Chapter 33
Another!
Warning: OOC, random craziness, Error past dark abuse, many other troubles if mention, cursing, killing, dark themes, racism mention, stuff children/teen shouldn't do, profanity, self-harm, suicidal moments, cheating, sexual moment mentioned, violence, smoking, drugs, alcohol, guns mention, animal death, cringe, bullying, yandere, possible musical/singing moments and bad flirts.
Error/Moxxie speaking
Voices/flashback/Text
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Moxxie started to work for Ivy. He did request certain days off. Just to use as their 'vacation days'.
Ivy was willing to listen to what they were. If there was an issue, she would say no. But the days where they landed on can work.
The Harvest Moon festival week. That week would be busy, but she heard how important it is for Wrath. A celebration of sorts. Should be able to handle it like before.
Their Madre Birthday like two or three days off. Got to make it look like it long just travels reason.
"So, what about your Birthday?" Ivy rechecks certain dates on her calendar. Written down in her booklet of a schedule.
"Personally, don't care about celebrating it."
"But you'll celebrate your Madre?"
Moxxie shrugged a bit. "I owe her."
"Aww she got herself a good kid." Ivy grins at the eye roll she received. The two interactions improved in a way. Well, as one can be for a boss, employee. Glance back at the calendar. Made a note on a certain day as well.
All, all were approved.
The first vacation three day off is soon. Which was Maria. It'll also be their first time back in Wrath after six months. Not counting the phone. He was actually a bit excited to go back home. Home in the Wrath Ring.
Then is was time to figure out a gift idea.
"So, what you going to get for your Madre?" Ivy asked, with a yawn escaped her mouth. Call Moxxie in a little earlier than she would have liked. But a bigger order came in to be delivered and needed some extra help. Along with the need to get the food prepared. Moxxie came in like it was no problem. As if he didn't sleep at all. He replied that he didn't sleep. Now she has her eye on him prepping the dough.
It was hard to tell if they were tired or not. Their faces are always the same. Plus, she swears they are mocking yawning at her on purpose when he yawns.
"I kind of have an idea but want to see if they're available. If not, I guess I'll make her something. Or go out."
"Oh? Like what have you made for her?" Her vines carefully grab a bag of sugar to be stored.
Moxxie grumble a bit.
"Can you repeat that?"
Another grumble.
"Maybe I should move that scarf. I can barely hear you."
"I said clothes. I can sew." Moxxie growled as he went back to the dough.
"Really?" Ivy blinks a bit surprised along with the growl. The imp just keeps surprising here, one thing after another. Sees how they look at. Like ready for her to say something else. "Like what have you sewn for her?"
Stare then glance back at the dough. "The first thing I made her is skirt, along with a cuffed bracelet that like metal, leather and thread mix together. A flannel shirt. Work gloves. Socks. I would restitch her clothes along with mine if needed to be work on. It was different stuff."
"That is very sweet. Even back when I was alive, I was lucky enough to do basic sewing. Still can only do that." Ivy chuckles a bit as she looks at him. "Got some examples of these clothes, accessories?"
What? Want to make sure. Don't think they're lying. Moxxie can be quite blunt.
"I'm wearing it besides the necklace, glasses."
Ivy stops to do a double take. "Wait? You seriously made all this?"
"Yep. Got a stitch initial inside the jacket. Same in other parts too." They were very picky about clothes. That includes if anyone dare try to steal it.
"Really?" May know certain fashion trends but she does know smart stylists will do that. So, no one will steal their credit or work.
"Mhmm ye- "
RING!
RING!
RING!
Moxxie stare at their phone and he sat down. The caller id shows Madre. Look back at Ivy. "Um, can I?"
"Sure, were not open. Here let me put it on speaker. Your hands are occupied." Ivy snickered as she waved a vine over to press the call button.
"Morning Mox."
"Hey Madre. You're on speaker. At work right now."
"This early?"
"Early shipment. Boss needed some extra hands."
"I get it."
"Why you up early?"
"Got a call saying how an order got lost. Pain in ass but they have paid in advance. Going to bring an extra load over since they requested these drinks at venue for a party." Maria let out a yawn.
Moxxie, on purpose, does the same thing.
