Stolas and You - a one-shot story

from /hhg/ Helluva Hotel General # 1084
https://desuarchive.org/trash/thread/50639660/#50659584
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Stolas and You

Might turn out to be a one-shot, could be something longer. I haven't decided yet. For context, this is post-S1 finale, but instead of going back home, Stolas goes somewhere else...


>You cough slightly, trying to keep yourself to yourself. Clubs like this were usually frequented by people of a not so friendly persuasion and you were only looking for somewhere to get out of the rain that wasn't too expensive like most of the clubs around here.

>Why you decided to take a work night out in Lust you'll never know. Your work colleagues, including Kleetus, a big Imp with a very nasty scar across his left eye, stretching to below his lip, appeared to be hitting on some ladies who were stood around the pool table, clearly uninterested in their advances.

>You turn back to your drink and the cigarette sat smouldering in the ash tray to the side of it. You sip, trying to take your mind off the shitness of the work week that had just gone by. At least it was nearly Krampusnacht. All of a sudden, a form takes a stool at the bar to your left. Not wanting to attract its attention, you attempt to strike a glance in its direction.

>It's big, and dressed in a rather suave manner. Not right at all for this shithole you're currently propping up with your weight against the bar. The taller demon that appears to be avian sighs and puts his head in his hands and slumps.

>'Ughhhh. you're such a moron.... You shouldn't have left him like that, Stolas.'

>You sit for a few moments and digest this before deciding to open your mouth.

>'Hey pal...'

>His eyes flick to your direction.

>'Whatever it is that's happened, I'm sure you did your best.'

>The avian demon, Stolas, if that is his name, scoffs and says, 'Somehow I don't think I did, little Imp.'

>'Why?', you press your angle of attack.

>'It was a date... and it went badly. We both confronted things, and I had a chance to be there for him, but I was too scared. So I left him on his own.'
-
>'Where was it? The date, I mean.'

>'Ozzie's.'

>'That dump? I've only ever been in there once. Not my first choice of place. Too high society for me. Plus, the clown freaks me out.'

>Stolas held back a laugh at first, then let it loose.

>'I must admit, he was unsettling to me, too. I prefer the robot.'

>'Ditto.'

>Stolas went quiet, going back to his own thoughts for a time. It was too hard to bare for long.

>'So, er, what's a demon like you doing in a place like this?'

>'I needed a place to think, to be truthful. I've made a lot of mistakes as of late, and I need to do something.'

>'Well, how about a drink first?'

>Stolas' mood shifts and he smiles a devious smile.

>'Why, my little imp, I thought you'd never ask.'

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>You sit outside the club, your fingers numb, trying in vain to spark your lighter, but it's not happening.

>'Here.'

>Stolas leans forward across the table, and clicks his fingers, and a small flame emits from them, allowing you to light your cigarette.

>You respond with a kind smile, and Stolas smiles back, gently.

>You're sure that Absinthe he was drinking must have had an effect on him. He was drinking it like a trooper. Maybe he just holds his drink well.

>'How did you do that?'

>You point to Stolas' fingers, and to the lit cigarette in your mouth, before blowing some smoke and setting it back.

>'Just a simple conjuring spell. I learnt it when I was 13.'

>'Magic? I was never into that sort of thing really. Space and planets though, that's what really got me going. It's a marvellous universe.'

>Stolas' eyes lit up like an excitable child.

>'Do you like stargazing by any chance?'
-
>'Just up here!'

>You had walked for the best part of 45 minutes out of the club portion of Lust and up to the hilly portion above the metropolis, all the while talking about various topics. You found that Stolas was a veritable goldmine of information about that other elusive plane. The astral one.

>You ascended the hill and stood across from Stolas.

>'Well? What is it you wanted to show me?'

>Stolas took off his jacket and laid it on the grass and stretched out, patting beside him.

>You obliged, settling down beside the spindly demon owl.

>Stolas' hand began to glow, as a portal opened a few meteres above your heads, the light pollution from Lust's various clubs falling away as the portal revealed to you a collection of shooting stars falling in a maelstrom towards a planet.

>You looked towards Stolas, who was engrossed in watching the comets, but tilted his head slightly to see if you were paying attention and caught your eye.

>With this, he turned a beet red as he began his explanation.

>'You see, these particular comets are offshoots of a belt of asteriods called the Oort Cloud, in the human world. It's about 9.3 trillion miles from their Sun. They're all made of ice an-'
-
>You suddenly feel a nip in the air, and snuggle closer to Stolas.

>He turns even redder.

>You decide to offer him some words of encouragement.

>'It's okay Stolas, don't let me distract you. Please, continue.'

>You swear you can see hearts in his eyes.

>'W-well, Comets are usually passing close to Earth, and often cause the local humans some scares when they think one might hit. It really is most amusing.'

>You sit and intently listen as over the next few hours, Stolas explains to you the intricacies of planets in different orbits and their effects on his job.

>During a tea break, where he summoned cups and saucers from seemingly nowhere, he starts to lament the fact he can't talk about the things he loves with his daughter, Octavia, or the subject of his earlier date, another Imp, called Blitzy, as he thought it wouldn't interest anyone.

>'Well Stolas, you've had me enraptured for a good few hours here. I'd say that's at least something to pat yourself on the back about.'

>'I... I suppose so. Thank you.'

>'What for?'

>'For being here when I needed someone.'

>'Can... can I ask you something?'

>'By all means, Stolas.'

>'Could we cuddle again? It was nice.'

>You chuckle to yourself.

>'Of course we can, Stolas. For as long as you want.'

>You two settle down for the night with a blanket and chat and banter about everything under the sun until sleep claims you both. Stolas goes first. You find his hoots cute. Then slowly, your eyelids begin to fight and you find yourself falling asleep. Just before it happens, you turn your head to the form that's currently cuddling your chest with his arms and whisper,

>'Goodnight Stolas. Sweet dreams.'