Octavia blinked as she finished packing what she needed to stay with her mother while her father was in the hospital. She stood there, the weight of that fact hitting her. Who knew how long she'd be away from what she knew as her home for her entire life. Sure she had started spending time with her mother on the weekends, as per a prior arrangement her parents made, but that was just the weekend. Now, now she'd be staying who knew how long away from home. At least it wouldn't be at her uncle's, she'd rather stay home alone or ANYTHING else than be around him for an unknown period of time.

It had only been about an hour or so after she sat with Typhus and let out all of her frustration and fear, the hellhound comforting her and being a shoulder for her to cry on, but she was already feeling what relief that gave her fading as the dread and sorrow started to creep back in. Why, why did her life have go to utter shit and her family be completely ruined?

As much as she loved her father, thoughts of how this whole mess started and his growing number of unintended neglect and selfish actions began to fill her mind. It was true that this whole mess started because he had to sleep with an imp, a crimson weirdo in THEIR home, in his and her mother's bed, who then proceeded to just fall off their balcony right into her mother's tea party, announcing it for all to hear and then her dad exclaiming they were getting a divorce. How could he do that? How could he be that thoughtless, that feckless, that...selfish? True her mother hadn't helped matters, hell even their relationship had become distant, but at least her mother was thoughtful and proud enough not to cheat and was likely trying to wait to see about ending things after she was old enough to be no longer at home.

Then there was Loo Loo Land, the place that traumatized her as a kid. She had said repeatedly and clearly that she would rather do anything, including die, instead of going there because she was both too old and never really cared for the place. Yet he seemed to ignore her, wanting to do what HE thought would be a good bonding time for them by reliving a happier time, a fantasy, a delusion just to make himself feel better and not like he had just ruined her life and was still a good dad. Then he had the audacity to hire that same imp and his weirdo employees as bodyguards, even though he should have been strong and competent enough to not need them, treating the whole ordeal as if it were some sort of...game.

Octavia clenched her fist around her luggage as her eyes brightened briefly. Was that all that was to him, a fun distraction to just not deal with her mother and be around that imp...Blitz? Because all he did was flirt with that freak and continue to push things on HER. Why even Loo Loo Land? He said it himself, they were rich, nobility, why Loo Loo Land at all when they could have gone to Lu Lu World? Not that she ever really cared either way, but it seemed so weird that he convinced them to go there over the much more well built Lu Lu World. Hell, she was amazed that he had even convinced her mother to go along with it.

Sure after that debacle and their heart to heart he had taken her shopping and had started to do so a bit more often, but then there was her father's next blunder...the broken promise. He had promised her back when she was a kid to let her see Azathoth's tears when they came around, a special once in a life time event he swore that she'd see. And then he was too wrapped up in his bullshit with her mom that he flat out ignored her.

Again, her mother was the reason for him being so confrontationally angry, but he had NEVER ignored her before all this, no matter what. And yet here was the second time he did so just to do what he wanted to do, which this time was yell at and get one up on her mother, to spite her. And he was willing to brush her off to do so without even thinking about it. Sure her father might have come looking for her, apologized, made a new promise, but how long until this happened again? How long until she needed or wanted to talk to him again and he brushed her off?

Octavia suddenly felt awful as the memories of this most recent incident were still fresh on her mind. She was going to go out to eat with her dad only to see him be kidnapped and a gun pointed at her. The fear, dread, and panic of the whole ordeal running through her again as each moment of her desperately seeking out that imp, then calling Typhus, then waiting hours on end at home desperately waiting to hear her dad was alright while also dreading hearing he was dead wrecked havoc with her nerves. What relief she felt when she was told he had been rescued was only replaced by fear and horror when she heard the shape he was in and...saw it when she was advised not to.

A tear ran down Octavia's face as she felt anger, sorrow, hatred mixing within her; her hand clenching her luggage more as she felt useless and powerless. She didn't like she felt anger or hate towards her father, but he had been proving to be a constant source of unreliability, of disappointment, and proving to be a man who thought only of himself despite what amends he made. Octavia didn't know how much more of these constant ups and downs she could handle before just losing it. At least her mother, despite their rocky relationship, was proving to be able to become more of a parent she wanted...that she needed.

