Chapter Text
“There is no greater sorrow than to recall our times of joy in wretchedness.” Dante Alighieri, Inferno
In the burgundy colored halls of the Ars Goetia mansion, besides the family of bird-like demons, lived many servants who attended to the responsibilities of maintaining its beauty and function. They were mostly Imps or “lesser demons”, and the lords of the manor would pay them no mind unless for a very specific reason. One of them, who will be the focus for this story, was the personal butler for the family. An imp of small stature and meek presence, named most oddly for a man of his status, Pringles. He had faithfully served the family for many years, in spite of how little thanks he received for the job, and bearing witness to the painful decline of the loveless marriage between Master Stolas and Mistress Stella. And recent events had made his current predicament even more uncomfortable. But today he was hoping to avoid thinking about it as it was time for afternoon tea and he needed to get it ready.
“There we go. Tea is hot and tanned, the pasties and sandwiches are complete, sugar stacked neatly, and all the jams and clotted cream they could want. It’s perfect.” He said with a small sense of pride and contentment.
“YOU FILTHY FUCKING MANWHORE!” Stella roared loudly as she burst into the kitchen like a hurricane.
A vase came flying into the room and smashed into the wall. Pringles ducked down quickly to avoid getting hit by it.
“Stop it Stella! You’re making a bigger mess than usual!” Stolas said as he rushed in with a worried expression on his face. “Oh dear! That was one of grandmama’s heirlooms! It was over 500 years old!”
“SO A STUPID VASE IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN OUR MARRIAGE!? OUR REPUTATION!? OUR PRIDE!?” Her posh, ritzy voice turned into a fowl screech.
“I fail to see whenever we had that in the first place.” He said sarcastically.
“RRRAAAWWW!!!” Stella lunged at Stolas and began to rattle his neck. “YOU FUCKING WANKER! YOU FUCKING PANSY! YOU BLOODLY BUMHOLE BUGGER!”
“Huukkk! You call this choking? I’m not even getting an erection from it!” He cracked out
“AHEM!” Pringles said as he stepped his foot down on the floor with an angry expression.
The two stopped fighting. Pringle spoke up again in a polite but stern tone.
"When you two are done bickering like children, your afternoon tea is ready."
They got up off the floor, steam could be seen coming from Stella's ears, "What did you say?!" Her firey rage strained her voice from yelling. "Am I really going to take orders from a miserable pipsqueak?"
“When have I not heard that one before? And I’m simply saying that proper ladies don’t behave like that. And besides, tea time is always at three o'clock sharp.”
“Hmmmp! Well unfortunately for you I have no intention of sharing any teatime with that disgusting creep.” She crossed her arms and pouted.
“And likewise I won’t either. Still the platter looks very scrumptious. Well done sir…um...persimmons? Posies? Pigeon? Oh wait I got it! Kringle!” Stolas patted him on the head after boldly stating the last guess.
“It's Pringles sir.” his face had a look of annoyance over how his employer couldn't even remember his name.
“Oh right sorry.” Stolas was slightly flustered.
“Tssk. Are you always going to suck up to those lowly imps? Pathetic.” Stellas voice dripped with spiteful dismissal.
"Well they show far more respect than you do, In more ways than one~." He remarked with a cheeky look on his face as he looked down at his servant.
“Gulp. Eeehhh you don’t mean…'' Pringles face turned pink against his red skin.
“Grrr! You and your bloody sex jokes!” Stella growled loudly. “Wait a minute. I want to know what you were doing on the night of the incident?” She walked over to Pringles and stared down at him.
“Uuhhh, ma’am I’d rather not answer. The food is getting cold.” Pringles said sheepishly and shyly. She has a certain way of making him feel extremely uncomfortable and powerless when she really pays attention to him.
“Oh you're not gonna walk out of this one. Now tell me, were you aware that your master was sleeping with an Imp right behind my back? Or perhaps you were conspiring with them too?” She said as she lifted him off the ground and dangled from one of his arms.
A chill on the back of his neck grew as he felt her stared daggers into his eyes.
“No no no no! I had no such involvement with any of it! I was far too busy dealing with the party and handling your drunken guests to notice. As a matter of fact the Imp was caught by security beforehand. He could have simply been tossed out by then. I only figured it out when I was cleaning the sheets that morning.” He pleaded with fear in his voice as his whole body shook all around him.
