woman of dusk pt2
Worry that built up in Elanye's mind over how Serenity would view her was for not. Ceased bend in her eyebrows and flare of her nostrils as her eyes took on a cobalt glow. Got her blankly and quietly stared at by Serenity as if she should have cared about such a swallow manner. Unlike how Tahitian pearls ended up covering the ballroom floor. Almost made Serenity trip face first if Roh didn't catch her in time. Since he walked in on him sweeping up the mess in the middle of set up.
"Do I want to know?" Serenity asked Roh.
Roh only shook his head side to side as Elanye was angrily trying to not give in to the screeching. Her niece was sitting on stage with her eyes completely puffed up from crying too much. One of Alastor's pranks on hotel's staff was so funny, she started laughing. Which was so hard that she started crying and flooded the ballroom floor. Roh to clean up as Elanye to fight her urge to speak a octave that shatter demon's ear drums.
"They decided yet what to do with these pearls?" Serenity was getting ideas.
Got her a look of mixed concern and curiosity from Roh since Elanye told him to clean. Never brought up what she was going to do with the pearls once they were off the floor. Having an Overlord like Serenity ask about them was a quite an intriguing topic.
"Excuse me?" Serenity got to her hooves, "May I intervene for a second?"
Elanye went into a mild shock when she heard Serenity's voice concerning the pearls. Had her finding her posture to be able to talk with Serenity without stepping on a pearl.
"Dia duit. I am sorry Misfortune about the mess and we're picking up as fast as we can." Elanye replied, rather bothered by Hephzibah.
"The Pearls," Serenity pointed to them, "For sale?"
Way Roh turned his head with his eyes and mouth slamming shut as grip tightened on the brooms handle. Told Serenity this wasn't going to be a normal conversation about pearls.
"Are you sure about that?" All emotion drained from Elanye's face, "Since this will not be a normal transaction being these were made by mermaid descent."
"Let's talk." Serenity picked up one of the pearls to look at their fine quality and other factors.
Roh ended up placing the pearls into a pouch pointing out their minorly damage when he handed them over. Bringing up these had scuffed marks on the surface after being on the floor. Which bought up five out of the two key factors in this part of the sale.
"I want him present." Serenity stopped being surprised by him.
Elanye wouldn't disagree not having Roh present since Serenity has become oddly attached to him. What she saw cute about the two after watching them for six years.
8*8
Hexes appeared once more on a smaller scale to invite a few to come to celebrate another year. Just this time around one of these attendees was a bit on the rude side, Baxter wasn't helping the mood along, He criticized the decor all the way to the catered food that everyone worked on. Words gaudy to bilious escaped his lips when he took everything in. He then went on to say Hephzibah's leopard should be collared or put into a cage. His opinions about Laika and Cornelius freely being around the hotel was a hazard for anyone. He was weary around Chewy when stared at by the weird feline.
"I know I promised, but him …" Corbin couldn't stand Baxter, " … Just once. Please?"
"Would be an utter waste." Octavia figured.
"I really hate it when you're right." Corbin knew she was.
"He ticks you off again," She offered, "Ask what he thinks about being eaten alive by monstrous venus flytrap?"
"Who are we torturing?" Osmodai asked, "I have ideas."
"May I join?" Serenity joined.
Sentiments toward Baxter was something Serenity agreed since he was so mean-spirited. He questioned her credentials as an Overlord and being an overall demon most days. Along with her existing relationship was toward the royal family, mostly toward Charlie and Constantine. Become a reminder in the form of Baxter trying to avoid interaction with Niffty was pointed out. This was when Osmodai's smile completely faded from her face. Her dealings with him upon visiting the hotel were never pleasant ones. His questions about her taste in clothing or who her parents were.
"What is that thing you promised not to do?" Osmodai asked him.
"Introduce him to Wywave's plant beasts around." Corbin offered.
"I pay to see that." Serenity liked the idea.
"Cruel, but still no." Octavia was firm.
"How about I Put A Spell On You?" Elanye asked them.
The song was one of their openers when they started their performance for everyone. Attention was turned toward Baxter at the beginning when all danced. He got real uncomfortable to the point he tried to leave the ball room. Niffty pulled him into dancing with her before he could get away. Struggling through two more songs when dipped and spun around. His words falling in deaf ears since music drowned out his pleas. Until an intermission ended up taking place for the band and the dancers.
"Feel better?" Osmodai asked Corbin.
He teetered his hand side to side when he sipped from a cup of pumpkin punch. Feeling less annoyed about Baxter after seeing Niffty smother him. She hadn't left his side after finding him and was forced into dancing with her.
"Much," He could finally talk, "Finally tell your parents what you want to tell them?"
"Yes and thanks for encouragement." She hip checked him.
He didn't have time to react fully to her when he was caught and pulled into a kiss. Placement on this person's hands on his person and his hood now being pulled off. Told him who had caught him before he repositioned his feet. He pulled away from him with his hands still on him.
"Your timing is still off," Goleon stared at him, "I could have slit your throat or worse."
