Prologue

During the Inauguration of Insulae, many younglings travel down to the pits of the underground city. The district is infamous for its lowly derogatory status, sanitizing their regular habits to behave and be a little more presentable for the serious visitors such as ambassadors, senators, and governors from other districts. Having many popular celebrities come to the underbelly of the metropolis has also brought the masses of citizens, who wish to partake in the festivities of Insulae's one time open district visitation.

(These are the prior events before Devol Ixion began to truly explore his voluptuous desires, having been under the care teachings of Acolytus, The Retiarius, for most of his early childhood.)

Exposition

A Fashionable Tall Boy

Rolling over in his bunk, he blinked at his dark room. Eyes already adjusted to the little light casted by dim torches among his cavern adobe home habitat.

“Breakfast time hun, wakie wakie.” Said an alluring voice coming from outside the room.

The child awoke, sitting up on his short to the ground bunk, standing up, fixing his crooked loin cloth straight, he sauntered over to his bathroom next to his room. Fumbling over a bag containing a striker, he lit a small ember that lit a wall torch offering light within. An adobe shower, sink, and toilet appeared from out of the darkness. Once done relieving his full bladder, he stood in front of his sink, rinsing his hands looking up at the partly filthy mirror, he noted his pointed ears and nose. Brows narrowed naughty, and red spiky hair that always parted upwards. His devilish facial greeted those not yet fully awake pupils. His blank expression expressed the norm of his demonic face features that he grew a custom to. Opening his mirror's cabinet box, he fetched his floss liner. Smiling ear to ear, he took the line between each of his teeth, careful to not enjoy the line nearing too close to his gums cutting himself. Afterwards, he fetched a mini stone bowl from the sink's cabinet. A twig, a rock pestle, a small salt crystal, and some sage herbs were withdrawn from the cup drawer placing them in the bowl. Closing the drawer, he took the wooden twig out and grinded down the salt and sage together with his pestle. Once a fine enough mixture was made, the end of the twig was chewed a little bit, fraying the end into thistles. Crushed salt sage acted as his toothpaste. The frayed end of a thistle twig, his brush. He cleans his teeth. Working the brush into the mixture every ten seconds of rubbing on his chompers, the morning habit whitens and removes any plaque buildup around them. Once all his teeth got somewhat of a brush down, he sput down the sink, pouring some facet water into the left over mixture of the stone bowl as mouthwash, finally washing his face and ears. The voice from outside his room beckons out again.

“Devol hun, breakfast is ready!” His mother’s voice called from down the hall.

The child grins giggling, “I'm coming mom! Jees, don't get your panties in an uproar, oh wait, you don't wear any!” He teased.

A man's laughing voice came from the hall this time. “Come on over you little rascal! Get your morning meal for today!”

The child gussies up his hair and appearance on the mirror, putting away his dental practice within the drawers. Heading out to the hall, he dashes up to his guardians at the small dining table. Breakfast consisted of little salted breads joined together with a few servings of eggs and some dried fruits with a helping of apple juice from their mini cold storage. His adoptive mother Vanessa, grins at her cute 8 year old boy. Her dark maroon pony tail hair and lovely figure, hardly dressed in nothing but her dim red tail cloths covering her perky nipples, showing her side breasts. Her loin cloth covered her rear and front, still revealing a good amount of her behind from the side. Her caring brother Xizor wore the dim red trunks of his usual armored attire uniform. He was accustomed to wearing his infamous dark red plate mask, held tightly by small reinforced chains. 

The majority of gladiator fighters within the district knew him by his deadly warrior masking. The siblings chatted among themselves as the adoptive mother dabbled with her cloth bra, her brother taking a read at the local papyrus on what’s current with Gladia, the two waiting for the boy as he arrives, taking a seat at the circular table. His eyes admire the intimidating faceplate, greeting the uncle with a tease.

“Sup, dad.”

The fighter folds the papyrus away. “It's uncle to you boy.” He says calm, used to the child’s playfulness. Sliding his plate mask above his bald shaven head, “Now eat up, Insulae has a big day today and or tomorrow, fate only knows what our home turf will become if it does become a public domain.”

The three began chewing bits and bites of their small meal, the sister discussing further about the grand district event.

“I hope our dictator Mulsuevi is disgruntled enough to take charge against these public districts. Their outrageous means to publicize our crude and provocative district is foolish. I can't imagine being open to mingling with those Mercatus women on my way to work at the gentleman's clubs.”

“Yes, it'll be much different on how crime is handled around Gladia if they do. We'd be digging further down to continue Insulae's successful operations on keeping the law vigilant on every districts’ corner.”

They turn to Devol finishing his plate faster than they expected.

The uncle sips juice, altering the subject, “So boy, what's going on with you in your schooling these days?”

Wobbling his cup of apple juice, the child sighs. “Samo samo you know. Kids don't like me, teachers think I'm dangerous, and I’m the one you two's always bailing me out earlier than all my other classmates.

Zixor squints at him, “This doesn't give you a moral problem does it?”

The boy gave a squint back at him, “You know I fit the bill for their numerous rumors spread about me already.” Leaning back in his chair, the taste of apple juice sweetens his throat. “It's what fate holds for me, this ‘pretty face’ of mine.” He says sarcastically.

The adoptive mother adjusts her chair next to her son, petting his spiky parted hair, gussying the child.

“Oh don't be silly, you have the cutest face I'd ever want to snuggle up on.” As she said this, she pulled Devol's head right into her chest, the little boy getting such a nice feel at her cleavage and breasts as she primped him. The uncle glanced annoyed at his sister’s way of bonding with the boy.

“Vanessa?” Her brother said, sipping the rest of his drink. She didn’t hear him the first time. “Sis?” Not getting her focus off of Devol, he tosses the empty cup to the ground, further annoyed.

This caught her attention as she stopped, the boy peering at his uncle from her cleavage. “Yes brother?” She gave her peeved brother a stern look.

Xizor glances at the boy's eyes, the man flaps down his plate mask, standing up nearing them, “Stop smothering the boy.” He grabs the child by the middle of his hair and pulls him off the sister, tossing him to the ground. Vanessa, vex by this, glares at her sibling.

“Hey! Cool it there papa bear! He needs some loving from time to time. It's called mothering for a reason, bub.”

Devol rubs his bum. getting up. The adobe flooring is cold and flat as always. The uncle grabs the mother by her ponytail and tried to yank her to the thick living room's rugged carpeted floor. 

Vanessa wasn't named one of the few Insulae's strongest women by dumb luck. Throughout her time within Inauguration’s festivals, she will compete in many fights against other district's female gladiators, holding herself high and mighty while doing so. It was all thanks to her caring brother teaching her well. Her renown granted her the title of SGA, Sexiest Gladiatrix Alive. 

So when she felt Xizor pull her by the hair, the eye candy sister fought back, smacking her brother in the chest and in the face plate. Throwing her down to the rug, the uncle stomps at her as she uses her feet to kick his bare shins, knocking him back kneeling.

Huffing at his kelt down disposition, he glances at the boy, eye leveled and intrigued. 

“Go along now, nephew,” He ordered popping neck, arm, and hand muscles, “mama bear and... and I guess, freaking papa bear, are gonna have a nice long ‘de-stressing session.’” Xizor said, annoyed by the stupidity of playing along with the pet names.

Devol blinks a smile, doing what he is told, moving to leave through the door, eyeing his uncle standing over Vanessa giving Xizor an unimpressed look, herself, laying seductively on the rug ready to spar it out with her fearsome brother. 

Walking along the neighborhood of Insulae, many people steered clear of his path. The school was within tunneling systems that opened and narrowed through different facilities of educational departments for children. It was separate from the gladiatorial school that was managed by lanistas. During the Inauguration of Insulae, many people were out and about the usual footpath of Devol's. Finding it strange, many of the tourists gave wide births around him while some whom knew about the rumors of the demon boy just halted their movements and stood alongside walls until the child passed. This was also hinted by the guests and visitors to avoid the boy, whatever the costs. One of the Insulae tour guides expressed this deeply to his group of touring Gladians.

“Keep yourselves a distance from this one, it breeds misfortune by its looks alone.”

Devol halted himself, staring at the guide whom quickly ushered his guests by with haste. The boy shook his head at them. 

Nearing his schooling zone of the underground networks, the child gladly sat behind the classrooms as the teacher arrived to begin where they left off. Devol sat bored hearing lectures and assignments that his babysitter took great joy in educating him on earlier than the other students. Maths, Science, Social Studies, Writing, and especially Reading, are what Leo Acolytus Zarff, a brilliant butler, taught him at an early age. The boy sat there daydreaming, knowing that for days, no one bothers him, no one talks to him directly, and no one wants to be with him. Year after year, the same routine happens; school, sit, wait, home, babysitter, rinse and repeat. It was a given that he'd be the last person for his lunch due to all the times the lines would gap around him, even the lunch personnel had no want to serve him directly for fear that his ‘ties to the crime syndicate’ might trouble them. It's because of this that a single plate was kept all by itself until the boy came to pick it up. He sits on the same isolated table everyone knew to avoid sitting at. 

During this particular lunch day, Devol was so in tune with his routine, that he completely zoned out the additional tables and seatings for all the visiting students from all other districts that arrived to partake in Insulae's festivals. Carrying his tray of grub, he sat at the same untouched table he always sat. Eating his meal in peace for the first minute, he noticed something different between the normal chattering of students in the cafeteria. They sounded more, more, like more of them were there. The last thing Devol wanted to do was gaze at someone or a group of students that would panic at why he looked at them, starting a whole slew of rumors on the ‘hit list’ that would be on their heads for him simply putting mind to them. 

But something was very off about this mealing of his, the sounds of the students being more apparent, more anxious, like something was becoming more unsettling by the second. Devol looked at his food now and his table, just baffled at what the students could be so curious about, to start freaking out more and more. The child knows he hasn't even batted an eye at anyone in the cafeteria this entire time. Getting annoyed now, he was more tempted to stare down at whoever or whatever's so important as to raise the chatter higher and higher towards his direction, bothering his privacy. Then all of sudden it got very quiet, silent enough to hear the school cooks stop their washing and cleaning by noticing the silence of the students so abruptly.

“Excuse me.” Someone asked, clearing their throat to get Devol's attention. 

Devol's head shifts slightly in the direction of the voice, eyes glaring. To his utter shock, a boy, tall, thin, and most of all, out of his mind, to be seen with the demon boy of all foul mouth rumors galore. The light skin toned teenager blinked with friendly gray pupil eyes, matching his hair and clothes in such a fashionable manner with his color patterned tunic and foot sandals.

“Is this seat taken?”

