Chapter 09: First Impressions
Stolas guided Danny to the next room, where he stood by an ornate mirror. The Goetia lord's grimoire floated beside him as he flipped it open. "Alright," Stolas said with a reassuring smile. Let's get you ready for the night."
Octavia could hardly contain her excitement. She glanced between her father and friend. "I can't wait to see what you'll look like. Dad's been keeping it a secret."
Stolas smiled softly. "It's time, then. Hold still, Danny." Stolas placed a gentle hand on Danny's head. "Dissimulare." The grimoire responded immediately, its pages stopping on a specific spell.
In an instant, a wave of magic washed over Danny with a tingling sensation. He felt his body shift. When the transformation finished, Danny found himself staring at the mirror. Feathered wings sprouted from his back. His arms elongated with sharp, claw-like hands at the end. He now had the head, wings, and arms of a Snow Owl. The feathers were pristine white with subtle black markings. His lower half had the powerful hind legs of a wolf. The fur was mirroring the black and white pattern of his feathers. In the back, a fluffy tail swayed gently.
"Woah!" Not unlike a dog, he tried to catch his tail. Rubbing his face against it, he cooed. "It's so soft!"
Octavia's eyes widened in awe as she took in his new appearance. "Danny! You look amazing!" She was practically bouncing on her toes. She couldn't resist rushing over to him and ruffling the feathers on his head, laughing softly.
Danny giggled at the feeling. He took a few steps with his new limbs. It was surprisingly easy. It must have been the magic. He looked like a true demon now. "This is so cool!" Danny marveled, turning his head from side to side to get a better look. His attire had changed as well. Instead of his regular clothes, he now wore a black suit and slacks with a crimson and gold undershirt, closely resembling Stolas' formal outfit. He even had a small pin of Stolas' seal on his lapel.
Stolas observed Danny with pride. "Something to make sure everyone knows you're with me," he said, adjusting the boy's jacket slightly.
Danny turned Stolas. "So, what's my backstory?"
Stolas nodded. "Well, your father was a Goetia, and your mother was a Hellhound. Unfortunately, you never knew them. You were raised by social services."
"That's a thing?" Danny blinked with a frown. "Is that… common?"
A trace of sadness appeared on Stolas. "Believe me, Danny. Some nobles get around and don't bother with their newborns. You aren't the first of diluted royal blood and won't be the last."
Danny hummed thoughtfully as he admired his new appearance. "Oh... Well, is there anything else I need?"
"You're still young, so others won't dig too deep into seeing another half-blood." Stolas extended a hand. With a flick of his wrist, a swirling portal opened. The gateway revealed the entrance to the Goetia family's grand manor. "Shall we?" Stolas asked, gesturing toward the portal.
Danny felt anticipation bubbling inside him.
Octavia squeezed his hand reassuringly, giving him a reassuring smile. "Let's go!"
Together, the trio stepped through the portal.
#
The familiar world of Earth vanished behind him, and Danny emerged into a realm entirely unlike anything he had ever seen before.
"Welcome to Hell, Danny," Stolas said with a slight smile.
Danny's eyes widened as he took in his new surroundings. The first thing that struck him was the pervasive red hue that tinted everything in sight. In front of him was Stolas' mansion made of dark, burgundy-colored stone. It was huge. They really were royalty. Some of the building's windows even had a sun, moon, and star motif. Turning around, he saw a beautiful lawn next to a swimming pool. "This is amazing!"
Octavia giggled. "I'm glad you like our home.
Eventually, Danny lifted his gaze, and his breath caught in his throat. The sky above was like nothing he had ever imagined. The vast expanse was a deep, dark red, with streaks of black clouds overhead. And there, hanging in the sky, the pentagram moon. Just beyond the moon, Danny could make out another celestial body. If memory served him right, that was Heaven, almost like a second moon. "Woah," Danny whispered. Octavia had mentioned it before, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
Octavia stood beside him. "It's… a lot to take in, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Danny was unable to tear his eyes away. "Incredible."
