Chapter 17

Enjoy everyone!

Warning: OOC, random craziness, Error past dark abuse, many other troubles if mention, cursing, killing, dark themes, sexual interaction and themes, racism mention, stuff children/teen shouldn't do, profanity, self-harm, suicidal moments, cheating, violence, smoking, drugs, alcohol, guns mention, animal death, cringe, bullying, yandere, musical/singing moments and bad flirts.

Error/Moxxie speaking/speaking/singing

Voices/Text/Flashback/Singing

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"Whoever gets the place will be lucky. If the furniture doesn't get stolen."

Moxxie just nods a little as they watch her rummage through one the boxes.  Stare at the dorsal fin that had faded scars.

The past few minutes were very awkward for both of them. Along with clearing up if the other was speaking the truth or not.

"This was basically my last day to get everything. Don't have it all here but it's a start."

"You wish you had some alcohol."

"Big time." Lola glance at Moxxie just sitting on the ground. Just staring at the ground while holding the suitcase. She took a mental breath. To prepare herself for a few things.

Moxxie says nothing as they stare at the ground. "How long you knew her?"

Suddenly there were handed a book. No, a photo album. Open it up to see a few pictures. The first two pages of the bar, some demons around and then got to the photo shoots.

"Day one of working with her. All together five years."

"So, you two were always friends."

"Oh, no I despised your mother in that rival, jealousy sense." Sat down on the ground with her leg crossed over the other.

Lift the photo album up. Turn it around to point at another photo. One with Reyna and Lola on the stage together. Both of them look dashing in their own styles. It looks like one those you would see on the walls like a poster.

"The customers ate it up. Same with our boss but threaten either one of us if we purposely killed the other for the solo spot light, he kicks the other out. Sweet guy too bad his dumbass son couldn't follow his own threats."

"Yet some point you two stop disliking each other?"

Lola was silent as her eyes looked down a bit. A small breath let out. "Correct we started to get along. Two of us becoming friends. Never expected that twist to happen. Sometimes hate her for that."

Her eyes glance at the pictures. As she locks on the image of her younger self.

The image began to move as the hybrid waves to the guest.

"I was the new singer at the club. It was another step for possible bigger roles. You would want that if you lived in Greed and could make sure to pay for anything. But at that time, I was content being a singer at the club. I was very please along with proud to sing on that stage."

Lola bows as she winks at the crowd around her. Getting off the stage her tail sways to her hips. Her small wings fluttered. Pose for a quick photo and kept moving. When she got out of sight. She stops and rolls her eyes at the cat whistles. Then smile at her boss that praising her.

"Looking back should have got my head smack a few times. But I got in different ways that later turn out decent in certain parts of my life. Besides certain things I wish I had answered for. Back then though things were a bit different. It is to survive in that industry even in places like the bars and lounges."

The young woman cleans the makeup off around her eyes. Freeze hearing whispers around her. A bit of mocking and teasing tone. Waits till she opens her door and scared the staff as she shows her sharp teeth. She smirks as she watches them apologize, and runs off. Lean against the door until she moves away to close her dressing room door.

"The other singers that come around were hit or miss to fill in certain nights. Along with the band. I'll sometimes sing with them too but I was the one who was the lead at the place. One the stars. Then." Eyes glance at the other one in the photo.

Moxxie look at the photo of their mother. At those eyes as they can just imagine the color.

"Reyna came in the picture. She, as you know, is from Wrath. At the time I just knew the boss got called. One favor to another who owns a bar in Wrath. She would sing for them. Next, I know she was on her way to Greed at the place I'm working at. She was going to try it out just like everyone else. I was only there that morning since I was practicing for tomorrow night with the others. I'm not going to lie I was thinking a few negative thoughts about her, along with annoyed since we didn't need any more backup singers. But hey give her a shot. Something new. Until she opens those lips of hers."

Lola freezes before taking a sip of her drink. Look back on the stage of that imp. The accent mixed with the style of music isn't one she used to hear. An annoyed part of her hate how well she sounded. How confident she was on that stage.

"That jealousy."

"Big time." A little smile. "Do you remember her singing?"

"Sometimes. It gets harder. It was warmth. A accent to it. Home."

