Chapter Text
The giant breakfast table was bustling with activity, thanks to Bela’s magic. The spread was truly impressive—pancakes, waffles, crispy bacon, and cups of tea dotted the table.
"Dig in, everyone!" Bela chimed, smiling as she sat between her two magic wives, Thea and Vacante.
Rowan didn’t hesitate to take a stack of flapjacks, layering bacon between each one like a sandwich. Jasper, seated next to him, shot a look of mild concern, but he knew this was just Rowan being Rowan—hungry and unapologetically chaotic with his food. Maia, ever the picture of grace, took a cup of tea and nibbled on a crumpet, her eyes gently scanning the lively scene.
Cirro and Elias sat more quietly, their usual energy subdued. Neither seemed to have much of an appetite, and they both settled for just some water, quietly observing the rest of the table.
Meanwhile, Bela and Thea fussed over Vacante, whose bright curiosity about eating like a human made the moment even more endearing. Bela lovingly served her a small plate with fruit and toast, gently guiding her through each bite, while Thea watched with a tender smile, nibbling on her own piece of sausage.
Not far from them, Johnny and Ian sat with similar warmth. Ian’s tail wagged happily as he fed Johnny a piece of his waffle, both of them enjoying the breakfast in their own little world of affection.
The room buzzed with a kind of warmth that came from being surrounded by loved ones, though a certain tension still lingered between Cirro and Elias. It was unspoken, yet palpable, especially for those who had been paying close attention to the subtle changes in the air between the two gods.
As everyone was settling into their meal, Bela’s curiosity got the better of her. “Sooooo! How was everyone’s night?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The table immediately fell silent. Maia glanced around, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere.
Johnny and Ian squirmed in their seats, exchanging glances as memories from the previous night flickered in their minds. They both flushed slightly, clearly recalling their... activities .
Rowan and Jasper, on the other hand, avoided each other’s eyes entirely. Rowan’s cheeks flushed a vibrant red as his golden eyes betrayed his embarrassment. Jasper, meanwhile, stared off into space, visibly still processing the events of last night.
Cirro and Elias, too, were visibly uncomfortable. They both focused intently on their water glasses, refusing to look at each other or anyone else.
Johnny couldn’t help but notice Rowan’s flustered state. He had half a mind to tease him, but as he looked more closely, his eyes widened. Bandages wrapped around Rowan’s tail, and there were faint scars and suction marks that told their own story.
What the fuck did they do last night? Johnny thought, jaw practically on the floor.
Maia, entirely unaware of the underlying tension, wanted to ask her son what the fuss was about. But as she opened her mouth, Rowan’s nervous smile and twitching eyes made her hesitate.
Bela, however, was far more direct. “I heard some weird noises coming from your room. Were you two okay?” she asked, her eyes now firmly locked on Rowan.
All eyes turned toward Rowan and Jasper, both on the verge of breaking down from the pressure.
Cirro, fully aware of what was going on, leaned back with an amused smirk, curious to see how far things would go. Elias glanced at Rowan, equally curious but trying to keep his expression neutral.
Maia turned to her son, starting to ask, “Row—”
That was it. Rowan snapped.
Without a word, he shot up from the table, sending dishes clattering, and bolted straight for the nearest window. In one swift move, he flung it open, leaped through, and executed a flawless barrel roll upon landing outside.
Everyone gasped, rushing to the window in time to see Rowan sprinting across the yard, disappearing into the distance.
Cirro and Elias erupted into laughter, clutching their stomachs as they howled in amusement. Johnny and Ian stared in awe, genuinely impressed by Rowan’s acrobatic escape.
Johnny, still in shock, muttered, “I really need to test him...”
Maia slapped her forehead in exasperation. “He used to do this all the time when he was younger, whenever he didn’t want to answer something,” she sighed.
Meanwhile, Bela, Thea, and Vacante exchanged bewildered glances. Out of all the options Rowan had, he chose to jump out of a second-story window.
As the attention shifted back to Jasper, they saw him still sitting in stunned silence, mouth agape. Without a word, he melted into a shadow and darted out after Rowan, disappearing into the distance as well.
