astr-owl-ogist

[astr-owl-ogist]

He took a sip of the tea first, before deciding what it needed. A little sugar would suffice, since he was still processing what had happened to him in general, let alone today. His tension was slowly draining. "Safely is probably wisest, especially since you haven't been 'in the game' so to speak for a while." The former prince felt far more at ease, especially with the reassurance that he would be permitted to contact his friends.

"Thank you, your majesty. I wasn't going to initiate the subject, but yes. King Satan made... rather bold claims during the proceedings that didn't match what I had learned from a young age. It should all be in the transcripts, and recordings, since he had it broadcasted. It was shortly before he sentenced me."

He smiled faintly before quietly adding, "It may sound strange, but I'm actually a little glad you weren't there, sire. You would have possibly been wrapped up in the Marquis' power play."

"Right! Phones...lot more common now," His phone hadn't been too big of his life and he mostly kept it in case Charlie ever called. Otherwise, most of his correspondence came through letters. "You may keep your phone. Though I can't always attend all christenings, I believe I attended that of your daughter's. I wouldn't want her to not be able to reach you."

He reached for a bell and rang it and in a moment, a servant came in with a tea tray prepared for two.

"I'm sure my staff won't have much trouble reaching out to your previous chefs and get some notes," He said as he prepared his own cup to his liking. He took in the Goetia in front of him, trying to read as much as he could and putting name to previous memories. Rituals and ceremonies that were mandatory usually had him leading in some way, and after a while it all blurred together. And that's without addressing his depressive episodes. So in many ways it was like strangers meeting properly for the first time. Not much pretext or being govern by rules of etiquette. Well...not as much as usual.

"I cannot undo all of what Satan has ordained. I mean, I could...but that would lead to far too much trouble. And given some of the other issues I'm trying to keep at bay, I want to play this...differently. Safely.

"I was not informed about your trial. Not as the other Sins were, anyway. I'm sure there's some sort of 'invitation' lost or mixed in with other mail of mine. It was a play of Satan that I don't care for. So...I suppose it could be an act of rebellion...inspired by my daughter's character to proceed with kindness. She wants to do her best for her people and...I should be more like her.

"You are, technically, under house arrest...but under Morningstar House arrest."

[astr-owl-ogist]

Stolas sighed and took the bowl back. “You’re a child.” Still, encouraged by the man’s mirth he held it up and gave a better “Aaaaaaaaa!” before offering it back, a smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

It was a simple, silly thing to do.

Vassago grinned even wider and stepped back more into Stolas' field of vision. "Of course not my friend, allow me to make it up to you by laughter." Vassago said as he picked up an empty bowl and lifted it to his beak. "Aaaaa!" Vass grinned and offered it to Stolas if he wanted to echo the childish endeavor.

Stolas took a breath and let it out in a huff before accepting the bowl and letting out a soft “aaaaa” into it and offering it back.

[astr-owl-ogist]

“Does… that one.. even have a revolver?”

"The weapons I sell are louder than God's revolver and twice as shiny."

[astr-owl-ogist]

"I believe he will help you. The prince and I were... as close to friends as one can have in that position. He has to stay away from me, and I understand. One day, perhaps, we can speak again." A terse smile. "Perhaps he can help me prove Striker lied to six of the Sins under the obvious direction of the Marquis. Perhaps he can help me prove I acted to protect the Sins from an incorrect execution. My supposed master plan was simply to allow an imp to have his own business, which would later be endorsed by a Sin."

He huffed a sigh. "I.. am sorry. For putting you in this position. And I'm trying to clear my name, to take the burden back. This wasn't what I foresaw happening to us. This.. shouldn't be happening, you were supposed to have so much longer to prepare."

Stolas knew better than to push much further. But he would softly add, "Octavia, I will always be a resource you can call on. How to perform duties, insights into the dispositions of the other royals. Especially at first, before you know them yourself. Or fine points of wording or law. As Princess it will be your right to demand service of any commoner you choose, after all. And I would choose to serve you, happily, in any way I can ease your burdens."

He paused before asking, "Is.. there anything else you need me to explain? Any other way I can help you today?"

He wanted to shout that he loved his daughter. He wanted to hug her close. He wanted so badly to make it all better like when she had a bad dream as a child. But he wanted to make sure she was ready for it.

As her father began to explain some of the politics in more detail, Octavia found herself listening intently. While she agreed with her father's method of cooperation and compromise, the princess could also see the benefit of her uncle's way of doing things. Either way one needed to manipulate and watch out for manipulation, and there would be times and places where one method would work better than another. Perhaps it would benefit her to learn from both her father and her uncle. "I see. I'll keep that in mind."

