Active [On the Border of the See and Widersia, as Far South of Clockhaven as the River Goes] - The Devil's Favorite Holiday

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether
in
"Want to Know Why"​

Mentions: Mephisto

Giovanna was spotlighted in dimmer blue while Miiya stood in her own pool of limelight, blinded to everyone save the patron painted as [?] a skeleton. It seemed as if there were only two people existing in the universe of the stage. Into that darkness, into the starless space between their two tiny planets of light Miiya’s voice rang out in a reedy clarion call.

“Want to know why I made the deal I did?
Want to know why my wings are clipped?
Want to know why I bruise so easily,
Or how I learned to cover it with makeup and deceit?
I’ve lived in shadows, where I didn’t belong,
Held my breath too long, but I’ve stayed strong.
So here I stand, in your light, in your space,
And now you ask me, with that look on your face...
​

As she sang, the birdgirl took a few steps forward, now pointed toward Giovanna, now toward the nonexistent audience, and now to the skeletal band. It was her turn to pull the strings she could. With a gesture and a louvering of her feathers that ran from shoulder to wingtip, she motioned and a dim red light came up, illuminating a chorus line of backup singers; all in similar--though simpler and less ornate--garb and paint as the patron of the diamond district.

But you want to know why?
Why I’ve fallen, why I’ve lied?
Why I fight when I can’t fly,
Why I scream at the empty sky.
Want to know why?
I’ve been broken, but I survived.
I’ve learned to crawl before I rise,​

Her first verse had been reedy and wavering, but even so, Miiya knew she was killing it. She was setting the tone, leading the chorus, and transporting Giovanna and the audience along with her (hopefully).

Want to know why I hit so hard?
Want to know why I sometimes lose control?
Why I tear through the night with no guard,
Shattering silence, never letting go?
I didn’t choose to live this way,
But the choices were made, and I won’t obey.
I’ll bite, I’ll burn, I’ll leave a mark,
This is the woman who learned how to spark.​

Yes! Slay! Miiya counseled herself, a little fang showing in a smile that was halfway a snarl as she led the chorus again and this time advanced on Giovanna.


The patron of the Diamond district conveyed how unimpressed she was with Miiya’s performance with every nonvocal cue at her disposal. It was kinda breathtaking. Miiya wasn’t sure if she was dancing to her doom here, but she sure as hell was enjoying putting on the show now, as the last verse turned the question on the dismissive patron of Diamonds.

I want to know why your first thought is money,
Why my deal makes you feel so uneasy?
​

Miiya stuck a theatrical finger in Giovanna’s face, and the patron’s response was poetry. There was not so much as a blink or a twitch of her painted features as she raised a hand, yet the utter contempt that radiated from her as she deigned to give Miiya a copa turn, guiding her into a cross-body lead, with Giovanna as the lead.

You can’t stand that I’m standing here,
Not begging, not scared, but holding this fear.
I’ve been beneath you, ignored, unseen,
But now I’m the one who’s chasing this dream.​

With the change in direction came a change in lead of the salsa as Giovanna and Miiya danced, seamlessly trading lead and follower roles with the music. There wasn’t even a bridge, Miiya kept on singing, amazed that the way her and the patron’s steps wove kept her prodigious pipes pointed out into the darkness beyond their now-intermingled spotlights.

So tell me, what do you see in my eyes?
I’m the storm you never saw rise.​

The chorus came stronger this time, and Miiya had her hands full with the salsa, the song, and trying to catch enough breath to belt out her lyrics over the rising latin band and skeletal singers.

But you want to know why?
Why I’ve fallen, why I’ve lied?
Why I fight when I can’t fly,
Why I scream at the empty sky.
Want to know why?
I’ve been broken, but I survived.
I’ve learned to crawl before I rise,
Now look at me, and wonder why.​

Miiya hit the outro again, loud, clear, and holding the note even as she executed a spin-out, Miiya’s wings snapping out and framing the pair with a backdrop of feather and steel.

“Now look at me, and wonder why.”
She breathed. ​

Patron and cryptid patronized froze, still maintaining connection. Miiya felt the long shadow retreat from her right hand--where Giovanna’s skeletal fingers held her fast. Would it disappear completely? Would it manifest from her left hand as a darkness in the limelight?