"That's sound about right with the type of singing she prefers to do. But wow she knew how to throw in a bit of spice if need be. She was exotic. So, she got the spot like that. I did bitch to the boss but it was call. It's not like I would see her every day. Everyone likes her."

"Except you?"

"I was there to sing, work and get paid. Not like I had time to hangout." Tap her pant legs. "She did her part with that smile. I would hate it when she smiled at me. I would ignore her. Sneer at her. Or snappy if she messed something up. Boss her around. Even after she started to sing a few songs solo. I wouldn't see her as a good employee so to speak at my level. Yet, she just treated me well with a smile. One that she wasn't going to back down. But she knew how to use her words well. Like her own version of a punch. I really got hit with it when the boss man put us together in duets. The guest would eat that shit up. She was strong too. One the tallest imps I ever met who wasn't a hybrid. Rarely use it as an advantage but when she did it was business. Even if it wasn't her business, it would get involved if need be. Like in my case she saves my ass one night shooting some caps into some thugs asses."

"You sound unhappy about it."

"I was just annoyed she got in business that she shouldn't get involved. We got in a fight. She slapped me. I slapped her. We pulled each other's hair as she fell down into horrid trash. Next, thing we know smelling like shit and drinking outside my apartment steps outside. You could say it was the little step that got us to open up a little." Glance back up the ceiling a bit. "One the sings about when you're in Greed you had to change yourself to be in that kind of spotlight. I didn't like certain music and outfit choices. But I got to do it. For Reyna it was a little stricter pushier. When you're an imp in that position, you are going to get a lot of pressure. Change her attire, hair a certain way and even attitude."

Lola looks at Reyna take her hair out of her bun. Shook her hair as the dark wavy lock comes down. Sees her looking at the mirror with a tired look. Until she moves slightly to see Lola reflection looking back at her. A small blink gave her a smile. Lola huff as she looks away while she throws her hairbrush for her

"But you gotta play the part to keep going. Even off the stage you can get some unwanted attention. Either it be cruel, sexual or angry rivals."

Reyna waves off at Lola and smiles after telling her not to worry. She won't fall or go with someone in that kind of crowd. Lola frowned but rolled her eyes as she watched her go. Glance out the curtains. Eyes in certain seats that had her own eyes narrowed.

"You don't want to get attention with certain groups here in Greed."

"We can stop if you want." They do want to know a few other things but right now. Yet, the look on her face. She seems really focused and thoughtful. Remembering.

"Seems unfair for you." Look at the imp. "How old were you when she died."

"Four."

"Shit." Rub her face. "In Wrath."

A slow nod. A look of their own that was a bit lost.

"I'll tell you as much as she told me. She is your mother after all."

Moxxie look back at the photos. One of the pair that must have caught them off guard. The pair laughing together. Just like any other pair of friends. "She rarely mentions family. Did she have anyone else?"

"If you mean alive. No. Her folks died when she was a teenager. Two little brothers who died young from different illness. That area in Wrath she lived in got hit very hard by some bad weather and illness. One of the few who survived. Taken in by a family friend in another city over and she did what she could to owe them. But along with making sure she kept going on her own path. If you're asking if those two had family I don't know. We never gotten that far on talks from her family tree."

"What about you?"

Lola stared as she let out a snort. Really was a lot like their mother. "Father Incubus, Mother a shark. May their problem stay buried in whatever afterlife inside their asses."

"Assholes."

"Assholes who didn't deserved to be parents. No, love only thing did right was push me to sing. Even if they would make fun of my voice." Her voice was very deep, and she would get made fun of a lot in her youth. That would hit her harder than her appearance. Over time I used it against others. Can be intimidating along with the right posture and attitude work very well for her. Powerful in their own way.

"I like it. It's different. Can make other jealous as they won't be able to reach that pitch and emotion."

"Music lover too." A bit pleased with the compliment. What? Like a good compliment here and there. Plus, so far what she learns so far with Moxxie was very blunt.

"I like to play the instruments, listen and watch. "Flip another page of their mother just resting on the chair. A mustache was drawn on her face. A little twitch of a smile. "I don't have a good singing voice."

"Eh some can sing. Some can't. Harder to find those who can play instruments these days." Stretch her arms above her head and pull her phone out.

