Growing up in his big family, Lincoln always felt like he didn't have his own personal talent since he's always been surrounded by sisters who each had their own personal set of skills and interests that made it easy for one to remember which sister was which since there were so many of them. Lori was the oldest and gifted golf player, Leni was the knowledgeable fashionista which made up for lack of knowledge of everything else, Luna made herself known as the most rocking girl in Royal Woods, Luan's the go-to comedy act for kids' birthday parties, and Lynn's sports record speaks for itself. Even the younger sisters are coming into their own based on their talents like Lucy with her well crafted-still pretty creepy-poetry, Lola's pageantry, Lana's aspirations as a mechanic, and Lisa was already acclaimed for her brilliant intellect
Lily was still a bit too young, but the odds of her finding her own thing pretty soon were high.
Then there was him.
In the past, Lincoln had an issue with being the only Loud kid with no talent, unlike all of his sisters. The one noteworthy thing about him was that he's the only son born to a large family. Of course, that's not to say he didn't have his own strengths, he's certainly more craftier than most kids his age and knows how to adapt on the fly, he just never really found that one thing that sets him apart from all the things that made his sisters so talented. He tried once, but that nearly ended very badly.
However, the problem back then was that he was trying way too hard, he was rushing and there were certainly better ways. Overtime, Lincoln found that there were other areas that he excelled at. He found himself to have a penchant for artwork like the fan-comic he made with Clyde and was quite the avid video gamer.
In fact, given the right motivation and circumstance, there were other things he could be quite good at, but he didn't possess the right drive for them, until he discovered the art of magic. That interest ironically stemmed from a birthday party where he was frightened by the magic tricks, but now older, he became entranced by the showmanship and impossibility of the tricks. It got to a point where he started practicing those tricks himself, they were simple parlor tricks, but he still had fun doing them, regardless of magic being real or not.
But that was before he became stuck in Hell and is now able to perform real magic spells with the grimoire of the royal prince, Stolas of the Ars Goetia, demon royalty that were pretty high ranking in Hell's hierarchy system.
As he was a human in a dangerous world, Lincoln's main weapon for defense and if need be, offense was the magic of the grimoire and if that weren't amazing enough, Stolas himself offered to be his official teacher in the demonic magic arts which Lincoln excitedly accepted and today was his first lesson at the mansion of the Goetias.
With such a momentous event, Lincoln felt that he needed to look his best since he'll be at the home of demon royalty.
"You think I brushed my teeth clean enough? Maybe I need a second go-around in the shower." Lincoln picked up the satchel bag with the grimoire. "Think maybe I should put together a gift basket? I don't want to seem rude."
"Jesus, Linc. You freaking out over pleasing the pompous big-wigs of Hell is just so sad." Loona shook her head pitifully from her desk and waves her hands whimsically. "You're gonna learn some new fancy spells and all that crap. Good for you, champ."
"Loona, I will not have you spoil this for him." Millie adamantly, holding her hands together and squishing them to her face in maternal pride. "Seeing our boy off to learn fancy rich demon magic. It's just too much!" Unable to contain herself, Millie trapped Lincoln in a bone-crushing hug, it's like a mother seeing her child off to school for the first time.
"Millie...lack of oxygen...need more..." Lincoln choked.
She had a stronger grip than Lynn's.
"Okay, honey. Mind your strength, remember?" Moxxie had to pry Lincoln off from his wife "And Loona, this is a very big deal. Someone associated with a company run by an imp being personally invited into the home of royal Goetias is so monumental. Even more so, since he's a human."
A clearing of the throat drew them to see Blitzo leaning on the doorway to his office. "Excuse me? That little brain of yours forgot that I, your sexy smartass boss, got the very same princey bastard to let us keep using his little book so that we can keep doing our jobs."
"By agreeing to sleep with him." Moxxie deadpanned, earning a smack from Blitzo.
"Don't discount the sacrifice I make for you guys!" Blitzo then turned to I.M.P's intern, it was apparent that Blitzo was very critical with this new turn of events that happened after the debacle at Loo Loo Land. While he greatly enjoyed putting Robo Fizz in his place, learning about Stolas' surprising offer to Lincoln really put him on edge. Blitzo found it quite vexing that the demon prince keeps intruding on the affairs of his company, first requesting them to act as bodyguards, now wanting to take the kid under his wing. The deal between Blitzo and Stolas was supposed to be dealt in the bedroom and nothing more, but now he's pissing Blitzo off by taking things beyond the bedroom. "Lincoln, I'm only gonna tell you this once, don't get swept up by all the fancy sights in Stolas' mansion. If you want to learn more fancy magic, then fine, but don't fucking forget you're our intern?"
"Don't worry, Blitz. I won't." Lincoln assures. "I thought you'd like this. The more spells I learn, the more useful I am when on the job."
"Aw, you see that?" Millie gushed. "He's already thinking of being more involved in the killings."
Lincoln scoots away. "...I meant more supportive or defensive spells. Point is, I figured you'd want me to make myself more useful, so what's the problem?"
Blitzo shakes his head with an expression of pity. "Oh, Linc. You have no idea about the sick twisted minds of Hell's elite. Trust me on this, if Stolas is serious about this whole teaching bullshit, then he probably wants something in return. It's how privileged dickheads always work, they get off pulling the strings of us common folk."
"He just wants to pay me back for helping things out with Octavia." Lincoln said, feeling that Blitzo was overthinking things.
"First name basis with the little birdie princess?" Loona observed. "You BFFs now or something?"
"Well, we will be taught by her dad, so I guess...?" Lincoln liked to think so but can't be certain.
"Never hope to be anything when it comes to demons fed with silver spoons, kids. They only care about themselves, giving no shits about others or how their attitude is a huge pain in the ass." Blitzo added.
Moxxie couldn't resist pointing out the irony of his boss's statement. "Sort of like you, sir? Because, you basically described key aspects about yourself."
"Hey, now! Talk like that is a surefire way to lose the employee of the month spot!" Blitzo warned and made it clear how he's nothing like that in his own way. "I'm upfront about it, he makes it sound nice when really, it's not!"
"Again. That's entirely you, sir."
Being compared to Stolas was the last thing Blitzo wanted to hear, especially when there are some similarities between them. But, Blitzo refused to believe that the prince was irrefutably smitten with him. As if it'd be that easy...of course, this has been the longest time he's been seeing the same person since she who shall not be named and Stolas invited him out to protect not just him but his own daughter too, shows a level of trust. Plus, the big bird does act very sweet, but...no! Blitzo stopped himself from thinking any further, Stolas was still royalty and he was just a lowly imp, Blitzo made himself believe that the thrill he brought into the prince's life is why Stolas was so invested.
As boss of I.M.P, Blitzo was well within his right to forbid Lincoln from going to that mansion, but Lincoln did make some solid arguments and the other possibilities of having a magic powered human unpaid intern were too good to pass up. Brainpower wasn't his strongest suit, but Blitzo wasn't a complete dumbass.