Stolas placed a gentle hand on Danny's shoulder. "I know it might seem overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it. Now, let's head inside. We have much to prepare for."
Danny nodded. As they made their way toward the entrance of Stolas' mansion, he couldn't help but glance back up at the sky one last time.
#
The grand foyer was alive with activity as red-horned creatures scurried about. Their small hands moved fast, adjusting ribbons, hanging banners, and placing centerpieces.
Danny tilted his head. "Huh. So those are Imps."
Stolas nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, but let's not bother them. We wouldn't want to cause any delays." These Imps had important work to do.
As they moved further into the mansion, a pair of Hellhounds in sharp, tailored suits and sunglasses approached from the side. Danny, feeling a bit out of place in his new form, offered them a simple wave and a friendly smile.
The Hellhounds exchanged a brief glance, their brows raised in surprise. They hadn't expected a Halfblood to accompany the royal family. But they quickly dismissed any questions and focused on their job. "Prince, your wife asked us to keep an eye out for your return," one of the Hellhounds said in a gruff tone.
"She requested that you, the young mistress, and your... guest... meet her in the grand ballroom for photos," continued the other.
Stolas nodded appreciatively. "Thank you. We'll be there soon."
The Hellhounds bowed their heads slightly before stepping aside.
As they walked, Danny couldn't help but marvel at the mansion around him. There were tall, elegant windows with pink stained glass. Intricately designed vases lined the halls, each one filled with exotic, possibly carnivorous plants. Stolas really did love his plants. He even spotted Stolas petting one before giving it a treat.
The ceilings were adorned with elaborate star and moon patterns, and night sky imagery seemed to stretch endlessly above them. Stolas' glyph was carved into various places along the hallways and balconies.
The two patiently waited for Danny when he stopped to stare at paintings of Stolas' family. The Swan demon, who he assumed to be Stolas's wife, was rather pretty. He looked forward to meeting her. Some of them were quite fancy, while others were rather cute. "Oh, my gosh, Octavia. You're so small."
Danny pointed to a painting of Stolas holding a baby Octavia in his study.
Stolas giggled. "She was just over two years old since she hatched."
Octavia went bashful. "Dad..."
#
Soon, they finally reached the grand ballroom, the heart of the celebration. More Imp servants scurried about, meticulously placing decorations and setting up tables under Stella's watchful eye.
Stella finally turned away from the bustling scene and focused on the trio. "It took you three long enough to get here. The guests are about to arrive soon." Her eyes drifted to Danny, and she raised an eyebrow. "And who might this be?"
Stolas sighed. "If you recall, this is the guest we said we would pick up."
"Ah, your new student." Stella hummed before turning her attention to her daughter. "So, Octavia, this is your new... friend."
Octavia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Mom, this is Danny."
"Danny?" Stella's eyes narrowed slightly as she scrutinized the young demon. Her gaze lingered on his Snow Owl head, wings, and Hellhound hind legs. "You and Stolas didn't mention he was a... Halfblood... with a Hellhound of all demons."
"Will that be a problem?" Stolas huffed.
"That depends." Stella turned to Danny. "Introduce yourself, boy."
Danny, remembering the etiquette lessons Stolas had drilled into him, bowed politely. "It is an honor to be a guest in your lovely home, Lady Stella. My birth name is Daniel, but my close friends call me Danny. It was about a month or so ago that I became acquainted with Sir Stolas and later with Octavia. Sir Stolas was kind enough to take me under his wing for my astrological studies."
"I see," Stella assessed him with a critical eye. '... At least he's civilized, unlike some little monsters she's met.' "I don't see much of... your kind that are not in a family's service around these parts. They are usually several neighborhoods away."
"My upbringing was rather unique." The subtle jab in Stella's words went right over his head. "If I may be so bold, you're more beautiful in person than the portraits suggest."