“Hmmp! And are you absolutely sure?” Stella asked bluntly.
“Yes! I mean it! It’s not my fault your knickers remain as dry as the day they were sewn.” He blurted out subconsciously and then almost immediately regretted it. ‘Oh dickens, what have I done!?’ his mouth agape and a chill going down his neck.
“RAAAWWWHHH! I’ll have your tongue out for this you stupid bastard!” Stella screamed and shook pringles around violently, until in a fit of rage and cruelty she tossed him in the direction of the large carnivorous plants that Stolas had been cultivating. As he flew towards it, the plant’s jaws snapped around his head and began to lick him with its tongue.
“Aaaahhh!!!! Nhhhhh!!! Get it off! Get it off!” His muffled screams could be heard inside the beast's mouth as his legs kicked around back and forth.
“Ah! No no no! Bad plant! Imps are not food! You spit him out this instant!” Stolas said while rushing towards him.
He grabbed his thin legs as he tried to pull him out as hard as he could. His feet skid on the ground and he and Pringles were being swung around the room at high speeds as they slammed into the walls. Meanwhile Stella was watching with an awfully smug grin on her face. Eventually the plant finally spat them out and tossed them into the air and back down onto Stella in a massive heap.
“Uuhhh…are you alright little one?”
“I think I know what it's like to be inside someone…and not in the way I’d want.” Pringles groaned.
“Get the Hell off me you two!” Stella shoved them off as she stood up.
“Stella, what were you thinking? He could have died and you know how expensive it'll be getting a new butler half as experienced as this one!”
“Whatever. I'll be having my tea far away from your scrawny twig arse.” Stella said as she walked over to the table and got her platter. “As far as I'm concerned you can dine with the common rabble as much as you like.” She walked away soon after.
Stolas gave her a look of pure contempt while she left. As pringles got up he breathed heavily as he got up from the floor and looked away from Stella's direction. He truly feared what her wrath could bring to him and what cruel punishments awaited. He clutched his arms around his body and rubbed his hand on his head. Stolas then looked at him with sympathetic eyes.
“Come now she can't hurt you. And we wouldn’t want all this good food to go to waste.”
“Yes sir.” He said despondently.
For a few minutes after the argument, the two of them sat down and ate the meal together in silence for a few minutes. Eventually Pringles spoke up.
“Sir, pardon me but I must speak frankly with you.”
“Proceed.” Stolas said plainly.
Pringles then took in a deep breath before unleashing his pent up fury.
“That spoiled twat can choke on it for all I care!” He loudly clanged his tea cup on the table.
“Oh my! I wasn’t expecting such language to come from your mouth. Or any speech for that matter, you haven't been the most vocal.” Stolas said while putting his hand up to his mouth. He had never seen him so angry before.
“Well I have to be with her around. I swear if a tree fell in the forest and no one was there to hear it, she would demand god itself answer for it. If only he’d answer by striking her down where she stood. ” He said as he sipped his tea loudly in frustration.
“Yes yes I know that. Unfortunately I don’t think I have it in me to kick her out. Especially with all the terrible things she’d do if I tried. I just…can’t make things worse for me and Octavia. I just….” He sighed heavily. He was unable to finish his sentence due to his conflicted feelings.
“The further you delay the inevitable, the worse it’s going to get. I just can’t stand to be around it for very long. And especially not for six weeks straight!” Pringles' voice sounded sad and defeated.
“Oh good heavens. Well what does all this venting even mean? You're normally not this vocal about it.” Stolas was deeply shocked to see how much this drama was doing to the well being of his staff.
“Simple. I just want a little gratitude for my work and some time off, away from all this chaos. Is that too much to ask?”
“Really now. So what you're saying is you want some paid time off and vacation days?”
“Correct.” Pringles said plainly but with a look of clearly hoping he'd say yes.
“Hmmm…oh what the heck! I'll do it. It certainly couldn’t hurt my reputation any worse than what I've already done to mine. Just have to make sure nothing major is planned.”
Stolas soon materialized a schedule book to see if there was anything coming up.
“I humbly accept your grace, master.”
Pringles said as he slightly bowed towards his master. He felt like a great burden was slowly being released from his shoulders.
