Chapter 26

Another bites the dust!

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 moments 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

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"Here you go." Moxxie hand him some food he packed.

"Thanks." Striker took the food as he placed it in their saddle bag. He may have to move a little slower than necessary as he packs.

It was time for Striker to head out. He had a nice time staying here. He would have stayed longer to see Maria but made a call to work. He had to go back. A little annoyed about it but it is what it is. Or no pay.

"Hey Rattles."

"What's up?"

"You think you'll make it."

Striker thinks for a bit and mentally curses.

Moxxie will be graduating soon. He wanted him there but understood if his work got in the way. Still, saw it. Able to pick it up that no one else would. Maybe Maria but is being a little selfish to think he knows Moxxie better in other ways. Even with their time drifted apart, fewer calls. Still, a bond there between them.

"I'm going to see what I can do. If not will do something together. How about that?"

"Don't want to distract you from your busin- "

"My work can suck it if I miss a bit." Striker snarled and saw an eyebrow risen up. Took a bit of breath. "Will figure out something. Get some time together before you go to college."

"Okay."

"I'll call when I can Critter."

Bombproof neighs as he goes up to nuzzle against Moxxie.

Moxxie snorts then returns the nuzzle back to the lave mane horse. "I'll miss you too. Pack you some good treats. You make sure Rattles doesn't do something to ridiculous."

"Your one to talk." Striker rolled his eyes at them both. "Okay, okay stop cuddling him."

Moxxie stick his tongue out at him. Striker returns it back. So, childish but the pair didn't care.

The talker imp walks up to his small companion with a hand out to shake. He watches the glasses wearing shake his hand. Then pulls the short one arm hug.

Moxxie return it back.

"I am glad to see you again and we had a fun week."

"Same Rattles."

Striker looks down at him. Another thing that makes him feel a little bit proud is he is one of the few to see these marks. Just their eyes with a select few. Glance at the choker with the star as he is still wearing it. Then let go ruffle the fluffy hair. He snickered at the hiss as he playfully swiped their hand. "Take care and take no crap Critter."

"Right back at you. Well, besides Bombproof."

Bombproof neighs loudly.

Striker gets on his horse as he waves good bye.

Moxxie watches him ride off till he can no longer see him. Still, I stayed on the spot quite a long time. Let out a small sigh. He really missed him a lot more than he thought. Goes back inside the house and sits on the couch. He stared at the ceiling for a while deep in thought. Let out a sigh and got up. Write a note and place it down for Maria to see.

Went to space. Striker was here. We had fun. I'll explain when I come back.

Change into his outfit and grab a mask. Then was off into space.

The masked imp sighs and just floating in space. Silent, beautiful and alone. Well, not truly alone. Lift his hand up like he was ready to grab one. Eyes closed behind the mask. His string instantly burst out to carefully hold a star. Then brings it back down towards him.

It still surprises him when he can do a trick like that. His magic seems to be accepting this place a lot lately. Like almost could call it space magic. He didn't know what to call it really. It wasn't like Stolas astrology and space magic. Just different. Different like him.

He touches the star as he shivers at the warmth. His fingers delicately trace the curves of the star. Fragile looking in his small hand. Could be crushed so easily but would burst into sparkles. He wouldn't do that.

"Puppet!"

Moxxie turn his head to see Stolas. Sees the owl with a happy expression flying towards him. He nods at him as he still holds the star.

"It's so good to see you! I wish I brought Via. You would have seen her a few days ago but you weren't here."

"Was busy."

"I understand. I was able to finish my duties early." Stolas giggles as he flies above Puppet. Sees the star. "Found something you like?"

"Just holding it."

"That's good."

A part of Moxxie didn't tell Stolas about healing stars. Or destroy them as well. At least destroy the sickness. In fact, never even told them about that random bug incident. That they will randomly explore in the area before with the sheep to find any problems. Have encountered a few poison stars they were able to take care of. Took his time to see he could destroy it. It's a little tricky to make sure the strings don't destroy the star. But eventually he got rid of what was making it sick. He got the idea after a bit of chat with Medea. Say what you want about the Doc. He knows what he is doing when it involves medical. Just had to improvise along with what the code gave them. Then use the healing string part. Just like that the star seems to glow brighter and healthier.

Of course, said Doc also sold him out to Maria. That talk, along with revenge, will be another time.

Then other stars that were sick and weak in another situation. Why did he never tell Stolas about this?

