The morning light shone over Camazotz's palace, various servants going to and fro tidying and preparing things. Much like Skittle they all looked to be skeletal in appearance, each a different species from Hell. Skittle himself was overseeing everything, making sure things were done right and properly. They had no idea when Stella would arrive, be it in a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days. Royalty was sometimes hard to predict like that, but they were always punctual or early, never late. Well, in their own since they were never late.
Skittle didn't care or mind all that much though, things were what they were. The nobility did as they pleased and acted how they wished, often at the expense of those lesser than them. They weren't always unfair or cruel, often more so ambivalent or aloof. When it came to his mistress though, it was always uncertain. Sure she treated them all fairly well, more so than most nobles would. But there was always that underlying fear of her one day simply amusing her more cruel side for entertainment or punishing a particularly irksome interruption.
She was everything death was supposed to be; impartial, unpredictable, unfair, welcoming, kind and cruel. She wasn't crazy, not by any means, Skittle's many years of being in her service was proof of that. She was just unknowable, her methods and way of things far too eldritch to truly comprehend. For the most part she was a typical noble, aside from being a bit nicer than most, he had seen her honor as many deals and been as kind as he had seen her decide to screw someone over and partake in sadistic pleasure.
One thing was certain though, if things were not properly prepared his mistress would be...less than pleased. It was a good thing though he was a similar mindset, wanting things to look their best and ensuring their were never any real hitches. It had earned Skittle the bit of leeway he had with her, allowing him to be rather blunt here and there. Of course he was still but a servant in her employee, but he had a bit more say than most would.
Skittle made his way through the palace, making his way to each room and inspecting them rather thoroughly. Sure it was just for one guest, but knowing the fondness his mistress had for the goetia, and how hospitable Camazotz can be when in the right mood, he was going to make sure that her guest would have her pick of where to stay. He also would be lying if he he said he didn't get some amusement from bossing the other servants around, especially those of larger, more powerful, species. But he was always fair, as his mistress was, never being unreasonable but firm and fair.
He did take immense pride and satisfaction in his work, overseeing everything going smoothly like a well oiled machine, his meticulous and thorough work ethic being one of the biggest reasons why Camazotz had taken him under her employ. She expected nothing but the best, and he was not going to give her anything less than that, expecting the same out of the others he oversaw. He wasn't completely uptight, he just preferred to minimize the risk of being punished as much as possible and unwind outside of the palace.
It took most of the day to make sure everything was presentable and appealing for Stella's visit, Camazotz had plenty of servants to ensure that it never took long to tidy up or decorate for an event if she held one. As Skittle inspected the last of the rooms that would be offered a smile crossed his face, giving an approving nod before dismissing the others to go about other duties. He had also checked in with his mistress every now and then, making sure to provide anything she might need. When he had last seen her she had just finished some work and mentioned unwinding a little, which could only mean one of a few things.
Before he could have any time to wonder though, Skittle heard the bell to the front door, which only meant one thing, Stella had decided to take up the offer sooner than later. He quickly straightened his uniform and made sure he looked as proper as possible before making his way to the door, getting all the servants as he could to formally greet the princess. "Ah, good day lady Stella, good to see you have taken up our mistress' invitation so promptly." Skittle greeted as he opened the door, bowing to the non-too-happy looking princess with all the servants present. "Do please come in."
"Yes, yes, whatever, where is Camazotz anyway?" Stella asked as she stepped in, the sounds of a piano starting to be heard, albeit very faintly.
"It seems my lady is in her music room, I shall escort you there to meet her. If you have any luggage, the other servants will happily take them and hold onto them until you have picked a room you like, as we thought it only proper to let you have your choice of where to stay."
"I see, that's very nice of her to have such consideration." Stella commented, barely paying attention to Skittle or the other servants, though did note their peculiar skeletal look. She wouldn't have thought much of Skittle's, but for all the others to seemingly have the same look as well meant she either had a fondness for the skeletal demons in the greed ring, or had a very peculiar requirement in dress code for her servants. In either case she cared very little, merely motioning for her own servants to hand off what luggage she brought. "Just take them to the nicest room you have ready."