"Octavia, what's taking so-" Stella started to ask as she walked into Octavia's room, only to stop as she saw her daughter clenching her luggage tightly as she fought back crying, the state she was in something that Stella herself had similar experience with when she was younger. "What's wrong my astral princess?" She asked as her expression softened, quickly walking over to Octavia and hugging her.

"Nothing...I'm fine." Octavia said as she stood there, not moving from the embrace.

"I know you're lying, tell me sweetheart, I'll listen." Stella encouraged as she kept a hold of Octavia, her voice softening to a warmth that Octavia hadn't heard in what felt like her whole life.

Octavia sniffled as she leaned into the embrace. "I know dad's not perfect, but…"

"But he's hurt you." Stella remarked.

Octavia nodded as some more tears flowed from her eyes. "He keeps breaking his promises, not listening to me, wanting to do what he wants and seems to not care how it effects me so long as he can get what makes him happy. He's tried to do better, but I don't know how many more broken promises or selfish acts I can take." She confided. "I don't want to hate him...and I hate myself for even starting to."

Stella blinked as she held Octavia, looking down at her daughter. As much as she wanted to sneak a small smirk or feel satisfaction that Stolas had started to turn Octavia against himself through his own ineptitude she just...couldn't, no matter how much she might have wanted to. It felt too much like her parents to take such satisfaction, and she HATED them. Besides, this wasn't about manipulating or having Octavia against Stolas, this was between him and her...and ensuring his treacherous inept actions didn't doom their daughter's future.

"Your father…" Stella started. "Was a good man once, a proper noble and someone to respect. Remember him for the good times, not the bad."

"You talk like he's dead…" Octavia sniffled.

"I'm only saying that whether you end up hating him or not, just remember who he was before this mess. I don't know what's going to come after the divorce if he pulls through, but I would want you to be the one to choose what arrangements that pertain to you and you alone come to pass." Stella clarified.

"...You mean if I have to go between living with both of you or solely one of you." Octavia pointed out.

Stella nodded. "I will not try to manipulate, bribe, or sway your judgment on that. At least you will have more say over your life than I ever did."

Octavia blinked a bit. "...Thank you."

Stella smiled a bit. "You're welcome, are you ready to head to Camazotz's now?"

"Yeah." Octavia nodded.

"Alright." Stella smiled.

Octavia followed her mother who had taken some of the luggage she had packed for her stay as well. Once they had gotten out of and a bit away from the palace Octavia looked back at her home as her mother opened up unsure of when she might be returning to it. Sure she will likely be back to it, but would it be with her father...or her mother? And even if it was with her father, could she continue to be around and live with him with how he seemed to care more about his own happiness than being a real father to her?

"Octavia?" Stella asked as she looked at her daughter.

"Coming…" Octavia said as she followed her mother through the portal to the outside of Camazotz's palace.

The two made there way to the door to Camazotz's palace, Stella ringing the doorbell once they got to the entrance. It wasn't long after that Skittle came to the door. "Ah, lady Stella, young lady Octavia, good to see you. My Mistress has everything set for your stay." the skeletal winged imp greeted as he looked at the two, giving a welcoming bow.

"Thank you Skittle, make sure my daughter's things are well taken care of and if she likes, her selection of room to stay in." Stella said as the two walked in.

"But of coarse." Skittle replied as he clapped his hands, two skeletal hellhounds stepping up to take the luggage.

"I'm fine staying where I've been sleeping…" Octavia commented.

"Very well." Skittle nodded before clapping his hands again, the hellhounds leaving to take Octavia's luggage. "My lady is taking care of some business, but should be free shortly."

"I think I'll go get settled, of course I'll also need to inform Andrealphus that you will be staying with the same...friend of mine, that should go smoothly enough." Stella said as she started to walk off. "I'll be back shortly."

Octavia nodded as she stood there, watching as her mother walked off. The multitude if feelings she had started to have before they left her home still lingering. Not only that, but seeing the hellhounds being ordered about by Skittle brought back what Typhus had mentioned...what her dad had further clarified on. Although she wondered herself, despite having seen time and again how her mother treated their servants and lower class, just if she still was like that given the current way she was now acting.

