“Although Imps can be considered pets, they are much more profitable as simple servants and fodder. Demonkin do have real pets though, they just tend to be more… exotic than what you might expect. If you are entering a Demonkin’s house (especially unannounced), make sure you bring something edible with you.”
̶ How to Avoid Death on a Daily Basis, Alastor Moody, 900 AS
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I stand before the castle that is my new home, transfixed.
He had all of this built, for me? I mean sure, their sense of beauty is severely lacking, but you can’t not admire the sheer magnitude of the work. The castle (it really is a castle, walls around the grounds, towers that look like they’d have archer posts in them) is sprawling across the grounds as far as eyes can see.
It is amazing, and to think they had built it in mere months.
The group of what I can assume to be servants is bowing in front the two of us. I can spot several different kinds of Demons, some have horns, some have tails, and some have only a skin differently colored than me. It is incredible to see such a variety of life in one place.
I take in the air of the castle. It is dry, as if a wildfire has just gone through the area, prompting me to sneeze. The female servant, Tiana, was it(?), hands me a handkerchief. My nose will need some getting used to.
I look towards my husband, who is looking around, slowly taking in the scenery, as if evaluating everything that has been done here. A singular word escapes his lips, the single word that permeates the silence.
“Good.”
There are two demons walking towards us, one holding several stacks of paper, the other some tools unknown to me.
“Lord Cerolus, we have been expecting you a bit later, to be honest.” Their faces cary a calm composure, the Demon with the papers scratching one of his horns.
“Well, we had some surprises on the road that allowed us to arrive faster than expected. You can leave the paperwork to Kozzok, I am hungry now.”
A small female Demon stands up, dressed in what I assume to be their form of maid’s clothes, a short black dress and a tightly buttoned shirt that allows one to admire the look of her ample breasts. Show-off.
“Master Cerolus, if you would follow me to the dining room, I am sure we can make something at once.”
“Very well, Lilianna.” He then turns towards the group, nowhere in particular, “As you were.”
Everyone dismisses themselves shortly, and my husband starts following the maid. I am left with only my maiden at my side. And the Imp, apparently; he somehow managed to get out of the carriage behind us and stick to my leg like glue. Should I be worried?
“What are you waiting for? You must be starving by now, let’s eat and then see our home.” I look towards my husband, waiting for me to move.
I walk towards him, staying by his side as we walk across the castle grounds. The maidens follows closely behind, the Imp trailing us, unsuccessfully trying to be silent.
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I am surrounded by unknown plants. Some of them look beautiful, with large flowers of warm colours. Some of them are not as pretty. Some of them I could barely consider plants at all. I’ll have to ask him about all of this, he mentioned that some have to eat Plant Imps before, I need to stay away for now.
As we are approaching the doors, two dogs can be heard barking in the distance. Then the sounds of running can be heard as well. My husband looks towards the direction the sound is coming from, as if expecting something to come.
Well I wasn’t wrong; something did come out from the corner.
A strange beast is running towards us, its legs similar to dogs’, with large paws that end in small claws. Its body is lean, bones could be made out along its red skin. But the weirdest part is the head. Or should I say heads? It has two heads connected to the body, one next to other, both with wide mouths brimming with teeth, its miniature eyes leaving me wondering whether the beast can see or not. The heads each have a row of spikes at the top, merging at the bulging neck, and continuing along its spine, its tail reduced to a small spike at the end of its bottom.
The beast is running at full speed, me cowering at the mere thought of those teeth and spikes near me.
My husband, however, opens his arms in a welcoming manner, as if he has seen a childhood friend after a dozen years.
“FLUFFY!”
ITS NAME IS FLUFFY?
That’s it; nothing can surprise me anymore.
The beast runs into my husband’s open arms, knocking him over. The heads proceed to lick his face, my husband’s hands stroking the beast's sides.
“I’ve missed you buddy. Have you been a good boy while I was gone?”
The dog (or dogs) bark happily at the question, signaling that, yes, indeed, he has been a good boy. He? They? This is so confusing. I just hope no one can hear my thoughts now, narrating a dog’s bark.
My husband stands up, the beast running around its master’s legs.
“My wife, allow me to introduce my pet, Fluffy. Fluffy is a … well, our word is Cerberus.”
The beast suddenly looks at me, as if understanding what my husband has just said. Its four eyes inspect me curiously.
“Don’t worry, he won’t bite you. He knows what happens when he bites what he is not supposed to.”
My husband looks at the dog, a small, malicious grin on his face. A whimper radiates from the beast, some bad memories resurfacing in his mind (minds?); but the thought goes as it came, its attitude becoming as cheerful as before.
He slowly walks towards me, sniffing the air around me. I put a hand out towards him, my brain yelling me to run and cover, but my legs not working, and my arm not listening to my preservation instinct screaming inside my head.
One of the heads slowly licks my hand, as if trying to determine its taste. The tongue is incredibly moist and slimy, the wetness spreading around my hand as the beast tries to cover it with its saliva. Then, the running continues, me now being its center of attention.
“Aww, he likes you.”
I just smile and nod, wiping my hand with the handkerchief, the two-headed dog running circles around me.