 

[Mephisto]

---

Giovanna Fontana

Patron of the Diamonds District in Red Haven

| Elvario | Spoiled Bread | Irihi |

#e70c97
​

---

Giovanna found herself immediately transfixed by the doll. Their pronunciation of the Holy Spirit was charming, to say the least. She immediately knelt down and started to address Zahrah's hair, fashioning it into works of art. She skillfully managed to create something from paintings or sculptures that she recreated at nauseum, never once capturing the beauty that ensnared her heart for the first time. She grew less fascinated by these things, things of less meaning than the original.

She felt like she had insulted their creators somehow, and gave up a long time ago. Her tired, pale hands - permanently painted with a cartoonish visage of the bones underneath - worked in tandem with her words as she stitched loose threads, adjusted the Satan Claus costume to be more aesthetically pleasing, and even wiped off some smudges from Zahrah's adorable face. She even gave them a pair of horns to wear on the top of their head!

"Italiana~"

She rose to her feet and the sight of the skeletal pattern continuing along her skin became more apparent.

"No, I can't teach you dolce tesoro, I'm sorry,"

The more titles Zahrah mentioned, the more Giovanna felt something in her heart resembling pride or happiness. She felt like the little doll was more than just a thing full of cotton. She barely registered the question about Count Krampula - and she scoffed loudly, immediately frowning.

"He's a rogue Cryptid that pops up around the holidays, leeching off the magic of happiness and joy and creating emotionless slaves. He does it to lobby against certain events so he can gain power and prestige through the most abhorrent process in the world... bureaucracy,"

She shivered.

"I'm guessing Mephisto put you up to hunting him down without telling you anything, hm? That's just par for the course," she rolled her eyes... only to immediately go back to fawning over Zahrah.

"But you can be Mall Satan for however long you want!"

They nommed her finger and her stern façade completely melted away. She had to purse her lips together to keep the tear budding in her eye from falling. After the first phase of her song, she didn't think twice about hugging Zahrah and felt a wave of emotion wash away all the stress of the holiday season thanks to their impossibly amazing ability to embrace another creature. She was about to say something but then Meredy continued with her own portion of the musical occasion.

It was obvious she wanted the spotlight, and Giovanna obliged by gesturing for it to move onto her. The notes were initially intrusive and wrong, but that's when she found her own rhythm. It became less of a statement of rebellion and more her own addition to the song itself. Giovanna didn't so much as blink as she approached, understanding all too well how it felt to be overshadowed and forgotten. She could empathize with the feeling of being trapped somewhere.

Therefore, she did nothing but support Meredy through her silence. The words came out methodically and precise, matching the new surgical tone of the music. It felt sharp and intense, matching Meredy's scowl. She had so much to say, but such a small window of opportunity. The lyrics she belted out echoed raw defiance.

Giovanna tilted his head curiously at her once she was finished.

Upon the conclusion to her inclusion, Meredy conjured a table for four in the center of the stage. The Patron was surprised upon noticing that Count Krampula's head had become little more than a lighting fixture for the occasion.

"Owowowow!! Hot! Hot! Hot!!" he shouted and screamed, but Giovanna slid a finger through the air and shut his mouth.

He wriggled around in pain, grumbling and groaning but unable to interrupt them again. The painted skeletons instinctively pulled the chairs out for the four to sit down, thought Miiya remained standing. She had something of her own to say, but for the moment Giovanna and Meredy spoke together.

"You're a delightful addition to this evening, Ms. Cainbell, and I would never dare to imply otherwise," she smiled warmly. "I apologize. The stress of the season has gotten under my skin. Mephisto simply finds that... funny,"

The warm smile became sarcastic once she thought about the devilish trickster again.

"That is a fine idea. While it's true that Count Krampula is a usual nuisance this time of year, Mephisto has seen fit to exasperate the situation and include you three for reasons I dare not try to understand,"

She viciously jabbed Count Krampula's wriggling head-lump with a sharp finger, driving it into his flesh and bone as her nail caused it to sizzle and crack. The Cryptid howled in muffled agony.

"This... maiale... no, that is an insult to pigs! This eretico has broken his contract with Tobias Munroe, seeking more power than he's worth! I should kill him now,"

She pulled her finger from his skull, leaving a cauterized hole where it once seared through the worms and meat.

