Infernal Academia

Chapter 15 - Redtile's New Flame: Part 1 (Bad Science)

By either Hellfire's grace or through sheer dumb luck, Cobalt Trayer had somehow managed to survive an entire half-term teaching at B.I.D., and he was feeling both immensely proud and utterly drained for the experience.  In the span of two short months, he had been subjected to more excitement than he had ever experienced in his four years at university, and he had expected absolutely none of it.  But with the Autumn Festival just around the corner and classes finished for the midterm, the Incubus was finally given a chance to rest.  Though his clock read eight, he remained beneath the covers of his futon, enjoying the bliss that was a lie-in on a Monday morning.

Even better, Karazelle had deigned to spend the holidays at her mother's house, allowing him to sleep easy knowing that he wasn't at risk of any nighttime visits from the Succubus.

The Autumn Festival was just a day away, though he was in no hurry to prepare for it.  Traditionally, demons would spend the day gifting each other with food and drink, but apparently the teachers of B.I.D. would usually hold a staff dinner prepared by the Headmistress, so the burden of having to cook was taken off his shoulders.  Cobalt was by no means an awful chef, but his idea of a wholesome family dinner generally involved soup, instant noodles and a grilled cheese sandwich.  

Scratching his nose, he rolled over and yawned, causing someone to chuckle.

"Eyes up, sleeping beauty."

Blinking himself awake, the Incubus craned his neck to see none other than Quinn Redtile sitting on his couch, picking her teeth with the hairpin she just used to crack his door lock.  He rubbed his eyes and sighed at the sight of the Imp.

"Quinn, what are you doing here?" Cobalt groaned, sitting up in bed.

"Can't just drop in to say hello anymore?"

"Not when it involves breaking and entering, no."

She rolled her eyes.

"Well I'm sorry for interrupting your beauty sleep, but I came here for a favour," she continued, crossing her legs.

Figuring that he wasn't going to get back to sleep any time soon, Cobalt pulled himself out of his futon and trudged wearily over to his kitchenette.  Flicking the kettle on, he yawned once more and leaned against the counter.

"Quinn, if this is about money..." sighed Cobalt, rubbing his eyes.

"It's not.  Though if you're offering...?"

"Quinn!"

"Alright, alright, steady on."

Taking a deep breath, the Imp clasped her hands and leaned forward in her seat, looking strangely serious for once.

"It's my parents.  Mum and Dad are coming to Hell for the festival.  Say they wanna meet my girlfriend," she explained, fiddling with the cuff of her jacket.

Nodding absent-mindedly, Cobalt placed a pair of teabags into mugs and yawned once more.

"How nice.  How do you take it?"

"Milk and one sugar, ta.  But you're not getting me.  I said they wanted to meet my girlfriend."

The Incubus nodded as he spooned some sugar into Quinn's tea and began to stir.

"No, I heard you just fine."

"Mate, I don't got a girlfriend."

He stopped pouring the milk and shot Quinn an incredulous stare.  But there were no traces of humour in her eyes, just worry.

"So why do they want to meet somebody that doesn't exist?" he asked, tossing the teaspoon into the sink.

Twiddling her thumbs anxiously, she stared at the floor.