Blitz starts swearing up a storm as soon as Striker ends Stolas' call, then gets a brilliant idea - he can't go rescue Stolas himself because of Loona's appointment for her Hellbies shot, but he does know someone who can not only rescue Stolas but make sure nothing like this ever happens again.
Quickly thumbing through his contact list, he makes a call and says "Hey, Fizz? Yeah, it's Blitz. Do you think your giant boyfriend could send me a phone number real quick? I need to get in contact with someone and didn't think to get her contact info when we met."
"Blitz? Just who would Ozzie have the number for…oh, shit, Blitz, you're not serious."
"Very serious, as it happens. I've waited five years for Loona's appointment, and I can't just reschedule it, alright? But Stolas was kidnapped by Striker, and who the fuck knows how much security he's got to take down someone as powerful as him."
"Give me five, Blitz. And…good luck."
Blitz nods, saying "Thanks, Fizz. Means a lot."
Thankfully, he's just gotten Loona checked in when his phone buzzes with a text from Fizz.
'Here's her number, Ozzie texted her to give some context. Says she's never not come through as long as he's known her. And that's around ten thousand years.'
'Thnx, Fizz. I owe you big time.'
What're friends for? Keep me posted.
Quickly entering the number into his messages, Blitz types out 'Calli, it's Blitz. You and I went on a small three-day rampage and knocked Mammon down a few pegs a little while ago. Got a problem.'
Thankfully, about thirty seconds later, Calli's reply comes through saying 'I heard. Someone took Stolas, and you're currently unavailable. Any idea why?'
'Dunno, but his wife is a bitch and a half. Might have something to do with her.'
'Her, or someone else with the guts or stupidity to publicly attack demon royalty. I'll sort this out, don't worry. Just be ready to pick up if I call.'
'Done. Hopefully, this will be in and out.'
'Doubtful, they never are. My advice? Keep her distracted. If she doesn't know it's coming, it goes better.'
Blitz glances at his still-shaking daughter, and types out 'Yeah…too late for that. But thanks.'
Stolas glares muderously up at Striker, and grits out "If you harm so much as a single feather on Octavia's head, I'll rip you to pieces."
Striker grins, and asks "Finally hit a nerve, hm? Any last words, birdie?" Stolas grits out "Blitz…will…"
Striker sneers, saying "That rodeo clown told you he ain't coming!" And then, suddenly, Striker goes flying backwards - Stolas has never been so glad to know of Calliope Peverell and her recorded history and powers as he is right now, as the woman clears her throat and says "You're right. Blitz can't come - he sent me instead."
Striker ends up tied up and hanging from his own statue, knocking his hat off it in the process, and Calliope picks up the fallen knife before tucking it away.
The bindings around Stolas release him with a glance from her, and he sits up while saying "Much appreciated, Madam Peverell." See, THIS is why I was worried when Blitz told me he was going on a few-days mission with you for Asmodeus. Still, he can't deny she's a very welcome sight, right now.
Calliope glances at him, obviously taking note of his injuries, and asks "Can you walk?" Stolas tries to get to his feet, but his broken leg gives out under him. "That's a no…"
Stolas lets out a pained wheeze, and says "M'fine…Blitz is rougher than that by far-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there, alright? I don't need to know any of that, truly."
And then, Striker's phone - lying abandoned on the ground - suddenly rings. And, lo and behold, it has the name Stella for caller ID.
Calliope and Stolas trade glances, and Calli asks "I take it you know who this is?"
"My wife, soon to be ex-wife. She set this whole thing up, paid him to kill me."
Calli raises an eyebrow, then puts a finger to her lips, silences Striker, and hits the accept button. "Change of plans, Darling. We need the prick alive to force him to give me everything, else it'll all go to Octavia."
Calli and Stolas trade glances, even as Stella asks "Hello? Striker, are you there?"
Calliope clears her throat, saying "This is Calliope Liliana Peverell, the Royal Ambassador for the Morningstar Family. I'd ask what's going on here, exactly, but you just gave me all the information I needed, Stella Goetia."
There's a crashing sound in the background, and a male voice yelps "Peverell?!"
Calli flatly says "The very same. You'll hear from me soon." A male voice says "Oh, fuc-" Calli fries the phone with a burst of magic, rendering it useless - much to Striker's horror.
Running a hand through her hair, Calli says "That certainly makes things simpler, investigation-wise at least. You said she's going to be your ex-wife, soon?"
Stolas nods, saying "We're going through a divorce. Stella is…less than pleased. I'm keeping everything I came into our arranged marriage with, she's doing the same…she wants more."
Striker squirms in his bonds, and Calli glances at him before asking "Stolas, you want to have him…I don't know, testify or something? We did just get the confession from Stella."