Devol remains there staring at the tall boy's face, not saying anything, hoping to scare off the fool in any moment now, he smiles a toothy grin at the handsome teen. The tall boy sets his tray next to the child. The entire cafeteria of students gasp in worry and horror. To make matters worse, the tall boy took a seat at the same table. This now bursts the cafeteria into whispers and rumbles of talk that slowly resume to the normal ambience of children and teenagers socializing with the now greater numbers of visiting students there to greet. 

Devol blinks back at his food, disappointed, utterly dumbfounded that a boy from a different district sat next to him. The child, poking at his meal hears the tall boy tell him,

“My name is Spencer. What's yours?”

The child stopped prodding the mound of mashed potatoes with his fork, blinking, remaining silent still.

“You don't have many friends. I'll take it.” Spencer said compassionately.

“More like troubles…” The demon boy mutters, waiting a long pause before looking at the teen slowly eating away at the lunch tray. “Devol.” He finally introduced himself.

“You have an interesting look about you Devol.” The tall teen says earnestly.

“What's so interesting about me? Aren't you afraid of me?” Devol began eating at his meal again.

“I like new looks, different appearances, and you look more unique out of anyone in Gladia that I've seen.”

Devol sips his cup of water, curious. “Are you for sure?”

Spencer’s eyes admitted, a little embarrassed, “Well? Let's just say that I could tell that you have no friends, no one to talk to, not a buddy to hang with… Believe it or not, your body tells me that.”

Devol sits up at his seat, intrigued.

“You got all that by just looking at me?”

“Well, I'd have more if your Insulae people didn't dress so... openly about their bodies. I do more with what you wear rather than what your body says.” Spencer lightly chuckled, feeling his tunic’s fabric pressed sleeve.

Devol peers down at himself and back at what Spencer wore. He admits that a change of wear like the tall boy's would look nice to a kid like him.

“Say? Where can I get some clothes like yours?”

“Oh like mine?” He smiled, “I actually made this. Took me a good while though.”

Devol gasps with curiosity, admitting, “You made your own clothes? That's... kinda cool.

“The material was difficult to get, my uncle had to bring me some special fabrics from his journeys from the outer world.”

Journeys from the outer world? Crafting his own Wares? Just what kind of Gladian is this guy? Devol wondered, finding the teen more interesting with every moment he is spending with him. From anyone else to greet the demon boy, he’s surprised to have a commonality with the fancy teen. “My uncle also traveled the outer world, but he never brought anything home with him. Nothing interested him, he says.”

Spencer looks at the boy's nearly nude body dawning the same ole loincloth. “Tell you what Devol. There's a merchant store in the Mercatus district that sells cheap enough wares in your size. But be careful, I know it must be difficult for someone, of your status, to be roaming around the surface. People might call the guards over to bring you back to the Insulae District if you get caught.

Devol smiled at this. “Don't worry about that, as long as I know what the name of the store is, I'll sneak my way over there quietly, and privately purchase some clothes, leaving behind the money on the store owner's counter, with the price tag of course.

Spencer trusted the boy’s intellect, “Good on ya bud, so, tell me a little about Insulae then.”

The two chatted and ate their meals, Spencer, taking his leave as the chow nearly concluded. Devol waited until the group of visiting students and regulars left before he got up and placed his tray on the wash rack. As soon as he left the chow hall, he was greeted by some teachers, alongside the district guards of Insulae who placed him in a juvenile detention cell for minors. Others were there in separate cells from the demon boy. Detention cells held younglings who got caught stealing, robbing, or any kind of training crime they failed to get away as part of a disciplinary measure. The boy sat in the cell until one of his guardians came to release him.

The next few days pass on as the verdict for Insulae's publication gets surprisingly declined, forcing the district to remain private and exclusive to its citizens and slaves only. Anyone may freely visit the district, but at their own discretion, for many of the district's citizens will discriminate against those from the Mercatus, Domus Nobilium, and Oscan Capua Districts.

These are the events that follow after Headmaster Mulsuevi discovers the demon boy is indeed a natural born citizen of Gladia and not a foreigner as he was rumored to believe. The sudo-empereor, becomes infatuated about the child, dangerously obsessed, having his strange parents over for a 'demonstration'. The diabolically handsome child proved himself full of surprises. These are the events after such wicked fantasies were committed in front of the sudo-emperor's gleeful presence.

Chapter 1: Girl Gots Mac

Devol yawns awake in his bed bunk. It was the morning after the Inauguration Festival of Insulae. His aims to be with Spencer were hit or miss since the popularity that many students and fans of his family's fashion works occupied him throughout the grand event. He only spent time with the teen during the school's mealings and throughout the festival's nightly celebrations, when the boy could finally sneak off to hangout with the interesting boy. Each time the tall teen visited him, Devol felt happy, he never had a friend who'd tried hard to be with him. 

At Devol's bunk room, he sits up, scratching his sides, stretching out his arms. Going to the bathroom, he skipped lighting the wall torch and sat on the toilet to relieve himself first, afterwards he repeated his usual morning routine lighting up and performing dental practice. After the chaotic festivals ended, school was out for a week's time, allowing people to readjust from the overpopulated hoedown of guests they had to handle for two whole days. Devol slowly made his way through the cave hallway sitting down at the dining table next to the kitchen. Breakfast stew was cooking, the siblings took to having another brawl session with Xizor educating Vanessa on combatives. He educated her how to defend herself against chokeholds, head locks, and arm locks. As the boy sat there watching brother mentoring sister, the two guardians called it an early quits, sitting themselves down at the table. Vanessa fixed her exposed perky full breasts, hiding her nips with the tail cloths, while her brother adjusted his package within his trunks before seating. The two panted a little heavily from their session.

“So honey, learned anything from watching us?” Vanessa said kissing the boy on the forehead.

Devol eyes her with an uninterested look, then up and down her curvy figure, smiling, “Yeah mom, can I join you two next time.” He requests, giving her the seductive look of intercourse.

Xizor eyes his ‘adoptive boy’ proudly. “Sonny, after how hard you've emptied your balls into this broad's rectum, if you wanted to make an honest bitch out of her, I'd be your best man.”

Vanessa nodded in total agreement, having her hand kissed by her brother's tilted mask. She eyes her son seductively, raising an eyebrow up and down. “How about it hun?” 

The demon boy licks his lips from the smell of breakfast, grinning, “I'd rather have dad make an honest woman out of you mom, and I be the best man.” He gestures a arms bow at them. “It suits you both really.” He says encouragingly.

The father chuckled, petting Devol's hair, “The boy's spot on sister, one of these days when enough of Gladia has word of us two banging, we'll formally get engaged.”

Vanessa fonds over the aspect of it, nearing over to the stew pot cooling down. Grabbing three bowls and spoons, she places them on the table, heading over to lift the small pot off the warm oven log heater. Using her bra's tail cloths as mittens, she places it on the center of the dinning table, pouring servings into each bowl. Devol sees the hearty stew she's prepared.

“Ooh goat stew! Mmm one of my favorites.” He says hopping up and down his seat.

Xizor flaps up his plate mask. “Once again you're not all curves and perky tits sis.” Sees her glaring at him, pouring only a partial serving to his bowl. Mumbling, he clears his throat, trying again. “You actually cook a fine meal babe, there, happy?”

His sister pours an extra serving to the bowl, saying with a stern tone, “You're darn right you brute. Normally I like being treated as such, but I embrace my culinary hobby with respect, thanks to your buddy, Miarzim.”

Devol digs his spoon into the warm bowl of stew, lifting it up, succulent glistening goat’s meat wanting for the eating. Lightly blowing it before enjoying the tender juicy softness, he listens to his folks talk about one of the gladiators who is close to his father.

“Aw, good ole Miarzim Oenomaus, the egyptian from that Ethiopian colored family, such the tranquil learner during our youth at the Extremus. Very cordial and tamed. His father is still the head cook of that children's school for gladiator fighters.” He reminicents his youth, sipping and eating his stew.

Vanessa giggles recalling fond memories too, “Remember as kids when we'd tease him and make him think we're a couple, rather than siblings?”

Xizor chuckles, “Aw yeah, he was really eager for us to hold hands, go on dates, and even kiss.”

“Oh Devol,” his mother giggles, “the look on that black boy’s face when your grandpa Savan broke the news to Miarzim. He was very red, embarrassed.”

When breakfast was over, Devol studied his plan to head over to the store that Spencer mentioned to him. Within the Insulae Headmaster's office, the boy drew a copy map diagram of the tunneling network which connected to a secret passageway near the said shop. Lining his directions on a compass, he discovered 3 roots available to the shop that also served as get away locations, should he get caught. 

Let’s hope I don’t have to use any of them. Devol said, happy with himself admiring the valuable resources of the sudo-emperor’s office space. “Humm you always were an escape artist Mulsuevi.” Devol said to himself, wrapping his own map version of the Mercatus District on his loincloth. He carried only a few assarii coins in his hand, the only currency he ever had. 

Heading out to the tunnels, anyone who he passed by paid him no mind, avoiding trouble. The paths narrowed with every twist and turn the child took. As he made it to the unlit tunnels of the network system, flint and steel strikers were stationed on every long turn's end, sometimes with lit torches and most of the time just pitch dark pathways. They always contained many unused torches for the crime syndicate members lurking around. Picking a torch up, Devol lit his darkening surroundings and followed the routes guided by his amateur mapping skill. With little luck, he reached the 3 passages that led near to the Mercatus shop. One of these passageways led to a stone column connected to the roofing of said mall within the Merchant's Square. Wondering if this exit point is advantageous, he flamed out the torch, ditching the flint, steel, and mall diagram next to the exit where cracks of light beamed from the outside false column wall. Stepping out into the blinding light, his adjusting eyes saw that he was indeed on the roofing of the mall square. The hot light of the sun rays shined down at him as he observed his surroundings. Within moments, he noticed that he was actually right above the store that Spencer mentioned cheap clothing being offered inside.