Stella rolled her eyes and glanced at Stolas and Octavia as if checking to see if this was some kind of ploy to flatter her. However, both of them seemed surprised. When she looked back at the boy, she raised a brow at the level of sincerity. Then again, Stella was a sucker for compliments to her own ego.
"Well... thank you, young man. I'm glad someone in this house noticed. It's clear that the imps we hired at the time were incompetent. They couldn't truly capture my magnificence on paper," Stella replied in a haughty tone.
Octavia gaped at the interaction.
Stolas silently groaned at her self-indulgence.
Stella gestured to her husband and daughter. "Daniel, I'll be needing my family for a moment. Take a seat at table four while we complete some last-minute preparations."
"Yes, ma'am." Danny bowed again.
As the parents walked away, Octavia let out a quiet sigh of relief and leaned in to whisper to Danny, "I can't believe that worked."
Danny tilted his head. "What worked? I was just being honest."
Octavia patted his head. "I think you'll be just fine."
As Octavia followed her family, Danny was left alone. He absent-mindedly watched the imps go about their work. Danny didn't even notice some people approaching until one of them spoke.
"Hey, kid."
Danny turned around at the voice and smiled at the two Hellhounds. "Oh, hi again, uh, security guys."
The two Hellhounds exchanged a glance, noticing that the royals were preoccupied, and relaxed their stances. "Heh. Name's Axel," said the first, a muscular Hellhound with dark fur.
The other with a lighter shade and slimmer build nodded. "Brody."
Danny's smile widened. "Nice to meet you again, but I thought you guys were watching the front?"
Brody showed his watch. "Shift change. We'll be assigned to the princess shortly."
"For what?" Danny asked.
Axel waved it off casually. "They'll tell you soon."
"Oh, okay," Danny hummed. After a moment, he asked, "So, what's it like working with Octavia's family?"
Axel snorted, crossing his arms. "It can be a mixed bag at times. It's… interesting, to say the least. The job's got good pay."
"It just depends on who you're assigned under." Brody hummed. "The position of protecting a royal family is not so easily earned. Even then, some can be insufferable." Danny frowned. "Oh... Are Stolas and Octavia like that?"Brody blinked before he chuckled. "Those two? Nah. The kid's alright. She has a good head on her shoulders. Doesn't have that whole 'I'm-better-than-everyone' attitude. It's refreshing. Her dad can be eccentric at times, but damn can he sing."
Now Danny really wanted to see his mentor in action.
Danny nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, she seems pretty cool. I'm glad she's my friend."
Axel's grin widened. "You're a lucky kid. Not many get to be friends with royalty, especially not people like us."
Danny kicked around his wolf legs. "Yeah. The 'cool' kids at school don't like me either."
Brody huffed. "Ah, forget them. Probably can't even see past their noses."
Axel patted Danny on the shoulder. "Listen, if any of those snotty brats gives you trouble, Stolas gave us a little authority to pull them away, especially after last time."
"What happened last time?"
"They made Octavia cry." Brody shivered. "The fear on those kid's faces."
Danny nodded. "Yeah. That sounds like Stolas." He loved his daughter very much.
"If anything goes down, we got both your backs."
The boy nodded before he raised a brow. "Huh... What about Stella? You guys didn't mention her."
The Hellhounds exchanged a look. Axel raised an eyebrow while Brody let out a slow breath.
Brody chose his words carefully. "She can be... difficult. To say the least."
"Yeah. I've seen the way she looked at Stolas and Octavia. It's kinda intense for a mom," surmised the boy.
Axel let out a short, humorless laugh. "That's one way to put it."
Brody made a face. "Stella's… complicated. She can be very... verbal when it comes to things and people she dislikes."
Danny frowned, trying to piece together what they were saying. "So, she doesn't… care about Stolas or Octavia?"
Brody hesitated before answering. "Stolas? Definitely. Octavia?" He gave a so-so gesture. "It could be worse."
Axel added, "She's not someone you want to cross, kid. Stolas knows how to handle her, mostly."