"Let's just get to the fucking car, already!" Blitzo barked at his employees. "Wouldn't want to keep his royal ass-ness waiting. Looney, I trust you'll keep things tidy while we're gone like before, right?"
"One of these days, I'm gonna burn this place to the ground." Loona bluntly said.
"That's my girl!" Not even worried about what she just said, Blitzo leaves with a skip in his step. "Don't wait up." Moxxie and Millie followed him, but Lincoln hung back to speak with the hellhound.
"Loo Loo Land I can understand. But a mansion? That's once in a lifetime, you know." Lincoln's now gotten a little bit used to Loona's indifference to most things, but still, Lola would probably throw a pageant just to get a peek at the life of high society members.
"Seeing how fancy pricks enjoy the lap of luxury while us lower ranked demons are left picking up scraps on the streets?" Loona faked being in deep thought for just a second. "Yeah, no, I think I'm good. Not like they'd actually let 'riff raff' like me in, anyway."
"Fair enough." Lincoln conceded, he was still getting used to the whole hierarchy system here. "I know how bored you get manning the phone, so I figured you'd want a chance to actually get out."
Loona's the only member of I.M.P that doesn't go up to Earth when they're hired, mostly because she's the receptionist and Blitzo has a staunch rule against her going, much to her annoyance. When they're off the clock, Loona has some free reign, but only when she's actually interested which wasn't very common, she only went with them that one time at the shooting range/gym because it was mandatory. "Only if it's a place that's actually fun, Lincoln. Otherwise, I'll just stay here and get some phone time."
"Isn't that what you always do?"
"Your point?"
"...Right." If it helps, Lincoln won't bother questioning it any further. "Well, bye. Oh, hang on." he goes to her desk where the stuffed "Thing" toy was toppled over and he sets it back into place. After the Loo Loo Land fiasco, Millie managed to save two "Things'' from the destruction and Lincoln remembered promising to bring back something for Loona and though he knew it wasn't something she'd want, Lincoln didn't want to return empty handed and promptly gave it to her. "See you later, Loona." he waved as he left.
Loona looked at the "Thing" and thought about how it was the most ridiculous thing her eyes have ever seen, she'd much rather rip the head off and even do the same to the one Millie kept for herself for added measure. But still, it was a gist and to her of all demons, one that didn't suck like Blitzo and his shitty spiders, it's probably the first gift of its kind now that she thought about it and even when she told Lincoln not to worry about it, he still brought back something just for her. "Fuck me..." Loona rubbed her temples. "What is with that kid?" She sounded annoyed, but the small smile she had suggested otherwise.
Most of the time, Prince Stolas of the Ars Goetia would enjoy all the luxuries that are presented to him that all other demon royalty enjoy as part of their extravagant lifestyle. But enjoying being so stinking rich in Hell wasn't the only thing demon royalty are good for, there are certain duties and responsibilities that they must uphold that comes with their titles and Stolas was no exception. Although he was one royal that didn't adhere to such an important rule, what with him allowing four lower demons to have free use of his grimoire containing ancient demonic no other lower class demon should have in their possession. Another thing he probably shouldn't do was take on a human apprentice of all things.
"I assume you've made sure we are not to be disturbed." He said to one of his butlers.
"Indeed, sire. All is prepared when the one called Blitz arrives with his cohorts."
"Ah...Blitzy..." Stolas sighed dreamily at the mere mention of his name.
"Dad. You have that look again."
Octavia, still not really accepting at who her father seemed to be falling for, pointed this out and didn't want to spend the day grossed out by seeing Stolas act like he just met the love of their lives. "Oh. Octavia, darling. I-I didn't see you there." Stolas sheepishly laughs, one thing he has been working on was being less open about it when Octavia's present. "I assume you're prepared for young Lincoln's arrival."
"Yeah. What about you, though?" Octavia casted suspicious eyes upon her father. "Just to be sure, this isn't just to get the red dickhead you're so gaga for in the sheets again, right?"
"Via. What do you take me for? A deviant?" Stolas was met with a raised eyebrow and he admitted that her hunch was on the money. "Okay, fair enough. But, shocking as it may seem, this is purely a teaching experience for the boy."
Octavia crossed her arms. She wanted to trust his word, but she could never be sure with him. "It better be. You saw how excited he was, hate to see the poor kid end up disappointed." she recoils when she sees the big smile Stolas had. "Dad. What is it now? You're freaking the shit out of me."
"It's just so sweet to see you be so considerate of your new little friend." Stolas snuggles in closer to the flushed Octavia. After Loo Loo Land, she started to become less depressed about the schism between her parents, talking things out with Stolas wasn't the only thing she needed but also someone to convey all those feelings which came in the form of Lincoln. It did feel nice to have someone to talk to and actually listen to other than her dad, and she was still very grateful for that.
"Dad." Octavis pushed him away and pulled her beanie down.
"No need to be so awkward, my little owlet. I thought you could use some more friends and Lincoln seems polite enough to meet my approval."
"STOLAS!"
His wife, on the other hand...
"Oh, dear." Stolas frowned, recognizing his wife's fury-fueled screams. "Best hide somewhere, Via."
"But, dad-"
"Please, Octavia. I can handle whatever Stella has to say and I know you don't enjoy seeing us fight." Stolas requested. He wasn't going to let his little girl become miserable again because of him, he didn't want to deal with Stella's bullshit either, but he was one of the adults in this mansion. Time to actually act like it. Hesitant at first, Octavia went to the nearest room she could find and makes herself scarce once Stolas' wife, Stella enters the room, with a nasty scowl on her avian features. Nothing new there. "Stella." Stolas acknowledges frostily. "I'd thought you would have left by now."
Stolas made sure that the day for Lincoln's lesson would be the same day that Stella wouldn't be in the mansion.
He was already neck deep in hot water with her over his infidelity, no need to bury himself even deeper and get more ire from his wife. She had plans to meet with other demon nobles of Hell to reestablish certain "friendships", but he saw it as her buttering up fellow aristocratic demons as a means to save face as one would put it.
She felt the act was a necessary measure after uncovering her husband's affair to save the image of the family name, as she puts it. "I was. But, then I noticed that you're not loafing about like most days. Is there a certain appointment of your own that you've scheduled?" Stella inquired, expecting to catch him red-handed in another duplicitous scheme.
Crossing his arms defensively, Stolas gave a pretty convincing answer. "If you must know. I am preparing to educate our daughter. Learning from an experienced practitioner is much more effective than those novice tutors." It was half a lie and half a truth.
"Is that right?" Stella noted that in all the years they've been married, she's never seen him have such an investment. "Funny, I can't seem to recall you ever being so attentive before in our daughter's studies. Only to entertain her childish and illogical habits."