Out of all the luck? He smiles gratefully. This is gonna be easier than I thought. Resealing the false escape route, the roofing contained an adobe railing with a flat walk around area with a door leading to its roof access. The boy dashed over it, feeling the hot sun's ray toasting his skin from the lack of sunlight in Insulae as it is. Carefully sneaking in the store, he checks to see if anyone is around. To his already great luck, people seem to be gone for the midday lunchings outside the store. Bustling crowds roamed the outside, while Devol remained inside. Confidently browsing the wares, he comes to some kid sizes that caught his eye. Observing the robe wear, the feel of the material was cool to the touch, nice for the hot outdoor environment, some in his preferred colors even. As he continues, he hears someone come in the store's main entrance from further up the shop. Quickly trying to hide around within the kid wares section, he bumps into another child, the two of them stumbling down on each other, at the same time the person who came in went back out. Devol and this child laid on the carpet room. His eyes met the girl that was on him. She was shorter than him, with dark tints of brown tomboyish hair. She smelled pretty, a hint of perfume carried on her as Devol stared at her facial features. The girl in turn stared at the boy's nude body but a loin cloth to cover his rear and genitals as she now had her pelvis on. Her skin tone, lighter than his despite her being a surface dweller. Her super dark blue eyes peered at his dark red eyes as the two paused for what seemed like seconds between them. Wearing a stylish tunic with a navy blue shawl that caped behind her partly, her upper wear went past her knees. Devol blinks before placing his hands on her chest, gently pushing her off him as she stands. The boy got up and adjusted his loin cloth slightly. The girl's gaze on him lessens as her expression turns to a snobbish smirk at the boy.

“You lost? What's a person like you doing around here?”

“Just perusing around.” He smirks back.”

The girl looks at him up and down, circling around him, eyeing his spike parted up hair, pointed ears, nose, and brows. Devol squints at her, observing the girl in much the snobbish manner she's doing to him.

“You got no style.” She said.

“Yep.” Devol agreed halting her with a hand while he glances down her back side, then back at her face. “And I'm guessing style's got you, written all over it.” He complimented.

The same person comes into the store, the little girl gently pushes Devol out of view as he hears the adult woman's voice call out to her. 

“There you are Veronica,” the woman’s voice said in relief, “have you finished packing your fashion clothes yet?

“Umm not yet mom, just tidying up.” She pretended to be interested in the clothing rack, fumbling through some kid wares.

“Well young lady, if you have any eagerness to stand fashionably against that tall adolescent boy's unorthodox talents, you best present yourself neatly for the showings.” The mother’s voice sounded more serious now. 

“I'll do it mother.” She bows discouraged.

Sounds of the mother’s footsteps pat away her with final words, “To think, out of all the women in Gladia, a boy out-fashions them with men's wares.”

Veronica waits for her to leave the store. Devol is at aw of Spencer being so talented in a trade that exclusively women are better at. The little gal looks at the demon boy. She sees him grasping something in one hand. Leaning over and grabbing his hand, she sees it's the few assarii the demon boy had to his name.

“Humph, how cute, what are you buying, some shorter loin cloths than the one you already have on” She snorted, unimpressed.

Devol frowns, looking at the nearby price tags of the kids clothes. His eyes widened, mouth slightly opened, all of the kids clothing are more than 5 denarii. The cheapest he glanced over was a scrappy tattered pocketless tunic for 3 Denarii. The girl, noticing this, sizes up Devol with her short height, reaching in between her tunic's breast pocket, pulling out a shiny brightly new pure gold aureus coin. Taking the meager assarii out of the boy's hands and into her other tunic pocket, she places the month's pay in the demon boy's possession.

She smirks her eyes nonchalantly, “There, it's on the house.” She says putting her hands to her hips.

On the house? Does her mother own the place!? He nonchalantly says, “Thanks,” as keeps staring into her eyes.

Veronica and Devol both stare at each other's pupils, blinking every 3 seconds. The girl all of sudden turns left and heads over to her packing spot where she resumes what Devol could only assume is her fashion homework. The boy exhales, looking around at the clothes that interest him. It was shocking that a lot of the clothing was difficult to purchase, maybe he's underestimating how easy one can attain the wealth needed to buy clothing, food, and items. Or maybe ‘cheap’ is in a whole different category for Spencer's kind. 

Either way, he was able to find a tunic that suited him, trying it on the spot, he tightened the belt line around his waist, the length of wear nearly reached his knees. Veronica glimpsed back seeing Devol enjoying his new look with a dark tan colored tunic. The boy used the display mirror to check himself out from rear to front, the wear was to his semi satisfaction, nevertheless, much better than a loincloth.

Veronica approaches him with a smile to his humbling choice, giving her critique with analyzing expression. “Humm, getting better.” She glances down to his feet. “Your folk down there use any footwear?” She teases.

Devol snorts back at her in much the same way she did to him. “Us younglings walk mainly cold stones, brick, and adobe. Our feet bottoms are our footwear.”

“Yeah? Well not when you traverse the hot sands of Gladia, your feet will hate you after the first half hour. And good luck when you step on a sharp rock when you're at it.”

Devol blinks, choosing to trust her advice on this one. “Alright Miss.” He faces her direction giving her his utmost attention. “What do you have in mind?”

Veronica slides out a metallic foot measuring tool from under the clothes rack.

“Place your foot here.” She demonstrated.

The boy does so, confused. “Quite the metal footwear, ain't this?”

She now looks at him with the same confusion. “It's a tool for measuring your sole size bud, welcome to footwear 101. She notes his size. “You're between a 1 and 2. Here are some affordable footwear styles. You won't swing it with tall sandal ones, but most of these here are about 15 denarii each.

Devol immediately picks one with open toe bindings above and around the foot ankle high.

Veronica pulls a nearby chair for Devol to sit on. “Sit here. Let me show you how to put them on.” Grabbing his feet, she pauses to notice how strong the bottom of his feet were, calluses for days by how much bare walking he does. Devol felt tickled on how comfortable this girl was at touching his feet, at times rubbing her thumb around the sole of foot. She detailed and explained how the sole design of the footwear works with how his feet will have to break into the shoe, molding to the wearer's feet in time. “Shouldn't be a problem for you, especially since your feet are tough as rocks already. Noticing this, it made her reconsider, “Alright maybe you'd last a while out on them hot sands, but your feet will look so much better with something over them. She said encouragingly.

When Devol stood up for the first time in shoes, he felt a little taller. The sandals fit him good and comfortable. Veronica brought him to the front of the store, ringing him up on her personal ledger register.

“Alrighty, you're total for the sandals and tunic is 23 denarii.” She said proudly. Devol hands over the pure gold aureus, her taking the gold, retrieves 2 silver denarii for his change back. “Here let me show something.” She shows the two tunic pockets located at his sides. The boy feels her place her small hand in the a pocket dropping his change in them. “Feels nice don't it?” She smiles, eyeing at him. Devol pats his pockets feeling the coins ring in them as he smiles, eyeing her back, “Very.”

Devol then felt the girl tug on his tunic's belt line.

“Now then,” her smile turns to a serious one, “what's his secret?”

The demon stares at her blankly. “Who's secret?”

“Oh you know who.” She starts explaining. “That nice, thin, well built, clean cut, good looking, handsome, tall teenager who’s been a fashionable success early on in his talented career.

Devol moued his lips knowing who she’s talking about but chooses to stay silent.

Veronica’s eyes slightly narrow with his sudden silence. “I saw you with that guy. How he sat at your lonely table at that cave school when everyone else told him not to. Devol apathetically stares at her. Veronica sees that the boy isn't interested in talking about Spencer. So instead of sending him on his way, she grabs his hand, staring into his calm eyes, herself being nonchalant about it too. After a long 30 seconds of this, she took eyes to the store, seeing that her packed cases of demo clothes were done. The little girl knew she had nothing else vital to do today, so she just held on to the demon boy's hand. Devol remained quiet, silent and uninterested. 

After 3 more minutes, Veronica decided to head outside pulling Devol along. His bored eyes awakened as the girl dragged him along. The two were in the outer mall area walking with passing citizens more intrigued by the merchant stores than on Devol. Perhaps all it took was some change of clothes on the young boy to blend in with the crowds of Mercatus. 

Traversing on through the district, Veronica held his hand the entire time. Making it by the Capua District, the Oscan region to be precise, the two sat on a bench watching the crowds of the district, its monumental views, marvelous spring water fountains, and scattered flea markets around every walking corner. Devol's eyes were astonished, he only ever saw the outside of Insulae on very rare occasions. The grand adobe structured paradise of these surface dwellers is like another world to him. 

Veronica stood up pulling on his hand again, the boy following along, peering throughout the metropolis. They came up to a concession stand where the aromas of sweet fruits were being made into drinks. Veronica shells out one of Devol's 3 assarii copper coins from her side pocket, putting it on the shop merchant's counter.

“Small bunch of cotton candy grapes mister.” The pretty girl requested.

The aproned dressed vendor, occupied by his juicing, looks at the boy and girl. Taking the coin, he taps it twice on the counter, pulling up his money bag, withdrawing a zinc quadran coin, placing it on the counter where Veronica took her change, along with the small bunch of green neon grapes. Still holding demon boy's hand she offers some to him, “Here. Try one.”

Devol looked at her, then slowly picked a grape from the small bunch, squeezing the orb slightly. He only ever rarely had normal purple grapes, but these ones, green as lily pads in a pond. Putting one in his mouth, the moment he crushed the ball of fruit, he was hit with a refreshing taste of soury sweetness. His eyes lit up with delight, smacking his lips with a sapid delight.

Veronica briefly smiles tasting one, the flavor pleasing her closed eyes expression. “Tastes good huh?” She offers more, “Have another.” The boy accepted. 

The two sit themselves at another bench, this time further within the Oscan. The views of balconies, traveling Gladians and busy vendors filled the ambience. Veronica still held onto Devol's hand, laying the grapes between them. She picked her servings enjoying them with him. The bunch of 25 large grapes were finished in no time, the girl noticing a crow eyeing them, tosses the vine out on the ground. The intelligent bird flies down, snatching it up. Devol eyes the creature as it flies away from view, remembering his sitter, Acolytus, mention how such fowls of the air remember humans in special ways. 

The two chill at the bench for a few minutes, the girl turning her head over to the boy staring into the wondrous Oscan paradise.

“So…” She starts again, seeing the boy glance upon her. “Wanna tell me about Spencer now?”

Devol, with a crude smile and narrowing eyes, gazed at her hand still clasped to his, then gazed upon her eyes, he leans forward closer to her. In a romantic tease, he neared his mouth to her cheek stopping half way as he finally says,

“Uhhh... nope.” Chuckling away back to his side of the bench.

Veronica looks at him, her slightly peeved expression as she adjusts her grip on Devol's hand, raising it between them. “You know what goes nice with cotton candy grapes? A nice filling meal at my mother's home if nothing else floats your boat!” She said in high spirit hopes.

Unfortunately this too doesn't interest Devol on talking about Spencer. The girl takes him to all sorts of activities throughout the metropolis. From tourist spots, to mini horse rides, to soothing foot baths, to short theater plays at the Nobilium district, to relaxing walks around the metropolis stone works. The demon boy, unyielding about Spencer's secrets, begins to feel well famished, along with Veronica. She drags the boy over to her mother's home, a rather large building, more like a school of sorts than anything else. Heading on in, Devol is shocked to find many many girls and women occupying the building's innards, taking care of responsibilities to maintain the establishment.