Stolas spears Striker with a look, and says "I fear he may go after Octavia should we let him live. Or Stella might go after Octavia after this."
Striker promptly explodes at Stolas' words, bits of blood and gore spraying all over the statue.
Calli rubs at her temples, saying "It's days like today I'm glad Lucifer decided I'm just about a half-step below him and Lilith in terms of authority down here, you know that? Here's what's going to happen, I'll spirit you and Octavia away while we finalize your divorce, then I'll go speak to the head of the Goetia family. See what can be done about attempted murder of a very powerful family member. Hold still, this will hurt a bit."
Stolas squawks when Calli snaps his leg bones back into place, and says "That's quite a bit closer to how Blitzy is…"
Millie and Moxxie arrive in their van right then, and Calli sighs in relief, saying "Perfect timing. You know those two?"
Stolas nods, getting to his feet, and says "They work with Blitz."
"Perfect."
Octavia checks her phone when it buzzes in her pocket, and sees she's got a text from her father. 'Via, darling, this is very important. Blitz's company van is going to be outside the mansion in exactly five minutes. I'm inside, along with a very powerful, influential woman you may remember from your history lessons. Calliope Peverell, the ambassador for the Morningstar Royal Family. We're going to be taking a short trip to meet Princess Charlotte with Blitz and Loona as our official bodyguards, the opportunity has just come up.'
Frowning slightly, Octavia texts back 'Shouldn't mom come with us, then?'
'Your mother is currently off with her brother, and it'll take too long for her to get back. It'll be fun, though! I've been assured Princess Charlotte is quite a wonderful young woman!'
When Octavia gets outside, she sees the I.M.P. van pulling up, and Blitz and Loona sitting in the front seat. And the both of them backlit by a green glow of some kind.
Loona opens the door, and Blitz hastily says "Get in, your dad's in back."
Stolas' head suddenly pokes into view, relief evident on his face for a moment even as a female voice says "Not so fast, I'm not finished."
"Via, Darling-"
"Dad, what's going on? And what's with the green light coming from the back of the van?"
That green glow suddenly cuts off, and the mysterious voice says "That's about as good as I can manage in the back of a moving van - you're probably still sore, though. Tell me if anything aches back at the hotel." She can't draw the 'holy' energy from Stolas' wounds here, it'll take too long and she needs to focus to make sure she gets it all - any gets left behind, it'll slowly poison Stolas and eventually kill him.
Octavia cranes her neck to get a look at who's talking, and sees…blood-red curls and a lithe frame, at first glance. Her second glance reveals whoever it is looks human - albeit, not like the humans she saw up in L.A. when she went to go see Astaroth's Tears. Her eyes glow in the darkness of the van, and there's a faint aura of power coming off her - also, she looks way too at-ease in front of a seven-foot-tall Owl-demon to be a normal human.
Glancing at her father doesn't reveal any outward signs of nervousness, and Loona says "'Via, she's clean. The real deal, I swear. We'll explain everything on the way, but we gotta go. Like, now."
Octavia nods, climbing into the seat next to her best friend, and asks "The real deal? As in…"
The red-headed woman says "Calliope Peverell, a pleasure to meet you, Princess Octavia."
"And…we're actually going to meet Princess Charlotte?"
Blitz nods, not looking away from the road he's speeding down, and says "Oh, yeah, big time. Loona and I are your guys' personal bodyguards for the trip."
"Isn't Pride Ring…you know, closed to Hellborn Demons, though?"
Calliope says "Unless you have official business. Introducing two princesses counts."
Octavia and Loona trade looks, and Loona says "Right…" She doesn't know what's going on, just that Moxxie and Millie showed up at the Hospital with this woman and Stolas hidden away in the back of the van after he got kidnapped, Moxxie and Millie got dropped off at the office, and then they were off to get Octavia. And Stolas was real clear that Octavia can't know about the kidnapping, as he doesn't want her to worry.
As it is, she barely remembers Blitz getting the call about Stolas getting kidnapped - she was dealing with all-consuming panic over that damned shot.
Loona, Octavia, and Charlie all sit across from one another in an awkward triangle, neither Princess knowing what to say or do since Calli, Stolas, and Blitz basically threw them in a room together and said 'Don't fight!'
Eventually, Loona says "Alright, this is a total set-up. Neither of you knows what we're supposed to be doing in here, right?"
Octavia shakes her head, and Charlie says "I only got told by Aunt Calli about…thirty minutes ago that this was happening?"
Loona pinches the bridge of her nose, and says "Right, so…short notice, panicked, none of us knows what's up, exactly. And the ones that do know everything are acting super cagey about it all."
Octavia shrugs moodily, asking "What's your point, Loona?"
"Want to find out? I heard which room they went into."
