Tale From The Afterlife - a Helluva Boss Fan Story

Chapter 32. Unconventional Unity

In the royal palace in the pride ring, the royal swan Stella has found herself in her bedroom with the lights out and windows covered with drapes. The room itself is pretty plain in contrast to the complex attire that she usually wears. Her bedroom is currently nothing more than a bed, a tv, a wardrobe for her clothes, a mirror that she's turned to face the wall and finally a mini-fridge next to the bed where she keeps her drink. There also used to be portraits that she's currently taken down. The bird is currently lying down in nothing more than her underwear, just trying to relax and not think about anything.

That is because Stolas was now looking after Octavia for the time being, leaving the swan without much else to really do. The reason being is that the imps were looking after the castle, both her husband and daughter were busy and while pretty much being a social butterfly, she just cannot stand talking with her family as they would, without fail, always bring up whether she will give birth to another child. Either that or having them talk behind her back, which just pissed her off. With the relaxing silence not really working, she instead decides to see what's on the television.

While searching for what to watch on the TV, her phone starts buzzing. Thinking that it's just another one of the family members, calling "just to chat", she just gives an exasperated sigh as she reaches for her cellular device. On the display, she sees that it's just a number, no name. Of course she's known since very little if an unknown number calls any of them, half the time it would be a scammer. Sadly, being out of her mind bored, tired of everyone else's nonsense and without much else to do, she answers, taking her chances with the unknown caller. On the other end, she actually hears a familiar voice.

Stella: "Hello?"

Andrealphus: "Stella ... It has been a while."

Stella: "Wait ... Andrealphus?!"

Andrealphus: "No one else. It has been so long, I doubted you would even recognize my voice."

Stella: "As if I would ever forget how my own brother sounds. Why didn't you call sooner?"

Andrealphus: "I would if I could. I was sufficiently preoccupied with ... other endeavors."

Stella: "Like?"

Andrealphus: "Surviving. How has life been treating you? Have you found your mate already?"

Stella: "I was already planned to marry Stolas way in advance by the family. Still going strong."

Andrealphus: "I meant after Stolas. I thought you two would have already called it off and gone your separate ways."

Stella: "Because I am a disloyal swan, aren't I?"

Andrealphus: "What! No no! I meant Stolas' pendulum swung another way. Ever since we were kids, I had some kind of suspicion. Where did you get such an insane statement out of?"

Stella: "Ever since the news broke out ... that Stolas cheated on me WITH AN IMP NO LESS—"

Andrealphus gives out an audible gasp, and also, while not heard, Andrealphus is with his eyes wide open as he had not thought of that kind of possibility happening.

Andrealphus: "That animal."

Stella: "The Goetia family has pretty much come down on the two of us, but mainly on me. Snickering, bad mouthing me, calling me 'just to chat' and yet throwing in a jab or two at me for being undesirable. Their words being along the line of me being so undesirable that he would rather sleep with an imp to get himself pleased."

Andrealphus: "Paraphrasing or not, what gives them the right to be judges when half of them are no better."

Stella: "And ... and ... it gets even better. Because whenever I try to defend myself, they would, without fail, tell me that at least THEY could do their familial duties. While I could not."

Andrealphus's mind cannot comprehend it, as even he found that Stella had given birth, as when a new member is birthed into the Goetia family, it is made to be the most important thing in the world.

Andrealphus: "But ... you already have a child. You HAVE done said familial duties."

Stella: "Apparently, because she is a girl and not a boy, she cannot carry the Stolas name. And because of that, they refuse to accept her as an heir."

Stella can hear Andrealphus just facepalming, though the phone.

Andrealphus: "You are telling me, they are getting all up in your business due to something you cannot control along with something that is pretty much a non-issue in the first place?"

Stella: "I cannot change my daughter's gender Andrealphus."

Andrealphus: "I meant it the other way around, sister. Stolas pursuing male endeavors to me seemed bound to happen. But with an imp – that definitely threw me off guard. Furthermore, your child being a daughter is THE FURTHEST thing from an understandable issue that my brain cannot seem to process it."

Stella: "All I know is that they made a stink about it, and when asked why it is a problem, they pretty much gave me a different answer each time. Either that or remained silent on the matter."

Andrealphus: "And the family wondered why I did not participate in parties or even be social in general. How exactly can you enjoy yourself around such an audience?"

Stella then just smiles, pretty much agreeing with him on that front. However then another question pops into her head.

Stella: "Andrealphus, what happened for you to be banished exactly? One day you were just gone and it did not help that the family tried to gaslight me into believing I was an only child."

Andrealphus: "My father did not see eye to eye on a majority of the customs, manners and whatnot. With the main point of contention being love between two of the same gender."

Stella: "So they punished your entire family?"

Andrealphus: "Yes, all three of us stood with my father. As a result, we were punished. Apparently an image has to be upheld, while overlooking the fact that a majority of the family are cheating on their wives."

Stella: "So that was why I was asked..."

Andrealphus: "Pardon?"

Stella: "I still remember the question I was asked on what I thought of a boy and boy loving each other."

Andrealphus: "Since you were a chick and yet you still remember it?"

Stella: "The out-of-the-ordinary tends to stick in your mind for a long time."