The boy can’t help but ask, “Are these guests of your mom’s?”

Veronica fed up, doesn't say anything as she just keeps pulling Devol along through the neat and tidy hallways.

They enter a part of the school where it's more homey, filled with exotic animal decor and furniture. Devol sees among one of the most beautiful woman he's ever laid eyes on. No doubt his mother Vanessa is the sexiest woman, but something about this ladylike figure holds herself with regards to being proper, being very modest, and motherly. The colorful figure of such a succulent lady, adoring facial features, silky smooth ponytail hairstyle, by far the most eye-catching to Devol. The vigor blondness mixed with powerful ginger and the fact that she wore a ponytail at all, made the demon boy's hand sweat under Veronica's grasp. The tired aggravated little girl takes notice, her hand feeling the boy's perspiration under her grip. After hearing the woman’s voice, it clicks familiar thoughts for Devol, that this is the mother of Veronica, the very same lady from the store.

“Veronica?” She states getting disgusted by her daughter holding hands with a such a vile vermin of society. “Care to explain yourself young lady?” Her motherly instincts, being applied to her tone of voice.

“Oh him,” Veronica gives her mom an annoyed look, hinting at her attempts, “he's a friend to a particular someone.”

The mother inquiries more, “Define particular dear.” eyes Devol suspiciously.

With the girl really fed up, now she sorta lashes out. “Oh no one special, just some tall teen with fashionable talents better than you and me combined.” She now gripes a little. “Just little ole me trying to sugar mommy any worthwhile info out of him, that's all mom!” Shaking her hand still holding onto Devol's.

The mother's expressions and attitude about the demon boy shifts, her face relaxing, tone of voice softening. “Oh.” Sounding apologetic like, “You're a friend of Spencer's?”

Devol eyes her wonderful ponytail, finding it hard to compose himself. “Yep ma'am.”

“So young man, do you find my daughter cute?” She teases.

The boy remained silent, mouth shrunken by such a question.

Veronica’s mood uplifts when she spots Devol's temples breaking a drop of sweat. “Mother, Devol here is a hungry boy.” She say smiling deviously.

The mother leans over to the kids, seeing that Veronica has held on to the boy's hand for good reason. Putting her own hand under theirs, Devol's hand was on top, the mother's, on bottom. Raising their hands up to her, she gave Devol's backhand a kiss. This got the boy's aroused attention, wanting so desperately to yank that beautiful motherly ponytail, just like he does with Vanessa. The kiss releases Veronica's grip on the boy, her mother holding the boy's hand next but only for a short while.

“So honey,” flicking her hair, “you need a filling meal?”

Devol nods his head hesitantly. “Yes... madam…”

“Oralcosis, Madam Oralcosis, or just for you darling, when you're with my loving daughter, call me Beautanica.

“Beautanica.” He repeats the unique first name. “Beautanica and her… cute daughter Veronica.” He compliments, gazing at the fetching little girl.

“Come along now mister and allow my daughter Veronica and I to cook you a meal fit for the Emperor. A special meal, a mother and daughter meal for you and of course my sweet Veronica to enjoy.”

Devol was guided to the dinning room where he was seated alone watching the girls in the kitchen get to work. In minutes they produced a whopping delicious morsel of seafood. One that stood out from Devol's past meals of fish, clamshell meats, and shrimp, was the octopus. Devol looked at the once alive creature’s fried tentacles, now prepared in a scrumptious fashion, decorated in soft fried green onions, marbled over with glistening oils that bring out glamor. Finally surrounding its flashy aesthetics, was the sweetened prawn meat. The elegant meal was placed before the demon boy, admiring its prestigious scent of oyster sauce dabbed on it.

“Being the only sister of five elder hunters has its perks… gifts. The mother vaunted, gesturing to all her animal adorned furnishings, wall mounts, and carpeted furs.

The demon boy smells the mouth watery goodness of the delicacy, smiling, “It looks good. Too good to be true, ma’am!”

“Maybe in the outerworld young man, but not in Gladia. My daughter's gonna join you. You two, sharing in this marvelous cuisine of mine.” Ms Oralcosis sat her daughter up close, next to the demon boy like a boyfriend and girlfriend couple. 

Placing a deep bowl of soapy water beside the two, them, washing their hands before the meal, Devol looks at Veronica, she held in her hand a fork utensil, only one. Taking a prawn, she bit half of it and offered the other to the boy. Eying her nonchalantly, he opened his mouth, letting her feed him. The wondrous juices hit home for the demon boy and more when Veronica got some of the octopus, letting him chew a bite. Devol absolutely loved it, scooting Veronica closer to him, snuggling up to her to give him more. The girl was genuinely enjoying the interaction, her mother pouring fine vintage wine in two child size cup glasses. 20 minutes of this goes on and the two kids just about finished the meal. A few delectable pieces left to go and into their third glass. Veronica was full, not eager to stuff another bit but she made sure Devol didn't let any of it go to waste, feeding him the final bits. The demon boy slowly ate the rest, belly full, satiated, and ready for a long day's nap, even sleep by the feel of it. Veronica was too, her mother coming in and seeing how tired they were.

“Oh my, don't you two look sleepy, Veronica my sweet, why don't you take Devol to your bedroom for a nice quiet napping?”

Veronica nods her head, eager to rest. At this point, Devol just wanted to sleep anywhere, even the cozy padded chair he was on sufficed, but Veronica tugged on the boy's tunic and guided him to the privacy of her bedroom. Walking in, the girl was stumped, her normal two person bed was gone, and left by was a bunk bed large enough for one adult person.

She suddenly recalls with a hiccup,  “Oh duh,” yawning while speaking, “my uncles came and took my big bed to have it quilted in tiger furs.” She yawns again, “leaving this bunk in the meantime.”

Devol didn't care anymore; he desperately wanted to pass out. The girl took her clothes off until only her undergarments were showing, the boy felt her unbuckle his tunic and quickly strip him down to his usual loincloth. The kids' sandals were taken off when they first entered the living quarters of the building. Before Devol knew it, he was on top of Veronica laying on the cute little girl, his skin in so much contact with her smooth warm flesh. Little memories of recognition came to him on being the one who fondled her waist, putting her on the bed. He certainly knew she was just as tired as he was. All Devol can do is nap away with his body on top of hers.

Chapter 2: Youngling Offsprings

Upon the early hours of the night, Devol slowly wakes, having napped the day away. He feels Veronica stroking his spiky hair. Within the darkness, the moon lit through the opened window panes.

Veronica feels the boy lift himself partly off her, she pulls him back down to her, her head next to hers, her arms crossed over his back, “I don't care about Spencer's secrets anymore.”

Devol blinks away in the darkness of his environment, feeling the warmth of her body on his as he lays on top of her still, her hands wandering over his back and head. For the boy's awkward moment, he toots, letting out a small fart. Veronica didn't react to it it seems, then again, it was dark, the boy had no way of seeing her reaction. The demon boy just sighs, annoyed at his bodily functions, finishing his flatulence, not caring if this girl is bothered by it.

He lifted his head at her, “Deal with it, I'm a gross boy.”

Veronica snorts lightly, “Yeah you wish. If anything,” she slaps Devol's butt. “I'm a gross girl.”

To this, Devol changes his tune with Veronica. Their talk continuing on a low level, privately.

“You, a gross girl? Who are ya kidding? I'm from Insulae, us folk do things that would make you guys up here freak out.”

“Oh yeah? My mommy isn't all flowers and roses, she actually wants to be dominated by a man.” Veronica argued. 

The boy, unimpressed, goes to one-up her in her own game, “Really? My mom dresses the part, ready to be dominated by a man.”

“Oh yeah? Well my daddy's a mack.”

“Mack? What's a mack?” Devol asked confused.

The girl rolled her eyes in the dark, “He's very important to the Emperor and yet he bangs lots of women, even girls half his age for how useful he is. You know all the ladies you saw in this school, they're his concubine. And he’s even a senator for the Spectacula District and the Headmaster Lanista.” She one-ups the demon boy big time.

Devol fires back, not willing to be out-viled, “Oh yeah? Well my dad bangs his own flesh and blood sister.”

Veronica gasps at this, becoming jealous, “Oh yeah? My daddy makes babies with all the ladies in this school we’re in, since I was born.” Upping the heinous acts.

“My mom IS my dad's sister.” Ups her bigger.

Veronica got even more jealous, “Yeah?... Well my mom likes it when my dad makes babies with her slaves, she even helps him out and joins in the wild gathering.” Ups him again.”

Devol gets jealous now. “Yeah?... Well, I'm not a foreigner or an adoptive child, my dad did it with my mom, and in front of their warrior classmates way back then, and my mom loved it and eventually gave birth to me.” He upped the little girl big time.

The two twisted children remained silent, eyeing their dark silhouettes. Then suddenly they hugged each other. Veronica's emotions began wanting more, wanting lips to meet his, Devol’s the same way. The two were so ready, so eager to engage in intimate bonding. The demon boy sees the moon light shine through the nearby window reminding him that he’s on the surface. The boy’s breathing fastened, unfortunately pausing. Veronica, desperate, confronted to entice him more, “Kiss me already. I want you so bad!” She quietly implored.

At least one of them knew of what’s forbidden in the metropolis's jurisdiction, only when outside its borders or underground its metro lands could such minor crimes be committed without backlash.

Devol sighs regrettably, feeling her rush over to his lips. “Nargh! Stop that!” He whispers loudly, jolting her down to the bed. “I can't mess with you yet.” He says disgruntled.

“What? Why?” Veronica says pissed off.

The boy tosses himself on her, snuggling up to her, “Because it's the code of the land. You're daddy gets away with it because he's useful. I respect the code of conduct.”

Veronica holds him passionately until they both tire with sleep, denying the extreme satisfaction. As hour after hour advances towards a bright early morning, Devol sits up on the bed as Veronica wakens too. The two of them groggy with strong aroused states of mind. Veronica stood up from off the bed and went to redress herself for the morn’s cool weather. She glances back at Devol fixing his crooked loincloth. 

The two collectively say "excuse me" at the same time as they both get dressed. Devol is shown to a separate restroom apart from Veronica's where he can relieve himself. Sitting on the toilet, he observes the decor of the bathroom, its many fine animal furs decorated the room exquisitely, the overall theme of the school. Finishing up, he went back to the fashion girl's room. The little princess combed her hair, fixing herself up. Heading right behind her, he placed his arms around her shoulder, a silent sorta way of greeting her.

Veronica greets him back, less dazed now, “Morning.”