"But - alas - I cannot," she remarked with a shrug.

"He's already hidden his heart somewhere underneath Red Haven. Someone always finds one or the other, you rotten spazzatura, but you always weasel your way out of getting caught,"

She stood again. She had a feeling that she had to. Miiya still didn't take her seat, and when the light washed over both of them she knew exactly the reason why fate told her to address the Aerial properly. This would be the stage they would take together.

Giovanna braced herself for Miiya's solo. It was beautiful, howling for freedom amidst something terrible. She committed a sin too great to admit for the moment. They were still strangers to each other, but perhaps that would fade with time. The Patron watched as she suffered, bringing her soul and blood both to a boil. The painted skeletons accompanied her just as they did for all who sang upon the stage. Yet this time it seemed different.

Giovanna was frustrated and stressed to the point of breaking. Meredy wanted to prove herself to her contemporaries. Miiya churned with anxiety and a desire to be accepted - not used.

The Patron nodded along with her. She felt the biting remark about her thinking only about money. When the Aerial finished her number with a brilliant unfurling of her wings against the spotlight, Giovanna extended her hand and grasped Miiya's. The Long Shadow shied away into a distant corner.

"When I look into your eyes I don't see a spark
I don't see a fire
I don't see the dark

When I look into your eyes I see a little girl
I see her hurting
I see her spurning the world

She learned a very long time ago
That it's okay to hide
But, bambina, you have so much to show

Your wings were made for you
Not for anyone else
So fly as only you can do"
​

She turned towards center stage and included them in more of her theatrics, the painted skeletons playing a monumental orchestration to the climax of the symphony.

"Red Haven is a tangled web
Of haunting desire
It flows and ebbs

So much happens in so little time
I do apologize
The fault is all mine

I stood before you condemning your worth
And now I know
There's nothing I'd want more on this Earth

Than to sit down... and enjoy a Devil's Day with you~!"
​

Giovanna held her hands towards the center of the table, gesturing for them to finally take their seats and -

---

| Metty |
​

---

From beyond time and space, through a random portal that opened up above the table, an emaciated dragon woman plopped onto the arrangement and shattered it on impact. Miiya would immediately recognize her as Stormbreaker.

Mephisto peered in from the other side of the interdimensional gateway and cascaded his fingers towards Giovanna.

"Yoohoo~! Mon cher~"

Giovanna's mood instantly soured and the stage, along with the lights and painted skeletons, started to fade away - though not like an illusion. They were hurriedly trying to clean everything up before the inevitable -

"BASTARDO!!"

There it was.

Thus began a truly awe-inspiring tirade of insults and curses upon Mephisto that he just stuck his tongue out slyly at. He didn't care. She could stay mad and he wouldn't change. She could die and he didn't have the capacity to empathize.

"Well, I wish I could stay and chat more but I have more Devil's Day cheer to spread... toodles~!"

With that, he vanished without a trace - except for the puff of red smoke that he left behind - and the five were left with a broken table and a crowd of concerned civilians surrounding them. Giovanna pinched the bridge of her nose and stamped her foot, cleaning up the rest of the musical and its remaining decorations.

Except for a small piece of confetti, which one of her painted skeleton minions picked up and scurried away with.

All in all... it went much better than expected.

---

 

[Irihi]

Miiya Aether

​

Mentions: Mephisto
Elvario Spoiled Bread Metty

Well, that’s a relief. Miiya clung to that thought--that she wasn’t about to get shot or stabbed or turned into a skeleton minion--because Giovanna’s song was a little… more… than she wanted to deal with at that moment. Can’t dance with your eyes closed and ears plugged she thought wistfully as the patron of Diamonds mercifully changed gears and ended their musical numbers with an invitation to tea.


The ambient lighting came up, the spotlights vanished, and now it was just a mundane tea party with madrina.


Until motherfretting Mephisto, that was. “Wha… wait… S-storm-- !!” Miiya had just folded her wings and settled from the balls of her feet, when the crash of a falling body shattering teacups and scattering flatware caused her to jump and her wings to twitch back out to quarter-extension.


One hand covering her mouth, one hand outstretched to catch herself and vault atop the table, Miiya lunged forward with a wingbeat. Her gusty flap caused the fringe of Giovanna’s hat to dance and her skirts to skirl about her, adding dramatic effect to the string of toe-curling curses she was rifling at the sharp-toothed interloper.

