The Visit
A strange being shows up at the Mahogany Mansion. Who are they, or rather, what do they want? Also available on Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/TheRedMafia Next Update: [Updated] Word Count: 2319 Edited 3/15/2024
A week after “The Tunnel”
“Velvet, Mad! I’m here!”
Maroon let out a small squeak and jumped, tumbling onto the floor of the foyer of the Mahogany Mansion. They looked up to see a tall, slender man looking down at them with a puzzled look. He wore a light-blue button-up decorated with balloons paired with a pair of tan cargo pants. He seemed to phase in and out of existence, dark clouds making up his body and floating off of him. Pitch-black marble antlers sat on his head with white swirls circling upwards before reaching the gold tips.
“Oh, hello there! Who might you be?”
Maroon stared at him, heart racing. “Uh- U-um-”
Loud footsteps rapidly approached the foyer. The shadow man turned towards the noise but Maroon couldn’t take their eyes off of him. He smiled.
“Velvet! It sure has been a while, huh?”
“That was entirely your doing, Zaeor.” Velvet’s voice snapped Maroon back to reality, causing them to turn towards her. Velvet stopped in front of them and crossed their arms. She had a black tank top on with a blue zip-up over it, paired with green cargo pants. They looked down at them and frowned.
“Why are you on the floor?” she asked, holding a hand out.
“I got spooked,” they mumbled, taking it.
“Of course.”
“You did too, Velvet,” the shadow man chimed in. The assassin glared at him.
“Shut it, Zaeor.”
“Wait, that’s Zaeor?” Maroon asked, eyes widening as their hands fell to their sides.
“The one and only!” the god said, giving a small bow.
“I literally just said his name,” Velvet muttered. Maroon didn’t respond, instead looking Zaeor up and down.
“And you must be Maroon,” he said, smiling, “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“Um…likewise.”
Zaeor smiled at them again before turning to Velvet.
“Can you go get Mad? That way I can chat with this adorable kiddo.” Maroon quickly looked away from him. They rubbed their hands together and glanced at Velvet, but didn’t say anything. The assassin narrowed her eyes at them.
“Okay, I’ll be back soon.”
Maroon watched as they walked out of the foyer. Zaeor looked down at them but Maroon still stared at the floor.
“So, how are you liking the mansion?” Zaeor asked. Maroon stayed quiet, causing the god to frown.
“That’s a cool accent, it sounds British. Where are you from?” Maroon looked up at him. Zaeor raised an eyebrow before chuckling.
“Right, you’re from the past. When was it, the 1900s?”
“1827.”
“Woah, really? You’re way older than you look, kiddo! Not as old as me, of course, but you’re definitely getting there.” He winked at them, sending a chill down the teen’s spine.
“R-right,” they said quietly, “Because you’re a true god, right?”
Zaeor smiled. “I am! I see you’ve been caught up.”
“Partially. S-so as a true god…you were created with the realm?”
“More like I created the realm.”
“What?”
The shadow god laughed again.
“Yep, it’s true.” Maroon looked at the hardwood floor again.
“But then where did you come from?”
“That’s always the question, isn’t it? It’s hard to say, I was very young at the time.”
Maroon’s hair fell back into their face as they looked back at him.
“Have you met any of the other realm’s true gods? Do you get along? How would you communicate? What-”
“Woah, slow down a bit, kiddo. I can’t answer your questions if you don’t let me!”
“...sorry.”
Zaeor patted them on the shoulder. Maroon jumped slightly and looked up at him.
“You’re good, Maroon! Now, let's see…I don’t think I’ve spoken face-to-face with any other true god, so I’m not sure.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry, kiddo.”
Maroon grabbed at the ends of their pale purple sweater. Zaeor looked down at them before chuckling again.
“You act a lot like Velvet, did you know that?”
“W-what?” Maroon looked back up at him.
“Well, not her now,” the god added, “When she was probably around your age. Very quiet, like you are.”
“O-oh. How…how long have you known them?”
Zaeor put a finger on his chin and looked towards the ceiling.
“Hmm, about a year now. They’ve changed a lot since then.”
“And thank the gods for that.” Velvet’s voice carried in from the doorway, catching the duo's attention. She stood next to Mad, who was dressed in a plain black t-shirt and jeans, topped with a smock covered in paint. Its screen displayed a neon green smile in the centre. Zaeor smiled.