"Oh... I guess that explains some things."
Brody nodded. "Just keep your head on straight, and you'll be fine."
Brody smirked. "Come on, lil' dude. Us Hellhounds, even halves, gotta stick together in the long haul."
Danny smiled along. "Thanks. That means a lot. Actually, you two are the first hellhounds I've ever met."
Axel and Brody expressed their confusion. "What? No way. Which pound did they get you from? The one in Sloth, Gluttony, or somewhere else?"
Danny tilted his head in confusion. "Pound?"
Before they could talk on the subject more, Axel and Brody quickly snapped to attention. Danny turned to see Stella and Octavia approaching.
Chapter 10: The Big Apple
Stella, Stolas, and Octavia got into position as they prepared for a family portrait. The imp servants bustled around, making final adjustments to the backdrop while the photographer set up his equipment. The photographer called out instructions and positioned them to capture the image of a perfect royal family. Stella's posture was refined and poised for a princess of her station. As the head of the family, Stolas needed to keep upright with a stern expression, showing that he wasn't one to be taken lightly. On the other hand, Octavia was made to smile politely with her perfectly groomed feathers and shimmering dress. As the daughter of the two, she was an example of what a proper Goetian heir should be.
Once the portraits were taken, Stella turned to Octavia. "Alright, darling, you will be seated over there." She pointed to a table near the room entrance. "You'll greet everyone who enters and place your gifts in the storage chest. Remember to smile and thank them for their well wishes."
"Can Danny join me?"
Stella had a pensive look. "Fine..."
The mother and daughter met up with Danny who had been conversing with the hired help.
Octavia relayed her request, and the boy obliged.
Stella led the children and the security hounds to the table. Before leaving, she adjusted Octavia's dress and smoothed her feathers. "Stay here, both of you. And remember, Octavia, this is your day. Make sure everyone knows it."
With that, Stella returned to her own table with Stolas.
Axel and Brody gave them a nod before they started managing the forming crowd outside.
Octavia took her seat, and Danny took the chair beside her. Octavia offered him a reassuring smile. "It'll be fine, Danny. Just follow my lead. Most of them are nice... enough."
Danny chuckled lightly. "Alright..."
Soon, the first of the demon royal families began to enter. The room filled with the conversation as the guests filed in. Danny was starting to notice that a lot of the demon royalty were tall.
The first family to approach was a slender demon with dark red skin and a flowing robe adorned with golden embroidery. His wife, a striking figure with horns that curled elegantly atop her head, followed close behind, and their two children—a boy and a girl—trailed after them.
The demon King bent down slightly to greet Octavia. "Happy birthday, young Princess. May your day be filled with joy and celebration."
"Thank you," Octavia replied with a bright smile. The parents raised a brow at Danny, seeing his wolf tail sticking out. Thankfully, they didn't say anything after offering their gift.
The children offered shy smiles and quick bows, and after a few more words, the family moved along.
More families arrived, each offering their congratulations, compliments, and gifts. Some were warm and genuine, others a bit more formal and reserved, but all of them took a moment to acknowledge Octavia on her special day.
Danny watched closely, noting the various mannerisms of each family.
A particularly imposing family approached in dark attire and solemn expressions. The head of the family, a demoness with sharp, angular features, leaned down to greet Octavia formally. "Happy birthday, Princess Octavia. I trust this year will bring you closer to the esteemed traditions of your lineage."
Octavia maintained her smile, though it faltered slightly. "Thank you."
Danny, sensing the shift, decided to offer his own greeting, bowing as he spoke. "Thank you for attending. It means a lot to Octavia."
The demoness glanced at him before she offered a curt nod and moved along with her family.
As the crowd in the entrance thickened, a sudden commotion caught Danny's attention. A tall, lanky figure was pushing through the crowd, his voice loud and commanding.
"Move aside! Move aside! Uncle of the birthday girl coming through!"