Bela chuckled, breaking the stunned silence with a bright smile. “Well... this was an interesting breakfast, wasn’t it?”
-
—
“No, you can’t wear armor to the ball.”
“Why not, dearest?”
“That’s not formal wear.”
“What is formal wear?”
“Yknow, clothes you wear to formal events. Like dances.”
“But you never wore clothes when you danced with The Stars.”
“T-that’s different and you know it!”
“Do I?”
“Yes! Stop teasing me!”
“I am not, as you say, ‘teasing you.’”
“Wipe that smug grin off your face, you are so teasing me!”
“I would never tease you, Dearest.”
“Lies.”
“Such accusations. I suppose I shan’t wear anything to the Ball then.”
“You cant just wear nothing! ”
“Well then what should I wear, dearest. I’m all ears.”
“Suit.”
“A suit?”
“Suit.”
“Are you going to elaborate on your ideas, Dearest or-”
“No.”
The sounds of playful arguing prodded at Thea’s sleeping form, she slowly stirred, eyes scrunching in the sunlight pouring in from the curtains surrounding the bed.
“Can you please talk quieter?”
“Oh! Good morning love!”
“Good morning, Warrior.”
Thea sat up, the blankets polled down from her shoulders and sat at her waist. She was completely naked. Bela shamelessly stared at her toned chest and abdomen, Vacante was much more subtle about her ogling. Thea stretched and smirked at Bela’s gasp as she watched her wife’s muscles stretch and ripple.
“Good morning you two.” She finally said after a while of her waking up. Bela pranced forward, her previous argument with Vacante completely forgotten as she perched herself on the bed beside Thea’s sitting form and leaned forward obviously expecting a kiss. With a gentle smile Thea leaned forward and kissed her, slow and sweet.
“You should take a bath.” Vacante sat beside them, and trailed a hand up Thea’s arm.
“And why is that, shadow?”
“Yeah, Beloved, why is that?”
Vacante stared at the two women who were obviously trying to get some reaction from her, to this day she would never understand how human’s worked. They were all so confusing, she had been far too used to the strict rules she had assigned after The Fabric was stolen to suddenly adjust to the freeness of humanity.
Regardless of her confusion Vacante finished her previous sentence.
“You have guests approaching today, do you not want to look your best?”
Thea groaned a bit at the reminder of how many guests she’d have to deal with today. Ever since the collision of the worlds their had been far more Gods than ever, which meant more people for her to greet and invite as her duties of Queen demanded.
“I suppose you're right.” Thea stood and moved off the bed, Bela watched and bit her lip eyes trailing over Thea’s tanned and toned form. Vacante titled her head and considered the woman infront of them, she was a beauty after all.
“Would either of you two like to join me?”
“Yes.” Bela’s response was instant as she practically ran to the bathroom, her long sleep robe trailing behind her. Thea looked at Vacante, waiting for an answer, Vacante regarded the woman and declined her outstretched hand with a deep disappointment.
“I have work to do, I must send out the invites to all your new guests.”
“Ah. Well if you ever decide to join us you know where to find us.” Thea followed Bela’s lulling voice to the bathroom soon after she said this.
Vacante sat among the silk sheets in her robe, before standing and dressing herself in her usual toga and armor combo, something Bela had tried to get her to change many times.
She could hear playful arguments and laughs from the bathroom, and though she wished to join her loves she had to put her duties first.
—
Bela lounged in the warmth of the pouring water of the large tub, across the room Thea stood in front of the mirror and examined her figure for any imperfections and rumples from sleep. Ever the perfectionist in life. Bela tilted her head back and closed her eyes, her hair was short now by her own command, ever since she had found she could control the shape and style of her hair just by her thoughts she had gone wild with it.
As of now her hair sat at her nape, a pixie cut of starry curls draping down over her ears in light swirls. She felt more than heard the water shift and ripple as Thea stepped into the large tub and stalked down its marble stairs to the bottom of the basin where Bela lounged.
Thea moved forward in the water and sat herself beside Bela’s crossed legs. Her dark markings shone under the water next to the light constellations that marked Bela’s body. The constellations swirled around her skin and glowed in steady pulses. White against dark skin, a wonderful contrast in Thea’s opinion.