"Glad to see you as well." Corbin smiled back.
"Improve." Goleon reminded him.
"Tell me when and where." Corbin replied.
Would have they gone on it not for Mirabelle, She grabbed the newest pants' leg to avoid being picked up by Vaggie. Giggling at the sight of her mother looking for her in the crowd.
"Trying to dodge bedtime?" Corbin looked down.
"I want to see Uncle Constantine and Auntie Elanye dance." She whined.
"Then off to bed?" Corbin asked her.
"Fine." She huffed.
Goleon gave her away to Vaggie with Corbin's compromise that would keep her from running. Meant the two were watching her as people waited for THAT MOMENT. When Elanye ended up letting Hephzibah take her place as singer for the rest of the night. To step into the crowd of demons to mix- n- mingle with a few friendly faces. Some were residents of the hotel in their finest just chatting up these guests. Stolas being one of them since he was chatting Wywave up. Practically giddy about having him return to his personal greenhouse and gardens.
"You two are getting along?" Elanye asked, coming between them.
"Making future plans." Stolas cheerily addressed her.
"Those carnivorous Hell-plants keep calling me." Wywave's spoke of Stolas' flora.
"Then I insist you visit our tea house," Elanye handed Stolas a token, "This will allow you to gain access."
Sigil that was one side as the other came with a Ladybug crawling out of the teacup on the other. Stolas happily accepted rather than looking forward to the rumor or tea house. A place located somewhere in the Pride ring that certain demons could visit. Filled with handmade baked goods and tea blends one wouldn't find in hell.
"Am I interrupting anything?" A familiar voice made Wywave smirk as he sipped his drink.
"Nothing, your highness," Wywave replied for his sister, "Just my sister doing what she does best."
Threat of wearing his punch in half glass followed when her leering at her brother was felt. Stolas tried to not laugh at the way the two openly interacted before them. Had him looking toward his children and the rest of their friends. Elrod laughed at what was said while Octavia was smiling on stage as she played beside Octavia. Warmed his heart since he watched the two grow as demons for six years with these faces.
"I can speak with her later," Stolas stepped aside to allow Constantine near Elanye, "Enjoy your night."
"Don't do what I haven't done." Wywave advised them.
"Oh my," Stalos' feather puffed up when he heard Wywave's comment, "Rumors are true?"
Wywave tried to not laugh at Stolas' reaction, after accepting Constantine's ungloved hand. As she wore a solid black, Off-Shoulder, slim fit, knitted fabric, a- line, Mini Dress. Small molded red Rose pattern along the sides, made up her peep toe flats. Sea glass ear cuff clearly worn on her exposed ear with a blank ribbon choker. Classic bombshell with basic lipstick as she took the dance floor with him.
"Keeping things a tad simple." He commented on her appearance.
"I am not the only one." She pointed out.
Not like he missed the hooded costume she wore during Mammon's singing competition. Which further stirred the rumor mill about fabled red riding hood and prince of hell. How her dressing like him was showing her dedication and probably admiration.
"Something wrong with publicly signifying our bond, expressing a sense of unity and showing that we're a pair?" He asked her.
"Has it been seven years already? Where has the 6 years, 14 months, 60 weeks, 420 days, 10080 hours, 604800 minutes, and 36288000 seconds have gone?" She turned her toward him acting clueless.
Smile that graced Constantine's face as her owl landed on his shoulder when he welcomed her closeness. Had Lucifer smiling at the way his son began dancing with Elanye as one step was taken. What started a new round of dancing with music slowly filling the quiet. Just not everyone went back on the dance floor in those passing seconds. Husk was sorting out how to give the winner their winnings from his betting pool. Since slots they chose were during the hotel's anniversary celebration and near the middle. Came with a great payout since odds were so high.o
"Going to do what you always do with the money?" Husk asked a resting Zon.
"Pretty much." Zon raised his glass to him.
Both shared the usual drink of pumpkin punch since Charlie didn't want any hellochol this year. Whole pumpkin was juiced with seasonings to make a tasteful punch. Zon wouldn't get to share in another round of conversation or drink Husk. He was pulled away by Serenity needing a dance partner. Alastor was taking a break after being hers for the last three songs.
"What trouble are you up to now?" Serenity took the lead with him following.
"Usual." He securely held her.
She was then dipped and spun at the same time before handed off to Roh. Hand off gave Zon a quiet chance to stand not so far away from the stage rather proud of Corbin. Six Years worth of hard work paid off when he looked onto that stage. Way Corbin mastered one of the Bloodmarch heirlooms in the form of Scourge. Taught himself the electric violin and now attending hell's version of college. In the company of his friends on nights he needed to stay in the library.
"Excuse me?" Goleon approached him, "May I bother you on something?"
"It's about me being a former exorcist," Zon said a rehearsed line, "As I've been saying, I don't practice or follow those beliefs anymore. I believe in alternative ways to save a soul then killing it."
"I wanted to know about Bloodmarch marriage traditions." Goleon corrected him.
"To start," Zon informed him, "They practice an ancient Celtic wedding ritual called handfasting."