Stolas narrowed his eyes and gripped the watering can rather tightly. He wasn't the only parent who didn't like the new rebellious and dreary development in Octavia, but while he was concerned about it, Stella was more disappointed and annoyed, criticizing it as the very opposite of how an Ars Goetia demon should act and blamed it on Stolas' own failings. He begrudgingly admits that she wasn't inaccurate in that regard.
"A father does what's required in order to see to it that their child has a stable upbringing. You keep telling me to stop thinking with my dick, I figured you'd be happy that I've chosen to take your advice for once."
"The only possible thing that can make me happy right now is making sure that this isn't some sick game where you allow your cardinal urges to further shame yourself by sharing our fucking bed sheets with creatures lower than us!" Stella stomps away but slings more hurtful comments at Stolas. "Who am I kidding? With you, that's more than a guarantee!"
Stolas remained unfazed, even when she slammed the door hard. At least she didn't break any of the furniture this time around, it still really stings how scathing she is, a grim reminder of how there is little to no love in their marriage.
But there were reminders that marrying her brought about good things in his life. A real life example had exited from the room she was hiding in and saw Stolas pinch what would be the bridge of a normal person's nose. "Dad?" Octavia reached out her hand to touch his arm. Until now, she never saw how her father was affected by their family troubles, he seemed to take it all in stride and you don't see most of Hell's nobles look so troubled.
"I'm fine, Via." No amount of marital issues was going to ruin today, Stolas was going to make sure of that. "Now, then. Let me tell you exactly what you and Lincoln shall learn today..."
"Move along already, bitch!"
"Piss off, asshole!"
"Oh, you wish! Your little ass can't handle-"
"Sir, try dialing back the road rage."
"It's this shitty traffic! Someone get hit by a car?"
Getting to the mansion of the Goetia was no easy feat, not only was it far away from their building, but it was where the uppercrust of demons were abound which meant having to deal with a lot of traffic which in Hell, makes it a lot more worse than Earth traffic. Blitzo had half a mind to just shoot up all the cars in his path, littering the streets with massacred corpses. It'd save them a lot of time. "It's these bustling big cities, Blitz." Millie pointed out. "Papa always told me bigwig cities are always where there a shit ton of shitheads."
"Does your daddy also know how to make said shitheads move their asses, already?" Blitzo impertinently asked. If only Loona decided to go with them, hearing her call Moxxie names was enough to ease him.
That and a nice dose of homeless imps struggling, but alas, he's in a part of Hell that's filled with all those successful and important demons that never had to make sacrifices that he's made in their entire lives. Stolas was no different, he kept asking so much from him, not expecting a fight because no way an imp would be so bold to attack a higher ranked superior.
Lincoln interrupted his boss's tirade. "Maybe we should've taken the freeway instead of the surface streets." That did little to calm Blitzo down.
"Now you fucking tell me!"
"Blitz!" Millie didn't take kindly to his harsh tone at Lincoln.
"Everyone just shut up and don't backseat, please." Blitzo instructed, rubbing his ears from all the car honking. "I swear I'm this close to losing all hearing."
By the time the traffic started to move, Blitzo drove the van into the wealthiest streets the employees of I.M.P have ever seen, Lincoln was used to a simple suburban setting while Moxxie and Millie had a shabby apartment complex in Imp City. For Blitzo, the only way he could ever see himself living among high society is if he were born as something other than an imp and it sickened him. He drove up to the mansion housing Stolas and his family, Lincoln opened the door to exit with his satchel and said his goodbyes to his coworkers.
"See you guys later."
Millie took out a napkin and wiped his cheek. "Now, do remember to listen to your teacher and not to backtalk. Okay, mister? I'd tell you to bite his finger off if he gets too testy, but he's a prince so that's a big no-no and we're not in the Wrath Ring." she giggles as she remembers the screams of her old school teachers.
"You can just ignore the finger part, Lincoln." Moxxie tells him. "Just remember to have fun and call if there's any trouble."
"With who's doing the teaching, that's bound to happen." Blitzo commented under his breath.
Chuckling, Lincoln reassured them that nothing would go wrong. "I'll be fine, you guys and it'll only last until the end of the day."
"We know that, hon." Millie nods, then sniffles a bit and envelops him in another hug. "I just can't believe you're already off learning magic, Lincoln! Next thing you know, you're already putting the head of a hell-beast on a pike and sending us letters from your home! Damn, now I know how Ma felt when my brother got hitched!" she wailed.
"Millie...again...losing...oxygen..."
Being freed from her strong grasp, Lincoln took one last look at Blitzo. "Remember, Lincoln. Don't forget that you're on our team. The team of the incorrigible shit stains of society. Also, if anything seemed like it could make a lot of dough on the black market, don't hesitate to steal it. Make horrible decisions, sport!" The van drives off with Lincoln waving goodbye as it makes a left turn.
Lincoln turns around and sees the luxurious dwelling standing before him, it was comparable to that of a royal palace which made sense considering the residents that live here. Suppressing a gulp, Lincoln walks forward to the entrance doors, pushing back all skittish feelings in order to act more accordingly in the home of royalty and not make a fool of himself. He rung the doorbell once which let out a lengthy tune that went one for a solid minute and was answered by one of the imps servants of the mansion.
"His highness has been expecting you." Standing aside, the master of the mansion appeared next.
"Lincoln, my dear boy!" Stolas exuberantly greeted. "Welcome to my humble abode. Please, come in."
"Th-Thank you for having me, sir." Lincoln courteously said.
"Now, now. You are a welcomed guest, child. No need to be so timid." Stolas allowed Lincoln to enter, then looked around. "Are your imp caretakers not with you?" He had hoped Blitzo would join him.
"They didn't think they were needed since this is just for me." Lincoln explained. "Though, I think Blitz just didn't want to come. Said something only about a full moon."
Stolas understood and respected the terms of the arrangement like Blitzo did. Today was a day for teaching magic and nothing more. Closing the door, neither Stolas nor Lincoln notice that I.M.P's company van was still present in the wealthy street, hiding somewhere in a dark corner. "Sir, why are we still here?"
Blitzo answers Moxxie's question. "To make sure our intern stays our intern after this is over. Think about it. All that swanky-ass rich demon glamor and learning magic that these uppity bitches keep to themselves, why bother working for us when he could get a taste of the sweet life in Hell?"
Millie gasps, realizing the implications. "You think he'll want to live here from now on?!" she asked in horror.
"We're looking at a literal palace, Mills!" Blitzo gestures to it to make his point. "You tell me."
"Sure that's not just an assumption based on baseless paranoia?" Moxxie didn't see Lincoln as being so shallow and didn't like his boss putting such an idea in his wife's head.
"My mad genius brain is thinking about the big picture here, Moxxie!" Blitzo got out. "And it's thinking that we don't lose employees so easily!"
"Wow..."