Miiya skidded to a stop on her knees next to Stormbreaker. “Yfrett! Storm!! What happened!??” She cried, aghast. The birdgirl quickly searched the draconian for signs of life, her face white, her hands shaking.

Miiya had not seen Stormbreaker since their time together in Azuran, but the draconian’s emaciated features were unmistakable. How and why her old friend and partner had appeared here were inconsequential to Miiya, because Stormbreaker--the most powerful protector Miiya had ever known--looked…She can’t be dead! She can’t be!

A sob escaped the birdgirl as she caught the faintest rise and fall of the prostrate woman’s chest. Stormbreaker was a mess--battered, emaciated, covered in bruises, cuts, sores and signs of abuse and torture--but she was alive. “Oh, Arashi!” Miiya bent over her, holding Stormbreaker’s head in her lap, and crying unrestrainedly as she smoothed the draconian’s hair above her swollen and blackened eyes. “What have they done to you?!”

I have to get her off the table! The thought jagged through Miiya. The memory of what Mephisto had done to Marek was still fresh and raw in the Aerial’s mind. The fact that the cannibalistic demon had dropped her friend upon the table, like an uncooked side of beef, was not lost on Miiya. “Hang on, Essbee!” Miiya shifted Stormbreaker, wedging her arms under the woman. It was no easy lift, despite Miiya’s horrified realization; she’s so thin! . Stormbreaker might be near half her former weight, but she still outmassed and outsized the diminutive birdgirl. Even so, distress and fear lent power to Miiya’s arms, legs, and back as she strained to get SB off the table.

Backing up awkwardly, with the limp draconian cradled in her arms, Miiya tried not to jostle the battered woman as she turned away from the wrecked tea party. “Help me!” She said to anyone and everyone--but focused particularly on Giovanna--with quiet tearful desperation.

 

[Metty]

Stormbreaker​

Commissioned Art by Feerocomics. Art credit is here.

Real Name: Arashi Sato
Height: 6"3
Titles: Human, Draconian, Puppet

Spoiler: Titles

Racial:
Human - Normal human, plain and featureless. A blank slate full of potential.
Draconian - Humans with dragon heritage descended from the dragonborn. The bloodline is heavily diluted, leaving their appearance mostly human, but it grants them superior physical abilities, superhuman healing, magical aptitude, and, more rarely, partial draconic transformation.

Society - General:
Puppet - Character was just a means to an end for grander or more influential figures. Whether by choice or by design, they dance to the whims of others. Character is more easily manipulated by others. Character is less responsible for the wrongs they commit.

Stats:
Strength | B Grade
Precision | F Grade
Intelligence | D Grade
Vitality | B Grade
Speed | D Grade

Abilities Active: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Abilities Used: N/A - will be spoilered if ability
Passives: Regeneration | F Grade | 6 Posts
Possessions:
Color: #824ca3 | Link to Sheet

Spoiler

Equipment:

• Magic Catalyst [Organ] | E Grade | 28 Points
  • Stormbreaker's magic catalyst is an extra organ inside her body that allows her to produce the element she chooses, in this case, fire for now.
• Heavy Iron Armor | F Grade | 7 Points
  • Iron Armor. Includes a helmet to protect her identity.
• Natural Weapon [Fists] | F Grade | 14 Points
  • Since she likes punching I made this.
• Iron Greatsword | F Grade | 7 Points

The last thing she remembered was getting yeeted through the portal by that demon guy. Mephisto. That bastard who turned her small and yeeted through that portal. At least it was better than staying with that bastard, Amon. She didn't get much choice to go after his research or find out what he was doing. She had spent all of her energy trying to kill him. Only her hatred kept her conscious until Mephisto knocked her out.

Stormbreaker's whole body was in agony as she woke up. Her vision was blurry as she tried to figure out what she was. It seemed like she was in some sort of room. Then she heard a familiar voice. It sounded... like... Miiya? Was Stormbreaker dead and in some sort of heaven? Surely not. Surely she couldn't have died yet. Then she felt herself being lifted, and her vision sharpened, revealing her armor and sword nearby, which seemed gigantic compared to her emaciated form. She had lost a lot of weight because of that torture and abuse that mad scientist had put her through. It was intentional to keep her from fighting back.