"You little runt I heard that!"
"I did nothing."
"Mox? Lying to your mother? How cruel of you." Ivy snickered, she couldn't help to join in. The look she gets from Moxxie like betrayal. That what you get
"Oh? Is that the boss lady herself?" Maria asked on the other line.
"The same one." Ivy let out a chuckle. "Hello Ms. Maria."
"Hun it's too early for politeness."
"I respect the truth you just said. I see where Moxxie get it."
"I'm worse."
"Yes, the many attempts' morons tried to hurt you or you make them cry is proof."
"Oh, gosh is one of them those milk thieves."
"Moxxie you told your Madre? Last thing I want is for her to come down if anything dangerous happen to you."
"You'll be fine. She doesn't bite."
"I don't know if you're pulling my leg or not."
"He is. Just wants to push me under a holy innocent light. Which he deserved that spot not me."
"Lying bad Madre."
"Your child is quite a hard worker. Does he understand the tern break and rest?"
"Ha!"
"Knew it."
"Sure, gang up on me." Moxxie rolled his eyes as the two laughed. "I'll remember this Madre."
"Love you too. Can't wait to see you." Maria was giggling but there was warmth there.
Ivy watches, listen Moxxie grumble but their facial expression just soften. Even with the scarf, along with the glasses, hide it. Just a flick saw it.
Moxxie really does care, love this Madre of there.
Maria stayed on the phone a bit longer with Moxxie. Ivy would somehow slip in the conversation. It was fine. Quite fun.
"Hey Madre be back I got to go clean up." Cover with lots of flour.
"I'll wait here."
"Don't worry I'll keep her company."
Great.
Moxxie walks off fast to clean up.
"Maria."
"Yes, Ivy."
"You really got yourself a great child."
"Thanks. I was a bit surprised Moxxie did get a part time job up there. But I'm happy he seems to not mind it." Can be heard on her side stuff is moving around.
"Got to say he so far my best employee." Ivy thinks for a bit. "Hey I just asked your son a question not too long ago about your Birthday."
"Which is?"
"He seemed grumpy because he says he sewed. Like good for him from the stuff he makes for you. I was lucky to even know sewing."
"Right back at you on that. What? You want him to make you something?"
"No. Well, like to see other stuff he made. But that is not what I want clarification about. Like he was expecting me to say something like sexist? Or rude?" Ivy explained as best she can.
"Moxxie like to keep certain hobbies to himself. Only I, the shop he works at, and I can a handful around ten others know about it. You probably just caught him off guard."
Ivy frowns a bit. "I wasn't trying to make him uncomfortable. He mentions he made you stuff for your Birthday and- "
"Unless like you're not being a sexist rude asshole. Then there won't be a problem. Will there be a problem Ms. Moore?"
Mouth wide open in shock. Would have snap back but could hear a protective, warning edge in her tone. "There no problem I was just curious."
"Mhmm good. Don't want issues." Then her voice chirped up. "So, did he talk about what he going to get me?"
"Sorry, my lips are sealed for that but I'll say this. Happy early Birthday."
"Ha ha. Right back at you early or late."
"Aww why thanks." Hear the footsteps and whispered, "Whelp are girl talk cutting short."
"Girl talk? Please, this is woman talk!"
Ivy chuckles at that response. Well, it wasn't wrong there either.
"You two done discussing world domination?" Moxxie cleaned up.
"Yes, you'll be ruler."
"Pass."
"Too late. Just remember me Mox as your best, favorite boss to not give me taxes."
"I'll put that in my to my never to do list."
Talk a bit longer till both sides had to hang up the phones. Got to get ready to do their own jobs.
"Got yourself a good Madre." Ivy picked up the finished bread.
"Mhmm."
"So, what was it you going to get her?"
"It's a surprise."
"Of course."
Moxxie sort of has an idea but wanted to see if he could find it first.
Aka back to animal planet.
All right in a new spot. Just got to be silent. Quiet. Hide. Blend in like a chameleon. Where did that thought come from?
"Tweet."
Moxxie stop. Slowly turns as he raises head up to see birds. Look like robins. One of them very close with orange, pink feathers. Got a head tilt from the bird.
"Don't you do it. "
The Robin let out a loud, "TWEET!"