Lincoln spent his whole life living in a very cramped household, so any living dwelling bigger than the Loud House was a sight to behold for him and Stolas' mansion was no exception whatsoever. The dark blue light in the night building's main foyer led to other areas and he could see a lot outside through the tall windows with pink stained glasses. Various portraits of Stolas and his family were plastered all over the walls, and he couldn't resist noting how cute a little version of Octavia was. Symbols of Stolas' glyph were seen everywhere, signifying that he was the man in charge under this roof, and there were potted plants with some being sentient carnivorous ones.
"I take it that my home is to your liking?" Stolas amusedly inquires, it's always funny to see others' reactions to his affluent lifestyle. The boy appeared more amazed than envious, thought, but Stolad didn't mind that.
"And then some!" Lincoln rubbed a hand through his hair, continuing to marvel at the interior. "Sorry, I just can't believe I'm in the home of a prince!"
"I do not blame you for being so taken, young one." Stolas ushers him to follow him as they walk through the long halls of the mansion, Lincoln listening intently to whatever Stolas had to say. "Very few that aren't part of Hell's more lucrative society are granted access to freely roam these halls, save for our many servants." A trio of such servants were sweeping the floors and dusting bookshelves. "I will say this, you're about the first living mortal soul to be here. First to also utilize demonic magic barred from the rest of the masses. Oh, yes, child, I feel having a teacher is a dire necessity you need."
"If it means not getting killed in Hell, I won't complain. Especially if it means learning all I can." Lincoln tells him, being privy to all the knowledge this mansion holds could give him a means of tampering with the curse that keeps him here.
The kid had heart, Stolas rarely saw that in Hell very often. "Love that attitude, it's important to keep a narrow focus on things." Stolas stops in his tracks. "I can't tell you how wondrous it is to be teaching a young impressionable mind in the ways of the damned arts. I haven't taught in ages since Via was little."
"That's because I grew up."
Leaning on a wall with hands in her pockets was Octavia who didn't make her presence known until now.
You know, just being cool with it, part of the mystique.
"Octavia!" Lincoln ran to her.
"Hi, Lincoln." the teenage owl demon greets with a casual smile. "I see you were serious about coming here. Not too late to turn back, you know."
"Now, sweetie, you make it sound as if this were a horror house." Stolas admonished.
Octavia used her hands to point out the obvious. "Newsflash, dad. This is Hell. Literally every house is a horror house."
"Every common house is a horror house." Stolas clarified, not wanting his mansion to be comparable to that of the unsavory buildings that house the uncouth demonic beings. "Ours is a welcoming little home with only the most wholesome of novelties, like this pretty thing. Have you been a good maniacal plant for daddy?" he tickles his finger on a flytrap plant that nearly bit his finger off, much to his delight. "Ooh, that's a good little monster."
"Might wanna steer clear of those shitty plants." Octavia warned Lincoln. "They get really excited when fresh new meat is around."
Lincoln saw one plant growl dangerously at him, making him keep his distance. "Thanks for the heads up."
Stolas claps his hands to get his daughter's and his new pupil's collective attention. "Come along now, children. There is so much to educate, dillydallying will prevent those brains of yours from being illuminated by the knowledge of the Goetias." Normally the students would be excited for this opportunity, and that rang true for Lincoln, but out of the three of them, it was Stolas that acted more like a thrilled child than the actual child in the mansion.
"Last time he was this elated was when he caused a little ruckus in the Envy Ring." Octavia said to Lincoln as they walked together. "That was like forever ago."
"I take it this means things between you two are better now?" Lincoln inquired.
"...Eh, it's not worse, I guess." Her parents continuing to be at each other's throats was still present, but now that she had some assurance that Stolas wouldn't leave his family to have more intimacy with Blitzo, she's been softening up a little. "It's not completely perfect, but it feels nice to actually talk to him for once. I actually kinda miss that." she made sure not to let her dad hear that.
"Happy to hear." Lincoln earnestly said, though his smile hid some sadness. He was happy for Octavia, she can still be certain that her father wasn't going anywhere and vice versa, it's just a shame the same can't be said for him.
"Here we are!" All conversations halted as Stolas announced them to their destination, one of the many areas that take up a lot of space in the mansion and where the magical lesson will take place and had it prepared just for this occasion and he was going to make sure it was worth it. He might be a little rusty in the teaching department, but it shouldn't be too much trouble for a royal. He rings a bell for one of the imp servants to open the entrance for him, his daughter, and the young human.
Lincoln was already awed enough when he got a look inside the mansion, but what was inside the room easily made it clear that there was more to the mansion than fancy decorations. There was no furniture inside, only a few pillars, but the true eyecatcher was the ceiling over them, or to be more accurate there being a literal starry night sky in the place where a ceiling would normally be. It truly seemed as if outside had become one with the inside as the stars kept changing around them and a few small planets also appeared. "Holy moly..." Lincoln pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. "What is this room?!"
"Impressed?" Stolas pridefully smirked. "As one should be. For us royals, our dwellings are unlike any that others have seen before, our power transcends through many things."
Lincoln's eyes were glued to the starry skies above him, noting the different nebulas with vibrant colors and seeing constellations that he didn't recognize. Everything about Hell contradicts everything all scientific scholars of Earth believe in, Lisa included, and it was a rare trait of Hell he was starting to enjoy. "Why'd you ever get tired of this?!" he asked Octavia.
The gothic princess shrugged. "You see space in your house your whole life, the feeling stales a bit."
Waving his hand, Stolas raised his grimoire from Lincoln's satchel and summoned energy constructs made to look like chairs. "Take your seats, my children. The lesson is about to begin."
During the last time Blitzo was in the mansion, he memorized any and all entry points, specifically the ones that allowed imps like him and his employees to sneak in undetected. He didn't really use them since Stolas allowed him to enter for some intimate sex stuff and he fell over the balcony when he ran off with the grimoire, but kept them in mind for future use. "Ugh, the place still reeks of pretentious d-bags." Blitzo blanched in disgust, the stench of imps who were in service here only made it worse..
"Oooh." Millie pressed her face and hands against the glass fish tank containing multicolored fish species. "Look at the little fishies! They're so pretty!"
"Mills, stop it with the gawking. We've got a job to do." Blitzo reprimands.
Moxxie brought up a crucial reminder. "Our real job is only made possible through the 'cooperation' between you and the prince." he reviewed, using air quotes. "Sneaking into his home may very well ruin that, leaving us with no means to carry out our jobs! Or did you conveniently forget that?" he whispers harshly. Blitzo getting busy with the prince may not be enough to avoid punishment and imps are rarely shown any mercy.
Contrary to what Moxxie may believe, Blitzo was well aware of that fact, but that damn prideful ego of his abhorred the possibility of one of his employees getting swept up by the high life of the powerful. "I don't expect you to understand, since you like to crush my great ideas for some reason, Moxxie. But, these expensive beauties speak to people." Case in point, him pushing various objects into a burlap sack. "It makes them want more of it. Today, it's magic lessons and tomorrow, it's everything Lincoln could ever want. That's a risk I'm not willing to take."
