Just Checking Up! Part Forty-Two: A Desire For Silks!

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“Mistress Silks!” A polite female voice called out, a four foot eleven cat demon stumbled out of the closet door. “I need your h-” Cocking her head at the sight of me in my simple black long sleeve shirt and jeans, the lack of Silks pissed her off. Sniffing the air, this pipsqueak was one of the Seven Sins. Light orange cat ears pinned back, her matching fluffy cat tail stiffening. Angry light orange cat demon eyes simmered with pure rage, my brow cocking in response. Fussing with her equally as orange bob, her fingers fiddled around with the fringe of her bangs. Curling her inky lips into an impatient snarl, her midnight black fingernails captured my sharp eyes.

“She took the day off, so what do you want?” I inquired calmly, my old man making his way downstairs in one of his fancy black embroidered suits. “No offense, family time is hard to come by. How about I assist you? That is as long as Musette isn’t involved. These files can wait after all. Hell, the former king can make a special appearance as well.” Mulling over my offer, a brisk fine escaped her lips after the word files in a most amusing confused tone.

“Musette is probably hibernating while some fool builds her a pair of new legs!” She snapped hotly, her arms folding across the top of her torn light orange leather armor dress. “Didn’t Silks tell you that she cut them off!” Recalling that detail, her boots digging at the floor whipped me into the current situation. My old man approached her cautiously, fresh hatred brewing in her eyes. Huffing as she turned her back, a low growl rumbled in his throat. What beef cooked between the two parties? Belay that, a job had to be done and my wife wasn’t losing her damn day off.

“Forgive me for coming off as a bit blunt but you two can shut that shit down. Can you tell me who the hell you are?” I requested stiffly, any warmth leaving my tone. “The others didn’t burst in like they owned my place.” Ignoring my father, her palms clasped together. Pausing in the middle of her curtsy, a tired frown planted itself on her quivering lips.

“Sorry about that.” She wept discreetly, my old man massaging his forehead to maintain his composure. “Adephagia Gluttons, the boss of the gluttony territory, is here to get aid for my territory. A few of her goons are running the crap out of it because my mother decided to let them run things. You know when our special booze became her main baby her swift hands eventually tossed me to the side.” Softening my shifting expressions, trauma darkened the intensity of her aura. Shame averted my gaze, my own monster of a mother being a worse human being and demon at that.

“If it makes you feel better, my mother was a serial killer that took me on those fun little sprees. Enough said on that subject.” I comforted her kindly, my feet sliding into my dress boots with ease. “Here I sit thinking none of us had good childhoods. Give Shal some grace, your dramas kind of spread across Hell. One demon can only do so much. Please be fair. Sorry about that horrible mother.” Covering her mouth, tiny giggles bounced off of her palms. Happy to see her lightening up, Shal hovered a few feet back to grant her a spot of space. Glancing back at his rule, he hadn’t done much due to the continuous wars between the fucking sins. Constant spats lead to endless waste of souls, no one ever learning from the rising level of blood.

“True, those feuds were something else.” She sighed jovially, her tail wagging. “Maybe you can help me make my territory presentable for her. Something in me wants to impress her. My big brother adores her and his opinion is the most valid one to abide by.” Curious as to who it was, time would have to inform me on a later schedule. Popping to my feet, Bookworth flew into my open palms. Lowering his leather bag over my head, a drop had him fluttering into his comfy spot. Motioning for me to follow her, a cross of the threshold had us in a world of crumbling Tudor style homes. Soaking in the light orange stone castle at the top of a hill, a chill ran up my spine at the sounds of chains dragging along the street. Adephagia hid behind me, her claws digging into my arms. Spinning on my heels, black furred puma cat demons towered over me by a couple of feet. Jet black steel armor shimmered on their muscular frames, dark green cat eyes glowering in my direction. Rounded cat ears flickered back and forth, those long cat growls created a rock of dread in my gut.

“Give it all up, Ade.” The tallest one threatened menacingly, his eyes narrowing in her direction. “Your mother owes an immense debt and that position will pay it all off. What is with the two bodyguards? Don’t think they can save you this time!” Clicking our joints into place, the black version of the elements swirled around our bodies. No one talked down to anyone like this, fury disintegrating the dread. Where the hell did that come from?

“How about no?” I returned simply, his sleek tail stiffening upon my voice cracking their poisoned interaction. “Did I stutter? Dad, did you hear me stutter?” Shaking his head, matching devilish smirks danced across our lips. Requesting that she get her people to safety, her bob floated up with every footfall away. Blocking any attacks with walls of water, frustration brewed in their body language. Symbols exploded from my bag, bars hardening into place. Supposing this was a death match, Bookworth blinking twice told me as such. Fantastic, I thought bitterly to myself.