Devol leans his head on top of hers as she continues fixing herself up, “Wanna talk about Spencer?” He ironically suggested.

Blinking at her scowling eyes, Veronica puts down the brush, glancing to Devol beside her, her dumbfounded expression making the demon boy grin. 

At the breakfast table, Devol was met with a man sitting there, attentively organizing some documents. This guy was eye-catching, handsome as a male eroticist, having an attractive choice of facial hair that caught the boy's interest. His goatee was supple, sideburns flattery to his presentable fatherness. His white toga covered the majority of his body, leaving his left shoulder collar opened. What Devol noticed next about this man was extra unique, his exposed shoulder carried a rather damning injury, scarred tissue, one that seems to not heal at all, judging how fresh the wound appears, anyone would say that it’s still bleeding but now it remained contained.

Veronica seated Devol at the table quietly, herself heading over to greet her father, “Morning father.”

“Morning dear.” The man’s unsmiling tone greeted.

The little girl gets up close to him, kisses his cheek more than the man expected, having his backhand nudge her off of him annoyed, keeping his focus on his work. The girl glanced at Devol's slightly widened eyes and grinning smile.

“This is how I greet my daddy too, especially when other people aren't watching.” She stated. This commonality was shared with Devol’s mother.

The father is disturbed to see his daughter had snuck in company. “Ah shit, sorry kid.” His eyes blink, curious about how to handle the fellow. “Forget my daughter's misconduct, she’s a troubling little girl, hopefully I did not offend you?”

The demon waves a hand in reassurance, “Not at all, mister. In fact,” eyeing him seductively, “I wish you gave one in return to her.” Devol says with caring passion.

The man's serious eyes beamed on the boy disappointingly, then again, he chuckled silently to this, peering at the child carefully, seeing that the kid is sternly eyeing him back, analyzing him. The father gave him a narrow look.

“Friend of yours, Veronica?” The father inquired. 

“More like boyfriend dad.”

“Boyfriend?” Her dad said suspiciously. 

The daughter leaned her head on father's shoulder, edging for his approval as she confirmed, “Definitely.”

“Remember what constitutes boyfriend and girlfriend relationships, little gal.”

“Huugh, of course, dad.” She says rebelliously, taking a seat next to her love interest.

The father points out a sequence of his fingers, listing out the process; “One date. Meal over a parent's house. A gift to another.”

The girl smirked, “Oh I took him to many places around the city, bought his clothes for his naked back, and even brought him over here for a large supper and had him sleep on me while we kissed all night.”

Devol smiles wowed, feeling aroused by Veronica's open relationship with her father.

The man looks at the two puzzlingly, “Humm..” then looks directly at his daughter with a serious face, “did this... nightly visit of his... entertain you?”

Her face returns a dissatisfied gaze. “Disappointingly dad, he stopped himself. Right as I was ripe, pretty, and ready for the taking.”

Stacking his papers away to the side, the senator eyes the boy with a narrowed look, doubtful about the whole thing. “So he's honored me with respect, despite his looks and Insulae whereabouts?” His words puzzle Devol by the mentioning of his background. 

“Yes dad. I'm telling the truth.”

The father glares at her. “Let your eyes be the judge of that. You know my thoughts about your mother very well, child.”

To this, Veronica confidently gets up and nears her father as he picks her up like a doll and places her on the table in front of him, Devol eyes briefly widen curiously. The boy observes as Veronica's father inspects her face features, seeking for any feminine defiance to her earlier statements. To Devol's further curiosities, Beautanica walked in with breakfast for everyone, for a moment, she paused, eyeing her husband's hands over Veronica’s head. After seeing that Devol was curiously watching, she also wanted to know if the little rascal did anything to their little daughter last night.

Setting food on an end of the table, she deviously peers over her husband’s shoulder, “Found anything Vero. As Headmistress Lanista of this establishment, it's proper for a young lady to stay pure and untainted.” She iterated.

Devol was agog at Beautanica to learn that she is also a headmaster lanista. What a sight to see, two headmasters, married and inspecting their daughter for evidence that he overstepped his welcome with her last night.

Vero looked unsure of himself, then his glances switched over to his wife. Pulling her toga robes for her to be eye level with him. The mistress was startled at first by this but then she teased,

“What the, oh wait, now you wanna look at me? Is that it?” 

“Bitch please, don’t kid yourself. Why don't you show me what a deceitful woman's eyes look like, you whore. I should have seen it enough times yesterday from all your incessant antics.”

His insult and behavior seemed normal for how composed the mother and daughter were. Beautanica slyly smiles as she closes her eyes and looks as innocent as an honest lady should be. Vero comparing hers with Veronica's.

Devol all the while is struck at a aw from how open this family is behind closed doors. Then again, Gladia is going through an outbreak of secrets being leaked humbly by its inhabitants ever since the grand civil skirmish of Capua. Still, the senator was unsure. 

Wanting to take initiative, the demon boy hopped up the table, sitting next to Veronica in front of her parents. Devol revealed his own eyes to the father. Clearly this got them by surprise. But nevertheless, Vero was confident that the boy held himself together. He would have spotted any visible traces of foul play on his daughter anyhow. Beautanica looked away at Devol's confidence, disgruntled that this child made it through the night without fooling around with her daughter.

“Well shucks, that settles it.” Vero said, flabbergasted, he helped his wife up, “I’ve been with too many deceitful women to know what an innocent one looks like.” He glares at Veronica degradingly. “And yours, is still pure.”

The two kids hop off the edge of the table. Vero sighs, changing his mood for the better.

“Well now, kids,” in a genuine fatherly fashion, “let's eat!”

Back in their chairs, Beautanica serves plates of warm scrambled egg with beef bacon squares accompanied by a side of fresh tropical fruit slices. The meal was an extravagant one for Devol. Fresh sliced fruit sweetened by sugar cane made him feel jittery. Vero ate his, gazes at the boy's reaction to a wondrous meal. It made the man close his eyes and humble himself, leaning next to his wife and kissing her on the neck for another good meal well done.

“Try the bacon kid. It's probably the best meat you've had.” Vero suggested seeing the child try a crispy square. Devol finds the fatty flavor yummy to the core. The father chuckles watching the boy's expression boost with every bite from their normal everyday kind of meals. “Say, you're that adopted foreign child of Savan's kids, right?”

Devol gulps another bite of the refreshing fruit, quickly glancing at Veronica, “Ummm?”

The little girl tells it for him, “Daddy, Devol here is not the adopted foreigner child Gladia has been led to believe.”

Beautanica’s brow rises in curiosity. “Really young lady? You mean to tell me that slutress of Insulae had actually gotten lucky with a man?”

Veronica blushes on the details. “Well? Not exactly, she got owned.”

The dad got really curious with his eyes glued on the boy, searching for evidence as to whom’s responsible for impregnating Vanessa outside her consent. 

Actual rape is among the true traitorous crimes against the land. The crime syndicate does act on these measures only roleplaying such encounters like a rape circumstance but never, absolutely never, in a real motive to harm the victim. The crime goers of Gladia are in reality, testers of the citizen's vigilance of how, in actuality, the outer world savagely acts and behaves.

Vero can still recall the Insulae Headmaster's useful antics on performing such an aggressive role to maintain alertness and prepare citizens for the unexpected. So this real case of violation got the senator hot on his seat. The group were just finishing the light breakfast as this topic came up.

Surprisingly, Beautanicaher’s inner protective lady instincts kicks in, “Wait, for reals?”

Now caring for Vanessa's safety even if it was in the past.

“Yeah, and she was much younger when it happened.”

Vero’s voice becomes serious in tone, interlocking his fingers together, elbows on the table, squinting about the age difference between Devol and his mother.

“Young man?” Vero slightly stutters. “How old is your mother?”

The boy looks calmly at the two cautious parents, revealing, “She's around 19, I think, and don't worry, she enjoyed it, her brother was the one that helped bring me into the world.”

The girl's parents begin to freak out in wowed surprise, having the reddest embarrassed expressions of their lives. Vero palmed his face with both hands, Beautanica wide eyed and covering her mouth.

The demon child turns to smirk at Veronica, “See, told ya folks up here would freak about Insulae people.”

Chapter 3: An Arrow For His Quiver

When breakfast was finished, Beautanica sat ready to dwell head first into the subject of Spencer. Sure the thought of the hottest girl in Gladia being so called "raped" in the past got the parent's blood a flowing, but the tall fashion teen secrets to being successful were on the headmistress’s mind. Such a boy’s creativity on male clothing was of greater concern. The man of the house no longer looked at Devol the same way. No longer was the demon boy just a tainted foreigner to him. He is actually, a full blooded genuine Gladian, just like his strange sibling parents. And such thoughts of a pampering sexy woman like Vanessa being the lover to her brother's de-stressing releases, made the senator very infatuated with Devol. 

The ladies merely thought they could chat about Spencer now; the respectable man of power butted in his wife’s aim to converse about the tall boy, wanting to have Devol all to himself today. He knew she was eager, the way she used her cunning words to woo a subject into being.

“Well, now since that ‘interesting’ revelation, little man.” She glances at Veronica excited about some girl gossip on Spencer, her own daughter knowing her mother’s antics on being a good titter-tatter starter, “Perhaps that fashionable tall kid has some secrets of his own that need to be revealed, ones as peculiar as yourself.”

Vero gestures a hand up to interrupt them, his head turning to the girls, “Why don't you two make like mother and daughter and skedaddle?” He says in a serious tone. The two’s giggling manner turned annoyed when they saw that he wasn’t playing around. “Go take yourselves out of my sight and buzz off!” He said in a harsher tone.

To this, Beautanica returned a peeved glare to her man, taking Veronica by the hand as the two ladies left. Veronica waves goodbye to her lovely demon boy, Devol waves her goodbye too.

“Humph” Devol slightly chuckles, “Special ladies aren't they?”

Vero gives him a stern look, lessening it to one with empathy. “Maybe in another lifetime.” The man stood from the table, patting on the boy's shoulders. “Let’s go for a ride around town.” 

Heading outside, his trusty stationed horse waited, flirting with female ones. Mounting up the boy first, Vero unfastened the leads walking off a ways from the other horses. Devol was amazed by horses. So fast and so sturdy a creature to bear the heat of the land. Vero climbed up behind him. The leather saddle was comfortably positioned under the child as the senator gently rode the horse away from the school, keeping to the outskirts of the metropolis.

“You have guts for such a little boy.” The senator recalls.

“Bigger than yours?” The boy assumes.

This made the man chuckle hard, “No certainly not, I sure hope not. It must be customary for you Insulae children to have more developed minds than the rest of the kids in Gladia. Then again, Emperor Maximus is responsible for a lot of that.”

