a bit. "Alright, I don't see the harm in it." Carnavont said as he got up, moving to getting on the bed and scooching close to her, placing his arm around Loona.
Loona smiled as she snuggled into Carnavont. "Thank you…" She said softly.
"You're welcome." Carnavont replied. "Anything else I can do?"
"No, this is perfect. I didn't realize how much I'd actually miss something like this until...well…." Loona blushed. "I spent the night with you." She said as she nuzzled into his neck.
Carnavont blushed slightly. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it from time to time."
"Then could we do it more then...me spending the night with you?" Loona asked, blushing a bit.
"If it wasn't for the fact that I REALLY don't want to have to deal with Blitz going unreasonably bat shit, I'd say yes." Carnavont remarked.
"Fuck Blitz, fuck his attitude, and fuck his retarded hangups, I...want to be with you more." Loona protested. "Please? I am somewhat trying to take your advice and being able to be with you more regularly would help…"
Carnavont sighed as he looked at her. "I dunno…"
"What if we used portals? Blitz never bothers me when I'm in my room, doesn't come in unexpectedly. I could hop through a portal at night, wake up early, portal back to my room." Loona suggested.
"…" The mere thought that someone like Blitz actually did give her SOME privacy made Carnavont more hesitant about the whole idea, who knew what kind of shit show Blitz would start if he ever caught on or discovered Loona doing that. "I'll think about it. Besides, from what I recall you still require a grimoire to read the spell." He pointed out.
"You could teach me the spell you use." Loona remarked. "I mean sure I could have memorized the spell in the grimoire by now but I never bothered because I just didn't feel it worth any effort because of...reasons. But I'd pay attention and memorize your portal spell."
Carnavont sighed. "Again, I'll think on it. I still want to try and not cause an end times level fiasco of Blitz going completely unreasonable AND I am trying to make things better for IMP remember?"
"Fiiiine." Loona pouted.
"It's not a no, just...let me think if I really want to test those waters OK?" Carnavont stated before nuzzling Loona. "I don't want you going through any more unnecessary shit because of how much I care for you."
Loona smiled faintly as she nuzzled him back. "Alright...thank you."
"You're welcome." Carnavont smiled before the two kissed. "So, stay like this till you're released?"
"Yeah." Loona replied as she nuzzled back into Carnavont's neck. "I just want to enjoy being like this for a while…."
Carnavont smiled as he tightened his hold on Loona a bit more, just enjoying holding her close to him and the quiet moment they were able to share. It had been a while since they were able to just have a moment together. Granted it wasn't exactly a large amount of time since they had been together, but it had been long enough that it was something that he, and by evidence of her asking, Loona really were missing. Carnavont had to admit that it was nice, just having nothing to worry about as Loona was snuggled up against him, they should definitely do this more often if their work life allowed.
"Comfy?" Carnavont asked as he looked down at Loona.
"Yeah…" Loona smiled as she looked up at him.
For her part Loona felt completely at ease, the stress from having to deal with Blitz and the others, her job, the events of three days ago, along with the boredom of being cooped up in the room to recover all seemed to vanish with Carnavont there. Sure they were just laying there, but it wasn't nearly in any way boring with Carnavont there, his arm around her and holding her close….his strong arm. Loona blushed a bit, the sheer strength she could feel from Carnavont, the strength evident in his muscular build, it felt reassuring...comforting, something that Blitz definitely could never exude in all of his actions or gestures. It was one of the MANY reasons she found it hard to be able to treat him in any way other than she had.
Sure she could admit there were moments where she had to admit that he did his best and was dad like enough, but there were so many things that made him...unbearable. His constant an incessant need to treat her like a pup, his irrational over protectiveness, his idiotic ideas, the fact he SPIED on her during her date with Carnavont, the list went on. But, for the sake of Carnavont, she'd be willing to try and see if something could be done with their relationship, but she wouldn't expect much nor hold any promises with his long string of failures and constant nuking of relationships, some of which she had seen happen after her adoption. How could she trust or respect Blitz, when his past and everything she had seen so far just showed her that he was unreliable and at any moment upon being triggered in just the right way would burn a bridge thoroughly and dip….what would stop him from doing that to her if she somehow triggered the right reaction by mistake?
As Loona laid there she let out a sigh, time seemingly slipping away as she relaxed against Carnavont, seemingly nothing could ruin this moment. "Hey there Loony, I'm here to…" Came Blitz's voice as he As the imp opened the door, Moxxie and Millie behind him.
"Oh no…" Loona dreadfully thought. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.
"What the FUCK do you think your doing?! Get your arm off my Loona!" Blitz shouted angrily as he instantly drew his flintlock. "How long have you been here and have you been sneaking in here giving my daughter HPV?!"
