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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Family Tree

It was imperative to say that Gem knew nothing of the outside or of what the news within hell's kingdom is broadcasting even though she found herself never interested in her surroundings.

Lay out on her silken couch glowing a clean white as the outside sun or of hells version of sun beamed within the cathedral awaking the mirrors ephemeral chimes as they refected the outside domains in which the glass lady seemed to have decided on visiting.

Rubbing her teeth out of habit Gem conquered a magazine one she vividly remembered taking from her sister's room before when she had to leave for work. Her eyes narrowed at the pages although translucent in color it was the best that could be made as she was just a toddler who rather looked at pictures than read words. Even the pages themselves felt rather fake yet could not complain.

A sudden realization crossed Gem's mind almost as if feeling she had left her wallet back at the restaurant she had been the first time out. Scratching her nails against the magazine and flicker of her wrist it scattered turning into a pieced mirror revealing the inside of the extra room upstairs that was ever only used to assemble newer mirrors.

On a crumpled old bed one which had hardly been used in the centuries, this cathedral had existed lay an imp cuddled up in the dusty gray sheets within the musty room as light peered through the oldened curtains showing the dust accumulation in the air.

A feeling of shame caused Gem to frown at the hospitality she had given to the lowly Imp even if memory served that they were family it was not the best way to treat family.

The family tree above didn't help in solidifying that either.

Flicking her hand the mirror disappeared. Standing up fixing the soft robe around her lengthy waist and patting the sleeves making way to one of the halls behind the stairs entering a cozy wood and vinyl kitchen. While denizens from outside would have said that the kitchen was claustrophobic to Gem it was nothing but a replication of home.

The creaking of the guest room door could be heard. Gem only acknowledges with a slight turn of her head being more focused on reaching into the cabinets above the fridge for a mixing bowl.

The shuffling of the Imp was heard growing closer as Gem cracked two eggs into a bowl adding milk allowing the mixer to be turned on. Thankfully she wasn't completely held to the times she lived in and became smart as to have an automatic mixer instead.

"Good morning" yawned the niece stretching out her arms and tail as the shadows of sleep still rested under her harlequin eyes. A black shirt hung loosely off of one shoulder and her white hair was a mess.

"How do you like your eggs?" Gem asked reaching to turn off the mixer teachings wooden spoon in to check the consistency and taste finding it satisfactory before placing it in a waffle maker which seemed to surprise the niece.

While to some of an immature mind would have associated the word egg with something vulgar this Imp quickly disciplined her mind "Uhm, I like them scrambled" the niece answered taking a seat at the wooden table finding the carpet to be squishy and therapeutic against her hooves as is the cushion supports as the bed hadn't been the softest she's been in before.

Gem nodded at the answer already stirring the eggs in a circular motion while adding a small amount of water and pepper.

The niece took to sitting and admiring the kitchen quietly, glancing around at such a vintage-looking kitchen but also noticing how tall the cabinets were. Of course, everything had to elevate to accommodate the women's height.

It came out before her mind could register as Gem placed the eggs on a plate "How come you're so goddamn tall?"

The pan emitted a harsh scratch from the silicone spatula. The air had become heavy with an awkward silence. The niece gulped down what saliva was in her throat before shifting uncomfortably, her aunt having a perplexed expression by the question before resuming giving her eggs.

"That was a rather abrupt question" Gem stated seeming not mad but perplexed at being asked about her height difference.

"I was just being curious. I swear please don't kick me out." the niece begged, holding her hands together above the table as if praying for forgiveness.

Gem rolled her reflective eyes seeming unaffected but rather amused smiling faintly "Oh stop if I wanted you out I would have done it while you were still asleep."

The niece gacked in horror.

"To be frank, I always thought the height varied on a sinners rank. Never thought much about it as I was never this tall when alive." Gem pondered, handing the niece fork before returning to the counter to make the mixer into waffles.

"Could be due to the devil's preference on how they want their citizens to look" the niece considered while scooping her scrambled eggs into her mouth.

