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Charlie was…confused to say the least, the group in front of her was confusing her.
Sera and Novar both headed the group, Novar had Emily tucked against them using their wings, and their eyes were calm and soft. It was a sharp contrast to Lute and Adam who were both sneering at Vaggie, who was holding her spear between herself and the two, and had placed herself between Charlie and Lute and Adam at all times.
It really didn’t surprise Charlie that they were hearing from Heaven, but to her surprise, it was about Renegade.
Although, all things considered, she shouldn’t be that surprised, after all, Mirabel had been pushing for peace between the two vastl separated realms.
“You want…what?” Carmilla, who had come to check on Vaggie, but ended up sticking around for three days asked. Her eyes darted between the group’s members.
“We need to speak to this…Renegade person.” Sera said evenly, coldly even. Carmilla’s shoulders tensed and she rolled them, keeping perfect eye contact with Sera now.
“Why?” Husk spoke from where he was busy reorganizing the bar in the small abandoned building that Lucifer had given them. He glanced up only once this entire conversation, and it was twenty minutes ago when Anthony had opened the door when it had been knocked on, only to slam it a second later and run to find Charlie.
He hadn’t been paying much attention to the conversation otherwise.
“Because of matters that aren’t any of your concern, if you could point us in the right direction, we will be out of your hair. “ Novar spoke politely, keeping a tense smile on their face the whole time. Charlie’s face gave away her emotions. Reculent, confusion, but also a shrew of hope. She took a deep breath before turning to the weapon overlord.
“Carmilla, Katy says that you took her a few days back, can you go get her?”
At that, Carmilla nodded stalking past the Heavenly Delegates, and vanished into the city. Charlie took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
“Vaggie, can you go call my dad, tell him what’s going on? Anthony, try and keep everyone or anything that needs me away for a while?”
The spider demon nodded, before making a motion to the cat demon behind the bar, who followed him out. Charlie took a deep breath and turned to Vaggie, who hadn’t budged a muscle, still glaring at her former superior officers.
“Vaggie, I can take care of myself, go call my dad please. “
“But-“
“Vaggie. “
The fallen angel pouted, but left the room. Charlie turned back to the angelic group and gave an awkward smile.
“Sooo, anyone want anything to drink?”
_____________
Carmilla stared down at the fallen agn with a mixture of annoyance, and bemusement. She had gotten home in record time, which wasn’t hard, she had lent one of her buildings to the hotel residents until the hotel was finished being reconstructed. So it was fairly close to her own place of residence.
And upon attempting to awaken the requested person, she had been met with angry grumbling and an annoyed groan.
“Quick to neglect sleep, but annoyed to wake?” She grumbled. “Why?”
Mirabel wasn’t waking, and she rather not have the heavenly delegates come and find her and her family. She leaned over and gently shook the girl with just a touch more urgency.
“Mirabel, it is time to wake up. “
The girl’s eyes opened for a millisecond, and then fluttered closed. Carmilla couldn’t help the slight growl that came from her throat. It was war to get the girl to sleep, and war to wake her from said sleep.
“Mirabel.”
She didn’t even stir, still peacefully asleep, and she actually looked her age in sleep, and as much as Carmilla wanted her to catch up on the sleep she sorely lacked, this took priority.
“Mija please, you can meet with them, then go back to sleep. “
Mirabel’s brow furrowed.
“Can it wait?” She groaned softly.
Sighing, she turned to the final option.
She turned on the light.
Mirabel’s eyes fluttered and her face scrunched as she turned onto her front and shoved her head into a pillow .
“Come on Mirabel, you have people who want to talk to you. “
Mirabel’s response was something between a groan and a response, though it was greatly muffled by the pillow.
“Elaborate please?”
“Don’ wanta. “ Mirabel groaned into her pillow.
“They’re from heaven. “
Mirabel’s eyes shot open and she jolted up.
“What!?”
____________
Carmilla returned without the Overlord, but bearing a message.
‘She says she’ll meet you in her district. ‘
Which is how Vaggie and Charlie found themselves leading Sera and her possy towards the downtown district of the Pride Ring. Small shops were tucked away, neon lights advertised shops, and hellborns and sinners alike ran amok.
Younger children clung to their parents, teenagers laughed with friends over stupid stuff.
And they were heading towards a nice looking building that was in the heart of it all. Black tinted windows hid the inside, and as they entered, a blast of cooled air hit their faces.