Maybe because of their job. He kind of got the idea what Stolas has to do with his responsibility. But Moxxie stays away from it. You do your work. I do my own thing. Just don't drag the other end. One the deals of sorts about if they were to talk. Of course, that's for space duty. When it's things down in Earth. He will gladly talk about people dying from global warming that is becoming a big deal on Earth. Exchange some souls here and there with humans in the past when they craved knowledge of astrology. Such good time in the Greek and Romain empire times. Then of course his responsibility is there in Hell.

The Frogmouth does crave destruction, death in their own way. Then in a snap a doting father who loves to talk about Via, his plants or a book he has been keeping up on. Enjoy the stars just like his little Via. Creating wonderful times together, that they too somehow will be mixed in.

But he wouldn't want anything to happen with space! His little stars that he been around even in his darkest of thoughts and moments. The stars he lets his little Via see and play with it. Are actually sick and getting hurt!

"Yeah." Let the star go and watch it float away freely. He looks up at Stolas. "Your very chippy Frogmouth."

"Well yes of course I am." Stolas grinned. "I just got myself a new book to read. It was quite enjoyable and barely can stop! Then it was close to that time with one of my favorite shows about to start. Oh, I wish you can come with me to hear it!"

"Frog- "

"I know. I know. You don't want to come to Hell. I can get that bur a little spell-"

"Wouldn't your wife want to go? As a social thing."

"Um right yes." Stolas smiled but his head went down a little.

"Is she giving you trouble?"

"No, no it's alright!" Stolas waves his hand and smiles a bit. "Just well wanted to be nice. You know to invite you. I thought maybe you would like to visit where I'm from. Show you some nice places and well my garden. Done a lot for me even if just talking.

"Oh." Watch Stolas move his face away for a bit. Till he was back looking below and admiring the coat as the stars twinkle. "Thanks for the thought but I don't think I should go."

Doesn't want to be noticed or be asked questions how Stolas knows him. Stolas never mentioned his name but told his daughter about him. Other than that, Stolas kept this meet up very private and personal.

"I understand Puppet."

"Plus, I don't like the sound of your wife."

Stolas eyes widen a bit. Sure, he tries not to bad mouth her when he around Puppet. Especially, if Octavia is around. Yet, Moxxie seems to pick up over the years how there wasn't real feelings. It worries him.

Worry how others might see and make comments.

Silence between them.

"Puppet do you have a family?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well, I mention mine a lot but you rarely do."

"I just like to keep stuff to myself."

"I know but do you have one?"

Moxxie glance down at them as the owl just tilted his head. "I do."

"I bet they are delightful just like you."

The masked Imp thinks about his Madre and everything she has done for him. Along with the crazy stuff too. "Their better than me."

"Come now. You're such a sweetie!"

He has been hearing that a lot lately. "Sweetie pushing it."

"Alright you can be very serious and quiet. But you are sweet through your actions. You literally made a do-" Gulp seeing the eyes glowed behind the mask slit. "Plushy for my little Starfire when hers got shredded! You didn't have too. Or when I was about to be late for a meeting and my clothes were wet when we went to that planet with snow. You just grab a coat, do everything you can to make it warm for me so I wouldn't get sick. I can go on and on- "

"You can stop now."

"Not till you admit you're a sweetie." Stolas grinned and poked the mask.

"You're such a brat." Move away that earn himself a giggle from the owl.

"Come on admit it!" Stolas hanging upside down from the strings.

"Can't admit something that not the truth."

"I have my ways."

"Be ready for a long disappointment."

"Will see about that."

"Sure Frogmouth." Let's him go and was soon back on his side. The two just relax as they watch the galaxy together. "You sure you don't want me to have a chat with her?"

"It's fine Puppet. It was just a small spat." Wave it off for him to not worry about. Besides, they don't want their first time visiting his home to confront Stella. Last, thing he wants for them to get hurt. Even if the thought sounds ridiculous. Puppet will step up; will say how he feels and probably would hurt Stella.

Didn't want her to be hurt since that was Octavia's mother. The other to not to be in trouble with the other Goetias. To be known. A possibility of death.

No, they can't take the chance even if their magical friend has a few tricks up their sleeves. Is not willing to take that risk.

Moxxie just stared down at them and back at the sky.

I wish he had just left his wife. Sound like they're not any kind of positive connection between the pair? Don't they think they ever heard anything positive, or anything at all from Frogmouth about her being a mother? Octavia would say some things but it wasn't a lot. Like she had to think hard about what her mom did that day.

He does feel sympathetic for him.

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Done.

Any questions?

Until next time.

Bye, bye!