Loona placed a hand over her face from not just anger, but embarrassment, was it too early or late to want to kill Blitz? Carnavont sighed, he might have gotten up a bit before five in the morning, but it was still too early to have to deal with this shit. "Blitz as you can see-" Carnavont started to explain.
"What I see is my business rival with my baby snuggled up to him like she's some cheap whore!" Blitz snarled. "Trying to either undermine my business or take her from me!"
Carnavont's gaze briefly drifted to Loona as he noticed her reaction to Blitz' tirade, fur bristling and ears perking as she was clearly getting agitated, especially from his analogy. An analogy that had also irked him as he slowly got off the bed, expression clearly annoyed and angered as he walked over to Blitz and stared him dead in the eyes as he gripped the barrel of the flintlock, effortlessly yanking it from Blitz' grip as he tossed it to the side. "Listen carefully BLITZ." Carnavont said in a low annoyed growl. "We are in a hospital, show some damn restraint. I have not seen Loona till now and thought I'd treat her to a proper breakfast, a breakfast I MADE and brought to her. I also wanted to spend some time with her since it's my day off. I am TRYING to get her to be nice and give you a chance, TRYING to be a good sportsman in our competition, so SHUT THE FUCK UP and THINK before you continue and TRY to be an actually decent demon!"
Blitz glared at Carnavont. "Says you, all I see is a jack ass trying to steal my-"
"Take his advice and SHUT THE FUCK UP BLITZ!" Loona interrupted, glaring daggers at the imp. "He has been NOTHING but nice, encouraging me to give you every damn chance possible and to be a better employee to you. He has not tried to steal me away or try to take advantage of me and do you think for one Satan damn second I'd be so gullibly stupid and naive as to let any guy just convince me to have sex with them?! Did you not even see he was clothed and wasn't even under the covers with me?!" Loona snarled. "And you know what, every time he gets me to consider trying more, you go and do something to prove that you're not worth the effort. Has he made me an offer to go to HOUND? Yes. But only if you are so unreasonable and make such a situation that the alternative to not going to them is insane to take because of how bad it is as an option. Hell, he's even trying to get me to be better to Moxxie and Millie!"
Blitz blinked a bit. "But I-"
"No, no buts!" Loona interrupted. "This is just like that night after we found Octavia all over again! I don't need your overprotection, I don't need your insane clingy love. And I want to go on, REALLY lay into you, say all the things I really want to say that Carnavont won't let me. So I won't, because I know Carnavont would scold me for it and try to get me to go apologize to you among other things. Blitz... If you really are serious about us fixing our fucked up relationship, really want me to be your daughter, and be a better employee...Shut up. Shut the fuck up and listen! Try to be a decent demon for once if your Satan damn life!"
"I have to admit, she has a point sir." Moxxie remarked.
"Yeah, Carnavont hasn't been anything but respectful and a good sport about our rival businesses, even his employees have been nice. He also helped save Stolas when he didn't have to." Millie echoed. "Especially to you. Maybe returning that wouldn't be so bad?"
Blitz stood there a moment, looking at Loona, then Moxxie and Millie before looking to Carnavont who moved to get Blitz' flintlock and offered it to him. "I'm trying not to have anything against you, to be as respectful as possible, and to ensure that Loona has what most of us hellhounds don't. So please, don't ruin what is practically unheard of."
"…" Blitz sighed. "I'm really not in the mood for this." He muttered as he took his gun back. "Are you leaving or…"
Carnavont looked back at Loona before turning his attention to Blitz. "I would have liked to have a day with her, but if you two need to settle something…."
Blitz glanced at Loona who was glaring at him, a glare he knew all too well. "Well it's clear I'm not wanted here, do whatever the fuck you want. But so help me if I hear anything about-"
"You won't." Carnavont replied before Blitz could finish.
"Whatever, this isn't over." Blitz muttered before turning to leave. "Enjoy your day, Loona." He said as he walked out.
Moxxie and Millie watched as Blitz left, looking at each other before Millie looked at Carnavont. "Sorry about that, I'm sure it's just the stress of everything's that happened. I'm sure he'll come around...eventually." She offered.
Carnavont let out a sigh. "I hope so...for not just Loona's sake, but your and Moxxie's as well."
Moxxie and Millie blinked. "Our sake?" Moxxie asked.
"Yeah, it's clear you two are great at your job and have such potential and capability, I just hope Blitz recognizes and appreciates that because I'm going to be honest, he is not one who'd survive this business on his own." Carnavont remarked.
"...Yeah." the couple agreed.
"The question remains though, does he?" Carnavont asked.