Pounding towards us, claws extended from their paws. Extending their fangs from their puma shaped heads, fright rounded my eyes. Why did I lock myself into this? Right, helping out Silks brought me to this point. Sinking to my knees, a slice of my palm on a rock provided me with my ink. Every type of element whistled over my head, the symbols Bookworth taught flashed in my brain. Dipping the tip of my fingertip into the rising pool of midnight blackness, every twirl brought me closer to mimicking a spell I witnessed. Seconds from slamming my palms onto the closest symbols, a single nod had my father leaping into the air. Completing the action, symbols glowed to life. Circles began to spin, scaly spikes impaling all but the damn leader. Jumping out of the way, sparks fluttered in the air upon wild contact with one of the many spikes. Darting in between the spikes, a dig around my bag granted me access to a pair of holy daggers. Tracing the sleek hilts of them, a slight gleam shimmered on the black iron blades. Reserving my magic for a final blow, small amounts would strengthen each strike. Landing gracefully behind me, Adephagia brandished a staff made of flames. Light orange flames cast shadows across her face, words didn’t need to be said. Backing off, a toss of my daggers into my bag spoke louder than any speech could.

“Do your best to avoid my spikes.” I whispered loud enough for only her to hear, a nervous smile twitching on her lips. Grasping onto the closest one, the boss and her became balls of energy as I shrank the spikes up and down to prevent serious injuries. Inky drops plopped onto the back of my hand, the boss flying onto the biggest one. Expanding it to the point of no escape, different colors of ash floated aimlessly the second her staff smashed into his skull. Bone and brain matter painted my face, his body decaying into a pile of wet ash. Rescinding my spikes, the cage crumbled away into large piles of rust. Blasting a circle of wind in her direction, a spin had her on it. Lowering her down onto the damaged cobblestone, an apology waited on the tip of my tongue. Glancing back at my father, pride shimmered brightly in his eyes. An abrupt embrace threw me off, my back stiffening. Staring down at a sobbing Adephagia, the flurry of thank yous were much appreciated. Patting her head awkwardly, a couple of clacks announced her stepping back. Beginning to bow, my palm stopped her.

“Don’t do that. The real ruler is Silks and I personally would enjoy calling you a friend.” I pleaded comfortably, her head nodding vigorously. “Sorry about your street. Spikes do leave a trace of damage.” Pressing my sleeve to my nose, a loud hey sent our heads snapping to the left. A vermillion red haired male demon charged at me, a fiery arrow seeming ready to fly.

“Fanty, put the arrow away. He helped me get rid of my gang issue.” She blurted out desperately, his leather armor glinting in the darkening moonlight. Silks stepped out of a flurry of fire lily petals, Avery clinging to her leg. Rocking the twins back and forth, Dade accepted them without complaint. Her burgundy leather coat dress hugged her hourglass figure flawlessly, my breath hitching. Fire lilies blossomed behind every footfall, a fresh layer of guilt began to eat at me. Kicking the petals into the air, orange flames crackled into a dome around her territory. Stopping short of Adephagia, her slender fingers ran through her soaked waves.

“Apologies for not helping you. Seems my husband did all the hard work. Oh shit! I am Silks! Your brother begged for me to help you out.” She introduced herself blithely, her real smile threatening to wake up my heart. “How about we get to know each other in the c-” Cat demons in leather clothing came out of their homes, all of them gathering around her. Greeting them one by one, her throat cleared.

“Your king aided your lady, not me. Count on me to be around next time. To make up for it, questions will be answered.” She laughed lightly, everyone warming up to her. Hitting my face with a splash of water, my father wiped the small bits of skull off of my cheek. Embarrassment flushed my features, his eyes flitting between the two of us.

“Good job, your majesty. There is a king in you.” He gushed vibrantly, his fingers drumming on his thighs. “Shall we go on a little stroll?” Chewing on my bottom lip, the offer sounded nice. Looking back at Silks, her loving gaze met mine. Urging me to go on, little demons gathered around her feet. Making fire lilies for them, a dip in the water fountain had them gasping in wonder. Avery hung out close to her, pure bliss lightening the atmosphere. Ruffling his hair between passing out fire lily sculptures, her presence was all he needed. A nudge on shoulder snapped me back to reality, a familiar smirk woke up another wave of embarrassment. Trudging next to him, his lips parted several times. Breaking into a series of stories, his features brightened visibly with each passing word. Soaking it in, not many stories were too bright for me. Well, not until Silks came into my life.

Snapping his fingers, the territory blurred into our library. Landing in a couple of chairs, a tray of Orchid’s tea slid into the center of the table. Someone was enjoying the perks.