"Oh don't be so formal Pringy~! You're making me blush~" Stolas giggled. "Now that I think of it, If you're going away on break soon, I might call in my darling Blitzy~! I can't wait to make him squeal like my little scarlet pimpernel~" He said slyly with a smirk.
Pringle's face grew more timid and shy.
"I-I believe you've told me a little too much for my liking... No wonder Stella thinks you'd pounce on me..." He spoke softly, unsure if he should share his thoughts so freely with the prince of hell.
"Oohh stop it you~ cheeky little minx~" Stolas giggled at his remark.
Around the same time in another part of the pride ring, a large purple colored glass-like portal opened up in an alleyway of imp city. Out from it came a whole host of demons, gasping and panting in exhaustion. Eight of them were succubi, creatures of lust and pleasure, one of the few demons allowed access into the human world for their job of seduction. The other was a hellhound, the lowest ranking species, but still incredibly strong and loyal to their masters. Currently many of them were bent over and laying on the floor, several of them missing articles of clothes and looking visibly sick. After a few moments of this their leader, Verosika Mayday the famous popstar, spoke up.
“Huff huff, thank the seven princes were home! No more fat men cocks! Is everyone here accounted for?” She said as she began looking around the alley.
“Uuuhhh!!!!” A large chorus of voices could be heard.
Sure enough she found all of her crew in there with her. One of them, a thin leggy woman wearing a fishnet shirt and heart shaped pasties by the name of Kiki, was finishing puking her guts out and turned toward her boss.
“I swear if I have got through that shit again, I might consider becoming a nun.” Kiki crossed her arms in frustration.
“Hey it’s not all bad, there was that cute lil redhead we ate out.” Coco, a demon with a big bushy head of hair, had a cheeky grin on her face as she spoke.
“Ok except for that one she was hot, but it wasn’t worth it at all.”
“Nnnhhh! What’s so special about that human!? Have you forgotten about me babe!?” Apple had big pleading eyes towards her girlfriend Coco.
“Relax apple. You're still my little cutie patootie. Don’t fret it. That’s just how we are.” Coco said as she patted Apple on the head and rubbed her hair.
“Mmmm!” Apple was humming in contentment.
“Oh man, I don’t even know how I’m ever going to explain this to Bael?” Said Vortex disparagingly.
“Hey come on, just be honest with her and things will work eventually. Besides, it was just work. What’s the harm?” Mikey had a softness yet excitability to her voice. She was looking up at Tex due to her small height.
“Gee I guess when you put it like it’s not too bad. Thanks milky. You're too kind.” Vortex had a warm smile on his face.
“Yea I’m sure she’ll totally get it. it’s not like your gonna leave her unsatisfied and feel unloved while he never tells you how he really feels like that lying cheating limped dicked son of a bitch Blitzø, goddamit it’s all his fucking fault we’re in this!” Verosika yelled at the top of her lungs and kicked a trash can down the alley with her foot.
The rest of the crew backed away from their boss up against a wall. They knew what she was like during one her rangers and did not wish to get on her bad side. Only after a few moments did one of them speak up.
“Easy there. Take a deep breath. Now I’d hate to play well, Devil’s advocate, but as your oldest friend I must say you hold some of the blame too.” Kiki walked forward and spoke with a soft but firm voice.
“Grrrrrr. Please don’t tell me you're siding with him now are you?!” Verosika’s eyes had a certain furious look she had whenever talking about her ex.
“Oh no he’s still a total prick. But you did get into a fight with him over a parking space. I’ll admit it was amusing to tease him trying to challenge us to a demon duel but in hindsight it really wasn’t worth it. And you also carelessly brought Beelze-Juice into the human world especially since you still haven’t kicked that drinking problem ”
“I don’t have a problem Kiki, I can stop at any time. I’m not like that crack fiend Barbie. I’m in complete control.” Verosika's face made a pouty expression. As if she didn’t want to admit Kiki was making a fair point.
“Are you though? Look I care about you Verosika but I just hate seeing you do stupid things over something that was years ago. Why not just let it go, you're one of the most famous and beloved people in hell. We’re all here for you.” Kiki put a hand on her shoulder to put her at ease.
