As morning came and the morning rays of the sun shone through into the room, Carnavont woke, sitting up in bed as he stretched with a yawn. Placing a hand to his head he shifted it to the left, then doing same for the right, cracking his neck. While he had managed to sleep relatively fine, Carnavont still had some restlessness from his sleep. Part of it was due from the fact that he was essentially benched from field work for a bit until he was healed from the injuries he had sustained a few days ago from fighting Striker. A fight that...by all measure should have been a bit more even and with more of a possibility to get the upper-hand and cause the solo assassin to back off and retreat.

But that wasn't how the fight went. No, once he had heard that Striker had taken measures to ensure IMP wouldn't get involved and that Loona had been hospitalized because of it he went into a blind rage, a rage that almost cost him his life were it not for the intervention of Millie to deflect a bullet headinmg right at his head. If he had only just controlled his emotions better, stayed calm and composed enough to where he'd be more mindful and think about avoiding getting hurt, then he wouldn't be in thgis situation. And while Carnavont knew that his team were more than capable of handling things if he had to be absent from field work, especially since both Destra and Zever could both fill in to oversee things depending on who was willing or the situation, he was still their leader...the one that if anything happened to their continued operation might be called into question.

Not that he didn't have any faith in Destra or Zever, they might be able to keep things going, but the whole arrangement with Camazotz was with him, would she be as willing to uphold anything with them even if they were as respectful? Carnavont didn't want to find out. He didn't want to fail them and then have Camazotz decide on a whim that the venture was no longer of amusement or effort, and he didn't want to repeat another...the crimson hellhound shook his head, lingering on past mistakes was not going to help anyone. As he was about to get out of bed Carnavont heard his phone ring, his hand moving to grab it after seeing it was Destra calling, answering as he brought his phone to his ear.

"Destra, your up early, is something wrong?" Carnavont asked as he looked at the nearby clock that had four fifty five on the display. It wasn't that it was odd, but more the fact that his employees with the exception of Typhus didn't need to be at the office until it was seven thirty. He and Typhus on the other hand, were usually there anywhere from six thirty to seven to get things sorted. Of course Carnavont himself didn't need to be there until seven, but he did try to make it there at six thirty just so Typhus had some company.

"Morning Carn, you really are predictable with your routine." Destra replied with a bit of an amused tone. "Nothing wrong."

Carnavont rolled his eyes a bit as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Then to what do I owe the call, do you or Xera need something or the day off?" The crimson hellhound asked as he stood up, going to head to the kitchen to make coffee.

"No, but we're in agreement that you do." The female hellhound said simply.

"We?" Carnavont asked as he stopped, eyebrow arching.

"Yeah, we." Destra answered. "All of us agree that you need a day off. And not just because of your injuries, but because you don't really take days off aside from the weekend. Plus, Loona gets released today and we figured you'd like to spend the day with her, and be there a while before you know who shows up."

"So?" Carnavont replied. "I am the boss after all, it's kind of required for me to be there, let alone I do field work too. And while I would like to be there to be one of the firsts to see Loona when she's released and not deal with...him….I do have my obligations."

"That may be true, and ordinarily we wouldn't put up much of an argument, but things haven't been too busy lately and you aren't doing any field work nor will we let you until you're fully recovered." Destra argued.

"You're talking as though you have more say than I do." Carnavont said as he narrowed his eyes.

"Considering we all agreed when we talked about it, I kind of do since this is us outvoting you." Destra remarked.

"But I wasn't even part of the discussion." Carnavont pointed out.

"Because we knew what you'd say." Destra said simply.

Carnavont's expression went into deadpanned unamusement before he blinked. "Wait...all of you….even Typhus?"

"No." Destra answered. "This was just between the four of us, mostly because we knew Typhus felt bad that you got so hurt and because we knew he'd not feel comfortable trying to get you to do something. But you know he'd want you to. Also, you keep on him for his bad habits of calling you sir on and off duty and how little he does for himself, what does that tell him if you don't follow your own preaching?"

"...That's kind of a low blow." Carnavont muttered.

"Not really, we can do worse." Destra said simply.

The crimson hellhound arched his brow. "How so?"

Well, if you tried to show up for work we got Zever casing your front door." Destra pointed out.