“Yeah.” Devol says, observing how Vero is handling the reins. After a while he asks, “Can I hold the reins for a while?”

“Sure child, be steady with him now, he'll need to know that I'm not controlling him.” The senator clicks and clucks his mouth, instructing the horse to change its speed, being more natural and forgiving as the demon boy novicely commands the stallion. 

Vero instructed Devol on the basics of how horse riding works, educating the boy, and getting the hang of it. After some while, he was riding confidently.

“So where are we heading?”

“I wanna take you to the Grand River. There's some nice spots I know that an under-dweller like yourself never chances to see hardly ever.”

The two ride along the now northern outskirts of the metropolis, nearing the grand bridge that carries folk from one side of the massive river to the other, they cut to the right where fishing huts appear. The fisherman Gladians there are primarily retiarius, net men, out casting their traps, baits, and whatever means to catch another wave of overpopulating critters surrounding the nearby shores. Vero approaches a hut where one of the personnel steps out.

Dressed in a waterproof yellow tunic, the gentleman greats the senator with chuckling glee, “I was unaware of a senator coming out to visit us? Don't mind the busy workmen, how can I serve you,” the stranger bows, “Vero Cortelyous, Headmaster of the Spectacula?” Then glances at the child's evil facial features.

Hand gesturing the man to relax, Vero explains. “The child is with me, foreman, I intend on doing some fishing along the river. May we borrow some rods and baits?” He says, pulling out his purse offering a quinarius silver denarius to the fisherman.

The head fisherman catches the coin in the air, “Here sir, take a bucket with you. Fill it up and we'll ship your catches anywhere of your choosing, free of charge. Feel free to leave the bucket at your spot and my men will retrieve it for you.” the foreman eagerly straps the bucket on the back of the horses cargo, along some fishing rods. 

“Thank you very much.” Vero head bows, leading the horse down the river shores.

Halting at a rocky flat cliff side, the man dismounts, helping the boy down. Devol observes as Vero adjusts his rod shorter than the man's. Handing it to the demon boy, a small fishlet tangled on the line.

“Now Devol, fishing is simple. You cast your line out just like mine.” The senator swings his rod gently out, carefully reeling it back in… then suddenly, a heavy tug catches the senator off guard. His rod bends down, his reactions subtle to the catch as he carefully reels in. For how hard the fish was tugging, he can easily tell it wasn't a small fry. The force at which this aquatic creature posed, snapped his rod in half. Vero quickly grabbed onto the pole, hanging on to the line. From a distance, Devol could see the splashing of a large sea creature. 

Vero's eye's lit up, he couldn't believe it, a leopard shark caught his bait too soon. Struggling to hold his ground, he propped himself against the boulder of rocks next to him, waiting to tire out the shark. Devol gets excited about such a creature fending for its life. The man glances over to a rock having an idea.

“Cha! Child, hand me that rock!”

Devol dashes over, grabbing it, then dashing back, handing it over.

Palming it in his shaky fingers, “Oh this just might have to do! Find more!” He pleas, throwing the first stoney projectile at the struggling shark dead on as it splashes itself up in the air instinctually. 

Devol runs around collecting all sorts of rock, some sharp, some heavy, and others light and dull. Handing them over to Vero, the man, pummeling the shark with every strike. Fisherman from canoeing boats caught sight of the epic circumstance, right away applauding. The fisherman further up the river glanced over to see the commotion, their curiosities also began cheering on the impressive spectacle. Without the right rod, this was quite the challenge for Vero.

With a final strike at the creature's temple it laid either dead or knocked out, floating on the water. Relaxing his grip on the rod, Devol quickly came over to help reel in the floating trophy. The fisherman cheered at a distance, reeling in their catches as the leopard shark neared the cliff. It was heavy just pulling something close to boy’s size out of the water, but all in all, Vero knew it better to move onto a different activity after such an ordeal.

“Maybe that's enough fishing for one day.” He said in between breaths, “Whoo!”

Devol carried the fish over his shoulder, dropping it into the bucket. “That was fun!”

Riding back up the fisherman's spot, the foreman greeted Vero once more.

“Hah hah ha. That was some fine distance hunting on that ole sea leopard. You hunted plenty of land leopards, how’s your first aquatic one?”

Vero chuckles, “Well let's just say the cave man's way of doing it, is overrated.”

The two men and the child laugh.

“Just hunting that sea leopard means more catches for my men, many thanks.”

“No worries foreman, just send the catch to my wife’s kitchen staff.”

Vero takes his leave as he and Devol ride off towards the metropolis. The adobe structures of Gladia's neighborhood amazed such a young boy. Vero explained what some of these places were, detailing his experiences with them growing up.

“Over there is the Capua District's grand library, a well place to get educated on all sorts of literature. Books for a boy such as yourself make you attractive. Like the Emperor expressed during my youth growing up, ‘a book or two keeps the uselessness at bay’.

The boy’s curiosity of the man sparkled a little, interested in his youthful years, “The foreman said you hunted?”

Vero gets nostalgic, “Aww yes, an archer. My aim was surprising in my earlier years, believe it or not, I actually fought in the arena as a full fledged sagittarius warrior.”

“An archer? Their band nowadays, aren't they?” Devol recalled Acolytus saying it one time.

“Of course in an arena standpoint, but it didn’t stop me from pursuing a profitable venatoring career and a bold sniperer for Gladia’s militant forces against numerous fleets of wild barbaric invaders.”

“Whaa! You even served a few settlement regions?” Devol admired.

“Heheha, kid you have no idea who you're hanging with.” Vero patted the child’s head.

Coming across a travel road of carriages, people on horses, and pedestrians, the two entered the busy movements of the city. People hanged wet clothes to dry out on lines. Children sat around campfire pot stands taking apart their vegetables into small pieces and throwing them into the communal stew, serving up meals for themselves. Merchants offered products and services at certain spots in town, their stands littered most of the Mercatus District. Devol glances over to a large building where numerous children and their parents/guardians went into  as other groups of them exited.

“What's that place?” He points, intrigued.

“Ah one of many entertainment centers of the metro, home to the thrills of puzzles, dice, and marbles for you younglings, and chess, cards, and the much more complex games us adults play.”

Devol looks up at Vero, “Can we take a look inside?”

Vero half smiles. “Well…we can, it’s just that, a lot of people could be put off by your background.” Devol understood, peeved by such ideals between surface dwellers and bottom ones. “Your kind are to be discreet, and discouraged from the surface, vise versa, vile behaviors are some of the reasons Insulae remains private to this day.”

Nearing a hitching post, the two head on inside the dome structured monument. A big room of passing crowds traversed the building. It was much cooler inside the building thanks to the venting systems, fanning away heat inside to the out, bringing in cool air. Devol walked with Vero, holding his hand like if he was his son. He tried keeping to himself but people glared troubled looks at the child, the powerful senator treated their self-evident judgements with disapproval. After enough glances were passed, it was clear the demon boy wasn't welcomed. The senator was also getting judging looks. Devol passed by the many rooms that contained children his age and older playing board games against each other. The younger children played simple games with dice and marbles. Seeing their happy faces, and hearing their childish noises excited him to want to partake in the action, but it wasn’t for him. Some took looks at Devol at the open window frame, giving him stern discouraging glances as they turned to their peers, obviously detailing the numerous rumors about the evil foreigner.

With his countenance fallen, Devol turns to Vero discouraged. “I want to leave this place now.”

Vero sees how the people are reacting to this child and even toward him as his temporary guardian. He takes Devol back out, the two mounting up, riding anywhere but at another center like that one. They arrive at a quiet outdoor park with slides and ladders. Devol dismounts the horse, walking up the empty playground, steps in it for the first time. Climbing up the bars and sliding out the chute, Vero expected the kid to be excited, but when his feet sandals exited the slide first, his legs dangled, disappointed still. 

He sits up, the senator seeing the demon boy's discouraged still.

“It's just not what I imagined.” Devol says.

“Imagined what?” The man leans next to the slide the boy is on.

Thinking hard, the boy voiced his downed mood, “I thought I would feel happy being up here, on the surface, but it's all the same, people see me as the troubling miscreant that I'm blamed to be. What's worse, anyone simply seen with me, gets similar treatment.” 

Vero places two fingers in frustration to his own forehead, “Can't argue with that. Sorry child.”

Though his life is far from normal, Devol remembers his interests, his true moments of enjoyment; having solitude for himself, simply being avoided by strangers, and even turning troubles into useful ones, being in control when he wants to be. Deciding his own fate, this challenge of rejection is no longer his problem. “Right now,” he eyes Vero, “I want to be Veronica, talking to her, cuddling with her, whatever the mood calls for, I want to spend time with that fine princess.” Devol says seductively. 

The boy waltzes off the slide towards the trusty steed. The senator gave him a questionable gaze following close behind.

“Just what do you see in her? Sure she's my daughter and all, but she's not the best one for you.”

“Nah you're right. It’s what makes her the only one for me. Wanna know what she shared throughout our time together last night?” Devol offers.

Vero takes him up on the question. “Humph. “Delight me child.” the man accepts, retrieving his water flask, quenching his thirst.

“The both of us shared our family's naughtiest secrets together in the dark.”

The man gulps hard, eyeing the boy gravely. As he continued,

“Oh I learned a lot about you and Beautanica.” poking the man's knee, “How you did it with her without marriage, having Veronica out of wedlock.” Devol pokes again.

The senator’s cold stare lands on the boy, “Yeah kid, I did, what of it? You want my side of the story?”

“Nahh,” The demon boy declined with a hand gesture, pondering, “though, it would sure make for a nice wet dream during bedtime. It’s not THAT story I want from you.” He teases truthfully. “I want to know, guy.” Devol sizes up the man twice his height. “How does it feel like breeding with her flock of slaves like an ox, even in front of your own lover?”

Vero hyperventilates slightly, feeling angered by such memories. He then kneels, eye level with the boy. “Devol Ixion, there WERE just some things in this world that were better left unknown. But pathetically, what's known is known, that wife of mine should of spoke it out long before Vanessa was so.”

Devol angrily grabs his man’s hair tightly as he's more than annoyed by this. Seeing the smirking unfazed senator handle his grip on him self-satisfied, “You think she's not special? Her and I are made for each other, I'll prove it. She absolutely loves being with a boy with virtues and respect for her dad. Even for a kid like me, someone close to me wouldn’t want me hanging with her.” The kid’s words have Vero curious as to who the boy might be referring to, “Wondering just who she is? Well, stay composed mister, here she comes now.”

