Chapter Text
Somnus took another chug of the bottle. One alert eye popped open to watch out for anyone approaching, especially a certain sadistic goldilocks that loved to send electric currents throughout his body. He was already being robbed from his salary for the next few months to pay his dues with a bunny-headed auctioneer, after a mishap that had him collared and penniless. If someone else were now to rob him from his alone time, well, it wouldn't end prettily.
Thankfully, the Mermaid Scale Inn was deserted at this hour. Its occupants were off to god knows where to do god knows what. He could wallow in his own misery in peace with a bottle of "Bark Beer"— a non-alcoholic substitute to appease his drinking tendencies.
"Finally, some peace and quiet." he whispered to himself, his elbows were perched on the wooden table. He buried his head in the dark space between his arms, letting out a groan of frustration. Curse you Arviks, curse you Elaine, curse you Isabelle. He shifted his foot and knocked down an empty bottle which caused a domino effect. It tipped ten more bottles under the table and caused a chorus of noisy clatter.
There went his day. He straightened his back and readied himself to scream his lungs out. "FU—"
"SOMNUUUUUS!! ( ≧Д≦)" A black-haired teenager popped up in front of him. His pink eyes seemed panicked, as he stared at the daermon with puppy eyes.
"Oh. Elias—"
"Can you help me, please? Please, please, please?! (〒﹏〒)"
"With what?" The daermon only gave him the stink eye. "And also, why me of all people? Can't it be— I don't know, Ren? Chris? They're the ones who actually get stuff done."
"You're the first one I saw, so... Please help me!"
Somnus sighed. "Can't it be later?"
"It has to be now! My creator's birthday is tomorrow and I still don't know what gift to give her!" Elias gushed, before comically melting into a puddle of mush and tears on the floor.
"It's Hoshiko's birthday tomorrow?"
"Yes, sister! ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧"
"Well, just give her something that she'll like." Somnus said rather lamely, as he opened a corked bottle effortlessly. He took a swig from Bark Beer.
"UWAAAAAH! That just won't do!" Elias cried out, fingers tapping the table in panic. "It has to be something exciting, like— uh… like a birthday party!"
Eureka! The Divinian gasped. "THAT'S IT!"
The black-haired demon raised an eyebrow at his friend, his lips forever kissing the tip of the bottle. He didn't comment. Instead he focused on swallowing all of the liquid until not a drop was left.
"We'll throw a birthday party for her! \(๑╹◡╹๑)ﾉ♬" Elias did a small dance of victory. He bumped his fist gently against Somnus' shoulder. In turn, Somnus jolted and spilled a good amount of Bark Beer into his pants— right at his crotch. The wet spot began to darken and to the daermon's dismay, it made him look like he pissed himself.
"Oops…! (;ŏ﹏ŏ)" Elias sweated bullets. "I'm sorry! ಥ╭╮ಥ"
Somnus sighed in defeat and looked at his misfortune glumly. "It's fine. My cloak will only cover it anyway."
"So, what were you saying again?"
"Oh. Oh! I'm planning to throw a birthday party for her. That'll be exciting enough, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Somnus stood up, his cloak covering him from torso to toe. "Let's go search for the others."
"We're going to need all hands on deck."
"Yes! ヾ(･ω･*)ﾉ"
"But who should we search for, first?"
"Let's see…"
Somnus paused and crossed his arms in thought. Nobody was in the kitchen— he'd know since he stole the beverages from the pantry. The first and second floors were dead silent like always. He never heard a ruckus there since the first day King hired the party. Perhaps ghosts occupied those floors? (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ Lastly, the third floor. Their shared living space. The daermon with the penchant of black cursed underneath his breath.
Elias tapped his cheek after noticing his sudden sour expression. "Are you alright, Somnus? You look very murderous all of a sudden."
"Uh?" Somnus snapped out of his train of thought. Murderous? He wasn't feeling the need to kill another for blood— at least not yet. At least until he hadn't seen her face. Petty, he very was. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go."
He started walking away and toward the staircase, grumbling. Elias followed after him like a glorified clown, all sunshines and rainbows! If the Divinian heard the curses his friend was muttering, he decided not to comment on it.
——— ✿ ———
"Oh! So, we're asking for Isabelle's help first? (ㆁωㆁ)" Elias voiced his notice, as they climbed the staircase that connected the second and third floors.
"Yeah," Somnus replied. "She's only be useful when it comes to paying for our expenses."
"Somnus, that's mean! (눈‸눈)" The black haired Divinian exclaimed, cheeks puffing, as he softly glared at the boy in front of him.
"What? It's the truth though!"
The duo entered the luxurious suite that Elaine reserved for them. They walked down— well, the other was skipping— the wide and intricate hallway and stopped in front of a door with the number sign, seven. Elias took the liberty of knocking thrice on the door. When nobody answered within the first fifteen seconds, he knocked again, adding a playful pattern to spice things up.
"..."
"... ミ●﹏☉ミ" Elias was tapping the wooden border of the door. They waited for ten seconds more, before Somnus sighed and banged his fist against the mahogany wood.
