It was Monday Morning… Harry and the 'Owls' exited from the Castle after eating a quick breakfast.
As they stepped off the last step, they 'fell' into Harry's Penta-gate.
They landed in the front room of the IMP offices. The empty… perfectly repaired Offices.
Only everything had a serpent or avian-owl motif.
As the three traveled down the seven floors, and admired the near perfect and pristine offices on each and every floor. As they crossed into the Atrium of the building, the entire outer walls were replaced with thick crystal type glass. They watched a trio of Imp youths try to 'Tag' one area, only for the spray paint fail to grip the glass.
Harry chuckled. "When I Pictured it fully repaired, I had included the Glass to be charmed Impervious and Unbreakable. It Seems that my Magic is still in flux."
"No… Your Magic has claimed this place as yours." Stelari stroked an exposed pillar… only for a snake of obsidian to slither down around it… only for it to stop just and a light globe to extend from its open mouth. "And that's creepy…" She turned to Harry. "Let's let it finish… curing."
Harry turned to where the original entry was, only to see Moxxie and Millie standing at the head of the porch. He placed his hands on the glass… and two sheets of glass slid sideways like Muggle Electric doors. When the two Imps had crossed the threshold, the two panes slid soundlessly back into place. Moxxie turned to touch the doors, a moment of panic in his eyes… and the panes split again.
Millie chuckled at her husband's reaction. She turned and handed a folder to Harry. "The building was listed as Abandoned, When Moxxie mentioned that you were linked to the Dutchess and wanted the whole building, It was stamped over to you, with Moxxie as your Agent."
"I see." Harry flipped through the Paperwork in his hands, "That means that I will need a Building Manager and an Accountant." He grinned at the fussy little guy. "In exchange… IMP Office Space rent is Covered… including all repair costs accrued by Staff and Customers."
Moxxie cocked his head as he calculated the costs in his head. "Done. But the other businesses…"
"They pay what My Building Manager says their rent is… including any back rent from today forward, or I will be visiting them personally. Only Blitz gets to mouthoff to me… Warn them, if they ignore you… they are in violation of the rental agreement. If they Threaten you… you get the idea. I am choosing you to run my place of business because you are respectful, mild mannered, but can bite when cornered." He handed the file to Moxxie. "Make me money. I include Health Insurance for my people … but you will need to source the money from my…" Harry waved his hand above his head, waving at the building.
"Sir!" the Imp chirped as he tucked the file under his arm.
"I need to visit Chuck and Stolis. Do you want to drive over? Head up to the Office? Or…"
Just then, a hungover Loona moving on an autopilot, stumbled through the front doors. "Old Lady, Fatso, have you seen Dad?"
"I think he is still tied to the bedpost." Octavia smirked at the Hellhound. "Hey Harry, ever ride a Bitch?"
"No… I have not ridden you… yet." He glared at the owl. "But I will have a message for you to deliver." He stepped close to the Hellhound. "I would even let you wear your 'fur' when I am stuffing you into a pillow."
Loona blinked as her brain fired up. "What is your problem, pretty-Boy." She put the emphasis on 'Boy'.
"Hello beautiful, Are you in play also?" Harry inhaled through his teeth.
She drew her head back and up as her ears snapped to their highest point. "Are you insulting me?
"Let's just say… I have a bone to pick with you… if you are interested. Not Playing until after the new year. I am under the impression that I am going to be busy in the new year." Harry reached out to stroke an ear… but did not touch.
Loona showed her teeth, as her ears snapped to her skull, and her tail to her leg. "Did I say you could touch?"
"That's why I didn't touch." Harry moved his hand away. "The only female I am allowed to molest is Hedwig."
Octavia snorted into his shoulder.
Stelari dusted his crown… from standing on her toes.
"Are you a masochist?" Loona asked.
"Not really." Harry grinned at her. "I am just… Tactile. When I say something stupid, my females like to try to correct my behavior, the only way they can. As a teen male, minor violence is best. It's got to the point, I need one of my females with me at all times."
"How many… Females, do you have?" Loona was showing her teeth. "
"Two witches contracted, two witches by choice, two witches in the wings… My Lady Patron." Harry counted on his fingers. "Can't count the spider, no matter how fuckable he is…" Harry very carefully ignored looking at the two owls.
"You did not count the two behind you." Loona leaned in close.
"I also did not count the two Imps, nor you." Harry released his mana.
"You're going to let this… male touch you?" Loona, still looking at Harry, asked the two owls.
