Hybrid

Chapter 27: What Has To Be Done

I finally feel like I have the hang of this. I wasn't even nervous anymore! Despite the fact that I was nearly shaking when I came out of the kitchen, it was actually going pretty smoothly. After going through my first tray of drinks I had gotten over most of my worries about messing up. The only thing that was beginning to eat at me was that Jason hasn't come back yet. After the little stunt Ari pulled, she appeared in the kitchen to fill in Totto who in-turn filled me in about the situation when I came back for another tray. I knew the ballroom had gone back to normal, its occupants still chattering quietly but during the fight, I thought for sure that it was the start of an all-out brawl! A couple of demons and angels were cheering, and others were trying to stay out of the way, but there was a worrying number of people who looked ready to join it. Thankfully, the guards swiftly broke it up and dragged the fighters away. Soon after that, someone had come out to tell everyone that the dance was about to start. "Drink, sir?" I asked another guest, even smiling. It was either 'cause I knew it was almost time for me to go back to the kitchen, or 'cause I felt like I really found my footing. Maybe I could even talk to Totto about getting into the catering business after this is all--

"Over here!" A woman snapped her fingers, her voice cold and... familiar. "C'mon girl, I don't have all night!" 

I turned to see a demon woman, in a long black dress. She didn't have a mask, but I knew she was a demon. A succubus. The succubus. "Y-You...?"

"Yes, me!" She laughed, covering her mouth with her hand, her other hand holding an empty glass. Her cheeks were red and she was surrounded by other people who looked just as drunk as she did. "Do you know how hard it is to stay this drunk?" 

"I-I'm sorry, uh, I'm, uh..." I said starting to shake as I walked closer to her, the tray in my hand shaking as well. 

"Relax, don't spill it! You haven't been drinking on the job have you?" She snickered, snatching a glass from the tray and sending the tray itself careening to the ground, shattering the other, mostly empty, glasses. "Wow, really?" She said in shock. 

"I-I'm sorry, I-I'll go get, uh..." I picked up the tray quickly, trying not to look her in the eye. I couldn't stop shaking. I just wanted to leave. I couldn't think, I just turned and walked away as fast as possible. I looked back at her and she was staring at me, her smile faded into a glare. I nearly sprinted towards the kitchen, shoving open the door and collapsing against the wall. 

I took in a deep breath, but I couldn't stop. I could feel the tears rolling down my face. 'It wasn't her' I tried to force myself to think, 'I'm just confused.' It didn't work. I knew it was her. I couldn't get her voice out of my head. It had to be. I can't breathe.  

"You." I looked up to see the woman, looking down at me in disgust. "You're embarrassing Greed."

"I-I..." I hiccuped, trying to wipe my eyes only for my armor covered forearm to scrape against my armored face. 

She squinted her eyes and tilted her head. "Have I met you before?"

"N-No, I-I--" 

"Stand up and take your armor off." 

"W-What?" 

"NOW!" She shouted, her voice becoming something metallic and monstrous, making me flinch. "Do not make me repeat myself." 

I looked at her for a moment. I pulled myself off the ground slowly, my shoulders beginning to shake even as I held myself tight. "P-Please... Let me g-get back to work." I tried to sound professional but it came out sounding as desperate as I felt.