Moxxie's expression was telling as his eyes shifted away. "At times, if not most the time in my case, it really doesn't seem it." He admitted.
"I mean sure Blitz might be a little rough on Mox, but he cares…" Millie stated. "And he...does his best, the little hiccups make things fun and exciting, can't have everything perfect all the time."
"Millie, a lot of our jobs are barely held together by serviceable plans at the best of times and for the most part are just "we got a target, let's go get them" with no planning or scoping things out before hand." Moxxie pointed out.
"A lot of our jobs are just single targets though, not something you need to really plan out hun." Millie argued.
"I'm not saying I'm against just run and gun for the hell of it for simple or easy jobs where we just need to be in the area and not be seen. But remember our company's jingle, when was the last time we actually operated professionally or made it look like they offed themselves?" Moxxie countered.
"...I mean, none of our clients have really requested that." Millie answered.
"And yet despite advertising that no one requests it, probably because word of mouth has gotten around of how barely professional we are." Moxxie said as he gently took Millie's hand. "Look at HOUND, look ay how they act and hold themselves. They're our rivals for Satan's sake and yet despite the fact we should be neck and neck in business, they're doing way better than we are. Let alone the fact that I highly doubt Carnavont is going about spying on any of his team's married or dating life like Blitz does with us. Hell, he's probably managing the finances and business related paperwork or just...living his own life and letting his team live theirs unless they want to get together."
"But it being weird and unusual is what makes Blitz doing that makes life less predictable and boring…" Millie pouted slightly.
"I'm sorry, he does what now?" Carnavont asked incredulously.
"He often spies on us when we're trying to be on a date, be romantic, or trying to...show our marital love." Moxxie explained.
Carnavont blinked as he looked at Moxxie in a bewilderment. "...I...I'm going to kill him." He remarked in sheer disbelief.
"Trust me, it gets very grating when I'm trying to have a moment with Millie or he just outright belittles or disregards me when I'm trying to give solid advice, along with…" Moxxie paused as he quickly glanced at Loona who was still in an agitated state. "Never mind." He said before focusing his attention back to Millie. "The point is, you can't say that things weren't better when we were freelance."
Millie hesitated a moment as she thought about it. "...I mean…"
"We were getting by just fine." Moxxie stated. "Sure we could have been doing better, but can you honestly say we are better off and doing ANY better?" He asked.
"...No, we're still doing the same." Millie admitted. "But the added chaos and unpredictability is nice, makes our lives more full and gives us stories to tell our kids when we have some. Plus, Blitz is nice deep down, he just needs someone to show him that, to give him that chance to improve and be the real him...to stick by him."
"Millie, at this rate do you think we're going to be able to raise any kids with how we're getting by if things, let alone Blitz, don't get any better?" Moxxie asked.
Millie blinked, as though she had just come to realize she never really thought about it before actually realizing the state of things. "...You have a point…" Millie admitted as she looked down.
"I love your optimism Millie, your willingness to see the good in any demon and give them a lot of chances, maybe too many. It's one of the tings along with your fierce personality and willingness to defend someone at a moment's notice that I fell in love with. That, and your wild personality." Moxxie smiled.
"Awe Mox…" Millie cooed.
"But you need to understand when someone is going to be too much a hindrance for your own life needs...our needs, as a married couple who want a family someday." Moxxie insisted.
Millie sighed. "Maybe...maybe your right Mox, but I still don't want to just give up on Blitz, he needs people in his life to get him out of that nasty place he's in, I want to give him at least a bit more time." She insisted. "Besides, I'm not sure how much better we'd be able to do going back to freelance. And I sure as hell don't want to go back to the farm to work, letting my family say they told me so."
"If it comes down to it, I'd gladly have you come to HOUND, even if we're hellhound focused." Carnavont offered. "I've seen your potential and skill and would pay you your worth and then some. But only if you had no other option of course. It's an offer I've given to Loona and have told her I'd do for you as well."
The two imps blinked as they looked at Carnavont. "Really?"
"Yeah, I can't just let such good talent be wasted or just struggle." Carnavont replied. "But as I told Loona, it'd only be an offer available as just a last resort."
"He's not lying." Loona piped up. "He's made it pretty clear he won't poach me...no matter how much I want to just abandon ship."
"And you'll thank me for it when either IMP improves along with your relationship with Moxxie and Millie, or after you've given everything a try and feel better for it." Carnavont remarked.
Loona rolled her eyes. "Blitz isn't making it easy."
"I know, but life is rarely easy, nor is fixing things." Carnavont stated.
"...Thanks." Moxxie replied. "We might take you up on that if things don't work out."
"Yeah…." Millie agreed.