Stelari snorted. "Let? The little slut is going to have it catered."
"She is also still revising the guest list." Harry huffed.
"You're into guys?" Loona cocked her head, one ear forward.
"I don't know." Harry frowned at the only other guy in the room. "I do know that Blitz is off my menu, as is Stolas… Blitz because he is… well… Blitz. Stolas is in a committed, loving, and almost healthy relationship. Moxxie is also in a loving, committed, relationship, but there is just something…"
Millie stepped in front of Moxxie. "No one gets my husband without first going through me!"
"I know…" Harry allowed the Naga to rise to his eyes and mouth. He 'tasted' the Air, as his green snake eyes flared. "That's half the Job. If I am going to be pinning your Husband to a hard surface for an in depth probing… we are going to have just been drilling your tight little body into a sloppy mess."
"That's my Wife you're talking to!" Moxxie's right hand had jumped into his coat.
"Yes." Harry grinned at the guy. "And now I need to get to Chuck's, so Blitz can escape his demanding lover's cuddles." Harry stepped aside, ignoring the two little red packets of wrath. "Find a little hole that you can lock, and work your anger out on each other. Another Perk working for me, You get your own personal broom closet."
The three IMP personnel frowned.
"Harry's… day job is in a castle in Ireland with an overabundance of broom closets for co-ed exploration." Stelari smirked. "The Building Manager gets his own office. Plus a broom closet on a different floor, if you get my meaning."
Harry stamped his cane on the floor, causing a ring of green fire wash across the floor, to the glass walls of the first floor, before climbing to consume the building. "That should take care of any repairs needed. I would give the Lift a pass for the rest of the Day." A Penta-gate swirled open behind him. "Fuck you later."
Harry and the Owls were gone.
Millie chirped. "Making a Coffee run. Your Usual?"
"Double it." Loona sighed, as she turned to the center of the Building where the stairs circled the Elevator, even now the place was beginning to take on a creepy look. The Banister of the stairs looked like jade and emerald scaled snake skin, felt like leather and was warm to the touch, just a few degrees below hers. "I am so thinking about breaking the boy in."
HWHJP
Harry Potter walked in on a shouting match.
Blitz was head to head with Angel Dust yelling insults and vulgarates at each other. Blitz was standing on a bar stool so that he was able to press his forehead to Angel's.
Both seemed to be enjoying the 'game' of insults and innuendo. And judging by the amusement on Husk's face, it was getting good.
Harry turned to the side and saw Stolas and Alistair sipping tea and speaking in quiet tones. Stalri drifted off to join them.
Octavia joined Husk watching the two 'sex-worker's bicker.
The Blonde with a X over her eye, slid up to his side. "Must you bring these disruptive influences to the Hotel?"
"I have acquired a place across town. Considering the amount of mana I poured into the place, any Disruptive Influences targeting me, will now be targeting the same building that little shitstain works. Only because of the bed upstairs, did they come here. And I needed to get here to anchor my Hellbound abilities. Blitz was the ride over."
"So… are you leaving?" The Blonde glared at him.
Harry smiled down at her. "Not unless Chuck asks me to, but that would break my Contract with her." He tasted the air around her. "You… taste is the best word for it, different from Chuck or Stolas. I can tell the rank of Demon by smell/taste, but you…" Harry's eyebrows jumped as he placed her scent. "Does Chuck know?"
Suddenly her spear point was at his throat. "What are you saying "
Harry grabbed the shaft of the spear and wrenched it to the side. "Like Daddy, like lover." He stepped in, lowering his face so that only she could hear him. "You hold the one place that can hurt her the most. Should you strike at her… your death will match her pain. And nowhere in Hell or Heaven will you be able to hide."
"Are you threatening me?" She hissed back.
"No." Harry released the weapon. "Informing you. Just as I expect you to do to me, should I betray her." He stepped back to his starting mark. "You have yet to tell me your name."
"Vagatha. Everyone calls me Vaggie." The Spear was drawn back.
"Hakon. But my friends call me Harry." He smiled.
She sniffs. "Charlie is out. Do you need anything?"
"Not really. Making sure that Blitz gets back to the office, checking in on Angel… seeing if Al can point me at a good overlord to overthrow. You know. Monday"
She blinked at him. It was a blink even with one eye, he saw two eyes close to reset the visual receptors. "Are you insane?"