“Hello, Mad.”
“Hey, Zaeor. How are you?” The god stepped towards them, leaving Maroon standing alone in the foyer. The younger teen hurried after him.
“I’m doing well, thank you. I see you’ve been painting, is that helping?”
“A lot, actually. Thanks again!”
Zaeor waved them off. “Don’t worry, it was really no big deal.”
“So Zaeor, what brings you here?” Velvet asked, crossing her arms. Zaeor’s face morphed into a frown. He looked at each of the mafia members before sighing.
“How about we go somewhere more…formal?”
Velvet opened the large wooden doors, revealing a long, rectangular table. A red tablecloth sat on top of it and eight chairs were pushed up against it. Several paintings were hanging on the wall, ranging from portraits of humans to landscapes from various planets. Maroon looked around the room, eyes wide.
“I didn’t even know this room existed!” Mad exclaimed next to them. Maroon nodded in agreement.
“Maybe you should explore the mansion more,” Velvet replied sarcastically.
“Last time I tried to do that I got lost in the west wing, this place is a maze.”
“Take a seat, everyone,” Zaeor said, “We have a lot to discuss.” The mafia moved to sit down at the table. Zaeor sat on the seat at the top of the table with Mad and Velvet sitting on either side of him. Maroon sat down next to Mad.
“So, I believe we are all aware of the status of the heist mission to retrieve the Custodio Power Gem?”
Velvet looked down to the floor and nodded. Mad also nodded, while Maroon remained as still as a statue.
“Well, the Custodio Power Gem was stolen last night by a universally renowned thief by the name of ‘Diamonds’.”
“Who names their child Diamonds?” Mad joked.
“You’re one to talk,” Velvet replied.
“Huh?” Maroon questioned, sitting up, “What do you mean?”
“Their name isn’t technically ‘Mad’,” Velvet began, leaning back in her chair, “It’s like M.A.D. or something, it’s an acronym.”
“M.M.A.D.,” Mad corrected, “My full name is M.M.A.D. GS-001 Valentine.” The room was silent for a few moments before Maroon spoke.
“So wait, your name is Mad.” “Mhm.” “With two m’s?”
“That’s correct.”
“...what’s it stand for?”
Mad sighed. “Magnetosphere Mishap Assistance Droid. GS-001 is my model number, GS stands for Genesis. I also took my creator's last name.”
“But that’s too long, so we just call them Mad. Which is ironic, considering it’s a perfect ray of sunshine all the time,” Velvet said, leaning backwards in her chair.
“I am not!” Mad protested.
“Ok ok, settle down you two. You guys are like small children,” Zaeor stated, rolling his eyes. Mad looked at Velvet, who smirked at it before turning back to Zaeor.
“Moving back on topic,” Zaeor began, “The Custodio Power Gem is now in the hands of Diamonds. Now, I know you all had some trouble retrieving the gem last time, but it is vital that the 3 of you can get it before Diamonds can use it for evil.”
“Why do you need this gem? What does it do?” Maroon asked. Zaeor turned to them, tapping his fingers on the table. Maroon shrunk down in their seat as he narrowed his eyes at them.
“Well, the gem’s name comes from the Latin word for guard. It can create a forcefield-like magical barrier when activated. As to why I need it, that’s not important.”
“B-but why?” Velvet sent a glare towards them, but Maroon just took a deep breath and continued, “People got hurt last time. I-is it really worth it?”
“Maroon…” Velvet warned, sitting up in their chair.
“The gem will be crucial for my plans for the next offensive against B.A.D., so it’s the sacrifice we’ll have to make,” the god answered, folding his hands on the table.
“A-And those plans are?”
“Confidential, currently.”
“From your own team?”
“Maroon shut the fuck-” Velvet’s voice was muffled by Mad, who put a hand over their mouth. Zaeor glanced at her before returning to Maroon.
“Yes. The more people who know, the more we are at risk of someone leaking our plans.”
“Are you i-implying that one of us is a traitor?”
“No, not at all,” Zaeor replied, “I trust all of you. But…the possibility of capture and torture is high.”
“Oh.” Maroon immediately slumped back into their chair.
Something’s off.
“So, where’s the gem now?” Mad said, catching everyone’s attention. Maroon made eye contact with Velvet, whose glare caused them to shrink further into their seat. Zaeor sighed again.
