"Howdy there!" The cowboy imp greeted, his piercing gaze sweeping over the group before landing on Millie. Dismounting his fiery steed with practiced ease, he extended a hand to her. "Well, if it ain't the famous Mildred. Heard some mighty good things 'bout you from yer folks." He ended with a wink.
Millie, now considering herself a proper mother, didn't so much as flinch. Instead, she took the imp's hand in a firm shake. "Well, howdy to you too, stranger." She replied evenly. Then, turning her head slightly, she called out sharply, "Eli! Greet the nice stranger!"
Eli stood and walked toward them, his posture calm but his sharp eyes scrutinizing. Striker, noticing the resemblance between the two, immediately assumed Eli was Millie's son. He wasn't wrong.
"Howdy there, kid. The name's Striker." The imp said with an affable grin, extending his hand toward Eli.
Floating invisibly beside Eli, Mary whispered, her tone edged with unease, "I know him. A sadistic assassin who targets royals—doesn't care who gets hurt in the process. He uses blessed weapons, so be careful, my little miracle." Her abysmal eyes narrowed as she peered at Striker, as though trying to see into his soul.
Eli, his expression impassive, took Striker's hand. But as he shook it, his grip tightened sharply, making the older imp double over. "Nice to meet you, Mister Striker…" Eli said flatly before letting go. "Whoops, didn't know my own strength there." He added, his tone cool and unbothered.
Both Lin and Joe burst into laughter, recognizing the same unintentional strength their daughter often displayed.
Striker chuckled too, though he rubbed his sore hand. "Heh, no harm done, lil' sprout. Gotta say, you've got yourself a strong grip."
Eli gave a small huff of acknowledgment before stepping back.
Meanwhile, the I.M.P. team exchanged subtle glances Eli's small hostility gave them a very clear sign that the imp was dangerous, their smiles growing increasingly fake as they studied Striker. Even Loona, who rarely paid attention to newcomers, wore a stiff, insincere grin.
Oblivious, Striker turned back to Millie, who greeted him with a polite but equally forced sweet smile. "So, what brings y'all so far outta Imp City?" He asked with a smirk. "Free work slowin' down, and yer movin' back?" He chuckled at his own joke.
Eli discreetly pulled out his phone, walking back toward Loona. Keeping his voice low, he spoke into the receiver. "Stolas… Yeah, I've got an infamous assassin named Striker here. You and Stella know him? …Got it."
Hanging up, Eli nodded subtly at Loona, who returned the gesture, understanding the silent message.
He shot Blitzo and Moxxie a pointed look, earning brief but knowing glances in return. Both imps shifted their focus back to Striker, carefully maintaining their casual demeanor.
Joe, oblivious to the tension, threw an arm around Eli's shoulders. "So, son, what exactly has Millie been teachin' ya?" He asked, his curiosity piqued.
"She's taught me parkour, how to wield giant axes, how to throw a hatchet." Eli listed off casually. "She even showed me how to punch someone's head off."
Joe erupted into joyful laughter. "Hoo-wee! That last one's mine—came up with that move myself. Pretty impressive, huh?" He wiggled his eyebrows at his grandson.
"It is. She even ripped someone's spine out and used it to beat them senseless," Eli added matter-of-factly.
Joe stared at him in disbelief before breaking into a proud grin. "Well, I didn't teach her that one, but damn if I ain't proud she came up with it!" He wiped away a tear of pride.
Lin approached, having overheard the conversation, and a sly smile spread across her face. "Well, why don't ya join the Pain Games, pumpkin?" She suggested.
Blitzo's ears perked up. In a blink, he disappeared from where he stood and reappeared next to the older couple. "Games? I love games! What games? I'm in!" He declared, bouncing on his heels like an overexcited child.
Eli glanced at Millie, noting her uncharacteristically downcast expression. It was odd—this sounded like her kind of event. Turning back to Lin, he tilted his head curiously. "What's the Pain Games?"
Lin pinched his cheek affectionately at his unintentional cuteness. "Well, sweetie, every Harvest Festival, there's a competition to find out who's the toughest, roughest imp of 'em all!" She licked her thumb and wiped a smudge of dirt from Eli's cheek before ruffling his hair. "Imps from all over Wrath come to compete in physical challenges, and the winner's crowned the toughest of the lot!"
Eli shook his hair, pondering. "Ma must've won a lot, huh?"
"Yeah, I did!" Millie huffed, crossing her arms. "Until they banned me for causin' a few funerals…"
Mary, floating above, let out an impressed "Ooh!" clearly intrigued by Millie's past exploits.
Lin shot her daughter a stern look. "Those 'few funerals' were fifteen separate ones. Look, I know yer still sore about bein' banned, but it's your own fault for gettin' carried away."
Millie pouted, her arms crossed tighter. "I only caused nine of those!" She protested. "And how come Sallie May gets to compete? She brags about gettin' a higher body count than me!"
"Because they don't find the bodies, lil' sis."
Speak of the devil—Sallie May sauntered over, carrying a suspiciously large body bag, accompanied by a smaller imp and a growing group of others.
A/N: Sally May is here do you like it? Do you not? Feel free to review it and criticize if you like.
To guest, it fine seriously thanks for reminding me that Sinners can't really leave pride. I actually forgot about that detail.
To reader, yeah nobody really knows the existence of Mary yet.
Surprise I decided to take a nice long two day rest and feel slightly better.