“Songbird.”
Bela hummed in response, and moved her head to the direction of Thea’s voice.
“Yes, love?”
“We havent had much time alone in the past six months.”
“Yes, and?”
“We're alone now are we not?”
Bela laughed, low and deep and opened her blue eyes to gaze at Thea’s dark and lustful gaze.
“Well then…” She moved quickly and star herself on Thea’s thighs, the water splashed against the nearby walls and steps on the large bath.
“What do you want to do to me, my Queen?” Thea grabbed at Bela’s hips and brough her naked form closer so their chests brushed as she caught Bela’s mouth in a deep and bruising embrace.
Bela wrapped her arms, covered in winding white marks, around Thea’s strong neck. Under her waves of loose blonde hair. Thea in turn wrapped her large arms around Bela’s hips and brought her close enough that the two women were practically melting into each other.
The kiss grew heavier, full of lust and love and longing. The two women parted with deep gasps and Thea moved forward and began nipping harshly at Bela’s exposed neck uncaring of the visible marks she’d be leaving.
Bela shifted in her spot on Thea’s strong legs, using her arms to bring Thea closer to her neck and stretching to allow more space for her to mark up. The bathroom echoed with the sounds of whines and whispers of adoration as the two women enjoyed themselves. Taking their fill of the other in the best way.
—
Johnny shifted in the large bed of Ian’s chambers, slowly he was waking up. Ian sat in the bed checking something on his phone but quickly discarded it by placing it on one of the nearby tables as he noticed Johnny stirring.
“Did you sleep well?”
Johnny groaned in response and muttered incoherently into his pillow, his long white hair strewn across the sheets and covering his face from view.
Ian laughed and poked at where he assumed his nose was under the blanket of hair, he had guessed right as Johnny removed his face from where he had been burying it in the pillow to glare playfully at Ian.
“Letmesleep.” He huffed and dropped his face back down into the goose down pillow. Ian poked at him again in retaliation.
“No can do, birdie, we have a fitting for the ball today.”
“AUGH!” Johnny practically threw himself under the covers, Ian watched with poorly hidden amusement and laughs.
“Birdie, cmon. We gotta get up and have breakfast.”
“No.”
“And why not?”
“I'm not doing fittings for the gala, I refuse to have someone poke and prod at me for hours on end to get my measurements.”
“Understandable,” Ian trailed off and a comfortable silence filled the air, clearly Johnny had thought Ian would drop the subject by now. Ian did not.
‘However!” Johnny groaned a kicked at Ian from under the covers, Ian dogged the uncoordinated hit with ease and lifted the blankets to look at Johnny’s grumpy face. He resisted the urge to coo at the other man..
“Bela is doing yours and Rowan’s fitting cause she knew you’d both be uncomfortable with strangers.”
Rather than reassure Johnny this seemed to scare him more.
“That devil woman is gonna put me in a fucking three piece suit, I just know it.”
Ian snorted and tried to pass it off as a cough, it didn't work.
“Babe, Birdie, c'mon it'll be quick and then you'll be done, promise.”
Johnny feigned considering his words, Ian knew this well, he was going to suggest something else something completely out of left field.
“Do you think I would get caught if I hid in the lab all day?”
“Yes.”
“No faith in me, I see how it is.”
“It’s not that I don’t have faith in you it’s just that I know Bela will hunt you down.”
“I’m willing to take that risk.”
“Alright, I’ll see you after the fitting then. Im going to go get food, do you want me to bring you something?”
Johnny went silent, before nodding in defeat.
“Alright, love you.”
“Love you too.”
—
“Have you found her, Lydia.”
“Yes. She ran off to another world it seems. She’s been there for the past few months.”
“So this isn’t just a normal dimensional hop for her.”
“She must have something keeping her there, something important.”
“Bright Shadow, gather a team, I think it’s time we bring her back here. Heavens know what she’s doing to the world.”
“But-”
“Lydia, she’s your godchild, don’t you want her in a place where we can keep her safe?”
“I-”
“I do.”
“Then allow us to send a team for her, we’ll bring her back and heal her. We finally have a way to keep her safe and happy now. No more of those dimensional hops and tantrums.”