"Bullshit." Carnavont remarked.

Destra chuckled. "Don't believe me, look."

Carnavont blinked as he moved to the front door, looking out the window only to see Zever reveal himself from cover, looking at him sternly before going back to hiding. "…I fcould dock all of your pays you know." He muttered.

"We know." Destra said in a way that Carnavont could tell that the female hellhound was smirking. "Havoc's already rigged your office with a way to send you right back through any portal you might make and Xera's done the same with the armory."

"….But…" Carnavont protested.

"Those are the mild deterrents. If you push us and find a way around all that...we'll get in touch with Loona and tell her you thought working was more important than seeing her, especially on the day she's being released from the hospital." Destra threatened.

"You wouldn't dare…" Carnavont growled.

"Try us." Destra asserted.

"…Fiiiiine." Carnavont relented.

"Good, have a great day off boss, we'll contact you if we do need anything." Destra remarked.

"You better." Carnavont muttered before composing himself into a somewhat serious questioning demeanor. "By the way...when did this discussion take place? I don't seem to recall hearing anything these past few days."

"Well, it started not long after we saw how bad a shape you were in and when we left the hospital and you went home. Then we just kind of...continued it through mental links here and there on missions and in the office." Destra replied.

"...I want to be mad, but I can't help but be proud of you kept up efficiency while doing a discussion about me without my knowing." Carnavont remarked.

"Well, you told us from day one you picked us because you saw that we could be the best and that you expected us to deliver just that." Destra said with some warmth and amusement.

"Yeah." Carnavont smirked. "Just keep up the good work."

"Will do." Destra commented.

"Oh, and Destra…" Carnavont said.

"Yes?" The female hellhound asked.

"All those precautions better be taken down and this not happen again or I WILL dock all of your pays and put you on mandatory unpaid vacation." The crimson hellhound threatened somewhat lightheartedly.

Destra chuckled. "Yeah yeah, just make sure to have some fun with your girlfriend."

Carnavont rolled his eyes. "Like I'd plan not to." He remarked sarcastically.

"Well you did just decide to go up against Striker without backup." Destra playfully pointed out.

"Again, unsanctioned mission." Carnavont muttered.

"We're still a team Carn, seeing you in that state in the hospital...if we lose you…" Destra said with concern.

"I know…" Carnavont acknowledged knowingly. "But he through me off my game by what he did to Loona, something that I would have done if it had been any of you. But I'm not going to let that happen again."

"You better not." Destra said after a moment. "Or I swear we'll find a way to bring you back to kick your ass."

"And I'd expect no less." Carnavont chuckled. "See you Monday Destra."

"See you Monday boss." Destra said before the two hung up.

Carnavont couldn't help but smile a bit as he put moved to the kitchen. While he didn't fully care for the fact that his team had pretty much staked him out to ensure that he took a day off since he wasn't doing much at the office, he also would be remiss to not acknowledge their loyalty, dedication, and efficiency. It was hard not to take pride in them and their capabilities, just as they took great pride in working for him and being in his employee. Granted it wasn't fully smooth sailing from the beginning, but it didn't take them long to become an effective unit. For that, Carnavont couldn't help but thank his gut instincts, they hadn't really ever led him astray.

But now wasn't really the time to be so introspective about all that. Well, it could be, given that he was now forced to take the day off and still couldn't do his early morning exercise routine due to still recovering. But there were bigger things to ponder, like when to visit Loona and what to do for his day off. He could just spend the day with her in all honesty, it wasn't like either of them were really in any condition to do work, and he'd be lying if the idea didn't make him smile. But then again, she was IMP's receptionist, and from what he could gather, their means of getting to Earth and back. So there was the possibility that she'd still be told she needed to help them out for the day, let alone he'd still have to deal with Blitzo coming by to pick Loona up.

Then again, Moxxie and Millie were rather reasonable, if they tagged along they might be able to keep the infuriatingly annoying imp at bay or at the very least possibly help make it to where she could do whatever she want….namely spend the day with him, even if he knew that was being optimistically hopeful and that more than likely it'd be a huge pain. Carnavont sighed, he swore if it wasn't for the fact he strove to always be the bigger man unless called for or that Blitz was Loona's father he'd definitely would have either kicked the imp's ass by now...or shot him. But that wasn't the thing to dwell on right now, the more valuable thing to use his thinking time on was what to do.