“All previous royalty has access to the library. Well, via permission. Silks granted me this much.” He informed me in a fatherly tone, his steady hands pouring us a couple of cups of tea. “Forgive me for drawing you away from our little family but I wanted to discuss a warning. Musette is doing more than hibernating. A few of my retired spies have been tending to her workshop. You know, the clean up duties. No marks result from such a damn position. They overheard her next step. She plans on raiding the greed territory next with full force. If she does that, nothing will remain.” Scanning the clock, panic shortened my breathing. Clutching my teacup to hide the swelling anxiety, true fear joined the party.

“Given the gravity of the situation, two weeks remain. Perhaps we should set up camp for the time being.” He suggested cautiously, his gaze averting to his steaming tea. “Do you think Silks would go for that type of plan? There are more hitches in the plan. Greed doesn’t like to listen nor let people in.” Tapping the side of the teacup, nothing else could be done.

“Why not ask yourself?” I asked between sips, his fingers dancing onto the table. Silks appeared in a flurry of fire lily petals, a tired smile shutting down his concerns. Plopping onto the expensive looking table, her fingers traced the patterns. Twisting her hair into a bun, a touch of sorrow lingered in her eyes.

“Sounds fine to me, Shal. Let me set up a babysitter with extreme safety measures. Perhaps, I can get through to Greed.” She assured him sincerely, her fingers playing with her loose strands. “One shouldn’t lose an entire territory due to lack of preparedness. Bonus, I can figure out another weakness to bring her down by. See you in the greed territory. Expect to see the other sins by my side. Relax before the real work begins. Hell won’t save itself.” Disappearing in the same manner, his attention returned to me. Talking about what else he could do, his words went in one ear and out the other. The very concept of being away for two weeks mentally tortured me, stress began to gnaw me from the inside. Awkward silence brewed in the air, a book slamming onto the table. Skidding over to my trembling palms, the name Musette shimmered ominously. Flipping the leather cover open, a lump formed in my throat. Her dot was moving across a map, nothing holding us back from rising to our feet.

A golden door lurched into place, the sound of casinos deepening the fright in my soul. Crashing onto the other side, a horrid sight greeted me. No more casinos remained, the last machine shutting down. Orange water dripped off of melting casinos, a single demon sobbing among all the chaos.

“All gone, all of it!” A deeper female voice cried into the rubble, Silks stumbling in a flurry of orange fire lily petals. “Sorry I c-” Shaggy golden hair flew up, ruby eyes meeting hers. Raw fury lay underneath the sympathy keeping Silks calm as she could manage. Pale hands poked out of the debris, a bit of light returning to her eyes. Working with my father to maneuver the wind, hundreds of injured demons crawling out. The tall slender female demon shivered as she collapsed to her feet, Silks leaping into healing the injured. Avery appeared out of nowhere, Silks and Dade greeting each other. Orchid and her brother began to set up tents for the healed to rest underneath, further healing occurring with her endless supply of tea. Fantasma and Adephagia began to order his blacksmiths and her building demons to work on homes for the misplaced demons. Touched by the scene, a general sense of uselessness plagued me. Everyone was playing their part, Shal pointing me to Silks’ side.

“Kings and Queens stand together, the unity looking great in these rough times.” He pointed out with a raise of his brow, my dress boots clicking over to her. Greeting me with a peck on my cheek, her compassion spread beyond healing the surface wound. Coming upon the lead Sin, her sweatshirt hovered around her knees. Fishnets and beat-up sneakers captured my attention, her painfully shy demeanor had her choking out the name Gier Golds. Cupping her cheek while looking up at her with her real smile, the anxiety refused to melt away from her body language.

“As I approached the others, I will approach you in the same manner Miss Gier Golds. Make this place your own.” She comforted her in a gentle tone, Gier clasping onto her hand desperately. “Let me cleanse your territory and we can get you a cup of tea to get you caught up. Worry not about Musette. She will pay for what she did today. Count on me for that. Think of me as a big sister if it makes everything better.” Clinging onto her waist, her chin rested on Silks’ head. Allowing the dam to burst, Avery spun over to me in his cute skull t-shirt and jeans. Sweeping him away to the tea tent, the sight of Silks’ friends gathering around her warmed up my soul. A big smile on those inky lips of Gier met hers, hope swirled into both of their aura.

Avery talking about his newly learned spells snapped me back into a happy moment with Avery, his fingers intertwining with mine. Basking in the bliss of it all, luck and time had graced us. One last look at Silks woke up one spark of concern, anger seething underneath her trembling smile. Tonight would be a good time to talk her out of doing something stupid, Avery mattering at this precise second. Showing me his latest one, a few congratulations from me pleased him further. Burying him in a bear hug, none of me desired to lose any of this. Please God, let me keep my family and friends.