The demon finally emerged from the throng, his grin wide and his turquoise eyes gleaming. His appearance was striking—a peacock-like avian with a short turquoise beak and mostly white feathers. His slicked-back, light periwinkle blue hair complemented his long, gradient-colored tail feathers. His extravagant coat, adorned with shades of light blue and white details, flowed like his tail feathers, and the large, turquoise fur collar featured a design of a snowflake at the front. Beneath his coat, he wore a navy long-sleeved shirt, white pants, and navy over-the-knee boots. A turquoise ice-like crown perched atop his head.
Octavia deadpanned, "Hello, Uncle Andrealphus..."
Danny raised a brow at the newcomer. "Andrealphus is your uncle?"
Back when Danny was first reading the demon summoning book, Andrealphus was one of the demons he initially considered. He was supposedly a great Marquis with the appearance of a peacock who was loud and taught astronomy, geometry, and... quibbling. He had the ability to turn any man into a bird, making men measure everything accurately. Apparently, he was much different as a person. Danny blinked. Were they the same demons in his book? Stolas had mentioned being in his late twenties, and Danny was pretty sure the names of the Ars Goetia were much older than that. 'Huh...' He would have to ask Stolas about that later.
"Unfortunately..." Octavia muttered under her breath.
Andrealphus, a member of the Ars Goetia, Stella's brother, and by extension Stolas' brother-in-law and Octavia's uncle
Andrealphus gasped in mock hurt. "Oh, don't be like that, Octavia. Remember when I made it snow for during our last winter solstice celebration."
"You froze the floor to make me slip before dropping a massive snowball on me. You even did the same to my dad!"
Her uncle waved it off. "It was all a jest. What do you young ones call it? A prank!"
"What a jerk..." Danny muttered. 'Thank whatever god that I didn't summon him.'
"What was that?!" Andrealphus got up close to Danny. His eyes glowed blue, sizing up the young lupagriff demon. "Would you say that again, little half-breed?"
Before Danny could respond, Octavia quickly pulled him closer to her, putting herself between him and her uncle. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't try to freeze my best friend, Uncle Andrealphus."
"Best friend? Really?"
"Yes..." Octavia put her hands on her hips with her own glare.
Andrealphus threw back his head and laughed, the sound echoing through the entrance. "Oh, darling, that's hilarious." His grin widened as he rested his chin on his fingers, his expression one of mock contemplation. "Now, where can I find my dear silly minx of a sister?"
"She's at table seven with my dad..." Octavia replied, her tone flat.
"Ah, yes, him... Thank you!" With that, Andrealphus gave a theatrical wave and sauntered inside.
Danny turned to Octavia, his brows furrowed. "Your uncle is... something."
Octavia groaned. "You don't know the half of it..."
"What was that about freezing me?"
"Oh, yeah. Similar to how my dad can turn people to stone with a simple glare, he turns people into ice sculptures," she explained nonchalantly.
'That was certainly not in the book.' Danny's eyes widened. "Huh... Thanks for the save."
Octavia shrugged with a small smile. "No problem. Just stick close, and you'll be fine."
Suddenly, the room fell silent, and a ripple of gasps spread through the crowd. Danny noticed the shift. The demons, who had been mingling and conversing just moments before, now parted like the Red Sea, bowing deeply as three figures made their entrance. Danny tilted his head in confusion as he watched the procession.
The Morningstars had arrived.
The other royal families bowed even lower. Some bowed out of respect for his power, others out of sheer obligation, and a few out of a fear that bordered on paranoia. It was nothing new, but it always left a sour taste in his mouth.
Hell's royal family approached the table as Octavia and Danny rose from their bows.
"Oh, wow!" Charlie gushed at the grandiose decorations. "This is lovely! You have such a beautiful home!"
Lucifer smiled at his daughter. Charlie's enthusiasm was infectious. Meanwhile, his wife kept a neutral expression. He internally sighed. 'Come on, Lilith. I don't want to lose us...'
Noticing the attention, Stolas and Stella quickly made their way to the entrance.