Devol lets go of Vero's hair as the two glance their right to see Vanessa steadily approaching. She was dressed in a much more modest outfit than her usual skanky loin cloth and tit nipple cloths. It helped her to sneak around the surface. Still, her basic cover ware, being a very short skirt and a tunic crop top, yet showed her cleavage.

Vanessa eyes her son remarkably, “Devol, you know better than to hang out with strangers and to be up and about the surface without my presence! How’d you get new clothes…” She takes a brief moment to glance at Vero, once again they meet from their previous encounter days before the grand Capua civil skirmish.

Since then, the senator had plenty of time to stew over what an honest woman Vanessa is in reality. Devol approaches his mother, herself kneeling to embrace the demon boy back into her arms. Just like Veronica, she is met with the kiss from her son, on the cheek more than she expected. This surprises Vanessa and Vero as they make eye contact during the child’s eager exchange. Afterwards, she covered her cute adorable cheek with one hand, eyeing the senator apologetically. Devol smiled with some teeth. Vero glanced at Vanessa inquisitively. The entire act made Vero super engrossed by the two. 

The mother’s eyes darted left and right, nobody around. In a weird seductive way, she politely says, “Oh my, apologies handsome, I hope I did not offend you.”

Her son grins at Vero, recalling how he should have returned a sweet kiss greeting with Veronica rather than just a shellfish backhand nudge. Vero blinks at Vanessa, so attracted to her honest being of an adulterous whore, yet upholding her motherly ways to an attractive healthy son. The senator does what comes naturally to a guy with clever ways, a confident smile to their commonality, “Not at all Miss.” Clearing his throat, “In fact, you ought to give one to your boy in return.”

Vanessa tilted her head seductively by the caring gesture. Vero did the same, revealing in his hand a coin, not just any, a pure gold aureus coin, and more, shifting the coin among his hand to reveal 3 more neatly held in between his fingers. Stacking the coins out, holding them by thumb and pointer finger, he seeks for Vanessa's palm to accept them, saying, “I hear you perform services to paying clients.”

She looks at the several months pay in the senator's hand, playing sarcastically dumb and seductively like a cute little school girl, “Jeez mister, that's a lot of money for just me. You got enough to invite a whole ‘school's’ worth of very honorable pleasure ladies.” Her remark jabs at the man’s dark secret.

Determined, Vero compliments her in such a way to authentically charm her. Nearing close to the curvy slut holding her child beside her, he replies, “A whore's ‘school’s’ worth of bitches just for me, ain't even worth one of you; the hottest honest lady of all of the Gladians to spread her femininity upon my kindling spirits to embrace true love.”

It did the trick, his words even have Devol wanting him. Vanessa tries hard to compose her naughty woman side, knowing by now that Devol told him about her incest habits with Xizor. She tries kindly in an attempt to get Vero's husbandry influence off her biological instincts.

“You must know by now,” Whipping her pony tail out, “that my brother and I share the same home, the same bedroom, and even, the same son.” She flicked her hair again proudly.

The man slightly chuckled to this, “Yeah, and your son here shares such wonderful revelations. How about that? Either way, I’ve never been more absorbed in you than I am now.”

Seeing how accepting Vero is, she was bought by his trust, taking his money, extremely high-spirited by his charms.

“Awww. You're the most adoring man I never thought would be so into me.”

Devol chuckles a snort, “I could get to this guy loving on ya mom, right on the spot.” He chimed in.

Vanessa and Vero laughed, the mother glanced at the senator, cutely suspicious, her provocatively eyes alluring to test the man. 

“How do I know you're not trying to get into my privates?” She asks.

Vero crosses his arms with a smirk, “You really think I'd want you just for that? No darling, I don't want a piece of the pie, I want the whole thing, with the extra goodies that come with it, like your brother and son here.” Vanessa can't help but be attracted to such a genuine guy with words. “I gotta say Vanessa, how about a date, be my company for a day of service.

“Alright mister, let me take my son back home and we'll hang out together.” She leans into him, showing off her cleavage.

“Actually mom,” Devol says, “I wanna visit with Veronica.”

His mother kindly rejected in a way. “Aren't you a little young to be seeing girls yet sonny, especially her.” She explicitly meant the daughter of Beautanica.

Refusing her suggestion, “Hay! Her and I ain't gonna get freaky... yet, unless I can take her to Insulae.”

Vanessa puts her foot down. “You won't bring that girl into our district or take her outside of Gladia's metropolis, do you hear me.”  

Her subtle demands aroused Vero, him adding further. “Yeah son, listen to your mother, even she knows that bitch daughter of mine ain't no good, even for you.”

The demon boy gets pissed off at the two, countering, “Says the dad who is a breeding  bull to hundreds of women, even her own mom!” Vanessa eyes Vero, initially disturbed, but then impressed. Devol noticed, “What's this mom? Jealous are we, well. While I can't be intimate with Vanessa, I'll just cuddle up with you in bed tonight.”

“That's how it should be kiddo, only when I say you can get frisky with her, then you could go for her.” She ordered, Vero felt so pleased for her dislike on his daughter's presence on the boy. The senator adds on,

“That's right boy, listen to mommy, she's here for you, not that bitch daughter of mine.”

Eyeing Vero nonchalantly the boy grins, “Yeah, that would make sense, if she weren't a slave, technically, I’m a citizen. So this little dispute of ours, has no promises, I'll be off then.” Devol dismisses himself. “Mom, when I come home tonight, I’ll be thinking of Veronica while cuddling up to you.”

Vanessa glares at her son with wide narrow eyes.

Vero reassures her, calling the boy out, “Remember that I’ll check up on that little girl on the regular now boy!”

The two adults stare at the demon boy disappearing around a corner giving the two a ‘f*** you’ arms gesture before leaving their sights. Vero mounted his stead and extended a hand to politely help Vanessa mount herself behind the handsome alpha male as the two ride off on their playdate.

Chapter 4: The Secret Fashion Tip Off

Devol enters the Mercatus District, blending in with crowds, avoiding any displays of his presence. His appearance could have been noticeable to pedestrians if it were not for the ample hiding places much convenient for his child being. Sneaking into the shop to find where he first met Veronica, instead of his bride to be, Devol ran into Beautanica's butt as she was bent over folding kid clothes onto racks. The demon boy's face went red, as he realized what he'd done, his hands still on her butt. The woman turned her head expecting it was her daughter. Her, giggling,

“Oh sweety, now's not the…” Seeing that it’s Devol, “Wha? Oy there.” She slaps the boy's hands off her junk. “What's the idea huh? My daughter's bum not big enough for ya?” Her strict glare poises the child’s touch.

Devol noted her set of casual clothing, her skirt reaching down past her knees.

“Just an accident, ma’am. I gotta say, that rump of yours is nice, like my mother's.”

Beautanica semi gasps, sending another slap coming at the boy, “Don't you dare compare my figure with that slutty whore of a woman!” Ducking over to the ground lying, as her strike knocks over a girls clothing stand. Her gaze gawks at the boy on the ground, his view up her dress wear was pervertedly convenient, “Wha? You’re sick boy! I'm three times your age, easy.” She mutters as she steps back to fix the fallen stand of clothes. “Perverted little boys. They’re getting younger and younger nowadays.”

Crawling away some, he stood, “Where's Veronica?”

The mother squinted at the boy with dislike, sighing and composing herself with a deep breath. “Listen here twerp, the act up, my daughter and I were trying to get you to spill the beans on that tall teenager's fashionable talents. After her part to sugar mommy you into talking, failed, I fed you like a champ so you can get super aroused to do in my daughter.” She sees the boy's narrowed expression. “If you did break, I would have blackmailed you into talking.” She continued meanwhile fixing the toppled down clothes stand. “Now boy. Why don't you just bugger off now?” Her patience was thinning out.

Devol looks at her smugly, “Nah, I think I'll stay right here.” The child’s seductive eyes stared at her lovely ponytail. The mistress became more irritated readying to slap the child across the head,

“Don't make me bring the guards in here you creep!”

The boy grins laughing, “And what, let you miss your only chance on me telling you Spencer's fashion secrets?”

Beautanica grapples his tunic and lifts the boy up, squarely eyeing him hanging on to her wrist. “You want to tell me already? Or should I let the guards know that you sexually assaulted me? It's your call.”

Staring her down with his dark red evil looking eyes, the boy negotiates, “Let me be Veronica's soulmate and I'll tell you everything Spencer told me. Let me be her bread and butter as I see fit, and I'll tell you everything Spencer is. Let me marry your daughter today and I'll, from now on, forward everything Spencer talks to me fashion wise to you.” He grins sexually, adding, “Of course, I can just make Veronica as fashionably aware of Spencer's talents as is, IF, she and I marry.”

Beautanica was dazzled by the child's negotiation on cornering her with the best outcomes for her daughter's success in Gladia's competitive fashion. She put the boy down on his feet, kneeling to him, eye level.

“Fine squirt, I'll honor your desires, if you honor mine.”

The boy’s oooing, glances at her pretty face, still so young and attractive, “I'm listening.”

Make my daughter more famous than that cute handsome boy Spencer, and I’ll let you have Veronica all to yourself.”

Devol stood a bit perplexed that his dealing worked, “can I still do what I want with her in the meantime?”

“As long as you dedicate your time on making her better than Spencer, especially when it comes to fashion, I'll let you do whatever you want with her.” She puts her hands on his shoulders, “As far as the Gladian rules and regulations are concerned, it would behoove you,” she glares intently at him, “that if you don't go through with this, I'll make sure Veronica gets kissed by every boy child in Gladia by the time you can ever enjoy her pretty lips.” She threatens.

“We got a deal ma'am!” He said so excited.

With her hands still on his shoulders, “My daughter is in my school's garden.” Feeling Devol trying to dismiss himself away from her, “Wait a minute young man.” She eyes the boy looking back at her, his ‘what now’ expression on his face, “Seal the deal.”

“Seal the deal? You mean shake on it?” He looked at her confused.

“Nah, let's just say I'll let you in on my dirty little secret, since you're this committed already.”

The headmistress reveals her true colors for a solid minute, fondling Devol up close to smooch a loving caring kiss on the child’s forehead. She rubbed her smooth hands all over his red hair. Her minute had gone by sooner than expected and she tossed the boy on a nearby sofia chair. Devol was livid, her lips on his forehead were so luscious. He felt so grateful that he couldn't resist going up to her leg, hugging with glee. She immediately lifted him up with her leg, tossing him on the sofia chair again.

“Don't you do that again, twerp!” Her strict eyes seriously meant it, “You just had a glimpse of who I really am behind the makeup I present. Let it be known to you that this seals our deal.” Composing herself into her ladylike ways, “Now, run along boy, you're not welcomed here.”