"I'm going to get changed." Loona said as she got up out of the bed. "Did you have anything else planned for us?"
"Potentially, I'll run ideas by you." Carnavont said as he walked over and kissed Loona.
"Awe, you two remind me of, well, me and Mox." Millie remarked with a wistfully happy look.
Loona rolled her eyes. "Uh huh…"
"Say, why don't we all go get something to eat, maybe see the sites?" Millie offered.
Loona tried not to groan. "I'd rather-"
"I think that might be a great idea." Carnavont interrupted.
"Really?" Millie asked excitedly.
"Yeah, really?" Loona echoed with far less enthusiasm.
"I mean why not?" Carnavont asked. "Besides, I'm curious about your and Moxxie's past and how you two got together."
"Really?" Loona remarked.
"Yeah. Besides, look at this as not only a practice run for the double date with Zeverr, but an opportunity to get to know your coworkers better." Carnavont replied with a smile.
"But I've already been to Wrath and seen Millie's family…" Loona argued.
"But have you really taken the time to get to know her or Moxxie? I know you said you'd try, but what better opportunity to start getting on better terms?" Carnavont argued before placing an arm around Loona in a hug. "Besides, if you do, I promise to make it up to you. Not that this should be a chore for you or anything, but it sounds a bit better than sawing reward you as that sounds more coercive."
"Really?" Loona asked.
"Really." Carnavont smiled before kissing her cheek.
Loona smiled a bit as her tail wagged. "...Alright." Loona relented as she kissed Carnavont back with a slight smirk before going to get changed.
"Are you sure?" Moxxie asked. "I don't want us butting in on your and Loona's time together, I know you don't exactly get a lot of it." He said as he looked at Carnavont.
"I'm sure." Carnavont reassured. "Besides, she has to start working on bettering her relationship with you two as coworkers at some point, and I will make it up to her."
"Alright." Moxxie remarked.
"You know, you really do remind me of Mox, always considerate and wanting the best." Millie smiled.
"He also reminds me of you, always wanting to give someone every chance possible." Moxxie remarked.
"I do try." Carnavont smiled.
"Your team must be very proud to have you as their boss." Millie mused.
"I'm proud to have them as my team, I wouldn't be as successful as I am without them." Carnavont commented. "Although sometimes they do push the envelope."
"But like you all agreed, you're a family, and what's a family if limits aren't pushed or tested or if you don't get on each other's nerves from time to time?" Millie smiled.
"True." Carnavont smiled.
"You mean like we could be if Blitz actually did his job and cared about the work environment?" Moxxie asked.
Millie blinked, a bit of realization hitting her. "I suppose you're right…"
"I didn't mean to undermine you or anything, I just wanted to point out we could be that too if Blitz actually tried." Moxxie said as he placed a hand on Millie's shoulder.
"I know…" Millie smiled somberly.
"Alright, I'm ready." Loona said as she came back from changing, wearing her normal outfit she typically wore.
Carnavont couldn't help but blush slightly she really did look great in anything. And what appeared to be her favorite outfit, like most of the others he had seen her wear, really accentuated her beauty and features, the crop top only covering her chest to where it wasn't really revealing much while her shorts hugged and really showed off her thighs. "Alright, let's check you out…of the hospital I mean."
Loona blushed a bit. "Yeah…"
Moxxie and Millie looked at each other and silently giggled before following behind the two hellhounds, helping with the checkout process where needed and following alongside Carnavont and Loona as they walked out. "So, where to? It hasn't been that long since we had breakfast so I'm not quite hungry yet, you?" Carnavont asked as he looked at Loona.
"Me either." Loona answered.
"Well, we have seen some interesting sites, we can walk around those and see what we can find before looking for a bite to eat." Millie offered.
"Suits me, and you can tell me all about how you two met and got to be such good hired killers." Carnavont remarked.
"Well we didn't exactly grow up in the same area of Wrath and it'd be kind of a long story." Moxxie remarked.
"The day's still early and I'm sure it's not a boring one at all." Carnavont insisted. "If you have to each tell part of a story focused on just you and how you came to be and then met I don't mind."
"Alright…" Moxxie said slightly hesitantly.
"So, who's going to start?" Carnavont asked.
"Moxxie can, mine's not as...exciting as his." Millie offered.
Moxxie blinked as he looked at Millie. "You sure, yours is-"
"I'm sure hun." Millie smiled. "I'll pick up with mine where it's time to."
Moxxie looked at Millie a moment somewhat...sadly? Before sighing. "Alright, but it's quite the long story and starts with what my dad told me."
"Fair enough, I'm all ears." Carnavont said as the group started to walk while Moxxie started to tell the story of his past, starting with the relationship of his father...and uncle.