The tension in the air was thick as Octavia looked on at the sight before her, still lying on the ground as the rest of those who had mocked her kept close while looking on as well. Vekis and the crimson Goetia were looking at each other, the words the crimson Goetia had said last still hanging in the air. Octavia wasn't sure what to think or even really do, all Octavia knew was that she was in pain and felt like an absolute fool as tears started to form in her eyes. Hopefully this new arrival was being genuine in his declaration of intent to help her out, Octavia wasn't sure what she'd do if it turned out to be an elaborate cruel prank.
"What did you just call me, you lesser ranked scum?" Vekis asked.
"You heard me, puta perra." The crimson Goetia replied. "Because neither you, nor your amigos deserve any show of respect if you feel you have to gang up on a señorita to feel grande y a cargo."
"What we do is none of your concern, KNIGHT." Vekis remarked. "You should know your place. She is as deserving of the treatment she has gotten as all who do not maintain the standards of a Goetia. The fact she is so weak and not even trained is an insult. She's not even deserving of being in the same space as us… utterly worthless."
The crimson Goetia narrowed his eyes more as he then spied Octavia's growing despair and the tears filling her eyes. He said nothing as he stepped back, moving to the door as though he was going to simply listen to Vekis and leave. Vekis and the others smirked as they watched, pleased that they seemed to have made their point. Octavia felt her heart just utterly break and all hope leave her, too scared of what the others might do if she begged him not to go, but the fear of it being a cruel prank was still present and them all potentially laughing at her if she did was front and center in her mind. She was about to give up all hope when she saw him start to use magic and bend some objects to tie around the door and block it from being opened.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Vekis asked indignantly.
The Crimson Goetia glared at them as he walked back to be a few feet in front of Vekis. "There is a saying on Earth yo y mi familia are fond of and hold dear; los modales. Hacen. Al hombre. You have insulted and accosted this señorita and have brought her to tears. For that and your brazen dishonor there can be but one recourse. You want out, best me in a fight, a demon's duel with ALL of you. Do so and I will not only apologize, but leave as well as owe you each a favor. But should I win…" He said as castanets appeared in his hands. "You huir, never to bother her again, ¿acordado?"
Vekis and the others looked at each other and then the crimson Goetia before laughing. "You're challenging all of us, to a demon's duel? Are you really that dense and wanting to be made an example of to?" Vekis asked. "And what are you going to do with those, annoy us with clacking until we give up?"
"These will be my weapons in the duel, for they are all that I need to teach such viles matones a lesson in etiquette and honor." The crimson Goetia said as he simply out stretched one arm fully and raised the other in the air.
"He's definitely not a bright one, but what do you expect from a lesser Goetia?" Astravos remarked. "To take on all eight of us is beyond foolish."
"Well if he wants to be made a fool of so easily and have each of us boss him around, I'm not going to complain." Vilius chuckled.
"I say we agree to his terms." Zaven commented. "It's not like we have anything to fear, he is but one knight. Any of us could handle him alone, but all eight of us, it shouldn't take any time at all to teach him his place."
"Very well then, we'll agree to your terms...boy." Vekis answered.
"Then venir, use whatever you like to try and best me." The crimson Goetia challenged.
Vekis and the others laughed as they looked at the crimson Goetia. "Alright then, your funeral…" He said as he was the first to charge the crimson Goetia.
Octavia watched as the crimson Goetia seemed to stay composed, his expression unchanging as he started to...repeatedly tap his feat. She blinked as she watched him almost effortlessly dodge out of the coming attack. It wasn't just a dodge though, it was too graceful. Too controlled, too...slow? Did he...did he just dance out of the way? There was no other way to explain it as the entire movement was not quick, and his feet repeatedly tapped the ground as he moved out of the way sideways.
"The hell?" Vekis remarked as he went to go and hit the crimson Goetia, only for him to do a quick spin as he once more effortlessly dodged, causing Vekis to growl. "Bastard." He snarled as he summoned a rapier, going to try and stab the crimson Goetia.