"Very well." Skittle said before looking to the ones that had been handed her things." Take them upstairs, the one with the balcony and more ornate decor." he ordered, the servants nodding and leaving.
"And I better not see anything damaged or stolen!" Stella threatened, she clearly was in no mood to be too pleasant, if she had ever been to those under her.
Skittle turned to her, a not fully stern look on his face. "Lady Stella, while I do understand you are going through a hard time, I will not have you making such insinuations. Every servant here is dedicated to making sure they do their job exceptionally, nothing less. While you stay here I will insist that you TRY to not just relax and get your troubles off your mind, but act like a proper guest."
Stella blinked, looking at the winged imp with a growing anger. "How DARE you speak to to me like that, I am your better."
"Then might I humbly suggest you act like it? Taking your out your anger over what has happened on someone else's servants is hardly becoming."
"I…" Stella narrowed her eyes. "When Camazotz here's of how you're talking to me…"
"She will laugh." Skittle said bluntly. "I have served the mistress for MANY years, and those years of faithful unfailing service has granted me the allowance to speak as such. So please, do try to take what is angering you off your mind while here. She has invited you to stay here for that very reason, for you to be happy. I can't even recall the last time she has shown such care or interest in an individual, to have her be so interested is unheard of. Now then, follow me." he said before turning promptly to lead the way.
Stella blinked. she would have felt utter rage at the butler's audacity to speak to one such as her in such a manner, ESPECIALLY since it was an imp that started the whole mess she was in. But when he had mentioned that Camazotz had shown an interest in her that she had shown no one else she felt her cheeks darken with warmth. For the first time in years she had found herself not only taken aback, but left somewhat speechless. "Very...well." she managed as she quickly got composed, wanting to present herself to Camazotz like the very woman she had admired and wanted to model herself after.
"Excellent. This way then, I'm sure my lady will be thrilled to see you have arrived." Skittle said before starting to walk.
Stella followed, saying nothing as she felt her cheeks darken more from hearing Camazotz would be so happy to see her, it made her compose herself even more, trying to imulate the ageless demon as she for the first time since they had seen each other remembered not just how Camazotz carried herself around others, but her words about how she saw everyone. She had forgotten in the years following her wedding day, the more cold nature she had developed in her years of venting anger through cruelty taking hold. Sure she never looked at others beneath her in anyway other than common trash meant to serve and better their own lives, but why would she, it was all she knew.
But, for Camazotz's sake, and to show gratitude for letting her stay, she tried at least to acknowledge the servants she saw as she moved through the palace. If nothing else, at least nod to them or return a greeting when greeted or shown respect to. But that was it, they were still lowly commoners after all, and that was never going to change. Still, the more she paid attention, the more she truly noticed that ALL the servants looked skeletal, not just the ones that had greeted her. And as she observed a bit more keenly, the more they appeared...more truly skeletal than any of the demons from the greed ring.
Perhaps they were not just mixed, but mixed with the purest form of the skeletal demons of the greed ring, even the few hellhounds she saw looked truly bone like in their face and claws. Stella's train of thought was interrupted however as the music grew louder. Did Camazotz have her own personal musicians that played for her whenever she wished?
That question was soon answered as they came to a pair of double doors from which the music emanated, what sounded like a chorus now accompanied new music being played. As Skittle opened the double doors Stella's eyes went slightly wide at what she saw. There, at the end of the room on a raised ornate platform, was Camazotz playing the piano, spectral figures near it providing the chorus. And not just that, but a dozen more along with more of what looked to be more skeletal looking servants littered the room, dancing in tune to the music elegantly. As Camazotz sped up so did the dancers, a malicious chuckle coming from the woman, leaving Stella in slight surprised awe at is macabre-ness and elegance. And, just when Stella thought Camazotz couldn't play any faster, she raised her arms high in the air, an extra set extending out of her from below them, before slamming back down and playing faster than she thought any demon could ever play, not even Lucifer himself.
Stella was fixated on the site as she followed the butler, the spirits dancing as fast as Camazotz play, though that didn't stop her from noticing the butler slightly gulping. It made her look at some of the skeletal dancers more closely, and the more she did...the more most seemed…not like servants in appearance. In fact, as she payed particular note, a sudden recollection hit her as she managed to recognize one of the dancers. It was the goetia from when she was a child, the one Camazotz had...a cold chill ran down her spine. These weren't just random constructs or phantasmal conjurings, Camazotz was puppeteering the dead for her amusement.
