One Helluva Ride

Chapter 18: An Interesting Opportunity

Splice led the three cherubs down to the pride ring, taking them to the imp's apartment. "You three can stay here until Lotus gets your apartment ready. I'll let you stay here on your own to adjust. Just.. don't fuck anything up, okay?" Splice said, gesturing the cherubs into their small apartment. The angels quickly looked around the place.

"If you need anything, call me. I left my contact info on the table." Splice waited for a moment in the doorway, looking somewhat worriedly at the cherubs. "Okay! Thank you!" Cletus called. Splice let out a soft sigh and shut the door. Now they had to go talk to Lotus, their landlord.

Splice made their way to the penthouse suite, where Lotus usually resided. They rang the doorbell. A few moments later, the door swung open. Lotus leaned onto the doorframe. The gold prosthetics on her tail glinted in the light. "Splice! What can I do for you?" She asked, showing off a toothy grin.

Splice looked the loan shark up and down. "I need to rent out a second apartment." They answered. Lotus looked intrigued. "A second apartment? Do you have a little side piece that no one knows about~?" She questioned teasingly, leaning in toward the imp. Splice looked at her blankly. "I don't even have a main piece." They replied with an eye roll. Lotus' amused expression deflated.

"Whatever.. I can have the place ready by tomorrow." Lotus muttered dejectedly. Splice smiled. "Thanks, love." They said with a wink. Lotus huffed, hiding the smile that had grown on her face. "Just make sure to pay rent on time." She replied dismissively. Splice had already begun to leave. "You got it!" They called. Lotus shook her head affectionately. "Dork." She muttered.

Splice left the apartment building in search of something to do for the night. As they wandered the sidewalk, a familiar car rolled by. It suddenly halted and the passenger window rolled down. "Splice! What are you doin' out here all by yourself?" Millie asked, leaning through the window. Splice shrugged. "I can't stay in my apartment tonight." They answered simply.

Millie lit up with excitement, practically having stars in her eyes. "You should come over to our place! Like a sleepover!" She gushed. Splice let out an awkward chuckle. "Well.. only if you're sure it won't be any trouble." They answered. Millie grinned. "None at all! Hop in!" She said. Splice opened the door to the car and slipped into the backseat.

The drive to the apartment was short, but overall pleasant. "Come on, let me give you the tour!" Millie said excitedly, taking Splice's hand as they exited the car. She happily led them inside the apartment, showing them around the place. The walls were adorned with playbills and couples pictures. The place had a cozy, homey vibe.

"You've got a really nice place." Splice complimented, looking around at the various pictures. Millie smiled. "Thanks! Mox and I have put a lot of work into makin' this place cozy." She said, looking around the apartment with a sense of pride.

The imps spent the rest of the day playing various board games. Moxxie was surprisingly good, but it was easy to tell that he had thrown to let Millie win a few times. Millie was none the wiser, enthusiastically reveling in her victory. Splice, although hesitant, was glad that they'd taken this opportunity. It was nice to have friends.

Before any of them knew it, the sky had become dark. "It's getting late. I think Millie and I are going to go to bed. Will you be okay out here by yourself?" Moxxie asked from the doorway to his bedroom. Splice smiled softly. "Yeah, I'll be fine. See you two in the morning." They answered, waving dismissively toward the happy couple.

Splice sprawled out onto the couch, staring up mindlessly at the ceiling of the living room. Their eyes followed the circling motion of the lazy ceiling fan in a vain attempt to tire themself. Their fingertips twitched in restlessness. Their body cried with the desire to sleep. The longer they lay there, the heavier their body began to feel. Their mind replayed the events of the day, desperate to not lose the battle of consciousness. This battle would prove to be in vain as the imp succumbed to the lull of sleep.