“Are you sure this is the best option, after all, Cleanser just joined the Hero Society a few months ago.”
“And yet their power is more than enough to heal her, after all, don’t you want her to be free from all those terrible haunting thoughts again?”
“Well yes, but-”
“Then why are you so against us retrieving her and freeing her from all that pain?”
“It just, it seems immoral somehow..”
“I assure you, this will only help her not harm her.”
“She’ll be far happier this way Lydia, allow Cleanser to do their work and you can have her back, whole.”
“...”
“Well then, all in agreement?”
“Aye!”
“We’ll send a search party to the dimension tonight to do recon and we’ll bring her back home tomorrow.”
“Lydia.”
“Yes?”
“You will go with the squad to assure they bring back the right one. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Let’s bring Belladonna back home then.”
—
Silence.
Footsteps.
Two pairs.
One in heels, the other in sneakers.
Two women, one young one old.
The older woman wore a suit. Long bell bottom pants, a white semi buttoned shirt, and red square glasses over her dark skinned face. Her eyes were brown and piercing, sharp like broken glass.
Long red hair flowed behind her as she walked quickly, the woman beside her kept a smooth pace.
She had ratty jeans and a cropped fishnet top over a black bra, white and short hair in a curly bob decorated with safety pins pushing back her bangs.
Dark makeup, piercing green eyes like acid, narrowed and suspicious.
“Lydia?”
“Yes, Oleander?”
“Is it true what Black Mirror said?”
‘What did he say to you, flower?”
“He said that those people in the other dimension kidnapped Belladonna, that they brainwashed her, that they changed her irreparibly to replace their own lost Belladonna. Is it true? You were there earlier tonight, you would know.”
Silence.
Footsteps.
Two pairs.
Three, a hidden set, far behind the two women.
Black Mirror.
“...I believe he could be right, but for now it is simply a theory, we have no clue until we interact with her ourselves.”
“...If they did…”
“If they did? Finish your sentence dear, I won't judge.”
“...If they did, I’ll throw them in the deepest cellear we have here, how could they change my sister like that?”
Lydia was silent and allowed Oleander to speak freely, Black Mirror watched pleased with his mnaipulations of the younger woman. They wouldn't find the truth, not until it was far too late.
“Sure, Belladonna has her moments, her accidents, but that’s to be expected with how much power she has. It’s not like I’ve been better in any case, I’ve hurt, stolen, lied, cheated, and killed just as much as she has. The only difference is the intention, she just wants to help, I however, just want others to feel my hurt..”
Oleander looked at Lydia, the older woman stopped walking and looked at her with pity.
‘Am- Am I broken, Lydia?”
“No, my child, you’re just hurt, not broken.”
“How do I stop hurting?”
Lydia was silent for a time.
“It takes time, but most importantly it takes effort.”
“...I don’t know if I have the energy to change. The effort.”
“You don’t have to do it alone. Once Belladonna is back, she can help you. Your sister was always your rock after all.”
“...”
“You're right. Once Belladonna is back everything will be alright.”
Silence.
Footsteps.
Three pairs.
Two walked forward, one walked back.
Black Mirror was satisfied with his plan, soon enough Belladonna would be back, just the way she used to be. Just the way she should have been.
—
Invitations
—
Cirro
Elias
Stagnanty
Change
Love
Humanity
Design
Language
Li Feng
Leaf - Alyvia
Weather - Celine
Annuchron
Honey
Zion
Vixen
Zerithos
Life
Death
Earth
The Planets
The Law of Order
Magic
Time
The Cult of Malia
Malia
The Stars
The Fates
Everything
Nothing
—
Bela walked down the halls, the afternoon sunlight followed her and illuminated her figure. She was still dressed in her nightclothes. A pink dress with black dotted patterns and lace decorating the hem and top of the dress. She wrapped her black shawl closer around her figure as she hunted for her two victims.
Johnny and Rowan were evading her.
It was the day of the Winter Solstice, which meant that tonight they would have a ball of which all the Gods would attend to mingle with carefully selected mortals. Bela had never attended one of these, this would be her first time. But she had a leg up being born into a prestigious family, she was used to high end and formal dances and events. Johnny and Rowan however were not.