"... Miiya?" Stormbreaker asked as her vision came back, noticing the bird woman holding her. Stormbreaker, with all her strength, hugged the bird lady. She didn't have much strength to like get out of her arms nor really argue with her whatsoever. And then Stormbreaker cried. She wasn't really an emotional woman as such, but she was in such a state from all her wounds and abuse she just wanted to cry again.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry. I... I... I wanted to get stronger to protect you. Those bastards in the western empire, those mad scientists experimented on me instead and they got rid of my ability to sleep. I'm sorry... I missed you too, Miiya." Stormbreaker sobbed harder, hugging into the bird lady. "That demon saved my life... I... I didn't know what else to do. I would have died... otherwise."

Stormbreaker didn't flinch as Miiya moved her and picked her up, she sat in Miiya's arms limply. She just held onto her best friend all the while. Miiya was the only comforting thing right now, and she needed her friend. She needed Miiya to feel better. "Please help me... Miiya." Stormbreaker asked her politely as she cried.

Spoiled Bread Irihi Mephisto Elvario

 

[Elvario]

Zahrah Fiore
[

Spoiler: Full Image & Source

From: https://www.zerochan.net/3034810

Languages: Common | <Beastial> | {Sylvan} | [Terran] | %Analog% | #Abyssal#
Mentions: Mephisto | Miiya Irihi | Meredy Spoiled Bread

Zahrah was surprised by Meredy's post-modern jazz take on all the harmonies they'd been singing in. “Wow, those are some really out there funky harmonies, miss cane-carrying red-haired, cloak-wearing miss!” They realised they didn't know Meredy's name, so a description would have to do. “Very modern and jazzy!” They'd compliment.

Sadly enough, they'd have to shake their head. “I'm sorry though, I can't drink tea. It'll just get my insides all soggy, mushy and gross.” The ever-troublesome nature of being a living plushy. A total lack of enjoying food and drink, something that seemed to bring others so much happiness.

As for the introductions... They would be going trhough their usual spiel again. “Nice to meet you, miss Cainbell! I'm Zahrah Fiore, a researcher of happinesses, Construct, Living Doll, Possessed Plush, Redcliffe Contributor, Hero of Ravenswood Village, Saviour Of Shiku No Mura, Simple, Mile High Club of Happiness Member, Convict Converter, Solution Seeker, Bird Post, Loved by Outcasts, Happiness Stuffing, Understudy and an up and coming Seamtress, Actor, Singer, Dancer, Spoken Worder and Tin Whistler!” Seeing how Meredy also mentioned being a daughter of someone, Zahrah would add “I was made by my mommy, Sophia Smith! She's also from Ryken, though I haven't seen her in a really long time!”

They'd listen to Miiya's solo and if they had tear ducts, they might've shed a tear. So sad. They were the first to break out in applause, their cotton hands crashing into one another with a surprisingly lack of sound, but not due to lack of trying. “That was great! Did you write all that yourself? You really should perform that on a bigger state! I bet the emotions it'll invoke in people really brings the type of sadness that eventually becomes happiness!”

They did not mind having their hair played with, as they instead focussed on the words spoken to them by granny. “Ah! Je ne parlais vous Italiana!” They corrected themselves in the wrong language. Then again, that only brought the point across some more.

“Dolce Tesoro? Is that a type of food?” It sounded like it'd be a type of chocolate, perhaps. “A Cryptid, what's that? Wait, leeching off of happiness? How horrible! Is it another reverse pet?” That was indeed terrible news. Just having one type of reverse pet was already horrible, after all, but having even more of them would be truly awful.

“Oh, oh, I know that one! Bureaucracy is really bad for happiness!” They would nod. In their long and extensive research, that was one of the predominant happiness killers for sure. Seeing how they didn't even know who Krampula was, they didn't think they were sent out to hunt him, so they just shrugged.

On the topic of being Mall Satan, however, they'd look around. “I don't think there's anyone to bring happiness from being Mall Satan left here, so I guess I can stop. Unless it makes you happy?” In truth, they cared nothing about the role, they just wanted to make folk happy, though there was a distinct lack of such folk right now.