Octavia and Charlie share a look, and then Octavia nods, saying "Things aren't adding up. Which way?"
Five minutes later, all three girls are holding their breathes outside the room Calliope, Stolas, and Blitz are in, and Calli's saying "-harder to heal than the normal stuff down here. The so-called holy energy acts as a sort of poison to demons, attempting to purify everything it comes in contact with. I've got to draw it out before you end up sick or dead, Stolas."
"I know…at least nothing else got left behind from the knife. I imagine that would be a whole other ordeal."
"Oh, so much. How's the leg?"
"Christ on a stick, Stolas, how'd this even happen?! I thought you were this all-powerful demon...Prince? King? Whatever your standing in the Goetia Family is! How'd Striker, of all people, manage to kidnap you?!"
Stolas let's out a pained chirrup, then says "He came prepared with blessed ropes, Blitz. Argh, easy, Blitz is rough-"
Two sets of voices suddenly interrupt him, and Calli says "Blitz, I need you to hold him still, alright? And keep him talking, if his body goes into shock it's gonna be real bad. I need to focus on getting this shit out before it goes too far."
"Jesus, Stolas, you gotta- alright, you said Striker came prepared? That means he didn't just see a chance and take it. Keep talking, stay awake dammit!"
Stolas groans, then says "Stella hired him, it seems she's quite upset with the terms of our divorce. We're leaving our marriage with exactly what we brought or contributed to it, you see."
Octavia puts her hands to her beak, Charlie pulling her into a quiet hug and Loona suppressing a guttural growl.
"Alright, Stolas, keep talking. Why would that make your bitch of a wife so mad?"
"Stella's from minor branch of the Goetia Family, and quite a distant one from mine at that. She was born with neither great wealth nor fantastical powers such as mine - ngh - but we were matched in an arranged marriage to give birth to…my wretched father called the eventual offspring a 'precautionary heir' when he first made me aware of it all. Given the detail that Stella's only- argh- only habits are insulting me, throwing parties, and scheming, she'll have almost nothing when the divorce is finalized."
"Christ on a stick, Stolas, why have you - dammit, don't move! That wound goes straight through your shoulder! - stayed with her all this time if she hates you so much?"
There's a pained groan from Stolas, followed by "Octavia, she's…ngh, the greatest thing I've ever accomplished. Everything I've endured at Stella's hand, the countless insults, degradation, all of it…I've done so without complaint for her sake. Stella and I were an arranged marriage, but I truly did try to make it work. Even when it was clear Stella had no care for me, just cared to throw yet another party, I stayed silent and bore it all so Via could have some semblance of a normal childhood. It wasn't perfect, I admit, but…but I tried everything in my power to be a better father than my own, I can say that much. I would feel bad about hurting Stella, had she actually been hurt. She's just more upset about the detail that Blitz is an imp than my infidelity, truth be told."
Blitz says "Christ, Stolas, this divorce of yours sounds like it's been a long time coming."
"Via can't find out…I couldn't make her choose between her parents when she was younger…I won't do it now…"
Calli's voice says "I'm finished, he needs to sleep now. Let his body figure out it's been healed. Blitz, you stay here, you've got my number. You two need to figure out just what you're going to tell Octavia and Loona, shit like this does not stay buried for long."
All three girls' eyes widen when they hear footsteps heading towards the door and Calli's voice getting louder, and Loona promptly picks both princesses up and high-tails it back to the room they were in.
Octavia has a meltdown as soon as Loona clicks the door shut, even as Charlie pulls her into her arms and starts rubbing her back. "I…I knew they weren't really working, I kne-ew-w they fought a lo-ot, but…"
Octavia sobs again, and Loona says "But you didn't think your mom would try to have him killed altogether?"
Octavia nods, and Charlie looks around before saying "Let's…lets sit on the couch…"
Once Octavia's stopped out-right sobbing, Loona says "I don't know what to do…want to trade stories about our weird dads, I guess?"
Octavia nods, and Charlie says "I'll start, then. My Dad…honestly, I haven't seen him in ages. He calls, yeah, but I don't know where in Hell he is. When I was younger, though, he'd tell me all these amazing stories about the world up above. Creating things, meeting Aunt Calli, the adventures they went on together before humanity was born…he's the reason I dream, why I hope. Why I believe that the hotel can work - maybe not everyone can be redeemed, but it could at least be somewhere safe to go when someone doesn't have anywhere else." That may have been her Aunt's influence, though, toning down her belief that Sinners can be redeemed and head straight up to Heaven to giving them a safe place to go where they won't have to be afraid anymore.