Octavia expected the worst to happen, but the crimson Goetia remained composed, expression unchanging as she watched him start to spin rapidly, seemingly able to time just precisely when to be sideways with each thrust given to where it went parallel with his back or stomach. Was he toying with Vekis? No, no the expression was to stern, to serious to suggest toying with the other Goetia. He was dancing so fluidly and with such precise control that it was as though he saw combat as an elegant dance. It was...captivating. And yet, there was something...familiar about the movements, something that she had possibly seen in one of the hella novellas her father was fond of.
The crimson Goetia elegantly stepped away from Vekis, the movement still dance like, ever so familiar to Octavia. What was it though...flamingo….flaminko? The crimson Goetia looked to the other seven Goetias as he clacked the castanets. "Well? Andale! I challenged all of you, and I expect to fight you all at once."
"Cocky bastard…" Zaven sneered as he and the others rushed to join Vekis.
The other seven went at the crimson Goetia, each summoning a rapier as they surrounded the crimson Goetia who continued to repeatedly tap his feet against the floor, his eyes glancing at each of them, head slightly turning to the ones behind them. Octavia felt like closing her eyes, not wanting to see him get skewered as they went to attack him, but she watched on. The crimson Goetia quickly dropped to one hand as he leaned back, allowing the rapiers to clash against each other before popping back up and quickly slamming an open palm against Vilius, the sound of the open castanet against flesh echoing as Vilius was sent twisting backwards and onto the floor. Before the other could respond the Crimson Goetia lept up and back flipped over the rest, spinning slightly as he landed on the tips of his feet and once more resuming to tap the ground, raising his hands high in the air and giving a clap of his hands.
"That fucking hurt you prick…" Vilius remarked as he got up.
"Don't just stand there, get him!" Vekis shouted as he joined the others.
They all went at the Crimson Goetia, going to try and get a hit on him with their united assault on him. The Goetia's expression remained unchanged, his movements remaining fluid as he started to dodge the attacks, stepping out of the way of one as he used the open castanet in one of his hands to block another rapier by moving it out of the way before spinning out of the way of another. Octavia could hardly believe her eyes, he was dancing through their attacks as though they were so easy, if not slow enough to do so. Astravos and Erathius sneered as they prepared a magical blast, aiming to take out the crimson Goetia's legs only for him to nimbly leap up and bend his legs mid air to where they missed, hitting Galphor and Uliath instead.
"Shit…" Astravos remarked.
"How can he be making us look like weaklings?!" Ferrinax exclaimed.
"I don't know and it's pissing me off." Zaven sneered.
Ferrinax and Vilius went after the crimson Goetia, going for a combined attack against him, now trying to work together all the more. The Crimson Goetia just looked at them as he continued to tap his feet rhythmically before before spinning out of the way of the first attack and immediately dropping to one hand out of the way of the second, leaping back up and thrusting an opened palm into the jaw of Ferrinax with full force, sending him flying back and onto his back with a groan. The crimson Goetia quickly followed up with slamming both palms against the sides of Vilius' head, the other Goetia collapsing to the floor.
Galphor and Uliath tried to go at the Crimson Goetia as Vilius and Ferrinax slowly tried to get up, the Crimson Goetia spinning as they got close and sticking his leg out to kick Galphor and sending him onto the floor. As Uliath went to attack he stepped rhythmically out of the way, just enough to grab onto Uliath's wrist with one hand and slamming his open palm into the other Goetia's elbow while pulling in the opposite direction. Uliath let out a cry of pain, only to be struck multiple times by the crimson Goetia with the castanets, seemingly unaware of Zaven and Vekis firing off their own magical attacks. But with utmost precision he spun as he held Uliath, letting him take both hits before spinning again and tossing him into Erathius.
