Stella enjoys Augustus and Layla part 5

from /hhg/ - Helluva Hotel General #813
part 1: h ttps://pastebin.com/pPMCPmXK
part 2: h ttps://pastebin.com/6qT1LX8V
part 3: h ttps://pastebin.com/3Tb52Q3u
part 4: h ttps://pastebin.com/TpcTkD1E
Phenex A Great Marquis of the Ars Goetia
h ttps://pastebin.com/zJK3Z1HN
----
>he looked at them incredulously, as if they were intruders
>"I'm sorry, who the fk is you?" he asked, passionless
>"...We're their friends." August replied, mildly annoyed
>Blitz blinked, shook his head, and began to massage his temples with one arm
>"...I'm sorry, I just... I've so much sht on my plate right now. Like, this?" and he motioned towards the Goetias with his free arm "This is just the surface, the TIP of the frozen shtberg that I've built up over the years..."
>he shook again, finally steadying his breath completely
>when he lowered his hand, his expression was calm, but focused
>"So... Here's what we're gonna do..."
>his voice still croaked on the edge of crying, but he carried on
>"We're here, on this party... So... We're going to fk... Because that's ALL I'M GOOD FOR!"
>that sudden shouting from mid-sentence made the higher demons wince, leaving a twinge of guilt
>"So... We're gonna fk." Blitzo repeated "Because Satan knows when you've gotten some action, woman, and Stolas, you REALLY oughta remember what your OWN WIFE feels like! But then...! But then..."
>and he let out a bitter laugh, before glaring at the two of them
>"...Then, we..." and he motioned to the three of them "...Are going to talk. Because damn me TWICE if let this mess sit on me chest for the rest of my life... Now, come on!"
>and he grabbed both Stolas and Stella by the arm, staggering a bit
>"...You sure that's a wise idea?" August asked "...I mean, surely, you can--!"
>"If we keep talking like this, I'm going to be sick..." the imp interrupted him, trying to steady himself "...And besides, this is what this party is for, and, again, it's what I'm good at. Hell, it's the ONLY thing I'm really good at."
-
>summoning strength they didn't believe he had, he began to march down one of the hallways with the two stupefied owls in tow
>stopping after a few doors, and leaning against one, before moving onto the next
>...was he checking if the rooms were empty?
>finally, he reared back after the last one, an
kicked it open, pulling both Stolas and Stella inside, before slamming it shut with a bang

>as the dust settled, all the Pennas could do was stare after the disappeared trio, trying to make sense of what just transpired

>"...Well, he's... Certainly... A determined fellow..." August muttered
>Layla sighed
>"Poor Stella... And Stolas, too..."
>"I've never... Never really thought they could be hiding so much pain..." her husband replied
>both of them were feeling guilt set in
>August had known Stolas since their academy years - he always figured the young prince was just an aloof, reserved sort
>he and Stella were like water and fire, and to see them become so... Uniform, after their marriage
>in hindsight, they should've seen the signs
>as shame and guilt welled up in them, Layla sighed, wiping away some tears
>"And even that imp, too..."
>"Poor, unfortunate soul..." August added, but frowned with thought
>he recognized the imp, somewhat, but from where?
>Stella did mention that he ran an assassination business, but he couldn't recall seeing any adverts for it...
>...so... Where did he know him from?

>"At least he took the initiative..."

>both of them whipped around at the sound of the voice
>the Queen stood behind them

>"Y-Your majesty!" August blurted out "How long have you--?"
>"Long enough to see it conclude." Lilith replied, with a sad smile "Poor Blitz. Asmodeus really had it out for him with that curse..."
>"Curse?" Layla blinked "So is this really his--?"
>"It's a lottery, really." the Queen sighed "He hands out these abilities to a random sinner or demon, with no instructions, or even knowledge that they have it. And, it usually ends in tragedy..."
-
>summoning strength they didn't believe he had, he began to march down one of the hallways with the two stupefied owls in tow
>stopping after a few doors, and leaning against one, before moving onto the next
>...was he checking if the rooms were empty?
>finally, he reared back after the last one, an
kicked it open, pulling both Stolas and Stella inside, before slamming it shut with a bang

>as the dust settled, all the Pennas could do was stare after the disappeared trio, trying to make sense of what just transpired

>"...Well, he's... Certainly... A determined fellow..." August muttered
>Layla sighed
>"Poor Stella... And Stolas, too..."
>"I've never... Never really thought they could be hiding so much pain..." her husband replied
>both of them were feeling guilt set in
>August had known Stolas since their academy years - he always figured the young prince was just an aloof, reserved sort
>he and Stella were like water and fire, and to see them become so... Uniform, after their marriage
>in hindsight, they should've seen the signs
>as shame and guilt welled up in them, Layla sighed, wiping away some tears
>"And even that imp, too..."
>"Poor, unfortunate soul..." August added, but frowned with thought
>he recognized the imp, somewhat, but from where?
>Stella did mention that he ran an assassination business, but he couldn't recall seeing any adverts for it...
>...so... Where did he know him from?

>"At least he took the initiative..."