Harry thought about it for a minute. "I don't think so, but sanity is not a prerequisite for my line of work or Craft. But I have been wrong before. Just Ask Stelari." He adjusted his cuffs. "After all I thought it was a good idea to put a relic on her head." He thrust his thumb at Octavia. "Took her from her Father's Heir to Master of her own Domain."
Vaggie glared at him, glared at the Owl Demon behind him, tsked and walked away.
"Did I hear something about overthrowing an overlord?" The reverb of the voice behind him and Octavia identified the Radio Demon.
Harry turned around and clasped hands with the stylishly dressed in red demon. "Al… My good 'Mon. I need to have a winter hobby."
Blitz fired off a remark that caused Angel to gasp and step back. "Bless! That hurt. Point!"
Husk made a strike on the chalkboard. The score was six to five… Angel's favor.
Alistair hummed. "I have noticed that you are collecting… hoarding others. You have shown an interest in our Angel. What would you be interested to know that his soul is owned by another?"
Harry snapped around to look at the four armed sinner. "Does the Soul remain intact?"
"The fact that he sold his soul doesn't bother you, but…" Alistar purred.
"As I understand it, the whole economy of Hell is based on the value of the Soul." Harry drummed the fingers of his right hand on the owl head of his cane, being held in his left.
Al hummed in agreement.
"So… as long as the Soul is intact, I just have to reclaim it. Correct?"
Al hummed in agreement.
"So… How does one get a soul from someone who doesn't want to just return it?"
Al hummed in amusement. "The three ways to transfer a Soul are buy, sell, and gift." The red-dressed demon grinned. "I take it that I have sparked an interest?"
"Let's just say that I plan to own his ass." Harry grinned evilly. "Some ways are easier then others."
"Storm." Two of the Owls drifted close, so that Stelari did not have to raise her voice."We have things to do."
Harry sighed. "Yes, Mistress."
Stolas smirked. "Thank you for the weekend. It was…refreshing. Come Octavia." A red penat gate spiralled open beside him.
"Harry…" the gothic girl sighed.
"Don't worry. Our time together is not over." Harry took her hands and kissed her palms. "You need time to learn your branch of Magic and bond with your Father as something other than his baby girl. As my Mistress's favourite cousin… I will be keeping an eye out for opportunities for you to visit. When Your Father declares that you have mastered the basics of your Domain… You are welcome to try to bind me as my third Contractee." He kissed her Brow. "Wind be your strength." He turned his back.
"I will hold you to that." Octavia stepped through the gate just before her Father, and it snapped closed with a snap.
"You really don't know the Female mind or heart, do you?" Stelari smirked.
"I know a few things. One, a brainy chick like her needs a goal, or she will spend months just spinning her wheels. Two, taking away her favourite toy is going to motivate her just to prove that I belong to her… Like I do you." Harry turned to look at the White Witch-bird at his side. "And unless I wedge Hermione under her for the contracting…"
"That would mean that you will be having three females screaming and begging for your attentions instead of two." The shorter female hissed. "I would beat you… but I am thinking you are beginning to enjoy it."
Harry Snorted at her, before wading into the fray, and grabbing Blitz's horns, "Angel… as always, Fuck you later." He stepped back, dragging the Imp along, through a green flame penta-gate. Stalri shook her head and followed as regally as she could.
Of course Blitz was swearing as he was drug from the bar, in the most indignant way possible.
The gate snapped closed.
Aliastar leaned on the bar and had Husker pour him a Manhattan. "So… Angel baby. How would you feel about being removed from Valentino's possession?"
"If it would be possible… it would greatly depend on who took possession." Angel sighed as he leaned on the bar, his lower arm's elbows resting on the surface, holding him up as his upper arms crossed under his fluffy bust. "Granted there are few who are worse than Val-daddy."
Al hummed in agreement.
HWHJP
Harry and company exited in the Lobby of the Naga-Corp building.
Everyone was surprised by the name on the front desk between the front doors and Lift/stairs.
"Damn, Now all I need is a Staff for the front desk and…" Harry trailed off as he watched the Parking Lot 'eat' everything but the IMP Van. "Well… that's unfortunate. Looks like I will be flexing my 'Authority' and adding to the decor. Let's head upstairs to the Office. I need to speak to my Building Manager." Harry turned and starting climbing the steps.
Stelari shifted to Hedwig and rode on Harry's shoulder.
Blitz scrambled to catch up, "Why are we not using the elevator?"
"The Building is still… coming together. The Lift is going to be the last item finished… there is still a chance that it will hold you for the night and you need to give your input on your offices."