"You take risks all the time, sir!" I.M.P itself is a risk.
"For good reason! Like right now!" Blitzo rises over Moxxie in a show of dominance. "You once said that I'm the boos and you're the employee! Instead of mouthing off to Loona about doing her job, try taking your own lame advice!" he turns to walk, but bumps into a random servant imp, knocking him down.
Groaning, the imp looks upwards and sees the three unfamiliar assassins. "What the-? Who are you miscreants?"
"Ah, man..." Not even a whole minute and they were already caught. "Uh, hello there! We're the new plant tamers that your boss ordered! Said he needed help getting those crazy beasts under control!"
The servant imp hummed as he formed an expression of suspicion on three of them, making Blitzo scowl. Lower ranked demons breaking into the homes of the superior ones was common, all hungry for all the magical secrets that those like the Goetias greedily keep only to themselves, barring the tall imp. Nudging Millie behind him, she sees him holding out his hand and she knew he wanted her to sneak him one of her knives as using his flintlock would cause too much of a scene.
A silent kill was more appropriate.
"Oh, crumbs..." Moxxie averted his eyes.
"Right on time!" the imp servant grins, surprising the three. "You're earlier than expected, but that makes things easier! Come, follow me!"
"...You're kidding me." Moxxie gaped.
"There, you see, Mox? Quit pissing your pants and have some faith." I.M.P follows the servant until stopping at a large door.
"Our sire recently planted and grew this one about a week ago and it's exhibited...shall we say, temperamental behavior." He shudders at the last time he and other servants had to sweep away the boney remains of the last imps that tried to teach it to play nice. "Whatever methods you use to make sentient flesh-eating plant beasts to not cause a fuss, I hope they're effective ones." he leaves them to it. "I simply must return to waxing the gold statue of the Goetia family."
Blitzo snorted in disgust. "Kiss-ass little runt." Nothing sadder to him than an imp looking content in his life of servitude.
"Well, sir." Moxxie said expectantly. "Any more brilliant ideas?" Just once, he wanted his boss to think clearly for once.
Blitzo glared nastily, mad at himself for not thinking of anything but gained a sleazy smirk when he looked at the doors and recalled the servant's description of the wild beast on the other side.
That will do nicely.
Stolas kept a cool and relaxed disposition, Octavia mimicked her father and Lincoln tried to do the same, the operative word being "tried", but you can't really fault him for it. Learning real magic and being in a room with a literal night sky does that to one young as himself, it took a considerate amount of willpower for Octavia to not snicker at his astounded look. "To truly understand the fundamentals of the dark arts, first, empty your mind of whatever previous perceptions you have of what is real and what is false. Those concepts no longer exist as of now." He was specifically talking to Lincoln. "What your mortal science deems as pure fantasy is because they limit themselves, they close their minds off to the unknown." The pages of the grimoire flap rapidly and stop as a large orb of red light was summoned.
It rose up before exploding into beautiful red particles.
"Awesome." Lincoln felt some of them tickle his skin, it felt kind of nice.
"Indeed. This is quite 'awesome'." Stolas repeated that "hip" word while giggling, making Octavia roll her eyes. "To learn the demonic ways of Hell's magic, Lincoln, you need to have the mental fortitude to withstand it. These are the forces beyond any other mortals' understanding and it has a habit of corrupting lesser minds."
Demon magic.
The same magic that Stillman used to maintain his youth at the expense of the lives of his own students, abusing the trust they have in him as a teacher to meet his own ends and with that magic, he's now trapped in Hell with no means of breaking the insidious curse that has gripped onto his mortal soul.
But with that type of magic, Lincoln's been able to last more than a second in Hell and would've been killed without it or his fellow coworkers in I.M.P. Realistically speaking, demon magic has been his most useful tool thus far and had to admit, it felt a little cool when he used the book, regardless of its unholy nature.
The grimoire was leviated in front of him. "You want me to cast a spell? Right now?"
"I wish to see the exact extent of your potential." Stolas informed, making his book flip to a specific page. "The spells you've casted up until now are easy to cast for beginners, but let us see how you can fare with a more potent spell." He encouraged him to try his hand at one of the plant-based spells, a personal favorite set of spells of the prince's.
This wasn't the first time Octavia's seen Lincoln use her dad's book, but it was the first time she's seen someone who wasn't him utilize it. Ever since she was a little owlet, a lesson taught to young royals like her was that their power and secrets were only for themselves and no other demon may be permitted to access them. It's how higher ranked demons stay in their position, it's not just the status alone that determines a demon's social standing in Hell, but the power they have to prove their strength and the wicked nature nearly all demons of Hell have to make it known that crossing them would be the last mistake any fool would ever make.
Except if you were an imp who was a fantastic lover in bed, as that seemed to sate Stolas enough to let an imp use the book for his upstart assassin company.
Still, it was shocking to see a human kid of all things be permitted use of the grimoire. Lincoln could vey well be the first human in existence to use powerful Hell magic and he treats it with awe and amazement. A light smile appeared on her, it was actually a little nice to see it, she's not one to think sappy thoughts like that.
With his eyes glowing and speaking in ancient tongue, a small seed is brought forth. But when that seed collides to the ground, it instantly grows into a large multicolored tree that almost reaches up to the sky. "My word..." Stolas touches the bark and admires the beauty of the creation. It was bigger than he was expecting, due to his young age, it should have been the size of a flower at most. "Child, it would appear that I've underestimated you."
"What do you mean?" Lincoln didn't see the big deal. "I just made a tree."
"A vibrant tree, dear boy." Stolas corrected, deep in thought. Did it perhaps pertain to his soul's current state of being connected to Hell, yet not be a departed one like so many others? This manner of a Curse is a very unique one that leads to a unique position for the boy and doubt, that will lead to unpredictable occurrences.
For that, they'll need a wider space than the room.
"Is it really important?" Lincoln asked the other owl demon.
"Must be." Octavia replied. "The list of things dad takes seriously is a short one." She should know, she's at the top of that list.
Making the book return to him, Stolas waved his glowing right hand and a large portal opened up. "Come now, students. First lesson shall be done somewhere else." he steps through and waits for the two.
"Oh, you're gonna freaking love this!" Octavia told Lincoln, holding out her hand.
"Where are we-woah!" She pulled him in before he could finish.
Just as they left, a knock was heard.
"Sire? Sire, are you there?"
"Of all the hair raising idiotic stunts you've pulled, sir, this is by far the craziest one yet."
"That's what I'm going for, Moxxie and thanks for the compliment, though I had to go the whole day without you singing my praises."