"Isabelle, I know you're there! Open the door."
Soft footsteps could be heard from the other side, approaching the door, before a short click and creak signalized it was open. The pink haired Nyvus noble revealed herself at last, arms crossed, as she glared at the pair of annoying intruders in front of her.
"What do you want?" asked Isabelle, after a ten second glaring showdown between her and Somnus. With a gleam in his eye, Elias grinned stupidly— at least in her eyes. "... Well?"
"Isabelle, can you help us? (≧▽≦)" He started, clapping his hands. "Tomorrow's my creator's birthday! Somnus and I are planning to throw a birthday party for her—"
"We just want you to pay for the expenses, that's all." Somnus admitted, way too casually, with a face as blank as his wallet.
"H-HEY! (>0<；)"
"..."
"..."
"... As long as you two don't bother me ever for the rest of the day, you can buy anything under the Nyvus' name."
Elias cheered and fist bumped the air. He resumed his small victory dance. "Oh yeah! Oh yeah! That's step number one done! Oh yeah! ( /^ω^)/♪♪"
"I'm surprised you agreed right away..."
"It's painstakingly obvious you two won't leave me alone until I agree. Now, get out of my sight." She shut the door close on them, and the knob clicked.
"Don't have to tell me twice." Somnus walked away, leaving behind his dancing companion.
"Thank you, Isabelle! (~￣³￣)~" He trailed behind Somnus, waving his arms like worms.
——— ✿ ———
The ground transitioned from smooth wooden floors to a cobblestone path, as the pair teleported from the Mermaid Scale Inn to the central plaza. Somnus let go of his companion's wrist. He scanned the surroundings for any familiar figures.
"There should be someone somewhere around—" He trailed off, frowning. "Elias, where are you going?"
"WUUUUUUUD!! (*´ω｀*)" The eccentric Divinian squealed at the white-haired Arvik, who was playing her violin by the fountain. He approached her with a small bounce in his steps. What he didn't realize was the depressing bubble blanketing the violinist's audience. Elias' vision became more blurred, the closer he got to her. He also became suddenly lethargic, changing his pace from a skip to a trudge.
Elias started ugly sobbing, like the rest of the bystanders. From afar, Somnus facepalmed. The black haired Divinian continued to march on, determined to reach his target. Through sweat, snot and tears, he'd get to Wud and get her to participate. He finally collapsed on the Arvik's feet, the invisible weight of this harsh and cruel reality too heavy for his own good.
"Wuuuud… Can you help us? ( ⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⌢⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀)" Elias said slowly and sniffled. He did not mind that he was literally kissing the sunkissed cobblestone. The girl in question continued her performance, changing the piece to something more depressing. The only pieces that she could play.
Waterfalls cascaded down Elias' cheek upon hearing the new song. By now, he was crying like a baby that was missing his mother's warmth. "WUUUUUUUD! ಥ╭╮ಥ"
Wud ignored him, although she was obviously disturbed. Of all times, they really had to pester her now when she wanted to be alone. But isn't that like ever? ಥ‿ಥ
"Elias, I'll be looking for Toras and Reynard!" Somnus shouted from where he stood. Away from them. Far away from them. As he turned around, a twinkling shooting star fell from the atmosphere in broad daylight. It seemed to be nearing the plaza.
The daermon was about to teleport when a loud splash crashed into his pointy ears. He swiftly turned around to face the threat. A soaked Wud passed through him, grumbling in irritation. His eyes watched as she walked away and disappeared into the crowds. "Oh…"
He focused his attention back on his curled companion on the floor. He approached cautiously, keeping an eye out on the entity inside the fountain. Expecting a sinister creature bent on world destruction, he was surprised to see a winged small child.
"Who are you?"
The child shot up, shook the droplets off of his wings, and squeezed off the water from his clothes. He immediately beamed at the sight of the daermon. "Oh! Somnus! You're here!"
He scanned the surroundings. "Do you know where we are? This place is new. I haven't been here before!"
Somnus glared at the child. "How did you know my name?"
"Are you joking? Did you hit your head from the impact?" The winged child tilted their head. "It's me, Anna! Your walking encyclopedia tour guide?"
"Uh… I never knew an Anna."
"Eh? What do you mean?!" Anna stomped his foot in the air. He glared and pouted at the daermon, crossing his arms.
Elias gasped. "Oooh! This is perfect! You can help us with the birthday party!"
"Party? Ooooh~! For who?"
"For my creator! ( ꈍᴗꈍ)"
"Be careful, Elias! He might be a spy from the Arviks—"
"I am not a spy!"
"That sounds like what a spy would say!"
"What?!"
"Shushshush!" The Divinian pushed the black haired daermon to the angel. "Why don't you search for Reynard and Toras with your new friend? (◠‿・)—☆"
"I'll search for the love birds in the shopping district!" Elias immediately ran off.
"ELIAS, GET BACK HERE!"
——— ✿ ———
"Oooh~! Take a look at this, Ren! It's shaped like a heart." A certain bubblegum candyman cooed at the heart shaped strawberry cake. Ren, who was dressed like a green himbo, blankly glanced at the cake.
