The Permission

Victor lumbered down the staircase, the plush carpet squeezing between his toes. Perched on his shoulder was Seraph, in the form of a small, furry cat. Esper traveled behind them, at a distance.

"-but Aunora, it wouldn't make any sense to have an interdimensional war. We're pretty much at peace. The last war between dimensions was hundreds of years ago!" Umbra was in the midst of speaking, standing at the kitchen counter and moving his hands emphatically.

Umbra Mortis was a tall, sleek man, over a foot taller than his son Victor. He had dark brown skin, slim, sharp features, and thin lips. Violet eyes blazed with cat-like pupils, making him appear as a limber, graceful panther. Umbra wore fine clothing- a grey vest, a silken dress shirt, and a purple tie. His upturned nose and ambiguous accent gave off a professional, intimidating air, but Victor saw Umbra in no such way. To others, Umbra was a skilled, fearsome warrior, but to Victor, he was his loving, gentle father.

"You're missing the big picture, Pretty Boy," Aunora, Victor's mother, responded, "Like, it'd be so freaking cool to have like everyone fightin' and ripping each other open! It'd be the battle of the century!"

Aunora was a stark contrast to the man she was debating with. She was several inches shorter than Umbra, but still managed to cast an imposing and impressive shadow. Having arrived at the Mortis house malnourished, Aunora had now built herself up to a healthy, muscular bulk. Long, coarse, green hair trailed down her back, and her skin was an unnatural yellowish color. Her eyes were narrow and blood red. Discolored fangs protruded from her gums, suitable for a carnivorous demon horse.

"But the political aftermath would be-" Umbra turned his head, suddenly noticing his son and company. "Oh, I didn't see you there, sweetie. Me and Aunora were just...talking." He smirked, and Aunora snarled in response.

Victor rubbed his hands awkwardly, somewhat amused by his parent's banter. Umbra and Aunora's newfound friendship was still a work in progress, but Victor had learned over the past few weeks that the growling and yelling was playful in nature. Their 'debates' usually ended in violent (but affectionate) back slapping and winks, which settled Victor's nerves. Sometimes, their behaviour was interesting to watch, offering Victor something more fascinating than television.

Seraph jumped in front of Victor, face lighting up. "Mr. and Mrs. Mortis! I must ask you a question!"

"I told you to stop callin' me that. It sounds like I'm his wife," Aunora muttered, gagging and gesturing a finger down her throat.

Umbra glared. "Oh come on, I'd be the ideal husband! Devishly attractive, cunningly suave, and a skilled family man that's good with children! I'm the entire package, Aunora!"

"You're a package of something, that's all I know..."

Seraph blinked, mildly confused by everything that was happening. "Ah, um, anyway, are you aware of the thing Victor and I do? Where I sleep at his house and-"

"Seraph wants me to come over and spend the night," Victor cut in, ending the inevitable, drawn-out conversation that Seraph was about to start, "And Esper's coming to."

Umbra and Aunora looked at each other in surprise, Umbra raising his brow. "Oh," he murmured, "Of course you can go, Victor. I mean, I've always wanted you to expand your comfort zone and have fun with your friends."

Aunora clicked her teeth. "I'm all for it, kiddo. But it's kinda weird Esper wants to go too," she smiled at her friend, "Looks like you're gettin' over your shyness too."

Esper blushed, shuffling away from the group. "Right..."

Aunora nudged Umbra in his ribs, her eyes growing intense. "Since the kids are gonna be gone, how about we call Matthew up tomorrow and go on a real adult mission, eh?"

Umbra rubbed his chin, nodding. "I think I like that idea. I'll tell Matthew I thought of it."

Aunora snorted in reply.

"You'll need to pack some clothes, Victor," Umbra stated, turning his attention back to Victor, "Want me to do it for you?"

Victor shook his head. "No, we'll go do that now."

Seraph waved his feline tail excitedly, "Mr. Mortis, can he come today? Please?"

"I don't see why not," Umbra turned, looking at the pot simmering on the oven top. "But you've got to eat dinner first. I don't want Victor getting too hungry. He gets cranky when he's hungry."

Victor blushed, covering his face. "I'm going to my room now!"

Author's Note- aaah they're such a cute family XD

And by 'adult missions' its like instead of saving some poor prisoner or consoling a widow, they're really acting as true mercenaries. Like, 'I have a client I need to escort through x country and i need you to kill anyone who crosses us' no questions ask. just cash in return. The world's kinda messed up.

Also, Victor is drawn by GweenApple