After a moment Carnavont blinked as an idea popped into his head, why not treat her to a nice breakfast that wasn't hospital food? Yeah...he could make her a nice breakfast, take it to her, spend time with her till she was released, then let her choose what to do if that red dickhead of a father of hers was placated to let her do whatever she wanted for the day. That, and maybe he could play for her a little...if he didn't overexert himself.

Carnavont smiled a bit more. Yeah, that could work, just a nice calm and easy going day for the two of them, it had honestly been a long time since he had just had a day to just...do whatever, and Carnavont was sure Loona would appreciate something easy going and relaxing. That settled it then, that's what his plan would be for the day. With his coarse of action set, Carnavont went to work getting everything ready, using the extra time he had to set about making some fresh ground coffee and planning and making a nice breakfast for him and Loona to share. By the time he was finished and had everything packed, it was already a little after six.

As he walked out the door Carnavont stopped, looking in the general direction of where Zever had revealed himself. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna try anything, I'm going to visit Loona." The crimson hellhound said, knowing the other was still watching him.

"I hope you understand why we went to such lengths." Zever said as he revealed himself again.

"It wasn't like I wasn't going to try and visit Loona at all." Carnavont remarked.

"It wasn't just that, but you really did need to take a few days off to rest Carnavont." Zever pointed out.

The crimson hellhound couldn't help but chuckle. "You do realize how odd that sounds coming from you right? But then again, if you're saying I need a few day's rest then maybe I really do."

"I might be work focused and take things more seriously than you, but I'm at least aware enough to know when a break is needed." Zever remarked.

"Something tells me Sinder is a major reason why you have that mind set." Carnavont commented with a slight smirk.

"She may have been...insistent on me not pushing myself too hard back during my early circus days." Zever admitted.

"How long did that take?" Carnavont asked.

"I still have to get onto him about it, but he's doing better." Came sinder's voice as the diminutive hellhound appeared on Carnavont's shoulder. "Though him going hard isn't always a bad thing." She said with a cheeky grin while looking over her nails before poofing away and reappearing next to Zever.

"I'm assuming you volunteered to help and were watching the back." Carnavont mused.

A playful smile formed on Sinder's lips. "Guilty." She confirmed. "It's the least I could do after hearing how you did such a risky thing then got hurt." Sinder added. "I might have told you I didn't want Zever being in Any dangerous situations that were beyond reasonable for this line of work, but that doesn't exclude him losing his job because you did something stupid."

"...Fair, although he and Destra would have been allowed to carry on the business." Carnavont pointed out.

"No offense sir, but I'd rather not take over because you got yourself killed just because you didn't want to have our company looked into for an unsanctioned mission." Zever muttered.

"Look, I'll be more careful next time." Carnavont assured.

"Next time?" Zever asked as he arched a brow. "Next time you're taking back up, period."

"Oooh, I like it when you get aggressive Zevy." Sinder smirked.

Carnavont narrowed his eyes. "I'm still the boss of this company and my first priotrity is to ensure you all stay safe as well as the company. Yes, I know I could have just accepted Octavia's request as an official job, took whatever money she had or an IOU, made it official. But I wasn't about to take money from a kid going through that kind of traumatic experience, let alone someone Typhus knows. That alone was a conflict of interest." Carnavont argued.

"I understand the complexity of such situations but-" Zever started.

"But nothing." Carnavont interrupted. "Striker's good, the best in wrath, but whe's not unbeatable. He got in my head by hurting Loona, it WON'T happen again. If I feel that it's best the company not get involved and I do something solo then I'm going to do what's best for all of you, am I clear?"He asked, looking at Zever who just looked him back just as seriously. "Am. I. Clear?"

"...Yes sir." Zever acknowledged. "We just...don't want to lose you."

"I know." Carnavont sighed. "And I'll do my damnedest to ensure that."

Zever nodded. "That's all we ask."

"Now that that's been settled...I'd like to meet this girlfriend of your sometime Carn dear." Sinder said with a smile. "I'd swing by the hospital but it's quite the nusy day for me today. Plus, I'm sure you two would like some...one on one." She said with a suggestively playful look.

