The next day...
In the aftermath of yesterday's events, I.M.P and their little human friend were back to normal. ...But only for a little while, knowing how high the states now were.
But today, Loona brought Balin back to the office with her, and putting a smile on her face, the boy decided to bring the rest of his homework to finish off.
...
While Blitzø went off to finish the rest of yesterday's 'lunch-rush' of missions with Moxxie and Marijiana's help, depending on how difficult, Loona held the fort as she read her 'Hellhound Monthly' magazine and kept a close eye on Balin from her desk.
During the last three missions, the boy finished off his Maths work while he snuggled with Millie, nestling his head in her chest, with Neptune's border collie tail wrapped around him as both a blanket AND as a desk.
Soon, Blitzø and the two returned from their last target for the day.
The boss' blazer still had some guts stuck to it, but Moxxie's uniform and Neptune's fur looked cleaner than a whistle after cleaning themselves off with the fire hydrant they opened the portal from.
"Alright F-O-C-K-E-Rs, quitting time!" announced Blitzø. "I'mma just head home for the day and get rejuvenated for the recital."
"If I may say, sir." giggled Moxxie. "You quite dapper already."
Neptune and Marijiana also giggled to each other hearing that, while Blitzø looked down at his clothes and grumbled.
"Ah, fuck you Moxx." he muttered. "...And don't worry, Loonie! I'm cooperating now." he anxiously smiled to his adopted daughter and put a penny into the swear jar.
Knowing the gang, there'd be a couple grand in his allowance right now.
"Meh. Okay." replied Loona, not really caring to know what he said or what he was talking about.
Shaking out of it, she stood up from her desk and walked over to Millie so she could nudge Balin a little, sleepily snuggling on the tomboy demon's pillowy breasts.
"Balin? Balin...?" she sang him awake. "You ready to go for the day?"
"Uh-huh." nodded the boy.
"Good. Gotta get ready for Via, don't we?" the hellhound smiled.
So getting up and putting his hellpup disguise back on, Loona picked up the boy and put him on her shoulders for a ride home.
"Loona, I can still walk after yesterday, can I?" he asked her in a flush.
"Yeah, you can." she playfully scoffed, keeping him on her shoulders as she walked.
The three imps watched as they set for home from the office, feeling somewhat proud of the mother figure their monster of a hellhound receptionist had become to this boy.
The one they never saw coming.
AT LOONA'S APARTMENT...
Via was sewing together her costume for tonight's celebratory Goetia recital.
It was a dress going down to her ankles, made out of red crêpe fabric with shiny silver sequins on the front, shoulder caps, and a skull 'n' bones pattern on the back.
She was doing it at Loona's apartment to practice more choreography in privacy, even with the costume on.
Soon, the hellhound and human child walked through the apartment door.
"What up, princess?" she said, lifting Balin from her shoulders in and into her arms, nearly cradling him like a baby.
"Is that your homework?" Via asked, noticing the papers in Balin's arms.
"All done." he smiled.
Via's tail feathers wagged in such a proud way hearing that from him, while Loona just laughed.
"Okay, Via. Practice up some more and we'll head off in an hour or two." she said. "Just gotta give this one a bath real quick."
So as Loona carried Balin to the bathroom, Via went and did just that.
Loona was about to turn on the bath water when Balin tugged on her tail lightly.
"Yeah, buddy?" she spoke.
He then whispered a request into her ear so Via wouldn't hear them, keeping it a secret as he promised. Loona just rolled her eyes and giggled as she picked him up with her paws again.
Via then finished writing up her dance choreography and got started with some last-minute rehearsing.
About 10 seconds into doing that, she could hear one or two little giggles coming from the bathroom.
Curious about what was going on, she walked over and peeked through the door. She then saw Loona and Balin in the tub together, as she was once again grooming the little boy with her tongue, licking up his waists and his abdomen area.
Turns out this was the boy's request to look his cleanest to support Via and the recital, making Loona relieved as to not use any hot water on the boy's already-painful scars from Stella.
Surprised as she was to see that, Via just giggled thinking about how cute that was, before going back to rehearsing.
AT THE EDIBLE GOLD THEATRE...
That evening, the entire I.M.P crew, including Via, arrived at the Edible Gold Theatre, half an hour away from Imp City.
The Edible Gold was a dinner that usually catered for exclusive demons such as the Goetias, the sins, some important succubi and imps if they were being chauffeured as guests-of-honour by the invited member.
In tonight's case, it was Via vouching for the gang, who got out of the van dressed in some fancy formal wear.
Loona didn't wear the dress she wore to her first Queen Bee party, it was a long-sleeved black lace leather shirt with a skirt.
Her two hellhound friends wore the same shirts, but these ones were blue and yellow.
Blitzø, Moxxie, and Millie wore penguin suits, while Stolas wore his suit from his first date with Blitzø in the 'OZZY'S' episode.
