Dancing With Fire: Chapter 24
#6 of Dancing With Fire Act 2 - Fanning the Flames
"I got you now, fucker," Blitzø muttered. His rump and tail swayed in a fluid motion as he focused on the golf ball perched on the green just in front of his putter. His gaze moved from the ball to the giant animatronic Lucifer head blocking the path to the hole and grinning mockingly at him. Its long tongue unfurled onto the green to make a ramp into its mouth.
"It's all in the timing, Blitzø! Make the shot before the teeth open again," hooted the skinny bastard behind him. The imp glared over his shoulder at the other, unreasonably tall demon. It was Stolas's idea that they go minigolfing at Lu Lu World, and Blitzø was almost starting to regret it.
He grit his teeth as he returned his attention to the ball. "I know! You said that like ten times now!"
"Twelve, actually," said the Prince of Hell as he glanced down at the scorecard. "You've reached the maximum score for this hole. We can move on if you-"
"We ain't going nowhere until I sink this bitch!" Blitzø growled. He wiggled some more as he mentally traced a line from his putter to the taunting cheshire grin of the giant robotic head. There was a soft, tittering trill behind him, and he quickly shot another glare over his shoulder. Stolas appeared to be looking away from him. Oh, he better not be looking at my ass .
After a few deep breaths, Blitzø drew back his putter and swung. The colored golf ball leapt forward and up the tongue ramp toward the moving teeth of the animatronic's mouth. The imp's heart leapt into his throat as the teeth rose just high enough to let the ball through.
"YES!!!" he shouted as he jumped into the air. He waved his putter over his head like a marching baton. "I fucking did it! Eat my shit, you fucking metal turd!"
Stolas applauded politely behind him. "Well done, Blitzy," he cooed, "I knew that you would eventually-"
"Hocccccch, phoo!"
Blitzø froze, eyes wide as the Lucifer head reared back and spat his ball back out. It flew through the air and bounced painfully off the imp's cranium. Then the animatronic began cackling in high-pitched laughter.
He stared dumbfounded at the laughing head for several seconds. Then, his whole body heated up as rage consumed him. "You DADDYFUCKING PIECE OF DAY-OLD SMEGMA!" Blitzø screamed as he pulled his pistol from his coat pocket. But before he could blow that sick effigy of Lucifer's face to pieces, he felt slender hands grab onto his wrists.
"I think," Stolas said as he gently coaxed Blitzø into lowering his gun, "we should take a break for lunch."
The imp glowered at the Lucifer head for a few seconds more before curtly nodding and putting his pistol away. "Whatever. I'm getting hungry anyways." He paused before casting one more glance at the head. "This isn't over," he growled at it as he flipped it off.
Amusement parks weren't known for offering healthy fare to guests, and Lu Lu World was no exception. Not that Blitzø minded as he brought his paper plate over to the picnic table Stolas had picked out for them. The funnel cake on his plate was piled high with powdered sugar, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and even a scoop of ice cream.
"So like I was saying," he picked up the conversation where he left off, "the key to getting out of jury duty is to be prejudiced against everybody ."
Stolas cocked his head. "I did not realize that Hell's courts held jury trials."
Blitzø gestured with his fork before he took another bite. "They don't, but it never hurts to be prepared. That's why I've memorized every slur for every group in all the rings. They actually have a dictionary for that shit, can you believe it?"
"Yes, unfortunately, I can," said Stolas. He prodded lightly at his own, more modestly dressed funnel cake. "But Blitzø," he added, "You mentioned before about a squabble with Moxxie. What was that about?"
Oh, so the birdbrain wanted the tea on that little shitshow did he? Blitzø smiled brightly and began to recount the argument.
"Okay, so it all started when Moxxie found out I'd invested my entire sty-pen (I think that's what it's called) in Gamestonks..."
Stolas listened intently as his date regaled him with the entire confrontation with his subordinate, complete with an imitation of Moxxie's voice. Granted, Stolas didn't think that Moxxie's voice was that whiny or loud. He also doubted that Moxxie regularly talked about how small his penis was.
That was no matter, however. The Prince of Hell's focus was on the imp himself. That cheeky smile, the animated gesturing, and the growing mess of powdered sugar and syrup around him only endeared him to the owl demon more and more. Stolas smiled wistfully, only half-listening as he admired Blitzø while propping himself up with one hand.