Stella quickly fully realized now why every other Ars Goetia and demon, regardless of status, was fearful of Camazotz. She didn't just ensure deaths of humans and demons, but if she desired, use the souls she reaped for her own amusement. Still, the cold chill didn't last long, such power was…alluring. Plus it wasn't anything she wouldn't wish she could do to her own enemies, torment them even after death.
As they got close to where Camazotz was she suddenly stopped playing, the chorus and the dancers either disappearing into air or turning to dust before doing so. "Ah, Stella, I'm glad you made it." Camazotz said happily as she soon turned her head one hundred and eighty. "You are dismissed Skittle" she asked as she turned the rest of her body around as she got up, the second set of arms receding back into her.
Skittle nodded."As you wish mistress, will you two require anything?"
"No, not for now." Camazotz replied.
"Very well, I shall take my leave then." Skittle said with a bow before heading off to do other duties.
Camazotz smiled more as she walked over to Stella. "I trust you had a pleasant trip over? Well, as pleasant as it could be with this dreadful situation you're going through."
"It was nice enough, all things considered. Thank you again for inviting me to stay here, while my brother is being helpful he's still being…him." Stella muttered,.
"Oh I can only imagine, and it's no trouble at all." Camazotz said with a warm smile.
Stella fought off a blush. "Still...it was kind of you to do so. I really needed to get away from everything, if only for a short time. Lucifer, I'll be the laughing stock of the entire goetia family. I can already imagine the rumors going around now, that my now ex-husband found a disgusting lowly imp far more appealing than me. That I mustn't have been good enough and was deflecting onto him."
"Now that's not true, anyone would see that they'd be fortunate to have a woman like you." Camazotz said as she placed a hand on Stella's shoulder reassuringly.
As much as she tried to fight off blushing, Stella's cheeks darkened. "Thank you...Still, this is going to do horrendous things to my reputation and standing. Lucifer...if word gets to my parents…"
"They will do nothing." Camazotz said simply with a bit of authority. "You are your own woman, and have been for some time. But if they were to ever do anything, you are always welcomed here."
Stella's blush persisted as she looked at Camazotz. "...You're too kind."
The smile on Camazotz's mouth grew a little. "I know."
"It seems though that the wedding gift you gave me...the kiss, didn't bring that much luck though. Or maybe it just wasn't going to work regardless." Stella mused. "Don't get me wrong, things went well at first...but then he could never quite...perform. It took ages to finally get an egg...it was like I just couldn't do it for him, I had to do ALL the work, not that I minded being in charge. It had become a chore to even try."
Camazotz lightly chuckled. "My dear, luck can only get you so far...was this mutual, did he do it for you?"
"Well...no." Stella replied. "I mean he was always nice and sweet at first, but became kind of a push over and was always...flamboyant."
"But did you love him? Camazotz asked.
"No...I didn't." Stella asmitted. "For all the things he did do right, I just couldn't love him…I tried, but I found him boring and dull. It also didn't help that I was forced to marry him. Like I said, we were happy...once, but…"
"But deep down you knew neither of you really were attracted to the other." Camazotz remarked.
"Yeah." Stella said ass she nodded slightly. "To me it was an obligation and to him it was just...I don't know, a game or fun experience. We tried until we just...grew distant, if we were ever truly close."
"It happens, more so than you think when it comes to the Goetias." Camazotz said as she placed a hand briefly Stella's shoulder.
"I suppose so." Stella mused. "My parents were a prime example after all. I suppose it didn't help that I…"
Camazotz smirked. "That you what?"
"Never mind." Stella said quickly. "Anyway, this is going to end either with Stolas dead or both of our reputations destroyed."
"Stolas dead you say? Now why would that be a possibility?" Camazotz asked curiously with a devilish smirk.
"I may have...hired an assassin to kill him, and procured the means for him to do it. The attempt failed of course, but he said he was going to keep trying. And even if he doesn't succeed Paimon himself will more than likely strip him of everything...especially if Andrealphus has anything to do with it."