In Blitzo's very chaotic mind, this was the best plan he's come up with to make sure Lincoln won't leave I.M.P for the Goetias. A rabid uncontrollable plant monster with a taste for anything living is just what the unlicensed doctor ordered. He and M n' M were standing before a cage that held a primal beast that caught the smell of three imps and struggled at its restraints to dig its teeth into the delicious flesh of the small demons. "Why do these big-wigs always get the cute little critters?" Millie complained.
"It is a damn shame, Millie." Blitzo nodded. "Know what's also a damn shame? If this sexy beast gets loose and after seeing the mess it makes, our boy will see the hoity toity life ain't all it's cracked up to be and realize how thankful he should be to be included in I.M.P. So sad for Stolas, but great for us!"
Moxxie facepalmed. "For the last time, sir. While I admit that the envious lifestyle of Hell's nobles are enticing, I doubt it'd come to that...although, now that I think about it. It might be what's best for Lincoln."
"...Excuse me, the fuck you just say?!"
Blitzo looked at Moxxie's eyes, faces dangerously close, daring the shorter imp to say that crap again. "Well, it's as you say, sir. Lincoln could be safer in Hell here than with us." he reasoned civilly. "We're assassins. Our entire business revolves around dangerous confrontations and if something were to happen to him..." He didn't finish that after seeing his wife's dejected frown. "The point is, maybe Lincoln needs guidance from figures like the Goetias, who better than royalty who know the ins and outs of Hell for centuries?"
"But, we can't just let our boy go!" Millie passionately argued in defiance of her husband's stance.
Moxxie sighs, knowing how attached she's become to Lincoln. "Millie, I know you've come to care about Lincoln. I have too. But he already has a family up on Earth and we all know how much he wants to go back. With all that the prince knows, his best bet is right in this mansion. Not with three imps and a hellhound taking killing jobs from bitter Sinners."
As always, Moxxie makes various good points that are very difficult to argue with, but Blitzo wasn't having any of it. Just rolling over and letting the feathered bastard take more from him? No fucking way in Hell. "Says you, Moxxie!" Blitzo shot with his pistol to undo the locks that were placed to hold the beast in and the cage bars were lifted up. "Hey, you little cutie! Has someone been grounded from fucking up some shit in this shoddy mansion? Look no further, 'cause papa Blitz is gonna-" A vine shot out and grabs his legs drag him in.
Moxxie and Millie gazed, flabbergasted until Moxxie's agape expression formed into a deadpan expression. "And so, the chaos begins."
"This is amazing!"
"Do be careful, Lincoln. It can be quite tricky for first-timers."
He was in space.
Lincoln Loud was in motherfucking space!
A place where no Loud has gone before, not even Lisa and she has a lot of connections to NASA. Thanks to Stolas and his magic, he was able to breathe in the vast cold dark reaches of space and suffocate from the lack of oxygen. "Do you guys go into space all the time?!" he asks, looking all around his current surroundings and can even see planets he's never seen before. All he needs now is a cool spacesuit and spaceship and he'll be living every space-themed dream he's had at night.
"Let him have some fun, dad." Octavia nudged Stolas and floated over to the elated boy. "Pretty rad, ain't it?"
"Rad doesn't even come close!" Lincoln laughed. "How could you ever get tired of this?"
"You're young." Octavia playfully ruffles his white hair. "You'll learn."
Stolas' eyes glowed and a blue energy disk was created that acted as a stage for the three to stand on among the sparkling stars and the perfect training ground for their lesson. Artificial gravity was created to make it easier for them to stay in place and not drift away until reaching the very edge of the universe. "Fun and games may come later, children. Now is the time to see how strong your individual focus is." Target constructs were displayed, now was the time to assess their accuracy.
"Target practice?" This had to be a joke. "Come on, dad. Where's the challenge?"
"Now, Via. Sometimes, it's good to review the basics. It shows how much you've grown." Stolas tutted with his finger. "Lincoln, you may go first."
Okay. Eyes on the target, grimoire ready, a simple fire blast would cut it. Lincoln concentrated hard, and the book's pages were shining as a spell was activated and fire did shoot out, a little too much fire than he was counting on. Fire balls were shot out to all across space, but none hit the targets, making him feel embarrassed. "Uh, oops."
"Hmm..." Stolas raised a skeptical brow at the display. Lincoln showed a bit more control in Loo Loo Land, testimony from Blitzo also reported that for a human, he's gotten along fine with the grimoire. "Is there something wrong, boy?"
"I...guess it works better when I'm in danger." Whether it be bull Sinner demons, murderous Satanists, or a wild out of control robot jester, his drive to survive tapped into his better control of the book's magic spells. "Opening portals to Earth is about the easiest one I can do."
Stolas admitted that it made sense. As a beginner, Lincoln has yet to fully tap into the full power of the grimoire, the same can be said for Octavia but she's making some progress in her young avian life, but danger alone shouldn't be the only trigger for Lincoln. He needs to learn how to cast spells on a whim, accept it as part of himself not as a tool for simple defense. But if that was a crucial part to draw out his hidden potential, then maybe for now, something was needed to act as an enemy.
But what?
Loud knocking was heard from the portal leading back to the mansion making Stolas scoff in annoyance. "Pardon me. I'm afraid my presence is required. Do try not to wander off too far."
"Dad, we're not babies." Octavia stated. "We can take care of ourselves, you know."
"Oh, of course, dear." Stolas nuzzles her face. "But you're still my little Starfire! Toodles~!" He floats off back to the portal.
"So sorry you had to see that." What Lincoln must have thought about Stolas' fatherly affections.
Thankfully, he wasn't judgmental. "It's cool. My own dad's the same way most of the time."
Octavia recalled him telling her about his family, and asked something that's been on her mind since she first met him. "Lincoln. Think you can tell me how exactly you, a living human, ended up in Hell? My dad was too excited for that shitty park to explain." She saw him frown with notable sadness and retracted. "I mean, you don't have if you don't want to-"
"No." Lincoln shook his head. "It's a long story, but I guess you should know. It's just not a happy one..."
The imps that serve the royal Goetia family should know better than to disturb Stolas when he's in the middle of important business. He was gracious enough to allow the continuation of their employment, so they ought to tread very carefully when condoning their work. It wouldn't be hard for the prince to look for and hire new imps to replace his current work force. "Sire! Sire, please respond!" If the servant could bang on the door any longer, it would be knocked down and it's made of very hard to find material.
Opening the door, the servant imp fell down. "What is all this commotion about? Was I not clear that I was not to be disturbed?" Stolas demands. For the imp's sake, he better have a good reason.
Sweating down bullets, the imp collected himself to be more presentable for the prince. "I merely come to inform you that the plant tamers you requested arrived minutes ago and are tending to your beast."
"Is that so?" Took them long enough to arrive, his new precious gets so testy that Stella keeps complaining about the bloody messes it makes. "I assume they are treating it with tender care?"
"I would imagine so, sire. That tall imp and the two littler ones seemed very capable."
Stolas moved to return to his students, but wanted to re-hear that. "Tall imp and littler one?"