"Who knows" Gem shrugged taking a seat, and placing a plate of warm waffles in the middle of the table. These questions were becoming uninteresting.

"So what's your job? Do you work for like some hellish cleaning mirror and window company or do you work for like an underground church group that prays to overthrow satan and his followers? Oh, wait! you work for the devil himself as to grow close and rule with him!"

The last question caused a choked laugh to rise from Gem's throat just as she was about to bite into a piece of waffle. Though, it was only normal for this imp to be curious after death. Not every time someone questions something before being eaten by a bigger fish.

Grabbing a cup of water from the pitcher that sat on the table to clear her throat before speaking "First off kid, this devil you are mentioning about. They are two different entity's here in hell," propping her elbow on the table and resting her chin on the back of her hand, using her other hand to raise fingers when explaining along "Lucifer rules over all of hell despite there being other hellish deities that have been here longer."

"So then who's the actual devil?" the niece questioned tilting her head in question.

Gem pressed her lips together making her fangs appear more prominent, glancing upwards "They are two different beings here. Satan and Lucifer, although Lucifer I've only met once, and no I don't work for him either. He has henchmen to do his work for him."

The niece stared at her aunt dazed almost before shaking her head and straightening up "He sounds like Jareth from that Labyrinth movie that starred David Bowie!" harlequin eyes sparkling with excitement and tail wagging like a dog.

Gem squinted in disapproval not liking the sudden outburst "Ain't that a bite, don't try to pep me into allowing you to summon him. The last thing I need is a cheesy Frank Sinatra waltzing amongst my home."

"Doubt he could try given there aren't any doors here really. I mean your house is one giant hall of mirrors" the niece laughed at the obviousness.

Gem pressed her lips together adjusting her arms placing both hands firmly flat on the table swaying side to side, letting her lip off with a pop sound "Finish up eating breakfast. I'll show you how to work the mirrors given you'll be staying here." walking off down the hall to the living part of the cathedral.

-

Both women standing in the living room dressed in fresh day clothes, well, one had to be provided while the other had one already picked out.

"Is this outfit necessary?" the niece questioned not amused by the new outfit as none was what she had in mind. Having been given long a black skirt with a button-up white blouse with silver buttons down the back.

Gem quirked a brow finding that comment to be discrediting her sense of style as the outfits worn by the present revealed a little too much or had too much fabric for her likening. "I see nothing wrong in wearing something more pleasant and keeping well-groomed."

The niece closed her eyes and sighed through her nose feeling like this was a live version of the vintage dress and make-up tutorials having watched on the internet explore "Alright, so what is it exactly you wish to train your little pet Imp."

Gem glanced down at the Imp in a lack of motion catching on, knowing that it was all just for intimidation. Luckily she had enough experience to counter that. "These mirrors, as you may know, I use for traveling various distances and amongst the seven rings of Hell when called for."

"Does that mean you can travel to the living world too?" The niece asked curiously stepping up to one of the four mirrors on the display pedestal in front.

"Yes and no. You'd need a special book for that, devilishly, it's the owner being a bit.. bogart when it comes to lending and I have no obligation on making deals." Gem affirmed her statement by pulling a purple drop over one of the hallway mirrors. "Need to be summoned by someone on the other side to enter the living world."

"So do I just walk through the mirror Alice in wonderland style or do I have to chant out like some draconic language?"

Blinking once tiredly, Gem lifted the niece by the back of her blouse up to one of the mirrors "It's like a one-way mirror, we can see what's on the other side. It's safe as on the other side they can't see us as the mirror on that side would just appear normal." setting her down.

"Has there ever been a time where someone could see through or got through?" the question seemed to stun her aunt from how her irises widened, just the slightest.

"Only allow those that don't lie between the teeth," Gem warned, waving her hand over the niece's chest and giving her a necklace based on a smaller version of the mirror in the room she slept in. "Use this whenever going out."

The niece fiddled with the necklace between her white-painted claws, turning to look up at the realistic painted family tree.

Following her niece's attention, Gem brushed some of her glass-like hair away, seeing that truly they were the last of the family name would die as well.

"We are the only ones left."

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