Camazotz chuckled. "You truly do fear losing your status don't you? I can't really blame you, when that's all you've known you fear anything else."
"It's not just that…" Stella admitted as she shifted her gaze a bit in slight apprehension. "I was taught anything is preferable and permissible so long as it ensured the security of position."
"Ah yes, the tell tale sign of true blue blooded parentage." Camazotz smirked.
Stella blinked. "You're not...disappointed? I seem to recall you being a bit more...well…"
Camazotz grinned darkly. "My dear Stella, I am many things. But first and foremost I am death, I am impartial above all else, not to mention nobility myself. I understand the grand game and enjoy watching it play out. And if I were in your position would very well do the same...only more personally." she grinned. "But there IS one thing I will say I care about when it comes to THIS particular situation…"
"Oh, what's that?" Stella inquired.
Camazotz smirked as she leaned a bit closer. "How you come out of it."
Stella's cheeks turned a dark red. "O-oh..."
Camazotz leaned back out as she continued to smirk. "By the way, how's Octavia handling this? Does she know about the attempt on Stolas?"
"Lucifer no!" Stella replied. "Well...I don't think she does? No...she couldn't, I didn't make it clear I was wanting Stolas dead when I was on the phone while we were eating dinner...plus she was too caught up in her music."
"You openly said you wanted someone killed while eating dinner?" Camazotz asked with a grin. "Right next to your daughter and the one you wanted killed?"
"I was...angry...furious that he'd do that to our reputation!...to me." Stella said in defense, the weight of Stolas' actions clearly showing their effect. "I mean sure I didn't make things easy after a while, might have put a lot on him...but I didn't do anything that'd cause him to do...THAT. Even if we didn't love each other, we still had a duty to uphold, to finish raising Octavia...even if it wasn't for much longer."
Camazotz's smirk slowly turned sadistically cruel. "How boldly vindictive, hell truly hath no fury." she chuckled."And Octavia?"
Stella sighed before answering. "She's...taking it well, I think. It's hard to tell with her, she was so moody up until recently."
"You think?" Camazotz inquired as she continued to smirk.
"We don't talk as much as we used to." Stella admitted. "Not that we talked too much to begin with, she ALWAYS preferred Stolas...might be because I started having him go when she cried for both of us because it got too tedious, especially after a trying day." She said with an inaudible sigh. "Don't get me wrong, we are close, just not that close...I still try to talk to her, even when taking her to the other palace during all this."
"But not enough to know or truly care how she feels?" Camazotz pressed.
"I do care!" Stella insisted. "I don't want her attached to being the daughter of an unfaithful unscrupulous father who couldn't keep his dick out of an imp or mother who wasn't good enough." She added as her expression showed a bit of hurt at the implication of her not being good enough. "The other nobility will tear her apart and mock her! It might be Stolas at fault for starting all this, but the stigma will carry over to her."
Camazotz smiled softly. "Fair enough."
Stella's expression grew more determined. "I NEED to get this done, get it over with so she doesn't get mocked or bullied...so our reputation and position stay strong. It's the only way."
Camazotz smiled as she looked over at a window to see the now dusk colored sky, smiling warmly as she looked back at Stella and extended a hand. "Well, enough of all all this dreadfulness, you need to unwind and smile. Plus, I do believe I owe you a dance. You seemed saddened when I couldn't stay for a wedding dance last we met."
Stella blushed. "I...I'd like that." She said as she took the offered hand.
"Yes, I'm sure you would." Camazotz grinned as she pulled Stella in close, bringing forth some phantasmal spirits to play for them.
As they started to dance Stella couldn't help but look at Camazotz, taking in her features after having not seen her for so long. She hadn't noticed at first, but Camazotz looked a bit different, older, as though they were close to the same age, if not a bit older. Perhaps the woman aged at an incredibly slow rate? No...she had said she was similar in some regard to Lucifer years back...she doubt she aged. Did she...did she intentionally age her looks a bit to show more of her age?
"Camazotz?" Stella asked.
"Yes?" Camazotz slightly smirked.
