Helluva Secret: Part 1 - Proposal

Missing Scarf

Stolas sat silently, staring at his reflection in the teacup. He watched the ripples slowly begin to fade, the surface becoming still. He sat across from his 7-year-old daughter Octavia, in a local coffee shop, the young owlette mirroring her father's expression. She stared at her own reflection, then occasionally back at her father. Stolas snapped out of his trance, looking at Via, who was trying to copy him. Sighing and taking a big gulp of the now lukewarm tea, Stolas smiled at his daughter.

What was I supposed to do?

How will I admit her into the Royal Academy now?

"Daddy, are you ok?"

Octavia looked at her father, almost staring into his soul.

"Oh yes, yes. I'm alright, my little Starfire. Nothing for you to worry about" he ushered nervously. He brushed through his head feathers.

"Let's go home shall we".

Via nodded, finishing her cup of hot chocolate. Standing up, Stolas took her hand, mustering up the best smile he could.

He just had to figure something out. Without worrying Via.

The two were walking back home after a long day. The sun was starting to set.

Lightly humming to himself, Stolas began to calm his rushing thoughts. That was until Octavia halted.

"Via?".

"Daddy, I forgot my scarf in that cafe" she exclaimed. "And it was my favourite one".

"Oh darling, it's ok, let's go back and get it," Stolas cooed, as they turned back.

He opened the door, hearing the small chime that rang. The cafe was now almost empty, except for some of the employees cleaning up the tables. Octavia rushed to the table where they had been sitting earlier by the window, with Stolas following close by.

Frantically looking up and under the tables and chairs, the girl felt tears coming.

"I-it's not hereee" tears began to form as she stared up at her father. Stolas looked around too, his eyes scanning the cafe. Surely nobody could have stolen the scarf.

"Oh Via, I'll buy you another one" he knelt, embracing her into his arms. "B-but that's the one you gave me on my birthday. I-it just wouldn't be the same" she whimpered.

"Ok, let's ask the employees, perhaps they have seen it somewhere?" he stood up and walked up to the imps who were almost finished closing for the day.

"Excuse me. My daughter has misplaced her scarf, and we were wondering if maybe you have seen it?" Stolas asked.

As the imps just exchanged confused glances, the owl elaborated. "It was a purple scarf, with yellow stars stitched onto it. You see, it was my daughter's favourite scarf".

One worker finally spoke up, "Sorry but we haven't seen it. After that attack earlier, maybe someone took it".

"Attack?"

Stolas felt Octavia grip his hand tighter.

"Oh, it was crazy," another worker added. "It was one of the mafia groups in the city who were working for the elites. This one imp though managed to fend them off single-handedly. Blew them all up and everything".

Stolas felt his daughter tremble behind him as the worker continued the story adding more gory details. "Don't worry Via, the bad guys are gone now. Everything will be ok". Though it was a shame that her scarf was gone. He would try to find another one. "Thank you for your time" Stolas picked up Via, as they made their way to the exit.