"You're worse than those parrots!"
The robin flies down to his shoulder and nuzzles the cover cheek.
"Fly off unless you like to see me suffer."
"Tweet."
"Alright don't complain when you get tackle down to be lick. You're poor feathers."
The robin flies back to the tree.
"Figures." Moxxie glance around. Can hear water so a river would be close by.
Continues their walk till he reaches the spot. Goes to sit down on the grass to relax a bit before his doomed approach. Hopefully nobody else heard him. But those birds might have ratted him out. Look at the water that was a mix of clear lavender with tints of blue. Look at his hooves. Goes down to take off the padding shoe. Then rolls up his pant legs to see part of their furry goat legs. Slide over close to let their hooves go in first. Then parts of their legs are in the water. Soon relax at the nice feeling.
Stayed like this for who knows how long till felt a nibble on his hoof. The tail quickly goes into the water to grab it. Wasn't like those axelots as the teeth felt a bit sharper. Pull them out to see it was an otter. Look to be a young adult size. A dull shade of purple, a light color on the tail, front and rear legs. White eyes blinking at him. The otter began to squeal and bite his tail. Clearly not pleased and scared.
"Next, time don't be too curious." Lower the otter down back in the water. Their tail let them go. Watch the otter swim around. Goes to stick their head out to watch him.
Let out a snort. Then pulled out the notebook of the new discovery.
A small crying sound could be heard.
Glance to see if it was the otter at first. Then hears it from the back. Turn around to look at the trees and grass around. Till he heard the sound again. Very small and squeak like. Gets up and checks around till he finds the animal distressed.
A chinchilla?
A very soft and cuddly rodent. Rarely see them out in the open. I like to stay tucked far away. Usually have two main colors on the top fur and under the stomach. Moxxie scoop up the fluffy creature silver and green fur felt nice. But wonder what happened. Till he saw the face.
Was that a stinger on their nose?
Let out a distressed cry. Shake their head. See a few scratch marks to tell they been trying to get it out. But they hurt themselves instead.
"Alright hold still." Moxxie grunted as he used his stings to pull the stinger out. Then quickly check for any infection on the nose. Did pull out a little bottle of first aid sanitizer and lightly spray it on. Just in case of infection. Able to calm them down with some star fruit he pulled down from one of the trees close by. Seems good. Will naturally let it heal.
The little fellow felt better and curled up on his lap.
Let them be and pet the head while he thinks. A stinger. So, wasp? Bees? If their Bees. Then there should be-
A pair of happy yips, cackles could be heard.
Turn to see a small pack of foxes. Five at least. Two kits. Their pelts are all similar but some differences. Learn overtime with these foxes. Their fur changes from the temperature around them. Along with their mood as well. So, better make sure you don't get the two mixes.
In this case this small group seem to remember him.
Popcorn stealers.
The two kits with fur mixed with blue and orange ran up to him happily. Almost would mistake them as the puff ball wolves besides the minor differences. Held the Chinchilla when they shake and watch the kits roll in his cape. "Settle down taking care this one."
Kit's yips as their little tails wag as they stare up at him.
Moxxie look at the other three. "Going to parent your kits or what?"
They just lay down and watch him.
"I'm not a free babysitter." Moxxie grunted as he watched the kits play around him. Sighs, pet the soft rodent when they relax. "Any bees or wasp you can show me?"
It was bees.
Moxxie leaning against a tree as he looked at the open land. Pretty flowers around along with a few trees. Spots a few stars around in certain batches of tree. Trees that have natural bee hives. Glance at any bees he can see and notice they looked like any normal bees. Besides eyes being a bright blue or yellow. Now one of the things he notices about the bee hives was it wasn't that orange-yellow hue. But like a pretty shade of violet. Along with twinkling.
The Chinchilla squeaked when they were put down by the fox.
"Stay."
Well, this would be a good gift for Madres, along with Frogmouth. He has been complaining about finding some gift for Little Frogmouth. Could you give this a try?
Now how to do this by not destroying a hive but also not getting stung. Just doesn't want to deal with unknown stingers.
A few minutes later.