As Ferrinax and Vilius got up so did Galphor, the three of them charging the Crimson Goetia as Erathius tossed Uliath off of him. "You low rank scum! We'll teach you your place!" Ferrinax roared as he, Vilius, and Galphor started to sync their attacks, Zaven and Vekis joining in as well.
The crimson Goetia said nothing as he continued to dodge with a fluid grace in his dance like movements. The way he dodged each increasingly efficient and synchronized attack just as unpredictable and graceful as the unpredictable fact that his movements were a dance. To Octavia it was like watching a performance, almost like one seen at a theater with live actors. She was completely entranced by the movements and grace of the Crimson Goetia, who seemed so effortlessly dodge and seemingly predict each attack, as though he was watching them in slow motion despite the fact that they were all moving at a somewhat fast pace.
"How are we not hitting him?!" Zaven roared as he and the others continued to get more serious with their attacks.
"Calm down, we'll get him eventually, he has to get tired or mess up sooner or later." Vekis remarked.
As they pressed their attack the crimson Goetia dodged out of the way as Erathius shot a magical attack at him after having got Uliath off him, quickly grabbing Vilius' rapier as he dodged it with his castanet, pulling the other Goetia firmly to get him off balance and to come rapidly at him before slamming the open castanet into his head and then into his stomach before sending him flying with a magical attack of his own. He wasted no time though as he dropped down to both hands though as the others went to attack him, popping back up and spinning out of an attack, only to elbow Ferrinax in the gut before spinning again and kicking him in the side of the head, blasting him in the side with a magical attack and causing the other Goetia to crumble to the ground. As the two stayed on the ground the crimson Goetia steadied his gaze on the remaining five.
Vekis sneered as he looked at the crimson Goetia, Erathius joining up with him, Zaven, Galphor, and Astravos as they took more calculated stances only to be somewhat surprised as the Crimson Goetia decided to be the one to engage. He quickly got up to Erathius, striking him multiple times before delivering a kick to the gut to send him to the floor. The attack prompted Vekis and the others to try and capitalize, trying to press an advantage with the unexpected aggression. The Crimson Goetia once more dodged each attack, clamping the castanet in his right hand around the rapier in Galphor's hand and yanking it out before ramming the butt of it into his stomach and open hand striking him in the side if the face before delivering a kick as he spun out of the way of Astravos, grabbing the Goetia as he did and hurling him into the wall and firing magical attack at him to keep him down.
Zaven and Vekis grimaced as they stared down the Goetia that had been making them look like fools, Looking at each other before trying to go for a combined attack. The crimson Goetia once more gracefully dodged out of the way and behind them. But as they turned to try and counter, only to blink as they looked down to see him on one knee. "Ove!" The crimson Goetia exclaimed as he sent them flying with a large magical blast straight into the wall with enough of an impact to cause them to bounce off before falling onto their stomachs.
"You...bastard…" Vekis groaned as he laid on the floor, looking at the Crimson Goetia as he walked over. "This isn't over...when-"
"When what?" The crimson Goetia remarked. "When tu familia hear that you and eight of your amigos couldn't handle one knight? I don't think your familia would take too kindly to hearing you couldn't handle a single knight, or that you couldn't do so por tí mismo." He remarked. "And that goes for all of you, best to live with this defeat, try to better yourselves, and actually be what you claim to be." The Crimson Goetia added as he unsealed and unblocked the door. "Ahora vete, vete con el poco honor que tienes."
Vekis glared at the crimson Goetia, the mental processes in his mind clear to see as he and his cohorts slowly got their feet. "FINE." He muttered as he looked to the others. "Come on, we'll let this low ranked scum and the embarrassment be...for now." he muttered under his breath as he walked to the door with the others.