Ian had left to go talk with Thea about the guest list, Vacante was still trying to decide on what to wear, Jasper had gone ahead to the ballroom on the top floor to help with preparations and decor. Likely to get out of the table manners lesson Bela would be constructing with Johnny and Rowan.
Make no mistake others would be attending, Ian for example, she would have to trick him into attending though as he had voiced his distaste against the idea firmly when she brought it up yesterday while he was being fitted for his outfit by the palace tailors.
As she stalked the halls she sent wisps of her magic out to try and find Rowan and Johnny, almost immediately as she passed by the offered quarters for everyone did she get a ping. She stood there incredulous and turned to the hallway beside her where each room lay.
Rowan.
Frown morphing into a bright and clearly malicious smile she skipped her way down the hallway, she would not giving him a happy morning that’s for sure.
“PUT THE FUCKING SHIRT ON OR SO HELP ME STARS ABOVE I WILL-”
“YOU’LL WHAT TURN ME INTO A FROG?!”
“NO, WORSE I’LL TURN YOU INTO A FUCKING BEETLE!”
“YOU WOULDNT DARE.”
“TRY ME BITCH!”
Rowan tried to run out the window for the sixth time in the past thirty minutes, he bounced off of an invisible wall for the sixth time yet again.
Bela moved forward holding the shirt in her grasp, stalking slowly as though she was facing a wild animal. Rowan might as well have been one with all the hissing he was doing, his tail swishing dangerously behind him and he was clearly seconds away from throwing acid at her and running.
She had already been forced to use her magic to simply switch his pants for the ones she had designed with the tailors yesterday, she was hoping she could simply get him to surrender and put the shirt and vest on normally. It wasnt looking like she’d be able to get her wish though.
Rowan took advantage of the brief moment she was lost in thought and bottled past her, sliding between her legs. She whirled around shirt clenched in a fist and raced after his form as he bolted down the palace halls.
“GET BACK HERE!”
“NO!”
Groaning under her breath, Bela stopped and dissipated in a blue mist, reappearing right before Rowan and tackling him to the ground. Yelling and biting ensued as Rowan tried his best to escape as though it was a life or death situation. Bela kicked him in the nose and finally after a long and arduous battle stood victorious before a fully dressed Rowan.
Rowan now wore a white, prim and proper button up with fluffy sleeves, the collar remained unbuttoned and showed his clavicle and overtop of it layed a red vest covered in golden windings patterns of vines. The patterns continued on his black pants with red mesh windows on both hips. His feet were trapped in a pair of black shoes with dark maroon socks. Meanwhile his tail was decorated with golden rings and such and his hair was actually neat for once.
Rowan sulked at his defeat, he had tried to rip the outfit off but found Bela had magiked the entire thing onto his person so that he couldnt ruin it or get rid of it before the ball came. It would simply reappear on his person, much to his utter frustration.
Rowan opened his mouth likely to cuss Bela out for looking so smug despite her now ruffled appearance but at that moment he spotted Johnny hiding behind a pillar nearby. Johnny caught his eye and made a shushing motion before placing his hands together in an obvious plea. Rowan nodded at Johnny subtly and the albino man visibly relaxed in relief that he wouldnt be targeted next by Bela.
That relief soon faded into unimaginable horror at the words he heard next.
“Bela, Johnny’s hiding behind that pillar behind you.”
Bela whipped around, her eyes glinting like stars behind a shadowed face as she locked onto her target. Johnny froze like a deer in headlights. They stood there looking at each other like a western showdown.
Johnny booked it.
Bela and Rowan looked at each other and came to a conclusion.
Truce?
Truce.
They bolted after him, Bela’s laughter echoed through the halls and the guards watched in thinly hidden amusement as Johnny ran with the Queen Consort and their newest friend racing after him.
—
“No, you cannot wear a fucking lab coat to the gala.”
“Why not?”
“You did not just ask me ‘why not.’”
“But I did.”
“I’m gonna choke you out.”
“No you won't.”
“...No I won’t.”
Johnny looked far too smug for Bela’s taste, she flicked him on the forehead in retaliation. He stumbled back like he was shot and placed a hand over his head.