“I’ll send you the address as soon as I get home. It is of utmost importance that this gem is retrieved as soon as possible.”
“We can leave two days from now on the mission to get it,” Velvet stated. Zaeor nodded. “That will work. Now,” Zaeor said, a smile taking over his face, “who wants to play some board games?”
Velvet sat on one of the barstools in the kitchen, watching as Mad poured various spices into the ground beef on the stove. The robot hummed as it worked, occasionally glancing at the assassin. She was reading a book, but eventually, she slammed it closed and set it down on the counter.
“I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?”
“None of your business, cōnfectus.”
“Leave Maroon alone.”
“No.”
“Velvet-”
The teen slipped out of the kitchen before Mad could turn around to block their exit. She shoved her hands in her hoodie’s pocket and walked down the hallway. Mad called after them, but they turned the corner and disappeared out of sight. They ran up the stairs before taking a left when they reached the second floor.
Maroon jumped when the door slammed open. They quickly turned to see Velvet, who was walking towards them with their dagger drawn. A chill went down their spine.
“V-Velvet-”
“Shut up.”
“W-wait-”
Velvet grabbed the front of their sweater and pulled them up to their feet, pushing them against the wall. Her blade sat against their throat, the cold metal causing them to twitch.
“Who do you think you are?” they demanded. Maroon locked eyes with them before quickly looking away.
“I-”
“What gives you the right to question a god, fungus? Do tell, I’d love to know.”
Maroon took a shaky breath, a few tears streaming down their face. Velvet held their dagger steady but it managed to nick Maroon’s skin. Maroon let out a squeak as Velvet moved the weapon backwards. She looked between Maroon and the now-bloody dagger before sighing.
The assassin let go of their sweater, causing the younger teen to slide to the ground. They locked eyes for a few moments. Velvet watched as more tears fell onto the floor. Maroon’s heart raced, nearly beating straight out of their chest. A few mushrooms sprouted from the planters placed haphazardly around the room. Velvet reached into their pocket and kneeled next to them.
“Sorry, Maroon. I didn’t mean to cut you,” she said quietly, pulling out a plaster and holding it out to them. The younger teen’s eyes widened. Velvet slowly sheathed her dagger before turning back to them. Maroon carefully reached forward and grabbed the paper casing.
“T-thanks.”
“Don’t think everything is just fine now, fungus,” she stated coldly, “You can’t just go and question Zaeor like that. He’s the entire reason you’re here.”
“But-” “Let me fucking finish. He’s the true god, you can’t go around questioning him like that. You’re lucky your powers are useful to him.”
“...what?”
Velvet sighed and stood once again, turning around.
“Nevermind. Mad’s making dinner, I’m going to my room.” Maroon scrambled to their feet and quickly grabbed their wrist. Velvet turned back to look at them.
“What?”
“Uh- um- I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I just…didn’t want anyone to get hurt again.”
The older teen broke their wrist free before crossing her arms.
“Getting hurt is part of the gig, Maroon.”
“I-I know…”
Velvet looked up at them.
“But I get it, I guess. You’re still new to...all of this.”
“It…it won’t happen again, Velvet.”
The older teen looked at them again before sighing. “It better not.”
The two teens were quiet for a few moments. Maroon looked away and pulled on the sleeves of their sweater again. Velvet raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.
“You said Mad was cooking?” Maroon mumbled. The assassin nodded.
“Yeah, it looks like tacos or something.”
“T-tacos?” Maroon asked, turning back to them. Velvet narrowed her eyes at them.
“Do you not know what a taco is?”
“N-no.”
Velvet stared at them for several seconds.
“Come on, then. We’ll go grab some.” Velvet walked forward and held Maroon’s door open for them to walk through. Maroon joined them and held the paper casing out to them.
“C-can you show me how to use this?”
“Meus deōs- okay, fine.” She took the plaster from them, ripping the paper off. They reached towards Maroon, who jumped a bit. Velvet rolled their eyes.
“You have to stay still.”
“Sorry.”
Velvet pushed the bandaid down on their skin before turning around again. Maroon’s face grew hot.
“Let’s go.”
“...wait up-” Maroon hurried after them, wiping tears out of their eyes. The previous scene seemed to loop in their head as they stared at the assassin walking a few feet ahead. They took a deep breath.
Maybe there’s more to her than I thought.
Latin Translations: cōnfectus - worn out, exhausted meus deōs - my gods
