Chapter 3: Meeting Moxxie

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It had been two months since Millie had joined Blitzo's I.M.P. company, and life in the farmhouse had taken on a new level of excitement and chaos. One evening, as the sun dipped below the fiery horizon of Hell, Millie brought home a guest for the first time – her coworker, Moxxie.

Millie, now 24 years old, was brimming with enthusiasm as she introduced Moxxie to her family. "Everyone, this is Moxxie! He's my partner at I.M.P., and he's a smart demon."

I stood there, my fully grown, imposing form towering over Moxxie, who was a diminutive 25-year-old demon. My hellhound features and fiery red accents were a stark contrast to Moxxie's smaller, more reserved appearance.

Pa, who had always valued toughness and physical prowess, eyed Moxxie skeptically. He grumbled, "Hmph, he doesn't look like much of a demon to me. Too small and not tough enough, I say."

Millie shot a playful glance at me, knowing that I liked to tease. "Don't worry, Pa. Moxxie may not be the strongest, but he's got brains and skill. Plus, I.M.P. needs all types of demons for our jobs."

I couldn't resist joining in on the teasing. I leaned down slightly to Moxxie's level and grinned mischievously. "Yeah, Moxxie, don't worry. We'll make sure to protect you from the big, bad demons out there."

Moxxie's eyes widened, a hint of anxiety flickering across his face. He cleared his throat nervously. "Th-that's very kind of you, Emberfang."

I chuckled, patting him on the back, perhaps a bit too firmly for his liking. "Relax, Moxxie. We're just messing with you. Welcome to the family."

Millie, always the playful one, pretended to throw a punch at me, and I exaggeratedly flinched, adding to the jovial atmosphere. "Ouch, Millie! You almost got me!"

As the evening wore on, we all gathered around the dinner table, exchanging stories and getting to know each other better. Despite Pa's initial reservations, he couldn't deny Moxxie's wit and intelligence.

Moxxie's knowledge of demon lore and his clever quips soon won over Ma, who appreciated his polite demeanor. Even Millie's sister, who had always been somewhat distant, couldn't help but be intrigued by Moxxie's unique charm.

Throughout the meal, I couldn't resist the occasional playful jab at Moxxie, but it was all in good fun. Despite my imposing presence, I made sure he knew that I didn't mean any harm. It was just my way of fitting into the lively atmosphere of the household.

As the night drew to a close, Millie and Moxxie bid their farewells, promising to return for another visit soon. Pa didn't see them off since he had work to do, but Ma briefly said her goodbyes before leaving as well. That just left me with Moxxie and Millie.

Moxxie, though still slightly intimidated by my size and occasional teasing, had begun to feel more at ease in the farmhouse. He knew that he had found a second family in the unlikeliest of places and that the demon named Emberfang, who had once intimidated him, was more of a friend than he had initially thought.

With the warmth of newfound friendships and a sense of belonging, we all retired for the night, eager to face the next day's adventures in the unpredictable world of Hell.

The next morning dawned with an air of excitement and anticipation. Millie and Moxxie were preparing to leave for the bustling city, where another day of human hunting awaited them. As they gathered their belongings, I couldn't resist joining them in the living room, my fiery tail swaying with anticipation.

Millie adjusted her leather jacket, ready to tackle another day's adventure. "Emberfang, we'll be back in a while. Keep an eye on things here, alright?"

I grinned mischievously, my sharp teeth on full display. "Of course, big sis! Don't worry about a thing."

As Millie and Moxxie gathered their belongings and prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and protectiveness. They were embarking on another perilous mission, and even though I was only 18 years old, I had become a capable guardian of the farmhouse in her absence.

Millie turned to me, her eyes filled with warmth and gratitude. "Emberfang, I'll make sure to tell Blitzo about you when we get back. You've proven yourself many times over, and I think you'd be a great addition to I.M.P.," she said, her voice laced with sincerity.

I was taken aback by her words, a mixture of surprise and gratitude washing over me. "Th-thank you, Millie. That means a lot."

She hugged me tightly, her fiery spirit burning brightly. "You've earned it, Emberfang. We'll see you later."

With that, Millie and Moxxie made their way to the door, ready to face the challenges of another day in the unpredictable world of Hell. As they stepped outside, I couldn't resist one last playful remark aimed at Moxxie, who was still adjusting to my teasing nature.

"Remember, Moxxie," I called out with a grin, "watch out for those tough demons and humans out there!"

Moxxie offered a shaky but genuine laugh, waving goodbye. "I'll do my best, Emberfang."

As I watched them disappear into the fiery landscape of Hell, a sense of camaraderie and belonging washed over me. I knew that, whether in playful banter or in the face of danger, we were a family bound by our unique experiences and the trials of Hell.

With Millie's words of recommendation echoing in my mind, I couldn't help but feel that my journey was taking an unexpected turn. The prospect of joining I.M.P. was both thrilling and daunting, but I was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead, all while keeping the farmhouse and its memories close to my heart.

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