"Uh, hey Birdbrain? You okay? Ya look like you're gonna pass out."
Stolas shook his head and sat up straight. "Oh! No, I'm perfectly alright. I was just focusing so much on your story. You're quite the storyteller when you want to be."
The imp swelled in pride at that, which made the owl's heart flutter. "Hey thanks! Good thing somebody around here appreciates a good story. Usually nobody gives a shit. Even Loonie tunes me out when I get going."
A genuine smile crossed Blitzø's face at that moment. Seeing it gave Stolas butterflies in his stomach all over again. This was a sign! At long last his Blitzy was coming around to him. He could see the affection in those golden eyes, and the warmth in that smile. It was only a matter of time before Blitzø confessed that he does have feelings for the owl demon after all. Perhaps by the end of this date!
"Yo Stolas, you're zoning out again," said the imp.
"Oh! I beg your pardon," Stolas said. His cheeks flushed red as he got back to working on his funnel cake.
Blitzø quirked a brow. Stolas had been acting weird, and not in his usual horny pervy way. Oh well, this was probably what the Birdbrain was like when he wasn't being all thirsty.
The imp ate in silence for the next few minutes. Once his funnel cake was gone, he crumpled up his plate and tossed it in the general direction of a garbage can. He didn't bother to see whether he'd gotten it in. "Aight, how's about we hit those holes again?"
Stolas spluttered and coughed mid-bite. Blitzø was almost worried that the Prince of Hell might be choking, but it'd be the dumbest way for a demon royal to die. That didn't happen. Probably.
The Prince of Hell wiped his beak off with a napkin and regained his composure. That was good, because there was no way in Hell Blitzø was going to be able to reach for a Heimlich maneuver. "Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea, Blitzy," he said.
The imp cringed. Stolas had been making an effort to say his name right, but he was slipping more than usual lately. He better not be falling into old habits!
It took some convincing, but Blitzø reluctantly agreed to move past the hole with the Lucifer head. By the time they reached the last hole, the sun was beginning to set. Blitzø sat on a park bench with his tongue sticking out in concentration.
"Okay, add this, carry this, over that...Fuck yeah! I totally beat your ass, Stolas!" he crowed as he waved the scorecard over his head. Then he showed it to the owl demon. "Read it and weep, bitch!"
Stolas smiled as he glanced over the scorecard. For once the imp's math had been correct. On the other hand... "Blitzø, you do understand how the scoring works in golf, correct?"
Blitzø puffed up. "Course I do! And I got WAY more points than you. You didn't even get a hundred, and I got over two-hundred!"
Stolas looked like he was about to say something. Whatever it was, he decided to keep it to himself. "You did well, Blitzø," he said, "I haven't had this much fun at an amusement park since Via was small."
Oh yeah, that reminded him. "Hey Stolas, I'm surprised you suggested Lu Lu World. It's way more expensive than Loo Loo Land."
The Prince of Hell nodded solemnly. "That it is. But their minigolf course is not as extensive as this one. And besides..." he let the sentence linger until it dawned on Blitzø.
"Oh yeah," said the imp, "And I'm banned for life from Loo Loo Land. Heh, my bad." He turned away for a moment. Not because he was embarrassed about that or anything. That slutty toy clown had it coming, after all!
They'd only paid for the minigolf course, so they didn't go on any of the rides. Stolas could kick himself for that. They should have gone on the ferris wheel. The view from the top was the perfect place for lovers to confess their feelings for each other. No matter, this was still as close to a perfect date as could be imagined.
The two demons navigated their way upstream against the throngs of Hellborn and Sinners alike that visited the Pride Ring's largest theme park. As they reached the parking lot and made their way to Blitzø's van, Stolas's heart was racing. This was it! The moment of truth was fast approaching. The imp would stop at his van, thank him for a good time. And then? Blitzø would admit that he was beginning to see Stolas as more than a friend. They might or might not kiss, but the door would be open for more! He'd cut ties with that lowly pleb Harper, and come time for their monthly tryst, it would not be a transaction. No, it would be a consummation! It was a good thing Stolas had worn his extra-tight briefs today.
