Blitz's office was a riot of colors and posters, a shrine to the circus he called his family. The imp himself was on the phone, his voice rising and falling as he tried to manage the chaos of his company.
"Yes, I understand that the trapeze artist is refusing to perform without a unicorn-fur trampoline, but we simply cannot accommodate that request!" Blitz rolled his eyes, drumming his fingers on the desk.
The door swung open, revealing a tall figure in a tailored suit. Stolas, the demon of royal blood, stepped into the room with a confident stride. Blitz's eyes lit up, and he quickly ended the call.
"Stolas, darling, what a pleasure to see you," Blitz purred, leaning back in his chair.
Stolas raised an eyebrow, his eyes scanning the room. "I'm here to discuss a business proposition, Blitz. I'm not here for your usual flirtatious banter."
Blitz pouted, making a show of looking hurt. "Fine, be that way. But I couldn't help but notice the ostentatious display of wealth outside. Your mansion is a bit... much, don't you think?"
Stolas smirked, his eyes twinkling. "Overcompensation for something, Blitz?"
Blitz laughed, his eyes sparkling. "Perhaps. But I'm not one to judge. I have my own vices, after all."
Stolas's smile faltered for a moment. "Indeed. But let's focus on the matter at hand. I'm not interested in your attempts to manipulate me into a business deal, Blitz."
Blitz blinked, taken aback. "How did you...?"
Stolas chuckled. "I'm not as gullible as you think, imp. I have my own tricks up my sleeve."
Blitz recovered quickly, his eyes narrowing. "Fine. But how about a drink? My treat."
Stolas shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't. I have... other obligations."
Blitz snorted. "Your 'idealized romance' with your wife, no doubt. How quaint."
Stolas's eyes flashed, but he didn't take the bait. "I have my own reasons for staying, Blitz. You don't need to understand them."
Blitz tried another tactic, bringing up his circus family. "But what about them? They need you, Stolas. They look up to you."
Stolas stood up, his eyes cold. "I have my own family to take care of, Blitz. Don't try to guilt me into staying."
Blitz made a last-ditch effort, his voice low and suggestive. "What about your... interests? I know you have them, Stolas. We could explore them together."
Stolas shook his head, his eyes filled with disappointment. "I don't need to numb the inner pain with kinky sex, Blitz. I have my own ways of dealing with it."
With that, Stolas left the office, leaving Blitz alone and frustrated. The imp's anger boiled over, and he took it out on his employees.
"You there, bring me a coffee! And make sure it's hot!" Blitz barked.
His self-loathing kicked in, and he covered his face with the photos on his desk. He tried to hide his emotional problems behind his bombast, but it was clear that he was hurting.
Blitz decided to take out his frustrations on Stolas in a different way. He made a call, instructing someone to "make the other walk around with nettles in his underpants all day long."
He smirked to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. But deep down, he knew that his actions were driven by his own pain and insecurity.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. It was Moxie, one of his employees. She told him that she needed to talk to him about something important.
Blitz tried to brush her off, but Moxie was insistent. She told him that she and Millie were having problems, and she needed his help.
Blitz reluctantly agreed to listen, but he was clearly distracted. He made a half-hearted attempt to offer advice, but Moxie could tell that his mind was elsewhere.
Moxie left the office, feeling disappointed and hurt. Blitz was left alone again, feeling guilty and conflicted. He knew that he needed to be tough on missions and protect his friends and family, but he couldn't seem to shake off his emotional baggage.
The imp sighed, rubbing his temples. "Perhaps I need to find my own way of dealing with my pain," he murmured to himself. "But for now, I have a circus to run."
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