He couldn't possibly mean-
Crashing noises were heard and for a second, he thought Stella had come back early. But when Stolas went out, the commotion was coming from the room housing the plant beast that required taming and heard distinctly familiar voices on the other side. This coupled with what the servant told him only confirmed his suspicions.
"Go for its heart! Always go for the heart"
"Sir, we don't know where that is!"
"Don't worry, boys! I've tangled tougher critters at the ranch!"
"Go for it, Mills! Use that hillbilly energy!"
The doors were opened by Stolas and his four eyes shot open in shock as Blitzo and Millie were standing atop the elongated vines of the plant beast, with its mouth open to bear its sharp fangs and tendrils flailing about like wild snakes in a frenzy. Moxxie was on the ground, shooting numerous rounds at it as it continued to thrash about the walls.
"Blitzy?!" Stolas exclaimed.
The three assassins noticed the prince's untimely arrival and panicked.
"One thing after another." Blitzo groaned.
"So, yeah. That's about it. Now you're up to speed."
Reliving the events that led up to his being in Hell was never a picnic, but Lincoln knew that since he'll be learning alongside Octavia so long as Stolas accepts him as a student, she at least should know more about the tale of how a human boy ended up in the realm of eternal suffering. It cleared up a lot of things for the princess and understood Lincoln more. "...That fucking teacher was a grade-A asshole." She's seen more than enough Sinners in Hell to teach her that many humans have a certain darkness in them that leads them down a path of unrepentant sin that saves them a spot here, but that didn't mean she enjoyed it.
In fact, it pissed her off because of the population crisis that still grows with each new daily arrival from the living world, leading her and her family to hide out in special hideaways that most elites have access to avoid being spotted on the day of Extermination.
Presently, she was especially disgusted when Lincoln told her of Stillman, a man who would kill children in pursuit of eternal youth. She thought of it as unfair since Lincoln's time hadn't even come yet and even then, a part of her doesn't see him coming down to Hell anytime soon. What she hated more was how he couldn't return to his family with his soul connected to Hell.
"Tell me about it." Lincoln wouldn't use such sour language, but he agreed with the sentiment. "Your dad said even though I'm still alive, the terms of the curse keep me here and I can't stay on Earth without eventually returning."
"...And you have to stay with that red douche because you have no choice." It now made sense to her why he sticks with that guy. "Shit. I-I didn't think it was that bad." she sympathetically said. "I don't know what to say. Literally. I mean, that is just-I'm so sorry, dude."
"It's not all bad." Lincoln wouldn't call this paradise, but it could be worse.
"Not all bad? Are you shitting me?" Octavia understood wanting to look strong, but let's be real here. She knelt down and grabbed his shoulders. "You're in freaking Hell! It's like the worst kind of bad and I was born there!"
"Okay, yes! I get it! Hell's the worst place for a middle schooler!" Lincoln grew tired of having to hear that. "If I spent the whole time worrying about that, then how exactly am I supposed to get home?!" he shouts, startling Octavia and he calms down. "Sorry, I just-I just want to go home. I haven't gone this long without my family and I-I miss them..."
The human kid didn't want to cry in front of Octavia, but it couldn't be helped and she became increasingly empathetic to his plight, similar to how he felt when he saw her crying at the theme park. Her mother would never let her do this, but like how a crying owlet had a scary dream of losing her daddy, this kid needed a hug. Lincoln was taken by surprise when she pulled him in, her feathers were soft and warm, he slowly wrapped his own arms around her to return the hug. "Is that why you accepted when dad offered to teach you? You want to find a way to undo the curse."
"...Yeah." Lincoln felt a little dirty for having an ulterior motive. "Sorry, but this seemed like my one chance. I had to take it."
"It's okay. I would've done the same." Octavia lets go to face him. "Lincoln, there's a lot my dad knows, but if there was a way to fix this, he would've said something by now. This problem of yours, no being in Hell has ever seen it. I-I don't know if..."
Lincoln finished her thought, drying up his tears. "If it's possible? Well, I'm a living human in Hell. I'm already proving the impossible."
Kid had fire, that much can be said. "Yeah, that's true." Octavia chuckled, getting back up. "I never gave two shits about the odds, anyway. You know, you're one tough kid."
Lincoln smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Octavia. Really."
Besides the I.M.P team, she was the first demon in Hell he actually bonded with.
Friends with demons.
What a time to be alive.
"Man, what the hell's taking my dad so long?" Octavia asked after a second. "He should've come back by now."
"Think there's trouble?" Lincoln asked, concerned.
Frowning, Octavia grasped the grimoire in her hands. "One way to find out."
"Okay, I know this looks bad. But, if you let me explain, I promise we'll look back on this and laugh our asses out."
"Assuming we live past this!"
"Now is not the time, Moxxie! I'm trying to cover our butts here!"
"Yes, do be quiet. I'd much rather hear from the taller, sexier one please." Not even a killer monster plant on the loose was enough to quell Stolas' anger at Blitzo.
Blitzo and Millie were thrown off the plant beast and had to find cover with Moxxie and Stolas with the latter not expecting to see that the three were somehow in his mansion even though Lincoln told him that they weren't with him when he arrived. Them fighting the beast and doing a subpar job at it was just as shocking. "Look, before you get pissy, big bird, let the record show that we stuck around to watch out for the intern."
"Blitzy, how you wound this suffering soul." Stolas pouts at his lover, he could see the truth from a mile away. "Do you truly doubt my ability to observe and guide one human soul? Granted, he's not your average child, but I wouldn't let a hair on him be harmed. It'd greatly upset my daughter. Could it be that someone couldn't bear to see the child they've been caring for choose to live among us nobles?" he asked, angering Blitzo enough to be more forceful while shooting.
"Mox, let's take the left flank!" Millie told her husband as she fired with an assault rifle.
Humans on Earth, that's whom I.M.P is supposed to be shooting at, not robot clowns or plant monsters, humans were supposed to be their targets. Moxxie really hates it when he and the team fought something different, but he can mouth off to Blitzo about this later. That is if the prince wouldn't punish them for their unannounced visit. The vines swiped at them, colliding with the walls and creating cracks in them as the imps tried their best in taking it down while Stolas simply stood calmly by, unharmed. It wasn't in the plant beast's nature to harm the being that gave it life in the first place, only to devour the weakest ones in the group and I.M.P obviously fit that profile. They were resilient little imps, but their puny bullets did little to make any critical damage and they couldn't get close enough to stab it with sharp weapons.
Nothing can stop-
"What in the shit?!"
All eyes see Octavia and Lincoln making their entrance when the princess made her shouting.
"Blitz? Moxxie? Millie? What are you guys doing here?! And what is that?!" Octavia leads Lincoln to a safer spot when the beast digs its vines into the ground and they emerge to try and smash them.
"Lincoln! Just stay where you are, honey! Momma and daddy have this all under control!" Millie says just as Moxxie pushes her out of the way from an attacking vine.