"King Lucifer." Stolas bowed deeply. "Queen Lilith, Princess Charlie, we are honored by your presence at our daughter's celebration."
Stella followed suit. "It is a pleasure to have you here."
Charlie stepped toward their daughter with a bright smile. "Happy birthday, Octavia! Aren't you two adorable?! I'm so happy to be here!"
Octavia's cheeks flushed, and she curtsied. "Thank you, Princess Charlie… it means a lot that your family came."
The princess ruffled his hair. "Well, I hope you have a wonderful night too.
Lucifer turned from her parents. "We wouldn't miss it. A tenth birthday is a special occasion, after all. Happy birthday."
Lilith extended a hand, presenting a small wrapped gift. "For you, child. A token of our goodwill." Lucifer gave her a slight nudge. "Happy birthday."
"I hope you like it," beamed Charlie.
"Thank you, your Highness." Octavia handled the gift like glass as she placed it along with the others.
Stolas smiled. "We are deeply grateful. Your generosity is most appreciated."
Lucifer's gaze then shifted to Danny, who had been standing silently beside Octavia, trying his best to be invisible.
Lucifer's attention then went to the young Lupagriff. "And who might this be?"
Danny quickly bowed. "M-My name is Daniel, Your Majesty. I'm... a friend of Octavia's."
Lucifer's lips curled into a small smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Daniel. You know, I knew a Daniel many years ago."
Danny blinked. "Oh, what happened to him?"
"He got visions of the future."
"What'd he see?"
"The apocalypse."
"Oh..."
Lilith regarded him with a quietly while Charlie beamed at him. "It's nice to meet you, Daniel!"
Danny couldn't help but smile as well. "Well, it's an honor to meet you all."
Lucifer chuckled softly. "Thank you, but tonight is about Octavia, so let's make sure she has the best birthday possible."
Lilith and Charlie nodded in agreement, and with that, the Morningstars moved on to mingle with the other guests.
As they left, Danny let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The same went for Stolas, Stella, and Octavia. "That was... something."
Stolas wiped his brow. "Indeed." He turned his head to his wife. "You didn't tell me Lucifer was going to be here."
Stella groaned back. "I didn't know either. It's become a formality at this point. We always send an invitation to them, and they never show up!" She took a breath. "In any case, we need the servants and a proper table arranged for them. Come, Stolas!"
The prince rolled his eyes. "Yes. Yes..."
Octavia laughed nervously. "Not a bad impression with the Royal Trio, huh, Danny."
Danny turned to Octavia, his heart still racing. "That's one way of putting it.
Chapter 11: Taste of the High Life
Axel and Brody closed the front door. After what felt like an eternity, Danny and Octavia finally finished greeting all the guests who entered the grand ballroom. To be frank, after talking to the Morningstar family, everyone else was much easier to talk to in comparison. Each royal invitee walked forward, offering their typical well-wishes and gifts to Octavia. She did her best to handle the social obligation properly, but Danny noticed at times that she strained a smile when a particularly rude royal family came. To the birthday girl, it was exhausting.
On the other hand, Danny simply nodded politely and smiled occasionally, not wanting to cause his friend any undue stress.
Once the final guest was seated, Octavia let out a soft sigh. She turned to Danny. "Well, that's over with," she muttered.
Danny chuckled lightly, nudging her with his elbow. "You looked like you were about to strangle that last kid. The Raum family, was it?"
"Yeah... He was a total brat when I was forced to his birthday. Kept stealing my stuff." Octavia gave a reluctant glance toward the table where Stolas and Stella were already seated. It was near the head of the room alongside the Morningstar family. Clearly, her mother wanted to be seen in a good light with the King. She looked back at Danny, offering a quick shrug. "I'll catch up with you after the toast, okay?"
"Sure thing," Danny said with a smile.
With that, Octavia made her way toward her parents, who were mumbling at each other. She took a seat between her father and mother, and they immediately quieted.