Stella Made her way through Camazotz's palace, heading to where she now stayed quite often with the fallen archangel and opening up a portal to where she stayed at her brother's and walking through. She didn't really care for the subterfuge of shifting back and forth often, forcing herself at times to stay at his palace whenever she needed, but it had to be done. She packed what she could before making her way to find Andrealphus, not wanting to give him any kind of excuse to exploit not being informed of anything while the divorce proceedings were still on the table.

"I'm back." Stella said as she walked in on Andrealphus as he sat enjoying some tea in one of the rooms he used to relax.

"Back so soon?" Andrealphus inquired.

"It's been several hours." Stella clarified.

"Hmm, I suppose I didn't notice the time fly by." Andrealphus remarked.

'of course you noticed you arrogant prick.' Stella thought as she maintained her composure, though some annoyance slipped through. "Octavia is...not handling things well. I only wish the assassin I hired had been successful on his first attempt. What he did to Stolas...was a bit much, even for my tastes."

"That bad hmm?" Andrealphus inquired as he sipped his tea. "Though I suppose it couldn't be helped if things got messy if he failed one time. Which is why I suggested drawing this out as long as possible before killing him, get everything we could. Perhaps if he survives you could consider doing that?"

Stella narrowed her eyes at her brother. "I will do what is called for and no less." She said simply. "I'll be staying with Octavia for a while until Stolas either dies, in which case I'll be staying with her permanently, or he survives."

Andrealphus merely shrugged. "Fine by me, at least you'll get to stay in Stolas' for a bit."

"We're not staying there." Stella clarified.

Andrealphus arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Then where?"

"My friend's." Stella answered. "This whole ordeal has Octavia out of sorts and being at home is just too much for her."

"Awfully motherly of you, I seem to recall you two not being so close in past years. To the extent that you barely talked." Andrealphus mused.

"Things change." Stella stated.

"Clearly." Andrealphus said dryly. "But it is curious where this care has come from. Satan knows mother and father didn't teach you."

"And unlike them I at least want to prove I can be better in EVERY aspect." Stella countered.

A dry chuckle escaped Andrealphus. "Growing soft are we?"

"Hardly." Stella sneered. "But as her mother I need to take pride in that she is my offspring."

"Whatever." Andrealphus dismissed. "So long as she's not around here to bother me I could care less."

Stella frowned slightly, it seemed her brother had decided to drop some of his "niceties", likely because of how she had been challenging him and countering his every attempt to get more out of it than just a promotion. Still, the fact that she could have gotten him to drop pretenses this much and act more like his true nature was something she took great pride and satisfaction in. And it was true, she hadn't grown soft, but had come to more see herself when she was younger in Octavia as well as view her more than ever as a child she was proud and happy to have.

"I'll go finish getting what I need for an extended stay with my friend." Stella remarked as she started to leave. "I'll be back or let you know if I'm going to be heading back to living in my old palace."

Andrealphus waved a dismissive hand. "Just keep me informed."

"Of course." Stella replied.

As Stella made her way back to make sure she packed everything she would need while she stayed with Octavia at Camazotz's palace. The mere thought that Andrealphus didn't even think so much as to ask more of who this friend was or inquire to see who they were due to being so preoccupied with his own schemes and asserting his pride after she wounded it made the idea of his reaction when he found out all the more something she looked forward to. He never thought much of her, even if it was true she hadn't really applied herself before, so showing Andrealphus up was delicious. Her thoughts then sgifted to Octavia, hoping that she was doing alright considering how she was when they left for Camazotz's.

Skittle looked to Octavia, noting her state. "Something troubling you young mistress?" Skittle asked.

"You don't need to call me that..."Octavia remarked.

"I am a butler, a servant of repute to my lady and one who holds his profession and purpose in high regard, I would be doing my trade a disservice to refer to you in any other way than young lady or young mistress." Skittle retorted.

Octavia blinked as she looked at the skeletal imp. "You actually enjoy being a servant?"

"You saw for yourself when my lady showed you and you and lady Stella the fall of Lucifer, Lilith, and the third of heaven. I have served her for time uncountable and I would not change it or want anything else as a purpose." Skittle explained as he kept his hands behind his back.

Octavia looked at Skittle with slight confusion. "But you were a-"

"A cherub, yes." Skittle finished. "Just as my lady used to be an archangel and went by Azrael."