"...so you believe wholeheartedly that Prince Vassago would help?" She recalled how the parrot had stood up to her uncle in court, and that alone began to sway her mind and thoughts. "If that's the case, then I suppose it wouldn't hurt to reach out. He is a fellow royal, and if something happens I will need people on my side to help me." Cooperation and compromise.

When her father mentioned how proud of her he was, a part of her felt happy. Still, the sting of betrayal continued to linger, and it would be some time before she would be able to fully trust him again. Not to mention that she now no longer had a choice in such matters; she had to come into her own and take over for her father at some point, so shouldering all of this was inevitable. It was just shitty how this all had to come about.

"...thanks, I guess."

[astr-owl-ogist]

When the contract was held by the demon he easily pulled it in two as if ripping it but in fact offered out a full copy to the sinner for his own reference and records. "Very much so. I now own your labour for forty hours a week, and you have a room in the servant wing. We'll find an empty space to be your laboratory, though it may be in the basement." The contract would glow and be filed in a drawer by Stolas' magical ability.

He smiled. "So. Upgrade. Shall we do a tour of the inside of the estate or would you like some petty cash and directions to the nearest electronics store?"

"Fair enough, I suppose." Upgrade would reach up to prick one of his thumbs, seeing the blackish-red liquid begin to seep out. He then lowered his hand to press it against the paper beside his name, confirming his identity.

"There. I believe that should be sufficient, hm?" He rolled up the contract and handed it over to Stolas. "Everything should be in order now, right?"

[astr-owl-ogist]

Stolas winced slightly at the sharp start to the Duke's command. But the tiniest amusement turned up the edges of his mouth. "Crystal clear, your grace, but I must beg your pardon on a single issue." His hand rested on the fluff of feathers sticking out of his burgundy sweater. "This.. is the most formal attire I have acquired in my time away from court. I'm afraid that while my employer is generous for the role I play most of my money has gone to basic grooming supplies and towards my portion of bills."

The clothing was far from Goetic standards. It didn't really flatter him at all, and was far too simple to be considered formal dress. "If I may be excused from the formal dress code it would be a great relief. I don't want to disrespect your estate or your command." He looked up at the blue-eyed duke with a slightly intense expression. "I would, of course, be honoured to dine at your grace's estate."

Away from prying eyes. Where he could be ordered to act without regard to status, which would mean he could unload about the Marquis' treachery in the courtroom. Hopefully his former subordinate had realised Stolas' hesitancy could be removed in those circumstances.

Jayael frowned as he leaned over the desk, eyeing the salad with the sort of disdain usually reserved for enemy treaties or spilled ink on ancient manuscripts. The greens were pale. The croutons looked like they'd given up on life. And the dressing—despite being on the side—smelled like it had never seen a decent herb in its existence.

He tapped a clawed finger thoughtfully against his chin.

So. Stolas wanted him to play rank. That much had been made clear. The bow. The formality. The refusal to make eye contact. If that’s what Stolas needed to keep up appearances—and to keep himself safe—then Jayael would follow that script. But he would absolutely be writing a few lines of his own.

With precise, formal sharpness, Jayael let his clawed hand rest flat on the desk and leaned forward ever so slightly. The room chilled just a degree, like a silent ripple of magic had passed through.

“Citizen Stolas,” Jayael said, his voice projecting with the polished edge of court command, “you are hereby ordered to be ready at five p.m. sharp. You will be collected by escort and conveyed to my estate for a formal dinner. Am I clear?” He asked, aquamarine eyes narrowing with subtle amusement.

Moxxie’s mouth opened—then shut—then opened again as though his brain was struggling to keep up with the sharp left turn this conversation had taken.

[@astr-owl-ogist

[astr-owl-ogist]

Why the fuck are you 30+ on tumblr

this is my house?

[astr-owl-ogist]

@cyberneticlagomorph replied to your post “...how many money for your shed feathers”:

But soft :c

​Well, yes. But also made of Goetic demon.

[astr-owl-ogist]

...how many money for your shed feathers

Oh, well. I don't sell them. Demon parts can be.. dangerous in the wrong hands. Even ones in exile.

[astr-owl-ogist]

In the aether of infinity between the worlds, witnessing the flow of time and energy of the abyss, cataclysmic clashing of interdimensional energies giving rise to microcosmic universes that end in seconds. Natural surges in these events drew farseeing scrying from several dimensions, often alternates of the same powerful demons.

Stolas had grown used to one Other self in particular. He had a soft, mesmerizing pattern to his mind, different from any other Other he had encountered. Usually Stolas' alternates would simply acknowledge each other and move on with their task. Searching for this particular Other, the gently shining mind became part of Stolas' routine during these events. Spending a few quiet mental moments next to him was calming. Reassuring, when it seemed like he was also sought by his double. They would admire the beauty and chaos together for what seemed like hours before needing to part ways. Reluctantly.