And finally, Balin just wore a white button-up shirt, underneath his fur-suit, but at least he had a clean face and very tidy hair.
"You look like a handsome little one, Balin." commented Via, knowing how that happened in the first place.
As they walked into the lobby to grab their tickets, Balin grabbed a program of the show for the recital, which looked like the poster.
...
Starring: Octavia Ars Goetia...
"LUNATIERE D'MAIOR"
By the Ars Goeita family
Performed at the Edible Gold Theatre
One Night Only
Invited Guests Only, for 100£
DISCLAIMER:
Any trespassers will be destroyed so we can drink tea.
...
"Wow..." said Balin, stunned by the poster. "Via, you're famous!"
"Yep. Welcome to my life." the Goetia princess ruffled his hair as she laughed. "Okay, gotta go. See you onstage!" she then sang to him before running off.
"Hey Balin! We got our seats!" called Loona.
"Coming!" replied Balin.
As he ran, he accidentally trod on some tail feathers. He then looked up to see it was a raven-like Goetia, who had a poofy white mane as if she was wearing a sheepskin jacket. She then extended her hand to help him stand up again, and the boy smiled and nodded to her before he speed-walked to his table and sat next to Loona.
She had one glass of red wine, while Blitzø just had five bottles of booze. One each for M&M and Stolas. Everyone else at the venue just had either wine like Loona or water. But for Balin, she just got him a root beer float.
"Ready to see what Via can do, kiddo?" she said, handing him his drink.
"As ready as I'll ever be." giggled Balin, causing her to giggle a little more.
The lights then went down as Alastor appeared on stage, with the spotlight shining bright down on him.
"Salutations, birds of a feather!" he announced in his sultry radio voice. "It is my deepest and most pleasurable pleasure to be your MC for tonight's celebration. As requested by Stolas Ars Goetia, I'd like to welcome to the stage, the once lost and now found of the family, with an original song-and-dance she likes to call, Lunatiere d'Maior, Ms. Octavia Ars Goetia...!"
Everyone clapped as Via was then shown the stage standing on a music box, dressed in her modern ballerina costume.
She started her song portion of the show, spinning around very slowly as she began to sing:
...
SONG CHOICE - "USE SOMEBODY" by JOJO
VIA:
I've been roaming around
Always looking down
And all I see.
Painted faces
Of the places
I can't reach.
You know I could use somebody.
You know I could, use somebody.
The I.M.P table all watched in smiles as Via dazzled up the stage with her vocals and special effects.
Someone like you
And all you know
And how you speak.
Countless lovers
Under cover
On the streets.
You know I could, use somebody, right now.
You know that I could, USE SOMEBODY...
Someone like YOU...!
Via then reached her hand to Balin in the crowd, even putting the spotlight on him, making him widen his eyes as she wanted him to come on stage.
SOMEONE LIKE ME...!
The boy stood up from the table and slowly walked towards the stage from the far end of the restaurant-themed auditorium.
I've been roaming around
Always looking down
And all I. See...
...
As the song ended Balin took Via's hand, everyone clapped and cheered for her. She may not've paid attention to a lot of it, as she embraced Balin in her arms.
"Thank you so much, everybody!" she announced to her audience. "I'd like to introduce to you all, a good friend of mine, Balin Johnson."
"As all in our family knows, Lunatiere d'Maior means Miracles in the Starlight in Goetia." she continued. "And since meeting this bright and adorable young... pup, I have been in awe of how miraculous he truly is."
One of the demons in the crowd suddenly shouted:
"Hang on! Is that the human kid I saw on the news?"
"Uhh, what?" Via said in shock.
"The one we saw at Lucifer's daughter's hotel?"
"Yes it is!"
"He's here!"
Via, Loona, Balin, and the rest of the gang were all in shock to hear the commotion of how everyone knew about him.
"Balin? It's okay, you don't need to tell..."
Via was about to finish her sentence, when she saw that Balin had taken off his hoodie to reveal his human face.
This made the audience gasp, even Loona chewing her nails in stress while Blitzø just gulped, until they clapped for him once again.
"So... you big demons are okay with me being... a human?" the little boy asked the audience.
Everyone cheered the word 'Yes!' for him softly in response, and to the gang's surprise, it made him feel a little happy and warm inside.
"Well, how 'bout that?" said Blitzø with impression, while the rest of the table sighed in relief.
"Alright... Yes, Balin is a human." Octavia then continued her speech, with a smile too as she told his story with her arm around his neck. "The reason he's here is because his parents on Earth have gone through a tragic ordeal, being taken away from their kid through an unfair witness protection program."
Everyone in the Goetia family went 'Awww' feeling bad for the boy.
"Since then, he's been homeless after escaping a foster home, until a great friend of mine rescued him. My first BEST friend." the owl princess winked to Loona. "The same friend who taught me that trying's more important than anyone can think. So I commend you for 'trying' yourself, Loona the hellhound."