“Betrayal!” He cried.
Ian snorted from where he stood at the wardrobe in the bedroom. Johnny glared at him, clearly expecting support rather than laughter. Ian laughed harder.
Taking advantage of his distraction Bela snapped her fingers, Johnny spun around to face her crude words to yell on the tip of his tongue.
“DON’T YOU DARE-”
Bela magiked the outfit onto Johnny.
Johnny stood there, blinked at her, turned to Ian who began to laugh and blush heavily at the same time, and then he marched out of the room.
Or well, he tried to.
Vacante stood on the other side of the grand door, clearly having been just about to enter it herself. Huffing Johnny moved aside and let her enter. She grabbed him by his wrist and dragged him to a sitting area near the wardrobe, practically throwing him onto the chair.
“You look nice.” She said it as though it was fact before moving to Thea and Bela near the middle of the large bedroom.
“I’ve sent out all the invites yesterday, the guests will be arriving shortly.”
The setting sun marked the arrival of the first guest with a bell tolling from the foyer of the palace. Thea groaned and adjusted her crown. She wore a red cloak which hung asymmetrically across her body from one shoulder. Underneath the cloak she wore a white lace bralette and a pair of white silk trousers. Feet tucked into golden platform sandals and arms graced with winding golden vines.
Her hair was decorated with pearls and golden pins and rings, placed in a tiered bun. She wore no makeup, allowing her scars and tattoos to shine freely. This was even more evident when she leaned down and kissed Bela on the forehead, leaving behind no marks. She then stepped forward and kissed Vacante’s cheek.
“Duty calls, I must go greet the guests now. I’ll be seeing you all soon at the ballroom.”
With that Thea vanished from the room, her cloak swirling behind her.
—
“Please Welcome, Belladonna Dumitrescu, The Queen Consort of The Reformed World.”
Bela stepped down the large and regal staircase, it ended at a large landing which many guests stood upon to mingle before splitting off into two separate staircases leading down to the ballroom floor. A man with red hair wearing a traditional chinese outfit stood nearby and he smiled at her, dipping his head in acknowledgment as he sipped the sake he was holding. Bela bowed her head back towards him and walked down the stairs to the ball floor.
By one of the balconies stood a woman with a red dress, gold accents, and red flowers bloomed across her body not dissimilar to the yellow flowers blooming on Rowan’s vines. She was entertaining a handful of guests by sparking fireworks above them drawing the attention and excitement of many.
Bela watched the display from afar and waited for the signal of Johnny, Rowan, Ian, and Vacante’s arrival. As she waited a man with large brown mouse ears came up to her, a server for the palace, he was holding a plate full of champagne flutes. Bela took one and voiced her gratitude before sipping from it leisurely.
Bela examined the many guests before her, off to the side and nearly hidden she could see two women speaking in hushed tones. The taller woman had dark blue hair with brown skin, she was scowling at the people around her but her look softened when she gazed at the smaller woman in front of her. She wore a dark suit, with a flowing skirt attached to her pants. A dark blue accented her clothing with trickles of silver jewelry dangling from the collar and sleeves.
The smaller woman had purple hair, long and curled, it flowed down her back like delicate waves crashing into the cliffs. She wore a large skirted outfit, with purple bows and lilac accents. The bodice was white and the sleeves were a light almost iridescent purple, flowing down at her elbows. At the back of her head sat a large silk bow with gems placed in it dangling down into her locks of hair.
Bela recognized them somewhat from a past dimension hop, the two women, Weather and Leaf was it? She wasn’t all that good with remembering names.
Just like how she had glossed over running into Li Feng and Annuchron earlier.
As she waited, a group passed her, clad in red of various shades. It was obvious there were two leaders of the group, one in a red dress with slits on both sides at the peak of her hips and gold accents and the other with a dress that hooked together behind her neck meeting at her stomach to tie around a ring and dropping down into slitted skirts from there.
The first woman had long brown hair almost as long as Bela’s starry locks which brushed the floor, this other woman had six large horns pinned into her hair holding a bun at the back. Three horns on each side of her head laced with golden chains.