Then ... a lightbulb lights up in Andrealphus' head

Andrealphus: "If you were asked that kind of question now, would your answer be any different?"

Stella: "No, because now I have a clue on what awaits me. And as much as I hate Stolas, I do not want to leave our daughter without a father. I also know that if we went with a divorce, we will all be banished."

Andrealphus: "The consequences might be even more severe as that would be major news. All the news publications would dig up even THE slightest details, as long as it increases their revenue."

Stella: "I am not sure what I could even do anymore. I doubt that I will last much longer with my sanity intact in this wretched place."

Andrealphus: "If I were even slightly dumber, I would have told you to pack your bags and leave this wretched place. But we both know that would not solve much. They would find you sooner or later, and the consequences would be far more severe."

Stella: "As ashamed as I am to admit it, this was one of my ideas. But you are correct. I do not want to abandon my daughter and yet I can't endure this insanity much longer."

Andrealphus: "Sometimes enduring is the only option we have. Survival, no matter the circumstances, requires strength and cunning."

Stella: "I just wish I knew what to do. How to change their minds on the matter."

Andrealphus: "Sometimes, my dear sister, the key is not changing someone's mind but finding a way to play their game without losing yourself. What if... What if you joined them, in a way?"

Stella: "I would rather headbutt a cement block than spend another second with these jackarses."

Andrealphus: "You are telling me that neither Stolas nor Octavia are available at the moment?"

Stella: "You're suggesting I join them, I assume."

Andrealphus: "Survival often requires unconventional choices, Stella."

Stella: "I never thought I would hear such simple advice, especially from you."

Andrealphus: "I cannot exactly give a better answer to the equation, especially when there's a lot of constants at play that do not mix well together."

Stella then just keeps quiet for a bit, with Andrealphus hearing her mutter something under her breath.

Andrealphus: "Desperate times call for desperate measures. Just consider it, and remember, I'm here for you, now that communications have been reestablished. We'll navigate this madness together."

Stella: "Talk to you later, Andrealphus"

And then Stella hangs up. She looks up at the ceiling, wondering whether to join the two or not. She thinks about it for a good minute and ... yeah, this was probably the better idea rather than sitting in silence, in her own room and either watching TV or drinking herself unconscious.

She then turns herself invisible thanks to her illusion powers and sneaks into one of the many bathrooms. Of course the only thing that could be seen was her underwear along with the folded bathrobe in her hands floating in the air. The swan then takes a shower to calm her thoughts along with looking at least a tad more presentable. The royal bird then puts on a more simple dress, as she just could not be bothered with the clothes she wore at the moment.

As she enters Octavia's bedroom, she sees Stolas and Octavia trying on some goth makeup. Stolas is surprised that Stella got to join in on their father-daughter time and that's especially from their earlier argument about him not being available for Octavia. What also strikes them both as surprising ... was the way simpler dress, compared to what she usually wears.

Stolas: "Stella? What brings you here? More importantly, what are you even wearing? I thought you despised simpler outfits."

Stella: "Believe me, I still do. But what I despise more is my sanity depleting over the family's constant nagging and nonsense."

Stolas: "Are you here to nag on me then?"

Stolas then also continues this time with a more sarcastic tone

Stolas: "It sure has worked well in the past."

Stella: "I have not come to argue Stolas."

Stolas then raises his eyebrow, confused

Stolas: "That's ... certainly a first. What are you up to?"

Stella: "To join in on the fun."

Stolas: "Since when have you considered joining us fun?"

Stella then replies in her own sarcastic tone

Stella: "Oh, it is a blast, truly. Cannot resist missing out on the delightful activities."

Stolas: "Do you need me to help you get to bed, you might not be feeling well."

Stella: "I am of sound mind Stolas. I have not drunk a single drop today and the longer I stay isolated, the more miserable I will be."

Stolas takes a second and just caves in

Stolas: "We are currently experimenting with different makeup and looks."

Stella, now just being a tease goes

Stella: "Certainly explains the rooster-going-through-a-midlife-crisis look you have going on."

Given Stolas has goth makeup on his face and also has some stray feathers on his head, resembling a mohawk. Octavia then just giggles as she also thought it kinda looked like that.

Stolas: "Well, I think I rock it quite well."

Stella: "I am sure you believe that."

Stolas: "Unlike someone, I can embrace change and try new things."

Stella: "Oh, I can embrace change, just not a bad fashion sense."

Stolas: "You are the one to talk, Miss 'I wear a thousand layers of intricate clothing.' "

Stella: "At least I know how to make an impression. Yours just screams 'identity crisis'."

Stolas: "That is just rich, coming from someone who can't decide whether to be a royal swan or a rebellious peacock?"

Stella: "I'd rather be a rebellious peacock than a confused rooster."

Octavia, thoroughly enjoying the banter, chimes in.

Octavia: "You both are hilarious!"

And with that tension breaker, the two look at each other, realizing they're being teased by their own daughter, which makes them explode into laughter.

Stolas: "I suppose, for today, we can all be a bit rebellious."

Stella: "Agreed. As long as it doesn't involve the rooster mohawk."

The three of them continue their playful banter, experimenting with makeup and enjoying an unexpected moment of familial camaraderie.