"You look...older." Stella remarked. "I thought you didn't age…"
"Oh, I don't." Camazotz answered with a smile. "But sometimes I do grow bored looking as youthful as when you saw me so I just...let a bit more age in. Of course I never really look too different. In fact, this is how I normally look."
"But...why?" Stella asked as she looked at Camazotz with a bit of a unsureness of her worth being around the other demon.
"Why?" Camazotz smirked. "Hmmm...well I suppose so that we could be on more even ground, for you to feel comfortable and among a peer."
Stella blushed immensely. "You...you didn't have to."
"But I wanted to." Camazotz smiled. "And as I said, I do tend to get bored looking more youthful. Not to mention the other forms I've assumed for different human cultures."
"I see…" Stella said as she couldn't help but faintly smile. She was enjoying the dance, it was calming and even making her forget about the shit she was having to go through, The elegant room and music playing bringing her back to her dreams of being a princess in a grand palace with someone she didn't detest. She almost didn't try to take the lead at all, almost, she still had grown too accustomed to and liking being the one in the lead. "I'm curious about something…"
"Speak your mind." Camazotz said as she smiled all too happily, she seemed to be enjoying the attempts Stella made to take the lead, as though she was expecting and wanting Stella to try. Maybe she enjoyed being challenged a bit by those she respected…
"You say you're over the deaths of humans, demons, and everything else, that you ensure their demise and I'm assuming sort the human souls to where they go…" Stella inquired.
"Pretty much, though I tend to let heaven just beam up the "noble" souls as well as deal with the extermination of the sinful souls." Camazotz explained, a clear contempt and vindictiveness in her voice. "Not that I don't do it...just alternate with them."
"I see...Well...I thought once a demon died that was it, we cease to exist. But I saw what appeared to be the spirit of the Ars Goetia I saw you kill when I was a girl…"
A wicked, malicious grin slowly crept onto Camazotz's mouth, one that even unsettled Stella a little. "Oh, yes, that. While it is true demons have no true souls, or sinners for that matter. But at times I decide to...bend that rule a bit. They still die, yes, but if I particularly dislike a demon or sinner, or just feel like it...I tie them to so they can amuse me and I can have fun with them whenever I wish. I can also do it with humans and other supernatural creatures."
Instead of being horrified or even remotely put back by what she learned, Stella found it...alluring, attractive even. Such power and ability to inflict torture and suffering on those one disliked or felt like doing so to...it made her heart beat faster. Her own maliciously sadistic grin forming as they danced. "Amazing…"
"I knew you would like that, ever since I saw you watch on in delight as that fool died while the others either turned their head or just simply looked on. You alone showed such amusement in it, such fascination. I so do appreciate that."
Stella blushed a bit. "Power should be respected, as well as position. You command nothing less but upmost respect and fear, you are deserving of it and admiration for your power."
Camazotz chuckled. "True, but I get so few, if any, admirers."
"Then they are all fools." Stella said somewhat bluntly.
Camazotz chuckled. "Thank you my dear."
"It's nothing…" Stella replied as she blushed faintly. "Although I will say, I'd have quite the fun if I could do what you can."
"Oh, no doubt you would." Camazotz commented as she and Stella shared in their own dark amusement as they grinned wickedly.
Their dance continued a bit longer, the two going back and forth between who was leading, which both seemed to enjoy greatly. When they finally came to a stop and the spirits faded Stella lingered ever so much before stepping back a little. "Camazotz…" Stella started to ask.
"Yes?" Camazotz asked with a slightly sly smile.
Stella blushed a slight bit. "I...I've been wondering."
"About?" Camazotz inquired as she continued to have a slyy smile.
"Do you...like me? From everything I've gathered you show know true interest in anyone. And yet...you've shown up rather frequently in my life...if only for certain events." Stella the blushed deeply before clearing her throat, turning to quickly leave. "Actually, forget I asked, it was a stupid question. I'll just be on my way before this get's any more…" Before she could move any further though, she felt Camazotz grab her somewhat gently.
"How you've turned my heart you precious thing." Camazotz started to sing, something that took Stella by slight surprise. "Your beauty has starved and near exhausted me."
