Really Strange Stuff - Ch.35 - Introductions (Pt.2) (Patreon)

=::= Bailey's PoV =::=

I couldn't help worrying my stomach might make some unfortunate grumbling noises as we sat through the last few introductions. Fortunately there were only four more people who hadn't spoken yet. And my girlfriends and I already knew who the first one was.

The small innocent-looking girl was the second-shortest person at the table, not counting the cat. She brushed some of her messy brown hair out of her face and smiled shyly, before she pretty much shocked everyone at the table with what she had to say.

"I'm Amber Dubois," she began. "And I'm probably the most powerful succubus the world has ever known, which is kind of ironic because I'm actually demi-ace. I run a very successful business selling all manner of sex toys and marital aids, both online and in person at my up-market boutique."

Sitting next to Amber and across from Theresa and Siggy was another demi-human like my girlfriends and I. Except instead of being part cat or fox, she was a bunnygirl. She was slim and fair-skinned, with messy shoulder-length pure white hair that matched the white fur of her tall fuzzy rabbit ears. And she had a cute white puffball tail sticking out at the back.

"Hello everyone," she spoke with an English accent. "My name is Sasha Blakeley. What I am is complicated, but suffice to say I fall somewhere on the demonic spectrum. I am also another Disciple of Chaos, and working full-time with Cassandra to achieve her goals."

The bunnygirl then smiled as she looked to the last two girls on that end of the table and added happily, "I'm also girlfriends with these two lovelies sitting next to me."

Across from Kaylee and to Sasha's right was another ravenette girl. She looked young, about the same age as the twins. She was slim and had long silky jet black hair which contrasted her flawless alabaster skin, while her eyes were sparkling purple similar to Amethyst's.

She seemed a little awkward as she greeted everyone, "Hey folks. I'm Willow Pearce, college student. I'm a sorceress and um, some of my friends tell me I'm probably the most powerful mortal in the world? I'm inexperienced though, so I'm mostly just here to support my girlfriends."

The last girl at the table was another shy brunette. She bore a striking resemblance to Cassandra, although she looked a little younger. And like our goddess, she was dressed in leggings and a hoodie.

"Hi everyone," she greeted us all with a shy wave. She was very soft-spoken, and if not for my tall fuzzy ears I probably would have had trouble hearing her over the din of the restaurant from my spot at the far end of the table.

"I'm Nina Underwood," the shy quiet girl continued, "But I used to be known as Ninaya. I'm another um, demon, but I guess I'm the cuddly kind? I'm also kind of young, only about fifteen centuries old. Originally from the middle east, but I spent most of my time in eastern Europe before moving here. I'm also Cass and Cassandra's adopted sister. And I'm going to college with Willow."

Our goddess smiled, "Thanks Nina."

With the introductions over I was more than ready to make for the food, but it seemed like Kid Chaos was still in speech mode.

"That's everyone who could make it here today," she continued, "But there's another important participant I'd like to mention before we all visit the buffet. Due to extenuating circumstances they're unable to attend our meetings in person, but we can assume they're paying close attention. Kaylee and I also visit them on occasion, for guidance and to ensure they're up to speed on any new developments."

My girlfriends and I exchanged another glance, but it was clear none of us were sure what to make of that. And looking around the table I could tell the demons across from us were just as confused and curious as we were. Folks at the other end of the table had a different reaction though. Nina Willow and Sasha all appeared to know who the young goddess was talking about. Amethyst and her associates didn't seem surprised either, but they did look curious.

In fact the silver-haired goddess spoke up, "Does that mean you're finally going to tell us who this mysterious benefactor is? Or how they're involved?"

"It's still not safe for me to reveal everything about them," Cassandra replied in an apologetic tone. "I'd like to, believe me. I can tell you all a few details though."

She elaborated, "We call them Chel, and they're probably the oldest being alive. They've been around since before humans evolved. They even predate the existence of gods and demons. Their power may rival that of the biggest gods and oldest demons, but they're currently limited."

"And," she added after a little dramatic pause, "They're on our side."

I thought Lily was old at eight thousand years, but finding out there was something out there older than humanity itself was mind-boggling. And from the other expressions I saw around the table it seemed like almost everyone else was just as shocked by what our goddess just told us. Except for two people. Both Lily and Amethyst looked wary, rather than surprised.

"I'd like to know a little more about this ancient entity," the silver-haired goddess stated. "Or better yet, I'd like to meet them for myself. I'd like to know what their motivations are, why they're involved in this group, and what their goals are."

Lily frowned, "I agree with Amethyst. If this Chel is so ancient and powerful then I have a hard time believing that they're not the true leader of your group. I need to know I can trust them, before I can allow my family to be involved."

It looked like Kid Chaos was about to reply, when her girlfriend spoke up instead.

Kaylee's tails swished around behind her as she commented, "I told them this would happen. Me and Cassandra visited Chel this morning, before coming here? And I said as soon as everyone found out about them, folks would want to meet them."

Our goddess smiled, "Indeed. And Chel agreed. They're still not prepared to go fully public, but they're prepared to meet a few more of us."

"Amethyst, Lily, perhaps we can discuss those arrangements after brunch?" Cassandra asked. "I think we've kept people waiting long enough, so how about we break now. Everyone can grab some breakfast, then we'll talk more afterwards?"

As curious as I was to hear more about this mysterious Chel, I was more than happy for the chance to finally get something to eat. It was already lunch time and so far all my girlfriends and I'd had was coffee.

