4chan helluva boss story - Octavia best friend

from /hhg/ Helluva Hotel general #665.991
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>Be Octavia's best friend
>Known each other since you both were nothing more than feathery poofs
>Find her crying a few days after you both celebrate her 21st birthday
>She says she's being forced into an arranged marriage
>Same as her father was years ago
>You know how well that worked out
>Promise her that you'll figure something out
>Come up with nothing except challenging her suitor for her hand in marriage instead
>Realize you're a dumbass after he accepts
>Die if you lose, marry your best friend if you win
>Sht, better hope your friend Millie can train you within a week
-
>Millie is hesitant to give up her weekend
>"Hon, I know you can fight, 'ah just wanna know what this is about"
>Normally you'd dance around the issue, but you swallow your pride and tell her
>And then immediately regret it when her squeal nearly deafens you
>"Oh, that's so romantic! Ain't that right Mox?"
>Your face burns as she talks excitedly at her husband, and you're upset that your only feathers that aren't maroon are the ones on your face
>"Sure hon, I'll help you win your girl's heart"
>Her training, as she explains, is going to be advanced techniques
>"He's old nobility, so he has all sorts of fancy trainin'"
>And she puts you through your paces over the course of a week, the most focused move being disarming
>"Can't hurt ya without a weapon"
>When the last day rolls around, it's spent resting while the small imp gives you a peptalk
>"You love this girl, that's why you're doin' this!"
>"You're gonna kick that feathery jerk's ass!"
>"Kiss the girl!"
>You hope she's right about you winning
>You do want to kiss Octavia
>Just a little
-
>Tomorrow comes and you find yourself standing in the courtyard of the Goetia estate.
>Your parents are off to the side, the few imps your family employs almost protectively around them
>The feathered asshole's family is next to them, their faces full of disdain while smug with superiority
>Their son stands across from you, a look of annoyance on his features, as if he hates having to look at you
>He probably does, knowing how stuckup his family is
>Octavia and Stella watch from the steps, and Stolas holds two angelic swords out to you both
>"A fair duel between men..."
>The metal is cold in your hands, and the weight is obvious as you get into your own stance
>"You may begin"
>Your own sword is barely up to block a strike, and it's obvious he plans to stay on the offensive
>And so the duel goes, you defending while he strikes hard
>You can feel the sting on your break from a graze, the burn on the back of your free hand from a lucky swipe
>His cheek is bleeding from one of your own riposte seconds ago
>He's angry, if his twitching eye is any sign, and he makes his move
>You respond in kind, sword aimed to disarm him and finally end it
>He realizes too late what you're doing, and his sword clatters to the cobblestone as he holds his bleeding hand
>There are gasps at the outcome, and you bring your blade up to his neck
>You hold it there, looking into his eyes before you swing
>He recoils, holding his face as he screams in pain, bleeding from his now useless eye
>You leave him disgraced, his family reputation tarnished as you hand your own sword off to Stolas
>It's barely out of your hands as someone- Octavia barrels into you
>She's crying, and you want to wipe her tears away-
>But she's kissing you, and you freeze up, before returning it
>There's talking from the spectators, both encouraging and disparaging, but you don't care
>Not as long as you have her in your arms