>both of them whipped around at the sound of the voice
>the Queen stood behind them

>"Y-Your majesty!" August blurted out "How long have you--?"
>"Long enough to see it conclude." Lilith replied, with a sad smile "Poor Blitz. Asmodeus really had it out for him with that curse..."
>"Curse?" Layla blinked "So is this really his--?"
>"It's a lottery, really." the Queen sighed "He hands out these abilities to a random sinner or demon, with no instructions, or even knowledge that they have it. And, it usually ends in tragedy..."
-
>at that, the Pennas shuddered
>"Luckily, it seems like recent events had shaken him up enough to start making his own luck." Lilith continued "I admit, I hoped that his priority would be to patch up a past relationship, first... But it seems like your timing had managed to force a more pressing matter to the surface."
>"Timing, yes..." August admitted, sadly "...Might as well have been the little one's "gift" from Asmodeus."
>"We should've known..." Layla added, still teary "We should've helped! We've known both of them for so long, and yet...!"

>but she fell silent, as Lilith reached up to wipe away her tears, cupping her cheek with her hand
>"You did more than anyone could've asked from you." she said, softly "You stood by the Goetias when no-one else would, and tried to help them, despite them hardly reciprocating your friendship. You've done more than enough."

>though momentarily flustered Layla's tension eased away at the Queen's words
>so did Augusts... However, that nagging feeling, at the back of his mind

>"What will become of them, then?" he asked "...And... The imp?"
>Lilith sighed
>"While I hope Blitz is successful in making his amends, and helping the two..." she began "...Stolas's loose hands with the book, to mention nothing of the series of fiascos surrounding I.M.P.'s operations had unfortunately landed both of them in hot water. Same goes for Stella over the hired assassin."

>the Pennas blanched in horror, but the Queen gave them an assuring smile
>"Thankfully, the imps haven't done anything TOO egregious, and the witnesses they've left behind can easily dealt with, even without any violence. Likewise, neither Stolas, nor Stella had broken the law TOO much... More the spirit of it. I can see reprimand down the line, and the shut down of Blitz's business..."
>she sighed again
>"In any case, those two will need some good friends..."
-
>"Yeah..." August replied, still deep in thought "...I'm sorry, that imp just stuck me as oddly familiar..."
>Lilith chuckled
>"Oh, poor Blitz has been knocked around a lot. You may have known him as one of the Incredible Imp Siblings..."
>"...Satan, now there's a name I haven't heard in a while..." Layla muttered "...Whatever became of them?"
>"...A tragedy."

>the Queen suddenly turned somber
>"...Something that not even Asmodeus could foresee, or prevent. It's what set Blitz off on such a lonely path."
>and she looked at the two upset avians
>"I understand, that you'd like to help. But this is something he will have to deal with on his own. Helping Stolas and Stella might give him the courage to face his own past, even if he isn't capable of helping them with this matter.. Like both he and Stolas have noted, the issues there are rooted in the traditions passed down from parent to child, and what they, Stolas and Stella, chose to carry."
>her hand slipped down to Layla's shoulder
>"...I had, perhaps, too high hopes, that the two of them will know how rebel within the molds they've been shaped by, without breaking them. After all, our kingdom was founded on a rebellion, and we've seen God knows how many humans, broken and passing down the pain of calcified habits and practices..."
>she looked at the two of them
>"And I'll be honest, it wasn't even WHAT Stella tried to conserve that disappointed me. It was HOW she chose to. More lessons have been lost to that than her picking bad practices of centuries past. Really, Stolas wasn't lying, she IS the smart one. But that, unfortunately, didn't translate into good communication..."

>there was a moment of silence, between the three
>then, presently, Lilith smiled again
>"But... That's not an issue for you two." she chuckled, her face lighting up "Honestly, I envy you sometimes..."
>flattered, the two avians exchanged loving glances
>"Oh, well..." August muttered "I guess we are just in love..."
-
>Lilith smirked
>"Love, huh?" she asked, as her hand slid from Layla's shoulder to her chest, while the other reached for August's chin
>"Well, I hope neither of you mind sharing that with your Queen tonight..."
>in response, all the Pennas could do was coo and growl approvingly
>however, another thought struck August's restless mind
>"...What about Lucifer?"
>Lilith paused, and then snickered
>"Oh, don't worry about him! He wouldn't admit it, but he's just as happy to share me with others as I am to share others with him. Our heart belongs to each other, still...

>aww, that's swee--wait. "Share OTHERS with HIM?"
>August gulped, and gave a nervous chuckle
>Layla hadn't picked upon it yet
>Lilith then went on:

>"And as for the Goetias and Blitz, well, we staggered our approach. I'll tell him that the issue's being seen too from the heart's side of things... And later, once they're good and ready, he'll bring down the law. But, for now, there's no need to worry about them."
>and she leaned in close, with a broad smirk
>"And trust me, we KNOW if any of you lot have been naughty or nice."

>then, suddenly, she turned around gazing up at a statue of her husband
>"Isn't that right, Phenex?í", she asked, sweetly
-
And that's a wrap for now.
I've got work to do, but I'll conclude this story, hopefully in the next thread, if it doesn't just whizz by.