Moxxie was holding a jar of honey. With the weirdest expression on his face that you couldn't see from the mask. Did those bees really let him get honey after talking with them? Okay yes, he talks to the animals. Better than him talking back to himself all these years. He admits that now! Glance at the two jars with indigo liquid. A few sparkles in the fix to give it an alluring look. Will do a CHECK before giving them away.
"Buzz!"
"Buzz!"
"Buzz!"
"Alright I'll get your damn flowers."
"Buzz!"
"I hope you Queen smacks you!"
Ring!
"What now?" Moxxie grumble as he put one jar in the inventory. Held the other one while he answered their phone. "Yes- "
"Critter?"
Almost drop the jars of honey. Okay he did. But now being eaten by this Honey Badger that was laying under the flowers. Not murderous but very calm. Along with happy to be awake in time to grab it. Deep purple and bright blue fur. Tail wags happily able to open the jar and eat the stuff out.
"Rattles? "
"I don't have much time to talk."
"What you mean you don't have much to talk." He didn't expect him to call out like this. Then to be told it won't be a long talk.
"Look I'm on someone else's phone. I just. Look I just want to hear you right now."
"Right now? I want to smack you."
"How sweet."
"I can feel that smug smirk."
"Oh? What else do you feel?"
"Annoyance." Twitch but then their voice now whispered. "Why haven't you called? Even a letter."
Striker let out a sigh, "I really wanted to Critter. A lot has...Look I've been very, very busy. I don't know when Ill called again. Got your number from your Ma when she says you were staying in Pride for a few years."
"Right um- "
"Pride of all damn place your decided to live!"
"Anything else besides complaining." Got a small snarled like grumble.
"Don't want to argue even if it was a stupid idea."
"It's not permanent. Besides it's my choice."
"Stupid pick."
"Busy ass."
"Smartass."
"Ego jackass."
"Damn I miss you." A deep chuckle came out.
"Where are you?" Moxxie muttered
"I can't tell you."
"You told me that before. Then the last time. Can't you try to come for Madre Birthday? "
"I want to but I can't right Critter." A odd tone in their voice.
Moxxie about to speak but heard some strange noise in the background. "Um you got company?"
"Yes." Striker grunted and didn't sound very happy.
"Oh." Head down a bit. "How Bombproof?"
"Spoil but do well. He got bigger. Fatass."
"You're over feeding him."
"You spoiled him with those carrots."
"Can't blame me for not being there. "
"Using my words against me? I feel proud."
"Shut it."
"Aww you really do like me."
"Watch it Jerk."
"Never around you Critter."
"Whatever."
"I need to go Critter."
"I get it." Does he?
"I will try to call again. Be safe and don't take crap from anyone their Moxxie."
"Striker pl- "
Hang up.
"So, much for a goodbye." Moxxie grumble with mixed emotions at what just happened. Glance down at the honey badger eating the honey.
Time to request another one.
Striker holds the phone. A little twitch as he hears a whimpering succubus woman in the corner. Either scared at him or the dead body on the bed. Could be him as his tail rattles.
He told her to stay quiet.
The target just slumps with their neck slit open. Well, that was still fresh but the black stopped flowing after a bit of torture.
Let out a tsk. Pull the phone off the desk to throw at the target head. Bounce off to leave extra damaged. The succubus jumps in fright. Goes over as he kneels down at her. Shook his head at her. "Nothing personal, I forgot you were in the room. He was the real target but you heard too much."
His mistake. A mistake that would cost two people's lives if she tells anyone. He knows she will. Anything for money. As this one has few others for money. Along will open her mouth if she told who killed the target. Told her to be quiet. Then maybe I would have let her go.
"No, wait pleas- "
BANG.
The succubus dropped dead from a Holy Bullet.
Striker stared down coldly at the body. Recheck everything around. No, mistakes to be left behind. Goes to the window goes jumps out. Land on the ground as he rushes towards his horse and jumps on it quickly. Ride out to take cover after his third assassination job. Risky as he still needed to lay low from the last one and the target on his back. But right now, he didn't look like he cared. The smile back on his face as his ringed eyes glow brightly. Let their voice be recorded in their brain.
He will make it up to his Critter one day.
~ ~ ~ ~
Done!
Any questions?
Until next time.
Bye, bye!