The crimson Goetia glared as he watched them leave the room, waiting for the door to close before relaxing a bit and making his way over to Octavia, extending a hand. Octavia looked at it a moment, hesitant about it still being a trick before taking it, and being pulled to her feet gently. "Here…" The crimson Goetia said as a rag appeared in his hand, wiping her face gently until it was clean. "There, as beautiful as a crisp rose, although a rose could not really compare to you whether now or before I got rid of that mess on your face señorita." The crimson Goetia smiled. "Although, I don't believe I've ever seen you about anywhere. Qué vergüenza, que una belleza como tú haría llorar de alegría a las estrellas del infierno más que a las del cielo. Y estos ojos míos son indignos de contemplar tales cosas." He said as rose appeared in his hand and as he held it in front of her. "For you, la chica más hermosa de todas."
Octavia blinked, her cheeks turning white hot as she took the rose. "T-thank you…"
"No es nada señorita." The crimson Goetia said as he smiled. "Now then, why were my...betters...saying such things and tormenting you?" He asked. "I admit I only came in at the part where that one bastardo was just about to pull you by your hair."
"It's...nothing." Octavia said as she looked away, afraid he might turn on her if she said why.
"To do such horrendous things to one such as you is never nothing señorita." The crimson Goetia remarked. "Such acts are never justified, especially to a señorita."
Octavia continued to blush as she looked back at the crimson Goetia. "...They...they attacked me because of my father, that he slept with an imp...almost got killed...and because I've never learned any magic."
The crimson Goetia looked at her a few seconds before a look of shocked realization came across his face. "Tu eres la princesa Octavia!" He said with surprise before getting down to one knee and crossing one arm over his chest as he looked down. "Por favor, perdone mi atrevimiento sin mostrar el debido respeto."
Octavia blinked as she looked at him. "No! No!...it's...alright." she assured as she continued to blush. "I've never really been one for formalities anyway...or actually had to do them or anything."
The crimson Goetia looked at her before standing. "Very well then, as the señorita wishes."
"By the way, what's your name?" Octavia asked as she kept the rose close.
"Ah, si, where are my manners?" The crimson Goetia remarked. "Mi nombre es Veracocha, hijo de quetzalquatel y Xochiquetzal." Veracocha said as he gave a bow of greeting. "Es realmente un honor conocer a la princesa más bella del Ars Goetia."
Octavia turned an even deeper shade of red. "T-thank you...again. What were your parents names again?"
"Ah, forgive the long names. Most just call them Quetzal and Xochi." Veracocha replied.
"Quetzal and Xochi…" Octavia mused.
"I'm not surprised you might not have heard of them." Veracocha commented. "As the bastardo said, they are presidents, the lowest in the Ars Goetia caste. They used to have influence in Spain y Centroamérica. But other than that, they govern a few cities in Hell, nothing major."
"I see." Octavia nodded.
"If you do not mind me asking princesa-"
"You can just call me Octavia." Octavia interrupted. "Or... señorita ….if you want." She added as she kept blushing.
Veracocha smirked slightly. "If you do not mind me asking...Octavia, why have you not been present in the gatherings or active in the Ars Goetia?"
Octavia looked away for a second before replying. "I just...never really had the reason to? My parents, they never really forced me to do any studying or be around other Goetian kids. Hell, they never actually cared if I was around others at all." She answered. "Hell, even my mum was willing to let me dress how I wanted. Although after what just happened...I'm starting to wonder if they were somewhat neglectful or I was just too much of a fool to think I could just do whatever and be fine…"
Veracocha looked at her as he gently placed a hand on her cheek. "A señorita such as you could never be foolish. And as for your familia, I think that they do care for you and did everything that they thought was right. The life of a Goetia is no easy one, there are many responsibilities and expectations."
"But what my dad did...the fact I can't do magic….the hell I've had to go through before AND after he cheated on my mum...not to mention how my mother was until recently…" Octavia said as she felt the sorrow start to build.