"But why would you give up Heaven?" Octavia asked. "Choose to fall with her when you could have been…"

"Free?" Skittle asked. "Everyone has their purpose young mistress Octavia, we are all designed and created to fulfill some role or purpose, each one's life having meaning." He elaborated. "In Heaven I chose to serve my lady when given the chance to and she was and has continued to be very fair. I understood her more...unique demeanor and outlook and was able to accommodate and provide efficient help, be a source of honest and blunt opinion and council. She respected my willingness to be so frank and my efficiency, thus granting me many freedoms once in Hell. And while I could have stayed, be free, potentially be able to choose something else to do or someone else to assist...I greatly enjoy being around my lady and watching her. Plus I know and understand her well enough that anyone else would only lack what I could do and provide...and likely die for it."

Octavia continued to look at Skittle, perplexed a bit at his outlook on everything. "So you've never thought of being anything else?"

"No." Skittle said simply. "As said, I take great pride in and enjoy serving my lady, and have more than enough freedom to say and do as I please." He said with a wry slight smirk. "No one would ever dare to lay a finger on me for speaking my mind or giving them a sound wake up call. And even if they try, well…" Skittle chuckled. "They would either be sorely underestimating the situation, or answering to my lady."

Octavia blinked, the imp was an unusual one, most servants she knew of or seen either were just alright with their lot in life and treated it like a job or seemed to faking it just to not rock the boat. And yet there was Skittle, who seemed to take genuine pride and satisfaction in what he was. "I see…"

"What brought on this question if I might ask?" Skittle asked as he glanced at Octavia.

"It's just...I have this friend, a hellhound, he was a former servant and he told me that his former…" she paused, the thought of what she had to say disgusted her knowing what she did. "Master, treated him like…"

"Like a disposable and replaceable object?" Skittle inquired.

"Yeah…" Octavia confirmed. "Only worse. He said it was just a fact for hellhounds, to be objects to be owned. And then my dad said it was decided when Hell was structured that Hellhounds would be seen as like the canines on Earth. It just doesn't seem right or fair since they're demons like you and me who are just as intelligent and strong."

"I would say that the reason for such is that this is hell, but that rational has been used so much here and on Earth that it's frankly lost a lot of validity." Skittle commented. "But it is also no less true. We are demons, beings of evil and corruption. It is our nature to deceive, corrupt, mistreat, maim, torture, all of that."

"But to our own kind as well?" Octavia asked in disbelief. "I can see doing so to humans, angels, or the any eldritch being that isn't well liked. But to a fellow demon?"

"It is our nature, who we are." Skittle stated. "True we are also more than that, but it cannot be helped as there will always be those that feel that we should treat fellow demons like we would humans or their animals. That, and it is how our society has been since Hell's structuring."

"It still isn't fair." Octavia muttered. "Especially if it results in nice demons suffering...abuse."

"If I may offer a word of advise. If you wish to change things, then become a noble who can command as much respect as my lady. You are Paimon's granddaughter, the next in line should anything happen to prince Stolas. Own your birthright, use it to bring about a change you are happy with without neglecting or betraying what we are at our core. Find that happy medium and you might have what you desire." Skittle advised.

"Wise council as always, skittle." Came Camazotz's voice as the fallen angel of death appeared from the shadows, a smirk on her lips.

"Thank you my lady." Skittle bowed.

Octavia blinked as she looked at Camazotz. "How long have you been…"

"Listening? This is my palace, nothing in these walls escapes my notice or attention." Camazotz explained as she walked over to Octavia. "But if you were referring to me possibly standing there, just now. I finished my bit of business."

"Oh…" Octavia commented.

"But regardless, Skittles words are very true. It is just the nature of things." Camazotz remarked with her ever present smile. "There are those who are to be in charge, and those who are under them, such is the natural order. And while treatment of those who serve can be regrettably harsh and even grossly abusive, such is our very nature and the nature of the humans as well." She continued. "If you want better treatment for the lower classes then become someone your peers can respect and be willing to give ear to. But remember what Skittle said, the best way to get what you want, is a happy medium. There are always reasons things are the way they are."

Octavia's expression saddened a bit. "I suppose you're right."

"Now, what else is bothering you?" Camazotz asked as her smile softened.