Devol politely head bows, walking off the seat towards the exit as he turns his glance back at her, speaking his final words, “Whoo! What I'd give for you to have done that to me at my age!” He blurted out, leaving.

The headmistress chuckles, satisfied that her daughter might as well become the versed competitor against the ever mastering fashion boy.

Devol wanders to the school's vegetative gardens. He's utterly grateful Gladia can grow such greenery in a pitiful desert habitat. Going around the school, he sees Veronica, picking some flowers for herself. Surprising her, the boy hugged her backside, 

“Are those for me?” He says greeting her.

Veronica was startled but then so happy to hug him back with arms over his neck, “Aww, my love, how did you find me here?”

Devol kisses her hand, “Mmmm, your mother. She just totally rocked my world.”

The demon boy would go on the recent retelling of the events that lead him to her and Veronica would explode in cheers of joy, hugging, and embracing Devol. The boy would have to restrain her as she totally didn't explain why she was picking flowers in the garden. It wasn't until Veronica realized that her dear friend, Tierra was next to them watching the demon boy hold her back from any more advances.

“Heh.” this new girl chuckles, “Is this your boyfriend?”

Veronica pushes Devol to the side, composes herself politely like Beautanica does, “Ahem. Tierra, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.”

The girl looks at Devol with curiosity, studying his face. Instead of fear, thoughts of evil, and problematic judgements from her, the boy greeted her cautiously, 

“Hi there.”

Noticing that she carried a leather bound book. Her height was taller than his, her clothing, a mixture of maroon and tents of gray and dimmed reds, hair more in a low tone of dark brown. Her steely eyes followed by long hair that reached her back, complimented her lighter tone of skin.

In a bowing manner to him, “Nice to meet you, I'm Tierra Nortorapoly, Veronica's best friend.” She says hold her hand out.

Devol was taught by his babysitter, foreigner retiarius, Acolytus, that when a girl extends a hand to you, take the hand in a bowed manner. Hearing the butlers echoing words teachings came naturally to him, he bows, holding her hand then releasing. “Nice to meet you Tierra, I'm Devol Ixion, her husband.” He confidently played at.

Tierra raises a brow of curiosity.

Veronica chimes in, playing along, “Newly weds, girlfriend. We're married.”

The girl's eyes ponder over at Devol with interesting thoughts, “Are you 8 years old, like her?”

Devol looks at Veronica, shocked at the similar age, “You're eight years old!?” For the longest time, he thought that the little girl was 6 or possibly younger.

Veronica nudges him with an elbow, a tiny bit peeved, chuckling a slight snort, “Give me a break, I'm extra short for a girl my age.” Devol shifts his gaze to her friend, nodding in baffled hand gesture.

“Tell me, Devol. Your parents are Xizor and Vanessa Ixion, grandfather, Savan? Insulae's nickname for you is Demon Boy?”

Devol's look changed from being friendly smiles to suspicious eyes from all the line of questions, “How do you know me?”

Tierra returns a crude look at the boy, “I'm a Nortorapoly, remember?”

Devol's mind quickly remembers the significance of such a name, his red eyes widened, “Oh! Crap!”.

Tierra blinks irked at his forgetfulness, “Oh. Don't you remember? You're my slave. It's my lanistal practice to keep track of my slaves. The family of Ixions is the sole property of the Extremus Headmaster. Descendants of such, also become slaves to the master's descendents.

“Huh?” Veronica interjecting, “Slave? My man?”

Devol quickly cuts in, “Uh uh uh, in training, so she's really not my mistress yet. Officially speaking, if I was to become a gladiator fighter, then it would apply to me.

The young boss girl was unimpressed at his well reasoning, her then teasing, “You're my slave Devol, and since you decided to marry without my knowledge or consent, Veronica is my buyer for your freedom.” She played.

The boy and his lover gawked at each other, uncertain if her words are to be taken seriously, even through jests.

“Well heck,” Devol tries, “how much is a pathetic boy slave like me worth? Couldn't be much.” He then whispers to Veronica, “You can fork the gold right?” Seeing the girl shrug nervously giggling, unsure if she wants to consider Tierra’s seemingly serious jest.

Opening her leather bound book, upon inspection from the two in question, they've seen it was ledger of sorts.  Tierra’s slick movements of her fingers flipped around the contents like a thesaurus until Devol Ixion's section came up.

Thumbing over the contents of the page, she reviewed, “Let's see here, oh, you're the most feared child on Insulae. That increases the price. You please the Crime Syndicate's leader, so that's an expensive connection, humm what else? You were escorted around the city with Senator Cortelyous on horseback, another, expensive, connection. Devol was astounded, did word around Gladia really go around that fast within the same day or is this girl such a stalker? “Multiple witnesses saw you at that entertainment center…” She was going to continue on, when Veronica waves down the slave mistress's attentive gaze from her book, 

“Ok ok, what's my lover worth? I'll spend whatever, to belong to him.” She interrupted, the boy glances at her, seductively getting aroused at her wanting to belong with him.

Tierra closed her ledger carefully, staring at the demon boy, “Devol, how long have you been connected with Raningo Mulsuevi, Sudo-Emperor of Gladia's underworld?” 

Veronica got mightily alarmed that her love interest had ties to that grump of womanizer, Raningo.

Devol rubs his chin, guessing, “Less than a week.”

“Ok,” The friend lightly clap gestures at Veronica, “as it stands babe, he's worth around 200 silver denarii.”

Veronica blinks, off put at the financial setback that put her in, “I'll get you the money another time.”

“I would not count on it, every week the boy is worth 200 more.” Tierra coldly added.

Devol ponced in denial, “Why so much so fast, I don't even do anything for the madman, really?”

Tierra glints a half smile at him, “You don't know it? Headmaster Mulsuevi has reliable underbosses in charge of many robber barons, and he's declared you under his care, under my jurisdiction. By my father's right, you ought to be making bank. Underbosses make a whole lot every week.

Veronica got attracted to this. Never in her life did she think she’d be in bed with the mob. “Ok Tierra, can he offer instead of coin?”

Tierra gets giggly, and chuckles cutely, eyeing her with a tease, “Spent a little more than your allotted allowance this month? Saying that I don't necessarily need money.” She explains in a more friendly and open manner, “I'd like the opportunity.”

Devol eyes widen and return to a blank ‘oh’ expression.

“What opportunity?” Veronica asks, seeing the demon boy’s gaze narrow in understanding.

“Veronica,” He answers her, “this... secret that Spencer has.... it’s what's making him excel in fashion so rapidly. Think about it.”

The three sat themselves at a flower table nearby, continuing their conversion in private, from any curious ears.

“So we know his gladiator uncle traversed worldly parts of the outer regions thanks to a special visitor who came to Gladia in a loud metal horseless flying carriage, blah, a mouthful.” Devol continues, “Well? It just so turns out, my dad has also accompanied the same man. I'm told of routes, secret passages, and tunnels that lead to the outer regions hidden from public means. The secret to what makes Spencer so fashionably inclined is his Uncle. He brought souvenirs of unique cultural fashions from foreigners across the outer reaches of our influence. Think about it. Instead of waiting for some explorer to return us meager findings, talk, and rumors of the otherworldly fashions, why don't we figure out a method to see some of these mystical surroundings for ourselves?”

The girls look at Devol, both of them intrigued by such confidence to bear the risk on exploring foreign lands for fashion means.

“Amazing, what would an adventure outside Gladia be like, I wonder. You think we can bring anything back like your dad, honey”

He snorts, “My father never brought anything back from his worldly travels, instead he recalled descriptions about the otherworldly cultures that live differently from us. Mentioning their wares are so crazy to the amateur explorer, creative designs, exotic colorings, differing fabrics, not to say that the way they live, is otherworldly.”

Veronica gets excited to see some for herself. Tierra on the other hand, wanted something else. Her opened ledger revealed drawing diagrams, schematics, and such. “This talk about other worlds has me eager to explore them. Father always had the strangest foreigners visit him. Foreigners with such trusted relations to Gladia, often bringing back the strangest inventions. Though the master of the villa always dismantled them for useful materials. Rumors say that the Chief Executive Doctor has many stories about the outer world. I for one want to see these mysterious wonders firsthand.”

Veronica gets an interesting idea, “Well, my daddy is a Senator, very close to the Emperor. Tierra, your dad is also very close to the Emperor, and Devol, you obviously have Sudo-Emperor Mulsuevi and better yet, your own father's exploration experience.

Devol and Tierra see where she’s going with this.

“Awww, clever baby, you wanna see if we can set a tour to these mystical lands far between. I know you'll get no better inspirations on fashion than this.” Devol admired.

Tierra agreed, but interposed, “Yes, but in due time friends, we ought to figure out all we can about this grand adventure of ours. How about during my father's grand invitation for a Lanistal Festival this year? Many of the lanistas will be there, headmasters for sure, along with their best gladiators representing them and of course the very Emperor himself. This means we can take out every bird with one stone, have some food and drink, entertain ourselves a little, and ultimately plan out our moves with all our contacts available to us at the same time.”

The three agreed on organizing their adventure by discussing the finer details about with whom they need to convince on letting them travel with dependable scouts that journed to such lands already.

Walking back to Insulae, Devol jogged part of the way, seeing that dusk was fastly ending with darkness settling in, perfect for an underdweller like himself to wander the surface. Nearing the territory he sees Vanessa being dropped off by Vero, the two chatting full of joy and spirits as their play date concludes. Devol steadily approached them.

“Oh Devol!” His mother called out. “Glad to see you hun.” Her child comes to her, giving her a hug and a sweet peck on her cheek. This time she returns a quick peck back likewise.

Devol’s eyes narrowed, feeling her kiss scented with an aroma on his cheek, glaring up Vero, “You made out with my mom, didn't you?”

The man smugly licked the top and bottom row of his teeth, smooching his palm towards the demon boy, “Be glad that’s all I’ve done with her bud.” He stated charismatically, “You have my word child, I didn't get frisky with her.” Seeing Vanessa smirking, he returns his eyes on Devol, “Just like you didn't with my daughter last night, I didn’t with your mommy.”

“Humm” Devol pondered before rubbing off the kissed spot on his cheek, “Ewww mom!” the demon boy said disgusted, “Nah I'm just kidding, come here!” He jested, hugging Vanessa some more. “Don’t think this means you can have your way.”

Vero tips his head to them, riding off back to the Spectacula, “Like mother, like son. Like father, like daughter.” He says strolling away.

Devol's mother had a swell time with Vero and the boy's father didn't mind. A brute fighter like Xizor knows his sister's ways and antics better than anyone. Their child knows this too, they've raised him so.