They didn't mind being hugged. They were [Soft] and a [Plush Golem] for a reason. Being hugged was part of what helped them make others happy in the bestest ways! They'd just hug back, wrapping their arms around Giovanna.

Upon hearing Giovanna mention stress, they'd nod sagely. “Yes, yes. Stress is very bad for happiness.” Luckily, they knew something anti-stress. “I've heard pinching my cheeks helps against stress!” They'd say, as they'd turn the other cheek.

“Erotic?” They misheard Giovanna saying 'eretico' as they'd gotten a tad confused, perhaps even a tad scared. If the woman was into torturing random heads without bodies, that was slightly concerning. Not a good way to obtain happiness for sure.

“Oh, hiding ones heart? That sounds like a fairy tale!” What else did it remind them off? “Or a horcrux!” They'd forgotten where they'd heard about that last bit of terminology from.

They were just getting to enjoy the old lady's song, when someone appeared and plopped a dragon-woman down onto the table. That was pretty wild. Wait, since when were there civilians around them again? How odd. They probably missed them during the last few minutes? Ah well.

Curiously looking at the dragon woman, as apparently the musical had ended, they saw the bird rushing over. The dragon didn't seem to be in a great shape, which the bird also caught onto. It also seemed like that situation was truly bad for happiness. How horrible!

That said, they were a tad conflicted. It seemed the dragon woman and bird girl hugging was something they shouldn't interrupted. That might be bad for happiness. Yet the bird girl had ask for someone to help them and they certainly knew only one way to do so. To help or not to help? Which would be better for happiness? A very, very tough and intricate calculation needed to be made.

So... the bird might be more sad if they didn't help. Yet the dragon seemed to want to be helped by the bird. Yet the bird couldn't help and asked for others to help. So... if they helped the bird by helping the dragon, they would help the bird help the dragon and by helping the bird by helping the dragon they would help make the bird happy and if the bird was happy, the dragon would be happy? So helping would make both happy! Yes, yes! They should definitely interfere.

Having reached the most scientific conclusion possible, they'd rush over to Miiya and Stormbreaker. “Don't worry!” They'd state, as they would stretch out their arms far and long to wrap the both of them into a [Hug it Better].

Hug it Better – Healing B, Elasticity E, Energised B, Empathy B, Insight B. - Character gives a hug that's mending both emotional and physical wounds. - Grade Be – 3 Post Cooldown.

As they would feel the cotton construct wrap their arms around them, they'd feel a certain warmth spreading through them, one capable of slowly yet steadily ridding them of their wounds and possibly soothing their mental state of mind whilst at it. “There, there, it'll all be fine, there, there~” They'd state to calm the both of them.

 

[Spoiled Bread]

Meredy Cainbell

---

"Your response is very... tame, ma'am. Can't say I don't appreciate that in this situation though." Meredy commented with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, by 'tame' she meant was understanding as she expected the patron to try squeezing them further, growing in a highly meritocratic noble family made her wary on everything and everyone. It almost made her feels bad for insulting her right on her face.

Almost.

Unfortunately Meredy was a rather naughty kid with little to no sympathy for others. Even Satan would immediately agree to give her coal as present every years.

Taking her seat back, the girl silently enjoyed the bird girl's performances and basked on the doll's compliments. She couldn't help but amused by the construct's chipper attitude. They're like a... dog, a joyful pink dog.

"I see you really likes your titles, Children of Smith. Your existence has been noted." She nodded at Zahrah, and made a mental note to look for more information about this Sophia Smith later.

Unfortunately the tea party, and her table, was short-lived as Mephisto suddenly appeared through a portal and dropped a figure on the table and shattered it. As Miiya and Zahrah rushed towards the figure and Giovanna was in a verbal fight with Mephisto, Meredy simply watched in amusement as if she's watching a theatrical live performance. She finished her last cup of tea, dusted her cloak off all the debris before finally addressing the new twist in front of her.

"You look awful, draconian." She said while looking at Stormbreaker with a curious gaze. Opening her pocket dimension, this time she pulled out several foods from it and put it on the floor next to the Stormbreaker. Meat pie, whole roasted chicken, tart cake, water and a few more.

"Eat. Regain what you've lost." She said before returning back to her seat. Seemingly interested to see what the trio would do next.​