"It's just...I feel so helpless, so powerless." Octavia paused as she felt all the feelings from before start bubbling back. "I was…"

"I know." Camazotz said simply.

"You...know?" Octavia asked, surprised by Camazotz's statement.

"Have you forgotten who I am?" Camazotz chuckled. "I'm aware of any potentially fatal event. That, and after meeting you I'd be a poor potential future...well, you know, if I didn't keep an eye out here and there." Camazotz smirked.

Octavia blinked. "Then why didn't you…"

"Because I MUST remain impartial no matter what, no matter who. I wouldn't be death if I directly intervened. Not that I can't make an exception, but those are so rare as to be non-existent." Camazotz explained. "Things must play out. And like I said in regards to the roles of servants and the caste system, all things have a purpose and reason and must happen."

"...This sucks." Octavia murmured. "I'm the daughter of the prince of the Ars Goetia, the fucking granddaughter to the king of it, and I couldn't do ANYTHING but stand there in fear! I always heard dad talk about his studies and how he was doing them even as a child. Even mom knows magic despite me never seeing her use it before. Meanwhile I'm almost an adult and haven't learned ANYTHING, not even the most basic spells. Sure dad said he'd start teaching me, but he hasn't even gotten around to it yet" She said as she lowered her head. "Just another thing he's failing at..."

"Would you like to learn to use magic fully then? Starting with your father's grimoire then going from there?" Camazotz asked.

"You...you could teach me?" Octavia asked as she looked up at Camazotz.

The smile on Camazotz's face grew both wider and warmer. "But of course, I have helped your mother with it after all." She added with a grin. "And who better to learn from than me? I am a queen of the Ars Goetia after all…"

"Really?" Octavia asked in confusion.

The grin on Camazotz grew wider as she looked at Octavia. "Yes, I am of the Ars Goetia by association just as Asmodeus is a king within it as well. But to be quite frank, I have far more say and influence, even among the sins."

"Are you...higher than Satan?" Octavia asked.

Camazotz's grin went all the wider and darker as her teeth became fully bared. "That, is a very interesting question. One that I dare not answer. Let's just say...we're equals."

"...Then why don't you…"

"Because everything has a purpose, even the caste system." Camazotz explained. "Now then, do you want to learn?"

"...Yes." Octavia answered.

"Wonderful!" Camazotz smiled.

"I'm back, sorry that took a bit longer than expected." Stella said as she came walking back.

"Stella, good to see you." Camazotz said as her head rotated to see the peahen demon walking up from behind, the two sharing a kiss as Stella walked up before her head rotated back to it's former position while Stella got next to her.

"What were you all talking about?" Stella inquired.

"Octavia has expressed interest in learning magic." Camazotz answered.

"Oh?" Stella remarked, her expression slightly curious.

"Yes, it appears that she wants to live up to her heritage." The fallen archangel explained. "This whole ordeal has made her feel somewhat helpless."

"Well that is both surprising, and great to hear." Stella smiled. "Neither me nor Stolas never really wanted to force anything on you, but I suppose we were going to have to at one point...Paimon would not really have been happy if you were unprepared in case something happened to your father…" She said as she showed slight fear at the notion. "And in truth, you would be the first female Goetia to have such magical prowess."

"But...you know magic." Octavia pointed out as she looked at her mother.

"Yes, but only very rudimentary basic spells that all female Goetias are allowed to learn, they're so rudimentary that we just never use them." Stella explained. "Aside from that our main purpose is to provide heirs, continue bloodlines, raise children, and that's it. There are those who might have some more say, and others allowed to learn more combative and more varied spells, but it's very situational. You would be the first to know more than any other."

Octavia blinked as she looked at her mother, what was revealed to her about the majority of the female Goetias never really hitting her until she thought back on the years of how her mother and her other female friends were, how the ones at the gatherings were. There were those exceptions mentioned, but the only ones she could think of in that regard were her grandmothers on both sides. Was she that special? Octavia had to assume it was because she was a only child, that her grandfather didn't care too much otherwise she'd probably have a brother. If so, then she wasn't going to waste this opportunity.

"But, we don't have the grimoire." Octavia pointed out.

"That, won't be a problem." Camazotz grinned.