“Oh I’ll let it go alright. Once that dickhead realizes I was right and he stops making my life as miserable as possible. I don’t owe him anything and he still owes me. Maybe then I’ll have some damn closure.” Verosika’s voice was a bit softer but sadder. She didn’t feel entirely comfortable talking about her feelings with other people
“Well uh, I guess I understand. Just try not to get yourself killed, okay!” Kiki gave her a quick hug and peck on the forehead. It made Verosika smile just a bit.
“So now what?” Kat spoke up after a few moments.
“Well I’m gonna clear my head of this whole incident with a lot of serious hooch. And no need to feel excluded, Drinks are on me sluts.” Verosika’s spoke confidently as she put on her heart shaped sunglasses with exaggerated swagger.
“Woohoo!” The other six succubus shouted excitedly. They were always down for a good time. All except for one that night.
“Huh, well I hate to say this but…I’ll have to pass.” Kiki had a bit of hesitation as she stated it. Rubbing her forearm with her other hand.
“Wait really? I thought you liked parties?” Josh said with a confused expression.
“No it’s not like that. I’m tired and really not in the mood for partying. All I want now is a chance to relax. And some mouthwash cuz I am sick of tasting pig dick.” Kiki was looking away with a slight blush on her face. She was a bit nervous explaining her reasoning.
“Well be my guest Kiki. See you at the studio!” Verosika blew a kiss at her.
“Hehehe oh you! See you later, besties!” She began to walk in the other direction before stopping and looking back. “Oh and Josh? Might I suggest not trying to seduce a hellhound, especially an angsty goth girl who’s trying to bark up someone else. You knew they were resistant to our charms. Were you just down that bad?” Kiki gave him a subtle wink and rolled her shoulders and shook her hips to emphasize the point she was making.
“Ahahahahahaha!” The group collectively laughed.
“Oh come guys! Wasn’t it worth a shot?!” Josh was blushing and holding his arms up in a shrugging pose
“Definitely not. I may have to punish you tonight you little horn doggy!” Ace placed a hand on Josh and looked at him with a mischievous smile.
“Nuuu! Go easy on me daddy!” Josh squealed as he felt Ace pinch his nips under his shirt.
“Hehehehe! Oh that silly billy.” Kiki laughed as she walked out of the alleyway down toward her own apartment. The rest of the crew walked in the other direction following Verosika to the closet bar.
Kiki walked down the streets of Imp city quietly humming to herself, her long heels clacking on the pavement. The apartment complex was not too far from here, and despite being born in the lust ring, she found it was more convenient and cheaper to live near the pride ring for the sake of her job. Of course it also had its dangers to deal with, what with the gangs and occasional turf wars abound. And unfortunately for Kiki, she just so happened to encounter a dangerous situation. A rough hand came out from nowhere and dragged her into an alleyway and was being pushed against a wall by her arms.
“Ghh! Let go of me, you filthy creep!” He felt a cold grip on her body and her face had a furious expression.
She saw that surrounding her were a motley gang of a few hellhounds and imps. They looked like the usual gaggle of brutish and ragged types that populated the seedy parts of the streets. The exception was the one currently holding her against the wall, who resembled an overweight wingless red dragon. He was dressed in a tacky white suit, with a pinkish shirt with a ruffled chest which was opened around his neck due to his weight, and a pentagram necklace around his neck. He emitted a putrid odor that was a mix of sulfur, phosphate, and patchouli oil. She knew him well. He was H.A.Satangelo, financier and personal enforcer for one the most infamous porn houses in this ring.
“Ooh don’t be so hysterical, pretty lady! Is that anyway to treat an old friend?” Satangelo mocked her with a slimy deep raspy voice as he leaned in closer.
“Not for an overstuffed cradle snatcher like you. Come to prey on young girls tonight or are you just here to beg for pics of my feet?” Kiki looked at him with enraged fury.
“Hmmhmmhmm. Such a venomous tongue you have. I’m just here making sure you follow your half of the arrangement me and the boss had with you.” The condescension he was giving off was astounding.
“Piss off Satangelo! You know I don’t work for that depraved pervert anymore! I left that lifestyle a long time ago. And I am never coming back no matter how much he begs or cries!”