The second woman had long black hair with red undertones, it glittered in the light of the ballroom and she laced her arm around the shorter woman’s waist as they talked. It was clear these two were involved.
The rest of the group watched them and made playful fun of the two lovebirds. A dark skinned woman with a short dress and two upside down horns made a whistling sound and a man who was almost the exact same as the first woman joined her. The first woman turned around and hissed at him.
“Elias, I swear to Malia, shut it.”
“Oh, cmon Willow, let me have some fun while I’m here.”
The woman, Willow, looked at him with crossed arms. The other woman placed a hand over her shoulder, Bela couldnt see any of the groups eyes since they were all covered with various blindfolds and veils.
“Chelle, should I let him have his fun or should we duke it out on the balcony?” The taller woman considered her words much to Elias’ dismay.
“Michelle!” He groaned, “c'mon don’t do me like this!”
The taller woman, Michelle, smirked and looked at the dark skinned woman.
“What say you Layla?” Layla turned to the woman on her arm with dark ginger hair.
“Micah, do you think we should sacrifice Elias to Willow’s fury?”
Micah nodded and smiled at Elias’ squawk of indignance.
“He ate the last yogurt in the meeting room without telling me, kill him.”
Elias moved forward, his decorated horns jingled with the movement. And he began to playfully plead for his life, it was clear he knew he was in no danger.
The final woman, with dusty ginger hair watched in amusement, Bela could tell from the wry curl of her lips.
“Micah, just get the man back at the next party he goes to or something.” Micah held a hand up and Elias stopped his pleading, she turned toward the other woman and smiled.
“Great idea, Delilah.”
Elias groaned clearly not happy with this arrangement but gave into his soon approaching demise.
The group then turned at the approach of a new woman, she had dark blue skin covered with various mouths. They smiled at Bela, Bela smiled back. The mouths closed in satisfaction.
“Children.”
The group stood at attention, and looked at the blue woman who had a face similar to a porcelain doll.
“Malia!” Willow cheered and hugged the woman, Malia embraced her back. Her four horns allowed her to tower over the other woman. One set faced the sky, the other faced the ground. As she spoke, her red heart shaped mouth did not move. Her voice sounded as though it came from all surrounding areas, a demon then, Bela figured.
Malia looked at her with unblinking dark eyes, a white pinprick pupil in the middle of them, the rest of the group turned in unison their covered faces looking at her intensely. She smiled and leaned back on the pillar behind her. Her jewel encrusted corset bent slightly at the action and her draping sleeves slid down her arms. Her halo headband stood at strict attention.
“Hello, Cult of Malia, and of course, Malia.”
The group smiled at her, sharp like sharks watching their prey. She smiled back just as sharp and watched as the group regarded her with satisfaction. She had passed some unseen test of theirs.
“Children, let us go greet other guests, maybe you’ll find something of interest along the way?”
The group acquiesced and moved along, Bela watched them disappear into the heavy crowd.
Across the ballroom loud and gentle laughter echoed from children, a few of the Concepts had taken time out of their usual dallying in the grove to attend. Magic herself, Mera, was summoning various creatures made of flames and water to entertain the children. Her wife, Time, stood nearby. Ini watched with joy at the children’s laughter. She held Kindness steadily in her arms while Hatred stood at attention hiding behind her long white skirts.
Farther away stood the three Creators. Bela had met them all, completely by accident of course, or maybe by design. Either way she could see them mingling together away from most of the crowd, the people attending seemed to avoid them without noticing as though the Creators simply didn't exist to them.
Honey waved at Bela from where she stood drinking a large glass of well, honey. Her eyes were solid gold and staring directly into Bela like the other person could see into her very thoughts. Bela wouldn’t put it past them to be able to do so.
Meanwhile Zion stood towering above Vixen, sipping steadily at a cup full of entirely just paint.
Vixen looked up at Zion, gesturing with her hands, her face hidden behind a cracked kitsune mask filled with gold lining. Her purple regency era dress flowed steadily to the ground brushing against Honey’s dress lined with dark fur and flowing like liquid at the edges of the skirt. Zion shimmered in the light of the ballroom, its iridescent colored outfit catching the light beautifully with its sparkling sleeves and pant legs.