On the seventh floor, Blitzo was the one thing he rarely is… speechless. Where the original offices were a sixth of the available floor space, now they were holding fifty percent… and the IMP on the front doors was like the emblem on the van… taken up three levels.
The Black of the Core of the letters absorbed the ambient light. Then each letter was ringed in Blood Red with a touch of blue-purple for the deep blood. That was ringed with gold. Considering that the letters were taller then Blitz and started at his chin…
The Sign was inside the glass. And the Glass, Sign and all split in twain, and slid soundlessly to the sides… only to slide back, the seam disappearing.
"Holy Fuck!" Blitz ran his fingers over the glass. "What did this cost?"
"Moxxie's Ass." Harry answered.
Millie, in the next room, glared…
Blitz nodded. "Good Value. Now where is my office?"
"Do you want a corner office, or center window?" Harry grinned at him. "Moxxie and Millie are sharing the Office by the Weapons Vault. The layout has three offices, a broom closet, file storage, a Break room, shooting range and the Reception. At this time, the unused office will be your boardroom."
Blitz scampered off to inspect the new lay out.
Moxxie and Millie approached. "There is no Office equipment." Moxxie begin. "How do we…"
"Does IMP have any money?" Harry asked.
"Not really." Moxxie glared in the direction Blitz went. "He spends more than we truly make."
"Has anyone shown up seeking to rent space?"
"A couple tried to commandeer the Ninth floor, but didn't have the down payment and refused to sign the rental agreement." The fussy Imp huffed. "The Building ate them." He looked at his clipboard, "Verosika Mayday had her Hellhound inquire about the Eighth Floor… I quoted them the price of our old office… if it was that size. He said he would be back later." If he wants to haggle you down… we can give them a ten percent discount if they pay three months up front…twenty if they can do the whole year."
Loona's phone chimed as she lounged on the bench in the break/locker room.
Harry frowned at it, before he turned to Hedwig, still on his shoulder. "I should get one of those, too."
The owl sighed, and jumped out and touched down as a human. "Oh, alright. I will spot you a phone… and IMP two office desks, a reception desk, four chairs… and a mini fridge. Luna, Millie. Heel."
Loona growled from the doorway.
"Unless you want to let 'Him' pickout…" Stelari began.
"Point." Loona lost her scowl, as she scurried to Harry's side.
"Little Dude. Take down all the info. If they try to go over your head…" He grinned. "And we need a building receptionist…"
Stelari snapped and a portal of white flame bloomed behind her. Harry and Loona followed her out into the street… into Pentagram city.
HWHJP
…Into the street… into Pentagram city.
Into Cannibal Town.
"Hmm, You look yummy." a sinner, a female ghoul, ran her finger over Harry's shoulder.
"Ma'am. Please don't touch the wares until they have finished aging." Harry flared his eyes at her.
"Ooh, Living flesh… Now I must have a taste." She leaned in… and her head fell off as Harry cast a wandless cutting spell from his Clan Ring.
"I said no touching." Harry stepped over the body in the street.
"Ah, sir?" a small child asked from his knee. "If you are not going to eat that…"
"Just get it off the street." Harry sneered as he walked on.
"You handled that well." Loona looked over her shoulder as she trailed in his wake.
"I draw the line at eating others when you have other options." Harry adjusted his cuffs. "But… Everyone needs their personal Vice and Sin. Just because I draw the Line, does not mean that the act is wrong… just not for me." He looked at her. "Take you. You spend your day on your phone and your nights at a dive bar. While you are sexually active, you are not a slut… like Blitz."
"How can you…" She growled.
"You see me licking the air every now and again? I am tasting the air. I am not as sensitive as you are, but I get more than just smell. I can't track, but I can get temperature and …" He licked the air… "Angel?" He snapped about to see the four armed, spindly sinner shaking hands with his 'fans' across the street before twisting between two burly 'Sharks' into the Performer's Entrance of Valentino's Productions.
"You know Angel Dust?" Loona whispered.
"Sorta. His Ass is on the same list as yours." Harry continued along the street.
"This list?" Her ears were drawn back.
"Personalized fuck toys." Harry turned to look at the Hellhound. "My Contract with 'Lari is awaking my drives. If you are willing… sometime after Sinsmass, I will be abusing my Lovers… repeatedly." He smiled softly. "Think about it… pup."
Her tail swished, but that was as far as it went, because Stelari had just turned into The Vox-Tech shop…
tbc