Outside of IMP's office some hell rats had made their way up to the Blitz's office through the air ducts, using their teeth and tails to undo the screws of the vent in Blitz's office and using their paws to keep it from falling. After they had slid it out of the way they proceeded to grab on by each one's tail, lowering themselves until a few made it to the floor and walked over to the window, climbing up on each other until they reached the window seal and worked it open enough for a hell vulture to make it's way in. The vulture then proceeded to tap in a code on the safe that the grimoire was in, opening and taking it as the rats left as they had came, leaving no trace as the vulture flew off.

Octavia blinked, about to ask how they were going to get the grimoire when there was a tapping on a nearby window, a skeletal imp servant walking over and opening it, allowing a hell vulture to fly in and hover in front of them with the grimoire. "..How did…"

"I have quite the connection with animals associated with me." Camazotz smirked as she took the grimoire, holding it in the palm of one hand as the other rested on it. Her eyes glowed as a replica of the grimoire came up with the hand that was resting on the original, Camazotz handing the original back to the hell vulture as it flew off to return it where no one would be the wiser.

"Why not just keep the original?" Stella asked.

"I'm not about the business of stealing a grimoire of a fellow Goetia. Copying it temporarily however, is something entirely different." Camazotz smirked. "I might outrank Paimon, but I do respect the man enough to not outright steal from his son."

"Fair." Stella admitted.

"Now then, it's been a long day and I think you out of all of us need the rest." Camazotz said as she looked to Octavia. "We'll begin your lessons whenever you're ready to do so. I look forward to seeing a new you tomorrow, late bloomer." She smirked.

"...late...bloomer?" Octavia asked.

"You'll see." Camazotz said as she continued to smirk. "Now off to bed with you, you need sleep."

"...I'm not a child anymore, you don't have to baby me." Octavia grumbled.

"I know, but the fact remains that you've been through a lot and need rest if you're going to learn." Camazotz explained.

"Alright…" Octavia begrudgingly agreed.

"Will you require a drink before bed young mistress?" Skittle asked.

"I can get one myself…"

"Remember, it's my honor and joy to be a butler, I might take that as an insult." Skittle remarked.

"...Fine." Octavia relented as she went off to get ready for bed, Skittle going to get her a drink.

"What did you mean by late bloomer?" Stella asked as she looked at Camazotz once Octavia and Skittle were gone. "And new you?"

Camazotz just continued to smirk. "You'll see." She said simply. "Now then, it is late, and I've had a full day as I'm sure you have too. Why not a bit of fun before bed?" She grinned as she pulled Stella in close.

Stella smiled as she blushed. "I could use some de-stressing…"

Octavia looked at herself in the mirror of the bathroom, the days events along with the overall mess her father had started replaying in her mind. She hated the whole thing, wishing her dad had never met that imp. She didn't even like that she took so much after him because of that. Although Camazotz's words about a new her and late bloomer remained in her mind...what exactly did she mean by that?

As she continued to look in the mirror she felt her head become a little itchy, going to scratch it a bit until it stopped. When it did, one of her feathers came out. That was odd, she never had any feathers come out before...maybe it was just the stress getting to her. Shrugging, she headed off to bed, thanking Skittle for the drink he brought before getting in bed and trying to go to sleep so that this whole horrible day could be behind her. As she finally drifted off to sleep, she began to scratch again, this time at her arm, only to then later do so at her leg as she slept.

When morning finally came Octavia awoke, sitting up in bed as she blinked, her vision slightly blurry from slumber. As her eyes adjusted though her attention was drawn to a feather that fell, following down to a pile of them that was now on the bed. Octavia quickly looked around her bed, seeing feathers everywhere; on the pillow, to the side of her, all along the bed.

Panic ensued as she rushed to the bathroom, going to look in the mirror to see if she had lost all of her feathers. When she looked in the mirror though she could hardly recognize what she saw in the mirror. She hadn't lost her feathers, but rather...molted new ones? Did Goetias even molt? She had never seen her father or mother lose feathers before. But that wasn't the most surprising thing, what surprised her the most was not only the fact that the feathers that replaced the ones she lost were entirely new in color, but she herself looked physically different to a degree.

"What the fuck…" Octavia said in disbelief as she looked herself over.