Stolas sent her a thankful glance while Stella rolled her eyes. Octavia was used to it by now.
Meanwhile, one of the waitstaff directed Danny to another table near the far end of the ballroom. Due to the other reserved seats, Stella decided to place the boy with the other children whose parents either didn't want them seated at their side or didn't want to deal with the responsibility of watching them throughout the evening. The group around the table was a mix of awkward, bored, or mischievous-looking kids. The ballroom quieted as the final guests took their seats.
Danny sat down and glanced around the table. A snake-like demon child gave him a curious look, while a young lynx boy was already fidgeting with the cutlery, clearly not thrilled to be here.
Before any conversation could spark up between the children, a loud chime rang throughout the ballroom.
Stolas and Stella rose from their seats, drawing the attention of all present. All heads turned toward them and quieted. Stolas held a glass of deep red wine in his hand, and Stella held her own glass of champagne.
Stolas raised his glass. "Ladies and gentlemen, we gather tonight to celebrate a very special occasion: the birthday of my beloved daughter, Octavia. She brought us more joy than I could imagine."
The room gave a polite applause toward the girl.
Octavia expressed a shy smile but was grateful nonetheless.
Stella chimed in. "Let us extend our deepest gratitude to the Morningstar family for their presence today."
Lucifer offered a charming smile while Lilith nodded gracefully. Charlie waved cheerfully at the birthday girl.
Stella bowed. "Tonight, we also affirm our relations as one of Hell's most distinguished families. We all have a legacy and a standard to uphold."
There was a murmur of agreement.
Stolas lifted his glass higher, prompting the room to follow suit. "May this year bring her happiness. May her light continue to shine brightly in our lives."
Stella raised her glass. "To Octavia."
The room echoed with "To Octavia!" as everyone raised their glasses in unison, clinked, and sipped their drinks.
Danny raised his glass of juice at his table of misfits and glanced at Octavia. She smiled back, a little red from the attention.
The servants moved through the room as the glasses went down, bringing out the first course of appetizers.
Danny watched as the table was served a mix of familiar and bizarre foods.
On one side, there were demon crab claws drizzled with spiced hellfire sauce, slivers of shadow fruit served with a side of abyssal cheese, and blackened soul scallops garnished with edible obsidian shards. Adults nearby called it Hell's finest.
He picked up a fork and tentatively tried a bite of the deshelled crab. It wasn't that bad. Maybe it was an effect of the Polymorph, but he shrugged. Thankfully, there were plates of caviar, pork, beef, and freshly baked bread rolls. After finishing his crab, he went for the meat. The steak was rich, perfectly seasoned, and surprisingly tender. 'Way better than those steakhouses Dad likes to go to.'
As he reached for a bread roll, he caught sight of something that made him pause—a kebab lined with roasted mice. His eyes widened, and he blinked in disbelief. Are those seriously mice?
Danny's brow furrowed as he watched one of the kids, who had a snake-like lower body, happily crunch down on the skewers without hesitation.
Danny kept to himself as he listened to the idle chatter around him. It wasn't that much different from lunchtime at school. It was mostly about the birthday party and who was wearing the best outfit. Danny picked at his bread roll, only half-listening, when another demon child, this one with bird-like features like himself, piped up from across the table. "You should try the mice at least once."
"Yeah," the snake kid chimed in. "They're fresh..."
Danny laughed nervously. "Uh..." Well, he was part bird demon now. That had to count for something. Slowly, he picked up a kebab and bit into it with his beak. Upon the first bite, he blinked. "Huh..." He chewed again before taking another bite. "Not bad."
"Told you."
#
As the demons finished up the first course of food, Stolas stood up and walked to the front of the room, where a small stage was set up. He held a microphone, and with a clearing of his throat, the chatter of the crowd hushed. "Ladies and gentlemen, before we indulge further in tonight's festivities, I had planned several special somethings for the occasion."
On the side, Stella pressed a hand to her face. "Oh no..."