Blitzø stopped at the driver's side door to his van and turned to look up at Stolas. The owl demon's breath hitched in anticipation. His heart was pounding out of his chest!
"Thanks for inviting me out here, Stolas," said Blitzø, "I had a really good time. We should do this again sometime! Maybe try some of the rides."
Stolas nodded, perhaps a little too hard. "Oh yes, that will be a wonderful time!"
"Fuck yeah it will!" Blitzø agreed. He started to turn toward his van, but stopped. "Oh right! I almost forgot. Hey Stolas? I got something serious to talk about."
He was going to say it! It took all of Stolas's effort not to bounce excitedly on his talons. "Yes Blitzy?" he cooed.
The imp seemed to cringe. Wait, that wasn't right. What was the matter? "These past couple meetups have been really great," he began, "I just wanna make sure we're on the same wavelength, know what I'm saying?"
The owl demon leaned forward in anticipation. "Go on?" he said.
Blitzø took a deep breath. No more stalling; it was time to tell him. Just follow the script Harper helped put together. Get it all out all at once and be done with it.
"This was fun, and it's really cool that you're not all sex all the time," he said, "And after today I'm glad to call you a friend, and I hope ya feel the same way. Before you ask, we'll still meet up every full moon as per our deal."
The imp paused and regarded the owl demon, who was standing over him with a blank expression. Time to wrap this up. "Also, you probably already figured out I have been seeing somebody. Romantically, I mean. He already knows about our deal and he's okay with it. Just wanted to let you know so you didn't get any ideas about..." he gestured wordlessly between himself and the Prince of Hell, "...you and me."
Blitzø then extended his hand up to Stolas. "So whaddaya say, Birdbrain. Pals?"
The seconds seemed to drag on as the owl demon regarded the imp's hand. Blitzø could feel sweat beading on his forehead. Oh no, he'd fucked up. Stolas really thought this was a date, didn't he???
Suddenly, Stolas's hand clasped his own and gave it a firm shake. "Pals," he echoed back to Blitzø. A watery smile crossed his beak.
Relief washed over the imp. "Oh thank fuck," he whispered under his breath, before continuing. "Great! Well drop me a line whenever you wanna hang out again. I know this great dive bar down in Envy if you wanna check it out."
He let go of Stolas's hand and opened the door of his van. "Did you need a ride back to your mansion?"
"Oh no, that won't be necessary," Stolas replied. His voice was soft, and he seemed distracted. "Boxley is coming to pick me up momentarily."
"Aight, cool! I'll see ya at the full moon then! Unless you wanna hang out before that. Later!"
Blitzø started up his van and sped off through the parking lot with his usual aplomb. With the radio cranked up, the imp jammed along to the music without a care in the world. Everything had worked out great! Now maybe tensions between Stolas and Harper wouldn't be so high since Stolas understood they were just friends, right?
Empty.
That was what Stolas felt as he watched Blitzø's van disappear among the sea of cars in the parking lot. It was what he felt as he stepped into the back of his limo, and it was what he felt on the long drive back to his estate.
He didn't say a word to Boxley, or respond to any of his valet's friendly inquiries. Eventually Boxley took the hint and remained quiet. Stolas was simply too busy staring into an emotional void far bigger than any he had seen while observing the stars.
Octavia was next to ask him about his day when he arrived at the mansion. He gently brushed off her questions and asked her to save them for tomorrow. A little white lie about having work to do wouldn't hurt her.
He stepped into his study and locked the door. From memory, he conjured a spell to open a portal. The fabric of reality parted before him, and he stepped through onto the cold dust of a distant moon far away. The view of the cosmos laid out all around him was breathtaking. For once, Stolas didn't notice.
The portal to his study closed behind him, and he stared out into the furthest reaches of space for a full minute. Suddenly, with a deep breath, he let loose a world-shattering scream.
The heavens themselves shook, and planets millions of miles from Stolas's moon quaked, and cracks formed in the one closest to it. The ground upon which he stood crumbled as the moon broke into countless pieces under the overwhelming force of his combined rage, grief, and sorrow.
By the time Stolas had let it all out in that one, long, single scream, he was completely spent. He collapsed onto the free-floating chunk of rock that was once part of the moon, and wept bitterly.