Zon then showed him a silver ring with a series of impure sapphire of lowest grade. Stating Wywave wears one made of fool's gold with impure rubies.
"They also wear magical rings," Zon further explained, "Each set carries a different ability depending on a person's inner desires."
"Yours?" Goleon asked.
"Harmonious Intent," Zon cracked a small smile, "We want balance and existence."
Goleon fell quiet on the subject he brought up about wanting a future with Corbin. He knew the Bloodmarch family had their own customs, just never knew how different they were until right now.
8*8
Roh could be found returning to the hotel when the events were dying down for the crowd. He was out running late night errands and picking up mail for Elanye. When Mirabelle ran toward him to say goodnight that he froze in place. Taking on a quick pace that had Roh scooping her up into his arms. Bowing to the last of the people exiting the hotel that alerted Razzle and Kee kee. Who followed them throughout the lobby to where Charlie and Lucifer were.
"Grandpa. Mama." Mirabelle happily called to them.
"Where have you been?" Lucifer noticed the mood Roh was in, "Anything important?"
"Your highnesses." Roh turned to Charlie and her father, "Think this belongs to you."
Roh passed Mirabelle to her mother promising another time he would assist in putting her to bed. Charlie happily accepted taking her daughter from him without much hassle. Allowing him to leave the three of them when Lucifer shifted his attention. Asking her what bedroom story he wanted to tell her as she was tucked in. Distracted Mirabelle enough for Roh to escape her gaze and search for Elanye. His tired brain didn't register who was right beside Elanye as the two were actively chatting about the style of Les Fauves. Came to a screeching halt when Roh addressed Serenity with that pick line.
"Are you a sundial? Because I could watch you all day." First thing came out of his mouth when he saw Serenity.
Elanye tried to not laugh as she tightly pressed her lips together. Serenity went wide eyed and quite shocked at what came from Roh's mouth directed at her. Roh stood there feeling like an idiot realizing he said the wrong thing to the wrong person.
"Before I am reprimanded for addressing an Overlord like a regular demon," Roh slammed his eyes shut and addressed Elanye, "Here."
"What did I just hear?" Serenity guessed.
"Why don't you hang out in my room?" Elanye handed him a golden apple shaped room key, "Get some rest."
Roh apologized with a bow to Serenity, unable to meet her eyes as he tried to pass her. Feeling like a fool for not thinking before he spoke as she caught the sleeve of his jacket.
"After you get your brain in order." Serenity whispered, "Can we talk later?"
"If I am able to speak," Roh warned her, "I can't do anything."
He knew he couldn't turn her down no thanks to the Bloodmarch contract he was still under. Kept him from turning down an appearance with an Overlord among other clauses. This Serenity was found out throughout the six years of interacting with him.
"You can let me go now." Roh lifted part of his jacket Serenity still held.
When he was released by her, he accepted Elanye's room key in exchange for the sealed envelopes. A few of them were her usual correspondence from around hell. High ranking demons with their usual orders or business inquiries. One or two from Bloodmarch ranch in wrath ring while others were scorched letters.
"Anything from the heavens above?" Serenity spoke of who Elanye wrote for Charlie's retrial.
"No," Elayne hands the envelopes back to Roh, "I do hope for an answer soon despite the chaotic state they must be facing."
Serenity became aware of Elanye's letter writing campaign through numerous sources. Two of them were her hellhound grapevine and straight from Constantine's lips. She never learned who Elanye wrote her letter to or the other subjects. Just the overall topic of retrial, after the events of the hotel's rebuild and Extermination became known to the public of heaven.
"A redeemed soul and scandal over Extermination," Serenity guessed what would put heaven in an uproar, "I would have seen that."
"Makes you want to be there?" Roh asked with yawn on his lips.
"Up stairs or I'll send Zon after you." Elanye waved at him.
Despite his tired state he goofily bowed to two of them before heading to the elevator with a wave. Got a return wave from Elanye and Serenity before the two started up chatting. Elanye about to share how she chose to come here instead of the golden gates.
"I know … I deserve to be here after what I've done in the living world." Serenity's only answer to Roh's question.
She ended up having Elanye wrap her arms around her in a veritable hug without a care. Left her unable to react toward this open display out of the blue.
"I am glad you're here," Elanye didn't care about what Serenity had done, "Keep being you. My friend."
"..." Confession stumped Serenity into utter silence since this wasn't the first time someone called her friend.
"Oh dear," Elanye noticed her silence, "Are you ok? I have an excellent tea blend we could try or maybe a bottle of soulful wine."
Caught in the memory of when Constantine said the same thing on the balcony of the hotel. Wearing that rare smile that was conveyed to her again by Elanye in the hotel's corridor. Reflection of purely being understood and valued was present again.
"Where in the seven rings did you get a soulful wine?" Serenity could never understand how she always came across rare hellochols.
"Involves me on my broom, 30 flying crows, and food delivery to Osmodai at her dads' factory." Elanye pulls a feather from her hair.
"I have to hear." Serenity was interesting.