Smiling, Loona gave her first best friend a wink back, while Stolas began weeping at his daughter's words.
"C'mon birdbrain. Hold it together now." chuckled Blitzø.
"How can I? I need to say..." Stolas struggled crying, until he burst out saying: "I love you, owlet!"
"Aww dad, come on! On my big night?" Via facepalmed in embarrassment, yet in a cheeky way. "Anywho, just as tonight's entire performance is, the next and final act of tonight is for him. Choir, the dance portion!"
Soon, a choir of imps and succubi walked onstage and formed two lines at the back. The back for the succubi, and the front for the imps, all based on size.
As they started singing the dance song, Via grabbed Balin's hand and slowly brought him close to her, as she began dancing with him.
The two smiled as Balin looked down at her feet, trying to follow the steps.
...
DANCE SONG CHOICE: "MOON RIVER" by VOCTAVE
CHOIR:
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style
Someday...
Oh, dream maker
You heartbreaker
Wherever you're going,
I'm going your way...
Two drifters
Off to see the world
There's such a lot of world
To see...
We're after the same rainbow's end.
Waiting 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon river... and me...
As the song progressed, Balin and Via started spinning until they started flying up into the air, like sky-dancer toys, with the special effects coming to life.
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style
Someday...
Oh, dream maker
You heartbreaker
Wherever you're going,
I'm going your way...
It was like they were floating and dancing in space, a sky full of stars and planets. Balin blew some of the little stars to the I.M.P gang, and as Blitzø and M&M also played along with them, Loona just twirled one around her finger in curiosity, and a little fun too.
(continued):
Two drifters
Off to see the world
There's such a lot of world
To see...
We're after the same rainbow's end.
Waiting 'round the bend,
My huckleberry friend,
Moon river... and me...
As the song reached its heavenly end, Balin was now in Via's arms, slowly falling asleep.
MOON RIVER...
...
The song finally ended with Via smiling as she swayed him back and forth and rubbed his head in a motherly way, while the audience applauded for them as loud as they could.
"Wow."
For the first time, Loona was actually stunned not to clap, but smile also, while her I.M.P family loudly cheered and whistled.
Via tried to nudge Balin awake so he could bow with her, but realised he was already out of it for the day. This made her laugh so much as she bowed herself, then made him bow pretending he was a doll, before walking offstage.
Stolas got onstage to say the final words of the evening, while Via went down to the I.M.P guys at their table, still cradling Balin in her arms like a baby.
"That was so pretty, Your Highness." said Moxxie. "I don't think I'd ever seen anything like it."
Via just blushed at the statement from the old man she'd tease normally.
"For the first time, Via... You're making me agree with fatty." Loona looked down at the imp feeling a little flustered hearing that. "What am I gonna do with you?" she then cheekily asked as the owl rolled her eyes.
"Hmm... maybe you could take this little chick for the night?" she playfully replied. "Seems to be out of it."
Loona then pressed her ear against his chest. "Yep. Out cold." she smirked.
Soon, Balin moaned as he snuggled into Loona's fur, without surprise, making her look down at him with a very small smile.
"...Loona?" he groggily said with his droopy eye-lids.
"Sweetie-pie, that was brilliant!" Millie said.
"Indeed." clapped Blitzø. "I'm not the one who's easily impressed, so congrats to you!"
"Thank you, guys..." replied the yawning Balin, who then looked at Via. "And thank you, Via. You've made my day."
"And you..." Via giggled as she gently stroked his hair behind his ears. "You've always made mine." she whispered.
"Hey, how'd you two like a picture before I tuck him in for the night?" asked Loona, holding her phone in her paw.
"Absolutely!" Balin and Via said together.
Laughing, Loona then held her phone in front of them and the three made silly faces as she took the selfie, with the imps in the far back.
"Alright Blitzø, grab the keys!" ordered Loona with her grin. "You're driving me and the kiddo home first!"
"You got it, Loonie!" replied Blitzø with the swing of his keys.
"Don't ruin it, sir." Moxxie muttered and rolled his eyes, as everyone followed her.
"Mmm... bye-bye Via." yawned Balin as the two waved goodbye to each other.
Via then blew him a kiss with her hand, and the boy was able to catch it before the door closed.
...
In the van, Blitzø drove along the road smoothly and safely, for once, while Loona watched her recordings of Via's performances.
Hearing the cheer of the crowd, especially at his face, she giggled as he slept with his head on her shoulder in the cutest way, as always.
"Hear all that, little guy?" whispered Loona, holding phone near him. "You ARE loved."
She then gave him a few strokes of his hair with her claws, making him nuzzle closer into her hair.
He stayed asleep the entire van ride back to the apartment, where she'd soon tuck him in and lick his cheek 'good night.'
A/N: See y'all in the next chapter.