Where there was once feathers much like her father's there was now light gray feathers with bits of pure violet running through which seemed to be the primary and black here and there, a reminder of her old feathers and what seemed to be taken from her mother with hers. Although as Octavia looked, due to the shade of the grey, it almost seemed lavender under certain light conditions just like her mother. Then there was her body, she seemed to have gone through a completely new puberty as her figure was no longer flat and skinny. As she looked herself over she couldn't help but see some similarity in her figure to her mother like she did in her feathers, but not quite exact...more just within the ball park of her mother, in more ways than one as she looked at her chest and other areas of her body.

Did...did her wishing she didn't look so much like her dad have an effect? Did her body instinctually react to that desire and change accordingly? Nothing else had changed about her, not her face, not her eye structure, just the feathers and body shape. But even then, she now only bore some resemblance to her mother. And while she no longer took completely after her dad, bits of him were still there with the blacks.

"Wait...is this what she meant?" Octavia asked out loud before heading to find Camazotz.

Camazotz was sitting at the table with Stella as they talked, waiting for Skittle to deliver their breakfast when Octavia came almost running into the room. "Octavia?!" Stella asked in complete surprise at the sight of her daughter. "What happened to you?"

"Is this what you meant by late bloomer? Seeing the new me?" Octavia asked as she looked at Camazotz.

Camazotz smiled as both Octavia and her mother looked at her. "Why yes, that is exactly what I meant. Thought I'd let it be a surprise." She answered. "You have nothing to worry about dear, it's just genetics at work. Sometimes it takes a while to kick in and for someone to come into how they're supposed to look."

"Supposed to look?" Octavia and her mother asked.

"Why yes, few are carbon copies of one or both parents. You alone should know this Stella." Camazotz pointed out as she looked at Stella.

"I mean, I know I only bare passing resemblance to my parents, but my feathers were always this color." Stella stated. "I just assumed Stolas' genetics were greater in number in her."

Camazotz chuckled. "As said, that is rarely the case. Octavia here is what is known as a late bloomer. A very rare phenomenon for Goetias. There are those who have the same feathers as soon as they grow in, those that molt once at puberty's start, and then there are the late bloomers who hit their molting and coming into their look at a later date all at once. Octavia, is one such example."

"So...this is natural?" Octavia asked.

"Perfectly." Camazotz replied.

"Will I…" Octavia started to ask.

"Go through another?" Camazotz asked for her. "No, this is the only one. If it wasn't for the delay your genetics had, it would have happened when you hit puberty and throughout the initial years." She explained.

"Oh, good…" Octavia sighed in relief.

"Well you look lovely I must say, doesn't she Stella?" Camazotz asked as she glanced at Stella.

"Yes...She really looks like a beautiful young lady. Not that she wasn't before." Stella admitted. "But no matter if you are a late bloomer or stayed how you were, you would have always been so to me, and make me proud for it."

Octavia smiled a bit. "Thanks mum…"

"Anytime my astral princess." Stella smiled back.

"Now then, I'll have skittle tell the servants to clean your bed thoroughly, get rid of all the feathers and make sure the sheets are clean." Camazotz stated.

"Could I...keep one, as a memento?" Octavia asked.

"I'll make sure they save you one." Camazotz smiled.

Octavia smiiled. "Thank you."

"Now then, we can begin your training today if you like when I'm free, or we can take it easy and give you a day to unwind, which would you prefer?" Camazotz asked.

"I think I want to wait till tomorrow." Octavia replied. I'm still a bit drained from yesterday and getting used to...this." She said as she motioned along her body.

"Very well." Camazotz nodded. "We'll take it nice and easy today and just have some fun. But first, breakfast. Come, you must be hungry."

Octavia blushed as she heard her stomach grumble a bit, moving her hand over to it before going to join her mother and Camazotz at the table. When Skittle arrived with what Camazotz and and Stella had wanted he quickly took note of what Octavia wanted for breakfast, as well as telling the servants to clean Octavia's bed before going off to fetch Octavia's breakfast after complimenting her on her new look. Octavia couldn't help but smile a bit as Camazotz and Stella went about talking to each other and her about the day ahead and what they might do, for the first time in years it felt like the family she used to have when she was but a child. And that, that was something that she couldn't help but feel happy about and desperately needed with how life seemed to have gone completely off the rails.