"Octavia, listen to the female one!" Stolas shifted from coy lover to responsible parent. "This is a matter for the adults!"
"This is my home too, dad!" Octavia argued.
"Out of the question, young lady!" Stolas would burn all of Hell to the ground for his daughter, and there was no way he'd see her get hurt on his watch. "This is my house! I shall handle this!"
Lincoln was in full support of Octavia. "But, we can-"
"Don't argue with the prince, Lincoln!" Moxxie shouted. "We're completely capable of-WAH!" he is hoisted up by a vine.
Octavia and Lincoln shared a determined nod and the latter opened up the grimoire. Another seed is brought forth and planted into the ground for the same tree that Lincoln grew to form and with the power of the book, he thinks hard and the tree is surrounded by an aura as it moves on its own, but he couldn't get it to obey his command, but couldn't. A second hand is placed on the book that belonged to Octavia and together, the two focus on making the tree obey both of them. With their combined minds, the tree responded to their commands and the tree bark sprouted spores that opened up, releasing a gas that made the plant slightly wither away before it grew new with sharp spikes and relentlessly attacked until it was nothing more than a dead plant on the ground.
The two young magic users dropped the grimoire and supported the other as they shared a tired fist bump and the adult demons looked in amazement.
"Told ya..." Lincoln dropped to his knees. "Had in the bag.
Octavia helped him stand. "Damn right."
After having his cleaning staff take care of the dead plant and the tree the two youngsters commanded disappeared with nothing else to fight and the imps can now explain what the fuck did they think they were doing. "How many times do we have to tell you? We just came to make sure the kid was doing alright?" Blitzo answered after going through the most boring interrogation he's ever faced. He hated having to explain himself, especially to a higher-ranked demon, he has never once apologized for his crazy schemes and won't start now.
"Then why the fuck were you three in my dad's plant prison?!" Octavia challenged. "Just because my dad's hot for an idiot like you doesn't mean you can treat our home like your own personal playground!"
"Octavia." Stolas implores her to calm herself. "Now, Blitzy, if you wanted to come in, you simply needed to ask. You should know there's nothing I wouldn't do to you." he flirtatiously said.
"You mean for you."
"Agree to disagree."
Blitzo resisted the urge to just have a freak out as that would give Stolas more power, so he needed to let all gathered know that even though this is his mansion, he was still the boss. "Okay, you know what? Either let us leave with our intern or expect a lengthy reason why we won't just sit by and let you make the kid stay with your feathered mug."
"Is that why you guys sneaked in? You thought I'd want to stay with the Goetias? Blitz, why would you think that, unless..." Lincoln gasped. "Hold on, were you scared that I'd like them more than you?"
Stolas chuckles into his hand. "Got it in one, dear boy!"
Octavia shook her head in disbelief. "Unbelievable."
Lincoln didn't know what to believe, that they believed that he'd be that shallow or that it was surprisingly sweet of Blitzo to think that way. In his defense, if he were to know of the whole past business with that limo ride, then Blitzo would slightly be vindicated. But Lincoln knew better than before and wouldn't just leave them. Unlikely as it may sound, he's come to like all of them. "Guys. Sure, it's great here, but I'm still an intern at I.M.P I wouldn't trade that."
Blitzo swore he heard a record scratch. "Sorry, what?"
"I know I've only been with you guys for only weeks, but I won't leave just like that." Lincoln committedly proclaimed. "You guys have saved my life more than once and after what we've been through together, well, I like you guys and I'd love to stay with you." You survive cannibals together and you're bonded for life.
Moxxie smiled at him and smugly taunted Blitzo. "Well, who would've guessed?" But, he wanted to make sure Lincoln was serious as there was no coming back. "Are you certain about this, Lincoln?"
"Yeah. I am."
Cue another Millie hug. "Aw! Our little man! We should've had more faith!"
Blitzo admitting he was wrong goes against his ego, but on this occasion, the reason he was wrong was unbelievable. Lincoln's seen first hand of the cushy life rich pompous jerks live and despite all that, he'll still be willing to stick by them and not royalty. It was so alien to Blitzo, that he thought he was just some trick, but the look on the boy's face wasn't the look of a deceiver. "Uh...great! Perfect! That's...exactly what I like to hear! Well, crew, let's head back. I think we've had it up to here with a rich stink for today."
"What do you see in him?" Octavia exasperatingly asked Stolas.
"You yourself are young, my little Starfire." Stolas rubbed her head tenderly. "One day, you'll learn. Now, I must say this. Disappointment in you disobeying my instruction aside, I admit, both you and our young friend here acted admirably today. There is room for improvement, but bottom line, you both did well." The prince felt pride, for once not for himself, but for his daughter and surprisingly enough, Lincoln. This wasn't his idea in drawing out his potential, but it was a good first step. "I do hope this won't impede your decision to learn more from me."
"Unless there's other cool owl demon princes around, you're stuck with me." Lincoln grinned.
"HA! Oh, you are a delightful mortal, dear boy! Fare thee well young Lincoln and you precocious little imps!" Stolas made Blitzo stick around. "And Blitzy, you can expect a call from me very soon~."
Blitzo clenched his teeth and hightailed it.
"Think the next lesson will be as insane as today's?" Lincoln asks his fellow magic classmate.
"It's Hell, little man. You can bet on everything that it will." Octavia exchanged a friendly hi-five. "Catch you later, Linc. And hey, you happen to like rock music by any chance?"
"Not a hardcore fan, but I definitely like this one band. Why?"
"Have I got a lot to show you, next time." This really felt great, having a friend.
Blitzo drags him off. "Okay, that's enough sappy friendship. I.M.P is out of here!"
Sighing, Octavia observes all the damage done by the beast plant and could hardly believe so much has happened in a single evening, it's certainly a lot less boring compared to most days living as royalty. "What a mess."
"Indubitably, Octavia. The maids and the butlers have their work cut out for them." Stolas remarks. "I dare say offering to act as that boy's mentor may pave the way for more exciting days. I know you wouldn't mind."
Eyes going wide, Octavia flushes. "Yeah, well. The kid's cool." She then asked a serious question, one that came to mind after hearing Lincoln's story while they were in space. "Hey, dad. The curse that keeps Lincoln here, is there no way to break it? To make it so that he goes home?"
Stolas stresses to find an answer. "The conditions of the curse were incomplete, Via. The boy is basically a living breathing example of uncharted waters, that makes finding a solution difficult, even for one such as I."
Not the answer she was looking for, but she did take it as a challenge. 'Well, we're fucking Goetias aren't we? Nothing's beyond our reach." That determination from Lincoln was inspiring.
Stolas hums in delight as he watches his daughter leave. "That's my girl."
"Sire?" The servant imp finally moves from his hiding spot. "Is it over?"
Just another day in the life of an Ars Goetia family.