I actually expected a massive rush towards the buffet, but more than half the table seemed happy to wait and take their time. My girlfriends and I were among the first to head for the buffet though, along with Nina Sasha and Willow. Amethyst and Amber followed a few moments later, with Cassandra and Kaylee behind them. Rather than visit the buffet Theresa ordered something off the menu, apparently eggs benedict was her favourite.

The food all looked good, and there was a good selection available. They even had a chef there to prepare omelettes made to order. And while we were waiting for omelettes or in line to get some of the other popular items we ended up talking with some of the other folks we'd just met.

We found out Willow was studying computer science while Nina was taking a veterinary technician course. We also learned that they lived together in a cosy home that they shared with Sasha, Kaylee, Cassandra, and a couple werewolf friends. And those werewolves were also attending college with the sorceress and her young demon friend.

Once we were all back at our seats some of the others went up to get their meals, and looking around the table I couldn't help wondering at first if some of them already had breakfast before coming out. Then it struck me that maybe some supernaturals didn't actually need to eat. Or maybe they didn't consume human food.

Still, everyone had at least something on their plate. I even saw that little torty goddess sneak a strip of bacon from Amethyst's plate, before ducking under the table to munch on her stolen prize. And as we ate the conversation gradually picked up around the table.

The demon seated directly across from me didn't seem very talkative, in fact Lily gave the impression she was only there under protest. Her wife was friendlier though, and much more outgoing. So as we ate my girlfriends and I ended up in a little conversation with Eva.

We learned that she currently lived in England with her adoptive family Lexi and Marianne, while Lily spent most of her time here in Toronto with their daughters Mara and Mira. I actually got the impression that the two demons had been separated for some reason, but it sounded like they'd patched things up recently and were perhaps thinking about getting back together in their own place at some point.

When Mara and Mira heard that they were very enthusiastic about the idea, it seemed pretty clear they wanted their demonic parents to be together. Although Amber teased that Mara wanted to get her demon mom out of the house so she could be unsupervised again.

The demonic twins also spent a good chunk of the meal talking with Cassandra and Kaylee and the rest of the folks at that end of the table. Mara in particular was especially eager to help with our goddess's plans, despite her mother's apprehensions. She even had a bunch of 'supernatural pride' stickers with her, and she made sure to hand them out to everyone at the table.

"I've also got patches on order," Mara added with a grin. "They should be in by the thirty-first."

While I was looking at the three-coloured flag sticker my little calico girlfriend pulled a stack of our RSS stickers from her purse then started handing those out as well.

"Incase y'all need a way to get in touch with us," Callie smiled. "Or if you just like our ghost-cat mascot."

Back on the subject of working with our goddess, Lily wasn't willing to make a decision until she'd met this Chel person. Amethyst felt the same, she and her group were going to stop working with Chaos until she'd met the ancient entity.

On the other hand Mara didn't share her mother's reluctance. She announced with a grin, "I definitely want in on this. It's is exactly the sort of thing I've been saying all along. I hate having to hide who I am, I want to be out and proud and I want everyone else to have that option too!"

Amber teased, "I shouldn't be surprised you want to work with Kid Chaos. After all, you're definitely a chaos gremlin."

"That's chaos demon," the twin with the horns corrected her girlfriend, "Not gremlin."

"Debatable," the other twin smirked. Then in a more serious tone she told Cassandra, "The point is both Mara and I are on board. Although that may depend on our mater being satisfied when she meets Chel."

Then the small shy succubus added, "If Mara and Mira are in then so am I. And the rest of the DLP will probably join in as well. Although Melissa and Susan probably won't be so public about it? They've both got professional careers to protect."

Callie's tail twitched as she asked, "What does DLP stand for anyways?"

"Demonic Lesbian Polycule," Mara replied with a grin. "We've got shirts and badges and stickers and everything!"

Mira and Amber both rolled their eyes, but they were smiling.

Cassandra smiled as well, "I'm happy to have the DLP on board."

"I'd have reached out to you sooner," she added, "But when Lily and I first met I got the impression she'd rather I stayed away from her and her family. And while I'd heard a few things, I didn't know enough about any of you to consider extending an invitation. Not until Bailey Callie and Serenity told me about all the recent demon sightings here."

Kaylee added with a grin, "In that case Really Strange Stuff deserves some credit for bringing Team Chaos and the DLP together!"

Suddenly everyone around the table was looking at my girlfriends and I. Serenity and I both sort of froze, not knowing what to say. But despite all the attention Callie grinned and put on some of her southern charm.

"We're just doing what we do folks," the calico said. "Trying to find proof of the supernatural, so we can share it with the world."

Then she looked at the demons across the table from us and added, "I don't suppose any of y'all would like to appear on camera for an interview later?"

"Heck yeah!" Mara grinned, while her long demonic tail swished around behind her.

Amber and Mira both rolled their eyes again, while Lily immediately shook her head and started trying to talk her daughter out of it. And Eva just smiled.

Meanwhile I couldn't help thinking, a few days earlier when we suggested an interview Mara panicked and vanished immediately. Now she'd met our patron goddess and found out what the real plans were, what Cassandra was working on and what our ultimate goal was, suddenly the demon girl couldn't wait to get more public exposure.

"Well done cutie," I whispered to my little calico girlfriend.

Callie grinned while her tail and ears all stood up tall and proud as she whispered back, "Just doing my job Bails."

Sere smiled as she added, "I have a feeling this is going to be another turning-point moment for Really Strange Stuff."

"I think you're right," I responded happily.