But now, laying on a beat-up couch he was much too tall for, he found sleep evading him. Memories of his Aurora, for that was his private name for that spark in the darkness, and the quiet, wordless comfort they would share danced in his mind. If Aurora hadn't fallen as he had in his own Satan's court then surely by the time he regained the power to scry into the infinity again he would be forgotten. Or presumed dead. He softly sighed. He could use a bit of that simple understanding about now.

It had been months since his falling. Months since he had traveled the infinite nothing void between them. Hours he had writhed on a beaten-up old couch seeking sleep.

He hoped Aurora was safe and warm.

And more comfortable than himself.

[astr-owl-ogist]

Vassago grinned even wider and stepped back more into Stolas' field of vision. "Of course not my friend, allow me to make it up to you by laughter." Vassago said as he picked up an empty bowl and lifted it to his beak. "Aaaaa!" Vass grinned and offered it to Stolas if he wanted to echo the childish endeavor.

Stolas took a breath and let it out in a huff before accepting the bowl and letting out a soft “aaaaa” into it and offering it back.

[astr-owl-ogist]

Vassago grinned in delight as he bowed playfully. "Not at all Stolas, I just enjoy watching you turn your head like that." Vassago said as he side stepped one more step to the right to see if Stolas would track him with his 270 degree neck.

"I'm not a trained animal here to amuse you!" Complaining as he still yielded to his friend's amusement and curiousity. "Don't shame me for having more neck bones than you."

[astr-owl-ogist]

Vassago takes perverse pleasure in scattering popcorn in a circle around Stolas to watch him to the owl neck thing. "Irse!" (Go!) :)

“Vassago, my friend, why are making a mess with popcorn? Is this a new sinstagram challenge I am unaware of?”

[astr-owl-ogist]

//Do it! I have packets of white cheddar, Doritos, and Cheetos flavored popcorn at home, they’re so good! And reasonable amounts of carbohydrates!

(Heh, all @astr-owl-ogist 's fault. Kind of want to break open my white cheddar popcorn now. :)

[astr-owl-ogist]

//Update: my suffering has ended, the Doritos flavored popcorn did the trick. :)

//I ate a presliced apple because I'm at work and have limited options. It tasted like the apple flower end on top of the apple flavor. My lemonade didn't get rid of the dusty/leafy flavor from my mouth. This may be a job for dorito popcorn. I was saving it for dinner time but..

[astr-owl-ogist]

//I ate a presliced apple because I'm at work and have limited options. It tasted like the apple flower end on top of the apple flavor. My lemonade didn't get rid of the dusty/leafy flavor from my mouth. This may be a job for dorito popcorn. I was saving it for dinner time but..

[astr-owl-ogist]

He was.. a guest? That didn't seem possible. Perhaps that was a euphemism his majesty used. "Stationary.. Oh. Should I turn in my hellphone, then?" Holding it out, with no expectation that it wouldn't be taken from him.

It would be easier to control what the outside world knew if the former prince couldn't contact it without permission, after all.

"I don't want to make any trouble for you, Sire, but a bracing cup of pick-me-up is hardly ever amiss. Let alone after such a comedy of errors."

His crimson and white eyes would stray from the handsome king to the shelves and shelves of books. He didn't feel worthy to have this audience, having lied in court to six of the sins. Even if it had been for a good reason and he had good reasons for loaning the grimoire, he technically broke demon law to protect innocents from those who were lying.

But without evidence he couldn't do a thing. And perhaps might remain punished even if the truth comes out, as he did also violate the law by lying.

Quietly he'd speak. "I'm uncertain of what foods I can safely eat, other than rodents that my staff used to import from farms on Wrath. Koi, a very small number of vegetables, perhaps. My chefs have taken care of most of my meals for my entire life. I will do my best to adapt to whatever is available."

A Goetic Owl could be an expensive pet, he mused. But if anyone could afford it, it would be the king of all Hell.

After the more informal 'meet and greet' he had with Charlie and her...staff at the hotel, this was a welcomed form of greeting. Reminded Lucifer of what he knew and of better times when even in this hellish realm there were laws and order that made sense. He blinked a bit in surprise at the request, but given the sort of colorful characters Charlie's managed to surround herself with, he supposed it wasn't too much of a longshot that others would too. Royals would be a fascinating thing for regular Sinners.

"You're my guest, and you'll enjoy the privileges of one. They may not all translate to what you were previously used to but stationary and a quill are very much within reach. Would you like to do so now or would you care for a cup of tea first? I can only imagine the rough treatment after facing a trial led by Satan..."