A person stood in the center giving orders, some were being instructed to answer calls, and others were given orders to keep an eye out for Valentino’s ‘scouts’.
Lute stiffened slightly at the sight of Renegade, whose hair was held back in a low ponytail, the front bangs dyed a neon teal, and the tips of her hair were golden. Her mask was still in place, but instead of a ruana, she wore the outfit she had worn under it, which consisted of a dark purple button up shirt, a pair of gray gloves, and black cargo pants.
And unlike last time, she had her wings on full display, two black, almost raven-like wings that seemed to have a blue sheen to them, splattered with gold and silver, were splayed on either side of her.
And under them, a panthacentaur was hiding, using the wings as a cover to read.
“Hey Renegade!” Charlie’s grin grew as she rushed to greet the overlord, who turned, some tension bled out of Renegade’s shoulders as she waved at the princess.
“Princess.” Renegade’s voice dripped with respect, and Charlie froze before beginn to scold Renegade.
“Ren, how many times do I have to say this? I've told you, you have no need to call me Princess, we’re friends!”
The overlord chuckled.
“But it’s your title. “ she said calmly, her voice smooth, and her entire posture emitted an aura of safety. Then she noticed the Heaven Delegation, her posture stiffened and her aura changed sharply. “Are these the ones that mama woke me for?”
Charlie nodded, moving to stand in front of the.
“May I introduce, Head Seraphim Sera, and her lover Novar, the Head Guardian Angel, alongside the Joybringer Seraphim, Emily, and head of the exorcist army Adam and his Lieutenant Lute. “ she made a motion as she introduced all of them. “Sera, may I introduce, Renegade, the youngest overlord, overlord of Contracts and Radio, protector of the Downtown District. “
Renegade offered a nod of approval.
“I assume that Head Seraphim will be doing the talking then?”
Sera nodded, walking towards the overlord, and sticking her hand out.
“I would say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but I assume do to the circumstances, it’s more of an honor?” The tone was the same as the one she used when addressing Charlie. Sera returned the hand shake.
“It’s an honor to meet you too, although, I wish it were under better circumstances than this. “
Renegade laughed. Lute froze, staring down the overlord with a sharp look.
‘That laugh… it’s familiar. ‘ Lute thought with wide eyes.
“Can we take this to my office?” Renegade requested politely. Turning to walk once Sera nodded. The halls were a soft shade of green, and even there, children were laughing as they ran. Renegade paid no heed when one ran past her, but Lute nearly snarled and drew her sword when the same child ran into her legs.
“No Lute.” Came Novar’s voice, and Lute huffed, and sheathed her blade. Emily was eagerly talking to Charlie as they entered the office , lights nearly blinding them as they flicked on.
“Well, let’s talk. “
_______________
Novar kept a steady eye on this Renegade fella. Her entire demeanor read, ‘I know something you don’t, and it might make you hate me.’
Novar didn’t like that, it made it hard to read past the forced emotions, the forced calm, the forced patience. And it frustrated them to no end.
“You want to know why I want peace?”
“Yes.” Sera replied steadily.
Renegade leaned forward.
“I want peace so that those I love will no longer be in danger, if this is the only way to do it, then so be it. “
Lute had a snarl on her lips.
“And a Mirabel?”
Renegade leaned forward, Novar could see her eyes closed behind the visor, then they opened, a calm look on them.
“If this peace should happen, the. I’ll tell you, if not, then I will inform her that you would like to meet, I cannot guarantee that she will do so however. “
Novar leaned back against a wall.
“How’s the arm, by the way?” Renegade finished, sounding genuinely concerned.
Lute scowled, turning her head away.
“It’s fine, thank you. “
Renegade’s eyes sparkled under her visor.
“Good. “
Novar’s eyes narrowed, and they decided to go out on a limb.
“How’s your arm?”
All eyes went to them, they let an easy going smirk fill their face. Treasuring the way that Sera blushed at it.
“Wh-what?” The overlord stuttered. Novar shrugged.
“Healing like that isn’t free. If I heal someone else, I get this killer migraine. I ask for your pardon if I misassumed. “
Renegade’s arm had begun to tremble slightly, but she seemed to get it under control.
“It’s fine.”
Novar knew it was a lie, but let it slide.
The conversation pitered off, and it wasn’t long before they had a meeting date set for a meeting to put an end to hostilities between Heaven and Hell.
But even as they re-entered Heaven, Novar kept everything in mind. Suspicion in their head as they go ready for another trial.
Could it be that Renegade was Mirabel?