"Whatever their failings, whatever their successes, whatever they have done, are doing, and will do, that does not make you any less." Veracocha said with a warm smile. "Porque de la mayor de las dificultades y presiones se forma la rosa más bella y brillante y tú eres la más bella de todas. No puede ni podría haber ninguna con mayor potencial para volverse aún más bella. Porque podrías robar el corazón de cualquiera que te viera."
If Octavia could turn any redder, she'd swear she'd look as red, if not darker than either Veracocha or Carnavont. Her heart felt like it was going to come bursting out of her chest at any moment. How could someone be this nice, this kind, this caring, this charming, this...handsome. Octavia blinked as she quickly shook her head. "I-I-I….thank….you…." She stammered. Was it getting hot in here, it felt incredibly hot for some reason.
Veracocha smiled a bit as he looked at her. "No hay problema, hermosa princesa iluminada por las estrellas." He remarked. "But tengo que irme, I still need to go about my duties and I will be in trouble if I am gone too long. Plus…" He trailed off. "It is Muy impropio and against all conduct and rules of our order for a knight to be so familiar with one so above their rank. So, until we might meet again, I bid you farewell." Veracocha said as he turned to leave. "Ojalá el destino vuelva a sonreírme y algún día tenga la gracia de volver a interactuar contigo con una buena razón. Pero si no, apreciaré este encuentro toda mi vida." He added as he started to leave.
"Wait!" Octavia blurted out.
Veracocha stopped, turning to look at her. "¿Sí?"
"What if I...wanted to hang out with you?" Octavia asked.
"Sadly, as much as I would like to, I must follow the standards and rules of our order. The last thing I would want is to get my familia or you, señorita, in trouble." Veracocha replied.
Octavia looked at him, as though quickly thinking of anything to say. "Then what if I…"
"¿Sí?" Veracocha asked.
"What if I...ordered you to, as a princess and granddaughter of Paimon, hang out with me...if you wanted." She blushed.
Veracocha smirked. "Using your title as a loophole?"
"If that's not enough…" Octavia trailed off as she thought. "What if it was an order by me to make sure I stayed safe...from something like this happening again?" She asked.
"Are you giving me an order?" Veracocha asked as he continued to smirk. "Because on both counts, I would be honor and duty bound to adhere to the order of one higher than myself."
"I...yes...I hereby order you to hang out with me, to ensure I'm safe, and to...be able to do so whenever you wish and as you wish." Octavia said.
Veracocha fully turned to face her, walking back up to her and bowing as he placed his arm along his chest. "As the princesa wishes and orders, I am duty bound to follow this order until you say otherwise."
Octavia blinked. "A-alright." She smiled.
"Clever work around I must say, you will make a fine Goetian queen should that be your calling." Veracocha chuckled. "But I really should go now."
"Before you do...exchange our numbers? So we can keep in touch." Octavia requested.
"But of course." Veracocha smiled, the two quickly exchanging numbers. "There, now I must get going, until next we meet señorita." He said before going to leave.
"I'm sorry, but one last question." Octavia said.
"¿Sí?" Veracocha asked as he looked back to her.
"Your fighting, it was very dance-like. I believe I've seen those movements before but I can't recall what the dance is called."
Veracocha smiled as he looked at her. "Ah, sí. I incorporate flamenco dancing into how I fight, it helps me even the ground with stronger opponents by becoming more unpredictable. No one really expects you to dance in a fight." He smirked.
"You dance very gracefully...it was very nice to watch." Octavia blushed.
"I could teach you how to dance it sometime, if you wish." Veracocha offered.
"I...I'd like that." Octavia smiled.
The crimson Goetia smiled as he looked at her. "Then I shall do so when you wish. Now, until next time, señorita." He said before leaving. As Veracocha walked back to where he was to be stationed he pulled out a note that had been given to him by a servant, the note had told him to go to that specific room with the initial of C on it. "Hmm, someone must be looking out for you señorita, perhaps destiny has meant for us to meet." He smiled as he continued to walk, his thoughts going back to Octavia and hoping that she would be alright. That, and looking forward to their what looked to be a continued association.