Carnavont blushed a bit. "We're uh….we're taking our time with that."

"Understandable and respectable." Sinder remarked with a smile. "In any case, I do want to meet her. You know you and your team are always welcome to come to a show free of charge so long as Zever stays in one piece. That, or we can do a double date." She offered.

"I'll talk to Loona about that and get back to you." Carnavont said as he looked at the small hellhound.

"Please do, otherwise I'll have to spank you...and not in the fun way." Sinder grinned.

Carnavont rolled his eyes a bit. "Don't worry, I will." he said before pulling out the horse skull charm he was given by Camazotz. While he had gotten his van back, he figured at the very least taking Spectra might be fun for Loona. Using the charm, a portal opened, the obsidian black hellhorse coming through and stopping in front of him, both Sinder and Zever blinking.

"Since when did you own a horse? Or know when to ride one" Zever asked.

"Since three days ago apparently, reached out to…" Carnavont glanced at Sinder. "our backer to get a means to rent one and she just kind of...gave one to me." Carnavont explained as he went about securing some carrying pouches he had picked up the other day as a just in case and putting the prepared food and dishes in them. "As for knowing how to ride one...I've ridden here and there, not frequently, but it feels like she helps with the difference."

"I see." Zever nodded before continuing. "That was...nice of her." He remarked.

"She called it a reward for the continued entertainment." The crimson hellhound explained.

"I see." Zever remarked.

"I take it you're going to treat Loona to a potential horse ride...maybe have her ride reverse cowgirl?" Sinder asked playfully. "What's her name by the way?"

"….Maybe." Carnavont replied as he got up on spectra. "And her name's Spectra."

"What a nice name, good looking mixed breed too, looks bred for speed and power." Sinder remarked.

"Well she is fast." Carnavont confirmed.

Sinder nodded. "Fast and strong is good, but only for certain things. For others...not so much. I like my power, but I don't want things ending too quickly." She smirked. "Anyway, me and Zev won't keep you. Go, have some...fun...with your girl."

Carnavont nodded. "Take care, and I will get back to you about the getting together."

"I expect it." Sinder remarked.

"Oh, and Zever…" Carnavont said as he looked to the black hellhound.

"Yeah?" Zever asked.

"Both you and Destra are in charge as usual, or just take turns on who is. But in either case, make sure Xera and Havoc remove their little precautions of me coming to the office. If they don't...feel free to do a fitting punishment." Carnavont ordered.

Zever smirked slightly. "Will do."

"See you Monday Zever." Carnavont commented.

"See you Monday sir." Zever replied.

As Zever made a portal and left, Sinder disappeared in another poof of smoke, leaving Carnavont to make a portal to the sloth ring before squeezing Spectra's sides a little as he gave a little on the reigns, the hellhorse complying as she started forward and through the portal. Once they went through the portal and it closed behind them Carnavont repeated the action for Spectra to go faster, repeating it until they were going at a pace that was quick but wouldn't cause his injuries that were still recovering to flare up in pain. While he was sure that Spectra could handle the roads just fine, the prior escorting IMP to deliver prince Stolas being evidence enough of that, Carnavont made sure to keep to more pedestrian areas of travel and alleys, mostly because he was keeping Spectra at a speed that wouldn't agitate anything. At least it was nice out, it would have sucked if it was raining like it often did in Lust.

It didn't take too terribly long for Spectra to get him to the hospital, it had been a pleasant ride and honestly Carnavont could see the appeal of mainly using a horse to get around that Striker had, not that he was going to get rid of his van any time soon or anything. And while there was a cordially professional friendliness upheld before their fight broke out, and even a respecting of the other assassin's skill, Carnavont wasn't overly keen on the two being lumped together when it came to their views of how their respective species were treated. There might be some grain of truth in what Striker said about him not going far enough, but the opposite was just as true, there were just some lines that shouldn't be crossed that Striker seemed all too willing to do. At least they could each respect each other's ambitions when it came to business and as fellow professionals, at least Carnavont hoped. The last thing he wanted was for things to get less amicable and professional between them, or for this tussle they had bringing about issues he really didn't need or want to occur...especially for the sake of his business and employees…and his own hopes for his kind.