“Ah yes such a shame we lost your services. But Valentino and I don't appreciate it when people walk out on us. Especially not ungrateful little whores who don’t cough up the dough.” He creepily stroked her chin. It made Kiki flinch away in fear and disgust.
“Don’t you fucking touch me! Why does he even need my money? Other than to cure his STDs?” She ripped his hand off her chin harshly and shoved him away with all her strength.
“Hahahaha! I love it when they're feisty. But It’s really not that complicated to explain. You pay us, we keep silent, and no one gets hurt. Simple as that. And so you never forget who owns you.”
“Nobody owns me. Not anymore. My soul is not his to claim.” Kiki lowered her head. She hated hearing that phrase again.
“Such bold words of deviance. Count yourself lucky that Verosika Mayday has protected you for so long. But we will get our payment. And if not well..next time I may have to do something drastic.” His tongue out towards her. It was coming dangerously close to her cheek.
“Get that disgusting shit away from me!” Kiki yelled as she stomped on his foot with her heels and kicked him in the stomach.
“Aaaahhhh! Why you vicious little tramp! Get her!” Satangelo screamed uncontrollably as he keeled over in pain. His legs were kicking as he struggled to get off the floor.
But as soon as Satangelo and his goons came to their senses, Kiki was nowhere to be seen. Leaving the, both confused and enraged at her disappearance. Little did they know that she had flown as far as her wings could take her. Her panicked mind raced as she hated being reminded of her former life. It was something she was desperately trying to escape its memory and effects. Eventually she got tired of flying and landed on the sidewalk. After a few moments to catch her breath she got up and continued walking until she found her apartment building. She sighed heavily at finally making it home before entering into the building and walked towards the elevator.
Soon after, she made it to the correct floor and opened the locked door to her apartment. Inside was the living room, a small but cozy place decorated with trinkets and posters of Verosika from tours and concerts on the walls. But one poster stands out amongst all of them. It was older and worn looking, with an almost art nouveau style to it. In the center was a beautiful young succubus with dark hair and curved horns, dressed in a pristine and frilly white dress. It read “Opera Populaire presents ‘Carmen’ starring La Adelina.” In bold text. As Kiki looked towards the poster she sighed as she walked towards the couch and flopped down on it awkwardly. After moving around to get in a comfortable position, grabbed her boots and skirt and began to shuffle out of them without getting up.
“Uhhhh! I wish that Val and his thugs would finally leave me the hell alone. Maybe then mom won't pester me about my career. Why can't I ever seem to escape the past.” Pretty soon her clothes flopped to the ground in a heap. She was now naked from the waist down except for a black thong.
She then pulled out her phone to check her Sinstagram account to try and avoid thinking about the past 24 hours. As she scrolled through her feed she saw her friends posts showing them partying it up at a bar. It made her smile a bit. In particular seeing Apple and Coco together was a delightful sight as she saw their relationship blossom in the past. But it also made her feel annoyed that she hadn’t had a serious relationship since she was a teenager, involving a traumatic incident she’d prefer not to dwell on.
Succubi are usually seen as inherently lustful creatures who only desire instant gratification and with no sense of exclusivity. While accurate for some, others not so much. And there were those who desired true love and intimacy. All her life Kiki wanted to feel valued and respected. She’d wish for someone who cared deeply and loved her for who she was, and not just a quickie in a dive bar bathroom. This also made witnessing Verosika and Blitzø’s drama all the more frustrating, since she knew what kind of pain her boss was going through and how deeply in love people could be. And to see it turn to bitterness and spite sickened her to no end.
“I wish I had someone to come home to. They'd be laying here next to me. Snuggled up together in blankets as we watched tv and listened to music, hands stroking my hair.” She said longingly. “And giving them the best hanky panky they've had in their life!” She chuckled during the last bit as she brought her hand to her face.
This brief bout of joy and arousal was stopped when she reminded herself of what happened many years ago when her mother had similar aspirations. A tragedy that would echo in her own life. Kiki became melancholic as she dug her body into the couch harder and held one of pillows close to her face.
“But that is just too much wishful thinking. Maybe I am just doomed to be desired and lusted after but never loved.” She spoke it out slowly and methodically. Like she hated having to think about that.
She turned away sadly as she dug her face in the pillow more. There she put her mind to rest and tried to forget about the day's events. But fate is not set in stone, and soon her prospects would change.