"I guess?"
"Oh, Ren! You're such a sweetie!" Chris pressed a kiss in his both of boyfriend's cheeks. He wrapped his arms around the brunette's waist, resting his head on the latter's shoulder, as they continued to window shop.
"REN!! CHRIS!! (ᗒᗩᗕ)" Elias was charging towards the couple with flailing arms. He halted to catch his breath before he immediately ran again. This repeated for two more times until he finally reached the lovebirds. He was bent over with his hands pressing on his knees, as he tried to catch his breath.
"Oh, hey Elias!" greeted the pink-haired boy. "You doing good?"
"Can you help me? (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ"
"With what?" asked the brunette.
"Well, my creator's birthday is soon and we're planning to host a birthday party for her! You can meet us in the inn! Everyone's helping too!"
"Yes, sister! We'll totally be there!" Chris squeezed his boyfriend's side. He snuck another kiss on Ren's cheek. He ignored the way the brunette's face darkened in a beautiful shade of red. "Let's go, sugar~"
"Bye, Elias!"
"Bye!"
"What do you mean? I'm coming with you? (ー_ー゛)"
——— ✿ ———
Meanwhile, Somnus was heading to the playground with a lost angel child behind him. He wanted to die. This Anna— Arvik spy— was giving useless and annoying rants to his ears.
"Did you know that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell?"
If someone was to give the daermon a gun at this point, he wouldn't hesitate to—
Look! A familiar figure was approaching. His savior was here! Somnus' eyes lit up in hope when he noticed Annekin in the crowds.
"Annekin!" He called out, speedwalking toward her. The mentioned woman turned her head to look at whoever called her. Her rather hostile expression softened at the sight of Somnus. She innerly bristled at the sight of Anna.
"Oh, it was just you."
"Say, can you bring this kid to the inn and wait for me there? I'll explain everything there, okay?" He whispered into her ear.
"Fine…" The Norwegian sighed. "But you better have a proper reason for this, or else—"
She couldn't finish her sentence, as the daermon already teleported away. She scowled when it was just her alone to babysit the angel.
——— ✿ ———
Somnus appeared on the playground. He approached the sandbox, where Toras and Reynard were currently building a sandcastle. The little red boy was the first to notice the daermon. His little arm waved at him. Curious, Toras turned around to see who her playmate was waving at.
"Oh! Somnus! Do you want to play with us?"
He shook his head. "Nah. Elias is planning to host a birthday party for his creator. He's wondering if you two can help?"
Toras squealed. "Ooh! Birthdays? I love them!"
Reynard nodded. "Me too! I promise I will be a big help. I can make fireworks!"
"Oooh! That sounds exciting, Reynard!"
"I'll show you now!" The little boy squatted. His red skin brightened. Flames started to blaze in his feet.
"Oh, no no no! You can do that later! Let's get to the inn." Somnus grabbed his friends' shoulders and teleported into the inn.
——— ✿ ———
By the time, the trio appeared in the inn. The other party members were already gathered on the first floor with the exception of Isabelle, who was doing god knows what. Elias waved at them.
"You're just in time! (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡"
"Hey, Somnus!" Chris greeted him. He was sitting on Ren's lap, munching on some strawberries. Flushed, Ren could only keep his mouth shut in embarrassment.
The Herrscher of Norwegian Cult Leaders was alone in the corner. Her arms were crossed, as she glared daggers at the edgelord daermon in black. Meanwhile, Anna was trying to strike up a conversation with Wud whom he insisted that they were friends. In an alternate universe.
Reynard took Toras' hand and led her to the couch. He climbed it to sit down with her. The duck girl grinned and lifted the boy to place him on her lap. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him from behind. Somnus went back to his chair to resume drinking his Bark Beers.
Elias cleared his throat. "I need your help! Hoshiko's birthday is soon, and I was planning to throw a birthday party for her. (´∩｡• ᵕ •｡∩`)"
"Isabelle already pitched in to pay for everything that we're going to be buying."
A loud gasp was released from the bubblegum's throat. "Ren and I can bake the cakes for you!"
"Oooh! Reynard and I already have dibs in the party decorations!" said Toras.
Elias nodded. "Then Somnus and Wud can do the music production? (☆▽☆)"
"Who said I was going to help?" piped Wud. Somnus didn't comment. He was too busy trying to get himself drunk with a non-alcoholic drink.
"Anna can do the shopping with her!" The angel spoke up, pointing at the Divinian across the room.
"I see! I see!" Elias crossed his arms in thought. "Then that leaves Isabelle and me with…"
"... Nothing? ( ･ั﹏･ั)"
By the time, he concluded that. The others had already stood up and left to do their respective tasks. Elias was left with the two other child-like people in the room— well, one of them was an actual child and the other was just childish and immature.
"Guys? Why am I left with nothing? (╥﹏╥)"
"It's okay, Mister Elias! There are tons of ways for you to help Miss Isabelle!" cheered the little muffin, Reynard.
"(-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩___-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩-̩̩̩)"