As they approached the main entrance Carnavont brought Spectra to a halt, dismounting and unloading her before gently petting the hellhorse. "You're quite the horse, still can't believe she let me just have you." Carnavont remarked. "I don't see any places to tie a horse but even then I don't think you would like or deserve to be tied to one spot, so I'll just send you back to rest as you please till I need you again." He said before bringing up the charm and using it.

As the portal opened Spectra looked at him a moment, nodding slightly before turning and making her way through the portal. The way the horse had looked at and seemingly acknowledged him made Carnavont feel like she was a fair bit more intelligent than most, if not more than most, hellhorses. Then again, considering who bred her and gave her to him, it wasn't unbelievable that someone like Camazotz would want a horse intelligent enough to have such interactions and likely follow orders easily, a sort of pseudo or partial sapience. In any case, ruminating on the standards death herself had for pets wasn't anything worth spending more time on.

Right now, the more important thing was spending enough time with Loona before her VERY punchable asshole of a father showed up and made him want to punch the guy even more...if that was even possible. "Sometimes I swear I wish I wasn't willing to be so nice." Carnavont muttered.

For as much as he was willing to be the bigger demon, to give Blitz every feasible opportunity to just...not be a complete and utter asshole, it still was way too tempting to just give in and literally beat some sense into the guy. But that wouldn't be right, even if it would be so immensely satisfying to do so. Not that he'd ever admit it, but in a way he could see a TINY bit of himself in Blitz, and he did mean tiny. Carnavont could respect the imp for wanting to make a name for himself and to make it big with his own business and also the taking care of Loona as a genuine daughter, going to great lengths to ensure she had it good enough. But that was the end of it, everything else about Blitrz infuriated him and tested his patience to no end. The crimson hellhound could see just how much potential Blitz had in being a genuinely respectful business rival and decent man, but it seemed that the imp was either too stupid or self hating...possibly both, to see that potential in himself.

And that was what made Carnavont want to be so patient, no matter how much he wished to just give in and utterly beat the living shit out of the Blitz until he gained some sense of how much he needed to improve and change. He owed it not just to himself if he had such lofty dreams, nut to his employees and to Loona. For the life of him Carnavont could not understand how or why such clearly talented demons like Moxxie and Millie got in with and put up with Blitz and his self-destructive antics. For all his being a beta male, Moxxie was clearly intelligent and responsible enough that Carnavont was truly surprised he even worked for Blitz...or hadn't quit. The only reason he could think of as to why was because of Millie, something about the female imp gave him the impression that she either thrived off being around the shenanigans someone like Blitz caused or was even more patient than he was...or saw the best in people to where she was willing to stick by them until the end in hopes that best came out...again, likely a combination of those factors.

But everyone had there limits, every being theit breaking point. If Blitz didn't realize the talent he was wasting or not recognizing as well as not accept the fact Loona was not some young defenseless and clueless pup, then he would eventually lose everything before he finally did...if he ever did. And that, THAT was what made Carnavont really annoyed and patient with the imp, to give him every possible chance he could before he lost it all. Because if he was going to prove which business was better, he wanted it to be fair and square and because both of them were giving their best, not because Blitz utterly fucked up so bad that even Lucifer himself would face palm.

He also didn't want Loona to be without some parental figure in her life, he knew all too well the kind of loneliness and pain of not knowing or having parents. Hell, pretty much every hellhound knew that pain considering they were all objects essentially to be bought and used as whatever their owners wanted and were crammed in orphanages from puphood. If Loona had managed to be fortunate to have someone who saw and treated her like a daughter, then ge didn't want her to lose that over animosity and hatred. If they were going to work out, to be together for the long haul as he hoped, then he wanted the best for her and would do everything in his power to do so...for her. Even if that meant he might eventually just have to lay down exactly what would happen to Blitz if the imp didn't shape up his act.

Would it antagonize the imp? Likely, but hopefully in a way that would force him to look inside of himself and start to improve instead of doing….well, what his usual response had been or worse. Carnavont shook his head, focusing once again on spending the day on Loona before walking into the hospital, hoping beyond hope that the day would go well, even though he knew Blitz would more than likely test that notion and hope to it's very limit when he eventually showed up.