Meanwhile, the others were intrigued.
Stolas smiled. "You see, I initially intended to rent out the Loo Loo Land's Robo Fizzarolli from the Greed Ring for tonight's entertainment. My daughter absolutely loved Loo Loo Land. She would cry such tears of joy at the circus show!"
"Oh no..." At the mention of Robotic Fizzarolli, Octavia visibly tensed. She could feel the blood drain from her paling face as old memories came flooding back.
She still remembered that day. She was in a neon-lit circus tent. Imp children who were all too eager to shove her pushed her to the edge of the stage. The air smelled of fried snacks and metallic grease as the larger-than-life robotic clown cackled above her, sparking. Its hollow, mechanical eyes glowed, staring directly into her soul.
The excited squeals of the other children drowned out her whimpers as the Robo Fizz loomed closer. Octavia trembled in the crowd, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She hated that clown.
#
Unseen by others in the room, the Morningstars seemed to brighten at the prospect. Lucifer loved attending the mortal circus during his time on Earth away from Hell. It celebrated the strange and weird while putting on a show. It was so great that he brought the idea to Hell. Earth's circus ringmasters inspired part of his current outfit. It helped give him an air of pizzaz. However, Lucifer rolled his eyes at the mention of Mamon's theme park. The King of Hell would never understand why he allowed his fellow Sin to make what is basically a rip-off of his far more famous and popular Lu Lu World. Lu Lu World was one of the few times he could place his creations in the rings. In this case, it was for him to take his daughter out and have fun. He specifically made sure that the entertainment there was fair. Otherwise, the kids wouldn't have fun. Only a select few sinners were allowed in his park. In contrast, Mamon paid no concern to how the stalls scammed the attendants. All that mattered was that he made money. Still, he had met the original Fizzarolli, which the robots were based on. He seemed nice. Hung out with Ozzie a lot in his ring. They keep denying that they're dating, but Lucifer knows love when he sees it.
#
Oblivious to Octavia's inner trauma, Stolas continued. "Unfortunately, due to an altercation with a clown co-worker on-site, he was sent in for repairs and was unavailable." Additionally, any replacement Fizzies wouldn't be ready in time, and the original Fizzarolli was unavailable for bookings today. He waved a hand dismissively. "But fear not, dear guests, for I have decided to step in as tonight's ringmaster!"
Octavia blinked back to reality. "Huh..."
Stella narrowed her eyes. "What?"
Danny grinned. This is what they were preparing for the past month.
Stolas gave a grand, theatrical bow, clearly enjoying himself. "After all, I've seen enough circus performances over the years to have picked up a thing or two."
He thought back to his father, Paimon, taking him to a circus. His first time at the circus was spoiled by the news of his engagement, which had left him brooding and bitter. Still, what had turned the day around wasn't the circus itself. It was the imp he'd met there. Stolas' lips curled slightly as he recalled Blitzo. There was something about him that caught his interest. Apparently, his father noticed and decided to rent out the imp for a playdate. Blitze was so much different from the high-society affair. His first friend taught him how to have reckless fun for the first time ever. Granted, Blitzo had stolen much of his father's treasures at the time, but Stolas didn't care. Those were easily replaced.
The imp had opened the proverbial door beyond the rigid expectations of his royal upbringing. While he still cared for his books and scholarly nature, he soon learned to appreciate living without a filter. He hadn't seen Blitzo since. After realizing his home was robbed, Paimon had banned him from seeing the imp again, yet that brief friendship left a lasting impression on Stolas.
He snapped back to the present and continued speaking. "Tonight, we will bring that same excitement to you all."
Octavia seemed to have calmed down a bit after hearing that Robo Fizz wasn't coming.
Stolas turned to Danny, who gave him two thumbs up and encouragement.
"And now," Stolas said, clapping his hands together, "without further ado, let the festivities begin!"
The crowd applauded politely, excited. The lights in the room dimmed. The next thing the crowd heard were chants and a drum beat.