Loona shrugs, saying "Nice on paper, I gotta admit. I'm not quite buying it, personally, but…" Glancing towards the door, Loona eventually says "My dad adopted me from a kennel when I was seventeen. It was just a month from my eighteenth birthday, and when you 'age out' there…you never come back. They liked to tell everyone that they were somewhere in Hell, that they were getting on with their lives, but everyone knew different. If my Dad hadn't come in, hadn't noticed me…I owe him my life, literally. He fucks up, like, a lot. Blitz…he isn't perfect, but it doesn't matter. He tries, he tries every single day. That's more than I can say about the shitheads that left me there." And all the employees at that damned place, to.
Octavia wipes at her face, and says "My Dad…I never once doubted he loves me. He and Mom seem to hate each other more than they love me, but…I never doubted Dad does care about me. He…he's weird, and quirky, and way too straight-forward at times, but…but I don't want him dead!" Charlie rubs Octavia's back as she breaks into a fresh round of sobs, and says "If I know anything about Aunt Calli, she's already got a plan to keep things from getting any worse."
Calli pokes her head in, takes one look at Octavia's tear-streaked face, and promptly facepalms before saying "You know."
Loona nods, saying "We know. Care to explain the whole secrecy?"
Calli rubs at her temples, saying "Might as well…you're aware that demons aren't allowed in Pride Ring unless on official business. It makes this place the ideal spot to keep word of Stolas' condition quiet." Everyone nods, and says "When Blitz got the call about Stolas being kidnapped, he got in contact with me. By the time I got there, though, he'd already been injured fairly well - he'll be fine, now, don't worry about that. I've spent longer than everyone else in this hotel has been alive combined patching myself up. The mercenary that had him got a call after he was already out of commission, and your mother, Octavia, was on the other line. She basically confessed to everything before realizing who was listening."
Octavia sniffles, wiping at her face with her arm until Calli makes a handkerchief for her, and asks "He's gonna be alright?"
Calli nods, saying "He's sleeping right now, Blitz is with him. I'd say I'll show you the room, but you young ladies likely know exactly where it is."
All three blush and look away, before Loona steels herself and asks "So what if we do?"
Calli grins for a moment, saying "You've got a spine, at least. More than I can say about most people."
Charlie asks "Aunt Calli, you're gonna…what are you gonna do, actually?"
Calli runs a hand through her hair, saying "It's a cut and dry case, given the detail that Stella confessed point-blank with zero prompting or investigation on my part. I'll finalize the divorce, and set a magical restraining order between the two of them. Stella won't be able to be within a thousand feet of Stolas, and won't be able to contact him or send anyone after him. Octavia, Stolas was worried that Stella might try to do something to you, given the detail that you'll get everything of his when he either passes it down to you or passes…and, after everything, I don't blame him."
Octavia nods, saying "Mom…she wasn't there. She never really cared about me, just about the idea of having this perfect daughter. Which, by the way, I'm not." Whenever her dad's not around to yell at, the woman always starts on her, finding fault with everything.
Calli hisses a few things in Parseltongue, then shakes her head and says "Yeah, you're definitely staying with your father. I'll sort everything out, don't worry."
Charlie asks "So...what do we do now?"
Calli shrugs, saying "Officially, this is introducing two princesses of Hell. Unofficially, this is getting Stolas patched up away from the public eye, somewhere he won't be kidnapped by anyone else Stella might send."
Blitz jumps a bit when Octavia pulls a chair over to sit down next to him, and says "Your dad just-"
Octavia cuts him off, gaze never leaving Stolas' unconscious form, saying "I know. We were listening, heard everything."
Blitz groans, then says "Stolas is gonna be fine, he's just sleeping off getting healed so quickly."
Octavia nods silently, not saying anything. After a long minute, she says "You…you make him happy. I can't say I've ever seen him as happy as he is when he's with you. Maybe you don't love him like he does you-"
"Woah, hold up there, alright? Stolas doesn't love me, alright? It's just-"
Octavia gives him a deadpan look, and says "He got drunk one night, Mom started on him, and he screamed at her that he loves you. That's pretty hard to misinterpret."
Blitz's face goes redder than normal, and he says "Well, uh, yeah that's pretty hard to misunderstand…" Groaning to himself, Blitz says "He…I'd thought it was a novelty to him. That it didn't mean anything to him…"
Octavia sighs, then shakes her head and says "I don't get what he sees in you sometimes…"
"Neither do I. And, for the record, that's all the time for me."
Octavia stares at Blitz for a moment, then eventually says "You did get him saved by the Morningstar Royal Ambassador, though. That's badass, if nothing else."
Blitz just chuckles to himself, turns out Fizz being with Asmodeus is actually a really good thing. Plus, he's somehow got Calliope Peverell's number, and her insistence to call her if he runs into any other trouble. How the heck that happened, he's not sure - the way Stolas was fussing over him all night after she dropped him off at the palace, he'd have thought she was some raging monster like Satan…or Stella, for that matter.