After Veracocha had left Octavia placed a hand over her chest, trying to calm her beating heart. A flurry of emotions were going through her, chief of which were relief that the whole ordeal was over and gratitude for Veracocha's intervention. That, and...something else, something wholly knew that she hadn't felt before. Octavia looked at the rose she still held, her cheeks heating up once more as she placed a hand on a cheek. Was...was this what a crush felt like? Was she crushing on Veracocha?
She had to be, it was the only way to really explain how she acted around him, what she had said when they had talked, wanting to be around him more and for the first time in her life using her rank in the hierarchy in hell for something. Granted, it was something that was not just selfish, but made her feel somewhat embarrassed for being so desperate to want to be around him more. Was...was this how her father felt? The mere thought of that alone, made her shudder as she did NOT want to have being ruled by her emotions to go on whims in common with him.
Still, he was a Goetia, so it was completely different...right? It wasn't like she was going to throw herself at him...well, in any way her dad might have done with the imp. It was funny though, for some reason there were...faint memories of her father not being as...flamboyant up until recently. Had life been such hell that she had forgotten? In either case, there was one big thing about being around Veracocha that she couldn't ignore or be foolish about, his rank.
Veracocha had said it himself along with Vekis. He was a knight, the son of presidents, two of the lowest ranks in their order. And while she herself didn't care all that much for the rules and systems set in order, she wasn't one to flat out ignore them, especially with the hell her father had unleashed by sleeping with a commoner. Would there truly be as much an issue if she wished to be around a knight...liked a knight? Or would she be able to get away with it because he was a Goetia and she was a princes, the only ranks higher than her being dukes and kings?
The possibility was there, so perhaps it was best to keep his rank a secret to her mother and father and to be careful with their interactions, at least until she could know for sure and look into everything. Why did life have to be so fucking complicated and shit? Camazotz had said she needed to start embracing what she was, and she was going to start learning magic finally, perhaps if she fully applied herself and started embracing what she was she could work the system and get to where she could make it easier for things like this to not be an issue. For now though, Octavia just wanted to get out of this room before anything else happened, making her way to the door and heading out of the room.
Octavia made her way through the palace, the thought of going to find a servant to contact Camazotz discretely once more crossing her mind before deciding to head back to where she and her mother had split up to see if she was there and the meeting was done so they could leave. If not, she'd just wait there until the meeting was over. The idea of going to find the other kids of those there to maybe make some friends but after she had just went through, Octavia figured she had had enough social interaction for the day...maybe the week. As Octavia got back to where she and her mother parted ways she saw that her mother, nor really anyone else was around. Not willing to risk them missing each other or going through what she just went through again Octavia moved over to rest against a nearby wall, bringing her phone out and putting her earbuds in before pulling up some music to listen to as she waited, her eyes going to the rose she still held, causing her to smile.
A while later she spotted her mother coming from the direction she went, not looking as...happy as she did when they arrived. In fact, she looked...disheartened. "Hey mum…is everything alright, did the meeting go well?" She asked after pulling her earbuds out, although the glances others were giving her mother...and her...didn't escape her notice.
"It...could have gone better." Stella replied as she looked at Octavia. "I think I'm ready to go, unless you've managed to make some friends…"
Octavia glanced away briefly. "It could have gone better for me as well…"
"I see…" Stella said as she felt a mixture of sadness and anger at what her daughter might have gone through, only to see the rose in her daughter's hand. "Where did you get that?"
Octavia blinked. "Oh, umm…" She blushed. "A...friend. He...helped me out so it wasn't a horrible time." Octavia answered as she couldn't help but smile.
Stella smiled a bit as she watched her daughter's reaction. "Does this "friend" have a name?" She asked.
"...Veracocha." Octavia replied.