Honey moved closer to the other Creators and the air shimmered and suddenly Bela could no longer see the three. She huffed and brought her drink back to her lips casting her gaze around for anything else to entertain her. There seemed to be nothing unless you count Life trying to hide from her behind Owen, who was clearly still struggling with forgiving her for her lies. He held their baby in his arms, wearing his own miniature suit.
Bela refrained from cooing at the sight, she would have gone up to them but she didn't want to deal with Life right now at all.
Mother Earth, Gaia, breezed past Bela. She wore a flowing outfit of vines and leaves, tangled with flowers of various breeds and sizes. Trailing after her were The Planets. The Moon rushed after Earth, she was small almost like a child and wore a sparkling silver dress with black spots and detailing. The Sun stood in the middle of the group, wearing a bright outfit of various warm tones.
Neptune with its wavelike outfit, Uranus with its cold and icy gaze, Saturn with her many ringed dress, Venus with her brown and red color palette, Mars with its spiky appearance and Jupiter with its stormy face followed suit.
Death hung to the back of the crowd, unseen by many and wearing a striking red. Bela wanted to go up to Death and compliment their outfit but she refrained, she knew better than most how shy Death could be.
Cirro and Elias had joined the crowd and hung around Maia who stood in a large and gorgeous lace and silk ballgown, At her side Cirro wore a white robe with gold detailing and accents, gold flats adorned his feet. He stood a bit away from Elias, it was clear that the two Gods had yet to resolve their tension. Bela wondered what it was, she considered reading their minds to find out but allowed them their privacy. She was trying to be better, to be kinder now. She had no reason to bite, to be violent, anymore.
Elias meanwhile wore the opposite of Cirro, he wore a dark robe with silver detailing and accents, chains dangled down the smooth fabric and his feet were laced with black flats. His tail was dropping, so was Cirro’s. Bela felt for both of them but she knew that she couldn't force them to resolve their conflict, if she intervened they’d likely take it as some sort of bad omen or order rather than a friend trying to offer her help.
Boredom began to creep up on Bela, but it stopped at the arrival of two hands covering her eyes.
“Guess who!”
“Tati.”
“Ugh, no fair, you always know when it's me.”
“You're just too predictable, Tati.”
Tatiana moved in front of her, wearing a white shirt with golden accents and a diamond shaped chest window, her pants were dark green with mesh windows on the sides of her legs from her hips to her ankles. The mesh was a light, almost white, green.
Her hair, now fully white, brushed against her face in a short pixie cut of curls. Her green eyes sparkled like stars and she smiled widely at her much calmer sister.
Behind her she could feel the approach of their parents. Her mother came into her field of view first and watched with a smile as Tatiana stole Belladonna's champagne glass and chugged it. Her mother had her hair loose for tonight, settling around her in big dark curls. It brushed her shoulders.
She wore a neckline of solid gold laced with light pink gems, her dark pink eyes sparkled like diamonds in the light. From the neck down to her low settled neckline the dress consisted of striped mesh, it ended at her wrists which were laced with various bracelets and bangles. A jweled corset lined with gold accentuated her waist. Below the dark pink corset was a dress of starry material that glittered in the light. Her mother moved forward and placed a ringed hand at her cheek admiring her beloved youngest daughter.
“Darling, we wanted to see how you’ve been doing.”
Bela lifted her own hand to cover her mother’s as she leaned into her warm grasp.
“I’m fine, Mama, how are you doing?”
“We’re just fine, my dear.” Her father answered, following his wife to the corner Bela occupied.
“Papa.” She greeted the man, dressed in various shades of red. His glowing red eyes caught her gaze, his dark skin and darkened ginger hair making it obvious what kind of witch he was. A witch of Chaos.
His outfit was lined with gold and red jewels, a dark red shirt with a mesh top and sleeves as well as dark red pants and golden boots. His hands were adorned with rings of various sizes, almost as though he was flexing the amount of money he had.
Bela could hear a whisper and looked across the way to one of the balconies, The Children stood there in their true forms beckoning her. Bringing her family to attention she pointed to the balcony and asked them to follow her.
Like any true family they followed.
—