Stella blinked as she looked at Camazotz, caught a little off guard. "W-what…"
"Everything I've done and will do I'll do for you." Camazotz sang as she moved closer, gently caressing Stella's cheek. "I'd move the stars for no one else. You've suffered so long and come so far."
Stella blushed profusely, unable to look away as Camazotz looked directly in her eyes, heart beating to the point where it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. "But...but why me?"
"You're eyes can be so cruel, just as I can be so cruel. Oh how I do believe in you, yes I do. Love beyond the final sunlight, love beyond the last heartbeat. I...I want to live within you…" Camazotz finished singing as she smiled.
Stella stood there, in shock as she took in that Camazotz, the woman who she had admired most throughout her life, had just admitted she...liked her...actually liked her. Stella's heart started to beat faster than she had ever known it to before, years of repressed and locked up feelings and urges breaking through the wall she sealed them behind for the sake of the goetia's. She had always known deep down she had preferred women over men, but forced herself to believe otherwise and denied herself not just because of her parents, but because of her duty to be Stolas' wife.
Was this...was this how Stolas felt when he had ran into that Imp? The giddiness, the excitement, the feeling of true desire and yearning? Regardless of if it was or not, it was still an imp, a lowly unworthy imp. They were above them, superior, and the likes of Camazotz even more so. The sheer fact that a demon such as her, who had never had ANY inklings for anyone before from what she could tell, now said SHE was special...appealing...desirable. It made Stella feel truly wanted and appreciated...cared for.
It didn't take long for her to almost throw herself at Camazotz, starting to kiss her with a longing and a passion she had never truly known or experienced. She almost couldn't help it, she had tried to feel like this for Stolas, did everything she could, but it just never came. Camazotz though, unlike all the other feelings she had buried over the years for other females and female friends, brought forth those feelings greater than she could ever have expected.
Camazotz chuckled, letting Stella take charge for a moment before regaining it, eventually breaking the kiss after a minute or so. "My my, someone's been repressed...and I do hope actually feels that way." she grinned.
"Y-yes...to both." Stella said with heavy breath. "Lucifer...I haven't felt this excited in ages...if ever."
"Mmmm...I'm glad to hear that." Camazotz said with an oily seductiveness that Stella could swear could charm the skin off anyone if she desired to. "Perhaps then you'd like me to help you truly relax and get your mind off things by leaving you…breathless." She said in such a confident, dominant tone as she leaned in close to Stella'a neck that it AND her breath made Stella gulp and shudder slightly.
"Stop teasing and FUCK my brains out...I need it." Stella said as she tried to regain her more dominant composure. "And I want you to give me what that flamboyant weak dicked Stolas NEVER could."
Camazotz chuckled heartily. "As you wish, my sweet sadistic Stella…"
The two started to kiss once more, each second it grew more heated and fierce as the two didn't hide their dominant personalities, each vying to be the one in the lead. Neither truly cared though, the thrill of the fight, the struggle for dominance, was a nectar sweeter than anything either tasted. They began to move out of the room Camazotz used for music, making their way through the halls as Camazotz guided them, only taking long enough breaks to not cause a big mess or take too long to their destination.
Despite their constantly renewed kisses, they made it to their intended destination, an ornate and elegant door decorated with various artistic depictions of death and other things, Camazotz's private chambers. The two quickly entered, closing and making sure that the door was securely locked before continuing to the large elegant and comfortable looking bed. The fact they had so brazenly and openly made out off and on on their way to it was a thrill unlike Stella had ever experienced, it was a rush and she CRAVED it. Not just that though; this feeling of longing, the feeling of being wanted...desired...loved, it was everything she had wished for and more, for once she felt...happy.
As Skittle made his usual rounds to check on things he stopped as he neared Camazotz's room, hearing pleasured laughs among other things. Knowing full well what was going on he promptly turned around and started heading in the other direction. "I'll just tell the servants to move Stella's stuff to the mistress' bedroom in the morning…" he noted as he walked off, not wanting to disturb what he knew was Camazotz's first true romantic encounter, as well as not wanting to die. "This calls for a drink, to celebrate the mistress' first romance." he commented to himself as he placed his arms behind his back, allowing himself a bit of a smile.