"What a rather dignified name." Stella remarked. "Has a certain flair to it."
"It does…" Octavia said softly.
Stella giggled slightly. "Well, if you want to have him over or anything, just let me know alright?"
Octavia blushed more before smiling. "Thanks mum."
"Anytime my astral princess." Stella said with a smile. "Now, let's head back, I'm not really in the mood to stick around and ming-"
"Well at least you managed to do something right in the meeting." Came her father's voice.
"le…" Stella said as she soon showed a fear and hesitation Octavia had not seen before as she turned to face her parents. "Father...mother."
"I suppose we should give you some credit by taking advantage of your situation by trying to get Andrealphus into an opportune position." Astralla remarked.
"Yes, at least she's managed to get some quick thinking finally." Eratu commented before looking at Octavia. "Do you still allow her to dress so...commonly? Although I must say she looks...different from last we saw her."
"Yes, well, Octavia had seemed to hit a late puberty via molting." Stella explained. "I have gotten her an entirely new wardrobe and some...appropriate dresses."
Her parents looked at the two rather curiously. "Such a thing is extremely rare, almost unheard of. But I suppose she does look more the part of her rank now." Eratu remarked.
"And at least you've gotten her proper dresses finally, though you couldn't be bothered to have her look appropriate here?" Astralla inquired.
"I, well...she has been through a lot recently." Stella replied. "I just thought that allowing her some autonomy in that regard would help her be...more willing to be properly dressed for future occasions and other outings."
Her parents glanced at each other before looking to her. "It doesn't matter what one has gone through, the standards of the Ars Goetia must be upheld at all times." Eratu stated. "I hope that you will not be as lax in her training as you apparently are in her decorum or your getting Andrealphus to a favorable position."
"I won't be…father..." Stella somewhat meekly assured with a bow.
"If this teacher is as good as you claim, I certainly hope so...for your sake...and hers." Astralla commented. "And we better not hear about any more embarrassing incidents involving her like we have today."
"Yes, otherwise we might have to take a more active role to ensure our family's name is not further marred." Eratu said coldly before looking to Astralla. "Come dear, we've wasted enough time."
"Right." Astralla said before walking away with her husband.
Octavia blinked as she looked at her mother who seemed to be trying to calm her nerves, just how bad did the meeting go? Had to be as bad, if not worse than what she had been through. Not only that, but she wondered what her grandparents meant by the embarrassing incident. One thing was certain though, this was just another reinforcement of why she never cared to be around her grandparents on her mother's side.
"Are...are you alright mum?" Octavia asked as Stella continued to compose herself.
"Y-yes...I'm fine, just the stress from the meeting." Stella lied as she then straightened herself. "Now, let's get out of here before either of us have to...endure any unpleasantness."
"Alright…" Octavia remarked.
The two made their way out of the palace, walking far enough out of the way to be not seen by anyone before Stella opened up a portal back to Camazotz' palace, quickly walking through into the main foyer of the palace and closing the portal.
"Ah, mistress Stella, young mistress, welcome back." Skittle greeted as he walked into the foyer. "I trust the meeting went well?"
"Not quite…" Stella said as she rubbed her temples, the energy and confident mood she usually had completely leaving her, it was clear to all she had been completely drained in every aspect.
"I see…" Skittle mused. "Might I suggest a nice relaxing hot bath before dinner? It will help you recharge and settle the mind."
"...Yes, please." Stella replied.
"Very good, I shall draw one up immediately." Skittle said as he left.
"Are you sure you're alright mum?" Octavia asked.
"I'll be fine...don't worry dear, I've endured a lot over the centuries, and will continue to do so and thrive as I always have. This was just...another thing I won't let threaten us." Stella replied. "Why don't you go relax for a bit, I think we both need it."
"...OK…" Octavia said as she made her way to the room she was staying in.