"Can you?"

"Just basic with piano." Type away. "Your mother could play a guitar."

"I believe that." Flip the page and read the news clip along with a photo of Reyna standing on the stage. Hair down with the flower piece on the side. Raise an eyebrow. "She just quit?"

"What they like to say disappeared. Last night of singing stardom." Roll her eyes. "Did her final performance. Shock everyone it was last. Then left. Many complainers but it was normal in the agency. Many wish they got to her soon as she really could have gone big out there. It was to late in a blink in an eye."

"Except you knew why."

"Correct."

"Did she ever thought of terminating me?"

"The time she found out it would have been dangerous but it never crossed her mind. Were doubts. Worries. Concerns. The whole cycle. What was on her mind was making sure you had a good life." Tilt her head. "She made it clear never wanting to raise you here. I don't blame her. Risky but a smart move to go back to her ring with you. So, I helped her much as I could to get out even after her last show. The boss was a little annoyed to not be part of the escape plan. Dork."

Moxxie nods a little. Felt a little happy to be wanted. Then something clicks in the way she said that. "Were there demons trying to hurt her?"

"Anyone in these seven rings will find a way to hurt another."

"I can understand why with her. Even you two as a package deal. But the way you said it. Like it was towards the both of us." Pointing at her, she blinks and lets out another snort.

"I really do need a damn cigarette."

"Don't have any."

"Figures. Look it was for your safety compared to her that's all I'm willing to say right now."

"Am I still in danger?"

Lola was very silent for a few seconds. "Just don't blurt out your mother's name around these areas. Even if it has been years now. Many may have forgotten. You just never know. I'm not risking it for your sake. Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"Then don't come back to this ring."

"I actually need to stop coming back to this place."

"I feel yeah. Disgusting but has a certain pull to others, harder if your born here." Tapped her phone and hummed. "My rides on the way. Do you want me to bring you to the elevator?"

"No, but thank. I need to take care of this." Pat the suitcase. Look back at the photo album.

"I can hold on to it. Till you're ready to get some other stuff and answer other questions. I have some as well that I want answers too."

"I hate talking a lot."

"Same but not with singing."

"Are you happy?" Stare at the ring on her finger.

Lola looks at the band around her hand and hums. "I actually became a private accountant on the side as it would get tougher and didn't agree with the new owner.  A lot of unwanted events happen. Yet I was surprised to find someone even at my age.  The wait was worth it. Another great thing I can brag about. He good as they can get."

The pair exchange numbers.

"You can take the door?" Goes to put the photo album in the box.

"I'm fine this way." Going towards the window. "Thanks. You didn't have to do this. You knew her longer than me."

Lola shrugged a bit. "I owe her a lot. If I reacted faster or listened to my gut. Maybe I could have found you. But what does it sound like? Your mom would have approved of the one who took you in."

A little nod. Then they looked like they were unsure how to ask this question. "Do I need to know about them? The one who was with her?"

The unspoken tension between them hung in the air. One of the two debating in their head contemplating to explain those details or not. At the end it wasn't their choice. If the other wants to know.

"Do you want to know them?"

A small shrug. "Not really. I just remember her saying bad. After that it's just really nothing."

"If, you're sure. Ill avoid it much as possible."

"I'm not going to see photo, am I?"

"I'll double check to make sure." Felt a bit of weight off her shoulders. It doesn't mean she shouldn't be prepared. I never know if that topic could be brought up. For now, it wants to be avoided. "Now get out and get rid of that suitcase."

"On its Dragon lady."

"You little brat!"

Moxxie was already out the window.

Lola twitched and let out an exhausted sigh. Grab the box when she hears a knock. "Shit Reyna. They could be worse than you."

Moxxie did the only thing they could think of as they had held the suitcase enough. Shove it to the first demon they see on their way.

"What the fuck? Don't shove shit into my arms."

"Here a free suitcase."

"Sweet!"

There is one delivered solved another on the way out.

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Done!

Well, you get to learn a bit about Reyna past along with Lola connection to her.

What do you all think so far?

There is a drawing drabble posted to see Lola! So, head to Random Art if you would like to see!

Any questions?

Until next time.

Bye, bye!