Stella sighed to herself as Octavia walked off, making her own way to where she and Camazotz shared a room. When she got there she readied herself for the bath she decided to take. After Skittle informed her of it being prepared she made her way to the master bathroom, stepping into and into the rather luxurious and large bath tub, sinking into the surprisingly perfectly hot water that was almost like sinking into a hot spring. It felt so...rejuvenating and comforting, so much so that she closed her eyes, letting it ease her as she still ran through everything in her head.
Minutes seemed to fly by as she ruminated on what to do, how to go about Octavia's training, and to ensure that the threat they were under was not something that could be plausible. Stella was so caught up in her thoughts that she almost didn't hear the door open, assuming it was Skittle checking on her or something. "I'm fine Skittle, if you brought towels, just put them where I can reach them."
"Mind if I join you?" Came Camazotz' voice.
Stella's eyes shot open as she looked to see Camazotz standing by the tub, still in her attire. "I-I…" Stella blushed. "S-sure…"
Camazotz smiled. "Wonderful." She said before starting to undress, removing her clothes and magically levitating them neatly out of the way as Stella watched with ever darkening face before getting in with her. "Must have been a very hard meeting." Camazotz mused, though there was an ever present hint of knowing to her voice.
"It was horrible…" Stella admitted. "I wish I never had to be there…"
Camazotz looked at her warmly before taking hold of Stella, moving her to where the peahen demon's back was to her and pulling her into a gentle hold. "Life is never easy, nor is hell. But it's what we go through, the challenges we face and overcome that make us strong." She remarked. "And you my dear peahen princess, are oh so strong and will continue to get stronger."
"But this whole mess, all of it, it threatens not just me but Octavia as well." Stella sighed as she leaned into Camazotz. "Why didn't I think to have Octavia ready? Why couldn't the first attempt on Stolas have been successful? At least it would have been so out of the blue that I could have spun Octavia's unpreparedness and stick to the arrangement of having Andrealphus step in until she was ready."
"You were and still are in the throws of anger for being cheated on, being shown that a common imp that's barely a five on the scale of attractiveness was far more desirable than you. I cannot blame you for not having thought of all the potential back up plans and angles." Camazotz assured.
"But am I a fool for even setting all this in motion?" Stella asked.
"No." Camazotz said simply. "You answered a grievous insult and unfaithfulness in kind with what is only appropriate, I would have done the same." She assured. "Your cruel, wicked, vindictiveness. Your sadistic calculating wrath and love of all things unpredictably unfair are all things I adore about you." Camazotz added as she cupped Stella's chin, turning her head slightly for the two to look at each other. "You just need to go back to the drawing board slightly, refocus, rethink, strategize, plan, and make sure to cover your blind spots and weak points of your delightfully devious plot."
Stella blushed, a small smile forming on her lips. "But what about Octavia's training? If I don't ensure she makes progress or even starts to find someone-"
"I know." Camazotz smirked. "I will make sure Octavia makes good progress. After all, you could find no better teacher than me." She chuckled. "But you are right in wanting to let her enjoy herself, I can subtly manipulate things to ensure that there's no real pressure and that Octavia at least has a few more days to a week till she has to start should she desire."
"...Thank you." Stella said as she leaned into and rubbed against Camazotz' hand.
"You're welcome. And I can help you be stronger as well, if you want." Camazotz offered. "Although, I have already been laying the foundation with our fencing, among the foundation for some other things." She chuckled.
"...I'd like that...to be more powerful...to be worthy of….you." Stella commented.
"You always were." Camazotz said simply.
Stella smiled as she blushed, looking at Camazotz before going to give her a kiss, the two deciding to share a few more as Stella turned around and they wrapped their arms around each other. As they kissed and Camazotz started to kiss along her neck, Stella's mind went to Octavia, hoping that things would work out for her daughter the most. She could only hope that this new person in her daughter's life, this Veracocha, was someone that could aide in ensuring her safety and appease the king and queen of the Ars Goetia.